You think he's limited to the Calder? I had him penciled in as the Art Ross/Selke/Conn Smythe winner as well. Hart goes without saying.
- jmatchett383

Sundquivst is going to win the Hart.

I just think this fan base, as I've stated before, assumes a lot of young players. Having Maata/Harrington/Pouliot being 3 of your top-5 next season is the best case scenario, far from a forgone conclusion. I'd rather have a guy like Martin in my top-4 and have Harrington/Pouliot rotate in as needed with a guy like Cole.
- jmatchett383

I'd agree, but having two (Maatta & Pouliot) isn't that much of a stretch. The question mark comes in regarding that 4th guy behind Letang, Maatta, & Pouliot.

As the Penguins have the Cap Space to add a Top-4 D via UFA, promising propects in Dumoulin & Harrington, & a solid 5/6/7 w/ Lovejoy, Cole, & Scuderi, I think something will work out. If nothing else, always trade deadline deals next season as well.

I like Martin and I like Ehrhoff too, but not at the expense of potentially crippling the team financially and stifling the playing time of the younger dmen. Both those guys will command a 4 year $24m contract if they want it and that will likely burden Pittsburgh if Pouliot continues to progress and Maatta returns healthy.
- jfkst1

I don't see how giving Martin a $1M raise and letting Ehrhoff walk would "cripple" them financially. Heck, Niskanen was the big fish UFA last year, was 7 years younger than Martin will be, and got less than $6M per year. I don't think Martin's gonna get that, especially with Green and Ehrhoff out there.

If they let Martin and Erhoff walk, I think they will pick up another Dman in FA.

Orpik is making $5.5M per year, not $7M.
- jmatchett383

Orpik was also playing bad hockey his last 2 seasons here. PM is playing some of the best of his career.

I don't see how giving Martin a $1M raise and letting Ehrhoff walk would "cripple" them financially. Heck, Niskanen was the big fish UFA last year, was 7 years younger than Martin will be, and got less than $6M per year. I don't think Martin's gonna get that, especially with Green and Ehrhoff out there.
- jmatchett383

Martin is better than Niskanen and Niskanen got 7 years. I think another UFA on a short term will be possible, but I believe the term Martin and Ehrhoff will want will be prohibitive to the team. Maatta was playing well in the top 4 before being hurt and Pouliot is playing well in the top 4 now. Lovejoy was also in the top 4 at Anaheim and hasn't looked out of place so far on the 2nd pairing here. Comparing that to including players that have never played in the NHL (Kapanen and Sundqvist) is irrational.

I don't see how giving Martin a $1M raise and letting Ehrhoff walk would "cripple" them financially. Heck, Niskanen was the big fish UFA last year, was 7 years younger than Martin will be, and got less than $6M per year. I don't think Martin's gonna get that, especially with Green and Ehrhoff out there.
- jmatchett383

It's more the term than $ that'll cripple the Pens....Buffalo, Canes, Avs, Stars, Edm, NJ, Phx are a few teams that need D and/or have cap space that will drive prices up

Orpik is making $5.5M per year, not $7M.
- jmatchett383

Martin is playing much better hockey at this point of his career then Orpik was going into FA. Plus, it seems like all of the good D-men available in FA this year are around that same 32-34 age group. With no younger guys available, teams will be willing to overpay.

The eye test shows you he is getting slower and less physical. This is his last good year

Penguins and Sharks is just the latest example that scoring chances > goal totals in games. Great saves are just as exciting as the actual goals that are scored.

At what point, however, do they cease being scoring chances because the goalies are so over-padded and the shots, if they make it to the goalie, never go in. I know I am repeating myself but something needs to be done about the lack of scoring...
- Tiogadog

I'm not sure which era people are longing for these days. League goals/game is 2.75. This is on par with the year 1999-00 (2.75) and trailing 2007-08 (2.78).

The 3.12 power plays per game is low, but the adjacent seasons when sorted by goals/game (1999-00 and 2000-01) featured 4.03 and 4.59 PP/game respectively. 4 power plays is enough; that's more than a quarter of the game in special teams.

I really don't want to see bigger nets or other silly attempts to turn the NHL into the NBA. I hate the shootout format because it breaks continuity in the league record books and that's as extreme as I would want the format of the game to change.

I'm not sure which era people are longing for these days. League goals/game is 2.75. This is on par with the year 1999-00 (2.75) and trailing 2007-08 (2.78).

The 3.12 power plays per game is low, but the adjacent seasons when sorted by goals/game (1999-00 and 2000-01) featured 4.03 and 4.59 PP/game respectively. 4 power plays is enough; that's more than a quarter of the game in special teams.

I really don't want to see bigger nets or other silly attempts to turn the NHL into the NBA. I hate the shootout format because it breaks continuity in the league record books and that's as extreme as I would want the format of the game to change.
- Johnny Wrath

There seems to me to be less room on the ice. Factor in that the average player is 15 pounds heavier than in the early 90s along with the extra official. That equates to two more skaters on the ice. While four on four would radically change the record books, I may be leaning toward that format. I would start with a reduction of goalie equipment size before making the nets larger.

Martin is playing much better hockey at this point of his career then Orpik was going into FA. Plus, it seems like all of the good D-men available in FA this year are around that same 32-34 age group. With no younger guys available, teams will be willing to overpay.
- cap1681

If I'm Martin, I go to FL. No state income taxes, no media pressure, end the season in APril, buy a boat, and rake it in.

Martin will be a big loss, but you can basically plug Maatta back in and have:

Letang - Maatta
Pouliot - Lovejoy
Cole - Harrington/Dumoulin/Scuderi

That's pretty solid
- rival22

And cost effective!!

There seems to me to be less room on the ice. Factor in that the average player is 15 pounds heavier than in the early 90s along with the extra official. That equates to two more skaters on the ice. While four on four would radically change the record books, I may be leaning toward that format. I would start with a reduction of goalie equipment size before making the nets larger.
- Tiogadog

In a dream world, Olympic sized rinks. The players are just too big and fast. I think it would reduce injuries and allow more skill on the ice. No need for garbage players on teh roster. I do prefer smaller goalie pads.

There seems to me to be less room on the ice. Factor in that the average player is 15 pounds heavier than in the early 90s along with the extra official. That equates to two more skaters on the ice. While four on four would radically change the record books, I may be leaning toward that format. I would start with a reduction of goalie equipment size before making the nets larger.
- Tiogadog

You wouldn't adjust the ice size to international (100x200) from NHL (85x200), which there is precedent for, before calling 4-on-4 'even strength' and so on?

Pouliot had very good the last few games. What I'm most impressed with is his decision making on when to pinch in from the blue line and when to not. You usually don't see that from young offensive D men
- willi

I'd say I'm most impressed with that but I almost expected that. He's a wizard in the O zone. Last night the D gave him some space and he took it straight to the net, got his own rebound, passed, then found a soft spot for a one timer. I was like WTF this guy is 21 years old??

As great as all that is, im even more impressed how well he's played defensively. He wins board battles well despite his size, and makes extremely quick/smart passes and support plays. And I've yet to see him take a big hit...he's like a snake out there.

Okay, that was a total man crush...but thats my scouting report lol. He and Maatta in the same draft was robbery.

They'll save a good amount if they let one of them walk. You keep Martin at a slight increase (~5.5M) and you save $3.5M on Ehrhoff's deal alone.

To me, you have to keep one of them, or else you've got Letang, Scuderi, and a bunch of kids more or less. Martin would help to add some good veteran presence.

Just my take.
- jmatchett383

I disagree. Lovejoy is 31 and I wouldn't consider Cole a kid either.

I disagree. Lovejoy is 31 and I wouldn't consider Cole a kid either.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

More reason to like the trades. Slotting!

In a dream world, Olympic sized rinks. The players are just too big and fast. I think it would reduce injuries and allow more skill on the ice. No need for garbage players on teh roster. I do prefer smaller goalie pads.
- sammy87

Yeah, Olympic sized rinks will never happen in the NHL. If I remember correctly, people were debunking the theory of bigger rinks leading to more offense anyway.

The goalie pads should definitely be reduced. I think that would be a great start.

Yeah, Olympic sized rinks will never happen in the NHL. If I remember correctly, people were debunking the theory of bigger rinks leading to more offense anyway.

The goalie pad should definitely be reduced. I think that would be a great start.
- madmike71

Offense in terms of raw goal production or scoring chances? I think the premise here is that a low-scoring game can be widely considered 'exciting' if there are ample scoring opportunities.

In a dream world, Olympic sized rinks. The players are just too big and fast. I think it would reduce injuries and allow more skill on the ice. No need for garbage players on teh roster. I do prefer smaller goalie pads.
- sammy87

Bigger rinks isn't the answer. By increasing the rink size it becomes soccer out there. Teams force everything to the outside and no offence is generated. Go back and watch Latvia at the olympics if you wanna see boring hockey

If playoffs started today we'd play the team that scares me most the rags. Assuming hank is back

Yeah, Olympic sized rinks will never happen in the NHL. If I remember correctly, people were debunking the theory of bigger rinks leading to more offense anyway.

The goalie pads should definitely be reduced. I think that would be a great start.
- madmike71

The trouble with international skating surfaces is that everyone plays the same system; collapse in front of the goalie. There's too much space to really challenge anyone on the perimeter effectively so no one does.

Bigger rinks isn't the answer. By increasing the rink size it becomes soccer out there. Teams force everything to the outside and no offence is generated. Go back and watch Latvia at the olympics if you wanna see boring hockey
- willi

So because there is more outside³ then there is more outside to be forced to? I don't think so.

Offense in terms of raw goal production or scoring chances? I think the premise here is that a low-scoring game can be widely considered 'exciting' if there are ample scoring opportunities.
- Johnny Wrath

I agree that a low scoring games can be exciting. Take last night for example.

The contrast between the Kings game and Sharks game was pretty stark. Maybe I'm in the minority, but the Kings game was "paint dry" hockey. Lot's of interference, obstruction. Zero open ice.