Didn't Martin in his farewell address state that Kunitz I payed through SERIOUS and undisclosed injury last season? I'm willing to give him the flyer on that alone.

Didn't Martin in his farewell address state that Kunitz I payed through SERIOUS and undisclosed injury last season? I'm willing to give him the flyer on that alone.
- Doogs

Yes and some people are speculating that he didn't fully heal from his foot injury among other undisclosed issues.

Perron either needs to be re-signed or traded for a 1st round pick/prospect. Anything other than that is a complete failure considering the Pens gave up the #16 pick in a great draft for him.
- jfkst1

I doubt another team would give a 1st for Perron. I like his game, just not sure what Perron we get. He has always been streaky. Oshie just seems like a steal.

Pens dont have another 1st until 2018?

Are there any projections for Rust, Wilson or Sheary to get time on anything not named the 4th line? If Kuni jumps into the top 6 BB looks set for 3rd line duties unless 1 of these other young guys get a look? Anything been mentioned?

On another note if Plot overachieves..............no one is going to know what to do? How long has it been???

Perron either needs to be re-signed or traded for a 1st round pick/prospect. Anything other than that is a complete failure considering the Pens gave up the #16 pick in a great draft for him.
- jfkst1

So if the pens win the cup this year with Perron would it be a waste? Part of giving up a first was for a guy with another year on his contract

Are there any projections for Rust, Wilson or Sheary to get time on anything not named the 4th line? If Kuni jumps into the top 6 BB looks set for 3rd line duties unless 1 of these other young guys get a look? Anything been mentioned?

On another note if Plot overachieves..............no one is going to know what to do? How long has it been???
- Aussiepenguin

As of right now we have Kunitz, Perron, Plotnikov, Bennett, and Dupuis fighting for five available top 9 spots. I just don't see Wilson, Rust, or Sheary jumping any of those guys right off the bat.

So if the pens win the cup this year with Perron would it be a waste? Part of giving up a first was for a guy with another year on his contract
- jchst22

But the idea was always to resign him. The fact that he had another year was to soften the blow in case he walked.

Once Kunitz and dupuis contracts r up... Sheary will fill one of their spots...

Once Kunitz and dupuis contracts r up... Sheary will fill one of their spots...
- Kunit

This is why I am not pro-trade Bennett. Even if he never turns into more than a third liner with ability to move up, in two years we'll need cheap top 9 guys to replace the old timers. As much as I love both Kunitz and Dupuis as people and players, neither should be extended

Perron either needs to be re-signed or traded for a 1st round pick/prospect. Anything other than that is a complete failure considering the Pens gave up the #16 pick in a great draft for him.
- jfkst1

It doesn't work like that. he isn't worth a 1st rounder anymore.

They gave up a 1st rounder for 2 years of Perron. 1 year of Perron... therefore... is not worth a 1st rounder.

This is why I am not pro-trade Bennett. Even if he never turns into more than a third liner with ability to move up, in two years we'll need cheap top 9 guys to replace the old timers. As much as I love both Kunitz and Dupuis as people and players, neither should be extended
- Victoro311

Yeah but last yr BB proved he is not even a 3rd liner. He was a healthy scratch reg season and playoffs. I think his future is rather bleak.

It doesn't work like that. he isn't worth a 1st rounder anymore.

They gave up a 1st rounder for 2 years of Perron. 1 year of Perron... therefore... is not worth a 1st rounder.
- poopmouth

You don't know what he is worth to another team. Rental forwards routinely get 1st round picks+. Vermette went for a 1st and good prospect.

Yeah but last yr BB proved he is not even a 3rd liner. He was a healthy scratch reg season and playoffs. I think his future is rather bleak.
- sammy87

You mean to say he was ineffective on his off wing with Sutter centering him and a revolving door on the right wing that included Spaling and an infuriatingly inconsistent Downie al while playing with two knee braces? He'll see time this year in the top 9 with good forwards. If reserve judgement until I see him play consistently with Kunitz, Dupuis, and maybe Malkin and Hornqvist without the knee braces. We have nothing to lose here since he'll come so cheap.

You don't know what he is worth to another team. Rental forwards routinely get 1st round picks+. Vermette went for a 1st and good prospect.
- jfkst1

it'd be shocking and wouldn't make any sense. but you're right. crazier things have happened.

but i'd think those overpayments for rentals happen more at the deadline when it is a seller's market and more desperation and bidding wars happen. Right now it's still a buyer's market since there is still a free agent market out there.

If Perron is playing well enough to warrant a 1st rounder coming back to the Pens, is he really a guy who they will want to trade for a prospect/1st rounder? I guess it depends on the other depth on the team. i guess if Kunitz and Duper are vintage Kunitz and Duper, then they would be able to afford to sell some "now" in Perron for some future

it'd be shocking and wouldn't make any sense. but you're right. crazier things have happened.

but i'd think those overpayments for rentals happen more at the deadline when it is a seller's market and more desperation and bidding wars happen. Right now it's still a buyer's market since there is still a free agent market out there.

If Perron is playing well enough to warrant a 1st rounder coming back to the Pens, is he really a guy who they will want to trade for a prospect/1st rounder? I guess it depends on the other depth on the team. i guess if Kunitz and Duper are vintage Kunitz and Duper, then they would be able to afford to sell some "now" in Perron for some future
- poopmouth

I doubt Rutherford will do that. But that doesn't mean it is a wise decision. Probably the opposite more often than not. At some point, Pens management needs to be proactive in their roster decisions rather than reactive. If they can't get Perron signed before the deadline and he is replaceable, he should absolutely be moved. My preference is that they try to sign him now since his PDO was absurdly low last season with the Pens and if that returns to a normal level, he's going to have a good year and cost more to retain.

I doubt Rutherford will do that. But that doesn't mean it is a wise decision. Probably the opposite more often than not. At some point, Pens management needs to be proactive in their roster decisions rather than reactive. If they can't get Perron signed before the deadline and he is replaceable, he should absolutely be moved. My preference is that they try to sign him now since his PDO was absurdly low last season with the Pens and if that returns to a normal level, he's going to have a good year and cost more to retain.
- jfkst1

That's a good point. I doubt a Perron can stay in this roster for the long term with the current guys locked up long term and what they make, PLUS big paydays to Maatta and Pouliot. However, if they can lock him up long term to a low AAV, then it NEVER hurts to have an underpaid player as a trade chip.

We saw that Toronto had to make Kessel 1.2 million underpaid in order to get the package they got for him.

So if they can be smart and get Perron locked up to a long-ish term, underpaid deal, then they can get A LOT for him in a trade if need be, or keep him if it makes sense.

I didn't realize the PDO gods were bad to Perron last year.

I think Kunitz could easily have a bounce-back year and earn his salary this year. I am not sure about Dupuis with his injury though. I think where their salaries hurt the team most is next season (their last). The Pens will be in more of a rebuilding/replenishment phase then than now and their relatively high salaries will inhibit the team's efforts. They will also want to resign Maatta and need to sign a replacement for Lovejoy. I think it is almost certain that Scuderi and/or Dupuis are bought out after this season (Dupuis more likely, although Scuderi hurts the team more with his "out-of-place-pylon-like" defense). I am not sure about Kunitz.

From EK:

On Ehrhoff..

It sounds like the Capitals may take a one year deal to see how healthy and impactful Ehrhoff can be. The Sens and Wings are also still poking around I am told..

WTF? Another former Penguin? Did Chorney get a one way deal? Sucks to let him go. He was pretty solid.

Anyone see Fasth sign in the KHL? Thought they were going broke.. Not like Fasth was any good anyway

From EK:

On Ehrhoff..

It sounds like the Capitals may take a one year deal to see how healthy and impactful Ehrhoff can be. The Sens and Wings are also still poking around I am told..

WTF? Another former Penguin? Did Chorney get a one way deal? Sucks to let him go. He was pretty solid.
- Barnaby36

Yeah I saw that. Washington is going to be scary good next year if they can lock him down.

Yeah I saw that. Washington is going to be scary good next year if they can lock him down.
- Pens_Burgh

I really like Ehrhoff's game unfortunately he had concussion problems. I'd bring him back for the same price we paid him last year ($4M).

And yes, Washington seem to be very solid. Physical team too. right now I'd say they are in better shape than us.

Yeah I saw that. Washington is going to be scary good next year if they can lock him down.
- Pens_Burgh

I hope WSH doesn't get Ehrhoff. Outside of Orpik, that lineup looks strong right now. WSH and NYI are gonna be tough teams next season.

That's a good point. I doubt a Perron can stay in this roster for the long term with the current guys locked up long term and what they make, PLUS big paydays to Maatta and Pouliot. However, if they can lock him up long term to a low AAV, then it NEVER hurts to have an underpaid player as a trade chip.

We saw that Toronto had to make Kessel 1.2 million underpaid in order to get the package they got for him.

So if they can be smart and get Perron locked up to a long-ish term, underpaid deal, then they can get A LOT for him in a trade if need be, or keep him if it makes sense.

I didn't realize the PDO gods were bad to Perron last year.
- poopmouth

I didn't watch him much as an Oiler but yeah his PDO was bad in Edmonton last year. As a penguin you could tell it was bad just by watching him after his initial start. Just like Kunitz, great chances but lots of shwiffs. I don't know if it was injuries or what. His current AAV is something like 3.8 but he didn't really get paid all that much throughout the contract. I'd see if he'd accept a long term deal in the 4-4.2 range that paid him around 4 mil every season. Maybe that'd be enough money for him but I honestly doubt he signs after a disappointing season when he can still take a year to improve his stock, unless he just really really loves Pitsburgh.

Ehrhoff was a waste last year, even when he was healthy. Gutless, lazy, just in it for the money. The Buffalo folks who called him a character-devoid quitter were spot on.

I'd rather have Orpik even though his game has deteriorated - at least he cares.

I really like Ehrhoff's game unfortunately he had concussion problems. I'd bring him back for the same price we paid him last year ($4M).

And yes, Washington seem to be very solid. Physical team too. right now I'd say they are in better shape than us.
- Barnaby36

Definitely would have taken him back if we could have moved Scuds at least. Although Hoff did put his house up for sale rather quickly, so I don't think it was ever a possibility.

Washington is pretty stacked now throughout all 4 lines, with Hoff as well it's just crazy. I just put them all on lines as I have no clue where they'll slot.

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Burakovsky-Laich-Wilson
Chimera-Laata-Beagle
Galiev

Alzner-Carlson
Niskanen-Orpik
Ehrhoff-
Orlov/Schmidt/Chorney

Holtby

That's pretty damn deep