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.
- jfkst1

Yeah next season is going to be an absolute blood bath. We should be fine as long as we are blessed with health. I think this is the year we finally stay healthy

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.
- hardnosed

That's like saying you would rather have a bottom 6 energy guy instead of a top 6 winger who can produce.

You would rather have a bottom pairing Dman instead of a top 4 Dman? To add to that Orpik's deal is a killer and Hoff would come cheaper. Orpik is also a shell of who he once was and will be 35 when the season starts.

Yeah next season is going to be an absolute blood bath. We should be fine as long as we are blessed with health. I think this is the year we finally stay healthy
- Pens_Burgh

Hopefully. Because this season, if the Pens have the status quo and are among the most injured teams yet again, I don't think they will make the postseason.

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.
- Victoro311

Unless Perron turns into something he's never been in his career (a guy who maximizes his talent), he's not worth being tied to long term.

That's like saying you would rather have a bottom 6 energy guy instead of a top 6 winger who can produce.

- Pens_Burgh

No, it's not.

You would rather have a bottom pairing Dman instead of a top 4 Dman? To add to that Orpik's deal is a killer and Hoff would come cheaper. Orpik is also a shell of who he once was and will be 35 when the season starts.
- Pens_Burgh

Ehrhoff has top pairing talent and an ECHL heart. Worst kind of player to have on your team.

Hopefully. Because this season, if the Pens have the status quo and are among the most injured teams yet again, I don't think they will make the postseason.
- jfkst1

I agree. We can afford to take small injuries and call up Wilson/Rust/etc but a long term one would be devastating, especially if it's 87/71/58/81 going down. If we have two or more Dmen down for any extended time we're screwed. As it stands we have 7 Dmen, I wonder who would be that 8th guy now that Chorney is gone. Hoping Anderson impresses.

No, it's not.



Ehrhoff has top pairing talent and an ECHL heart. Worst kind of player to have on your team.
- hardnosed

This is totally opinion based.

I think we need a heart graph on this next blog.

This is totally opinion based.
- Pens_Burgh

It's pretty obvious if you're paying attention.

No, it's not.



Ehrhoff has top pairing talent and an ECHL heart. Worst kind of player to have on your team.
- hardnosed

Whatever LOL
A joke of an assessment.

Ehrhoff was pretty good for us, far from a quiter. I bet you'd feel lost if you had a couple concussions too

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.
- hardnosed

if he just cared about money, he would not have signed with the pens for 1 year, 4 mil.

interesting stuff as always from Friedman in his 30 Thoughts.

Says that Tom Fitzgerald was responsible for getting Plotnikov.

Says that originally the Penguins refused to have Pouliot in the deal and wanted Toronto to take 2.5 million. At one point Toronto was willing to take Scuderi.

Also says Rutherford told him that he doesnt want to trade Sutter. But he needs to do something.

still think there is more things to come here.

No, it's not.



Ehrhoff has top pairing talent and an ECHL heart. Worst kind of player to have on your team.
- hardnosed

that's pretty unfair in my opinion.

what did you expect him to do?

interesting stuff as always from Friedman in his 30 Thoughts.

Says that Tom Fitzgerald was responsible for getting Plotnikov.

Says that originally the Penguins refused to have Pouliot in the deal and wanted Toronto to take 2.5 million. At one point Toronto was willing to take Scuderi.

Also says Rutherford told him that he doesnt want to trade Sutter. But he needs to do something.

still think there is more things to come here.
- SuperHenderson13

I figured Rutherford would say something like that. I don't think it means Sutter is safe but JR will still try to clear salary somewhere. He usually stays true to his word on what his intentions are.

Iteresting Fitzy pushed for Plotnikov and noted watching YouTube highlights. So NHL assistant GMs really watch YouTube highlights? (picturing Tom Fitzgerald blasting that Russian music in the video). Sounds like the ELC is what sold them on him and likely why Tikhonov didnt come to fruition. I really think there's a plan to try Plot in the top 6 even if it seems unlikely to work.

interesting stuff as always from Friedman in his 30 Thoughts.

Says that Tom Fitzgerald was responsible for getting Plotnikov.

Says that originally the Penguins refused to have Pouliot in the deal and wanted Toronto to take 2.5 million. At one point Toronto was willing to take Scuderi.

Also says Rutherford told him that he doesnt want to trade Sutter. But he needs to do something.

still think there is more things to come here.
- SuperHenderson13

Rutherford did a real nice job waiting for Toronto to come down on the asking price. Giving up Kapanen hurt, but Phil Franking Kessel is going to dominate here.

Rutherford did a real nice job waiting for Toronto to come down on the asking price. Giving up Kapanen hurt, but Phil Franking Kessel is going to dominate here.
- usethe1-2-2

Imagine if we JR would have gotten Toronto to eat 2.5. Wow Kessel at under 7 is nice but Kessel under 6 is amazing. Glad to see he determined early he wasn't willing to part with DP then stuck to it.

Imagine if we JR would have gotten Toronto to eat 2.5. Wow Kessel at under 7 is nice but Kessel under 6 is amazing. Glad to see he determined early he wasn't willing to part with DP then stuck to it.
- dbell646

Yh in the end we wouldn't part with two large future pieces. Smart move by Rutherford.

Yh in the end we wouldn't part with two large future pieces. Smart move by Rutherford.
- usethe1-2-2

Kessel at 5.5 million for 7 years is the kind of thing you give up Olli or Pouliot for and feel pretty good about, IMO.

That said, Kessel at 6.8 for 7 years is fine too considering the cost.

Dumoulin re-signed 2 year deal 800k per

Dumoulin re-signed 2 year deal 800k per
- Reverend Killtaker

I thought he'd get a mil per so pretty fair deal both ways.

Dumoulin re-signed 2 year deal 800k per
- Reverend Killtaker

Dumoulin re-signed 2 year deal 800k per
- Reverend Killtaker

now on to bennet.

interesting stuff as always from Friedman in his 30 Thoughts.

Says that Tom Fitzgerald was responsible for getting Plotnikov.

Says that originally the Penguins refused to have Pouliot in the deal and wanted Toronto to take 2.5 million. At one point Toronto was willing to take Scuderi.

Also says Rutherford told him that he doesnt want to trade Sutter. But he needs to do something.

still think there is more things to come here.
- SuperHenderson13

It actually was going to be Kunitz or Scuderi but both of them have Toronto on their No Trade Clause and neither would wave it, thus spaling went back the other way.

I thought he'd get a mil per so pretty fair deal both ways.
- dbell646

Yeah, that is a real solid deal for the Pens the next 2 years. Any D-man contributing in your starting 6 for under $1 million helps the cap situation a lot. Hopefully he is in the starting 6 and not sitting in favor of Scuderi or Lovejoy.

Kessel at 5.5 million for 7 years is the kind of thing you give up Olli or Pouliot for and feel pretty good about, IMO.

That said, Kessel at 6.8 for 7 years is fine too considering the cost.
- poopmouth

I'd rather have Kessel at 6.8 and Pouliot moving forward than Kessel at 5.5 and Kapanen, assuming that Kap doesn't move in the scenario that Pouliot is moved.

It actually was going to be Kunitz or Scuderi but both of them have Toronto on their No Trade Clause and neither would wave it, thus spaling went back the other way.
- mmonana120

I'm happy it shook out that way. As I previously stated, no real need to move Kunitz unless we were gonna go after Frolik or Franson in free agency. If Kunitz isn't going for solid assets then don't move him.