I agree, but its not like you can move Letang and get anything close to equal coming back on the blue line and you will pay just as much for a Dman thats not as good via FA. No prospects can replace him, so if you're a Letang hater, you're gonna just have to deal with it.
- sammy87

If I were assembling an all world team for one game or one playoff series Letang would warrant consideration. But if we are talking about enduring a lot of games, I would never consider Letang. And with his health issues, Pens would never get good value in a trade.
And yeah, Coffey wasn't there for long. But he was absolutely dominant and an all time great at the position.

If I were assembling an all world team for one game or one playoff series Letang would warrant consideration. But if we are talking about enduring a lot of games, I would never consider Letang.
And yeah, Coffey wasn't there for long. But he was absolutely dominant and an all time great at the position.
- jfkst1

His #'s nose dived after Pitt. Which goes to show you, dont hang on to players for too long.

If I were building a team for the future, Ekblad would be high on my list. I think that dude will be a beast in the NHL and he's only like 20.

His #'s nose dived after Pitt. Which goes to show you, dont hang on to players for too long.

If I were building a team for the future, Ekblad would be high on my list. I think that dude will be a beast in the NHL and he's only like 20.
- sammy87

I think Ekblad is a franchise dman at 19. Not sure I've ever seen that before.

I think Ekblad is a franchise dman at 19. Not sure I've ever seen that before.
- jfkst1

The kid in Dallas isnt far behind

I think Ekblad is a franchise dman at 19. Not sure I've ever seen that before.
- jfkst1

Yeah I remember the 1st time I saw him play, didn't know much about him. Dude had the size of Weber and a canon for a shot and damm good mobility. So I looked him up and couldn't believe he was a rookie. He could command the highest Dman contract in a few years.

The kid in Dallas isnt far behind
- Weisenheimer

Klingberg is a great offensive dman, but I do think Sammy's comparison of Ekblad to Weber is apt. Obviously Ekblad isn't as offensively dominant, but his all around game is as good as it comes. And he turned 20 yrs old today. That's just unreal. By comparison Klingberg is 23.

I think Ekblad is a franchise dman at 19. Not sure I've ever seen that before.
- jfkst1

Doughty was pretty damn dominant at 19

Cannot leave soon enough Consistency has always been a problem When he is good he is real good and when he is bad he is awful. Too many peaks and valleys Give me steady and strong
- holeinone

Yes I've said this before, Flower is always prone to give up that poopty goal that turns a game around. He can also be replaced as he's not elite like Sid & Geno are.

I'm hoping Murray & or Jarry are the real deal. Murray looked pretty comfortable in his big 3 games or so in the bigs.

If that's the case, Flower will be a double whammy for us - clear cap & bring back valuable assets.

Klingberg is a great offensive dman, but I do think Sammy's comparison of Ekblad to Weber is apt. Obviously Ekblad isn't as offensively dominant, but his all around game is as good as it comes. And he turned 20 yrs old today. That's just unreal. By comparison Klingberg is 23.
- jfkst1

well weber is ekblad's idol. he tries to play like weber so if you say he is like weber then you are right

Yes I've said this before, Flower is always prone to give up that poopty goal that turns a game around. He can also be replaced as he's not elite like Sid & Geno are.

I'm hoping Murray & or Jarry are the real deal. Murray looked pretty comfortable in his big 3 games or so in the bigs.

If that's the case, Flower will be a double whammy for us - clear cap & bring back valuable assets.
- Aussiepenguin

well the older he gets the less he will bring back.

He and Malkin are tied for 10
- stackthepads

actually malkin is 9th with 49 points 49 games and sid is 10th with 49 points 50 games played

This is pretty entertaining on a number of levels;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eC9lhzwHK3w

well the older he gets the less he will bring back.
- martox

Time is near Martox - very near!

crosby is now just 10 games with a goal in a row away from the league record

Ok sounds like Rust played well (again). What's the opinion of the expert HB panel? Top 6 when everyone is healthy? 3rd line? 4th? Guy impressed Mike & Ol 29er who sang his praises pretty hard. Where does he fit & what side?

Did Porter get time on the 2nd in place of CullDog? Sundy got slammed but bounced up, is he doing enough to be the conversation of staying up? Pouliot playing...?? What are the D pairs? Dumo with Daley? Maatta with Tanger & Lovejob with Pouliot?

Philbo appeared to be dominate in the lead up to the OT goal, is that good enough for everyone or does he stay on the 3rd line?

So many questions...........

Zatkoff? Jussi goal was a poop goal can the same be said about the 2nd? Other than that he kept the ship above water which must of seemed like a (T)sunami at times!!

Now does Zatkoff start against the Ducks or give Flower back the keys to the Ferrari?

wasn't there very long, what 4 seasons? He's an all time great HOF'er, but the majority of his career wasn't in Pitt.
- sammy87

I agree Paul Coffey should not have his number in the rafters, but the same could said about Jagr. He has been gone much longer than he was here.

It is next to impossible these days to spend a full career in one location. Too much money to be made for the player. On the other side of the equation, teams must deal with a salary cap and are more willing to trade players.

I just think it should be just as tough to have your number retired as it is to get into the HOF.

Ok sounds like Rust played well (again). What's the opinion of the expert HB panel? Top 6 when everyone is healthy? 3rd line? 4th? Guy impressed Mike & Ol 29er who sang his praises pretty hard. Where does he fit & what side?

Did Porter get time on the 2nd in place of CullDog? Sundy got slammed but bounced up, is he doing enough to be the conversation of staying up? Pouliot playing...?? What are the D pairs? Dumo with Daley? Maatta with Tanger & Lovejob with Pouliot?

Philbo appeared to be dominate in the lead up to the OT goal, is that good enough for everyone or does he stay on the 3rd line?

So many questions...........

Zatkoff? Jussi goal was a poop goal can the same be said about the 2nd? Other than that he kept the ship above water which must of seemed like a sunami at times!!

Now does Zatkoff start against the Ducks or give Flower back the keys to the Ferrari?
- Aussiepenguin

1. I like Sund as a 4th line center or wing or even 3rd line. Maybe even at Kunitz spot as a try out to see if he works well with sid. And he is good friend with Horny.

2. Phil is good just not as good as we believed but I KNOW he will get better as time goes on as he is in a favorable posistion now as 2nd line right wing with Hags as left and Malkin as center. He WILL phil the net!

3. Fleury will get the start and I hope to god he plays like he have done most of the year. Maybe his concusion is catching up to him?

4. Sid is on fire atm. He CAN even win the art ross and rocket richard if he keeps up this pace and if Kane plays like he have done earlier years and don't go on another scoring streak.

oh and you forgot the T in Tsunami

1. I like Sund as a 4th line center or wing or even 3rd line. Maybe even at Kunitz spot as a try out to see if he works well with sid. And he is good friend with Horny.

2. Phil is good just not as good as we believed but I KNOW he will get better as time goes on as he is in a favorable posistion now as 2nd line right wing with Hags as left and Malkin as center. He WILL phil the net!

3. Fleury will get the start and I hope to god he plays like he have done most of the year. Maybe his concusion is catching up to him?

4. Sid is on fire atm. He CAN even win the art ross and rocket richard if he keeps up this pace and if Kane plays like he have done earlier years and don't go on another scoring streak.

oh and you forgot the T in Tsunami
- martox

Sid is not on fire.


Sid IS fire!

1. I like Sund as a 4th line center or wing or even 3rd line. Maybe even at Kunitz spot as a try out to see if he works well with sid. And he is good friend with Horny.

2. Phil is good just not as good as we believed but I KNOW he will get better as time goes on as he is in a favorable posistion now as 2nd line right wing with Hags as left and Malkin as center. He WILL phil the net!

3. Fleury will get the start and I hope to god he plays like he have done most of the year. Maybe his concusion is catching up to him?

4. Sid is on fire atm. He CAN even win the art ross and rocket richard if he keeps up this pace and if Kane plays like he have done earlier years and don't go on another scoring streak.

oh and you forgot the T in Tsunami
- martox

There were a few goes at it as the auto correct kept changing it, so lucky I even got close!! (but yes I never got it right)

I think Philbo stays on Geno's right, Sundy will get sent down first chance unless Fehr & Boner are not coming back. Rust is the question??? He can play both wings up & down the lines - I think he's a keeper in the NHL now.

I'll say it now, unless there are injuries, Sid is no hope for the Hart or Art Ross. The Hawks 2nd line scores in its sleep!! That should get the Hawks high enough & Kane the mvp unless politics enter the conversation. Ovi would be very close as well - don't see the Caps regressing enough either. But I hope I'm wrong (again)!

I really hope Flower gets back in his good groove!

Edit: I've always thought that photo of P. Kane is a suspect looking one - is it just moi, or does he look like a sleaze??

There were a few goes at it as the auto correct kept changing it, so lucky I even got close!! (but yes I never got it right)

I think Philbo stays on Geno's right, Sundy will get sent down first chance unless Fehr & Boner are not coming back. Rust is the question??? He can play both wings up & down the lines - I think he's a keeper in the NHL now.

I'll say it now, unless there are injuries, Sid is no hope for the Hart or Art Ross. The Hawks 2nd line scores in its sleep!! That should get the Hawks high enough & Kane the mvp unless politics enter the conversation. Ovi would be very close as well - don't see the Caps regressing enough either. But I hope I'm wrong (again)!

I really hope Flower gets back in his good groove!

Edit: I've always thought that photo of P. Kane is a suspect looking one - is it just moi, or does he look like a sleaze??
- Aussiepenguin

I don't want a rapist to win the art ross.

Cannot leave soon enough Consistency has always been a problem When he is good he is real good and when he is bad he is awful. Too many peaks and valleys Give me steady and strong
- holeinone

- Reverend Killtaker

Fleury has two bad games after having an amazing season up until this point and Zatkoff has one good game, and now all of a sudden Flower is expendable because we have Murray in WBS. We, as a collective group, are re-damn-diculous

Fleury has two bad games after having an amazing season up until this point and Zatkoff has one good game, and now all of a sudden Flower is expendable because we have Murray in WBS. We, as a collective group, are re-damn-diculous
- Victoro311

I am disapointed with fleury tha last fex game but he played like a beast earlier and last year. I would trade him IF murray could be close to as good as fleury or better. also the longer we keep fleury the less he will return.

Fleury has two bad games after having an amazing season up until this point and Zatkoff has one good game, and now all of a sudden Flower is expendable because we have Murray in WBS. We, as a collective group, are re-damn-diculous
- Victoro311

Add in that he kept us in the ranger series last year as well. Like it or not MAF is arguably the franchises all time goalie, you don't just trade that on a whim for a plug. I think Murray is legit but he doesn't even have 5 nhl games and jarry has 0. Yet let's risk every thing and trade MAF. I have no issue bring Murray up and splitting games pretty evenly but knee jerk reactions aren't going to help.

Fleury has two bad games after having an amazing season up until this point and Zatkoff has one good game, and now all of a sudden Flower is expendable because we have Murray in WBS. We, as a collective group, are re-damn-diculous
- Victoro311

I've decided to just ignore them instead of pushing back against the idiocy.