Maatta has been hit with two serious shoulder injuries, cancer and a real bad spleen injury from the check into the open door. He didn't have pathetic foot speed his rookie year and hasn't had a chance to consistently train since then. Plus, he's only 21 - let's give him a bit of a break. He's gone through more in the last two years than a lot of people will in their lives. If he's still slow after a full, healthy offseason - which may not be this one if he has to fulfill his military obligation.
- mw630

I'm with you. He didn't look nearly that slow his rookie year. It sounds like he couldn't do any type of training while recovering from those shoulder surgeries. I think he can still be a special player.

Maatta has been hit with two serious shoulder injuries, cancer and a real bad spleen injury from the check into the open door. He didn't have pathetic foot speed his rookie year and hasn't had a chance to consistently train since then. Plus, he's only 21 - let's give him a bit of a break. He's gone through more in the last two years than a lot of people will in their lives. If he's still slow after a full, healthy offseason - which may not be this one if he has to fulfill his military obligation.
- mw630

He still wasn't fast as a rookie... its not a crime to be of just slightly above average speed, but when there is another person looking just as skilled, with a bigger body frame, size, reach, AND speed... its makes him possibly tradable.

He still wasn't fast as a rookie... its not a crime to be of just slightly above average speed, but when there is another person looking just as skilled, with a bigger body frame, size, reach, AND speed... its makes him possibly tradable.
- Guile

I would say there's probably a 0% chance they trade Maatta this off season.

How do you guys like Mcginn? Never really watched him other than when he played the pens. Seemed like a Hornqvist 2.0. IF (big if) the pens trade fleury for picks/prospects and the cap does go up to 74 mil they would easily have the room to sign him

When Daley went down I was really concerned having Maatta back in there with the way he was previously playing. Watching him skate was cringe worthy at times with how slow he was. However, I thought he did a nice job in his return to the lineup.

Doesn't he have a military commitment he has to do this summer?

When Daley went down I was really concerned having Maatta back in there with the way he was previously playing. Watching him skate was cringe worthy at times with how slow he was. However, I thought he did a nice job in his return to the lineup.

Doesn't he have a military commitment he has to do this summer?
- acdc1206

yes he does

I'm with you. He didn't look nearly that slow his rookie year. It sounds like he couldn't do any type of training while recovering from those shoulder surgeries. I think he can still be a special player.
- madmike71

He didnt look nearly as slow because our team wasn't nearly as fast. After what I saw these past playoffs I want the Pens all in on speed.

I'd be looking to trade Maatta, Fehr, Cole, Fleury


Fehr/Cole are both decent NHL players and should be able to get us useful picks/prospects.

Maatta I'd love to upgrade (in our system) to Barrie.

Fleury for picks and prospects.

Trade for Yakupov. Maybe they'd take Cole or Fehr for him?

Maybe look at Boedker

Right, some GM will be see Murray as the franchise goaltender of his wet dreams. My whole point to this discussion is that its prudent to do your homework on both before making a decision. There are pro's and con's to each scenario.

If Fleury is only going to get you a 3rd and a crappy prospect. But someone is willing to trade a a young top 6 forward + pick + good prospect for Murray...then it's not such an obvious decision to go the Fleury route.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I still think it is that obvious..... On one hand you have a 30 year old goalie with a lot of miles on him whose game is predicated on athleticism which will wane as he progresses into his mid 30's.

On the other, you have a 6'4" positional goalie who still has some workable flaws in his game, which IMO any 22 year old player has, but has a game predicated on above average puck tracking ability and being in position to make the save.

It's a no brainer.... even if Murray costs exactly 5.75 million per on his next deal... you have a 23 year old cup winning goalie locked up until he's 28-30 on the exact same cap hit as Fleury.

I love Fleury but health of the organization long term says you move the expensive old guy for the potentially inexpensive young guy and you still have Jarry in the pipeline as trade bait.

He still wasn't fast as a rookie... its not a crime to be of just slightly above average speed, but when there is another person looking just as skilled, with a bigger body frame, size, reach, AND speed... its makes him possibly tradable.
- Guile

He wasn't fast, but he also wasn't slow. His instincts and ability though allowed him to play above average. If he can get back healthy and to that speed, he could be the Paul Martin compliment to Kris Letang. At worst, he would be a high end #3. Either way, unless they're absolutely blown away with an offer, there is no way he's moved this offseason.

I don't mean to point out the obvious, but we just won the cup with a roster littered with kids who "might" score double digit goals. Right now other teams are trying to figure out how to replicate what the Penguins have done. Nobody is going to have a perfect roster.
- madmike71

+1

Teams are going to throw big bucks at guys who are similar to what Pittsburgh has and I don't see a team out there going into next year who can match up.

See the Caps blogger saying to throw money at Helm to get faster.... but I think any FA who the Pens approach this offseason has to give serious thought to signing with the Pens. The roster is going to be so similar to the one that just won the cup....a Stalberg or Grabner could definitely take a shot at a cup on short money and term.

He didnt look nearly as slow because our team wasn't nearly as fast. After what I saw these past playoffs I want the Pens all in on speed.

I'd be looking to trade Maatta, Fehr, Cole, Fleury


Fehr/Cole are both decent NHL players and should be able to get us useful picks/prospects.

Maatta I'd love to upgrade (in our system) to Barrie.

Fleury for picks and prospects.

Trade for Yakupov. Maybe they'd take Cole or Fehr for him?

Maybe look at Boedker
- stackthepads

I don't think that's accurate. I think 2 straight years of limited training has had a dramatic effect on his skating. From everything I've read, with those type of injuries you can't work on your legs because you can't risk moving your shoulder. Kid is only 21, he's not close to being a finished product.

I'm pretty sure I saw the Sakic came out and said Barrie will not be moved.

He didnt look nearly as slow because our team wasn't nearly as fast. After what I saw these past playoffs I want the Pens all in on speed.

I'd be looking to trade Maatta, Fehr, Cole, Fleury


Fehr/Cole are both decent NHL players and should be able to get us useful picks/prospects.

Maatta I'd love to upgrade (in our system) to Barrie.

Fleury for picks and prospects.

Trade for Yakupov. Maybe they'd take Cole or Fehr for him?

Maybe look at Boedker
- stackthepads

Why are you looking at fehr... the guy was excellent in the cup final. Give him an off-season to train unlike last and he will be even better.

Why are you looking at fehr... the guy was excellent in the cup final. Give him an off-season to train unlike last and he will be even better.
- nelson911

Apparently the same defense most use for Maatta, which is reasonable... does not get to be applied to Fehr.

Oh... too lazy to refind it... someone suggested Yakupov... word is he is about as disliked as Schultz is/was up there. I think a 3rd rounder and Beau Bennett would get him.

Well, that's just like, your opinion, man.

Seriously though we just disagree on Murray's value. Corey yielded a 9th overall which is more significant than saying 'just a first round pick'. Plus he was older, cost more money, and just sh*t the bed in his two playoff games.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

And I hate to tell you, my opinion on this is correct. You aren't getting a boat load for Murray because history shows this. I brought up Schneider because he is viewed as one of the best goalies in the NHL. He was in a similar situation in vancouver, but had a much larger sample size than Murray and it was pretty good. Vancouver made a mistake keeping Luongo over Schneider. Sure, it got Horvat, but ... they aren't close to being a play-off team and Schneider is viewed as a top goalie in this league. Where is Murray viewed? Still remains a question. Sample size is still too small despite him winning a Cup.

BFD if he sh*t the bed in his two play-off games. BFD if he was older. Fact remains, Schneider was more of a known commodity than Murray and he got a overall nine pick. Murray doesn't net you a top 20 pick. So, those thinking we get a much better return on Murray are more than likely wrong. Why? Because history shows it.

Again, simple decision here. It's trade Fleury.

So JR comes out & says he hasn't spoken to Flower yet, ideally would love to start with a tandem of Flower & Muzza, can't see the 50/50, 30/70 splits working, spoke about Zatkoff being a back up, doesn't think Flower would want to split, love to have Lovejob back but thinks Lovejob deserves a raise, leaving Culldog to think about coming back, qualifying BB & will be talking to Shultz about returning.

My understanding of that is;

Waiting on talking to MAF until his (JR), official public speaking duties are over so he can't reveal anything, suggests it's Muzzas net without question that will probably have Zatts as backup next season, will trade Flower for cap space & to give Flower a starters job, won't be signing Lovejob unless Lovejob takes a lowball offer he is going to be offered, Sundqvist is in if Culldog retires but won't hesitate to put him back in the A if he comes back. They will resign Shultz I believe as Gonch will be his private coach (probably on a 2 year deal), Pens will continue with the kids & he is working on a trade - a BFHT!! (Big (frank)ing huge trade ). You heard it here first people, JR is working the phone & turning the cogs, something is coming............

Well, we know where Sprong will be next season!

Apparently the same defense most use for Maatta, which is reasonable... does not get to be applied to Fehr.
- Guile

What? I dont agree with the Maatta defence everyone is using, I dont think Maatta speed was affected by not training, his speed is affected due to his skating stride, which is something that is hard to alter. Fehr is the same thing, a season off training isnt going to improve his speed dramatically.

I dont hate either players, I think both will be back and I dont have a problem with both returning. I just want faster players in those slots.

Apparently the same defense most use for Maatta, which is reasonable... does not get to be applied to Fehr.
- Guile

I dont really see any substantial argument there.... so it can apply to both... cause I can guarantee you neither player will be traded next season.

I dont really see any substantial argument there.... so it can apply to both... cause I can guarantee you neither player will be traded next season.
- nelson911

Probably not... but I started the Maatta trade for fun and to take a break from the trade Flower "experts" and a certain poster's utterly idiotic ideas of player values.

Right, some GM will be see Murray as the franchise goaltender of his wet dreams. My whole point to this discussion is that its prudent to do your homework on both before making a decision. There are pro's and con's to each scenario.

If Fleury is only going to get you a 3rd and a crappy prospect. But someone is willing to trade a a young top 6 forward + pick + good prospect for Murray...then it's not such an obvious decision to go the Fleury route.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

A simple concept you cannot seem to grasp is when you trade Fleury, its not what you get in return, but its also what you can do with the $$$ saved to go out and shop. BFD if its a third round pick and a crappy prospect if that 5.75 million allows you to go sign a top six forward. Did you ever think of this? Probably not.

Do you honestly think someone will trade a young top six forward + pick + good prospect for Murray? LOL. Stop ... please. He has 34 career starts in the NHL and while he has won the Cup and has great numbers, there still remain questions. I thought he was a legit Conn Smyth candidate until he crapped the bed with two softies in game 5. People also seem to think he benefitted from Pittsburgh's domination and wasn't tested a lot in the final series.

No one is trading that for Murray right now.

Oh... too lazy to refind it... someone suggested Yakupov... word is he is about as disliked as Schultz is/was up there. I think a 3rd rounder and Beau Bennett would get him.
- Guile

I suggest Yakupov on almost a daily basis. I think he is the perfect player for Sids LW. He plays exactly like Sheary except he has a stronger base (legs) and has an elite shot.

I remember most people saying how excited they were about the fact that most of this team will be intact next season. Count me in that group.

Fehr was really good in his role. Good PK'r and good center depth should we need it (history shows we always need it).

Cole played damn good after the coaching change and is very cheap.

Maatta (I believe) is going to be a great player. I know what I saw his rookie year and I don't believe it was a mirage.

My two departures would be MAF and possibly DP. I'd bring in speedy wing or two like somebody mentioned above like Stalberg or Grabner on the cheap.

If DP goes, bring in a serviceable dman or possibly sign Schultz if cap allows.

I suggest Yakupov on almost a daily basis. I think he is the perfect player for Sids LW. He plays exactly like Sheary except he has a stronger base (legs) and has an elite shot.
- stackthepads

I wanted him back at the trade deadline when it was rumored he was on the chopping block... shocked JR didn't try and grab both. But I think his being a more reasonably retained RFA makes him pricier... and that #1 overall bad pick on him

Just remember Fehr is a natural centre and he is displaced because of Matt Cullen. It's just like Iginla.... he can maybe get by on wing but he's not comfortable doing so.

I still think it is that obvious..... On one hand you have a 30 year old goalie with a lot of miles on him whose game is predicated on athleticism which will wane as he progresses into his mid 30's.

On the other, you have a 6'4" positional goalie who still has some workable flaws in his game, which IMO any 22 year old player has, but has a game predicated on above average puck tracking ability and being in position to make the save.

It's a no brainer.... even if Murray costs exactly 5.75 million per on his next deal... you have a 23 year old cup winning goalie locked up until he's 28-30 on the exact same cap hit as Fleury.

I love Fleury but health of the organization long term says you move the expensive old guy for the potentially inexpensive young guy and you still have Jarry in the pipeline as trade bait.
- Yonk1216

I have to question the people that are saying Flower shouldn't be traded due to him now being the legitimate #1 goalie. Those same people bringing into conversation the weaknesses that Muzza has so he should go. Do they forget the very forgettable weaknesses that have plagued Flower? Muzza has issues, at least we know they are positioning mostly (if I understand correctly), they aren't psychological issues that Flower has/is fighting through. Again & again Muzza has fought back after any issue & has mostly been very solid. He has proven he has the mental side, it's now a matter of time being educated to have his technique progress & match his psych. Flower is still battling his demons & he is 30.

Time for change is here, the guard has said his farewells & he is moving on. I am 1 that will wish Flower all the best as I believe without knowing the man, he is a genuine terrific individual!