Can you really overrate a 5-6 dman? Did anyone really think at any point that he was more than that?
- joecool2931

Yeah its insane. For a while there I thought he had potential to be a mid pairing guy, but some guys on here thought he was better than Cole already when we still had Cole and some are under the delusion he played better than Letang these playoffs.

Anyone see Ovi's post game interview on the ice last night? It reminded me of the Pens interviews after they won the cup. This was such a huge accomplishment for them.
- MattStrat

'OV talking afterwards was like those CBC commercials where they have wordless sound-bytes of Cup-winners...given it's not quite the same, it still shows what it means to the boys.' (Me)


we're not so different...you and I.

Again, well-fought; these series are coin-flips (if you are Tanner) or decided by 3/4 of an inche (Burke). Definitely a lot of truth to that.

And on that note...Tampa blooooows

see ya on the golf course

Don't bother looking at UFAs. If you bring back Rust at $2M and Sprong at $800K, you have less than $2M in cap space left with 11 forwards and 6 defensemen on the roster. Don't even try arguing that Sprong isn't worth it. We can't afford more than an ELC salary in that slot, and he's way better value than the veterans you get for that price (Kuhnhackl).

That said, those 11 forwards are ridiculously good. The D is a good top-four plus a terrible third pair, which, well, we're kind of used to anyway.

Well, it was a great run... I was hoping if they lost it wouldn't be to the Caps but so be it.

Trade deadline ended up being a huge failure (for this season anyways). Brassard really didn't bring anything at all and I think we all knew it was stupid to get rid of Cole with the lack of quality defenders. Oleksiak is going to be great for the Pens in the long term, really happy they picked him up.

Letang though... I have always loved him as a player but he needs a change of scenery. I think he could be worth a lot more to some other teams than he is to the Pens at this point. Buffalo, New Jersey, Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto & Colorado would all make sense.

I think the biggest thing the Pens missed was that there was zero threat of physicality to the other team. Washingtons D had a series off in this one.

Letting Kunitz go was a mistake to me. Even when he struggled scoring last year, he would change the pace of games by throwing big hits left and right.

Letang is no longer physical. Cole was the most physical blueliner and they shipped him out. Oleksiak throws some hits but plays nicer than he should. Hags and Hornquist were the only guys really throwing hits regularly and they are both sub 200lbs. Brassard, Kessel & Sheary are huge softies.

'OV talking afterwards was like those CBC commercials where they have wordless sound-bytes of Cup-winners...given it's not quite the same, it still shows what it means to the boys.' (Me)


we're not so different...you and I.

Again, well-fought; these series are coin-flips (if you are Tanner) or decided by 3/4 of an inche (Burke). Definitely a lot of truth to that.

And on that note...Tampa blooooows
- ghostibator

These past three series have come down to inches. Its nuts.

In a weird way, and I cant believe I'm saying this, I feel a bit happy for Ovi...if the Pens didnt out him and them 3 times en route to hoisting cups already, I probably wouldn't though.

see ya on the golf course
- Lawless18

Nah, the Pens will only be teeing off with fellow Stanley Cup winner alumni this off season.

Don't bother looking at UFAs. If you bring back Rust at $2M and Sprong at $800K, you have less than $2M in cap space left with 11 forwards and 6 defensemen on the roster. Don't even try arguing that Sprong isn't worth it. We can't afford more than an ELC salary in that slot, and he's way better value than the veterans you get for that price (Kuhnhackl).

That said, those 11 forwards are ridiculously good. The D is a good top-four plus a terrible third pair, which, well, we're kind of used to anyway.
- StealthTomato

I think there will be some significant changes this offseason. Sheary is gone. Hags hopefully stays but could be cleared for cap space. Huntwick could be unloaded in a deal with Sheary. Letang & Rust I could see getting moved.

Simon, Sprong & ZAR will be up full time.

These past three series have come down to inches. Its nuts.

In a weird way, and I cant believe I'm saying this, I feel a bit happy for Ovi...if the Pens didnt out him and them 3 times en route to hoisting cups already, I probably wouldn't though.
- MattStrat

lol. I can't say I ever felt happy for Pittsburgh winning, but I think MAF winning last year, after being labelled as a throw-away was a special moment.

lol. I can't say I ever felt happy for Pittsburgh winning, but I think MAF winning last year, after being labelled as a throw-away was a special moment.
- ghostibator

Im not happy about them winning...just feel a smidgen happy for Ovi and thats it...the rest of them like Wilson and Kuznetsov, with his flapping bird celebration, can eat a bag of d@$ks.

I think there will be some significant changes this offseason. Sheary is gone. Hags hopefully stays but could be cleared for cap space. Huntwick could be unloaded in a deal with Sheary. Letang & Rust I could see getting moved.

Simon, Sprong & ZAR will be up full time.
- MacPatty

I dont see that happening at all.

I dont see significant changes happening at all.

Do any of the Canadian hockeybuzzers know where to get C Plus Orange Soda? The grocery store I go to in Ontario hasn't stocked it in a couple of years and I need to find it. I'll be in New Brunswick and Ontario this summer. Looking to get a few cases.

Don't bother looking at UFAs. If you bring back Rust at $2M and Sprong at $800K, you have less than $2M in cap space left with 11 forwards and 6 defensemen on the roster. Don't even try arguing that Sprong isn't worth it. We can't afford more than an ELC salary in that slot, and he's way better value than the veterans you get for that price (Kuhnhackl).

That said, those 11 forwards are ridiculously good. The D is a good top-four plus a terrible third pair, which, well, we're kind of used to anyway.
- StealthTomato

Depends on what you are anticipating the cap at. My guess is it's anywhere from 80m-82m. Which would give the Pens more flexibility.

I dont see that happening at all.

I dont see significant changes happening at all.
- MattStrat

Maybe some minor tweaks. I dont see anything big. We are not in a position to do anything big. Maybe GMJR retires? Hunwick and Sheary are going to tough to offload. Oleksiak is going to be a tough decision as is Sheahan.

Still trying to figure out what Dumoulin and Letang (especially Letang) were thinking on that last goal.

I dont see that happening at all.

I dont see significant changes happening at all.
- MattStrat

There is ZERO reason to move Letang or Rust. Rust had 40 points this season. Why are we getting rid of him? There is no significant trade for Letang. Schultz is not a 1D. And the player you receive for Letang is not going to be at the level of Letang. Seriously, those who are advocating trading Letang... what type of a player do you expect to get back? I'd like to see some names.

Still trying to figure out what Dumoulin and Letang (especially Letang) were thinking on that last goal.
- jmatchett383

Well Letang thought it was 3v3 and Dumo was trying to do his best Letang impression and jump into the rush.

Well Letang thought it was 3v3 and Dumo was trying to do his best Letang impression and jump into the rush.
- j.boyd919

Dumoulin was still moving towards the blueline when the Caps were going the other way and Letang was all the way over at the Caps bench doing jack squat. No wonder the center of the ice was wide open.

Also, if you're Letang, you've got to trip him there, penalty shot or no.

Dumoulin was still moving towards the blueline when the Caps were going the other way and Letang was all the way over at the Caps bench doing jack squat. No wonder the center of the ice was wide open.

Also, if you're Letang, you've got to trip him there, penalty shot or no.
- jmatchett383

So instead of him having a breakaway with pressure from behind, you want to gift him an uncontested penalty shot with no one chasing him? Can't say I agree with that logic.

Do any of the Canadian hockeybuzzers know where to get C Plus Orange Soda? The grocery store I go to in Ontario hasn't stocked it in a couple of years and I need to find it. I'll be in New Brunswick and Ontario this summer. Looking to get a few cases.
- BeefCoon

I mean, its here in Newfoundland, but thats not very close to New Brunswick or Ontario haha.

So instead of him having a breakaway with pressure from behind, you want to gift him an uncontested penalty shot with no one chasing him? Can't say I agree with that logic.
- j.boyd919

Yes, for 2 reasons:
1. Right or wrong, the refs will be hesitant to call a penalty shot in OT of a potential series-ending game.
2. Kuznetsov wasn't thinking on the breakaway, he acted on instinct. I'd want to have him sitting there thinking about it and maybe out-guessing himself. Way more pressure.

Well Letang thought it was 3v3 and Dumo was trying to do his best Letang impression and jump into the rush.
- j.boyd919

Ya i was thinking that last night too, why dumo curled to the outside when know one was there instead of stoping n starting? He was the best d in the series tho thats all on letang.

Agree 100 with the person who said we missed kunitz, i know we couldnt afford what he got but was he even offered less? Guy can move up n down the line up even at his age he has a huge set of balls when everyone looked scared last night hes the guy who would go lay the wood get the puck !

Yes, for 2 reasons:
1. Right or wrong, the refs will be hesitant to call a penalty shot in OT of a potential series-ending game.
2. Kuznetsov wasn't thinking on the breakaway, he acted on instinct. I'd want to have him sitting there thinking about it and maybe out-guessing himself. Way more pressure.
- jmatchett383

3. you would also have Murray pondering it though...6 in one, half dozen in the other

Still trying to figure out what Dumoulin and Letang (especially Letang) were thinking on that last goal.
- jmatchett383

"Okay, I make this nice breakout pass to Crosby, now I come into the zone trailing the play... wait, what the hell is he doing? Crap, I gotta get back!"