Matt, no question he is a decent winger, but it is still 1 exceptional year out of 9... i think that implied hope that he comes here to play with Sid and posts 90 points seasons in a row is an illusion.
- VeryModernMan

Decent...lol. Holy hell man. Yea he actually may score 90 if he played here who knows. Phil had his highest point season here at age 30. But no one is asking or thinking he's gonna post multiple 90 point seasons. He's just a GREAT winger.

If there is any way to agree to an extension prior to the trade, that would make all the difference.
- Hockey66

We have to get him first but yea that would be nice.

If there is any way to agree to an extension prior to the trade, that would make all the difference.
- Hockey66

You can request permission to speak to the players agent prior to the trade, there’s a history of this happening in the league

Parayko for Hall

Who would have to pony up more? Parayko has more term at a very, very fair cap hit

Parayko for Hall

Who would have to pony up more? Parayko has more term at a very, very fair cap hit
- WSCTeton17

Hall is better but Larsson went for Hall so who knows lol

Hall is better but Larsson went for Hall so who knows lol
- 668710

Chia Pet vs. Shero. That's about as both ends of the spectrum as you can get as far as trades go.

I don't think Hall is realistic. I'd rather add D anyway.

I don't think Hall is realistic. I'd rather add D anyway.
- madmike71

Same here. I have a hunch JR is thinking the same. Maybe in the off-season if he doesn't sign an extension somewhere else, but even then we'd have to unload some undesirable contracts like Horny, JJ, Bjug, etc. Horny isn't going anywhere with a full NTC, though. It would probably mean trading Murray and buying out or trading JJ to fit Hall.

What D-man do you think they should target?

Hall is better but Larsson went for Hall so who knows lol
- 668710

Hall is definitely better in a vacuum but he’s probably getting 20+ over the next two seasons where Parayko will collect $11MM

Hall is definitely better in a vacuum but he’s probably getting 20+ over the next two seasons where Parayko will collect $11MM
- WSCTeton17

I think Parayko may be a tad overrated. He looks good because he was on a Cup-winning team. We've seen this with Schultz. I also think his contract is right in line with his skill set (maybe a little underpaid but not much). I also think he tops out as a second pairing.

Hall, on the other hand, is a top 5 winger who has played on mostly terrible teams. Those guys don't become available very often but second-pairing defensemen do all the time, so contracts aside, that's the value proposition for me. If you are talking someone like Seth Jones, that's more equitable, at least IMO.

And sure, rental vs. term comes into play as well.

Is there anyone here who knows how common certain Russian names are, in particular Plotnikov? Last year I sold a new snowboard jacket to "Sergei Plotnikov" via eBay and through what appears to be a third-party exporter. I don't think I've ever come across that last name before or since he was on the Pens. I've been meaning to ask for a while but kept forgetting.

I don't think Hall is realistic. I'd rather add D anyway.
- madmike71

I agree, but there isn't a comparable defenseman available. I think if you want a piece that takes you to another level, it's Hall or nobody. Vaatanen may be the best defenseman (all the good UFAs are on good teams).

I'm fine if they can't add Hall, seems a long-shot, but I'd at least offer Addison/POJ, a 1st, and another piece with a conditional draft pick an make another team beat it.

JJ not playing...

I think if you want a piece that takes you to another level, it's Hall or nobody.
- Tojo.

As stevens recently asked: Who was the last traded guy who brought a team to the next level and to the ultimate prize? Hall is no doctor, and when you see how many guys gone done recently in training... maybe the improvements should start from there.

Go Penzzz...

I agree, but there isn't a comparable defenseman available. I think if you want a piece that takes you to another level, it's Hall or nobody. Vaatanen may be the best defenseman (all the good UFAs are on good teams).

I'm fine if they can't add Hall, seems a long-shot, but I'd at least offer Addison/POJ, a 1st, and another piece with a conditional draft pick an make another team beat it.
- Tojo.

I think Vats would be an awesome get for this season and beyond. I think Shattenkirk would then be a neat RD option in the offseason

Dumo-Letang
Vats-Shatts
Petts-Marino
Kola

As stevens recently asked: Who was the last traded guy who brought a team to the next level and to the ultimate prize? Hall is no doctor, and when you see how many guys gone done recently in training... maybe the improvements should start from there.

Go Penzzz...
- VeryModernMan

Michael Kempny

I think Vats would be an awesome get for this season and beyond. I think Shattenkirk would then be a neat RD option in the offseason

Dumo-Letang
Vats-Shatts
Petts-Marino
Kola
- WSCTeton17

Why do people keep bringing up Vats? Is he available? He is their 1LD and plays for a GM who loves defensemen. Behind him are Greene, who is about to be put out to pasture, Butcher and Mueller. Not exactly a powerhouse left defense.

Michael Kempny
- WSCTeton17

We also got our little pieces (Schultz, Hainsey, Kunitz/Guerin, hell - even "the piece himself": Scuderi), but the last Hall-league player traded to win the cup is far back in the mirror... if you skip Carter '12 (funnily for JJ and a 1st) we're basically talking about our Reechi in '06.

Letang - Marino
Petts - Rudy
Rikky - Trotman

Oh dear.

Top pair plays 30 mins? Haha

We also got our little pieces (Schultz, Hainsey, Kunitz/Guerin, hell - even "the piece himself": Scuderi), but the last Hall-league player traded to win the cup is far back in the mirror... if you skip Carter '12 (funnily for JJ and a 1st) we're basically talking about our Reechi in '06.
- VeryModernMan

Lots of teams pull the trigger the prior offseason like Kessel

As stevens recently asked: Who was the last traded guy who brought a team to the next level and to the ultimate prize? Hall is no doctor, and when you see how many guys gone done recently in training... maybe the improvements should start from there.

Go Penzzz...
- VeryModernMan

It's a good point. But how many Cup contenders have lost half of their forwards to injury? Most Cup-winning teams are pretty well set and healthy during the season.

On a side note, do you think the Pens training staff is feeling some heat? Don't know if they should but the injuries are becoming ridiculous.

Letang - Marino
Petts - Rudy
Rikky - Trotman

Oh dear.

Top pair plays 30 mins? Haha
- MattStrat

That makes me want to vomit. Here comes another loss. Rudy has been a disappointment this year to put it mildly. I have always liked him and thought he should play more or could maybe even hold down the 3RD position prior to acquiring Guds but he's been bad. Trotman has been good, Petts having a down year for sure, and I just don't trust Riikola.

JJ not playing...
- jchst22

We're actually so thin right now that this isn't exciting.

Needed that start. Good shift

On a side note, do you think the Pens training staff is feeling some heat? Don't know if they should but the injuries are becoming ridiculous.
- Hockey66

Well, as you know we have this problem now for years, and this newly nice UPMC complex... there seems to be room for improvement in training(-frequency/intensitivity/volume), maybe pre/post-treatment/massages, recreation, nutrition... i recently read an article about the Blackhawks cup runs where a doc stated that simply the supplementation of Vit D increased (bone-)health and general well-being massively. To reduce our injury-problem now year for year to just luck imo is blindsided.

0-1 Teddy