Yes, Scuderi Matt Barry seems to think he's expendable.

Klesla
Jurcina
Allen

There are alot of options that wouldn't cost too much in a trade.

We don't need talent on the back end as much as we need defensive stability. The other thing is who's to say that Despres or Strait wouldn't provide that in a full time role?

I would rather hang onto the 6-7 mill Suter would cost and use that cap space to fit someone (s) in at the deadline if it's a problem.
- canadianpenfan

I think this is the right direction -- they got burned by overpaying Martin/Michalek (the two "hot" dmen on the FA market two offseasons ago) and now just about everyone wants them gone (well, Martin gone now that Michalek was already sent packing). If, as so many seem to believe, the Pens have great depth at "D" and guys ready to crack the NHL lineup, why would you tie up 6 or 7 million in this year's "hot" dman ?

Do you think they'll keep Letang at 7+ if they sign Suter?I don't, and I would rather have Letang.
- canadianpenfan

Considering that Orpik, Martin, and Kunitz will go off of the books likely at some point, You could still get Suter, resign Malkin and keep Letang too. Esp if the cap keeps rising.

I think this is the right direction -- they got burned by overpaying Martin/Michalek (the two "hot" dmen on the FA market two offseasons ago) and now just about everyone wants them gone (well, Martin gone now that Michalek was already sent packing). If, as so many seem to believe, the Pens have great depth at "D" and guys ready to crack the NHL lineup, why would you tie up 6 or 7 million in this year's "hot" dman ?
- MadCap2008

Because Orpik is starting to decline, and outside of Letang, we have nothing that is a consistent Dman. Unproven prospects are just that, unproven prospects.

You guys had a very good draft, btw

I don't mind Suter if he'd come short term (2-3 years), but that is never going to happen with the offers he'd get out there.

He would be a good short term addition, but he would probably come at the expense of eventually losing a Letang or Morrow. And what is the point of drafting all of these future stud defensemen if your #1 d-man comes from the outside?

Who knows how they will pan out, but between Letang, Despres, Morrow, Harrington, Maatta, Pouliout and Dumoulin you'd think we'd be able to field a solid d-corpse for the years to come.
- rival22

Suter for 6-7 years is great. Letang for 6-7 also great. That will be the #1 pairing and by contract end will be very good #2 pairing quality. In the meantime, Maybe Despres is developed or traded - I think he would HUGELY benefit from having Suter around as his style is similar (vs Letang). Morrow is quite good and in 5-6 years, yeah, he'll be a top pairing guy. I'm sure the Pens will deal at least 1 or two of the d-men in the meantime as well, so I wouldn't worry so much about having the abundance - if anything it's a nice problem to have!

Exactly. Definitely Suter...we could sign Ray Whitney at at good price, or gamble on David Moss (who I think is a perfect in PITT fit btw). Whitney for 2 years 8mil...OK. In the meantime a prospect may develop, even Tangradi, or we sign somebody else over the next couple of years...more cap friendly move too...
- mventres

No way do you give a guy who is already 40 years old a two year deal.

Are you sure you don't want to take some more time to think about it?
- canadianpenfan

I was actually looking through a list of UFA's, F's only, listed by prior Cap hit just to see who besides Parise was out there. Quite literally this was my inner dialogue:

"OK...First on the list at $6.7M/yr is Alexander Sem-NO!"

Considering that Orpik, Martin, and Kunitz will go off of the books likely at some point, You could still get Suter, resign Malkin and keep Letang too. Esp if the cap keeps rising.
- ryman1566

Only problem is, that year Despres' entry level deal is up, then the next year, Bennett's Kuehnackl's, Morrow's & Dumoulin's come off. If any of those guys play well, their second contracts could be in the $4-5 million range.

I think this is the right direction -- they got burned by overpaying Martin/Michalek (the two "hot" dmen on the FA market two offseasons ago) and now just about everyone wants them gone (well, Martin gone now that Michalek was already sent packing). If, as so many seem to believe, the Pens have great depth at "D" and guys ready to crack the NHL lineup, why would you tie up 6 or 7 million in this year's "hot" dman ?
- MadCap2008

I dont think Strait or Bortuzzo are more than 6-7s and Morrow probably isnt ready. Outside of Despres, who will be fantastic, no one else is really ready. Theres a ton of talent in the system on the backend, but its still a year or two off.

No way do you give a guy who is already 40 years old a two year deal.
- acdc1206

Normally, I would say no, but I saw Whitney play quite a lot last year...he's got the gas in the tank and the smarts to have two very productive years still...the only question mark would be whether the pens style wears him out - it's much more uptempo than PHO...otherwise, I think David Moss would be an AWESOME fit with either Crosby or Malkin. Doesn't solve the problem long-term, but if Parise signs elsewhere, what are the realistic options?

Only problem is, that year Despres' entry level deal is up, then the next year, Bennett's Kuehnackl's, Morrow's & Dumoulin's come off. If any of those guys play well, their second contracts could be in the $4-5 million range.
- rival22

So...then we trade them. What's the problem with that?

Because Orpik is starting to decline, and outside of Letang, we have nothing that is a consistent Dman. Unproven prospects are just that, unproven prospects.

You guys had a very good draft, btw
- ryman1566

You really have to be sold on Suter to give out those kind of $'s after the Martin/Michalek strikeouts.

As for the Caps draft, looks good on paper -- I guess we will see in the next few years.

Only problem is, that year Despres' entry level deal is up, then the next year, Bennett's Kuehnackl's, Morrow's & Dumoulin's come off. If any of those guys play well, their second contracts could be in the $4-5 million range.
- rival22

Given the talent this orginization has, there will be decisions that are difficult for a few years to come. Tis the nature of the beast. Right now tho, we need a fix on Defense. We can worry about tomorrow in a bit. Some of these prospects could go the way of Caputi and the 'can't miss guy' Espisito that we got blasted for dumping.

You really have to be sold on Suter to give out those kind of $'s after the Martin/Michalek strikeouts.

As for the Caps draft, looks good on paper -- I guess we will see in the next few years.
- MadCap2008

No offense to MArtin/Michalek, but Suter is OBVIOUSLY out of their league and a MUCH safer signing...

Only problem is, that year Despres' entry level deal is up, then the next year, Bennett's Kuehnackl's, Morrow's & Dumoulin's come off. If any of those guys play well, their second contracts could be in the $4-5 million range.
- rival22

You have to be on heck of player to get a $4-5M/yr as a RFA. That'd be a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd round pick for a team to poach.

Considering that Orpik, Martin, and Kunitz will go off of the books likely at some point, You could still get Suter, resign Malkin and keep Letang too. Esp if the cap keeps rising.
- ryman1566

Regardless, I don't see them tieing up 13-15 mill in a defensive pairing considering the high level forwards they have. You can't have it all in a cap world.

You really have to be sold on Suter to give out those kind of $'s after the Martin/Michalek strikeouts.

As for the Caps draft, looks good on paper -- I guess we will see in the next few years.
- MadCap2008

That's the key... and for me, it's also style of play. Suter is a NICE player, but the Pens need a defensive defenseman. If we were talking about Shea Weber, I'd be all over it, but $7+ mil for Suter doesn't seem like a great move in my opinion.

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG
Brandons Sutter on Pgh.: "I’m 4 years into my career now and I’m yet to play in a playoff game. I’m at a point now where it’s about winning"

Might not be a unanmous, 'sexy' pick, but PA Parenteau is out there as well for the cheaper.

Unrelated, if the Pens miss on there targets, how does the masses feel about Alexander Semin....

Edit: We could always trade a couple of our 500 D prospects for a solid winger ala Go-Go for Neal or Whitney for Kunitz
- ryman1566

BLEH. No way. Semin is a lazy floater. Not what this team needs.

I don't understand the infatuation when it comes to Suter. I take Parise over Suter on this team 10 times out of 10 given the choice. We are organizationally deep at D, when a winger like this comes along, and you can afford him, you do everything in your power to get him. If there's enough money left over to still get Suter great but Parise will be the priority.
- canadianpenfan

Agreed. Pony up and get Parise. They can still get a serviceable guy like Allen for depth. The young guys like Despres and Morrow et all need to be given a shot too.

Exhibit #300 why Howson should not be a GM in the NHL.

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson made little progress over draft weekend towards trading right winger Rick Nash.
...

The Sharks reportedly offered a package that included forwards Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski, defenseman Jason Demers and a first round pick, while the Senators are rumored to have pitched left winger Nick Foligno, one of their promising goalies (Robin Lehner or Ben Bishop) and prospect center Mika Zibanejad


How do you pass on SJ's offer there.......

Normally, I would say no, but I saw Whitney play quite a lot last year...he's got the gas in the tank and the smarts to have two very productive years still...the only question mark would be whether the pens style wears him out - it's much more uptempo than PHO...otherwise, I think David Moss would be an AWESOME fit with either Crosby or Malkin. Doesn't solve the problem long-term, but if Parise signs elsewhere, what are the realistic options?
- mventres

He did have a very nice season for sure.

Moss could be a nice cheap alternative if the Pens don't bring in a big time forward.

You have to be on heck of player to get a $4-5M/yr as a RFA. That'd be a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd round pick for a team to poach.
- s0rcerer1984

Look at some of the second contracts out there now... J Staal, Lucic, M Staal, Hedman... They are all around $4 mil a year, and if the cap keeps going up, in a couple years that could be more common.

I mean, Marc Staal was a nice player his first few years, but it's not a stretch to think that Despres or Morrow could be at that level when their deals are up.

Agreed. Pony up and get Parise. They can still get a serviceable guy like Allen for depth. The young guys like Despres and Morrow et all need to be given a shot too.
- Emperor Filonius

Thank you, Mr. Voice of Reason.

Exhibit #300 why Howson should not be a GM in the NHL.

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson made little progress over draft weekend towards trading right winger Rick Nash.
...

The Sharks reportedly offered a package that included forwards Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski, defenseman Jason Demers and a first round pick, while the Senators are rumored to have pitched left winger Nick Foligno, one of their promising goalies (Robin Lehner or Ben Bishop) and prospect center Mika Zibanejad


How do you pass on SJ's offer there.......
- ryman1566

We're talking about Scott Howson... the guy is mentally retarded.

Exhibit #300 why Howson should not be a GM in the NHL.

Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson made little progress over draft weekend towards trading right winger Rick Nash.
...

The Sharks reportedly offered a package that included forwards Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski, defenseman Jason Demers and a first round pick, while the Senators are rumored to have pitched left winger Nick Foligno, one of their promising goalies (Robin Lehner or Ben Bishop) and prospect center Mika Zibanejad


How do you pass on SJ's offer there.......
- ryman1566

The same way you pass on the Islanders complete draft to move down to spots. His time is limited in that role one has to assume.