Ryan Wilson: Know Thy Enemy: Minnesota Wild Know Thy Enemy: Minnesota Wild

The next couple of games should be some good hockey.

Parise borrowed Badger Bob's line about working so hard to get the puck and why just give it back. Bob Johnson was ahead of his time.

Minny has allowed amongst the fewest goals in the NHL right now. They are down right stingy on defense. Hope we don't try to turn this into a track meet. Is the game at 8PM, I imagine?

Minny has allowed amongst the fewest goals in the NHL right now. They are down right stingy on defense. Hope we don't try to turn this into a track meet. Is the game at 8PM, I imagine?
- powerhouse

Yes 8:00 pm start

I like track meets!

This will be a great game. Hopefully Minnesota can see how much they need paul martin. I think we can keep him for the year and make a deep run with a veteran defense and let PM walk after the season. What would you rather have, a veteran d that can take us to the cup and win it and or a young d who possibly can do the same along with a POSSIBLE top 6 winger that we might be able to retain. I mean, our offense looks pretty solid as is and will only get better with BB coming back.. I'm 50-50 on this

For me, the pens/wild games were unwatchable for many years. Jersey was a close second but since they were divisional foes I would gut it out.

For me, the pens/wild games were unwatchable for many years. Jersey was a close second but since they were divisional foes I would gut it out.
- all-pgh

Yeah, I used to get offered Pens/Devils tix all of the time. I'd always pass. Nobody wants to sit through a 3 hour grab fest.

This will be a great game. Hopefully Minnesota can see how much they need paul martin. I think we can keep him for the year and make a deep run with a veteran defense and let PM walk after the season. What would you rather have, a veteran d that can take us to the cup and win it and or a young d who possibly can do the same along with a POSSIBLE top 6 winger that we might be able to retain. I mean, our offense looks pretty solid as is and will only get better with BB coming back.. I'm 50-50 on this
- znagle

It's a sellers market at the deadline and Martins value should be at its highest then. The question is, does he have more value on our blue line for the rest of the year at that point or would the assets coming back most likely in the form of picks and prospects be better. I'm guessing it all hinges on the state of the defense at that time. I think he's a Penguin u til March.

Ryan Wilson: Know Thy Enemy: Minnesota Wild
Know Thy Enemy: Minnesota Wild
- Ryan_Wilson

No mention of this game featuring two goalies who both have 3 shut outs in 10 games?

It's a sellers market at the deadline and Martins value should be at its highest then. The question is, does he have more value on our blue line for the rest of the year at that point or would the assets coming back most likely in the form of picks and prospects be better. I'm guessing it all hinges on the state of the defense at that time. I think he's a Penguin u til March.
- all-pgh

Yeah I don't think they'll move him unless one or two of our d prospects turns into a maatta being absolutely able to handle top 6 or 4 pairings and we get a great return of an NHL level player, not just a rental. The pens need to win NOW and I think that is the mindset they are all in so I don't really see him being moved

Trading Ehrhoff at the deadline makes way more sense than trading Martin. Martin is far better than Ehrhoff defensively, and Ehrhoff's PP prowess just isn't needed, plus if they feel they need another left handed offensive defenseman they've got Pouliot in-house.

That said, I don't see them trading any of their veteran defensemen.

Trading Ehrhoff at the deadline makes way more sense than trading Martin. Martin is far better than Ehrhoff defensively, and Ehrhoff's PP prowess just isn't needed, plus if they feel they need another left handed offensive defenseman they've got Pouliot in-house.

That said, I don't see them trading any of their veteran defensemen.
- hardnosed

If only there was a way to sign hemsky instead of erhoff

Trading Ehrhoff at the deadline makes way more sense than trading Martin. Martin is far better than Ehrhoff defensively, and Ehrhoff's PP prowess just isn't needed, plus if they feel they need another left handed offensive defenseman they've got Pouliot in-house.

That said, I don't see them trading any of their veteran defensemen.
- hardnosed

Martin is going to be getting 6 mil or more on his next contract. Ehrhoff has his buyout money, and likely is going to resign near this 4 mil mark if he stays with us. Its partially just econometrics... and I think Ehrhoff can only play better than he has with us so far.

I'll be looking for Craig Adams to continue is torrid scoring pace, and get the big number 2 tonight in Minnesota!

Martin is going to be getting 6 mil or more on his next contract. Ehrhoff has his buyout money, and likely is going to resign near this 4 mil mark if he stays with us. Its partially just econometrics... and I think Ehrhoff can only play better than he has with us so far.
- Guile

I could see them both being allowed to walk. Letang/Maatta/Despres/Scuderi/Bortuzzo/Harrington/Pouliot doesn't leave room for much and it would free up plenty of cash.

Martin is going to be getting 6 mil or more on his next contract. Ehrhoff has his buyout money, and likely is going to resign near this 4 mil mark if he stays with us. Its partially just econometrics... and I think Ehrhoff can only play better than he has with us so far.
- Guile

I may be wrong, but I get the sense that having your name on the cup vs getting paid $$$ is less of a priority for European players opposed to north Americans. Erhoff follows the money imo.

Martin is going to be getting 6 mil or more on his next contract. Ehrhoff has his buyout money, and likely is going to resign near this 4 mil mark if he stays with us. Its partially just econometrics... and I think Ehrhoff can only play better than he has with us so far.
- Guile

And Ehrhoff probably being more affordable (maybe) makes him a better value (and would result in a better return) as a rental, and his offensive potential adds to that as well.

Like I said, I don't see either of them getting traded, but I think in terms of a Cup run, trading Ehrhoff would make more sense.

I may be wrong, but I get the sense that having your name on the cup vs getting paid $$$ is less of a priority for European players opposed to north Americans. Erhoff follows the money imo.
- all-pgh

And russians are lazy and disrupt the locker room chemistry right?

And russians are lazy and disrupt the locker room chemistry right?
- Barnaby36

Yes but it's just because they drink vodka everyday, not because they are bad people. Easy misconception to make.

Yes but it's just because they drink vodka everyday.
- all-pgh

I may be wrong, but I get the sense that having your name on the cup vs getting paid $$$ is less of a priority for European players opposed to north Americans. Erhoff follows the money imo.
- all-pgh

I think you may be wrong since Erhoff had multiple team pursuing him this off season and turned down longer term deals for more money to come play with the Pens.

I may be wrong, but I get the sense that having your name on the cup vs getting paid $$$ is less of a priority for European players opposed to north Americans. Erhoff follows the money imo.
- all-pgh

With what buffalo pays him for the next how many years, he can take whatever salary we give him.
It will come down to he or Martin and if he accepts an in-season offer, which has already been reported, then he stays. He would also provide better value than Paul as well given he is likely 1.5 million less AAV.

I may be wrong, but I get the sense that having your name on the cup vs getting paid $$$ is less of a priority for European players opposed to north Americans. Erhoff follows the money imo.
- all-pgh

You are wrong