I'm not undervaluing him. His contract demands are going to limit the bidders. My first choice is to keep him, but it's growing unlikely after today's news. Also, since Disco and his system is back, we could use a guy that makes better decisions and I'm not confident that improves with our coach.
- madmike71

You mean Malkin's new deal? I thought it was expected. Everyone knew $8.7M wasn't going to cut it. The new CBA changed everything.
I'm positive we could try a $6-6.5M but judging by Letang's last interview...sad.

Not really. Did you not see the play-offs this year and last? He is very good, but a flawed player as well.
- Oneonta Penguin

What if he played with Despres the whole year?They seem to feed off each other. I didn't like how Bylsma changed his d partners every other game.

Despres-Letang
Orpik-Martin
Murray-??? (Bortuzzo, Dumoulin)
Engelland

What if he played with Despres the whole year?They seem to feed off each other. I didn't like how Bylsma changed his d partners every other game.

Despres-Letang
Orpik-Martin
Murray-??? (Bortuzzo, Dumoulin)
Engelland
- Orpik44

What ifs ... I don't go by what ifs on Letang.

Again, Bylsma is a very flawed coach in many aspects. That is one of the reasons.

Not undervaluing him, but I'm cognizant of his contract demands might limit the bidding. TIOPS is saying Letang's camp is putting out the vibe that he wants 7-8 mil. Plus, he's only got 1 year left on his current deal. Those items are going to affect his value.
- madmike71

Exactly what I said earlier. Wish people would listen.

What ifs ... I don't go by what ifs on Letang.

Again, Bylsma is a very flawed coach in many aspects. That is one of the reasons.
- Oneonta Penguin

You have to acknowledge they both played very well while together. The problem is Bylsma and his beliefs

What if he played with Despres the whole year?They seem to feed off each other. I didn't like how Bylsma changed his d partners every other game.

Despres-Letang
Orpik-Martin
Murray-??? (Bortuzzo, Dumoulin)
Engelland
- Orpik44

Isn't this the truth. Letang played with Eaton, Despres and Nisky in the playoffs. That's hardly going to help a guy that's having problems in the decision making department. Not preparing Despres through the regular season really came back to bite them.....exactly like most of us thought.

Exactly what I said earlier. Wish people would listen.
- Daman

There will be multiple offers if it comes to a trade. The return will still be a very good NHL player at the least.

People don't listen because you come across as an arrogant douche bag. You might think it's your "shtick", but everyone else is thinking douche bag.

I quit listening when you had the temerity to mention Malkin and Yashin in the same sentence.

Sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes the truth is medicinal. Cheers!

You mean Malkin's new deal? I thought it was expected. Everyone knew $8.7M wasn't going to cut it. The new CBA changed everything.
I'm positive we could try a $6-6.5M but judging by Letang's last interview...sad.
- Orpik44

Link to that interview?

edit: Nevermind, got it

You have to acknowledge they both played very well while together. The problem is Bylsma and his beliefs
- Orpik44

Had this conversation with a friend about the Pens and DB...

It seems the Penguins spend time trying to solve the wrong problems at times.

The real problem against the Bruins was scoring goals...but even after the series you heard 'we had our chances'...suggesting that as long as they get chances, they think the approach is ok.

After game 2...when they were outplayed and managed only 13 shots in the first two periods...they went back and tinkered with their approach...their forecheck to be specific...according to what Shero and Bylsma said. It seems like in those situations they try to solve the problem of why ins't our approach working instead of why aren't we scoring goals?

I saw enough differences last night in the Blackhawks approach to be convinced THEY know why the Penguins weren't scoring goals.

It definitely seems to me that if the Pens want to make the step to the next level, Bylsma and his staff have to ask the right questions at the right times and be prepared to solve those problems.

The new canes jersey are just team Canada jerseys. The new stars jerseys are simply the Blackhawks St. Patrick's day jerseys.

Link to that interview?

edit: Nevermind, got it
- nelson911

What did you think of it? I didn't like it at all. $$$ signs in his eyes.

There will be multiple offers if it comes to a trade. The return will still be a very good NHL player at the least.

People don't listen because you come across as an arrogant douche bag. You might think it's your "shtick", but everyone else is thinking douche bag.

I quit listening when you had the temerity to mention Malkin and Yashin in the same sentence.

Sorry to be so blunt, but sometimes the truth is medicinal. Cheers!
- madmike71

I resent your comment on me being arrogant.

Had this conversation with a friend about the Pens and DB...

It seems the Penguins spend time trying to solve the wrong problems at times.

The real problem against the Bruins was scoring goals...but even after the series you heard 'we had our chances'...suggesting that as long as they get chances, they think the approach is ok.

After game 2...when they were outplayed and managed only 13 shots in the first two periods...they went back and tinkered with their approach...their forecheck to be specific...according to what Shero and Bylsma said. It seems like in those situations they try to solve the problem of why ins't our approach working instead of why aren't we scoring goals?

I saw enough differences last night in the Blackhawks approach to be convinced THEY know why the Penguins weren't scoring goals.

It definitely seems to me that if the Pens want to make the step to the next level, Bylsma and his staff have to ask the right questions at the right times and be prepared to solve those problems.
- icedog97

If we had a couple guys like Hartnell, it would have made a lot of difference. Crash the damn net. Park in front of it. Puck hunting..we'd be much much better.

The new canes jersey are just team Canada jerseys. The new stars jerseys are simply the Blackhawks St. Patrick's day jerseys.
- drummer829

At least it's nicer than our dark blues that look like Florida's 3rd jersey

Yeah, they got the Staal brothers and now they think they are Team Canada.

What did you think of it? I didn't like it at all. $$$ signs in his eyes.
- Orpik44

Well it wasn't like we were listening to Dupuis or somethin... I think he just wants to be careful cause this is his payday... I can't say it sounded good but wasn't terrible.

His colours will show through very quickly. If he takes 6.3 per over 8 years I think its a done deal. Would give him a limited NMC, so he can't be traded to a dive team.

I have to think Shero wants something around 6-7 mil per year and Letang wants Suters numbers, which means he won't be sticking around if he doesn't come down. Doughtys deal doesn't help the situation. I'd say give him Karlsson like deal at 6.5 per year.

What did you think of it? I didn't like it at all. $$$ signs in his eyes.
- Orpik44

very excited that malkin is locked up. the raise is minimal, it is largely status quo. however, i just dont see a scenario in which letang stays. i just cant see it. hopefully the return is solid

I would be telling Letang, that Suter and Weber deals were consequences of free agency... if ya wanna stay look at comparable resignings of Karlsson and Doughty. I don't think he holds out for another million.... would surprise me a little bit

I thought I was being respectful in opining about Pittsburgh, personally. You're the one who got his panties in a knot because I said I wasn't a huge Shero fan. You've done nothing but talk down to either of us, to the point I literally haven't bothered to give an opinion on the Flyers.

But go ahead, continue with the Richard measuring, I'm sure all the Penguins fans here are super impressed that you proved the Penguins had a better season (as if that was ever up for debate).
- BulliesPhan87

im usually always game for what you have to say, so i mean no disrespect in asking (maybe you already mentioned it, if so sorry i havent followed the whole thread) but what exactly do you dislike about what shero brings to the table?

in all honestly, id say both the flyers and pens are fortunate with the GMs they have.

I have to think Shero wants something around 6-7 mil per year and Letang wants Suters numbers, which means he won't be sticking around if he doesn't come down. Doughtys deal doesn't help the situation. I'd say give him Karlsson like deal at 6.5 per year.
- drummer829

It's also been reported that Letang will seek a full NMC. It's speculated that the Pens will be loath to give out another big money contract with an NMC.

It's also been reported that Letang will seek a full NMC. It's speculated that the Pens will be loath to give out another big money contract with an NMC.
- madmike71

I'd like to see a limited NMC where he can pick up to 5-10 teams. He may be too valuable to move now, but in 3 years from now, its possible he could be our 4th defenseman.

I'd like to see a limited NMC where he can pick up to 5-10 teams. He may be too valuable to move now, but in 3 years from now, its possible he could be our 4th defenseman.
- drummer829

Commiting to 8 years for $6.5M per is pretty good. If the Penguins make this offer, he better take it. He'll be playing with Sid and Geno forever.

im usually always game for what you have to say, so i mean no disrespect in asking (maybe you already mentioned it, if so sorry i havent followed the whole thread) but what exactly do you dislike about what shero brings to the table?

in all honestly, id say both the flyers and pens are fortunate with the GMs they have.
- stayinthefnnet

No disrespect taken! I don't think Shero is a bad GM, but I hear him touted by some as the best GM in the league, and I don't see it. The Pens have done well enough under him, but he inherited his most valuable parts.

My feelings on Holmgren are significantly more complex, understandably

No disrespect taken! I don't think Shero is a bad GM, but I hear him touted by some as the best GM in the league, and I don't see it. The Pens have done well enough under him, but he inherited his most valuable parts.
- BulliesPhan87

i guess, but i dont hold it against him that he had tools to work with upon coming in. im not going to say he has been a draft prodigy, but there are very few GMs who you can look at and say wow, he is consistently a hell of a drafter. its largely a crapshoot. i look at the things more in their control, like trades and signings. and very rarely has shero done something that at the time was a complete head scratcher. even things such as the iginla deal, yeah it didnt exactly work out but at the time that was viewed as close to robbery. the neal trade and hossa/dupuis trade were big positives, and the return for staal was very good considering the circumstances.

id personally take him over holmgren, although i have a hard time seeing how some here view holmgren as an incompetent idiot as well

No disrespect taken! I don't think Shero is a bad GM, but I hear him touted by some as the best GM in the league, and I don't see it. The Pens have done well enough under him, but he inherited his most valuable parts.

My feelings on Holmgren are significantly more complex, understandably
- BulliesPhan87

shero has benefited from inheriting a team with malkin and crosby. a definite carrot for him, but it still presents a challenge to fill out a team around a pair of guys eating up such a large chunk of the cap.

holmgren gets basically an unlimited bank account at his disposal (i understand there is a cap, but actual dollars for him are a total nonissue). but i wouldnt hold his resources against him when evaluating him.