i just dont think that the dupuis negotiations are necessarily the final nail in the coffin for letang. i think that has already been cast, so they might as well do their best to retain dupuis
- stayinthefnnet

Letang is fine ,the moment pittsburgh trades him they will regret it

For the love of all that is good, it's DUPUIS***
- drummer829

He is from Ottawa ... give him a break.


It's like me saying its Carlson.

If it meant keeping EK yes .PMD of Letang,s calibre are not easily replacable,just ask philly.Keeping a 35 year old 50 point winger over a young still learning defender like letang is really bad asset management
- top shelf 15

It really depends on what they can get back in a trade. Part of the picture is that the Penguins have $18.2m tied up in their top two centers (worth it, imo). Resigning Letang leaves the team's salary structure really top heavy.

I think he can. I think Despres can. You dont need a Letangs skill to be able to move the puck efficiently up to the forwards. At times all that skill can be a hindrance at times as silly as that sounds.
- Deadstar

Can lead to false confidence at times.

There is no doubt that Letang's skating ability caused him to have a false sense of security on some of his aggressive decisions. Letang thought he could always get back and that just isn't' the case.

The writing is on the wall Letang will be moved with Shero opening contract talks with Dupuuis. Letangs price is just not workable for the Pens.
- Deadstar

Agree. Plus, it's hard to make the case to keep him when you can get so much in return...the bidding war will be truly insane for a top of the line, puck moving, Norris finalist, in his prime, D-man. It will be truly insane...PITT can expect at the very least what they got back in return for Staal, but I argue that it would be much much more. I expect, assuming a signed Letang:

Top winger + D who can play minutes + 1st rd <-> Letang

Something like:
Ryan + Beauchemen + 1st rnd
Burrows + Edler + 2nd rnd
1st overall, or any of the top 3 picks (Drouin/Mac with Crosby just wouldn't be fair. Nich and Barkov would also be fantastic players as well...)
....

Personally, I'd try to get 1st overall. COL needs D and wants to win now, and they have money. Makes a lot of sense. PITT can do what they want then...if they trade, they can get a ransom of picks + players, I'm sure teams will line up!

For the love of all that is good, it's DUPUIS***
- drummer829

I believe its actually spelled Dupewees.

Letang is fine ,the moment pittsburgh trades him they will regret it
- top shelf 15

Depends on what Pittsburgh gets back. Let's review ... do I need to tell you what Shero got in return for a declining Ryan Whitney from Anaheim, or Alex Goligoski.

He is from Ottawa ... give him a break.


It's like me saying its Carlson.
- Oneonta Penguin

I dont care how its spelt really,but dont keep him over Letang thats just nuts

You have to look past the points with Letang. Another dman given the chance he has could do a similar job in that department. Maybe not as well but the better defensive part of the game makes that a wash in my eyes. He's just not worth the money he's going to get.
- canadianpenfan

yeah i agree. it sucks too, because he could be a hell of a force in his own end as well. probably the best recovery speed in the league, and can be pretty damn physical when he wants to as well.

still think he is the most physically talented d man in the league, bar none. however, the mental aspects that he is lacking hold him back from being worth shea weber money in my mind.

Depends on what Pittsburgh gets back. Let's review ... do I need to tell you what Shero got in return for a declining Ryan Whitney from Anaheim, or Alex Goligoski.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah who cares ,if Pittsburgh puts Letang on the market they wont win that trade

I think he can. I think Despres can. You dont need a Letangs skill to be able to move the puck efficiently up to the forwards. At times all that skill can be a hindrance at times as silly as that sounds.
- Deadstar

Doesn't sound silly at all. All you have to do is watch a few games and you'll see him try and beat someone as the last man back a handful of times.

Give me a guy that can bank a puck off the boards for 3 mill and use the money elsewhere.

Agree. Plus, it's hard to make the case to keep him when you can get so much in return...the bidding war will be truly insane for a top of the line, puck moving, Norris finalist, in his prime, D-man. It will be truly insane...PITT can expect at the very least what they got back in return for Staal, but I argue that it would be much much more. I expect, assuming a signed Letang:

Top winger + D who can play minutes + 1st rd <-> Letang

Something like:
Ryan + Beauchemen + 1st rnd
Burrows + Edler + 2nd rnd
1st overall, or any of the top 3 picks (Drouin/Mac with Crosby just wouldn't be fair. Nich and Barkov would also be fantastic players as well...)
....

Personally, I'd try to get 1st overall. COL needs D and wants to win now, and they have money. Makes a lot of sense. PITT can do what they want then...if they trade, they can get a ransom of picks + players, I'm sure teams will line up!
- mventres

A signed Letang DOESN'T get you Beauchimin, Ryan and a first. Beauchamin should have been a Norris finalist.

Definitely. He's our main guy on the PP inspite of Bylsma sticking to Letang at times. I wasn't calling for his head but was indifferent if he had to be traded. Now everything has changed.
- Orpik44

I get reamed for saying this but the reason I see martin as a possible cap move is he could revert back to the Martin of 2years ago. Maybe move him while he's worth somwthing

http://insidepittsburghsp...ential-trade-talks/59248/

Here is some interesting Letang trade rumors. I like trade scenario two, because if they get a goalie MAF would be gone!

Letang is fine ,the moment pittsburgh trades him they will regret it
- top shelf 15

its not always as simple as just keeping everyone you want. sometimes, you just have to make the best of a tough situation. if that route is determined to be a trade, you make the most of your return and go from there.

I dont care how its spelt really,but dont keep him over Letang thats just nuts
- top shelf 15

i still dont know why you think its necessarily an either or proposition. if it was legitimately that simple, do you really think the decision would be this taxing?

Doesn't sound silly at all. All you have to do is watch a few games and you'll see him try and beat someone as the last man back a handful of times.

Give me a guy that can bank a puck off the boards for 3 mill and use the money elsewhere.
- canadianpenfan

I dont agree Pittsburgh,s forwards will have to come back further into the defensive zone,because they will be lacking that fast movement and passing ability .We watched it pretty painfully here in ottawa with out proper skill and speed on a blueline the forwards suffer

I get reamed for saying this but the reason I see martin as a possible cap move is he could revert back to the Martin of 2years ago. Maybe move him while he's worth somwthing
- ChrisMS

at the risk of sounding like this ottawa dude, that is a trade i dont think the pens would win, and one they would regret. despite his resurgence, i dont think martin pulls in nearly enough to replace the void losing him would create. and this is coming from someone who wanted him banished to siberia last year. especially if letang is going, you absolutely cant move martin

I dont agree Pittsburgh,s forwards will have to come back further into the defensive zone,because they will be lacking that fast movement and passing ability .We watched it pretty painfully here in ottawa with out proper skill and speed on a blueline the forwards suffer

- top shelf 15

have you seen the playoffs for this team recently? something that forces the forwards to have to come back into their own zone would be a (frank)ing godsend.

at the risk of sounding like this ottawa dude, that is a trade i dont think the pens would win, and one they would regret. despite his resurgence, i dont think martin pulls in nearly enough to replace the void losing him would create. and this is coming from someone who wanted him banished to siberia last year. especially if letang is going, you absolutely cant move martin
- stayinthefnnet

I would only move him if it helps keepletang longterm. Martin could. E replaced internally or externally easier them letang and it frees up 5 mil a year. We could keep letang and dupius for sure

i still dont know why you think its necessarily an either or proposition. if it was legitimately that simple, do you really think the decision would be this taxing?
- stayinthefnnet

Its not taxing ,Pittsburgh needs a retooling of their older support players ,that are getting too expensive.Letang is a core piece Dupuis,Cooke,Etc are not.The cap wont stay at 64 million for long just next season,sign your core pieces play some kids and see where you end up .

Not every season is a championship one you know

have you seen the playoffs for this team recently? something that forces the forwards to have to come back into their own zone would be a (frank)ing godsend.
- stayinthefnnet

A quicker second pairing will help that ,you have some nice kids coming on the blueline .Sprinkle some in and roll with it

at the risk of sounding like this ottawa dude, that is a trade i dont think the pens would win, and one they would regret. despite his resurgence, i dont think martin pulls in nearly enough to replace the void losing him would create. and this is coming from someone who wanted him banished to siberia last year. especially if letang is going, you absolutely cant move martin
- stayinthefnnet

Chris is all about blowing things up. Trade Martin, trade Orpik ... get old pending free agents heading into the hall of fame on the downside of their career.

Trading Martin would be utterly stupid, especially if Letang is being shipped away. He wants to keep Letang long term regardless of his flaws and his possible fragileness the last two years. If anything, he is the one to go. With Sids and Malkin's contract, its utterly retarded to pay letang north of 7 million too.

I would only move him if it helps keepletang longterm. Martin could. E replaced internally or externally easier them letang and it frees up 5 mil a year. We could keep letang and dupius for sure
- ChrisMS

i just have a hard time seeing how moving martin helps this team. if anything, they need more of what he brings. if they have the faith in their dynamic d prospects to fill that offensive role that they are designed for, letang may end up being easier t replace than martin.

Chris is all about blowing things up. Trade Martin, trade Orpik ... get old pending free agents heading into the hall of fame on the downside of their career.

Trading Martin would be utterly stupid, especially if Letang is being shipped away. He wants to keep Letang long term regardless of his flaws and his possible fragileness the last two years. If anything, he is the one to go. With Sids and Malkin's contract, its utterly retarded to pay letang north of 7 million too.
- Oneonta Penguin

despite his flaws, i would want to keep letang if possible. however, its just not feasible. im not going to say martin is a better player than letang, but for this team, i think martin at 5 may be a better return on investment than letang at 7.5.

some of the blow up mentality i try and rationalize as just still being in a shell shocked state from the nature of the losses. i was guilty of that myself.