You know whose contract looks really cap friendly right now?


Max Talbot.


Its funny how Homer takes a beating for everything that doesnt go right, but seldom gets credit for the things that do work out.
- Doc_Sarcasm

The empty can rattles the most.

Someone's mock draft on the NHL Channel had Nurse going around 5 or 6...he definitely seems to be trending upward.

Then they were talking about Colorado saying they are going to take MacKinnon, and with the Lightning needing to replace Vinny, how the draft could get real wonky real quick.

Looking forward to it!
- wolfhounds

I'm learning these mock drafts are absolute crap.

Unless Letang wants to take an extreme hometown discount, he won't be back. If the leaked details are true about what the Pens offered him. We'll see what the counter offer is.
- MJL

I haven't seen anyone say if pens offer had nmc/ntc. There is no reason for him to take any discount unless there is a guarantee that he won't be moved right after he signs. Without that info, it is hard to judge the situation.

Sounds like a guy who wants to move on.
- 77rams

Yea and somehow these knucklehead analysts will still have the Pens as cup favorites.

You'd think Rosebud was a 35+ contract, the way it's being discussed.

Talbot's cap friendly number was one of a couple reasons he was brought up in trade rumors before he broke his leg.
- johndewar

Unless the team tanks again next season I would hold onto Max. He can play any forward position on the 3rd and 4th line.

Ristolainen brings Pronger-like skill set into draft

Rasmus Ristolainen isn't your typical Finnish defenseman.

He says he models his game after Chris Pronger of the Philadelphia Flyers, while claiming most NHL scouts have compared him to Shea Weber of Nashville Predators.

On top of that, his favorite NHL player not playing defense happens to be hard-hitting Boston Bruins power forward Milan Lucic.

Starting to get the picture?

The 6-foot-4, 207-pound right-handed shot enjoys a physical brand of hockey, something uncommon in European standouts on the verge of making the jump to North America. While you ponder that, consider the fact he also logged between 25 and 30 minutes a game for TPS in SM-liiga, Finland's top professional league, in 2012-13.

...

"He plays that physical style and played big minutes with a team that that didn't do very well, and was the leading defenseman there," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a mobile, strong, offensive-minded defenseman with very good puck-handling and passing skills. He's young, but he knows how to use his size and strength. He's one of the best young defensemen in Europe in his age group. He's a leader on the ice and plays with confidence."

...

Ristolainen tested well during the fitness phase at the Combine. His most noteworthy finish came in the VO2 Max test, in which he lasted 14:00 on the grueling stationary bike, to place among the top five among the 101 prospects invited.

Combine results...cool stuff.

Everett Silvertips defenseman Mirco Mueller lasted the longest on the VO2 Max test, lasting 14:30. Owen Sound Attack defenseman Chris Bigras was next, also at 14:30, followed by Quebec Remparts forward Adam Erne and Finnish defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen at 14:00. London Knights forward Bo Horvat, No. 15 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, tied for fifth at 14:00, and Ottawa 67s center Sean Monahan, No. 5 on Central Scouting's list, was eighth at 14:00.

I'm not sure what 'too safe' means exactly, but I do know you want steady, reliable and solid on the blueline. Luckily this a deep draft and it would be hard to go wrong with any of the top prospects, but this is the guy I'm leaning toward...

But could he go to a place where he has a better chance to win? If it was me, I would stay and be apart of what could be the last true dynasty since the days of Islanders and Oilers.
- youarewrong

I don't know what Letang wants. from my perspective, I'd be happy to play for the Pens for 7M a year. But I'm not a pro athlete.

I'm learning these mock drafts are absolute crap.
- cmr.266

Yup...educated guesses, except it's not all about the quantifiable.

Unless the team tanks again next season I would hold onto Max. He can play any forward position on the 3rd and 4th line.
- youarewrong

We've lost a lot of leadership over the past few seasons too. I would really hate to see him go without a couple really good veteran presences moving into the locker room.

I don't know what Letang wants. from my perspective, I'd be happy to play for the Pens for 7M a year. But I'm not a pro athlete.
- MJL

How about $500k a year? Would that get the deal done?

How about $500k a year? Would that get the deal done?
- wolfhounds

For me? Dam right it would.

We've lost a lot of leadership over the past few seasons too. I would really hate to see him go without a couple really good veteran presences moving into the locker room.
- Doc_Sarcasm

They have enough young character guys to assume more of those roles (Read, both Schenns, Simmonds). Development. All leaders gotta start somewhere.

Combine Results

Pulock was a top performer in quite a few categories...

Are you really going to let a player like Letang go over 500k per year?
- youarewrong

I heard on the radio that Letang feels like he's getting scorched in the Pitt. A lot of the blame for the sweep against Boston has been dropped on his door step and he's pretty unhappy about it. I got the feeling that he's really disappointed that the team hasn't gotten his back in all of this.

For me? Dam right it would.
- MJL

Sweet. Consider me your agent.

7M a year would be a pretty substantial underpayment for him. He could hit Free Agency and command significantly more.
- MJL

If they can't close a 500k per year gap in the negotiations, I have to believe he wants to change venues.

/rocks back and forth at office desk thinking about post work beer
- johndewar

glad i'm not the only one.

For me? Dam right it would.
- MJL

Come on MJL you should know a 500k salary is not CBA compliant.

Seth Jones was just on The Fan 590 and said he always wanted to be a Flyer

I'm not sure what 'too safe' means exactly, but I do know you want steady, reliable and solid on the blueline. Luckily this a deep draft and it would be hard to go wrong with any of the top prospects, but this is the guy I'm leaning toward...
- wolfhounds

Take the 2008 draft for example... Schenn was a 'safe' pick, so was Sbisa. You'd take either of those players ahead of Karlsson, Myers, Carlson or MDZ if you had a chance to re-draft today?

That's the risk of taking Risto too high... you're probably passing on players that will be much better down the road.

If they can't close a 500k per year gap in the negotiations, I have to believe he wants to change venues.
- 77rams

You would think if that is the only holdup, that they could work out a compromise.

I heard on the radio that Letang feels like he's getting scorched in the Pitt. A lot of the blame for the sweep against Boston has been dropped on his door step and he's pretty unhappy about it. I got the feeling that he's really disappointed that the team hasn't gotten his back in all of this.
- mayorofangrytown

Yea? There's no crying in Hockey. If he thinks he had it tough... ask Bryz what it's really like.

Come on MJL you should know a 500k salary is not CBA compliant.
- youarewrong

I'm pretty sure I can get Shero up to 900k per.

Now stop harassing my client.

Come on MJL you should know a 500k salary is not CBA compliant.
- youarewrong

You can even bury me in AHL right after that contract and make me a healthy scratch.