Blah, I snuck Holik in there as an edit.

Bure's deal was inherited, wasn't it?
- Tomahawk

You're right. My bad.

Hey, speaking of overpaid defenseman...

Mark Streit has matched his goal total from last year (6) and is 4 points shy of tying last year's point total (27) and is a plus-14 compared to last year (0 vs. -14). Granted, he's played more games so far this year.

But, um...yeah, that.
- jmatchett383

Only problem is that his $ comparables are the following players:

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?player_id=1076

Hey, speaking of overpaid defenseman...

Mark Streit has matched his goal total from last year (6) and is 4 points shy of tying last year's point total (27) and is a plus-14 compared to last year (0 vs. -14). Granted, he's played more games so far this year.

But, um...yeah, that.
- jmatchett383

He's been as advertised. I never thought he was going to make this team better at breakouts, which is still the primary problem with this team.

Been playing much (MUCH) better than a guy who was a Norris finalist last year? Been the backbone of the team running away with the division? Have the best +/- (unreliable, yes) in the entire NHL? Any of that?
- jmatchett383

The only statistical measurable stat is +/-..... To be the backbone of the Pens' D is nothing to be commended for, as this only speaks to the depth and overall talent of the entire team. The team is what makes him look good. Ask yourself, is he a legit D who could "backbone" another D? Not a chance in hell, and that I will guarantee. It's the same effect as Crawford in Chicago, is he elite or the by-product of playing on a sick team? The latter clearly.

I get the point that is trying to be made here, but lets not actually get lose in the inflated, and complete bullpoop hype... Niskanen is not a D who is legit worthy of that money, plain and simple, yet, he will probably get paid like it.

The only statistical measurable stat is +/-..... To be the backbone of the Pens' D is nothing to be commended for, as this only speaks to the depth and overall talent of the entire team. The team is what makes him look good. Ask yourself, is he a legit D who could "backbone" another D? Not a chance in hell, and that I will guarantee. It's the same effect as Crawford in Chicago, is he elite or the by-product of playing on a sick team? The latter clearly.

I get the point that is trying to be made here, but lets not actually get lose in the inflated, and complete bullpoop hype... Niskanen is not a D who is legit worthy of that money, plain and simple, yet, he will probably get paid like it.
- Flyers_V88

Although, I think you're selling him short this season, you agreed with our overall point. He will be paid big time. Probably in the $6-7M range.

Although, I think you're selling him short this reason, you agreed with our overall point. He will be paid big time. Probably in the $6-7M range.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't say selling him short, but I don't know what's happened in the past little while in the NHL with respect to player valuations and contracts. It's like a guy has one good run, or season, or whatever, and then he's suddenly a star, or should be paid at that level.

While I agree he is having a good year, and is a good top-4 guy on most teams, let's just not get lost in the fact he has never put up great numbers before. Has been a defensive liability up until this year, and even Pens' fans can attest to that, is playing on the best team in the Eastern Conference, and is only getting this exposure as a result of the Pens' blueline being mashed with injuries this year.

Although, I think you're selling him short this season, you agreed with our overall point. He will be paid big time. Probably in the $6-7M range.
- PhillySportsGuy

Think most teams will be wary of Niskanen's sudden jump in production, but somebody will give him $5-6M.

Girardi is looking at $6-7M -- no shortage of teams coveting what he provides.

Right-handed D are valued by their weight in gold.

Think most teams will be wary of Niskanen's sudden jump in production, but somebody will give him $5-6M.

Girardi is looking at $6-7M -- no shortage of teams coveting what he provides.

Right-handed D are valued by their weight in gold.
- Tomahawk

Exactly. Let's not jump the gun here.... This is Matt Niskanen we're talking about... lol.

I wouldn't say selling him short, but I don't know what's happened in the past little while in the NHL with respect to player valuations and contracts. It's like a guy has one good run, or season, or whatever, and then he's suddenly a star, or should be paid at that level.

While I agree he is having a good year, and is a good top-4 guy on most teams, let's just not get lost in the fact he has never put up great numbers before. Has been a defensive liability up until this year, and even Pens' fans can attest to that, is playing on the best team in the Eastern Conference, and is only getting this exposure as a result of the Pens' blueline being mashed with injuries this year.
- Flyers_V88

He's played well for the Pens overall. He's never been as good as he is right now. He's been plagued by inconsistency. I just see a GM thinking Niskanen has established himself and is ready to be a consistent defenseman from here on out. All it takes is one GM

Does anyone know what Giroux was doing when he dropped the F'bomb twice on camera, just before the interview w coatsey last night. He looked pis**ed off when he said it, and it sounded like F U ref, or F U raff. Puzzling.....

He's played well for the Pens overall. He's never been as good as he is right now. He's been plagued by inconsistency. I just see a GM thinking Niskanen has established himself and is ready to be a consistent defenseman from here on out. All it takes is one GM
- PhillySportsGuy

And you're entirely right, one or a couple GMs will probably give/offer him money in that range.

I just hope people see the overall situation for what it's worth and see the context. That's all

I was just thinking about Schenn getting embarrassed by Gerbe yesterday. Can he ever improve his skating or will be always get that slow?

About Vinny, I think he's still slightly injured judging by how pissed he was when Harrison? cross checked him in the lower back.

Exactly. Let's not jump the gun here.... This is Matt Niskanen we're talking about... lol.
- Flyers_V88

How often can a team add a potential top pairing or top 4 defenseman without giving up any assets except money? It's not like the cap is going to go back down. Carle's contract looked awful and now it's not that bad. By next season, it will be market value and by the end, it could look like good value!

Unless a guy totally craps the bed like a Redden or Gomez, the signings never end up that bad. Niskanen has the potential to be that guy. Girardi is a much more safer bet to have success.

Think most teams will be wary of Niskanen's sudden jump in production, but somebody will give him $5-6M.

Girardi is looking at $6-7M -- no shortage of teams coveting what he provides.

Right-handed D are valued by their weight in gold.
- Tomahawk

how many kurics is that

About Vinny, I think he's still slightly injured judging by how pissed he was when Harrison? cross checked him in the lower back.
- 2Real

Something isn't right. Or, he just can't play wing for long periods of time. Since he's been on the wing, it just hasn't worked out. We need to put him back at center and see if it makes a difference. Problem is, who do you move and where?

I was just thinking about Schenn getting embarrassed by Gerbe yesterday. Can he ever improve his skating or will be always get that slow?
- 2Real

You could be in a Ferrari at a dead stop, and a Smart Car could be flying past you at 70mph... there's no way you would be able to catch them in a short-distance drag.

Something isn't right. Or, he just can't play wing for long periods of time. Since he's been on the wing, it just hasn't worked out. We need to put him back at center and see if it makes a difference. Problem is, who do you move and where?
- Flyers_V88

Vinny to montreal for briere

just kidding, umm what about Schenn on the LW?

And you're entirely right, one or a couple GMs will probably give/offer him money in that range.

I just hope people see the overall situation for what it's worth and see the context. That's all
- Flyers_V88

We all know Homer will be in pursuit of defenseman this offseason. I would much rather him pay a little more for Girardi than sign Niskanen at his price.

Vinny to montreal for briere

just kidding, umm what about Schenn on the LW?
- 2Real

It's hard to break up a line thats been so consistent offensively. They are the only ones who can get a successful cycle going.

Vinny to montreal for briere

just kidding, umm what about Schenn on the LW?
- 2Real

Luke Schenn at 4th-line LW? Sure!

You could be in a Ferrari at a dead stop, and a Smart Car could be flying past you at 70mph... there's no way you would be able to catch them in a short-distance drag.
- Tomahawk

bad luck then i guess if a midget is racing at you do all you can to keep the puck in the zone even if it's a dump in to the other team

We all know Homer will be in pursuit of defenseman this offseason. I would much rather him pay a little more for Girardi than sign Niskanen at his price.
- PhillySportsGuy

Me too.

It's hard to break up a line thats been so consistent offensively. They are the only ones who can get a successful cycle going.
- PhillySportsGuy

i doubt we move to giroux on the wing unless we experiment with him and vinny together on the first line otherwise vinny would have to go to the 4th line

We all know Homer will be in pursuit of defenseman this offseason. I would much rather him pay a little more for Girardi than sign Niskanen at his price.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know this won't happen, because Homers gonna Homer, but I'd prefer it if they eschewed UFA altogether... Bryzgalov, Streit, Vinny, almost Cleary, Shelley.... Briere.