I really hope Shero doesn't overpay for either Moulson (ie, 1st plus + Despres, for example), but I very much hope he at least checks in on Moulson as a UFA this summer.

To all that say Ott can play center, he has in the past but he hasn't in years. He takes the faceoff and moves to the wing.

I wasn't trying to trade for Maata anyway... I was going for Letang...
- riceroni

My bad. For Letang? Probably less than Maata at this point. Not sure. Maybe Lazar, Pageau, and a 1st?

Except that Maatta is better, hasn't bounced back and forth between he NHL and AHL and had his agent tweet #FreeMaatta
- Ben37

51 GP is not an accurate enough sample at the big-league level for me to be convinced that hes already better. Kids a stud though for sure.

As for the Ott vs Moulson debate, I think its fair to ask, what would the return need to be? I'm not actually of the opinion that we would see either, since Shero has made it clear he'd looking for a return of a player under contract that the Pens can control.
- Emperor Filonius

I believe that comment from Shero was pre Dupuis injury though. Dupuis' injury is a costly one, game changer.

Opportunities do present themselves when your top 4 D are all out for at least a week or two..
- canada_dry

Granted I hear what you are saying as far as what he was able to show when they were all out, he may not have gotten that opportunity to show he can handle the top minutes and playing in every scenario had they all been healthy. But they were all healthy when he made the opening day roster out of camp.

I believe that comment from Shero was pre Dupuis injury though. Dupuis' injury is a costly one, game changer.
- Ryan_Wilson

I think those comments came after the Dupuis injury actually. Because they were in regards to potentially making a hockey related trade to finding a winger to replace Dupuis this year as well as going forward.

51 GP is not an accurate enough sample at the big-league level for me to be convinced that hes already better. Kids a stud though for sure.
- canada_dry

I'm a huge fan of Gardiner. A HUGE fan. That said, Maata looks like a 26-year-old out there. There will undoubtedly be bumps in the road and rough patches, but Maata really does have all the tools to be, at the very least, a Hjalmarsson-type player...and that's the low end.

I really hope Shero doesn't overpay for either Moulson (ie, 1st plus + Despres, for example), but I very much hope he at least checks in on Moulson as a UFA this summer.
- s0rcerer1984

I'm confident Ray won't move Despres for a rental.

I think those comments came after the Dupuis injury actually. Because they were in regards to potentially making a hockey related trade to finding a winger to replace Dupuis this year as well as going forward.
- PensFan1103

I'm sure Shero's preference would be to acquire a guy he can control contractually but that might not be available for the cost he is comfortable with.

I'm sure Shero's preference would be to acquire a guy he can control contractually but that might not be available for the cost he is comfortable with.
- Ryan_Wilson

Agreed.

I believe that comment from Shero was pre Dupuis injury though. Dupuis' injury is a costly one, game changer.
- Ryan_Wilson

If he's thinking rental that's ok depending on cost. I'd hate to lose our 1st again.

I'm confident Ray won't move Despres for a rental.
- madmike71

He shouldn't. The Pens have a window of probably another 4-5 years where they have a good shot at winning the Cup every year, and I think Despres could be a big part of those teams.

I'm a huge fan of Gardiner. A HUGE fan. That said, Maata looks like a 26-year-old out there. There will undoubtedly be bumps in the road and rough patches, but Maata really does have all the tools to be, at the very least, a Hjalmarsson-type player...and that's the low end.
- jmatchett383

So, what you're basically saying is that Maatta is the next Nicklas Lidstrom?

If he's thinking rental that's ok depending on cost. I'd hate to lose our 1st again.
- dbell646

Just another word, take it or leave it.

Throughout the mid-90s and early 2000s, the Flyers went into every season as a possible SC contender because they had an imposing offense, a good defense, and a goaltender that, for the most part, was a capable NHL goalie.

And EVERY YEAR they gave up prospects or high picks for a big fish at the TDL. And it never once panned out. Whether it was Hawerchuk, Oates, Zhamnov, etc. never once did it pan out.

I think the Penguins are in the same boat, and should avoid trading picks/prospects for the big UFA fish.

So, what you're basically saying is that Maatta is the next Nicklas Lidstrom?
- rival22

If the only logical step up from Hjalmarsson is Lidstrom, then yes. I believe there's a bit of wiggle room between the two, though.

He shouldn't. The Pens have a window of probably another 4-5 years where they have a good shot at winning the Cup every year, and I think Despres could be a big part of those teams.
- jmatchett383

I would agree, but I can't deny that it appears he's not a favorite of Bylsma's. There have been multiple media reports that the team favors some of the other prospects over Despres.

I would agree, but I can't deny that it appears he's not a favorite of Bylsma's. There have been multiple media reports that the team favors some of the other prospects over Despres.
- madmike71

I agree, I don't get it. The kid has been impressive whenever I've seen him.

However, if he's not in their plans, I still wouldn't move him for a rental. I'd trade him in the offseason either for a package or as part of one.

If the only logical step up from Hjalmarsson is Lidstrom, then yes. I believe there's a bit of wiggle room between the two, though.
- jmatchett383

I mean, there are only so many good Scandinavian defensemen out there, right?



(actually there are a lot of good ones)

I mean, there are only so many good Scandinavian defensemen out there, right?



(actually there are a lot of good ones)
- rival22

I actually wanted to say Kimmo Timonen, which is what I think his ceiling is (the mid-2000's version)...but I figure a lot of people on here have a sour view on him.

I would agree, but I can't deny that it appears he's not a favorite of Bylsma's. There have been multiple media reports that the team favors some of the other prospects over Despres.
- madmike71

Which is strange, because last season it was said that Bylsma was the one who pushed to keep him on the NHL roster (but then sat him down against good teams).

From the outside, the whole Despres thing is a bit bizarre.

I'm not so sure the Penguins aren't scouting Colorado for Parenteau

I'm not so sure the Penguins aren't scouting Colorado for Parenteau
- Ryan_Wilson

I actually think he's be a better addition than Moulson.

I actually wanted to say Kimmo Timonen, which is what I think his ceiling is (the mid-2000's version)...but I figure a lot of people on here have a sour view on him.
- jmatchett383

I think Timonen gets a bit of a bad rap, especially from Pens fans.... His current contract seems absurd and the Pens have played well against him as a Flyer at times, but you're right, there was a handful of years where he was one of the better all around defensemen in the league.

Not to plug another blog, but a good read about just how bad Root Sports is (broadcasters aside):

http://www.thepensblog.co...he-viewer-experience.html