Ryan Wilson: Let's Talk Ales Hemsky + Soldier Field News & Notes + Ryan Miller Trade Penguins could target Ales Hemsky, Soldier Field news and notes, plus Ryan Miller trade

I often wonder what would have happened if the Penguins had drafted Toews instead of Staal.

well Rossi just said that the #KeslerWatch has started so in other words... we aren't getting Kesler.

I think Mac T will likely ask for a 2nd + prospect or a close to NHL ready prospect that can help the team soon.

Despres would be able to step in now for us, so that would be good for our top 4 on the left side. Not sure if Pitts lets him go for Hemsky.

We don't need any other non-NHL ready left shooting Dmen as we have Nurse, Klefbom, and Marincin. A big forward prospect or right hand Dman would be good.

I often wonder what would have happened if the Penguins had drafted Toews instead of Staal.
- Ben37

You would've had to trade him or Geno. Can't see Toews playing 15 min a night on the third line, although he would thrive there.

I think Mac T will likely ask for a 2nd + prospect or a close to NHL ready prospect that can help the team soon.

Despres would be able to step in now for us, so that would be good for our top 4 on the left side. Not sure if Pitts lets him go for Hemsky.

We don't need any other non-NHL ready left shooting Dmen as we have Nurse, Klefbom, and Marincin. A big forward prospect or right hand Dman would be good.
- ystoil

You would be looking at a guy like Dumoulin or Samuelsson as the return, not Despres.

Penguins don't have a 2nd round pick either.

You would've had to trade him or Geno. Can't see Toews playing 15 min a night on the third line, although he would thrive there.
- ystoil

Of course.

Just wanted to help you catch a slip, but Keith Seabrook does not play for the Hawks, nor is he in the NHL. He's Brent's younger brother.

I get it, Keith and Seabrook play together so they kind of get mashed as one entity...

Anyway, will be an interesting game tonight. The Hawks have played some pretty lackluster hockey since 1 January, but I'd hope they don't need much motivation to get up for tonight's match-up.

Also will be cool to FINALLY see Toews and Crosby go tête-à-tête for what I'm very sure will be the first time in the NHL.

You would be looking at a guy like Dumoulin or Samuelsson as the return, not Despres.

Penguins don't have a 2nd round pick either.
- Ryan_Wilson

I don't know if I see a fit then with Pitts. Don't get me wrong I'd be fine with Dumoulin, but if there are other teams calling with prospects/picks that suit our organizational need better, I'd look there over Pittsburgh. Assuming they are of the same talent level as a Dumoulin.

I often wonder what would have happened if the Penguins had drafted Toews instead of Staal.
- Ben37

That always has make me think as well. I think we talked about this before.

Where would each player be now? Toews had one more year to develop in college and was then basically thrusted into a top line role for Chicago.

Staal made the NHL a year earlier, but by his second season, he was firmly planted into the 3rd line center role. His offensive skills looked pretty good his rookie year... If he spent another year in junior and then given an offensive role to grow into in the NHL, would his offensive skills have developed better?

Granted, good players are going to be good no matter what, but I wonder how much their draft/team situations affect how they develop.

Also will be cool to FINALLY see Toews and Crosby go tête-à-tête for what I'm very sure will be the first time in the NHL.
- prd797

Hey, no head jokes about Crosby, especially for an outdoor game

I'm more in the favor of getting Brad Boyes with 1M on his contract. Would be very cheap to acquire him. 17 goals in 57 games on a bad Panthers team.

I don't really want Hemsky going to the Pens but it might be fun just to watch some Pens fans heads explode when they pick him up....

This year, with the injuries to Dupuis and Bennett, I wouldn't mind the Pens to target Hemsky. He wasn't needed before but they need some reinforcements at forward.

I don't really want Hemsky going to the Pens but it might be fun just to watch some Pens fans heads explode when they pick him up....
- Iggysbff

you want him gone so bad, why cares where he goes.

This year, with the injuries to Dupuis and Bennett, I wouldn't mind the Pens to target Hemsky. He wasn't needed before but they need some reinforcements at forward.
- acdc1206

Honestly, not trying to be a Homer Oiler fan, I think he would thrive in Pitts.

Kunitz Crosby Hemsky or Neal Geno Hemsky

His deficiencies are exposed in Edmonton, playing with great players you will see what he can do.

This year, with the injuries to Dupuis and Bennett, I wouldn't mind the Pens to target Hemsky. He wasn't needed before but they need some reinforcements at forward.
- acdc1206

edm has to retain salary in order for pens to acquire hemsky.

Didn't even realize there was an outdoor game tonight!

I often wonder what would have happened if the Penguins had drafted Toews instead of Staal.
- Ben37

DONT REMIND ME.

you want him gone so bad, why cares where he goes.
- deks1

I think Mac T will likely ask for a 2nd + prospect or a close to NHL ready prospect that can help the team soon.

Despres would be able to step in now for us, so that would be good for our top 4 on the left side. Not sure if Pitts lets him go for Hemsky.

We don't need any other non-NHL ready left shooting Dmen as we have Nurse, Klefbom, and Marincin. A big forward prospect or right hand Dman would be good.
- ystoil

We don't have a second pick. He isn't worth that much. It's delusional thinking, actually retarded to think he is worth that. Stop the foolishness. He is worth a third round pick; a tier C prospect and a sandwich from Primanti Brothers.

Remember, you have wanted this guy gone for three trade deadlines at least. No takers year after year. He is a pending free agent, still an enigma and really while he has the skill, he is a non productive player. His stock has dropped, not raised.

Asking for a second and someone like Despres is asinine.

I like the stadium series jerseys for the Pens, but I don't like the socks. The all white in front looks stupid to me.

We don't have a second pick. He isn't worth that much. It's delusional thinking, actually retarded to think he is worth that. Stop the foolishness. He is worth a third round pick; a tier C prospect and a sandwich from Primanti Brothers.

Remember, you have wanted this guy gone for three trade deadlines at least. No takers year after year. He is a pending free agent, still an enigma and really while he has the skill, he is a non productive player. His stock has dropped, not raised.

Asking for a second and someone like Despres is asinine.
- Oneonta Penguin

Not correct. We have had offers for him in the past but they were being stupid and greedy and didn't think they were enough. He will bring a lesser return now. But I think you underestimate what he will get.

I don't really want Hemsky going to the Pens but it might be fun just to watch some Pens fans heads explode when they pick him up....
- Iggysbff

The Hemsky haters, me included, have come to the conclusion he might be the best option even with his warts of being fragile, an enigma, and a non point producer. He would come cheap due to his situation of being a ufa after this year; the fact he is an enigma and the fact Edmonton has tried to trade him hard the previous three deadlines only to be told no. His stock is worse this year than last. He has the skill and talent, which no one can disagree with. If he sucks, he isn't resigned.

Trust us, many of us aren't too excited about the prospect of this happening because we are aware of Hemsky's resume in recent years. However many have come to the conclusion that he is the best option for us now due to our injuries and his asking price. If we didn't have injuries, he wouldn't even be considered. If we had more cap space, he wouldn't be considered. If we had more assets, he wouldn't be considered.

If it happens, I will be interested to see how he fits with Crosby and Kunitz because he isn't coming in as a third line guy.

still unbelievable torn about this Kesler situation.

I think he would be a fantastic addition and really allow us to roll 3 lines. In the Boston series, Chara took down Malkin's line and Bergeron took down Crosby's line. That left Morrow-Sutter-Kennedy to do the damage and lets be honest, they aren't going to. This year if that happens we would have Pyatt-Sutter-Megna... does that make anyone feel better? No.

The problem with sutter is that he doesn't create offense, he needs to be playing with good players in order to be good offensively. Kesler is going to be good no matter what and he could even enhance the guys around him.

Not sure why people are concerned about $$. Sutter is an RFA where he will probably ask 4 million per season. Kesler is at 5, I think 1 million is a good edge to Kesler. We have seen in 2009, that having elite wingers on lines where you have 3 centers deep isn't true. In 2009, Crosby was with Kunitz and Guerin, Malkin was with Fedotenko and Talbot. Having Neal and Kunitz already makes that top 6 a huge improvement. The problem is the 3rd line, we haven't had a 3rd line play that kind of quality hockey since 2009. Getting Kesler will allow us to return to that model. I wouldn't mind if we moved Jokinen down to play with Kesler and you put a guy like Megna on his right wing. Is that a great 3rd line? Not really. but would that 3rd line be more than good enough to get the job done? Absolutely.

The problem for me is what the price might be. If you remember the Richards and Carter deals, those deals were for a 1st and 2 younger roster players. I actually think their value was higher because they were signed long term and were younger. I would assume that the asking price would be Sutter and Despres and then a minor prospect or a 1st if other teams drive the price up. To be honest with you, I would probably do that but I don't want to trade our first. I love Despres and I think he will be a stud. But at the same time, if he cant crack our lineup when our best 2 dmen are out, when will he? He doesn't have quality of play on his side when it comes to his trade value. He has potential and age, that's it. every year the penguins wait on him, he loses more and more of the trade value.

The only problem is that it still leaves a bit of hole on Sid's wing because I for one don't trust Gibbons in the playoffs. While Gibbons is fast and good, I just don't think he could be an effective player in the playoffs. Maybe you look at a cheap option at Brad Boyes in FLA. Having a pretty good season, signed to an affordable cap hit, and I don't think his name will be nearly as sexy as other guys. Maybe a 3rd or a 4th and a loser prospect.

Kunitz-Crosby-Boyes
Bennett-Malkin-Neal
Jokinen-Kesler-Megna
Glass-Vitale-Adams

I am okay with that team going into the playoffs and I truly believe that this team would be more suited to win the Cup versus last year's "all star" team.