i dont know if its just blind homerism at this point or what, but i still am a big believer in despres. no, hes not the next weber. but i still think given enough time to play through growing pains, he will be a solid top 4 guy for someone.
- stayinthefnnet

That may be, but I think they'd need more than Despres.

Teams know who their blue chip prospects are even if the general public doesn't. Its not coincidence that Maata and Pouliot were not mentioned in these deals.

Thats one of the reasons I wasn't rushing to judgement on the Rundblad deal.

i think they need to decide what they want to do, and stick with it. dont pull a flames and wait too long to start an eventual rebuild. if you want to make a run of it with this core, then you need to bring in current talent that will help. if you want to move out assets while they still have prime value (whether the pens are involved or not) you should strike while you can. stagnation is death in todays game.

that being said, i agree with you haha i dont think he goes anywhere.
- stayinthefnnet

I think he'll be moved at the draft.

That may be, but I think they'd need more than Despres.

Teams know who their blue chip prospects are even if the general public doesn't. Its not coincidence that Maata and Pouliot were not mentioned in these deals.

Thats one of the reasons I wasn't rushing to judgement on the Rundblad deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

true. i do think if they get him pouliot is going to have to be involved for better or worse. and yeah i agree with the runblad deal. its obvious there is some kind of red flag. however, im still of the mind that for a second id have taken the bait.

you have a higher chance of runblad screwing his head on correctly than you do of that second making an impact. if i could swap a second for joe morrow back i would.

I think he'll be moved at the draft.
- PhillySportsGuy

i wouldnt up my offer to Van if im shero. let them hope that he expands his list of potential suitors. hard to have a bidding war with limited options.

true. i do think if they get him pouliot is going to have to be involved for better or worse. and yeah i agree with the runblad deal. its obvious there is some kind of red flag. however, im still of the mind that for a second id have taken the bait.

you have a higher chance of runblad screwing his head on correctly than you do of that second making an impact. if i could swap a second for joe morrow back i would.
- stayinthefnnet

I would too with both those guys. I just don't think its worth getting bent out of shape about.

i think they need to decide what they want to do, and stick with it. dont pull a flames and wait too long to start an eventual rebuild. if you want to make a run of it with this core, then you need to bring in current talent that will help. if you want to move out assets while they still have prime value (whether the pens are involved or not) you should strike while you can. stagnation is death in todays game.

that being said, i agree with you haha i dont think he goes anywhere.
- stayinthefnnet

The Canucks don't exactly have a lot of goal scoring wingers outside of Sedin. Trading Kesler for a gritty center with less scoring touch then him makes little. Hey, but it's Gillis we're chatting about, so anything is possible.

i wouldnt up my offer to Van if im shero. let them hope that he expands his list of potential suitors. hard to have a bidding war with limited options.
- stayinthefnnet

He'll have a lot more options this summer. Teams will have the chance to maneuver themselves.

He's the perfect addition for the Pens. He may be the type of player to put them over the top though. He would really help with the Bruins.

care to share
- 2Real

This was one of my all time favorites (right after emery beat the crap out of holtby)

Strombone ‏@strombone1 Nov 1
Just an FYI. If Ray Emery ever decides to skate down the ice and try to fight me I'm getting the (frank) out of dodge!!!

I would too with both those guys. I just don't think its worth getting bent out of shape about.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think anybody cares about Rundblad any longer. Over, done, tuck it in and turn out the lights.

I am looking forward watching MacD play. I assume he's in the lineup tomorrow, right?

The Canucks don't exactly have a lot of goal scoring wingers outside of Sedin. Trading Kesler for a gritty center with less scoring touch then him makes little. Hey, but it's Gillis we're chatting about, so anything is possible.
- ravishingone

i understand. ive said all along the pens pieces really dont add up. but if you are being coerced into making a move (not claiming that they are) in a certain direction, you cant get blood from a stone. if his only agreeable spots are philly and pitt, and the flyers realize it would be foolish to part with schenn or coots in the deal that isnt for a defender, it really only leaves the pens. and they dont have goal scoring depth, especially young depth, to move.

granted, there are a lot of IFs in that progression, but still.

I would too with both those guys. I just don't think its worth getting bent out of shape about.
- PhillySportsGuy

Now two organizations have given up significant assets to acquire Rundblad and have given up on him. Something is not right and the 'Yotes had to add another prospect to get that 2nd rounder. He may turn out to be a top 4 d-man in the league, but I think he is more likely to be a fringe NHL player who either spends most of his career in the AHL or returns to Europe.

I don't think anybody cares about Rundblad any longer. Over, done, tuck it in and turn out the lights.

I am looking forward watching MacD play. I assume he's in the lineup tomorrow, right?
- wolfhounds

I imagine. Not a long drive from NY to Philly

Penner will be playing for Washington. Erat is also gone.

He'll have a lot more options this summer. Teams will have the chance to maneuver themselves.

He's the perfect addition for the Pens. He may be the type of player to put them over the top though. He would really help with the Bruins.
- PhillySportsGuy

well things become tremendously more competitive if he is willing to expand his list. then the ballgame changes entirely.

Now two organizations have given up significant assets to acquire Rundblad and have given up on him. Something is not right and the 'Yotes had to add another prospect to get that 2nd rounder. He may turn out to be a top 4 d-man in the league, but I think he is more likely to be a fringe NHL player who either spends most of his career in the AHL or returns to Europe.
- ravishingone

Thats what Im thinking too, but people acted like he was ready to jump into our top 6 and help the Flyers right now. Thats simply not the case.

I imagine. Not a long drive from NY to Philly

Penner will be playing for Washington. Erat is also gone.
- PhillySportsGuy

Penner might help them, good size and net-front presence.

Erat is not a player I would want on my team. He just needs to be quiet and play hockey.

care to share
- 2Real

https://twitter.com/strombone1

Thats what Im thinking too, but people acted like he was ready to jump into our top 6 and help the Flyers right now. Thats simply not the case.
- PhillySportsGuy

nope. i wouldnt think that. but im still of the mindset that if you could draft him in the second right now its worth the flyer.

i wish the pens would trade orpik, as sad as it sounds. the pens blogger just nailed the sentiment ive had for a little while. he is really deteriorating, and without martin, he will soon border on useless.

Thats what Im thinking too, but people acted like he was ready to jump into our top 6 and help the Flyers right now. Thats simply not the case.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know, my intial thought was when did Rundblad get better this season? The 'Yotes gave up a 2nd line center and they couldn't wait to ship his butt out of town.

Of course, he would be coveted by many Flyers fan as a savior.

Penner might help them, good size and net-front presence.

Erat is not a player I would want on my team. He just needs to be quiet and play hockey.
- wolfhounds

By the way today is National Pancake Day and Penner was traded. You can't make this poop up.

nope. i wouldnt think that. but im still of the mindset that if you could draft him in the second right now its worth the flyer.

i wish the pens would trade orpik, as sad as it sounds. the pens blogger just nailed the sentiment ive had for a little while. he is really deteriorating, and without martin, he will soon border on useless.
- stayinthefnnet

He may help in the playoffs though. Your defense would really lack any kind of grit without him. I think he's day in a Pens jersey are numbered though.

well things become tremendously more competitive if he is willing to expand his list. then the ballgame changes entirely.
- stayinthefnnet

It makes the odds of finding a team willing to part with the players the Canucks want more likely, I'm not sure about more competitive though. Still gotta have the chips the Canucks want to get into the game.

Penner might help them, good size and net-front presence.

Erat is not a player I would want on my team. He just needs to be quiet and play hockey.
- wolfhounds

Im sure Penner wont be feeling that good after National Pancake Day with Free Pancakes at IHOP.

I agree about Erat. I really hope he asks to be traded from Pheonix. It would just be funny

By the way today is National Pancake Day and Penner was traded. You can't make this poop up.
- PhillySportsGuy

Whether he's in a celebration mood or sad, we don't have to wonder what he's doing.

nope. i wouldnt think that. but im still of the mindset that if you could draft him in the second right now its worth the flyer.

i wish the pens would trade orpik, as sad as it sounds. the pens blogger just nailed the sentiment ive had for a little while. he is really deteriorating, and without martin, he will soon border on useless.
- stayinthefnnet

Someone is going to overpay for him this offseason. What do you think he gets?

He may help in the playoffs though. Your defense would really lack any kind of grit without him. I think he's day in a Pens jersey are numbered though.
- PhillySportsGuy

i am a little worried about the lack of grit, but im still worried about it with him in there anyway. what grit he is contributing is more than overshadowed by his inability anymore in other areas. he has become a guy dependent upon his partner, whereas the inverse used to be true.