- Guile

Ive watched this like 20 times and its still awesome each time.

[quote=dbell646]2010 the Cap dictated
Trading - Byfuglien , Ladd , Versteeg , Sopel , Eager , Fraser
Not retaining via FA or arbitration - Burish , Niemi , Madden

And guys like Campbell , Brouwer and Kopecky had to go away after 2011 for cost reasons

Over next couple years youth was plugged into lineup. Some rose to occasion and became quality contributors for Hawks (Leddy , Kruger , Shaw , Saad , Smith , Crawford) while others didn't work out for Hawks for various reasons (Skille , Olsen , Hayes and Pirri) and team moved on from them. Jury is still out on Morin (Q doesn't seem to be a fan so he could be out door this summer)

During this time depth/role players acquired via trades (Stalberg/Oduya/Frolik) or FA (Emery/Rozsival/Brookbank) helped fill out roster

This past summer cap adjustments dictated a few moves (Frolik and Bolland) and again picks were acquired for long term replenishment of system

Read this and couldn't agree with it more. Pens fell in love with Gritty role players and Chicago flipped them for picks to keep the youth

Great points. They also roll 4 lines and let the kids play, don't have man crushes on gritty slow players and can cut bait. That said they sure can draft a lot better than the pens did.

- Guile

So in the chat with Dejan today he was asked about Morehouse being more involved in hockey operations with the new GM. I don't remember seeing that before. Im not sure Id enjoy the idea of that unless he's just as much of a puppet as before, but another layer between GM and ownership.

http://triblive.com/sport...vic-polanco#axzz32D43DcUp

Here is my thought on that process:
Neal and Scuderi for Kane. Change of scenery for Neal and Kane. They may not take Scuderi though.

Letang and Bennett for Eberle

Samuellson or another prospect and a pick for C.Stewart.

Kumelin is an UFA

Fleury for RFA Reimer

Bickell is the one I'm a little perplexed on. Chicago will need to cut salary for Toews and Kane. He may come a little cheaper for a pick and a minor prospect. Not sure.
- jmy_1

1. Winnipeg doesn't do it. Scuderi's inclusion gives that deal a negative to Winnipeg. Pittsburgh shouldn't do it because Mario wants character players. Kane isn't one of them.

2. I have no problem trading either Letang or Bennett whatsoever. I don't think Edmonton bites on this one. A year ago, they would have done Letang for Eberle straight up. Bennett hasn't exactly shown much as a pro.

3. I don't get the infatuation with Chris Stewart by people on this board all the sudden. He is a malcontent. There is a reason STL traded his ass and Buffalo tried to move him immediately after. He was a good young player until he was traded to STL. Since then, biggest malcontent in the league. He doesn't solve a problem in Pittsburgh. He creates them. Another lack of character guy to stay away from.

4. Fine ... only as a third line guy.

5. That doesn't improve Pittsburgh. While Reimer is a pending RFA and would give the Penguins some control as far as a goalie, he is worse than Fleury and its not close. Doesn't help at all from my view point.

2010 the Cap dictated
Trading - Byfuglien , Ladd , Versteeg , Sopel , Eager , Fraser
Not retaining via FA or arbitration - Burish , Niemi , Madden

And guys like Campbell , Brouwer and Kopecky had to go away after 2011 for cost reasons

Over next couple years youth was plugged into lineup. Some rose to occasion and became quality contributors for Hawks (Leddy , Kruger , Shaw , Saad , Smith , Crawford) while others didn't work out for Hawks for various reasons (Skille , Olsen , Hayes and Pirri) and team moved on from them. Jury is still out on Morin (Q doesn't seem to be a fan so he could be out door this summer)

During this time depth/role players acquired via trades (Stalberg/Oduya/Frolik) or FA (Emery/Rozsival/Brookbank) helped fill out roster

This past summer cap adjustments dictated a few moves (Frolik and Bolland) and again picks were acquired for long term replenishment of system

Read this and couldn't agree with it more. Pens fell in love with Gritty role players and Chicago flipped them for picks to keep the youth in the pipeline.
- dbell646

They made tough choices and reloaded in a couple years. We got overly attached to guys and resigned them or went out and tried to replace them with similar, older free agents.

Instead of replenishing the pipeline, we tried to recreate the cup team again.

We won in 2009 and basically destroyed our 2008 draft. Chicago won in 2010, and still had a combined 9 first and second round picks in 2010 & 2011.

Neal.

he's made no secret according to some reports he would welcome a move
- akane13

First time I've heard this.

Listening to MM, aparantly Stan Savron (sp) claimed there is a top player that would not mind being traded away from Pitt. I think those names would be 71, 87, 18, 58? If the rumor is true that's 71 and 18 the most likely candidates.
- sammy87

I would take this rumor more seriously if DB was kept, considering what we have heard about him lately, but with him eventually leaving I don't know why someone would want to go without knowing who the new coach would be.

1. Winnipeg doesn't do it. Scuderi's inclusion gives that deal a negative to Winnipeg. Pittsburgh shouldn't do it because Mario wants character players. Kane isn't one of them.

2. I have no problem trading either Letang or Bennett whatsoever. I don't think Edmonton bites on this one. A year ago, they would have done Letang for Eberle straight up. Bennett hasn't exactly shown much as a pro.

3. I don't get the infatuation with Chris Stewart by people on this board all the sudden. He is a malcontent. There is a reason STL traded his ass and Buffalo tried to move him immediately after. He was a good young player until he was traded to STL. Since then, biggest malcontent in the league. He doesn't solve a problem in Pittsburgh. He creates them. Another lack of character guy to stay away from.

4. Fine ... only as a third line guy.

5. That doesn't improve Pittsburgh. While Reimer is a pending RFA and would give the Penguins some control as far as a goalie, he is worse than Fleury and its not close. Doesn't help at all from my view point.
- Oneonta Penguin

He also is in a contract year. He and Stafford I predict will have big years (25goals+)

He also is in a contract year. He and Stafford I predict will have big years (25goals+)
- sbroads24

Would want no part of either. IMO, Stewart doesn't hit 20. He hasn't done that since 09-10. His recent track record says he struggles to hit 15. Stafford only has 22 in his last 116 games. I don't see 25 happening either. History is against Stewart for certain. Recent history is against Stafford.

Would want no part of either. IMO, Stewart doesn't hit 20. He hasn't done that since 09-10. His recent track record says he struggles to hit 15. Stafford only has 22 in his last 116 games. I don't see 25 happening either. History is against Stewart for certain. Recent history is against Stafford.
- Oneonta Penguin

Both will get huge minutes this season. It absolutely could happen. Plus they both have done it in previous contract seasons. Not saying you should want either player, but they are decent 2nd-3rd line players for what the Pens are looking for.

To be honest I want them kept until the deadline.

Both will get huge minutes this season. It absolutely could happen. Plus they both have done it in previous contract seasons. Not saying you should want either player, but they are decent 2nd-3rd line players for what the Pens are looking for.

To be honest I want them kept until the deadline.
- sbroads24

decent isn't what the Pens are looking for. Decent is average to me. Stafford has been an enigma for the last few years. At best, he is a 50-point producer. He has been on the decline since his big 30-goal year. Chris Stewart more times than most looks like he doesn't give a poop. He is a malcontent to the max. I want a guy that gives max effort. Stewart gives that only when he wants - maybe 35% of the time.

Both are pr should be passes for Pittsburgh. Players like Stewart make me vomit to be honest. He could be a very good player in this league if he cared. He doesn't.

decent isn't what the Pens are looking for. Decent is average to me. Stafford has been an enigma for the last few years. At best, he is a 50-point producer. He has been on the decline since his big 30-goal year. Chris Stewart more times than most looks like he doesn't give a poop. He is a malcontent to the max. I want a guy that gives max effort. Stewart gives that only when he wants - maybe 35% of the time.

Both are pr should be passes for Pittsburgh. Players like Stewart make me vomit to be honest. He could be a very good player in this league if he cared. He doesn't.
- Oneonta Penguin

Speaking of, stay away from Vanek.

He's finally getting criticized nationally for what he's been doing for 4 years.

Speaking of, stay away from Vanek.

He's finally getting criticized nationally for what he's been doing for 4 years.
- sbroads24

Let me go back on Stafford for a second. I was on board with him three years ago. Thought he was on the verge of doing something good.

I dislike Vanek like you wouldn't believe. He disappears for weeks within a season. He is far from the player people believe he is. Sure, talented player - make that very talented. However, when you look at his body of work, it leaves you wanting more. To me, he is one of the most overrated players in the NHL. If he ever got any consistency to his game, or gave a poop, he could be a very good player. Let Minnesota break the bank on him. They will quickly figure out it was a mistake.

Say too much of him on the tube on MSG when I resided near Syracuse. I know his MO, like you do.

Let me go back on Stafford for a second. I was on board with him three years ago. Thought he was on the verge of doing something good.

I dislike Vanek like you wouldn't believe. He disappears for weeks within a season. He is far from the player people believe he is. Sure, talented player - make that very talented. However, when you look at his body of work, it leaves you wanting more. To me, he is one of the most overrated players in the NHL. If he ever got any consistency to his game, or gave a poop, he could be a very good player. Let Minnesota break the bank on him. They will quickly figure out it was a mistake.

Say too much of him on the tube on MSG when I resided near Syracuse. I know his MO, like you do.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agreed on him being over rated. Players like him are tough to like, they show how great they can be and just simply fall off a cliff for weeks. It's unreal to me that he was one of the highest paid forwards in the league for a good 5 years yet rarely produced like one.

just love how these MAF haters love to point to the bad playoff years but whenever someone brings up his numbers in 2008 and 2009, they say it is ancient history, works both ways folks.

if you get a new coach with a more defensive minded system, MAF can be that goalie again.

instead, you guys want to waste assets to get a new goalie.

just love how these MAF haters love to point to the bad playoff years but whenever someone brings up his numbers in 2008 and 2009, they say it is ancient history, works both ways folks.

if you get a new coach with a more defensive minded system, MAF can be that goalie again.

instead, you guys want to waste assets to get a new goalie.
- SuperHenderson13

I love how people are saying that he was the problem vs New York because he wasn't better then Lundquist. But the team scored 3 goals in 3 elimination games.

I love how people are saying that he was the problem vs New York because he wasn't better then Lundquist. But the team scored 3 goals in 3 elimination games.
- Ben37

that's just it. MAF is the easy one to blame.

was MAF the primary problem in 2012? No. The primary problem in 2012 was that we had a team that literally forgot how to play defense.

Was MAF the primary problem in 2013? No. The primary problem in 2013 was the fact that our team decided to sleep walk through the islanders series and woke up once Vokoun came in.

I get it, MAF lets in some really bad goals. So does every goalie.

this team has a lot of issues, MAF is not one of them.

What about trading Neal for Dustin Brown from the Kings? He has had a down year they may be into swapping wingers. Thoughts?

What about trading Neal for Dustin Brown from the Kings? He has had a down year they may be into swapping wingers. Thoughts?
- eskimomike

I want Corey Perry.

He might fit better with Geno.
- dbell646

This actually made me laugh my a$$ off.

Irony is your strenght

I love how people are saying that he was the problem vs New York because he wasn't better then Lundquist. But the team scored 3 goals in 3 elimination games.
- Ben37

When your entire thought process is based solely on numbers one could make an argument for Riemer. Most people on this board base everything on numbers. I also think peoples expectations for the return on Neal are absurd. The guy has no "pedigree" he has a shot that is rendered useless in the playoffs.

Listening to MM, aparantly Stan Savron (sp) claimed there is a top player that would not mind being traded away from Pitt. I think those names would be 71, 87, 18, 58? If the rumor is true that's 71 and 18 the most likely candidates.
- sammy87

Heard this going back to last year and all indications were that it was Neal. He was asked to move to his off-wing with the acquisition of Iggy and threw a fit. We all know how that story played out.

So, here is something for people to make all these mock roster changes more confusing. What about players, most likely in the age of 33+ who would be looking for a trade or free agency move, who will take a pay cut even for a chance at a cup? There is typically a few each year who do this, who are the names this would apply to this year that the Pens might be able to seduce?

Here's a list of guys who are RFAs and may or may not be available that i wouldn't mind the Pens going after in some way:

T. Wingels - SJ
D. Smith-Pelly - ANH
Z. Kassian - VAN
D. King - LA
M. Frolik - WIN
P. Berglund - STL
R. Smith - BOS
L. Eller - MTL
D. Weise - MTL
D. Brassard - NYR

Not saying all or even any of these guys will even be available, just looking at the RFA board and looking for guys who would make the Penguins tougher to play against.