Well the Flyers just got a little bit easier for the Penguins. Hartnell was a thorn in the side every single game.

Confirmed
- BulliesPhan87

Gotta believe this is a domino in the larger picture for Philly...

Gotta believe this is a domino in the larger picture for Philly...
- 87_71_11_29

Might just be getting out of the extra two years, we're getting a draft pick too. This caught me off guard, that's for sure.

At his age, coming off of his injury, with a new coach in place there are no certainties. Duper would be best served on a third line coming off surgery and if Pittsburgh can get a high quality winger they need to do so.
- usethe1-2-2

argue till your blue in the face it's about as certain as can be he'll flank crosby to start season. my opinion is he should be there, but the fact is crosby will have him start there no matter what

Gotta believe this is a domino in the larger picture for Philly...
- 87_71_11_29

It's gotta be..Or Columbus is eating some salary... Or something.

It's gotta be..Or Columbus is eating some salary... Or something.
- rival22

No salary kept back, just gave up a 2015 4th rounder to Philly.

Does anyone else have an issue with paying UFA money to forwards (especially this season's forwards) while the defense is going to be comprised mostly of rookies and sophomores? Add a new system as a factor of 'time it will take to be competitive again'. I would prefer younger players at forward as opposed to the likes of Stempniak or Goc.

I appreciate the effort to point out that Pittsburgh can potentially have a not-such-a-God-help-us roster next season, but it still looks like the same squad which is universally acknowledged to have a bad locker room mix and has spectacularly flamed out of the playoffs for five years. The Penguins cannot hope to leapfrog those problems by way of Ales Hemsky.
- Johnny Wrath

No because we need forwards that badly. If I had my choice, I'd take youth at forward as well. But we arent in a position to get youth because of the draft and that we've been so reluctant to trade veteran players. Its the cards we're dealt so Stempy and Goc are fine placeholders on decent contracts until we can infuse youth.

Might just be getting out of the extra two years, we're getting a draft pick too. This caught me off guard, that's for sure.


- BulliesPhan87

Yeah that seems to be the consensus on the Flyer thread.

I still vote domino.

Umberger has looked like poop now for quite a while.

It's gotta be..Or Columbus is eating some salary... Or something.
- rival22

Btw..CBus is gonna be a monster to play against. They beat the crap out of us physically. That's a playoff roster there. Add a bit more skill and look out.

Shame they are in our division now. They'd be a perfect trade partner for Neal.

The Penguins will be competitive next year regardless of the lineup they ice. They are one year removed from the ECF (albeit being swept, but still). If by competitive, you mean cup contender, I don't think it is going to take much time at all. The right coach, and a few of the right supporting cast is all I would say, and maybe a season without a million injuries. People are overreacting in my opinion.
- j.boyd919

The Penguins are a team whom have not developed since 2010. Think of it this way: all the Penguins have done since 2009 is beat the Ottawa Thenators twice.

They should have lost to the 2012 NY Isles; the Pens, even with Iginla and a pretty stout defense, played up on two wheels much the same way they did against Philadelphia and lately against Columbus. I expected the Penguins to struggle against Columbus because the Penguins are poorly constructed and still don't have a plan.

The fan and media 'overreaction' in my estimation is more a coming to the realization of what I've been writing about for quite a while; radical change is not only necessary but probably the only shot the Penguins have to win another Championship before 87+71 are in their late prime.

Btw..CBus is gonna be a monster to play against. They beat the crap out of us physically. That's a playoff roster there. Add a bit more skill and look out.

Shame they are in our division now. They'd be a perfect trade partner for Neal.
- 87_71_11_29

florida still perfect trade partner. new ownership wanting to spend, weak on rw. lots of young forward prospects. trocheck and a 2nd? bjugstad?

florida still perfect trade partner. new ownership wanting to spend, weak on rw. lots of young forward prospects. trocheck and a 2nd? bjugstad?
- ChrisMS

Problem with Florida is that they have no real top 6 guys i would want. I think the return for Neal should be a top 6 winger and a forward prospect at least.

Edit: no top 6 guys that they would be willing to give up

florida still perfect trade partner. new ownership wanting to spend, weak on rw. lots of young forward prospects. trocheck and a 2nd? bjugstad?
- ChrisMS

I watch a ton of Center Ice games but I don't watch the Panthers much.

I'll plead the 5th on those guys. Bju is a C though. Don't know if he could move to W.

florida still perfect trade partner. new ownership wanting to spend, weak on rw. lots of young forward prospects. trocheck and a 2nd? bjugstad?
- ChrisMS

Bjug + ...and depends whether Bjug is ready for top 6 minutes immediately.

Wtf just happened. I stepped away from desk and phone for like a min...

Well I guess u can put goc back in as 4th line center on my capgeek


And hartnell stays in division... Damn it

I watch a ton of Center Ice games but I don't watch the Panthers much.

I'll plead the 5th on those guys. Bju is a C though. Don't know if he could move to W.
- 87_71_11_29

Hypothetical situation: we bring in a guy like Bjug who is natural center and IF he cant play wing....would you feel comfortable slotting Sutter up as a top 6 winger?

Ek saying that Markov is possibly a backup plan if Nisky doesn't re-sign? Gimme an ef'n break!

Hypothetical situation: we bring in a guy like Bjug who is natural center and IF he cant play wing....would you feel comfortable slotting Sutter up as a top 6 winger?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No on Sutter IMO. He's a 3rd line center.

So that Columbus team adds Hartnell (and Horton) to their forward group. Maybe they really will become a bigtime rival...

Yeah that seems to be the consensus on the Flyer thread.

I still vote domino.

Umberger has looked like poop now for quite a while.
- 87_71_11_29

To be fair, Umberger scored 18 goals to Hartnell's 20, where Hartnell was getting top line minutes with Giroux. No idea what Umberger's usage was like, aside from being scratched in the playoffs.

Weird, weird trade.

The Penguins are a team whom have not developed since 2010. Think of it this way: all the Penguins have done since 2009 is beat the Ottawa Thenators twice.

They should have lost to the 2012 NY Isles; the Pens, even with Iginla and a pretty stout defense, played up on two wheels much the same way they did against Philadelphia and lately against Columbus. I expected the Penguins to struggle against Columbus because the Penguins are poorly constructed and still don't have a plan.

The fan and media 'overreaction' in my estimation is more a coming to the realization of what I've been writing about for quite a while; radical change is not only necessary but probably the only shot the Penguins have to win another Championship before 87+71 are in their late prime.
- Johnny Wrath

I like that phrasing, "up on two wheels".

The Penguins are a team whom have not developed since 2010. Think of it this way: all the Penguins have done since 2009 is beat the Ottawa Thenators twice.

They should have lost to the 2012 NY Isles; the Pens, even with Iginla and a pretty stout defense, played up on two wheels much the same way they did against Philadelphia and lately against Columbus. I expected the Penguins to struggle against Columbus because the Penguins are poorly constructed and still don't have a plan.

The fan and media 'overreaction' in my estimation is more a coming to the realization of what I've been writing about for quite a while; radical change is not only necessary but probably the only shot the Penguins have to win another Championship before 87+71 are in their late prime.
- Johnny Wrath

What are you radical changes that you propose? I mean, I agree with you that the roster has been poorly constructed, but now that Pyatt, Glass, Vitale, Orpik, Engelland are now off the roster, I believe they can start addressing the needs for real depth through FA. I also don't see Adams back after this season, same with Fleury too.

But I don't think that the Penguins are that far off from competing for the Cup. They still have a great core to build around with Geno, Sid, Neal, Letang, Maatta, Martin (for now). I'm pretty sure there are GMs that would love to build around those pieces. Yes they have a lot of spots to fill, but if filled with the right pieces, I definitely think they can put out a good squad.

Ek saying that Markov is possibly a backup plan if Nisky doesn't re-sign? Gimme an ef'n break!
- errey12

Eklund is a joke, I don't believe any trade rumor that he posts.

To be fair, Umberger scored 18 goals to Hartnell's 20, where Hartnell was getting top line minutes with Giroux. No idea what Umberger's usage was like, aside from being scratched in the playoffs.

Weird, weird trade.
- BulliesPhan87

My first thought when I saw this from Flyers perspective was "buyout". But, they have used both so that isn't happening.

I'm with you..struggling to understand or even contemplate why Philly did this outside of 2 less years on term. I get why CBus did it.

That will be an entertaining presser...

Bjug + ...and depends whether Bjug is ready for top 6 minutes immediately.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

bjug, bergenhiem, 2nd rounder for neal, roupp