That is the same lineup we had last year, plus Hemsky. Is this a joke or you hoping for a different result with the same team?

Yes, it is a full nmc (as far as I recall). It was the only way he would sign.
- mventres

So threaten him with a buyout then, his career would be over for sure if he was bought out and the cap hit sucks but it's manageable
SEASON SALARY CAP HIT BUYOUT SAVINGS BUYOUT CAP HIT
2014-15 $4,000,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $2,944,444 $430,556
2015-16 $3,000,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $1,944,444 $1,430,556
2016-17 $2,500,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $1,444,444 $1,930,556
2017-18 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556
2018-19 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556
2019-20 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556

So threaten him with a buyout then, his career would be over for sure if he was bought out and the cap hit sucks but it's manageable
SEASON SALARY CAP HIT BUYOUT SAVINGS BUYOUT CAP HIT
2014-15 $4,000,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $2,944,444 $430,556
2015-16 $3,000,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $1,944,444 $1,430,556
2016-17 $2,500,000 $3,375,000 $1,055,556 $1,444,444 $1,930,556
2017-18 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556
2018-19 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556
2019-20 $0 $0 $1,055,556 -$1,055,556 $1,055,556
- Dcoms

Can't buy out, his contract was after that was put into place. Buyout is only for contracts signed before the new CBA. PIT is stuck with Scuds, deal with it.

Can't buy out, his contract was after that was put into place. Buyout is only for contracts signed before the new CBA. PIT is stuck with Scuds, deal with it.
- mventres

You're talking about a compliance buyout which equals no cap hit of any kind. I'm talking about a regular buyout which you can do any time you want it just counts against the cap.

I love this whole "tough to play against" mantra.

You know what is tough to play against? When you never have the puck.

Can't buy out, his contract was after that was put into place. Buyout is only for contracts signed before the new CBA. PIT is stuck with Scuds, deal with it.
- mventres

So if a team signed a player to a long term deal and after the second year he just didn't care any more, didn't produce and was tearing the locker room apart with his bad attitude you think that because of his contract that team couldn't get him out of there some way if they wanted to? A contract doesn't guarantee anything as far as playing is concerned, it's a monetary agreement to ensure the player gets paid no matter what, that's it, playing is still performance based and you can still get rid of players that aren't performing.

You're talking about a compliance buyout which equals no cap hit of any kind. I'm talking about a regular buyout which you can do any time you want it just counts against the cap.
- Dcoms

Ah, if that is allowed I still don't see it happening. The combined cap hit + cost of new player will be about the same, at best, and likely about as good of a player, plus this is less obstructive.

Scuderi is stuck in PIT as much as PIT is stuck with Scuderi.

So if a team signed a player to a long term deal and after the second year he just didn't care any more, didn't produce and was tearing the locker room apart with his bad attitude you think that because of his contract that team couldn't get him out of there some way if they wanted to? A contract doesn't guarantee anything as far as playing is concerned, it's a monetary agreement to ensure the player gets paid no matter what, that's it, playing is still performance based and you can still get rid of players that aren't performing.
- Dcoms

Yes, but it costs you to do that...and unless the cap hit is huge (5mil+) it doesn't make much economic sense since a replacement player will need to come in at less than original cap hit minus the buy-out cap hit to break even...which likely means the new player is at best, just as good as the guy you cut...so why bother? For larger cap hits it makes more sense because the team can save money...Scuderi is in the first case where buying him out makes no sense.

I love this whole "tough to play against" mantra.

You know what is tough to play against? When you never have the puck.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yeah this is my first day on here and some of the ideas these people have are ludicrous. Yeah trade Malkin for 4 guys that won't equal his production but like to fight and hit. That actually makes sense to some of these people.

Ah, if that is allowed I still don't see it happening. The combined cap hit + cost of new player will be about the same, at best, and likely about as good of a player, plus this is less obstructive.

Scuderi is stuck in PIT as much as PIT is stuck with Scuderi.
- mventres

Yes but for one thing they already have his replacement for less than a million on their minor league roster and the cap hit is never more than 2 million so you save 2 million and you get rid of an under performing player that is taking up space. Or you just trade him to Buffalo after you make him realize that. You're not "stuck" with anyone.

I love this whole "tough to play against" mantra.

You know what is tough to play against? When you never have the puck.
- Ryan_Wilson

or when the score is 5-0 going into the 3rd every game..

hemsky, kulemin, miller, a guy like b.boyle, and letting some of the youth play would help this team... add coaches like ulf and tocchet to not wussy foot around players not playing to their potential and not being scared to hurt the players feelings will correct the wrong in pgh....

but hey this is just my opinion, like everyone else has...

Yes, but it costs you to do that...and unless the cap hit is huge (5mil+) it doesn't make much economic sense since a replacement player will need to come in at less than original cap hit minus the buy-out cap hit to break even...which likely means the new player is at best, just as good as the guy you cut...so why bother? For larger cap hits it makes more sense because the team can save money...Scuderi is in the first case where buying him out makes no sense.
- mventres

It makes perfect sense because he's a liability, he's impeding the progress of the younger players and you save 2 million on your cap hit.

I love this whole "tough to play against" mantra.

You know what is tough to play against? When you never have the puck.
- Ryan_Wilson

but by all means, lets just keep everyone. it wasnt their fault last year.

and its tough to always have the puck when they lose the puck because they cant maintain possession of it because guys are plain out muscling them off of it.

it'll be interesting to see what the Pens do. They need to win within the next couple of years because after that you are looking for two more top six forwards as Kunitz/Dupris will be on the backend of their thirties...

it's not just the Pens who have work to do in the East because watching these playoffs the West is head and shoulders above anyone in the East top to bottom.....gotta find a way to get past the Hawks/Kings and they are heading towards doing what the Isles/Oilers did in the 80's...

but by all means, lets just keep everyone. it wasnt their fault last year.

and its tough to always have the puck when they lose the puck because they cant maintain possession of it because guys are plain out muscling them off of it.
- SuperHenderson13

You are dense.

Yes but for one thing they already have his replacement for less than a million on their minor league roster and the cap hit is never more than 2 million so you save 2 million and you get rid of an under performing player that is taking up space. Or you just trade him to Buffalo after you make him realize that. You're not "stuck" with anyone.
- Dcoms

Too many minor league players is asking for problems. You need one seasoned guy per pairing or risk not only too many D-mistakes (not that Scuderi didnt make any), but it's more about the psychological impact of lots of mistakes on younger players who just saw older guys shipped out for the same reason...

You are dense.
- Ryan_Wilson

no i'm superhenderson13

we have been burned in the playoffs for the past 5 years, but hey, lets just keep everyone and switch everyone around. sounds great.

Yeah this is my first day on here and some of the ideas these people have are ludicrous. Yeah trade Malkin for 4 guys that won't equal his production but like to fight and hit. That actually makes sense to some of these people.
- Dcoms

it's too late to make a deal for Malkin now as there isn't enough center depth to do it....

no i'm superhenderson13

we have been burned in the playoffs for the past 5 years, but hey, lets just keep everyone and switch everyone around. sounds great.
- SuperHenderson13

Blowing the team up isn't likely to be any better...probably worse if you cause so many changes. Winning is not an over-night phenomenon...it takes time to acquire and develop the right talent.

Blowing the team up isn't likely to be any better...probably worse if you cause so many changes. Winning is not an over-night phenomenon...it takes time to acquire and develop the right talent.
- mventres

never said we should blow it up because i dont think we should.

but the fact of the matter is, if you think you can win with the likes of jayson megna and brian gibbons on your 4th line, 2 ahl player, then you are delusional.

having a tough coach is all well and good, but if you dont have any players capable of standing up to teams, then you will be walked on all season long.

Too many minor league players is asking for problems. You need one seasoned guy per pairing or risk not only too many D-mistakes (not that Scuderi didnt make any), but it's more about the psychological impact of lots of mistakes on younger players who just saw older guys shipped out for the same reason...
- mventres

It's not minor leaguers though. The only reason Despres and Bortuzzo didn't play more last year was because Orpik and Scuderi were in their way, they are hardly minor leaguers neither would be eligible to win rookie of the year next year because they have played too many games at the NHL level. The only rookie at first would be Doumolin and he is going to have an excellent NHL career, he's big, strong, poised, excellent instinct and great leadership qualities. And I did watch a number of baby pens games last year. He's ready to be a full time defenceman this year and Pitts needs to clear space.

it's too late to make a deal for Malkin now as there isn't enough center depth to do it....
- Pelle31

Good! Because it's a stupid move at this point. And I read an article today that said Kesler will only accept a trade to Chicago or Pittsburgh and no way Vancouver trades them to their hated rivals much like no way Malkin gets traded to the Flyers who don't have enough assets to get him anyways.

It's not minor leaguers though. The only reason Despres and Bortuzzo didn't play more last year was because Orpik and Scuderi were in their way, they are hardly minor leaguers neither would be eligible to win rookie of the year next year because they have played too many games at the NHL level. The only rookie at first would be Doumolin and he is going to have an excellent NHL career, he's big, strong, poised, excellent instinct and great leadership qualities. And I did watch a number of baby pens games last year. He's ready to be a full time defenceman this year and Pitts needs to clear space.
- Dcoms

Scuderi playing as #6/7 isn't getting in anybody's way. If Demoulin is up playing #6/7 he's better off staying in the minors. Bortuzzo is a 5-6, but can fill in occasionally as a #4. This is the D I previously suggested:

Letang - Despres
Martin - Harrington
Scuderi - Demoulin
Bortuzzo

Harrington and Demoulin can swap between Martin and Scuderi/Bortuzzo (who will split time based on who is playing better). If there is a reasonable way to trade Scuderi, I'd be all for it, I just don't see it happening such that it makes sense...

never said we should blow it up because i dont think we should.

but the fact of the matter is, if you think you can win with the likes of jayson megna and brian gibbons on your 4th line, 2 ahl player, then you are delusional.

having a tough coach is all well and good, but if you dont have any players capable of standing up to teams, then you will be walked on all season long.
- SuperHenderson13

I don't think we can win with Megna and Gibbons...problem is that the cap restricts us a lot in what we can ice. Trading out Neal/Letang/Fleury as "buy low" candidates doesnt make much sense, especially as any reasonable replacement will have about the same cap hit...

I don't think we can win with Megna and Gibbons...problem is that the cap restricts us a lot in what we can ice. Trading out Neal/Letang/Fleury as "buy low" candidates doesnt make much sense, especially as any reasonable replacement will have about the same cap hit...
- mventres

Why not... both are fast, not afraid to hit, and have more skill then any of the other 4th liners pens had this season... yes if gibbons can grow 5 inches it would be better lol