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
- nh4442

They can't hold up to other teams players, not yet. Maybe with some experience, sure...but not yet.

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...
- mventres

Where's Maatta? Letang and MArtin have to play together the results last year were too good to not. And Doumolin and Despres have good chemistry from Wilkes Barre, they know each other well. See Scuderi is in your way too.

Where's Maatta? Letang and MArtin have to play together the results last year were too good to not. And Doumolin and Despres have good chemistry from Wilkes Barre, they know each other well. See Scuderi is in your way too.
- Dcoms

Maatta out for start of the season. When he returns PENS can move Despres down to 2nd and demote one of Harrington/Demoulin.

I know Scuderi is in the way, but it's just the way things are...can't do anything about it, unfortunately!

They can't hold up to other teams players, not yet. Maybe with some experience, sure...but not yet.
- mventres

well they need to play to be able to do that.... that is my problem with some people, not saying you, people want a quick fix and think if these youngs guys arent ready this year then maybe they automatically next yr after hey get buried in the minors again... these guys plus some d-men need to gain experience by playing!! that is when the other players on the team come in to help...

Maatta out for start of the season. When he returns PENS can move Despres down to 2nd and demote one of Harrington/Demoulin.

I know Scuderi is in the way, but it's just the way things are...can't do anything about it, unfortunately!
- mventres

Or trade Bortuzzo, which they may do at the draft anyway for a 2nd round pick.

With Maatta:

Letang - Maatta
Martin - Harrington
Despres - Demoulin
Scuderi

well they need to play to be able to do that.... that is my problem with some people, not saying you, people want a quick fix and think if these youngs guys arent ready this year then maybe they automatically next yr after hey get buried in the minors again... these guys plus some d-men need to gain experience by playing!! that is when the other players on the team come in to help...
- nh4442

Agree for sure. It requires admitting that this year is a "learning year" and hope for the best...

Everyone is throwing Harrington into the mix, he's a year out guys.

Scuds had a down year, but he'll be playing if he's still with the team.

And Bortuzzo is a solid bottom pairing d-man.

Point being, slowly work the prospects into the lineup and weed out the guys that aren't ready. This team is easily in the top ten and major moves don't need to happen for a good run.

Or trade Bortuzzo, which they may do at the draft anyway for a 2nd round pick.

With Maatta:

Letang - Maatta
Martin - Harrington
Despres - Demoulin
Scuderi
- mventres

Ok, wow. first- you would rather have Scuderi as the 7th dman making more than the bottom 4 combined than just buy out his contract? And why would you trade Bortuzzo just for the opportunity to draft a player of equal or lower skill that is still 5 years away from playing? This is a very weak draft and the second round options are not looking great as it is. And Harrington and especially Doumolin need NHL experience now there's no long term benefit of sending them back down with Pouliot waiting in the wings. Next year you unfortunatly let Martin walk because his contract is up and you promote Pouliot.

Ok, wow. first- you would rather have Scuderi as the 7th dman making more than the bottom 4 combined than just buy out his contract? And why would you trade Bortuzzo just for the opportunity to draft a player of equal or lower skill that is still 5 years away from playing? This is a very weak draft and the second round options are not looking great as it is. And Harrington and especially Doumolin need NHL experience now there's no long term benefit of sending them back down with Pouliot waiting in the wings. Next year you unfortunatly let Martin walk because his contract is up and you promote Pouliot.
- Dcoms

I've got him on 7th, but that's all I can do. He will rotate play with the other guys. I like Bortuzzo and would like to keep him, just offering a potential solution - he could also be dealt for a 3rd/4th line guy who can help now. If Harrington is another year away, then problem is solved with Demoulin and keeping Bortuzzo as 3rd pairing. Pouliott will not be playing this year in the NHL, count on it.

Letang - Maatta
Martin - Demoulin/Despres
Demoulin/Despres - Scuderi/Bortuzzo

I've got him on 7th, but that's all I can do. He will rotate play with the other guys. I like Bortuzzo and would like to keep him, just offering a potential solution. If Harrington is another year away, then problem is solved with Demoulin and keeping Bortuzzo as 3rd pairing. Pouliott will not be playing this year in the NHL, count on it.

Letang - Maatta
Martin - Demoulin/Despres
Demoulin/Despres - Scuderi/Bortuzzo
- mventres

Maata and Pouliot had the same surgery. Both out until December. That's why Scuds stays and Bortuzzo has a spot. I've zero problem working the kids into the lineup but you can't bet against injuries.

I've got him on 7th, but that's all I can do. He will rotate play with the other guys. I like Bortuzzo and would like to keep him, just offering a potential solution - he could also be dealt for a 3rd/4th line guy who can help now. If Harrington is another year away, then problem is solved with Demoulin and keeping Bortuzzo as 3rd pairing. Pouliott will not be playing this year in the NHL, count on it.

Letang - Maatta
Martin - Demoulin/Despres
Demoulin/Despres - Scuderi/Bortuzzo
- mventres

Why do you insist on breaking Letang and Martin up? They are the top pairing and will be playing close to 30 minutes per game, it's not my prediction it's reality. The other 2 lines are hypothetical but the first one is set unless there is an injury. And Maatta and Pouliot's worst case scenario is December they are both young so they will heal a lot faster than a 30 something.

Why do you insist on breaking Letang and Martin up? They are the top pairing and will be playing close to 30 minutes per game, it's not my prediction it's reality. The other 2 lines are hypothetical but the first one is set unless there is an injury. And Maatta and Pouliot's worst case scenario is December they are both young so they will heal a lot faster than a 30 something.
- Dcoms

Breaking them up so that they play a bit less each, and the younger guys aren't left alone...which is not a good strategy, at least if you want to win. Maatta will be back by December, maybe November. The PENS will not rush him at all, likely will be extremely careful. Same with Pouliot, who only makes sense to play in the minors next year, especially without a training camp, new coach, etc.

Maata and Pouliot had the same surgery. Both out until December. That's why Scuds stays and Bortuzzo has a spot. I've zero problem working the kids into the lineup but you can't bet against injuries.
- Topshelf Mountain

Agreed. This last update was after Maatta gets back.

The Pens have Letang, Martin, Scuds, Depres, and Borts on the books for next season. Maata out with injury and Pouliot likely needing a year at WBS after recovery. If Dumoulin isn't able to win a job out of camp then he's lost his shot for this year. With injuries and the farm system you can't trade or bury either Scuds or Borts. Realistically you want eight NHL ready D-Men on your team because of injuries.

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

Impossible to keep the puck all the time regardless of the makeup of your team... So you know what helps get the puck back when you don't have it? Guys that are hungry for it and play with an edge(that have skill as well).

Can people please stop saying Scuds has an NMC, he has nothing of the sort. He's got the usual 8 or 10 team no trade list and that's it. He's tradeable. We might only get a ZMichalek return, but he's tradeable.

Breaking them up so that they play a bit less each, and the younger guys aren't left alone...which is not a good strategy, at least if you want to win. Maatta will be back by December, maybe November. The PENS will not rush him at all, likely will be extremely careful. Same with Pouliot, who only makes sense to play in the minors next year, especially without a training camp, new coach, etc.
- mventres

Why so much concern about needing someone to babysit the kids on each line? Theycan play, they're ready. Mental errors will happen but not at a rate any higher than what we've seen from many of our defenseman the past few years. They can work through ita and be ready for playoffs. I don't get the whole babysitter/veteran love.

Can people please stop saying Scuds has an NMC, he has nothing of the sort. He's got the usual 8 or 10 team no trade list and that's it. He's tradeable. We might only get a ZMichalek return, but he's tradeable.
- cygnus41

Ah, I was mistaken then...I'm curious of the terms then, as I heard he would be impossible to move.

Why so much concern about needing someone to babysit the kids on each line? Theycan play, they're ready. Mental errors will happen but not at a rate any higher than what we've seen from many of our defenseman the past few years. They can work through ita and be ready for playoffs. I don't get the whole babysitter/veteran love.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

They are not ready to play without a more seasoned player.

Isn't scederi from Long Island and wanted to be closer to his family there. He would likely accept a trade to the islanders if management told him flat out that he will not get used here.

My armchair team.

Do the trade with Vancouver, but send Bennett instead of sutter. Bennett, first and pouliot.

Kunitz Crosby Kesler
Neal Malkin kulemin
Dupuis sutter stempniak
Gibbons goc magna

Letang Martin
Maata dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo.

Fleury
Zatkoff


This is realistic to me. Ideally I'd trade letang, Neal and fleury.

Fleury has value in Winnipeg, where they are in dire need of a good goalie. No one wants to go to Winnipeg so to get that goalie it needs to be through trade then owe the player into staying. Neal & Fleury for Kane and their 1st

Edmonton has the same problem getting players to sign there, trading letang prior to July 1st. Get Yakupov

Sign Boyle
Sign miller

Kane Crosby Yakupov
Kesler Malkin kulemin
Kunitz sutter dupuis
Gibbons goc Megna

Martin maata
Boyle dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo

Miller
Zatkof

Isn't scederi from Long Island and wanted to be closer to his family there. He would likely accept a trade to the islanders if management told him flat out that he will not get used here.

My armchair team.

Do the trade with Vancouver, but send Bennett instead of sutter. Bennett, first and pouliot.

Kunitz Crosby Kesler
Neal Malkin kulemin
Dupuis sutter stempniak
Gibbons goc magna

Letang Martin
Maata dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo.

Fleury
Zatkoff


This is realistic to me. Ideally I'd trade letang, Neal and fleury.

Fleury has value in Winnipeg, where they are in dire need of a good goalie. No one wants to go to Winnipeg so to get that goalie it needs to be through trade then owe the player into staying. Neal & Fleury for Kane and their 1st

Edmonton has the same problem getting players to sign their, trading letang prior to July 1st. Get Yakupov

Sign Boyle
Sign miller

Kane Crosby Yakupov
Kesler Malkin kulimen
Kunitz sutter dupuis
Gibbons goc Megna

Martin maata
Boyle dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo

Miller
Zatkof
- stackthepads

This... this would all be really cool


Odds of happening...

This... this would all be really cool


Odds of happening...
- Ledgermain

Yeah I know
But a man can dream.

Isn't scederi from Long Island and wanted to be closer to his family there. He would likely accept a trade to the islanders if management told him flat out that he will not get used here.

My armchair team.

Do the trade with Vancouver, but send Bennett instead of sutter. Bennett, first and pouliot.

Kunitz Crosby Kesler
Neal Malkin kulemin
Dupuis sutter stempniak
Gibbons goc magna

Letang Martin
Maata dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo.

Fleury
Zatkoff


This is realistic to me. Ideally I'd trade letang, Neal and fleury.

Fleury has value in Winnipeg, where they are in dire need of a good goalie. No one wants to go to Winnipeg so to get that goalie it needs to be through trade then owe the player into staying. Neal & Fleury for Kane and their 1st

Edmonton has the same problem getting players to sign their, trading letang prior to July 1st. Get Yakupov

Sign Boyle
Sign miller

Kane Crosby Yakupov
Kesler Malkin kulimen
Kunitz sutter dupuis
Gibbons goc Megna

Martin maata
Boyle dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo

Miller
Zatkof
- stackthepads

It sounds good and sexy but you need to do this in capgeek so we can see if if it works with the cap. Fleury and Neal for Kane and first? Yes. Bennett first and pouliot for kesler? No. Kesler is too old for me to give up three great pieces. I'd keep letang over yakupov and not sign Boyle. Those are my opinions but I definitely like some of what u did here. Kule and miller additions are good too.

Isn't scederi from Long Island and wanted to be closer to his family there. He would likely accept a trade to the islanders if management told him flat out that he will not get used here.

My armchair team.

Do the trade with Vancouver, but send Bennett instead of sutter. Bennett, first and pouliot.

Kunitz Crosby Kesler
Neal Malkin kulemin
Dupuis sutter stempniak
Gibbons goc magna

Letang Martin
Maata dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo.

Fleury
Zatkoff


This is realistic to me. Ideally I'd trade letang, Neal and fleury.

Fleury has value in Winnipeg, where they are in dire need of a good goalie. No one wants to go to Winnipeg so to get that goalie it needs to be through trade then owe the player into staying. Neal & Fleury for Kane and their 1st

Edmonton has the same problem getting players to sign there, trading letang prior to July 1st. Get Yakupov

Sign Boyle
Sign miller

Kane Crosby Yakupov
Kesler Malkin kulemin
Kunitz sutter dupuis
Gibbons goc Megna

Martin maata
Boyle dumoulin
Depres bortuzzo

Miller
Zatkof
- stackthepads

i have a lot of reservations about sending our 1st and our best young forward along with our highest ceiling dman prospect for ryan kesler.

that is a lot of future youre putting into one player who is 30+ years old. at least with a guy like kane you get a guy as young as him with a high ceiling.

to me, if you do trade for a guy like kane, go out and get a guy like Iginla. what better guy to mentor a guy like evander kane than a guy like iginla?

i have a lot of reservations about sending our 1st and our best young forward along with our highest ceiling dman prospect for ryan kesler.

that is a lot of future youre putting into one player who is 30+ years old. at least with a guy like kane you get a guy as young as him with a high ceiling.

to me, if you do trade for a guy like kane, go out and get a guy like Iginla. what better guy to mentor a guy like evander kane than a guy like iginla?
- SuperHenderson13

Yes I was against that trade for kesler as well. Make the proposed move for Kane and then sign miller and Kulemin. If we can afford a hemsky type FA as well...call it a day.