I only worry about Geno. Him and Neal seemed to be so close. Well it's part of the game and he will have to get used to it.
- Magicmanmalkin

He'll be fine.... I didn't get why people are always worried about him, like he's some delicate emo teenager. He basically defected from his hometown team and came over here and won the Calder trophy. His best friend in Gonchar left and after an injury year, he had his best season as a pro ever.

He might end up with Kulemin or Vrbata or maybe no one new to start, but either way, he'll be fine.

What if Nashville makes it further in the playoffs then we do and Neal does well? This board would lose their poop

So if JR's stating that the Pens will not be extending Fleury or Martin, do you let Martin play out his contract and see what value he may have at the deadline or listen to offers now?

So if JR's stating that the Pens will not be extending Fleury or Martin, do you let Martin play out his contract and see what value he may have at the deadline or listen to offers now?
- Incredible Malk

Did JR say that?

I can see not extending Martin, he will be 34 or 35 at the end of his deal, Scuds might still be on the books at that time. If I am a GM I am always listening to offers.

I think you ride MAF out unless Hiller would accept something under 4, I don't really see any improvement unless you can free up cap space.

So if JR's stating that the Pens will not be extending Fleury or Martin, do you let Martin play out his contract and see what value he may have at the deadline or listen to offers now?
- Incredible Malk

I think you always listen but you can't afford to lose him at the moment. Youth movement and maatta and pouliot injuries dictate that imo

hornquist is a giving. we know what he brings.

spaling is obviously the question mark here. time will tell if he is an improvement to our bottom 6. but that shouldnt be too hard, im pretty sure i would be an improvement to our bottom 6.

the other big question is what else are the pens going to do this off season. this cannot be the only trade we make, and think its going to lead to completely different results.

i hope what ever happens involves fluery. and a good winger or 2 for geno. i also hope to retain stepniak
- pensfan024

fluery / malkin / crosby only pens untouchables, per JR

fluery / malkin / crosby only pens untouchables, per JR
- ChrisMS

Do you buy that MAF is an untouchable? I kind of laughed when I heard that quote.

Do you buy that MAF is an untouchable? I kind of laughed when I heard that quote.
- madmike71

I no longer think that since there's been rumors of the Pens doing due diligence on Hiller and possibly another goalie, per TIOPS.

I don't get the bemoaning that there "had to be a better deal out there" or saying that Rutherford Could have gotten more.

If there was a better deal, don't you think Rutherford would have made it?

It's funny, most people on this board have been sh!tting on Neal for the better part of the last 2 years, and now you're pissed that we didn't get more for him?
- rival22

Hornqvist is only an 83 on NHL 14. Spaling a 79. We lost the trade!

Although this trade is a big gamble on Rutherford's part, I think if Hornquist plays on Malkin's line we could possibly see Malkin's potential fully unlocked. With the Crosby-Kunitz line both of those players go to the net. On Malkin's line, however, neither Malkin nor Neal went to the net regularly (rarely, in fact) and whoever played the other wing usually did not either. With someone going to the net on this line it may be much more effective, especially Malkin.

Hornqvist is only an 83 on NHL 14. Spaling a 79. We lost the trade!
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Do you buy that MAF is an untouchable? I kind of laughed when I heard that quote.
- madmike71

yes I do. since MAF seems to have more a mental problem than a talent one I think JR is letting him know publicly... your our starter, get ready. Plus he knows there isn't anything better out there available... so theres that

I only worry about Geno. Him and Neal seemed to be so close. Well it's part of the game and he will have to get used to it.
- Magicmanmalkin

Looking at it from a business perspective, I don't think Neal is the guy I want to be Geno's best buddy. We want the guy that brings the best out in Geno on and off the ice....because, on the ice, we all know Geno will elevate his linemates.

I really think Kulemin is a great fit for Geno. I was lukewarm on the idea and thought it was just a feel good story because they were linemates in Russia. But Kulemin is a pretty legitimate 2 way player. And while Neal was his friend, Kulemin is supposedly his best friend.

What if Nashville makes it further in the playoffs then we do and Neal does well? This board would lose their poop
- dbell646

If that happens it won't be due to Neal. I think Rinne has more of an effect on their playoff hopes than James "I vanish in the playoffs" Neal.

Apparently Pens targeting offers for Kulemin and Malhotra.

Also, Ehrhoff is being bought out. So to that previous talk about not extending Martin and seeing what his trade value is.... Ehrhoff is probably the one guy out there that can "replace" Martin if we could get him on a 3-4 year deal at like $3.75M

Anybody have any thoughts on Chad Johnson from the B's? Pretty nice numbers as a backup. Only 27 games played.

I'm starting to warm to moving Martin or MAF for some relief.

Apparently Pens targeting offers for Kulemin and Malhotra.

Also, Ehrhoff is being bought out. So to that previous talk about not extending Martin and seeing what his trade value is.... Ehrhoff is probably the one guy out there that can "replace" Martin if we could get him on a 3-4 year deal at like $3.75M
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kumemin I get, Malhotra I think would be a poor pick.

Apparently Pens targeting offers for Kulemin and Malhotra.

Also, Ehrhoff is being bought out. So to that previous talk about not extending Martin and seeing what his trade value is.... Ehrhoff is probably the one guy out there that can "replace" Martin if we could get him on a 3-4 year deal at like $3.75M
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Screw malholtra keep goc. Ehrhoff is soft he will go to detroit. I bet martin gets extended 3 yrs but he will want 4. Neal must b a huge douche. I would bring in kulemin at least he back checks and that may rub off on geno. Something neal never did

Kumemin I get, Malhotra I think would be a poor pick.
- usethe1-2-2

I always hear that Kulemen was great with 71, but when exactly? Olympics? Russia sucks in the Olympics, Summer Intl tourney? That's a joke. KHL during lockout? Another joke.

With the cap being what it is and teams like the B's being over it with a bevy of RFA's could this be the year that we see a lot of offer sheets go out to guys like Smith, Krug, and even Sutter?

I always hear that Kulemen was great with 71, but when exactly? Olympics? Russia sucks in the Olympics, Summer Intl tourney? That's a joke. KHL during lockout? Another joke.
- sammy87

That's kind of what I was saying earlier. But they are very good friends. And more importantly, isolated from all those short sample sizes, he's just a good 2 way player. And he would be a welcome addition to the team....even if he wasn't on Geno's line.

Anybody have any thoughts on Chad Johnson from the B's? Pretty nice numbers as a backup. Only 27 games played.

I'm starting to warm to moving Martin or MAF for some relief.
- madmike71

Better than Zatkoff? Backup's scare me.....I have a hard time reading into their EVSV%. But Johnson is interesting if he passes the eye test as full time starter.

I always hear that Kulemen was great with 71, but when exactly? Olympics? Russia sucks in the Olympics, Summer Intl tourney? That's a joke. KHL during lockout? Another joke.
- sammy87

It might be but they have played together and presumably have chemistry in their respective style match ups. Kulimen plays well in front of the net and is a pretty big body. He would be a good sign for the Pens.

Kulemin yes ,Erhoff no . Think Kulemin could really shine with malkin(or Crosby for that matter ) I saw a few posts ago someone said Neal had no skills except his release , disagree ,he had tons of skill and one of the best releases in the game , that being said he was a complete a-hole, and I think Malkin will be more even keel without him on the line.

Kulemin yes ,Erhoff no . Think Kulemin could really shine with malkin(or Crosby for that matter ) I saw a few posts ago someone said Neal had no skills except his release , disagree ,he had tons of skill and one of the best releases in the game , that being said he was a complete a-hole, and I think Malkin will be more even keel without him on the line.
- Bradlee3

I pretty much agree. Neal was a pretty good passer too. Underrated IMO. I always thought the missing ingredient on that line was a big power forward to open up some space and drive the net. Pretty much what Kunitz did previously....even though he's not that big.

Yeah, I know, that type of player doesn't exactly grow on trees and would be an expensive addition, but If Neal and Malkin had that type of player on their line we wouldn't be talking about Neal's lack of playoff production.