Letang-Maatta
Lovejoy-Cole
Scuderi-Pouliot
Harrington-Dumoulin

Our top 6 will cost roughly 15 million next year. That saves us 10 million from Hoff/Martin to use on on serious offensive help next year. We can resign Perron, maybe Comeau, maybe Winnik and possibly grab a 5-6 million winger in free agency for a year or two. We are in an even better place with the cap next year than we were before this deal.
- znagle

You forgot to add Dion Phaneuf to the list of D men for next year. Not saying I want to see it happen, but I have this feeling that it might.

We need to chill a bit on Kappanen, he is at least one more season away (preferably the AHL) but Sundqvist is ready. His stregnth has gone up and his role as a bottom six is looking strong. He will be a cheap internal option as a left shot. Since you already have Spaling too, you don't really need to worry. Add in Beau and that is three. Sign a deal for a Winnik, Comeau, or Downie and you have at least four. Veteran bottom centers can come cheap and only need one season.

Sutter is the wild card, he can be signed or moved this summer. If moved I think there is a good chance the Pens can get the space and assets to have both Downie and Comeau back.

Nothing looks great, but a little creativity can go a long way.
- usethe1-2-2

He's right handed. I do think Sutter needs moved while he still has any value to other organizations.

Check Page 8, I did nearly the same you did, but way too much math and throwing out a lot of not unrealistic roster ideas... except a chance of moving Scuds, because you have to :D
- Guile

I think I saw that last night, did you have like 3 edits? Lol I was on my phone and felt like it was a novel. I was a little tipsy so I admit I didn't really read it

Again I hate the Despres trade but today as a team we are likely less penalized and less mistake prone.

You forgot to add Dion Phaneuf to the list of D men for next year. Not saying I want to see it happen, but I have this feeling that it might.
- Tiogadog

Not a snowball's chance in hell

I think I saw that last night, did you have like 3 edits? Lol I was on my phone and felt like it was a novel. I was a little tipsy so I admit I didn't really read it
- znagle

Yes, Typos, forgot to mention Dupuis, then random poop we could do with ~9-13 mil cap space. Like getting Staal and Sharp :D

Look if JR wanted to rid himself of Despres, that's fine. He just needed to get a bit more back in return IMO.

This is now 2 coaching staffs and management staffs that have soured on him. Obviously he wasn't doing something they wanted him to do.

And his play has fallen off lately. I'll give JR that.

But, still, I have a hard time with that trade.

I just see teams like the Isles, Rags, and Caps pushing us around in a 7 game series. Our only hope is to not engage in that crap, play skilled hockey, hope the PP gets uber hot, MAF continues his high level of play, and 87 and 71 crush it. That's the recipie.
- 87_71_11_29

That always should have been the recipe. We arean't a team of badasses, we are a highly skilled puck moving team. This season we are elite in goals against and shot suppression too. If the offense gets hot, who needs to be physical..

I also don't think they soured on Despres as much as the drooled over Pouliot. His game probably gave them the comfort in moving him. Plus Maatta next year, probs Dumo, and plausible Harrington.

You forgot to add Dion Phaneuf to the list of D men for next year. Not saying I want to see it happen, but I have this feeling that it might.
- Tiogadog

Don't you say that. Only way I want Phaneuf is Phaneuf for Scuder. Contract for contract. Oh, and they eat half the contract

You forgot to add Dion Phaneuf to the list of D men for next year. Not saying I want to see it happen, but I have this feeling that it might.
- Tiogadog

Oh dear god no

He's right handed. I do think Sutter needs moved while he still has any value to other organizations.
- HopintheCordoba

Crap, why did I think he was a lefty... Oh well, still good depth option.

Don't you say that. Only way I want Phaneuf is Phaneuf for Scuder. Contract for contract. Oh, and they eat half the contract
- znagle

You're right about one thing. Toronto will definitely be eating salary to make a trade happen there. I imagine they'll be looking for a Yandle type return but they won't get it even though they can afford to eat salary all the time while Arizona can't. Maloney did a bang up job.

You forgot to add Dion Phaneuf to the list of D men for next year. Not saying I want to see it happen, but I have this feeling that it might.
- Tiogadog

Dude, it's 830am. What is in your coffee?

Yes, Typos, forgot to mention Dupuis, then random poop we could do with ~9-13 mil cap space. Like getting Staal and Sharp :D
- Guile

I did catch the Sharp for a first I think it was, what's the term left on his contract? If we're going all in year after year and he only has like another year or so left then (frank) it. We can trade all draft picks for deep playoff runs. Once 87, 71, 58 and 29 are retired we can go back to sucking and drafting their replacements

Crap, why did I think he was a lefty... Oh well, still good depth option.
- usethe1-2-2

He is, yes. Hopefully a longer term fixture at center that we need.

I did catch the Sharp for a first I think it was, what's the term left on his contract? If we're going all in year after year and he only has like another year or so left then (frank) it. We can trade all draft picks for deep playoff runs. Once 87, 71, 58 and 29 are retired we can go back to sucking and drafting their replacements
- znagle

After this season he has 2 more years at 5.9 million. And hes been rumored on and off all year as being a draft trade because of Towes and Kane's big ass contracts.

I think Sharp for a 2016 first, maybe Harrington, and Bennett could get it done? I know, another first rounder traded... but for two years of Sharp? Thats not exactly a rental, and his time lines up with when we have to resign a lot of our young D.

I did catch the Sharp for a first I think it was, what's the term left on his contract? If we're going all in year after year and he only has like another year or so left then (frank) it. We can trade all draft picks for deep playoff runs. Once 87, 71, 58 and 29 are retired we can go back to sucking and drafting their replacements
- znagle

I think Sharp has 2 years left.....maybe a Kunitz+ package would work for both sides instead of a 1st ? Chicago will still save $2mil

The more I read about Ian Cole, the more he sound like a 2 year older Despres.

Former first rounder, has had trouble earning a full time NHL job on a deep defensive team. Just anecdotally, some Blues fans have said that he gives you some moments where you are excited by him, but has his share of struggles as well.

After this season he has 2 more years at 5.9 million. And hes been rumored on and off all year as being a draft trade because of Towes and Kane's big ass contracts.

I think Sharp for a 2016 first, maybe Harrington, and Bennett could get it done? I know, another first rounder traded... but for two years of Sharp? Thats not exactly a rental, and his time lines up with when we have to resign a lot of our young D.
- Guile

Why? Way over priced. Keep your cost controlled assets and find better value on the market. It is out there. Plus, don't give up on Beau being top six yet

The more I read about Ian Cole, the more he sound like a 2 year older Despres.

Former first rounder, has had trouble earning a full time NHL job on a deep defensive team. Just anecdotally, some Blues fans have said that he gives you some moments where you are excited by him, but has his share of struggles as well.
- rival22

Does he fall down ad often as Despres ?

Why? Way over priced. Keep your cost controlled assets and find better value on the market. It is out there. Plus, don't give up on Beau being top six yet
- usethe1-2-2

I really don't consider that overpriced... Thats less than what Perron is going to get 2 years from now. Hes a 25-35 goal scorer man... and not a James Neal lol.

The more I read about Ian Cole, the more he sound like a 2 year older Despres.

Former first rounder, has had trouble earning a full time NHL job on a deep defensive team. Just anecdotally, some Blues fans have said that he gives you some moments where you are excited by him, but has his share of struggles as well.
- rival22

You know whats even funnier, he played with a defensive defensman too We might have gotten a steal in Cole

After this season he has 2 more years at 5.9 million. And hes been rumored on and off all year as being a draft trade because of Towes and Kane's big ass contracts.

I think Sharp for a 2016 first, maybe Harrington, and Bennett could get it done? I know, another first rounder traded... but for two years of Sharp? Thats not exactly a rental, and his time lines up with when we have to resign a lot of our young D.
- Guile

I'd rather not. I like Sharp but I'm all for garnering our own forward depth and making shrewd moves. Perron was worthy. He's in the prime of his career it seems. Sharp is very effective but we need to get younger and smarter with the cap. That doesn't help do it.

Does he fall down ad often as Despres ?
- willi

Not possible, unless you are James Neal. Holy poop did he fall down every other minute.

There is nobody online with more actual (not made up like ek) connections to the pens than DePaoli over there and he don't sugar coat anything.
- StabMastaArson

I'd rather not. I like Sharp but I'm all for garnering our own forward depth and making shrewd moves. Perron was worthy. He's in the prime of his career it seems. Sharp is very effective but we need to get younger and smarter with the cap. That doesn't help do it.
- HopintheCordoba

It all depends on the deal... If Ehrhoff and Martin both walk, we have a ton of space to work with for a couple years. If Chicago has to dump him and no team wants to pony up knowing they have to dump, he could go much cheaper.