You know whats even funnier, he played with a defensive defensman too We might have gotten a steal in Cole
- usethe1-2-2

No question about it. Bortuzzo just gives them excuse not to hear about playing Cole on such a deep team on the blue line. They overvalued the "grit" and paid us back a bit for the Goc trade.

The idea that the Penguins have a grit deficit because of the loss of Despres is laughable.

Despres got the message and finally played the way he should play...for about two months. Then right back to looking like Tarzan and playing like Jane.

Coaches get tired on constantly prodding their players, which I believe is what happened here.

No question about it. Bortuzzo just gives them excuse not to hear about playing Cole on such a deep team on the blue line. They overvalued the "grit" and paid us back a bit for the Goc trade.
- HopintheCordoba

Im excited to see Cole play. 6'1, 220 isn't a small build. Not offensively inept either.

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

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I think maybe a first and BB can get it done. They need the cap room and BB will come cheap. Of course there will be other options out there too. I'm completely fine with going all in every year until 87 and 71 are done. We can restock then

Does he fall down ad often as Despres ?
- willi

Possibly... But nowhere near as much as Bortuzzo.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I think maybe a first and BB can get it done. They need the cap room and BB will come cheap. I'm completely fine with going all in every year until 87 and 71 are done. We can restock then
- znagle

Its also 2 years of a top tier winger, not one or half a season. I might be biased in nearly anyone who can score goals that wasn't a cheap shotting bad skater like Neal, but I think the deal of the draft could be in stealing Sharp.

Its also 2 years of a top tier winger, not one or half a season. I might be biased in nearly anyone who can score goals that wasn't a cheap shotting bad skater like Neal, but I think the deal of the draft could be in stealing Sharp.
- Guile

Agreed. I edited my comment saying that of course there will be other options that open up as well, but I have always liked Sharp and honestly I thought we would have gotten him last season. Maybe Dupuis comes back as well, big if I know, but he could slot on the third giving more depth. Pair that with getting Sharp and we would be real deep. Dupes, Kunitz and Sharp all come off the book at the same time right? There's our rookie D money.

I was watching the Hawks game last night and god damn, Hossa is still unreal. I wish we could have resigned him. He was flying out there.

Not trying to sound like a Pens homer but everyone here including the league know what the Flyers game plan is when they play the Pens.
- Guins6687

And the Flyers know it, too. And they will continue to do it until the Pens wise up.

It's like Crosby. Does he dive/accentuate to get calls? Of course he does. Every single "star" player does, including Giroux, Kane, Ovechkin, Malkin, etc. And they do it because the league gives them the benefit of the doubt, so it makes sense for them to keep doing it, and they won't stop until the league stops giving them incentive to do so.

Agreed. I edited my comment saying that of course there will be other options that open up as well, but I have always liked Sharp and honestly I thought we would have gotten him last season. Maybe Dupuis comes back as well, big if I know, but he could slot on the third giving more depth. Pair that with getting Sharp and we would be real deep. Dupes, Kunitz and Sharp all come off the book at the same time right? There's our rookie D money.

I was watching the Hawks game last night and god damn, Hossa is still unreal. I wish we could have resigned him. He was flying out there.
- znagle

Looks like the star wingers don't want to play with Sid. Hossa turned down a great contract from us as well as Parise.

Possibly... But nowhere near as much as Bortuzzo.
- rival22

Borts fell an awful lot. I'm excited to for the Cole trade. A few years ago we acquired an underperforming former 1st round pick in Matt Niskanen. Turned out to be a pretty good player for us.

Agreed. I edited my comment saying that of course there will be other options that open up as well, but I have always liked Sharp and honestly I thought we would have gotten him last season. Maybe Dupuis comes back as well, big if I know, but he could slot on the third giving more depth. Pair that with getting Sharp and we would be real deep. Dupes, Kunitz and Sharp all come off the book at the same time right? There's our rookie D money.

I was watching the Hawks game last night and god damn, Hossa is still unreal. I wish we could have resigned him. He was flying out there.
- znagle

Even though people always say how good Hossa is, I think he is still somehow the most underrated player in the NHL.

Its also 2 years of a top tier winger, not one or half a season. I might be biased in nearly anyone who can score goals that wasn't a cheap shotting bad skater like Neal, but I think the deal of the draft could be in stealing Sharp.
- Guile

I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good fit, but I just can't see him worth that much for just two seasons. 5.9 is going to be a huge number to aid the bottom six. I'm torn, but I don't like trading away those high end assets for him.

I liked the Perron deal because it kept our young defenders here.

Looks like the star wingers don't want to play with Sid. Hossa turned down a great contract from us as well as Parise.
- Barnaby36

Parise took the bigger payday in his home state and Hossa was going for a cup

Borts fell an awful lot. I'm excited to for the Cole trade. A few years ago we acquired an underperforming former 1st round pick in Matt Niskanen. Turned out to be a pretty good player for us.
- dbell646

Absolutely. Good pick up. Bortuzzo Was a good guy but he has been below average lately. Cole has the potential to take Despres' spot moving forward.

Even though people always say how good Hossa is, I think he is still somehow the most underrated player in the NHL.
- rival22

I kind of agree with this. All around a fantastic player.

And the Flyers know it, too. And they will continue to do it until the Pens wise up.

It's like Crosby. Does he dive/accentuate to get calls? Of course he does. Every single "star" player does, including Giroux, Kane, Ovechkin, Malkin, etc. And they do it because the league gives them the benefit of the doubt, so it makes sense for them to keep doing it, and they won't stop until the league stops giving them incentive to do so.
- jmatchett383

Well said.

Even though people always say how good Hossa is, I think he is still somehow the most underrated player in the NHL.
- rival22

I second this. He is elite to me and always will be. Had the most criminally underrated career of the past decade.

If anyone was contemplating suicide over the pens swapping a couple 5th/6th/7th dmen.... might want stay clear of the pensblog today. It is highly laughable. Yinzers comparing the team softness to the steelers of the past few years.... yikes.

Parise took the bigger payday in his home state and Hossa was going for a cup
- znagle

Both got the same type of money from other clubs just saying. Their choice.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good fit, but I just can't see him worth that much for just two seasons. 5.9 is going to be a huge number to aid the bottom six. I'm torn, but I don't like trading away those high end assets for him.

I liked the Perron deal because it kept our young defenders here.
- usethe1-2-2

He would be top 6, Kunitz or Comeau (if he resigns) will slot down.

Perron-Sid-Horn
Sharp-Geno-Comeau
Kunitz-Sutter-Dupuis
Winnik-FA-Downie

Totally a best situation type of team for next year without trading any roster players other than BB and a first for Sharp. Not sure what side he plays either, but that can all be worked out later

Both got the same type of money from other clubs just saying. Their choice.
- Barnaby36

True, although Hossa looked like he was trying to settle in somewhere and have a chance for a while to win. Who knows. Also Parise's deal, they are paying him for 13 years. Talk about a retirement deal.... and he's home. What could be better?

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.
- usethe1-2-2

What was the point then. Is BJ really that much better then SD? With the exception f Pouloit, all these other guys are just as big of not more of a question mark as Despres. Maata's shoulder could be one of those nagging injuries that plagues him the rest of his career. I don't feel Dumo or Harrington have more potential than Despres. Does anybody remember Lovejoy playing here? They only got a 5th for him for a reason.

I'm afraid to say I'm worried about a possible Scuderi break down moving forward. Despres did a good job with him. Ideally he'll be on our bench but I doubt it.

Pouliot should be playing. He's got game.

Looks like the star wingers don't want to play with Sid. Hossa turned down a great contract from us as well as Parise.
- Barnaby36

Hossa might have been a different reason... He signed with who just won the cup, when they kept a lot of their team together. He wanted to win and viewed them a better chance. While a douche move, nothing wrong it.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good fit, but I just can't see him worth that much for just two seasons. 5.9 is going to be a huge number to aid the bottom six. I'm torn, but I don't like trading away those high end assets for him.

I liked the Perron deal because it kept our young defenders here.
- usethe1-2-2

Well, Getting Sharp would be if Martin and Ehrhoff both walk... I was referencing a post I made pages ago on that scenario. Our bottom 6 would still be fine.