Thanks. This is the way people should be looking at this. Absolutely ATROCIOUS asset management and over emphasis on the present. Its not like our window is closing in one or two years. Despres could be better than Lovejoy as soon as next season.
- Victoro311

I'd make the argument that Despres is better than Lovejoy NOW.

again... two coaches and two gm's gave up on this guy... mean anything? I mean besides the cheerleaders?
- ChrisMS

I'm not sure this regime gave up on Despres. He's played game in and game out and has gotten second unit PP time. Old Man Ruth right now is up on his press box talking about experience again. It sounds like they hadn't soured on Simon, but decided that Lovejoy gave us a better chance to win now, which may be flawed.

Acquisitions and departures under GMJR

Perron
Winnik
Lovejoy
Cole
Lapierre

Off season
Hornqvist
Spaling
Downie
Comeau
Ehrhoff
Greiss

for

Off season
James Neal

Despres
1st rounder
2nd rounder
Goc
Bortuzzo
Sill
4th rounder
7th rounder
Samuelson
- znagle

Losing Samuelson really hurts.

I'd make the argument that Despres is better than Lovejoy NOW.
- s0rcerer1984

I'm inclined to agree.

Acquisitions and departures under GMJR

Perron
Winnik
Lovejoy
Cole
Lapierre

Off season
Hornqvist
Spaling
Downie
Comeau
Ehrhoff
Greiss

for

Off season
James Neal

Despres
1st rounder
2nd rounder
Goc
Bortuzzo
Sill
4th rounder
7th rounder
Samuelson
- znagle

Wait wheres Klink?

Eh, I am over it already. Despres definitely looked better this year (earlier especially) but I do recall alot here started to say they were worried about the his play declining the past month or so.

Losing Samuelson really hurts.
- Reverend Killtaker

Losing Sill killed their season.

Wait wheres Klink?
- Reverend Killtaker

In Edmonton

But if management deemed him expendable due to the fact that he is a liability AND Dumo/Harrington/Maatta coming back, then why not try to acquire someone, who is better, for a deep playoff run? Depres was a liability, and you don't want that liability playing going into the playoffs. I completely understand this move, especially with what's waiting in the wings (Dumo/Harrington/Maatta).
- j.boyd919

Despres was somewhat of a liability as the #4. He also makes plays Lovejoy isn't going to make either. Every GM, even Bowman and Lombardi, makes poor decisions. I don't have blind trust in any NHL front office as I can find poor recent decisions in any of them so none are approve reproach.

Losing Samuelson really hurts.
- Reverend Killtaker

If we don't lose him, we don't get Perron.

Wait wheres Klink?
- Reverend Killtaker

He's a wash.

[q
uote=jfkst1]This trade will look DISASTROUS if Despres realizes his top pairing potential. He makes a lot of mistakes that are very coachable. Lovejoy is a fine #4 dman. But he is 31 and isn't going to be more than that. Despres is a capable #5 dman now. Immediate gain is marginal while future loss might be immense. To most, that is not sound asset management.

Decision making is coachable but only to a certain point. Despres has lots of natural skill but his hockey IQ was questionable, even when he was drafted. And judging from the return other GMs may have seen that

GMJR should be tarred and feathered for this!

Wait wheres Klink?
- Reverend Killtaker

Didn't include him as he was a throw in basically. I figure Samuelson for Perron

Thanks. This is the way people should be looking at this. Absolutely ATROCIOUS asset management and over emphasis on the present. Its not like our window is closing in one or two years. Despres could be better than Lovejoy as soon as next season.
- Victoro311

Doubtful. I agree with GMJR, I think Depres play has dropped significantly and Lovejoy gives the Pens a better chance to win, this season. With Harrington/Dumo/Maatta coming back next season, Depres was definitely expendable. I think Depres isextremely overrated.

Decision making is coachable but only to a certain point. Despres has lots of natural skill but his hockey IQ was questionable, even when he was drafted. And judging from the return other GMs may have seen that
- willi

The return was a top 4 dman on a SC contender. Clearly his potential is not being overlooked. My argument is that the risk is greater than the return.

Losing Samuelson really hurts.
- Reverend Killtaker

Since he was Ulf's son, does that mean he has more "potential"?

Seriously though, has he even sniffed the NHL yet?

Eh, I am over it already. Despres definitely looked better this year (earlier especially) but I do recall alot here started to say they were worried about the his play declining the past month or so.
- kgrpitt

I agree here. Yeah, he could be great but we get a good defenseman for right now

Lost all faith in GM to make a Stanley Cup Contender... BTW for the delusional- This team isn't good enough to win 4 series. Terrible trade...

Losing Samuelson really hurts.
- Reverend Killtaker

Wait, is this a serious comment? You should italicize if you're being sarcastic, I can't tell.

Since he was Ulf's son, does that mean he has more "potential"?

Seriously though, has he even sniffed the NHL yet?
- sammy87

Played a few games. Didn't end a superstar's career by ruining his knees, so they figured he wasn't ready yet.

The Pens D is not weaker and/or softer after these trades.

They got two western conference D men that are 6'1 and 6'2 and 215lbs and 220lbs, respectively. Lovejoy isn't flashy but he has more playoff experience and was on the TOP PAIR with Fowler last year for most of the year. His upside is right now, similar to the Pens need to win. He doesn't need to prove anything and will play a role unlike Despres who is still taking risks and trying to prove himself and find his position.

Cole is a far better hockey player than Bortz and almost as tough. He can actually play the game and make a first pass. He's better now and has far more upside than Bortz.

Both are responsible defensively. +players. Know their role. And round out this D core making them a heavier solidified defined committee.

In this playoffs, in a game 7 I'd rather either of these guys with the puck than Despres or Bortz.

Since he was Ulf's son, does that mean he has more "potential"?

Seriously though, has he even sniffed the NHL yet?
- sammy87

Pffft like we were ever going to get that conditional pick from Arizona for him. His brother has seen more NHL time with the Yotes than he has.

Lost all faith in GM to make a Stanley Cup Contender... BTW for the delusional- This team isn't good enough to win 4 series. Terrible trade...
- lloyd095

okay, see you next year then.

I'm not sure this regime gave up on Despres. He's played game in and game out and has gotten second unit PP time. Old Man Ruth right now is up on his press box talking about experience again. It sounds like they hadn't soured on Simon, but decided that Lovejoy gave us a better chance to win now, which may be flawed.
- Victoro311

just sayin' interesting. maybe the in-theknow crowd knows something we dont