Despres didn't have to play a Top-4 role. The Pens could have simply benched Scuderi & played Despres w/ Cole.

Letang-Martin
Ehrhoff-Pouliot
Despres-Cole

In my opinion, Shero gave an atricious contract to Scuderi & since they can't/won't bench/move him, the see Despres as the issue instead. Well, now someone else is going to have to cover for Scuderi all night long. Wonder what will happen to their quality of play?
- s0rcerer1984

I don't know what games you watch. Scuderi is a good defenseman for his role and isn't a liability unless he is put out in 4v4 OT and the other defenseman pinches and gives up a break. Just admit that you hate him because he is making .75 million more than he should.

I don't know what games you watch. Scuderi is a good defenseman for his role and isn't a liability unless he is put out in 4v4 OT and the other defenseman pinches and gives up a break. Just admit that you hate him because he is making .75 million more than he should.
- znagle

1.375 million more than he should, with one more year than he should have.

1.375 million more than he should, with one more year than he should have.
- Guile

I agree with the years part for sure, but you don't get a solid bottom pairing defenseman in Scuds for 2 million a year, maybe 2.5. He was a Cup champ and a veterean presence when he signed. He was supposed to play on the top pair with Letang but they didn't mesh. Maybe it was the old system, who knows. But I've gotten over Scuds being on this team because his play this year compared to last year is huge. The new system and also him not being hurt definitely helps.

Maybe he actually has work to do today
- Guile

Nah hes yapping on the Isles board a plenty, Im just wondering if he's going to hide over there today now.

Thanks for the clarification on Scuds contract gents. Have to think that if the option presents itself this offseason, they have to move that contract. Despres had a nice debut last night as I'm sure most of you noticed in the late night box score, 1 assist and a plus 3! Willing to let this thing play itself out but if he continues that kind of production it will sting just a little more.

I don't know what games you watch. Scuderi is a good defenseman for his role and isn't a liability unless he is put out in 4v4 OT and the other defenseman pinches and gives up a break. Just admit that you hate him because he is making .75 million more than he should.
- znagle

Rob Scuderi is good at killing penalties. Essentially, he is the reverse of a PP specialist. I wouldn't give him $1.5M/yr, much less 3.375M/yr. That is why i dislike him.

Can you honestly say that even at $2.62M/yr (ie, $0.75M less) Scuderi is a good value? That out of all the Dmen in that price range, Scuderi is better or as good as them?

I agree with the years part for sure, but you don't get a solid bottom pairing defenseman in Scuds for 2 million a year, maybe 2.5. He was a Cup champ and a veterean presence when he signed. He was supposed to play on the top pair with Letang but they didn't mesh. Maybe it was the old system, who knows. But I've gotten over Scuds being on this team because his play this year compared to last year is huge. The new system and also him not being hurt definitely helps.
- znagle

Please tell me thats a joke? I don't recall hearing that, but I can't say I remember too much for indepth stuff that far back anyway.

Rob Scuderi is good at killing penalties. Essentially, he is the reverse of a PP specialist. I wouldn't give him $1.5M/yr, much less 3.375M/yr. That is why i dislike him.

Can you honestly say that even at $2.62M/yr (ie, $0.75M less) Scuderi is a good value? That out of all the Dmen in that price range, Scuderi is better or as good as them?
- s0rcerer1984

Well obviously there are better in the price range but there weren't any available then that would be a top proven pairing dman for cheap. He is now a very solid bottom paring guy. 2.62 would be perfect for him IMO and one less year.

Please tell me thats a joke? I don't recall hearing that, but I can't say I remember too much for indepth stuff that far back anyway.
- Guile

He was supposed to be with Letang, I can't remember back then if it was top pair or 2nd pairing but yes he was supposed to be. It was a great contract back then that was worth it, but now he is worth 2.62 for a bottom pair guy. I would have no problem paying him that, and honestly that .75 doesn't help us much. Our biggest cap problem is the Sutturd.

Well obviously there are better in the price range but there weren't any available then that would be a top proven pairing dman for cheap. He is now a very solid bottom paring guy. 2.62 would be perfect for him IMO and one less year.
- znagle

The Penguins overpaid in terms of both years and term. Its just a bad contract.

hmm wheres our Islander troll who loves to boast how clean Matt Martin is in comparison to the Pitt goons? Loved that knee on knee hit of his.
- Reverend Killtaker

I thought the same thing. He has no problem coming over here whenever a Pens player does something dirty. But hey Martin is a saint I guess.

The Penguins overpaid in terms of both years and term. Its just a bad contract.
- s0rcerer1984

Years yes, money yes. I do agree 1 year and .75 too much. Other than that I've been happy with his play. His hit will be off the books (if he is still here by the end of his deal) at the time some of our rookies will be up for a new deal. So his deal will be a wash basically.

Nah hes yapping on the Isles board a plenty, Im just wondering if he's going to hide over there today now.
- Reverend Killtaker

Ive actually been wondering where rangerdanger has been to tell us about how bad our trades were. He always seems to stop by and throw out some hackneyed comment regarding pens trading away prospects and picks for roster players at the expense of depth. Was hoping he would stop by and say something so he could be reminded of what they gave up for Yandle, and the fact that it cemented them not having a 1st rnd pick for the 4th consecutive year.

Years yes, money yes. I do agree 1 year and .75 too much. Other than that I've been happy with his play. His hit will be off the books (if he is still here by the end of his deal) at the time some of our rookies will be up for a new deal. So his deal will be a wash basically.
- znagle

Hindsight is 20/20, I was ok with the signing when it happened (thought a year too long), but now I really wish it didn't happen.

His play has absolutely been better this season, but not great by any stretch, and definitely not worth his cap hit.

I hope that they buy him out this summer, or find some poor team to take him.

Hindsight is 20/20, I was ok with the signing when it happened (thought a year too long), but now I really wish it didn't happen.

His play has absolutely been better this season, but not great by any stretch, and definitely not worth his cap hit.

I hope that they buy him out this summer, or find some poor team to take him.
- rival22

Disco's system made a Norris candidate look terrible. Just a bad coach. Scuds hasn't been a train wreck this year, but a yr and mil too much IMO.

Ive actually been wondering where rangerdanger has been to tell us about how bad our trades were. He always seems to stop by and throw out some hackneyed comment regarding pens trading away prospects and picks for roster players at the expense of depth. Was hoping he would stop by and say something so he could be reminded of what they gave up for Yandle, and the fact that it cemented them not having a 1st rnd pick for the 4th consecutive year.
- Rawdog9755

I believe his rebuttal to that would be.... "we never pick well in the first round anyway, look at our team they're all drafted non first round picks..."

Oh the nerve of some people.

Hindsight is 20/20, I was ok with the signing when it happened (thought a year too long), but now I really wish it didn't happen.

His play has absolutely been better this season, but not great by any stretch, and definitely not worth his cap hit.

I hope that they buy him out this summer, or find some poor team to take him.
- rival22

He will have to waive to go to most teams...

The 6 he most likely has no clause to would be in these 8... Boston, Chicago, LA, Detriot, Rangers, San Jose, Anaheim, Washington/Toronto

I believe his rebuttal to that would be.... "we never pick well in the first round anyway, look at our team they're all drafted non first round picks..."

Oh the nerve of some people.
- nelson911

Rangers have a solid team, but its all Lundquvist-dependant. Without him at 100%, I don't see them as a Cup contender. Same happened to us when Crosby and Malkin went out at the same time a few years back, but its just magnified more when its a goalie.

Simon had an assist and a plus 3 last night Not too shabby

Disco's system made a Norris candidate look terrible. Just a bad coach. Scuds hasn't been a train wreck this year, but a yr and mil too much IMO.
- sammy87

Wasn't he a Norris finalist in discos system

Wasn't he a Norris finalist in discos system
- dbell646

Top 10 in voting 3 of the last 4 years...

I like Pittsburgh's D a little better, but I love Anaheim's D. Vatanen is a beast, Cam Fowler is a great 2-way defender and Hampus Lindholm is totally solid in all respects. I like the St Louis D a bit more than Pittsburgh's but the depth guys aren't Wisniewski and Beauchemin. Ian Cole is probably on the same level as Clayton Stoner, prhaps a bit more vision. You all are going to like Ian Cole.

Speaking of Beauchemin, I think the Scuderi contract was supposed to mirror his contract for the role he plays on that team. Supposedly good top six minutes or great, reliable bottom pairing minutes. It could be worse; it could be Willie Mitchell.

This is our playoff team. I'm behind them, even Flower. I hope he scores an ENG in San Jose so I can make an even bigger nuisance of myself in the stands. Go Pens.

I like Pittsburgh's D a little better, but I love Anaheim's D. Vatanen is a beast, Cam Fowler is a great 2-way defender and Hampus Lindholm is totally solid in all respects. I like the St Louis D a bit more than Pittsburgh's but the depth guys aren't Wisniewski and Beauchemin. Ian Cole is probably on the same level as Clayton Stoner, prhaps a bit more vision. You all are going to like Ian Cole.

Speaking of Beauchemin, I think the Scuderi contract was supposed to mirror his contract for the role he plays on that team. Supposedly good top six minutes or great, reliable bottom pairing minutes. It could be worse; it could be Willie Mitchell.

This is our playoff team. I'm behind them, even Flower. I hope he scores an ENG in San Jose so I can make an even bigger nuisance of myself in the stands. Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

Fleury is way overdue for his empty netter

Rob Scuderi is good at killing penalties. Essentially, he is the reverse of a PP specialist. I wouldn't give him $1.5M/yr, much less 3.375M/yr. That is why i dislike him.

Can you honestly say that even at $2.62M/yr (ie, $0.75M less) Scuderi is a good value? That out of all the Dmen in that price range, Scuderi is better or as good as them?
- s0rcerer1984

Scuderi is not good at killing penalties. He simply stands in front of the net and gets on one knee and tries to take away a passing lane. He doesn't necessarily battle either. He's also to slow to chase the puck if it goes in the corner. He's simply an oversized traffic cone

He will have to waive to go to most teams...

The 6 he most likely has no clause to would be in these 8... Boston, Chicago, LA, Detriot, Rangers, San Jose, Anaheim, Washington/Toronto
- Guile

It might be slightly different than that. If I am not mistaken, one of the big things for him was being back on the East Coast closer to his extended family. So the teams could all be East Coast teams if it is that important to him.