Anyone that looks at the data and knows how to interpret it is going to generally converge on the same opinions. There were suggestions in here BEFORE Ryan Wilson made them. I know you were talking about Semin before RW brought him up. I know I talked about Eaves before it was suggested.
- jfkst1

Yeah.. I still barely know who this Eaves guy is... but looks more like another Winnik type from my limited looking.

Let's hope Bennett doesn't tear up his knee or break a wrist signing his new deal.
- madmike71

Isn't that low hanging fruit at this point? I for one hope that he can get past his line of bad luck. Kid deserves some positives.

Yeah.. I still barely know who this Eaves guy is... but looks more like another Winnik type from my limited looking.
- Guile

I used to see Eaves play when he was in Detroit. Never really stood out, but from the looks of it he is a serviceable 4th liner these days. I'd take a one year flyer on him like we did with Comeau

Apparently contract talks have started with Bennett and cole
- nh4442

So what is everyone expecting from Cole? What's his ceiling? Who is going to be his buddy D man?

So what is everyone expecting from Cole? What's his ceiling? Who is going to be his buddy D man?
- Aussiepenguin

I think STL made a mistake throwing him away. His shot is particularly surprising. It's quite good. I say he's probably a very easy Top 6 choice. If needed he could play Top 4. He makes some good reads. Not really afraid to get in some rushes. Smart decision maker.

For a pairing, a lot depends on whether they make a serious run at anyone(namely Franson) in FA. Outside of that we're looking at Scuderi(Please God, no), Lovejoy(provided they keep him) Dumoulin, Harrington or Chorney.

So what is everyone expecting from Cole? What's his ceiling? Who is going to be his buddy D man?
- Aussiepenguin

I like Cole a lot. I think he is a 4/5 dman. He's a perfect fit in Johnston's system.

So what is everyone expecting from Cole? What's his ceiling? Who is going to be his buddy D man?
- Aussiepenguin

Hard to gauge... I think he performed amazing for what he was expected to be, and how he got forced into the top pair a bit last year.

Conservatively, hes a #4 Dman, but I wouldn't be shocked if he was a #2-4 type.

I think STL made a mistake throwing him away. His shot is particularly surprising. It's quite good. I say he's probably a very easy Top 6 choice. If needed he could play Top 4.

A lot depends on whether they make a serious run at anyone(namely Franson) in FA. Outside of that we're looking at Scuderi(Please God, no), Lovejoy(provided they keep him) Dumoulin, Harrington or Chorney.
- HopintheCordoba

So you would have Maatta with Tanger?

That's what I thought until someone said that both players play the same game & would negate their play.

Wouldn't they put Dumo & Pouliot together - partners in crime from WBS?

That leaves Lovejob & Cole? Not sure of the right & left shots in all that. Isn't Harro going to be Martin 2.0, shutdown turn off?

So you would have Maatta with Tanger?

That's what I thought until someone said that both players play the same game & would negate their play.

Wouldn't they put Dumo & Pouliot together - partners in crime from WBS?

That leaves Lovejob & Cole? Not sure of the right & left shots in all that. Isn't Harro going to be Martin 2.0, shutdown turn off?
- Aussiepenguin

Maatta was the 2nd best dman on the team last year and he plays the left side so he and Letang should be good together. Rutherford already said he views Maatta as a top pairing player. Having two PMD together is fine. Especially in a team system predicated on having them.

Maatta was the 2nd best dman on the team last year and he plays the left side so he and Letang should be good together. Rutherford already said he views Maatta as a top pairing player. Having two PMD together is fine. Especially in a team system predicated on having them.
- jfkst1

I hope that plays out because it is going to get going real quick!

What's the rest then? Without trades.

I hope that plays out because it is going to get going real quick!

What's the rest then? Without trades.
- Aussiepenguin

Maatta - Letang

Cole - Pouliot (IMO) or Lovejoy - Pouliot

Dumo - Lovejoy (IMO) or Dumo - Cole.

And Scuderi BETTER (frank)ING BE NOT IN THE LINEUP!!! RAWRRRR!!!!

Maatta - Letang

Cole - Pouliot (IMO) or Lovejoy - Pouliot

Dumo - Lovejoy (IMO) or Dumo - Cole.

And Scuderi BETTER (frank)ING BE NOT IN THE LINEUP!!! RAWRRRR!!!!
- Guile

No Dumo with Pouliot? Too much risk? Didn't they play as partners in WBS?

Yes I hope Scuds is only used when no other D man is available! I'd like Chorney to get a go if possible.

No Dumo with Pouliot? Too much risk? Didn't they play as partners in WBS?

Yes I hope Scuds is only used when no other D man is available! I'd like Chorney to get a go if possible.
- Aussiepenguin

I don't consider Dumo - Pouliot a risk... I just find that the 3rd most likely mid pairing. Dumo Chourney was the pair more than with Pouliot, and we know how this organization operates. They are going to want Lovejoy in the mid pairing at all costs before bumping him down... same with not playing Scuds.

Maatta - Letang

Cole - Pouliot (IMO) or Lovejoy - Pouliot

Dumo - Lovejoy (IMO) or Dumo - Cole.

And Scuderi BETTER (frank)ING BE NOT IN THE LINEUP!!! RAWRRRR!!!!
- Guile

Agree entirely. IDK how Pens can have a competitive team if Scuderi is on the roster. One issue the Pens might have and something that fueled the Despres trade was the lack of RH dmen. Right now there is only Letang and Lovejoy with Cole being able to play both sides as a LH shot. Maatta, Pouliot, Dumoulin, and Harrington are all LH shots that prefer the left side.

I don't consider Dumo - Pouliot a risk... I just find that the 3rd most likely mid pairing. Dumo Chourney was the pair more than with Pouliot, and we know how this organization operates. They are going to want Lovejoy in the mid pairing at all costs before bumping him down... same with not playing Scuds.
- Guile

I think MJ looks more at adapting to what's in front of him than Disco in previous years. I don't think he will leave a liability if someone is better - although after seeing the playoffs, surely that showed Scuds as being a distant 8/9th when all D are healthy??? So if they support Lovejob - he's in, Scuds - he's in, so who is left?

Maatta Tanger
Lovejob, Pouliot (I think MJ loves Pouliot)
Scuds, Cole.

Pens: Bennett + Pouliot + this years second + next years first
Canes: Skinner + this years first (5th overall)

What say thee?

Edit: Maybe Sutter + Harrington/Dumo in place of DP if that means more value to CAR

Pens: Bennett + Pouliot + this years second + next years first
Canes: Skinner + this years first (5th overall)

What say thee?
- BourbonCounty

I hate it. I don't like Skinner and I don't want him.

I hate it. I don't like Skinner and I don't want him.
- jfkst1

Skinner is probably the most talented top 6 we can trade for. Getting that 5th overall pick would be huge. We could replace DP with that pick or go with more offense. Also Skinner provides an immediate and long term solution to the top 6. I would defintiely go for it but I feel like we still wouldn't be offering enough. Probably would have to add Sutter and we'd take another pick back.

Skinner is just about the perfect winger for Crosby. Excels both on the breakout and in the corners. Low center of gravity and huge legs like Crosby. Exceptionally creative.

I'm pretty sure most folks commenting have seen him play once or twice if that. But that's par for the course around here.

Skinner is probably the most talented top 6 we can trade for. Getting that 5th overall pick would be huge. We could replace DP with that pick or go with more offense. Also Skinner provides an immediate and long term solution to the top 6. I would defintiely go for it but I feel like we still wouldn't be offering enough. Probably would have to add Sutter and we'd take another pick back.
- BourbonCounty

I don't think Francis would do it in the first place.

Skinner is just about the perfect winger for Crosby. Excels both on the breakout and in the corners. Low center of gravity and huge legs like Crosby. Exceptionally creative.

I'm pretty sure most folks commenting have seen him play once or twice if that. But that's par for the course around here.
- hardnosed

I went to 8 Hurricanes games last year as it is the closest NHL team to me. Though I'm not quite sure why seeing him live is a requirement to have an accurate opinion on him.

I went to 8 Hurricanes games last year as it is the closest NHL team to me. Though I'm not quite sure why seeing him live is a requirement to have an accurate opinion on him.
- jfkst1

Well, Clint Eastwood says if you don't see him live he can't hit a curveball... and thats a scary ass old man, so I'll believe him.

Skinner is just about the perfect winger for Crosby. Excels both on the breakout and in the corners. Low center of gravity and huge legs like Crosby. Exceptionally creative.

I'm pretty sure most folks commenting have seen him play once or twice if that. But that's par for the course around here.
- hardnosed

Yeah I haven't watched the Canes in quite some time. They are usually snoozefest. I didn't realize Skinner was only 23, seems like he's been around for longer than that, but I guess he started at 18. He meets my #1 criteria...under 30.

Pulk is a RFA, then can offer sheet him and I dont think it would cost too much.

Im a bit nervous as to what JR has planned. This is probably his lost off season and I can't imagine hell go quietly.

I went to 8 Hurricanes games last year as it is the closest NHL team to me. Though I'm not quite sure why seeing him live is a requirement to have an accurate opinion on him.
- jfkst1

You pick up on a lot of small things you miss on TV. Crosby is the best at this. So many have told me they didn't realize how good he was until they saw him live even though the didn't score in a game. I noticed this with Maccinnon. That kid has some insane talent and speed.

Pens: Bennett + Pouliot + this years second + next years first
Canes: Skinner + this years first (5th overall)

What say thee?

Edit: Maybe Sutter + Harrington/Dumo in place of DP if that means more value to CAR
- BourbonCounty

Kind of torn on this. I hate the idea of trading Pouliot, he is about a year away from being a top pairing player. That being said, Skinner is a very talented player and that 5th will also get you an excellent player.

I like your second trade idea with Sutter & Harrington going rather than Bennett and Pouliot much better but not sure how Carolina would value that.