Salary relief, I should say. The team is for sale and bleeding money right now.
- BINGO!

I knew Rutherford was a bad GM, but I didn't realize he had completely ruined the franchise. Good hire by the Pens ownership with him.

What would you expect to get back for Semin from the Pens?
- jfkst1

Not sure, but if the Canes have to retain salary than they don't want to take muh back, I can tell you that much.

They know what they have with him talent-wise.

To be fair, just about every pro athlete has some form of concussion history.

Im starting to get more intrigued by Loui Ericson. He might be much cheaper to obtain, BOS needs to dump cap, he has 1 yr left, always been a 20+ goal scorer. Swedes usually have a responsible 2-way game.
- sammy87

Someone brought up Bennett for Ericsson last night. In no way shape or form do I think Boston does that, because Ericsson's value is a lot higher than Bennett's. If Boston would be dumb enough to do that, I would do it quickly and not look back. If Ericsson doesn't do anything here, which would be unlikely, he is gone after this coming year. It's not like Bennett offers anything.

I would take a flier on him because you aren't locked up long term on him.

One of Kapanens biggest weaknesses is his defensive game. I'm pretty sure he was compared to skinner when he was drafted. At least with skinner you're guaranteed a proven top 6 player. Kap still is an unknown.
- drummer829

I'm all for bringing in Skinner but not at the price of Kapanen. Sutter and Harrington, maybe. But I'd really like to see the Pens actually develop someone in their system.

I knew Rutherford was a bad GM, but I didn't realize he had completely ruined the franchise. Good hire by the Pens ownership with him.
- jfkst1

I really don't think people wanted this job as much as many think. I think that involves not only GM, but head coach. It was McQuire or JR ... which would you rather have? Pick your poison. I wonder if JR didn't have previous ties to this franchise if he would be here.

I knew Rutherford was a bad GM, but I didn't realize he had completely ruined the franchise. Good hire by the Pens ownership with him.
- jfkst1

Rutherford didn't ruin squat. Team ownership has to approve budgets, if your ownership lets you spend to cap one season but not the next two, that is difficult to plan for. We saw what poor ownership did here and we had a great gm for years.

Not sure, but if the Canes have to retain salary than they don't want to take muh back, I can tell you that much.

They know what they have with him talent-wise.
- BINGO!

So you think they just want to dump Semin for salary relief as well?

So you think they just want to dump Semin for salary relief as well?
- jfkst1

They want salary relief from one of the worst contracts in the NHL.

I knew Rutherford was a bad GM, but I didn't realize he had completely ruined the franchise. Good hire by the Pens ownership with him.
- jfkst1

Not so much Rutherford, more having a billionaire owner who doesn't want to spend any money on the front office of the team or in marketing.

And he raised ticket prices after having one of the worst attendance years in over a decade.

Someone brought up Bennett for Ericsson last night. In no way shape or form do I think Boston does that, because Ericsson's value is a lot higher than Bennett's. If Boston would be dumb enough to do that, I would do it quickly and not look back. If Ericsson doesn't do anything here, which would be unlikely, he is gone after this coming year. It's not like Bennett offers anything.

I would take a flier on him because you aren't locked up long term on him.
- Oneonta Penguin

I had BB + Harrington for Loui.....BOS needs to dump cap, Loui has a yr left, BOS loses cap and adds 1 cheaper roster player and a D prospect. Seems fair, but you never know.

Living in CO I watch a lot of AV's games, I love Landeskogs game. Its not too far from a lot of other Swedes and Fins....If I were a GM I would keep that in mind building a team.

You don't get it. They won't do a one for one deal. We have to add.
- Oneonta Penguin

Was not suggesting a one for one deal.

Would prefer not to have Sutter involved at all. Kapanen, Harrington, 2016 pick.

Russell traded after he cleared waivers. Surprised we got anything.

Perron had no place on our team but MPS and a second is a weak return.

Miller trade is the worst one (hindsight is 20/20)

I am still satisfied with the Ian Cole trade. Not saying the Blues won it yet just saying the franchise and the fan base were beyond tired on waiting for him to come around.

Michalek was a useful rental, wish we could afford to have him stay.


Was this a guest blog by our very own Trust In Jarmo?

Russell traded after he cleared waivers. Surprised we got anything.

Perron had no place on our team but MPS and a second is a weak return.

Miller trade is the worst one (hindsight is 20/20)

I am still satisfied with the Ian Cole trade. Not saying the Blues won it yet just saying the franchise and the fan base were beyond tired on waiting for him to come around.

Michalek was a useful rental, wish we could afford to have him stay.


Was this a guest blog by our very own Trust In Jarmo?
- Yeah Boyes

You just listed, in your own words... 3 weak returns, an unknown, and a rental that you couldn't keep.

Ummm... how do you criticize a blog calling Blues bad traders?

Penguins sign Kuhnhackl! Penguins sign Kuhnhackl!

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Tom Kuhnhackl to a one-year contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford. The deal is a two-way deal that carries an average annual value of $575,000 at the NHL level.

I can breathe easier now.

I had BB + Harrington for Loui.....BOS needs to dump cap, Loui has a yr left, BOS loses cap and adds 1 cheaper roster player and a D prospect. Seems fair, but you never know.

Living in CO I watch a lot of AV's games, I love Landeskogs game. Its not too far from a lot of other Swedes and Fins....If I were a GM I would keep that in mind building a team.
- sammy87

What do you think it would take for Lucic?

Id love ROR and Landeskog. Never happen of course.

You just listed, in your own words... 3 weak returns, an unknown, and a rental that you couldn't keep.

Ummm... how do you criticize a blog calling Blues bad traders?
- Guile

I didn't criticize the blog.

I didn't criticize the blog.
- Yeah Boyes

o_O ok... guess I'll just etch-et-sketch the calling it a guest blog like it didn't happen.

What do you think it would take for Lucic?

Id love ROR and Landeskog. Never happen of course.
- jfkst1

Yes it could....we would have to be willing to give up assets like #58, 51 & 3

They want salary relief from one of the worst contracts in the NHL.
- Oneonta Penguin

And it amazes me that everyone wants the player on the deal. Even at 50% retained it's a huge risk. Why not just get Richards for cheaper? I don't want either BTW

And it amazes me that everyone wants the player on the deal. Even at 50% retained it's a huge risk. Why not just get Richards for cheaper? I don't want either BTW
- BourbonCounty

The upside is immensely higher with Semin than almost anything we could obtain for 3.5-4 mil... at nearly no assets.

What do you think it would take for Lucic?

Id love ROR and Landeskog. Never happen of course.
- jfkst1

Lucic isn't worth the cap hit. I'd rather sign Soderberg for over 4mill than take on Lucic's 6mill and have to give up assets.

o_O ok... guess I'll just etch-et-sketch the calling it a guest blog like it didn't happen.
- Guile

More of a dig at TIJ than anyone else. I figured he would be in here by now, this blog is going to make his pants tighten.

Was not suggesting a one for one deal.

Would prefer not to have Sutter involved at all. Kapanen, Harrington, 2016 pick.
- hardnosed

No ... we can't be trading away assets like that for an injury prone player.

You know Ryan, you made the same mistake with MAF. Saying they have to say these things... then BOOM, extension. I doubt the team wastes money buying him out. With Maatta, Pouliot, Dumo, Harrington, Cole... scuds will likely be a part of the top 7. And until I see the numbers from someone that he is dramatically worse than the average teams bottom pairing guys I'm not sold he is a mojor problem... though paying 2.5 mil or so extra isnt pleasent.

The upside is immensely higher with Semin than almost anything we could obtain for 3.5-4 mil... at nearly no assets.
- Guile

But the risk is also immensely higher than signing a UFA for the same cap hit with no assets