Since we're on the subject of KHL defectors: anyone else notice that there is absolutely no chatter on Viktor Tikhinov? He, Panarin, and Moses were the three biggest names when the defecting extracaganza started. Panarin and Moses already found homes but there's not even speculation about where Tikhinov will end up. Not being able to even speculate racks my nerves.

Dude needs to be done! Nice guy or not. He needs to understand what is better for the team and his health. A 35+ player who has been riddled with injuries the last two yes, one which is life threatening. Cmon.he needs to be done. I don't understand the fatuation with keeping him. He isn't like jagr or teemu. I'm glad he did well with did and kuni years ago but the pens can't rely on him anymore to be a top 6 player. Move on already. Keep him as a coach or in the org. But not on the ice

End rant
- nh4442

People said the same thing after his ACL repair and at least in the small sample size we were given, he was as good as ever. We'll see. He couldn't be any worse for the team than Scuderi.

At least we can stop with the semin talk now
- nh4442

At least Platnikov seems like he is more gritty than Semin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I01Ncx4VSno

Sheary is like 5'9-5'10 or something. 180lbs.
He has a knack for scoring, great speed, relentless forechecking presence. He is going to be a cheap and effective 4th liner.
- usethe1-2-2

I've seen him listed at 5'8" and either 180 or 160. If it's 160, not a chance.

At least Platnikov seems like he is more gritty than Semin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I01Ncx4VSno
- so_buzz11

I will slap slap slappity slap you!

I've seen him listed at 5'8" and either 180 or 160. If it's 160, not a chance.
- sammy87

That makes him heavier than Johnny Gaudreau.

People said the same thing after his ACL repair and at least in the small sample size we were given, he was as good as ever. We'll see. He couldn't be any worse for the team than Scuderi.
- jfkst1

or Beau Bennett

That makes him heavier than Johnny Gaudreau.
- jmatchett383

Let's not kid ourselves though. Johnny Hockey is an offensive phenom. Sheary's not at his level.

People said the same thing after his ACL repair and at least in the small sample size we were given, he was as good as ever. We'll see. He couldn't be any worse for the team than Scuderi.
- jfkst1

Last year he had 1 really good game then mellowed out before his blood clot. I wouldn't hold game 1 as the bench mark. Remember he was on the 4th line at 29 yrs old (in his prime) when they won a cup last....6 yrs ago. If they move Kuni and Dupes is healthy enough for a bottom 6 role fine, if not time to move on. They can't have both of them on this roster.

At least we can stop with the semin talk now
- nh4442

I don't know... I am thinking an all Russian 2nd line now.

Since we're on the subject of KHL defectors: anyone else notice that there is absolutely no chatter on Viktor Tikhinov? He, Panarin, and Moses were the three biggest names when the defecting extracaganza started. Panarin and Moses already found homes but there's not even speculation about where Tikhinov will end up. Not being able to even speculate racks my nerves.
- Victoro311

He can't talk to any teams like other UFAs because his rights are still owned by Arizona. You'll hear more once the UFA negotiation period starts.

Let's not kid ourselves though. Johnny Hockey is an offensive phenom. Sheary's not at his level.
- Victoro311

Oh, absolutely not. Still, 160 lb isn't a death sentence.

Dude needs to be done! Nice guy or not. He needs to understand what is better for the team and his health. A 35+ player who has been riddled with injuries the last two yes, one which is life threatening. Cmon.he needs to be done. I don't understand the fatuation with keeping him. He isn't like jagr or teemu. I'm glad he did well with did and kuni years ago but the pens can't rely on him anymore to be a top 6 player. Move on already. Keep him as a coach or in the org. But not on the ice

End rant
- nh4442

If Doctors, who I assume are more knowledgeable than you and I combined, tell him that under his drug therapy there are no risk and that he will be closely monitored, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't play if he wants to. The guy has been an important part of this team successes over the years and he hasn't showed that his presence his hurting the Pens when he is actually playing. The Pens are probably going to loose a few key forwards on the PK (Adams, Sutter, Lapierre) and could use a guy like Dupuis right there. He is also a NHL player that can play pretty much anywhere in the lineup, which the Pens have few in their prospect pipe right now. Is it the ideal scenario for him to be skating on the 1st line? Nope, but it's better than what we have aside from him right now. Riddled with injuries is also a bit over-exaggerated. Apart from his knee getting blown out and his blot clot, the dude has pretty much played every games since joining the Pens, that itself is an accomplishment on this team. If we should start getting rid of players that were that much "riddled with injuries", Sid, Malkin, Letang, Bennett would all be gone.

2008-2009 PENGUINS 71
2009-2010 PENGUINS 81
2010-2011 PENGUINS 81
2011-2012 PENGUINS 82
2012-2013 PENGUINS 48 (lock out season)
2013-2014 PENGUINS 39
2014-2015 PENGUINS 16

I don't expect him to be a Jagr or Teemu kinda guy but what he brings to the team is still valuable IMO.

I don't know... I am thinking an all Russian 2nd line now.
- Guile

BRING BACK KOVALCHUK!

That makes him heavier than Johnny Gaudreau.
- jmatchett383

Wow hes listed at 150LBS!

I don't know... I am thinking an all Russian 2nd line now.
- Guile

He can't talk to any teams like other UFAs because his rights are still owned by Arizona. You'll hear more once the UFA negotiation period starts.
- cap1681

On top of that, I think he still hasn't cancelled his contract in the KHL like Panarin and Plotknikov did which suggests that he might be intended on playing his final year over there and then coming to the NHL?

He can't talk to any teams like other UFAs because his rights are still owned by Arizona. You'll hear more once the UFA negotiation period starts.
- cap1681

Are they now? Does that mean he can still come back on an ELC? Tikhinov's situations confuses me...

On top of that, I think he still hasn't cancelled his contract in the KHL like Panarin and Plotknikov did which suggests that he might be intended on playing his final year over there and then coming to the NHL?
- lpstjg

His contract is up in the KHL

The way the Pens get better...minus a big trade of core players...finding the diamond in the rough.

Wow hes listed at 150LBS!
- sammy87

That's generous. Dude's a stick.

Are they now? Does that mean he can still come back on an ELC? Tikhinov's situations confuses me...
- Victoro311

I don't think so. He will be a UFA on July 1st, so he can sign any contract he wants.

Last year he had 1 really good game then mellowed out before his blood clot. I wouldn't hold game 1 as the bench mark. Remember he was on the 4th line at 29 yrs old (in his prime) when they won a cup last....6 yrs ago. If they move Kuni and Dupes is healthy enough for a bottom 6 role fine, if not time to move on. They can't have both of them on this roster.
- sammy87

He has spoken at great length about how he has dramatically improved his game as a late bloomer so I'm not sure why that is relevant at all.
Shooting percentage, PDO, possession numbers all looked sustainable/comparable to what it was before injury. I know how an inkling of positivity can ruin your day, but I really don't see any precipitous drop in his numbers that should bring alarm. Small sample size but it is what we have to work with.

Are they now? Does that mean he can still come back on an ELC? Tikhinov's situations confuses me...
- Victoro311

According to this http://www.wingingitinmot...cba-episode-3-free-agency:

The easiest-to-define class. If you've accrued 7 seasons (with the same definitions as laid out about how 18 and 19-year olds accrue differently), you're a UFA. If you haven't accrued those 7 seasons by the time you hit age 27, you get to be a UFA anyway.

I think he is now 27, therefore would become UFA in this off-season. But until July 1st, he remains Coyotes property.

He has spoken at great length about how he has dramatically improved his game as a late bloomer so I'm not sure why that is relevant at all.
Shooting percentage, PDO, possession numbers all looked sustainable/comparable to what it was before injury. I know how an inkling of positivity can ruin your day, but I really don't see any precipitous drop in his numbers that should bring alarm. Small sample size but it is what we have to work with.
- jfkst1

Again, move Kuni and put him in the bottom 6. Cant have both those guys on the roster. 1 of their contracts should be going to someone in their 20's in the top 6.