There is no good reason to be actively seeking out Russians to pay to play hockey. Maybe their parents will slap high fives with Malkins parents when they all don't score for 15 games at a time.

Yeah, they can't even talk to him until tomorrow. We should start to hear lots of fresh info once that starts.
- Tojo.

I've set myself up for failure because I couldn't just be happy with the Plotnikov signing and had to imidiately look towards Viktor Tikhnov. I can only be disappointed now when I could have just been happy with the pleasant surprise...

I've set myself up for failure because I couldn't just be happy with the Plotnikov signing and had to imidiately look towards Viktor Tikhnov. I can only be disappointed now when I could have just been happy with the pleasant surprise...
- Victoro311

'MERICA!

There is no good reason to be actively seeking out Russians to pay to play hockey. Maybe their parents will slap high fives with Malkins parents when they all don't score for 15 games at a time.
- Grinder47

I can't wait for Plotnikov to prove you wrong. He looks like a fierce competitor. Honestly I'm all most positive that you're a paradoy account. Either that or you're 70 years old and were deeply traumatized by the Cold War. But even that doesn't explain your affinity for Craig Adams.

There is no good reason to be actively seeking out Russians to pay to play hockey. Maybe their parents will slap high fives with Malkins parents when they all don't score for 15 games at a time.
- Grinder47

There are some Russians I don't want anywhere near this team due to their work ethic or politics (Semin, Radulov), however, if there is a guy that is skilled, talented, is a fierce competitor that CARES and busts his ass, I'm all for it.

Your post sounds a bit over the top, even for me.

There is no good reason to be actively seeking out Russians to pay to play hockey. Maybe their parents will slap high fives with Malkins parents when they all don't score for 15 games at a time.
- Grinder47

Beggars can't be choosers. The Penguins don't have a lot of economical options when they really need to fill a lot of roster spots (especially when they really need 2 top 6 wingers to really have a good full roster).

I agree with Ryan Wilson for the first time in a long time, is there a full moon tonight?

late to the party, but this is some pretty great news.

not planning the cup parade, but its just a good sign. if anything, at least it shows they acknowledge the problem and are going after free assets.

even the riley thing. didnt get him, but im glad they tried. granted you can only go off of what you hear, but in the past it seems like they were never even linked to guys.

http://www.reddit.com/r/penguins/comments/3awclw/blackhawks_beat_writer_penguins_among_3_teams/csgx9ku?context=3

I'm pretty sure you owe me for writing this latest column for you.
- HopkinsFC

Wow that guy is ridiculously stupid. The guy on his team that he watches play 80+ games a year is better than the guys he might see play 2-3 times a year, wow whodathunkit? All you need is the old eye test eh buddy, what a dumbass?

I've set myself up for failure because I couldn't just be happy with the Plotnikov signing and had to imidiately look towards Viktor Tikhnov. I can only be disappointed now when I could have just been happy with the pleasant surprise...
- Victoro311

You mentioned Tikhonov earlier today before I heard or saw anything on the internet about that option. By the end of the day, everyone was talking about BOTH Plotnikov and Tikhonov.

-Good call by you.

Hopefully, the Pens can finalize the deal and sign Both!

there is no reason to try to acquire sharp. you have to give up assets and pay 2M more. for what?

perron-sid-horny
plotnikov-geno-kunitz
dupers-anyone coming back for sutter-spaling
XX-sundqvist-spaling
- i'mjustafan

You forgot Tikhonov, Bennet, Wilson. Put Dupuis on the 4th line with Oskar and Wilson. Put Tikhonov on the 2nd line with Malkin and Plotnikov(we can call it the Malkin-Ov line) Then Kunitz, Mathias or Soderberg(whoever) and the guy they trade Sutter for. All of a sudden we have too many wingers, gotta love how that works.

I still want tlusty and I'll take either boedker or kadri.

Reason I want kuni gone is age and cap hit. Plus I feel having kuni and dupuis on this team. They won't be 3rd line guys where they should be playing. Did will want them on top line and coaches will give in. This isn't 3-4 yes ago. They are not the best line anymore.

Plus kuni and spaling could fetch a 2nd+ to some teams with 2 2nd rd picks.

Dump scuds for an RFA rights and sutter for another pick. Let the kids play. Look at TB and Chicago. They let the youth play and learn from their mistakes.
- nh4442

Sutter is the best tradeable asset they have and you want to trade him for a pick? What a waste of a resource. Makes no sense

You mentioned Tikhonov earlier today before I heard or saw anything on the internet about that option. By the end of the day, everyone was talking about BOTH Plotnikov and Tikhonov.

-Good call by you.

Hopefully, the Pens can finalize the deal and sign Both!
- so_buzz11

Tikhonov was always a guy that I thought just made a lot of sense for the Penguins. Would come cheap, plays every position, and his style of play would translate easily to NA hockey. Phenomenal depth signing if not top 6. Part of me always wanted him more than the boom or bust Panarin. The thing was that I realized today when the Plotnikov agreement came out that I had heard zilch of any teams tied to Tikhonov. The fact that Pitt landed Plotnikov gave me hope because that, coupled with the Mike Reilly saga, finally proved that we were going after these types of FAs, which nothing prior had indicated. And sure enough, now we're tied to Viktor. Good job Rutherford. You have surely made your fair share of blunders, but this is not one of them. Just want it to be tomorrow already so we can start talking to UFAs. I want reports about Rutherford talking to Tikhonov's and Soderberg's agents bright and early.

There is no good reason to be actively seeking out Russians to pay to play hockey. Maybe their parents will slap high fives with Malkins parents when they all don't score for 15 games at a time.
- Grinder47

I missed you

ginders scrotum here ()()

you know you like it.

Tikhonov was always a guy that I thought just made a lot of sense for the Penguins. Would come cheap, plays every position, and his style of play would translate easily to NA hockey. Phenomenal depth signing if not top 6. Part of me always wanted him more than the boom or bust Panarin. The thing was that I realized today when the Plotnikov agreement came out that I had heard zilch of any teams tied to Tikhonov. The fact that Pitt landed Plotnikov gave me hope because that, coupled with the Mike Reilly saga, finally proved that we were going after these types of FAs, which nothing prior had indicated. And sure enough, now we're tied to Viktor. Good job Rutherford. You have surely made your fair share of blunders, but this is not one of them. Just want it to be tomorrow already so we can start talking to UFAs. I want reports about Rutherford talking to Tikhonov's and Soderberg's agents bright and early.
- Victoro311

You seem to have a better idea of the Russian players then most of us do. Do you think Tikhonov and Plotnikov are top 6 answers or 3rd liners? They seem like tweeners to me and I don't want two tweeners playing with Malkin though one is fine.

Unless CHI is giving Sharp away for minimal costs, there is no reason to get him.

- Feds91Stammer

You're not getting Maatta. Be gone.

You're not getting Maatta. Be gone.
- Victoro311

When did I ask for Maatta?

Unless CHI is giving Sharp away for minimal costs, there is no reason to get him.
- jfkst1

kap and bennett and 1st is minimum right? I mean... bennett almost makes the 1st a 7th... but still....

You seem to have a better idea of the Russian players then most of us do. Do you think Tikhonov and Plotnikov are top 6 answers or 3rd liners? They seem like tweeners to me and I don't want two tweeners playing with Malkin though one is fine.
- Tojo.

Most the available wingers that won't cost major assets are tweeners. Best to acquire the ones with the lowest costs.

When did I ask for Maatta?
- Feds91Stammer

never.

although i must ask, dont you get bored posting the same picture over and over?

You seem to have a better idea of the Russian players then most of us do. Do you think Tikhonov and Plotnikov are top 6 answers or 3rd liners? They seem like tweeners to me and I don't want two tweeners playing with Malkin though one is fine.
- Tojo.

I really don't. Anything I know you can easily figure out on your own. I've just been paying as much attention as I can to these guys so I can be as informed as possible.

Plotnikov I am almost positive will be in the top 6. I don't want to drive this comparison into the ground because it keeps being made, but he really reminds me of the Russian Patrick Hornqvist but meaner and with a better shot. His physical play will translate well into smaller NA ice.

Tikhonov I see more as a top 9 guy. From everything I've gathered he is a very responsible two way player and his offensive game is built on a tenacious forecheck. He seems to have a pretty accurate shot and has good enough hands/hockey IQ to create offense for himself and facilitate for others. I think what you're looking at is a more offensively gifted Pascal Dupuis. If he meshes with one of our centers then he can be a phenomenal compliment, and if he doesn't, then he'll be a phenomenal depth guy with the ability to slot up with injury.

As for this fabled Hammer and Sickle Line that we all have a hard on for now, it could work and it could not. A pure scoring wing would look awful good on the other wing with Malkin's play making ability and Plotnikov's bull-doggedness, which Tikhonov is not. But then again, a line that consists of Malkin and two defensively responsible forecheckers that can score could be just as lethal.

When did I ask for Maatta?
- Feds91Stammer

My apologies. What do you want then?

I really don't. Anything I know you can easily figure out on your own. I've just been paying as much attention as I can to these guys so I can be as informed as possible.

Plotnikov I am almost positive will be in the top 6. I don't want to drive this comparison into the ground because it keeps being made, but he really reminds me of the Russian Patrick Hornqvist but meaner and with a better shot. His physical play will translate well into smaller NA ice.

Tikhonov I see more as a top 9 guy. From everything I've gathered he is a very responsible two way player and his offensive game is built on a tenacious forecheck. He seems to have a pretty accurate shot and has good enough hands/hockey IQ to create offense for himself and facilitate for others. I think what you're looking at is a more offensively gifted Pascal Dupuis. If he meshes with one of our centers then he can be a phenomenal compliment, and if he doesn't, then he'll be a phenomenal depth guy with the ability to slot up with injury.

As for this fabled Hammer and Sickle Line that we all have a hard on for now, it could work and it could not. A pure scoring wing would look awful good on the other wing with Malkin's play making ability and Plotnikov's bull-doggedness, which Tikhonov is not. But then again, a line that consists of Malkin and two defensively responsible forecheckers that can score could be just as lethal.
- Victoro311

I love your posts, you always give an idea of what you see in a player when you're talking about them.

Two things really excite me about the idea of signing Tikanov and creating a Russian line are;
first the two incoming will have a lot to prove. They'll want to prove to themselves that they could have always played in the NHL and not just in some second rate league. Malkin also ties into this as he is proudly Russian, and dominating in the NHL with two of his fellow country men will/should be a point of honour for him (them).
Secondly related to the first is the story line of all of that. Is anyone seriously not interested in what a pure Russian line can do? We haven't seen one in what decades? Also this mixture of players forms a complete and complimentary line. Superstar, big rugged winger, and quick two way player.

Anyone here think Malkin has something to do with the orchestration of this?