Someone needs to remind me on the scouting report on Mattias Ekholm, the Swede blue liner. Could he be a target for Sutter, if not Ellis?
- Oneonta Penguin

Both are good 2nd pairing guys and honestly Ekholm would probably be more ideal since he is large and still a solid PMD. But I think he is more valued by the Preds since he plays on the 2nd pairing already whereas Ellis is the #5. The problem is that the Pens have too many LH dmen. Only RH dmen are Lovejoy and Letang. Cole can play the right side. Martin, Ehrhoff, and Despres could play the right side as well. Every other dman for Pittsburgh pretty much only plays the left side.

I really don't think Pouliot should be traded. Kids gonna be a star. Promise.

Pouliot, Scuderi (if he'll go there), Harrington, 2016 1st rounder is the minimum I could see Dubas agreeing to. I really can't see them retaining salary since Kessel's contract is so long there is no way they are gonna agree to having a couple million against the cap when they are competing again.
- jfkst1

i agree. and for those reasons, id have to pass.

just no deal here that ultimately benefits the pens.

I really don't think Pouliot should be traded. Kids gonna be a star. Promise.
- BourbonCounty

i dont want to.

but, if hed bring in kessel for something like 6.5 per, it could be worth it to me.

a guy like frolik will only come in at likely a mil or so less than that.

but if theyre not retaining salary, and a first is also involved, and kapanen, it just becomes too much for too big of a hassle.

I think Beleskey would be great on the Pens.

How much do you think Beleskey will actually get and for how long of a contract? Where will he end up?
- so_buzz11

Belesky is totally, completely overrated. He's Matt Niskanen on steroids. There will be quick buyers remorse on whoever takes him at the price he will command.

Both are good 2nd pairing guys and honestly Ekholm would probably be more ideal since he is large and still a solid PMD. But I think he is more valued by the Preds since he plays on the 2nd pairing already whereas Ellis is the #5. The problem is that the Pens have too many LH dmen. Only RH dmen are Lovejoy and Letang. Cole can play the right side. Martin, Ehrhoff, and Despres could play the right side as well. Every other dman for Pittsburgh pretty much only plays the left side.
- jfkst1

I remember Ekholm, but couldn't remember which side he played on. We have too many LH men. I thought he might be a righty, but I was wrong. Thought he would be more appealing, at least from my standpoint than Ellis.

The match for Sutter to Nashville is a good one, but I just don't see a good deal coming back. Their prospect pool is shallow. Do you go Austin Watson and a pick, hoping he progresses. I know Nashville has been waiting for this kid to blossom, but hasn't, or do you go Calle Jarnkrok and a pick? I just don't see a good one for a forward.

I remember Ekholm, but couldn't remember which side he played on. We have too many LH men. I thought he might be a righty, but I was wrong. Thought he would be more appealing, at least from my standpoint than Ellis.

The match for Sutter to Nashville is a good one, but I just don't see a good deal coming back. Their prospect pool is shallow. Do you go Austin Watson and a pick, hoping he progresses. I know Nashville has been waiting for this kid to blossom, but hasn't, or do you go Calle Jarnkrok and a pick? I just don't see a good one for a forward.
- Oneonta Penguin

If all things were equal, I'd rather get Ekholm. But with the Pens having a serious lack of RH dmen (and Letang basically incapable of being healthy for an entire season), getting someone else in the top 4 on the right side makes a lot of sense. He's entirely expendable as Preds aren't moving him ahead of their RH dmen Weber or Jones anytime in the near future. It just depends on if Poile likes Sutter.

i dont want to.

but, if hed bring in kessel for something like 6.5 per, it could be worth it to me.

a guy like frolik will only come in at likely a mil or so less than that.

but if theyre not retaining salary, and a first is also involved, and kapanen, it just becomes too much for too big of a hassle.
- stayinthefnnet

Still don't know if I'd do it. Pouliot should be much more adjusted to the NHL next season and he's also perfected HCMJ's system. Maatta did it, why not Pouliot? He was drafted higher but stayed in JRs and won the CHL defenseman of the year award. I feel like over time, Pouliot will be better than Letang. Imagine having Letang and a baby Karlsson on the team next year. The kid is the second highest rated defenseman and I know I wouldn't take Nurse over DP.

please someone provide the sanity check that pittsburgh would not trade pouliot or maatta for kessel and that long contract. what does the contract look a few yrs from now? no thanks.
- i'mjustafan

The contract will probably look like Letang's does now. REmember everyone was freaking out about his contract at the time? Doesn't look so bad now does it?

If Beleskey and Soderberg get 5 million each, is 8 million for Phil bad? In two years will it be bad? Teams will probably be wishing they could get 35-40 goal scorers for 8 million in two to three years lol

Pouliot, Kapanen and Scuderi for Kessel @ six per... Only way I do the deal. Otherwise I let them sit on that contract. Leafs are hampered by the NTC. This deal won't be made before July 1 anyway...isn't Kessel do a 4 million dollar bonus then?

Still don't know if I'd do it. Pouliot should be much more adjusted to the NHL next season and he's also perfected HCMJ's system. Maatta did it, why not Pouliot? He was drafted higher but stayed in JRs and won the CHL defenseman of the year award. I feel like over time, Pouliot will be better than Letang. Imagine having Letang and a baby Karlsson on the team next year. The kid is the second highest rated defenseman and I know I wouldn't take Nurse over DP.
- BourbonCounty

Before they were drafted Pouliot was compared to Dan Boyle and Määttä compared to Seabrook.

Pouliot, Kapanen and Scuderi for Kessel @ six per... Only way I do the deal. Otherwise I let them sit on that contract. Leafs are hampered by the NTC. This deal won't be made before July 1 anyway...isn't Kessel do a 4 million dollar bonus then?
- nelson911

I Would work hard not to put Pouliot on this deal. The guy will be a star soon. Make them take Sutter/Dumoulin instead. I'd love to keep Harrington too but he might be used in a trade.

I think Fehr is good (as I said - if Sutter is gone). The one problem with Fehr is that he had some injuries at the very end of the year. He actually played on the 4th line for Wash. in the playoffs in a limited role.
Beagle played great in the playoffs and is great on face-offs (60%) and can play C or RW and is actually very good on the PK (I believe 2nd in PK time of Washington forwards). He can hit a little also. I think Beagle would be better than Winnik or Downie for the money.
- so_buzz11

I guess I wouldn't be too surprised if one (if not both) of these guys are wearing Pens sweaters next year. Either player adds needed depth AND size upfront. Beagle netted 10 in 62 - while Fehr had 19 in 75. Both guys are 29 and 6'3" 215'ish. These are the kind of UFA signing's that might not have a 'wow factor', but add to depth/ balance.

Could Pens get JVR?

I Would work hard not to put Pouliot on this deal. The guy will be a star soon. Make them take Sutter/Dumoulin instead. I'd love to keep Harrington too but he might be used in a trade.
- Barnaby36

No kidding, trying to throw out something reasonable even thou the leafs fans will call this crazy but I'm asking them to take 2 mil every year for 7 years.... That's a lot.... Oh and Rob Scuderi.

If they would take Sutter Harrington and Kapanen and Scuderi while throwing us a second piece I would do that too

I think shanny is looking for a major culture change and Kessel just ain't welcome there.

Could Pens get JVR?
- so_buzz11

Not saying I know anything.... But no they can't

Not saying I know anything.... But no they can't
- nelson911

I'd rather get Van Riemsdyk than Kessel for this team.

I'd rather get Van Riemsdyk than Kessel for this team.
- Barnaby36

Yep same here , but they would lose too many pieces getting him. Very affordable at 4.25 for 3 years and he's only 26

I'd rather get Van Riemsdyk than Kessel for this team.
- Barnaby36

Sorry guys. This is a BIG rumor. I don't know who this "reporter" is - but this seems impossible. (Maybe Penguins feel TOR is playing around with these Kessel rumors so they leak this rumor. I try to find real info - so this could just be BS on twitter.

https://twitter.com/KBJel...status/614304920582402048

Kessel and JVR for Letang pending a Scuderi buyout.

I don't know anything about this reporter, Kyle Bennett.

Sorry guys. This is a BIG rumor. I don't know who this "reporter" is - but this seems impossible. (Maybe Penguins feel TOR is playing around with these Kessel rumors so they leak this rumor. I try to find real info - so this could just be BS on twitter.

https://twitter.com/KBJel...status/614304920582402048

Kessel and JVR for Letang pending a Scuderi buyout.

I don't know anything about this reporter, Kyle Bennett.
- so_buzz11

Nah, don't see it... Makes zero sense for the Leafs.

Just another guy like Hockeyinsiderr... Don't be fooled

Nah, don't see it... Makes zero sense for the Leafs.

Just another guy like Hockeyinsiderr... Don't be fooled
- nelson911

I kind of agree. Even for the Pens, the D currently is just one player away from not being real good. The Pens would have to have another signing of a blueliner in the bag like Martin at a discount or some other D.

Looking at the possibility of having Kessel seems like a dream. But depending on what cost? Remember we will depending on our young D to lift the load next year - will we be able to take full advantage of having Kessel? I believe after next year we will be in a hugely better position with our D having a year together & in the big league - game on! Will getting Kessel now pay dividends?

Paying Frolik 1m over as has been suggested seems contradictory to our needs. Patience may be our best asset at the moment. If we get the 2 Russians, again they will need time to adjust & how many quote James Neal having a crappy first season? Next years FA is a lot better. Patch up the team & play our young D get our new recruits on the small ice & flush the team & hopefully play playoff hockey!

Or (frank) it - smash it out grab Kessel & hope we score more than we concede!

Sutter to the Oil - bank it! Going down as we speak (well you sleeping me watching the footy - go the Rabbitohs!!!!!!!!!).

Sutter to the Oil - bank it! Going down as we speak (well you sleeping me watching the footy - go the Rabbitohs!!!!!!!!!).
- Aussiepenguin

Doesn't seem like they have a need for him. I could see Nashville get desperate if they don't sign ribero and jr has completed trade with them recently

Doesn't seem like they have a need for him. I could see Nashville get desperate if they don't sign ribero and jr has completed trade with them recently
- dbell646

They'll take him to keep the seat warm until trade deadline & flip him for a first & have Draisatl play.