The story out of LA seems to be Richards just doesn't have the heart and refuses to give the effort to stay in the NHL. Why would you want to bring that here? He's the last thing we need. We need young, fast and hungry players not lazy and content ones.

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Honestly, do you believe that is the case? For someone who was that high regarded and paid as such to suddenly quit... I just don't believe it.

Hell, I personally never and still don't like him as a player... he was a Flyer, usually thats an instant dislike, but right now, hes a soon to be UFA that could be dirt cheap with one of the highest potential upsides ever.

Quotes decided to stop working...


Honestly, do you believe that is the case? For someone who was that high regarded and paid as such to suddenly quit... I just don't believe it.

Hell, I personally never and still don't like him as a player... he was a Flyer, usually thats an instant dislike, but right now, hes a soon to be UFA that could be dirt cheap with one of the highest potential upsides ever.
- Guile

Go read the article on TSN. Lombardi basically calls him a quitter. So yes, I do believe it. Some players get fat and happy.

I'll never forget when he signed that big deal with the Flyers. He immediately looked like a different player after it. He's the anti-Crosby.

Hence my wanting Richards just as an experienced body down there... If Sundqvist isn't ready for the NHL right away, which is fine at that young, you have Richards to man the line. Or he can play wing down there... I am just being optimistic on these reclamation type players, but I just see no downside to a player who is almost certainly getting 1 mil or less. Hell, he might take a 2 year deal for 1.5 mil just for some mental stability in a team trusting him. Not like we'd lose much at all sending him to the AHL.


Again... no one can convince me with any graph, chart, or polygraph test that Richards wouldn't be an improvement over Adams... and he has an IMMENSE upside, an extreme upside even.
- Guile

Neither Adams or Richards are/were viable options. Of course that's my opinion... if we're talking 4L mins, then I'd prefer Sundqvist, Rust, etc... over washed-up players.

The story out of LA seems to be Richards just doesn't have the heart and refuses to give the effort to stay in the NHL. Why would you want to bring that here? He's the last thing we need. We need young, fast and hungry players not lazy and content ones.

Virtually anybody would be better than Adams. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to sign the guy.
- madmike71

+ Caught a story couple weeks back about LAK/ Richards offseason responsibilities. LAK's wanted him to stick around during the summer for training, but he decided to bolting home was the better option. His conditioning was always questioned, so Kings management had concerns. He thought otherwise. Btw... it was well known that Richards was not happy w/ 4th line mins in LA. His skills and production diminished and the LAK's had better options ahead of him.

Idk how many of you subsribe to DK's site but Yohe just posted an interesting post.

Says Frolik is main FA target. They like him short term to be a top six but also like that he could drop to a bottom six if Kap turns out to be what he is or they get a STAR top 6 wing. Yes, they still looking at Kessel if Toronto takes more cap burden from them. Frolik will be a target no matter if they make a trade or not.

Says Belesky is not even going to be looked at, too much money. Hearing it will take over 6 per season to get him. Last says thoughts on Tlusty are "murky". He basically said no one was talked about him but with GMJR as his previous GM, you never know.

Idk how many of you subsribe to DK's site but Yohe just posted an interesting post.

Says Frolik is main FA target. They like him short term to be a top six but also like that he could drop to a bottom six if Kap turns out to be what he is or they get a STAR top 6 wing. Yes, they still looking at Kessel if Toronto takes more cap burden from them. Frolik will be a target no matter if they make a trade or not.

Says Belesky is not even going to be looked at, too much money. Hearing it will take over 6 per season to get him. Last says thoughts on Tlusty are "murky". He basically said no one was talked about him but with GMJR as his previous GM, you never know.
- mmonana120

Just read it. If adding 2mil to his salary of 3.3 is modest, then yes, he'll get modest raise. I hope it works out. I'm not so sure.

I think Tlusty will ultimately be a Penguin next week.

Belesky at 6mil is insanity.

Idk how many of you subsribe to DK's site but Yohe just posted an interesting post.

Says Frolik is main FA target. They like him short term to be a top six but also like that he could drop to a bottom six if Kap turns out to be what he is or they get a STAR top 6 wing. Yes, they still looking at Kessel if Toronto takes more cap burden from them. Frolik will be a target no matter if they make a trade or not.

Says Belesky is not even going to be looked at, too much money. Hearing it will take over 6 per season to get him. Last says thoughts on Tlusty are "murky". He basically said no one was talked about him but with GMJR as his previous GM, you never know.
- mmonana120

Unless Pens can find value in someone like Parenteau as a UFA or make a Sutter as the centerpiece trade, I still prefer overpaying for Frolik in contract more than almost any other rumored trade options. Basically anything to do with unloading the Pens future I want nothing to do with.

I am not sure how in the hell Beleskey would get over $6m/yr. unless it was a one year deal. Soderberg has been much more productive the last two years and is much more versatile and he didn't get close to that.

So now everyone realizes that scuds, kuni, spaling, sutter are garbage and not even worth a pick? Tlusty sucks, frolicking won't solve any problems, the gm wants to trade 1/2 the roster for kessel... This team won't make the playoffs. Should have traded 71.

Kessel beside Sid would be ridiculous.

How bout giving Chris Stewart a shot? He's put up decent numbers in his career... He has been inconsistent. He's still really young though and he's never seem to have played with any quality centers b4..

Unless Pens can find value in someone like Parenteau as a UFA or make a Sutter as the centerpiece trade, I still prefer overpaying for Frolik in contract more than almost any other rumored trade options. Basically anything to do with unloading the Pens future I want nothing to do with.

I am not sure how in the hell Beleskey would get over $6m/yr. unless it was a one year deal. Soderberg has been much more productive the last two years and is much more versatile and he didn't get close to that.
- jfkst1

I like Beleskey - but I see something like 1yr @ 5.25M OR [email protected].

I thought the Pens might try 1yr @ 4.75M telling him to prove it as a winger working with one of the best centers in the league.

But Frolic might be better at around $5M.

How bout giving Chris Stewart a shot? He's put up decent numbers in his career... He has been inconsistent. He's still really young though and he's never seem to have played with any quality centers b4..
- Kunit

How many teams had that same mindset and he failed miserably. Pass

How bout giving Chris Stewart a shot? He's put up decent numbers in his career... He has been inconsistent. He's still really young though and he's never seem to have played with any quality centers b4..
- Kunit

I see Stewart as a 5th or 6th option. I would want to try for Stafford before Stewart, but Stewart is on my list.

I like Beleskey - but I see something like 1yr @ 5.25M OR [email protected].

I thought the Pens might try 1yr @ 4.75M telling him to prove it as a winger working with one of the best centers in the league.

But Frolic might be better at around $5M.
- so_buzz11

Why would a guy coming off a career year take a one year contract. That was his prove it season. He should take as much money for as long as he can

The story out of LA seems to be Richards just doesn't have the heart and refuses to give the effort to stay in the NHL. Why would you want to bring that here? He's the last thing we need. We need young, fast and hungry players not lazy and content ones.

Virtually anybody would be better than Adams. That doesn't mean it's a good idea to sign the guy.
- madmike71

Watch him sign with Chicago and become a solid second line center again!!! Lol

Sign them both

So now everyone realizes that scuds, kuni, spaling, sutter are garbage and not even worth a pick? Tlusty sucks, frolicking won't solve any problems, the gm wants to trade 1/2 the roster for kessel... This team won't make the playoffs. Should have traded 71.
- sammy87

Scuds is not garbage .... He was solid in the pens 4 2 1 loses playing 20 plus min a night ... He's simply overpaid for a 5-7 d man....Kunitz is not garbage either .. He simply worth more to the pens at 3.8 mil then a 4th round pick or belesky at 6 per.... Spalling ehh

Frolik might not solve any problems, but he's a step in the right direction. Younger player, speed, defensively responsible, and has put up decent numbers with an average team. He also makes it possible to trade Kunitz for more draft picks. If Vermette can get a 1st round pick, Kunitz easily can at the deadline. Imagine entering the 2016 draft with 2 1st round picks.

Thanks for the articles Ryan. You've been pumping out two a day lately and giving us stuff to read and talk about.

Anyway, in terms of Free Agents....I like Frolik, Parenteau, Franson, Bergenheim, Condra, Sekera, Comeau, and Winnik. I'd be okay signing any of those guys.

If we sign Frolik, I hope it doesnt prevent us from trading for another top 6.

Still so many things can happen this week. Lots of roster deadweight to get rid of...

Frolik might not solve any problems, but he's a step in the right direction. Younger player, speed, defensively responsible, and has put up decent numbers with an average team. He also makes it possible to trade Kunitz for more draft picks. If Vermette can get a 1st round pick, Kunitz easily can at the deadline. Imagine entering the 2016 draft with 2 1st round picks.
- drummer829

--- Is that even legal?

We wont be sellers at the deadline. Buyers or hockey trades. Pretty sure thats a 1000% guarantee.

Richards was a waste in Flyerland and will be even worse if he lands here. No F'ing way

Just for kicks...who do you guys think becomes the better NHLer... Sprong or Kapanen?

Quotes decided to stop working...


Honestly, do you believe that is the case? For someone who was that high regarded and paid as such to suddenly quit... I just don't believe it.

Hell, I personally never and still don't like him as a player... he was a Flyer, usually thats an instant dislike, but right now, hes a soon to be UFA that could be dirt cheap with one of the highest potential upsides ever.
- Guile

You better believe it, some guys when they cash in on a big contract just don't care anymore. The money is pretty much guaranteed and why should they bust their ass for money that will be there regardless. Give me a young player with drive and enthusiasm rather that a guy with no drive and no heart. Passion wins and a fat wallet loses

Frolik might not solve any problems, but he's a step in the right direction. Younger player, speed, defensively responsible, and has put up decent numbers with an average team. He also makes it possible to trade Kunitz for more draft picks. If Vermette can get a 1st round pick, Kunitz easily can at the deadline. Imagine entering the 2016 draft with 2 1st round picks.
- drummer829

I'm not saying Frolik is great, he is definitely limited offensively, but does anyone really think he won't get at least a 10% increase in production playing with Crosby or Malkin? The guy finished 30th in points last year for RWs and he is excellent defensively. The Penguins should at the very least be trying to get him. I understand if the bidding war drives his cap hit too high, but ignoring him is just plain stupid to me.
http://www.nhl.com/stats/...wName=summary&sort=&ord=#

I'm not sure if I'm just dumb or it's actually confusing, but could somebody explain to me how to read the Impact on Linemates charts? What do the different opacities of circles represent, and what is the relevance of always having 5?