Didn't get to comment much yesterday, other than saying i liked the trade.

My thoughts:

Bonino is a more traditional 3rd line center than Sutter. Just looking at some stats, he lead the 'Nucks in takeaways last season, and was the leading forward in blocked shots. Personally, it always comes back to "does a certain player make it harder for other teams to play against the Pens" and he fits that mold. The cap relief, upgrading the draft pick, and getting a d prospect was just icing on the cake.

I liked the idea of signing Fehr well before July 1st. He is a guy that brings that grit that some people value, without lacking skill. He is another guy that makes the Pens tougher to play against, and has the ability to move up to the top 6 if/when injuries happen.

The Pens became a much deeper team with these moves, and didn't use much cap space to do it.

Bravo GMJR

That's actually fantastic defence short handed.

The one time I'm aware he ever got assigned to a shut down role was against Tampa & he completely shut Stamkos down! I've said this before I'm not sure the team ever knew what role that 3rd line had. Score or shut down? Hopefully next season there is a clear game plan each game.
- Aussiepenguin

Wow. Basically just posted the same thing. If anyone can find the advanced stats to that game that would be great. Pretty sure RW had that in one of his blogs.

RW, can you dig this up for us by any chance?

Yep. I hate to keep dipping into the gospel of RW but I do agree that Sutter's only good plays were aesthetically pleasing. He only had 13 goals last year at even strength. The rest were shorthanded. While impressive, a forehand-to-backhand shorty on a breakaway is not sustainable offensive production.

We never saw him do anything else impressive. Never saw him shadowing the opposing teams star center and shutting them down. Never saw any Hornqvist type plays that were 100% hustle. Never saw an impressive check. Never saw a great set up pass to a linemate.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Now that Sutter is gone, does Plotnikov get first dibs at no. 16?

Now that Sutter is gone, does Plotnikov get first dibs at no. 16?
- joescullz

I'd have to guess so. None of our new guys have numbers yet, but Kessel has his 81 listed already.

I wonder if Plot was told that they were trying to move Sutter so don't pick a number yet if you want 16?

Didn't get to comment much yesterday, other than saying i liked the trade.

My thoughts:

Bonino is a more traditional 3rd line center than Sutter. Just looking at some stats, he lead the 'Nucks in takeaways last season, and was the leading forward in blocked shots. Personally, it always comes back to "does a certain player make it harder for other teams to play against the Pens" and he fits that mold. The cap relief, upgrading the draft pick, and getting a d prospect was just icing on the cake.

I liked the idea of signing Fehr well before July 1st. He is a guy that brings that grit that some people value, without lacking skill. He is another guy that makes the Pens tougher to play against, and has the ability to move up to the top 6 if/when injuries happen.

The Pens became a much deeper team with these moves, and didn't use much cap space to do it.

Bravo GMJR
- cap1681

Like Fehr too. Maybe I haven't watched him enough but I don't really think he's that physical and he never fights (not that I really care about that at all). I mean, more physical than Taylor Pyatt but not as physical as like Blake Comeau. Again, I could be wrong but I haven't seen it with my own eyes.

Can we start a petition to have full time Pittsburgh gold jerseys?

F Vegas Gold
F Sutter

#IJRWT
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I've got a Pens purple training guernsey which is pretty sexy!

When is the F Sutter retirement party - be a little missing without Bart's' input for the eulogy.

Can we start a petition to have full time Pittsburgh gold jerseys?

F Vegas Gold
F Sutter

#IJRWT
- YouMeAndDupuis9

bartley, how'd you get access to this account?

I'd have to guess so. None of our new guys have numbers yet, but Kessel has his 81 listed already.

I wonder if Plot was told that they were trying to move Sutter so don't pick a number yet if you want 16?
- Pens_Burgh

Fehr should get 16....unless we cannot use the "F16" nickname.

Plotnikov can grab 61.

that way we can have a 61-71-81 line...and nickname it something cool

I think they are looking at his goal totals & PKing. Even with those 'disgraceful' advanced stats he scored 21 goals??? I think someone was on the Nucks site trying to convince them how bad Sutter is due to his stats - bad PKer was thrown in to the argument. How many SHG did he score, & I felt pretty confident when he was on the ice - what do the analytical crowd say about possession being the best form of defence?

Willie coached him before & knows him well - that's what is apparently reported, so maybe he has a plan, a better one than Sutter had here if there even was a plan for him. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that we have 3 players for 1 & hopefully those 3 can provide what Sutter did & more. But remember (I've seen it said on here as well), players that get traded by teams are usually traded for a reason - Bonino 3rd team in 2 years, Clendenning 2nd in 2 (I think or maybe 3). If Bonino's stats are so great why has he been traded by a serious contender & a playoff team?

So my expectations are tempered & I really have little faith in the Analytics that are being thrown around as indisputable proof - just like Victors reasons last night in our little discussion.

But am I excited about this team - our team, that was never in our wildest dreams possible - bloody oath!
- Aussiepenguin

I'd say both teams fans are just more aware of the weaknesses of the guy they traded. I actually think the trade itself is pretty even. I wasn't as down on Sutter as some and am probably not as high on Bonino so I agree with Canuck fans who feel they got the best player. I like Clendenning, but he does crowd the blueline as I doubt he clears waivers so he's not really a prospect we can stash in WBS.

The real win for Pittsburgh IMO is that they were able to turn the savings into Fehr who I do think is a better player than Sutter. That makes Bonino's added offense almost gravy. But to actually win the trade, Clendening has to contribute.

I'd say both teams fans are just more aware of the weaknesses of the guy they traded. I actually think the trade itself is pretty even. I wasn't as down on Sutter as some and am probably not as high on Bonino so I agree with Canuck fans who feel they got the best player. I like Clendenning, but he does crowd the blueline as I doubt he clears waivers so he's not really a prospect we can stash in WBS.

The real win for Pittsburgh IMO is that they were able to turn the savings into Fehr who I do think is a better player than Sutter. That makes Bonino's added offense almost gravy. But to actually win the trade, Clendening has to contribute.
- Tojo.

Strange nobody here has brought up the hits stat?

I'm not looking for an answer on the winner, only to say I believe our benefit is in the 3 players for 1 outcome. I hope we all win the trade.

Missed a lot but did anyone mention the Matt Cooke thing last night?

Fehr should get 16....unless we cannot use the "F16" nickname.

Plotnikov can grab 61.

that way we can have a 61-71-81 line...and nickname it something cool
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Always thought Fehr was 19, but you're right he was 16. I'd think he MIGHT get first dibs on it as he is established already. I like the F16

I can't think of any nickname for a 61-71-81 line though, but I'm sure the jokes could start at "So two Russians and a fat American walk into a bar..."

Missed a lot but did anyone mention the Matt Cooke thing last night?
- dbell646

ehh, he still has his house in Pittsburgh, and it's where his kids have spent most of their lives. Can't see the Pens signing him. If anything, he may be a camp invite.

Michael Augello retweeted

Aaron Eggerichs @aaroneggs4
Breaking News: Inside source from the Twins-Pirates game (Matt Cooke himself) says Matt Cooke is heading back to Pittsburgh @Buccigross
- Fruitcakenipple

No friggin way.

If we get rid of Sutter and sign Cooke, Bartley is going to lose his poop.

ehh, he still has his house in Pittsburgh, and it's where his kids have spent most of their lives. Can't see the Pens signing him. If anything, he may be a camp invite.
- cap1681

I don't really see a need for him but I thought it was funny his statement was taken so far out of context.

@NHLNewsUpdates1: Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly shopping winger Chris Kunitz http://t.co/EPOKkqLZ6q
- joescullz

I finally feel confident in our forward group. There is no reason to trade Kunitz. Give the guy another year to see what he has left. He can play anywhere from 1-3.

Lovejoy better stay. I like Lovejoy. I don't like how he arrived here, but I still dont want to get rid of him. He's right handed, can play top 4 if needed (not top pairing), good leader, and only costs $1M. He could still mesh well with Pouliot like they shows flashes last year.

And there is literally no reason to get rid of him while Scuderi is on the team.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Lovejoy is still a top 5 defenseman here, but with the addition of Clendening, I don't know if he keeps his spot if they make a move to upgrade the 2nd pair like Fransen. In my perfect scenario, they get Fransen, bump Cole to 3rd pair where he can play either side, and have Dumoulin and Clendening compete for the 6th defenseman.

Strange nobody here has brought up the hits stat?

I'm not looking for an answer on the winner, only to say I believe our benefit is in the 3 players for 1 outcome. I hope we all win the trade.
- Aussiepenguin

Hits stat is frowned upon here. But yeah, Bonino doesn't hit anyone.

I agree on the outcome being best for us if not the trade. Think it was a good hockey trade for both teams, maybe edge for Pens if Clendening becomes a regular, and Pens made a fantastic FA signing with the savings.

Hits stat is frowned upon here. But yeah, Bonino doesn't hit anyone.

I agree on the outcome being best for us if not the trade. Think it was a good hockey trade for both teams, maybe edge for Pens if Clendening becomes a regular, and Pens made a fantastic FA signing with the savings.
- Tojo.

Doesn't need to. His game is very cerebral. It's consistent. He excells in the lesser roles. Which is good. Also, with this new fangled depth the penguins 4th line has a chance to be as good as the third lines have the past two seasons.

Bottom line is that the Pens turned Sutter into 2 quality forwards with only a 600k increase in cap hit. That's big for a team that sits right at the cap ceiling.

Just did a quick twitter search on Scuderi, looks like a lot of people are calling for Scuds to be dealt to make room for Franson. I would only sign Franson on a 1yr deal due to Maatta needing extended after this year. It's out there that he's open to signing a 1yr 3.5~mil deal with a contender. I think we easily could get him at 3.5.

Problem is getting rid of Scuds. Maybe he would waive to NJ to be with Shero again? There's a few familiar faces there in management and he does want to stay on the East coast, but would he go to a rebuilding team? And if so, what is the cost? Scuds + ANA 2nd for a 4th or something?

Pretty cool to see even the dumbest of Pens fans have the right idea at least, although I did see someone calling for a 4yr 4mil deal... No way.

Bottom line is that the Pens turned Sutter into 2 quality forwards with only a 600k increase in cap hit. That's big for a team that sits right at the cap ceiling.
- cap1681

Yep, also upgraded a draft pick and got a pretty solid prospect. I think he'll flourish in our puck moving D system as that is what he is. I feel he'll be a better fit than Harrington or Despres ever could here.

so the pens have 2 2nd round picks correct?

so the pens have 2 2nd round picks correct?
- drummer829

If they make the playoffs.

Just did a quick twitter search on Scuderi, looks like a lot of people are calling for Scuds to be dealt to make room for Franson. I would only sign Franson on a 1yr deal due to Maatta needing extended after this year. It's out there that he's open to signing a 1yr 3.5~mil deal with a contender. I think we easily could get him at 3.5.

Problem is getting rid of Scuds. Maybe he would waive to NJ to be with Shero again? There's a few familiar faces there in management and he does want to stay on the East coast, but would he go to a rebuilding team? And if so, what is the cost? Scuds + ANA 2nd for a 4th or something?

Pretty cool to see even the dumbest of Pens fans have the right idea at least, although I did see someone calling for a 4yr 4mil deal... No way.
- Pens_Burgh

I wouldnt be opposed to this. But I wouldnt like giving up a 2nd just to get rid of Scuds. But then again, he's got to go. Even if I'm not sold on Franson...Scuds gots to goooooooooooo