I would love Vlasic, not sure the price it would take on him. SJ's D is pretty solid with Martin, maybe they're looking for a forward? I don't want to give up Perron, but I think that's where the conversation would probably start.

EDIT: Vlasic makes only 4.25 for the next three years, pretty cap friendly hit. He also wears an A.
- Pens_Burgh

I doubt San Jose deals Vlasic.. And if they did the package would be large. Without a 1st, or any A level prospects, even if he did come available we wouldn't be able to pull it off.

His original estimate was 4-6 months from June 3 (Date of his surgery), which would be October 3-December 3. Rutherford said in his press conference that they spoke with his doctors on Friday and that Fehr's recovery is going extremely well and they reduced the timetable to 4-5 months which would then be between October 3-November 3. So depending where he falls in there, it might not be that much time missed in the regular season. I am sure they will not rush him, so I am guessing towards the end of October.
- PensFan1103

Gotcha. Appreciate the update. Still not worried about it in the least with Bonino.

F Sutter!

Just once more, for old times sake.

I don't. I think Nashville was a poor fit because they were the rare team that had too many righties so they tried him on his off side which didn't work.

The one legit weakness is he's a little slow, but here he'd always be paired with a good skating defenseman so I'd see it balancing out. All are LD are good skaters that don't play well in front of their own net. Fransen is a big RD that while not real mobile does move the puck well and excells in every advanced stat from puck possession to shot suppression to hits per 60.
- Tojo.

They played Franson on the right and moved Seth jones to the left, which affected his play

Nashville fans were livid and wanted Franson benched to keep Seth on the right

We traded Sutter for Bonino, Fehr, for a prospect, a pick, and most importantly salary cap relief. Yes the Pens are a deeper team today. We are excited because most would've been happy with a pick then signing Fehr.
- lloyd095

My attempt was at humor, not ridicule. I agree that you did very well today. I like Bonino better than Sutter and Fehr is very under rated and could be in for a big season. Team is looking very good

I doubt San Jose deals Vlasic.. And if they did the package would be large. Without a 1st, or any A level prospects, even if he did come available we wouldn't be able to pull it off.
- Willaged

Agreed. It would cost at least Perron-Bennett-ANA 2nd-whatever other remaining high draft picks we have

Our best bet is to dump Scuds, sign Franson for a year. Who knows. I have a feeling Ruth is working on something. Franson not signing yet could mean that he's holding out in hopes for us to clear cap, us and a few other teams.

They played Franson on the right and moved Seth jones to the left, which affected his play

Nashville fans were livid and wanted Franson benched to keep Seth on the right
- j0e Th0rnton

And they had a right to. Seth Jones is a special player. You don't play special players on their right side to acomidate others, no matter how good they may be. This isn't a knock on Franson, but I'd prioritize Seth Jones' needs over Franson's every time.

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2015/07/28/penguins-trade-sutter-to-canucks/

Yohe said he talked to Rutherford and he told him Fehr is progressing well and the timetable is now 4 to 5 months and he may be ready for the opener. Just better not end up like Maatta.
- Tojo.

My thoughts exactly. Let him sit till December. Give Oscar a look.

Interestingly enough. JR mentioned adding another forward via Free Agency. I'm a bit confused by this considering the cap space and greater need for defense at this point. I don't see many useful forwards left in FA other than Santorelli...who we cant afford or really need. He is likely just playing the GM truth or lie game though.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

JR is senile and has destroyed Carolina and is working on doing the same in Pittsburgh. I realize some of the Pens followers here are very optimistic about todays transactions but the game is played on the ice over half a year. Rutherford has made some outrageous signings in his time, The key to your team still lies in Crosby, Malkin and Letang plus another good year from Fleury. Lot of question marks as to what you will get, the only sure thing is Crosby is your leader, Malkin must be healthy and motivated, Letang must stay healthy and Fleury has to play like last year.

JR is senile and has destroyed Carolina and is working on doing the same in Pittsburgh. I realize some of the Pens followers here are very optimistic about todays transactions but the game is played on the ice over half a year. Rutherford has made some outrageous signings in his time, The key to your team still lies in Crosby, Malkin and Letang plus another good year from Fleury. Lot of question marks as to what you will get, the only sure thing is Crosby is your leader, Malkin must be healthy and motivated, Letang must stay healthy and Fleury has to play like last year.
- flyerdude17

Tell me how he's doing the same in Pittsburgh? I'd love to hear how. Better hurry I leave work in 8 minutes.

And they had a right to. Seth Jones is a special player. You don't play special players on their right side to acomidate others, no matter how good they may be. This isn't a knock on Franson, but I'd prioritize Seth Jones' needs over Franson's every time.
- Victoro311

I agree an the Preds have arguably the best top 4 D in the league. Franson needs ice time and a bigger role to bring out his best, an opportunity that never came in Nashville. The only reason he has not signed yet because he is waiting on a certain team to accommodate him, nothing to do with amount of interest in him.

JR is senile and has destroyed Carolina and is working on doing the same in Pittsburgh. I realize some of the Pens followers here are very optimistic about todays transactions but the game is played on the ice over half a year. Rutherford has made some outrageous signings in his time, The key to your team still lies in Crosby, Malkin and Letang plus another good year from Fleury. Lot of question marks as to what you will get, the only sure thing is Crosby is your leader, Malkin must be healthy and motivated, Letang must stay healthy and Fleury has to play like last year.
- flyerdude17

Every team has question marks in the cap era. Pens have their fair share, but for the first time in years the forward depth is very solid.

Tell me how he's doing the same in Pittsburgh? I'd love to hear how. Better hurry I leave work in 8 minutes.
- Pens_Burgh

Sorry, can't do it in eight minutes, lol If you do not think he ruined Carolina with ridiculous signings and questionable moves then we are not on the same page.

Sorry, can't do it in eight minutes, lol If you do not think he ruined Carolina with ridiculous signings and questionable moves then we are not on the same page.
- flyerdude17

Sure, but he has been very good at signings so far for Pittsburgh so your point doesn't hold value.

Every team has question marks in the cap era. Pens have their fair share, but for the first time in years the forward depth is very solid.
- jfkst1

I agree , no argument there.

Sorry, can't do it in eight minutes, lol If you do not think he ruined Carolina with ridiculous signings and questionable moves then we are not on the same page.
- flyerdude17

I wasn't asking how he did it to Carolina. How has he, or how is he, doing the same in Pittsburgh?

Sure, but he has been very good at signings so far for Pittsburgh so your point doesn't hold value.
- jfkst1

Signings are one thing, how they do and where the team finishes will be better proof of whether they were great signings or not. Last year when Ehroff got signed everyone in Pittsburg was overjoyed, the rest is history and seriously it did not work out. Trading Desprees for Lovejoy was a clueless move, right ??

I wasn't asking how he did it to Carolina. How has he, or how is he, doing the same in Pittsburgh?
- Pens_Burgh

Despres for Lovejoy will haunt you forever, that is one for starters

Sorry, can't do it in eight minutes, lol If you do not think he ruined Carolina with ridiculous signings and questionable moves then we are not on the same page.
- flyerdude17

He also had almost complete control in Carolina to make the moves he did. There is more than one cook in the kitchen in Pittsburgh right now. I would be interested to know who all was involved, and to what extent, in making this deal from Pittsburgh's side.

I think if the Penguins can pull off dumping Scuderi and getting another top 4 dman, I think that puts them over the top in the east.

but... as we all know injuries will kill us and we will lose in the first round and then trade everyone... knock on wood.

I wasn't asking how he did it to Carolina. How has he, or how is he, doing the same in Pittsburgh?
- Pens_Burgh

Since you did not ask, who signed Semin to the god awful contract in Carolina??

Despres for Lovejoy will haunt you forever, that is one for starters
- flyerdude17

if that is for "starters" please continue because I'm not seeing it at all...

Despres for Lovejoy was awful. We know it, he knows it, heck Ben Lovejoy probably knows it.

1 bad move doesnt negate the fact that he has made a ton of shrewd moves in his time here.

He also had almost complete control in Carolina to make the moves he did. There is more than one cook in the kitchen in Pittsburgh right now. I would be interested to know who all was involved, and to what extent, in making this deal from Pittsburgh's side.
- mw630

That is a very good point, he may be the GM but no doubt his moves must be approved by Mario or somebody that knows the game.

Despres for Lovejoy will haunt you forever, that is one for starters
- flyerdude17

Not really, he won't be anything more than a mid pairing at best. He's not that good of a puck moving dman, same reason Harrington was easier to trade. Clendening fits our system better than both of them.

Despres for Lovejoy will haunt you forever, that is one for starters
- flyerdude17

If that's the worst thing he does in his time in Pittsburgh, I'll be ok with it. Yes, it was a bad trade. But in the bigger picture, Despres is a 5/6 defenseman with the potential to be a #4. I would like a do over on that trade, but that will never make/break the Pens.

We have to wait and see how this works out, but JR is setting the Pens up to be successful if they can stay healthy. That's really the most you can ask out of GM at this point in the season.