Foundation piece.
- pker2theend

you got possibly the better player... despite what some here say... and if the contract is for less for longer... 3.5 for 5 or something it will probably be ok. but dont pay him like a second line center for the love of god

Can't even get into a good bicker with Pens fans these days, you guys are all in great moods because of the sweet deals your GM is pulling off.
- wolfhounds

Can't even get into a good bicker with Pens fans these days, you guys are all in great moods because of the sweet deals your GM is pulling off.
- wolfhounds

GMJR FAILED TO SIGN GIBBONS! WTF! ...

seriously... 4.5 for couts? someone just put all there money on 1-18.

GMJR FAILED TO SIGN GIBBONS! WTF! ...

seriously... 4.5 for couts? someone just put all there money on 1-18.
- ChrisMS

Still don't think that's a terrible contract moving forward. Courts could still round out his offensive game if utilized slightly differently

Still don't think that's a terrible contract moving forward. Courts could still round out his offensive game if utilized slightly differently
- Victoro311

thats why I said its about a 1 in three gamble. could be worse... but could bomb

Still don't think that's a terrible contract moving forward. Courts could still round out his offensive game if utilized slightly differently
- Victoro311

It's def a gamble. Kid kills it defensively. His hands and skating needs to improve.

Still don't think that's a terrible contract moving forward. Courts could still round out his offensive game if utilized slightly differently
- Victoro311

bottoms up to indirect responses!

#62 in points per 60

http://stats.hockeyanalys...p=1&sort=PCT&sortdir=DESC


edit: Adams 326 out of 330
- YouMeAndDupuis9

But #1 in Grinders heart!

It's def a gamble. Kid kills it defensively. His hands and skating needs to improve.
- madmike71

Couturier reminds me a lot of Staal. Very good defensively, relatively limited offensively. He can handle the 2C role but is best as a 3C. Even if he stays at his current level, it won't be a terrible contract.

everything is easy when you're dealing with a stupid gm

everything is easy when you're dealing with a stupid gm
- sushi

We've had our turn!

However, my overriding impression from watching Bonino all season was that he wasn't very strong on the puck. It seemed like he could be easily outmuscled in one-on-one situations, and his weakness in the face-off circle was probably the most visible downgrade from the Ryan Kesler days on the Canucks' second line.

The above quote is the Nucks blogger. Let's hope we don't expect too much & not be disappointed. Hopefully Bonino's confidence playing with the Pens will be high & give him the opportunity to succeed to our lofty HB standards.

Safe to say unless injury plagued again, he won't be our 2C.


Edit: Oh (frank) it - he's going to be our 2C .

I see
Perron Crosby Kessel
Plotnikov Malkin Hornqvist
Kunitz Bonino Dupuis
Sheary Sundqvist Bennett
Wilson/Rust

I can see plot and kuni switching
I see Fehr taking over on 3rd/4th line wing in dec, not center
Farnham will not play nhl
dupuis being 50% healthy

but of course injuries and player production changes everything... is it October yet? lol
- nh4442

Hey Air Force guy!

I love the lines! IF everyone stays healthy we're in for an awesome season. My favorite years were '92 and '93, '01 was and is close third. Some optimism has to enter this board eventually and this is a good year for it.

Happy flying!

I understand his underlying numbers were pretty bad, but 21 goals is 21 goals.

Those aren't your average bottom 6 numbers. He also had one of the lowest offensive zone start % of any player on the roster.

Couturier reminds me a lot of Staal. Very good defensively, relatively limited offensively. He can handle the 2C role but is best as a 3C. Even if he stays at his current level, it won't be a terrible contract.
- jfkst1

He does. Overall I think Staal has a little better skill set.

I understand his underlying numbers were pretty bad, but 21 goals is 21 goals.

Those aren't your average bottom 6 numbers. He also had one of the lowest offensive zone start % of any player on the roster.
- sbroads24

And 33 points is 33 points. His career high is 40 points as a 2C for Carolina. Paying him anymore than he is already making is going to be a major mistake.

Here are some good takes on the trade: http://canucksarmy.com/20...o-much-for-brandon-sutter

and re-signing Sutter: http://canucksarmy.com/20...on-sutter-s-next-contract

Safe to say unless injury plagued again, he won't be our 2C.


Edit: Oh (frank) it - he's going to be our 2C .
- Aussiepenguin

- Tojo.

Hey pens have fehr sundqvist to fall back on too

With all the movement towards speed and skill, I found this kind of interesting. Though I wonder where they rank in the NHL now..

The Pens (with an average weight of 199.6 pounds) were the 25th heaviest team in the NHL to start the 2014-15 season. That was before deadline deals stripped away the team’s two biggest players—Robert Bortuzzo and Simon Despres.

Jim Rutherford noticed. Since June 8, the Pens GM added several players who tip the scales at over 200 pounds. Bulky newcomers Tyler Biggs (6-3, 224), Adam Krause (6-3, 220), Ty Loney (6-4, 208), and Sergei Plotnikov (6-2, 205) join 2012 draftee Oskar Sundqvist (6-3, 209) in the Big and Tall forward department. Tim Erixon (6-3, 199) adds size to the backline. Hard-nosed defender Steve Oleksy—an under-the-radar pickup—plays larger than his 190 pounds.

Only Sundqvist and the intriguing Plotnikov are expected to compete for regular duty. Yet the muscle-building spree marks a dramatic departure from the Pens’ recent paradigm, when mites such as Chris Conner, Andrew Ebbett, and Brian Gibbons dominated the depth chart

With all the movement towards speed and skill, I found this kind of interesting. Though I wonder where they rank in the NHL now..

The Pens (with an average weight of 199.6 pounds) were the 25th heaviest team in the NHL to start the 2014-15 season. That was before deadline deals stripped away the team’s two biggest players—Robert Bortuzzo and Simon Despres.

Jim Rutherford noticed. Since June 8, the Pens GM added several players who tip the scales at over 200 pounds. Bulky newcomers Tyler Biggs (6-3, 224), Adam Krause (6-3, 220), Ty Loney (6-4, 208), and Sergei Plotnikov (6-2, 205) join 2012 draftee Oskar Sundqvist (6-3, 209) in the Big and Tall forward department. Tim Erixon (6-3, 199) adds size to the backline. Hard-nosed defender Steve Oleksy—an under-the-radar pickup—plays larger than his 190 pounds.

Only Sundqvist and the intriguing Plotnikov are expected to compete for regular duty. Yet the muscle-building spree marks a dramatic departure from the Pens’ recent paradigm, when mites such as Chris Conner, Andrew Ebbett, and Brian Gibbons dominated the depth chart
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Still want to see Sheary get a look this season. I'm glad we're finally heading in the right direction however. I've been preaching "bigger bodies" for years. Of course they need to be able to play....

At the end of the day the Pens r not better.
Bonino is am ok 2LC but hurts u as 3LC.
Don't see him as a C on top 2 lines.
Fire JR asap

At the end of the day the Pens r not better.
Bonino is am ok 2LC but hurts u as 3LC.
Don't see him as a C on top 2 lines.
Fire JR asap
- Nighthawk

You don't see him taking Malkin's or Crosby's spots? Great prediction

Here is a good season review on Bonino:http://canucksarmy.com/20...ear-in-review-nick-bonino

I'm so relieved to not have to watch Sutter stumble, bumble, and fumble around in a Pens uniform anymore.

At the end of the day the Pens r not better.
Bonino is am ok 2LC but hurts u as 3LC.
Don't see him as a C on top 2 lines.
Fire JR asap
- Nighthawk

Have fun with sutter

You do know we have this 2nd line Center named Malkin and 1st line center named Crosby right so why even comment on him as a top 2 center? also pens have 3rd line wingers named kunitz, Dupuis, or Plotnikov or even Perron...so I think Bonino on the 3rd line will do a little bit better than when on a 2nd line in Van

I understand his underlying numbers were pretty bad, but 21 goals is 21 goals.

Those aren't your average bottom 6 numbers. He also had one of the lowest offensive zone start % of any player on the roster.
- sbroads24

13 at even strength