Off-the-wall thought. Not looking to simply dump Kunitz by any stretch. What about Kunitz for Ryan Ellis? Preds have an abundance of cap space and solid defenseman...and a need for more scoring forwards. In dream land I would say Kunitz and Scuderi both for Ellis and a late pick.

Then use cap space to add another competent forward via FA.

Again, dont want to get rid of Kunitz but to get a guy like Ellis would really sure up the defense.

I'm jabbing more today than I usually do. I got called out and reacted poorly to that, and I got a tooth pulled this morning so I'm not in the best mood to begin with.

I shouldn't have called anyone's assessment mythological. But remember that mine has not been the popular opinion, so I'm outnumbered and usually have 5 people (like now) to respond to at a time during these debates. The anti-Sutter argument has also been full of hyperbole (sorry, that's my opinion), and sometimes that gets annoying to push back against.

In football (I've run a popular Steelers site for the last 9 years though I'm just not very interested in football anymore), the eye test is easy to prove/disprove because I can go to the tape, pull a play, make a video and post the evidence.
- hardnosed

Maybe there is a reason you are so outnumbered....just like the "trade Malkin" folks. Because you are wrong

Off-the-wall thought. Not looking to simply dump Kunitz by any stretch. What about Kunitz for Ryan Ellis? Preds have an abundance of cap space and solid defenseman...and a need for more scoring forwards. In dream land I would say Kunitz and Scuderi both for Ellis and a late pick.

Then use cap space to add another competent forward via FA.

Again, dont want to get rid of Kunitz but to get a guy like Ellis would really sure up the defense.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Maybe if Poile is as dumb as Benning.

Off-the-wall thought. Not looking to simply dump Kunitz by any stretch. What about Kunitz for Ryan Ellis? Preds have an abundance of cap space and solid defenseman...and a need for more scoring forwards. In dream land I would say Kunitz and Scuderi both for Ellis and a late pick.

Then use cap space to add another competent forward via FA.

Again, dont want to get rid of Kunitz but to get a guy like Ellis would really sure up the defense.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Wouldn't make sense for the Preds to trade a young, skilled defenseman with a good contract for an aging winger with a so so contract. If anything, the Pens would have to add.

Wouldn't make sense for the Preds to trade a young, skilled defenseman with a good contract for an aging winger with a so so contract. If anything, the Pens would have to add.
- cap1681

Probably right. Maybe something larger like Kunitz and Bennett for Ellis + ?

I dunno, now I am in over my head lol

NH, is this your dad and kids?

https://instagram.com/p/5u5wODkLIm/

Probably right. Maybe something larger like Kunitz and Bennett for Ellis + ?

I dunno, now I am in over my head lol
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'd say at least Kunitz + ANA 2nd for Ellis and a late round pick

NH, is this your dad and kids?

https://instagram.com/p/5u5wODkLIm/
- cap1681

Cant see pic, Mil computer blocks instagram.... If it is a guy with glasses and 2 brown hair boys who look like twins and a baby then yes, lol

This is all well and good and the pens are definitely improved but this lineup isn't a serious cup threat yet.

I'm hoping we can still add:

D - 1 defensive D men.
F - 1 more bottom 6 with physicality/edge

Cant see pic, Mil computer blocks instagram.... If it is a guy with glasses and 2 brown hair boys who look like twins and a baby then yes, lol
- nh4442

dale hoth?

This is all well and good and the pens are definitely improved but this lineup isn't a serious cup threat yet. The D needs more defensive depth and another bottom six guy with a little edge like Comeau or Downie had would be nice (not those two specifically considering one is signed and the other is a loose canon).
- brienstel

they both are signed...

"If Clendenning is your #6 you have issues. He was Vancouvers 8 and their D sucks.

The games that he played he was mostly invisible. He is not a puck moving D. He is not that fast.

He is a safe DMan . He can't be sent down , he is waiver eligible. He was going to be a press box occupied player. He should be a teams # 8 if you want full value for him.

Why do you think Hawks let him go also. He is a tweener '

He's not the #6 guy currently but I think there is an outside shot for him to become so down the road. Right now he and Erixon are the 7-8 dmen and Scuderi should be 11 but they still like him for some unknown reason. I think Scuderi needs the Nancy Kerrigan treatment, it's mean but other wise he'll be playing. Doesn't matter how much forward depth we have if he is in the lineup we have a giant weakness.

dale hoth?
- cap1681

Yup

This is all well and good and the pens are definitely improved but this lineup isn't a serious cup threat yet. The D needs more defensive depth and another bottom six guy with a little edge like Comeau or Downie had would be nice (not those two specifically considering one is signed and the other is a loose canon).
- brienstel

Disagree about the depth guy with edge, but agree to an extent about the D. I would love to dump Scuds and get Franson on a 1 year deal, but if that doesn't happen then it's time to see what these kids are all about. If injuries happen, we have plenty of bottom pairing D to call up to cover.

Edit: also Plotnikov plays a very physical game with an edge. We don't need another.

Disagree about the depth guy with edge, but agree to an extent about the D. I would love to dump Scuds and get Franson on a 1 year deal, but if that doesn't happen then it's time to see what these kids are all about. If injuries happen, we have plenty of bottom pairing D to call up to cover.

Edit: also Plotnikov plays a very physical game with an edge. We don't need another.
- Pens_Burgh

Ah yes, forgot about Plotnikov... good point. Still would like a stay at home D in the 3-6 position. And that won't jeopardize Dumo or DP's spot. They're both on the opening roster. Clendening and Erixon are both AHL call ups imo.

Yup
- nh4442

awesome

Probably right. Maybe something larger like Kunitz and Bennett for Ellis + ?

I dunno, now I am in over my head lol
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If we trade both Kunitz and Bennett we don't have awesome forward depth anymore. Plus, Ellis isn't what we should be looking for. Ideally I want a bigger more physical defenseman that can clear the crease. We're not gonna get many overly physical guys who can move the puck and fit our system, but someone who at least has the potential to be competent at it. That's why I want Franson. He's been unimpressive to date in his career, but I think an expanded role in our top 4 and our system could work magic. I'd be fine with dumping Kunitz's cap to make it work, but id be loath to do it. I really really really love our forward depth right now, Kunitz could bounce back, and his cap hit is manageable. It goes without saying that dumping Scuderi to make room for Franson would be ideal, but I don't see it happening and moving on from Kunitz wouldn't be the end of the world.

I think the assessment of Clendening as only being a #6 or worse defenseman is a little premature, considering none of us has really seen him play, and Vancouver fans only saw him for 3+ months. Kid is only 22, and has only played 21 NHL games. He still has time to grow.

Clendenning and Bonino both moved last year and were given bigger roles and both got demoted and traded again. Maybe third times a charm.

The best player that got moved yesterday was Sutter. As soft as you think he is wait until you see Bonino. Sutter is a slight upgrade over Bonino, not much , but slight.

Bonino does not have a good two way game. He is slow and better suited for the wing seeing he is terrible at face offs. He is not a checker nor a defensive player. He would be better suited playing on Gino's wing.

If you don't believe me go sad the article Canucks Army just wrote saying exactly the same.
- VANTEL

I think you are insane and talking out of you a$$. Sutter is not a good player save for a couple of breakaway type goals the last few years. He uses the SAME MOVE every time he scores. I don't get how goalies are not at least aware that he is going to go forehand and then switch to backhand and roof it EVERY time. Bonino is not the play here anyways it was creating cap space to sign Fehr so to get Bonino as well to effectively become the 4C gives the Penguins the best center depth in the entire league. So whereever/ whatever Bonino is it's better in every way.

The Penguins have really become the XXX rated nicknames team now though.
Hornquist= Horny
Bonino= Boner
Bennet= wussy
It's pretty fun!

Ah yes, forgot about Plotnikov... good point. Still would like a stay at home D in the 3-6 position. And that won't jeopardize Dumo or DP's spot. They're both on the opening roster. Clendening and Erixon are both AHL call ups imo.
- brienstel

Agree on Clen and Erixon.

If somehow we can pull off dumping Scuds without retaining, and get Franson on a one year deal this will be the best off season in years.

I'd rather get a capable dman now than wait until halfway through and have to deal assets when we can have one for free.

Ruth's remaining to-do list:
1. Dump Scuds without retaining or taking back a contract
2. Sign Franson 3.5-3.75 1yr deal
3. ???
4. Profit
5. Pizza party

I think the assessment of Clendening as only being a #6 or worse defenseman is a little premature, considering none of us has really seen him play, and Vancouver fans only saw him for 3+ months. Kid is only 22, and has only played 21 NHL games. He still has time to grow.
- cap1681

He and DP can push each other as top QB in the AHL or 2nd QB on the Pens. And when Letang is expendable or not serviceable anymore then ideally they can both move into a 1, 2 QB position on the Pens. To have either in the 5+ position on the Pens won't develop their style of play and will misutilize them imo.

I think the assessment of Clendening as only being a #6 or worse defenseman is a little premature, considering none of us has really seen him play, and Vancouver fans only saw him for 3+ months. Kid is only 22, and has only played 21 NHL games. He still has time to grow.
- cap1681

Agreed. Plus he's a PMD moving into a PMD system. Look at how Cole did when he came here.

Agreed. Plus he's a PMD moving into a PMD system. Look at how Cole did when he came here.
- Pens_Burgh

Thats true too.

Maybe we package him with Dupuis to Toronto or a cap floor team for a late pick and get cap relief to sign...

Agreed. Plus he's a PMD moving into a PMD system. Look at how Cole did when he came here.
- Pens_Burgh

Wouldn't be shocked to see him play the entire year in Wilkes-Barre. Learn the system. He did put up 57 points in his last full season in the AHL.