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...
- brienstel

The Pens are not trading Dupuis......

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

Like I said yesterday, what I picked up from my Hawks friends is that Clendening was traded because he was too close to NHL ready when they didn't have a spot for him. He was traded one for one for a younger prospect of equal value to reset the development clock, not because he was a bust. As for his rough time in Vancouver? Could have been a down year. Could have been that he just didn't fit the system there. Haven't seen enough of Van to understand what their system is. But if a guy like Clendening is gonna succeed in any system it's gonna be in ours. I'll reserve judgement on him until we see what he can bring to us in our system. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Now, where I am concerned is that we are starting to overload on only one type of prospect. It's not smart to fill a defense out with exclusively offensive dynamos that are questionable in their own end. Don't get me wrong, love the skill and no matter who we put on the blue line they better be good puck movers, but I'd like to see us get more Despres, Franson, Cole, Harrington types. Guys that are mobile and can facilitate offense, but will be solid in their own zone and somewhat physical.

A lot of people here who just hate Kunitz. He makes around what some 3rd liners are being paid but can produce like a top 6 player. I'd say keep him at least until the deadline. If plotnikov, Bennett, or another can take his spot in the top 6, then I think he could be sent at the deadline for a 1st

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...
- brienstel

Clendening? He won't be dealt. He helps restock our D prospects.

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.
- Victoro311

Would love for the Penguins to be able to add a Top-4D, but I don't see much out there at this point. There is Franson & Ehrhoff, but both are likely out of the Pens salary range (unless Scuderi is moved, which still seems doubtful). Can't see Ehrhoff coming back at all to be honest.

I'd try going with something like adding Tlusty for $1.2M on a 1yr deal. Leaves $480 in Cap Space & gives you a skilled 4th line of Tlusty-Bonino-Bennett. Worse case scenario, you send Tlusty to the minors, save $950k & only have a dead money charge of $250k against the Cap. Best case scenario, Tlusty gives you solid production as a player that can move up and down the line-up on the cheap & walks as a UFA next year.

https://www.hockeyscap.com/armchair-gm/team/23879

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.
- cap1681

Agreed. I'm not expecting him to come up. Maybe for a short stint if the i word happens to everyone again

Like I said yesterday, what I picked up from my Hawks friends is that Clendening was traded because he was too close to NHL ready when they didn't have a spot for him. He was traded one for one for a younger prospect of equal value to reset the development clock, not because he was a bust. As for his rough time in Vancouver? Could have been a down year. Could have been that he just didn't fit the system there. Haven't seen enough of Van to understand what their system is. But if a guy like Clendening is gonna succeed in any system it's gonna be in ours. I'll reserve judgement on him until we see what he can bring to us in our system. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Now, where I am concerned is that we are starting to overload on only one type of prospect. It's not smart to fill a defense out with exclusively offensive dynamos that are questionable in their own end. Don't get me wrong, love the skill and no matter who we put on the blue line they better be good puck movers, but I'd like to see us get more Despres, Franson, Cole, Harrington types. Guys that are mobile and can facilitate offense, but will be solid in their own zone and somewhat physical.
- Victoro311

People seem to forget they signed the kid from Sweeden as well. He is a physical, stay at home d-man.

Edit: He is a wild card, because we all have no idea what he will bring.

Clendening? He won't be dealt. He helps restock our D prospects.
- Pens_Burgh

No one is taking Dupuis or Scuds off our hands without something decent in return.

I suspect he's dealt with a bad/risky contract for relief to sign the likes of Franson or another UFA(s).

Not sure the Pens are worried about Wilkes right now given the Kessel trade. Its win or bust for the big club.

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

I thought Bennett was Beauner

Still defending him?

13 even strength goals last year. 7 shorthanded goals = not sustainable production.

Clutch is a good player that elevates even more in big games/moments. Clutch is not a player that coasts through the regular season and then actually puts in effort in the postseason.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I was actually doing a little research on Sutter and Bonino to look at their point sustainability. Sutter is actually good for about 5 specialty goals per season, so the 7 wasn't too odd. He had kind of a down year the year before, but generally he looks like a guy who scores high teens in goals, low 30s in points. His ES scoring is actually on fairly low, say mid 20s per season, so he's not likely to get a big bump with better linemates and won't compare well with most 2Cs.

Bonino is actually a slightly better even strength producer throughout his career, probably good for around 30ES points in a 3rd line role. Got that same slight bump with increased ice time to 34 ESP in 75 gp this year which is a little on the low side but shows he could probably score enougb as a 3rd wheel in a top 6 role if needed but is best used as a depth player. The reason he had his big year in Anaheim was he received top PP minutes for most of the year and responded with 20 PP points. This year he got 5 in 2nd pairing minutes.

I'd calculate Bonino is probably good for at least 15g 35pt in a support role. But he could put up 20g and 40pt because the Pens should have a pretty good 2nd PP unit and he's their best option on the RW boards not named Sid or Geno. He's also probably going to see some top 6 time either with injury or because he just might be one of our 2 best offensive players that can play left wing.

Bonino is a weird player for me because I wouldn't want him as a top 3C yet he provides some really good scoring depth.

No one is taking Dupuis or Scuds off our hands without something decent in return.
- brienstel

Yeah, usually in cap dump trades, it's draft picks.

People seem to forget they signed the kid from Sweeden as well. He is a physical, stay at home d-man.

Edit: He is a wild card, because we all have no idea what he will bring.
- cap1681

But how mobile is? Isn't his ceiling suppose to be AHL call up?

I was actually doing a little research on Sutter and Bonino to look at their point sustainability. Sutter is actually good for about 5 specialty goals per season, so the 7 wasn't too odd. He had kind of a down year the year before, but generally he looks like a guy who scores high teens in goals, low 30s in points. His ES scoring is actually on fairly low, say mid 20s per season, so he's not likely to get a big bump with better linemates and won't compare well with most 2Cs.

Bonino is actually a slightly better even strength producer throughout his career, probably good for around 30ES points in a 3rd line role. Got that same slight bump with increased ice time to 34 ESP in 75 gp this year which is a little on the low side but shows he could probably score enougb as a 3rd wheel in a top 6 role if needed but is best used as a depth player. The reason he had his big year in Anaheim was he received top PP minutes for most of the year and responded with 20 PP points. This year he got 5 in 2nd pairing minutes.

I'd calculate Bonino is probably good for at least 15g 35pt in a support role. But he could put up 20g and 40pt because the Pens should have a pretty good 2nd PP unit and he's their best option on the RW boards not named Sid or Geno. He's also probably going to see some top 6 time either with injury or because he just might be one of our 2 best offensive players that can play left wing.

Bonino is a weird player for me because I wouldn't want him as a top 3C yet he provides some really good scoring depth.
- Tojo.

He'll be fine as a cost-effective 3C that doesn't black hole his line mates and have a consistently negative goal differential. Pens don't need the best 3C in the league, just a serviceable one.

Yeah, usually in cap dump trades, it's draft picks.
- cap1681

Something we don't have a lot of and a proven AHLer with upside is considerably more appealing when taking on 3.5+ for another 2-3 years in a cap dump imo. But agreed, typically it is picks. I certainly think is plausible Clendening is another sweetener in a deal for the pens to get cap relief. That seems to be his trade value.

But how mobile is? Isn't his ceiling suppose to be AHL call up?
- Victoro311

Everywhere i've seen, he is a very good skater. Haven't seen a ceiling for him anywhere.

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
- brienstel

Really want to add that defenseman. As for the forward, I hope Sundqvist can win that spot. A couple of young guys with an edge who can play in him and Plotnikov could make a big difference.

Something we don't have a lot of and a proven AHLer with upside is considerably more appealing when taking on 3.5+ for another 2-3 years in a cap dump imo. But agreed, typically it is picks. I certainly think is plausible Clendening is another sweetener in a deal for the pens to get cap relief. That seems to be his trade value.
- brienstel

Actually, the only picks we're missing is a conditional 1st and a 7th. If we lose our 1st, we gain a 2nd.

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.
- brienstel

Since they play opposite handed, could potentially look real nice on a 2nd PP unit.

Since they play opposite handed, could potentially look real nice on a 2nd PP unit.
- Tojo.

Ohh ya! That would be nice.

He'll be fine as a cost-effective 3C that doesn't black hole his line mates and have a consistently negative goal differential. Pens don't need the best 3C in the league, just a serviceable one.
- jfkst1

I'm not worried because I see Fehr as a better 3C. Having a guy who can provide good secondary offense pretty much wherever you place him is a nice toy.

Van's blog is kinda funny. They are going to give sutter 4.5-5 mil for 5 years and I say yr 2 fans start complaining... not sure who their 2nd line wingers are but hope they help sutter out

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.
- cap1681

I don't think he'd clear waivers unfortunately. I wouldn't risk it and would stash him as the 7th D. Using Scuderi forces Dumoulin to his off side with an injury. I know we're probably stuck with him, but with the makeup of our defense with Lovejoy the likely guy to move into the top 4 in an injury, that 7th D should be able to play the right side.

I was actually doing a little research on Sutter and Bonino to look at their point sustainability. Sutter is actually good for about 5 specialty goals per season, so the 7 wasn't too odd. He had kind of a down year the year before, but generally he looks like a guy who scores high teens in goals, low 30s in points. His ES scoring is actually on fairly low, say mid 20s per season, so he's not likely to get a big bump with better linemates and won't compare well with most 2Cs.

Bonino is actually a slightly better even strength producer throughout his career, probably good for around 30ES points in a 3rd line role. Got that same slight bump with increased ice time to 34 ESP in 75 gp this year which is a little on the low side but shows he could probably score enougb as a 3rd wheel in a top 6 role if needed but is best used as a depth player. The reason he had his big year in Anaheim was he received top PP minutes for most of the year and responded with 20 PP points. This year he got 5 in 2nd pairing minutes.

I'd calculate Bonino is probably good for at least 15g 35pt in a support role. But he could put up 20g and 40pt because the Pens should have a pretty good 2nd PP unit and he's their best option on the RW boards not named Sid or Geno. He's also probably going to see some top 6 time either with injury or because he just might be one of our 2 best offensive players that can play left wing.

Bonino is a weird player for me because I wouldn't want him as a top 3C yet he provides some really good scoring depth.
- Tojo.

Here's my thing: I don't LOVE Bonino. In a bubble, I'm not expecting him to be a big improvement over Sutter points wise. In fact, I think they'll be about equal. I'm only expecting about 33 points out of Bonino this year. I also think Sutter is a better PKer than Bonion, but we got Fehr who's probably just as good at PKing as Sutter, so that's not too important. However, the thing is, I think that Bonino can be the pivot for a line much more effectively than Sutter since he's not a possession black hole and can somewhat facilitate offense. Gotta admit, that even if Bonino just ends up being Sutter 2.0, that 1.9 mil cap hit makes it extremely acceptable.

Now, my entire argument for trading Sutter was asset management. Yeah, I didn't like his game and I thought he was incompetent at facilitating offense for his line mates, but his production in a bubble allowed me to accept his 3.3 mil cap hit. However, I by no means wanted Sutter for any more than that 3.3 and I didn't want him walking for nothing, hence why I wanted him traded. With Fehr, Simon, and Sundqvist and possibly even Bleuger moving forward, I probably won't be advocating resigning Bonino to whatever raise he'll want after his two year contract is over, so there's a 50% chance I will be on the trade Bonino train next offseason depending on how things are looking.

Van's blog is kinda funny. They are going to give sutter 4.5-5 mil for 5 years and I say yr 2 fans start complaining... not sure who their 2nd line wingers are but hope they help sutter out
- nh4442

Man... That will be one painful contract if Van becomes competitive in the next few years. Looks like they're headed for a painful slide.

Here's my thing: I don't LOVE Bonino. In a bubble, I'm not expecting him to be a big improvement over Sutter points wise. In fact, I think they'll be about equal. I'm only expecting about 33 points out of Bonino this year. I also think Sutter is a better PKer than Bonion, but we got Fehr who's probably just as good at PKing as Sutter, so that's not too important. However, the thing is, I think that Bonino can be the pivot for a line much more effectively than Sutter since he's not a possession black hole and can somewhat facilitate offense. Gotta admit, that even if Bonino just ends up being Sutter 2.0, that 1.9 mil cap hit makes it extremely acceptable.

Now, my entire argument for trading Sutter was asset management. Yeah, I didn't like his game and I thought he was incompetent at facilitating offense for his line mates, but his production in a bubble allowed me to accept his 3.3 mil cap hit. However, I by no means wanted Sutter for any more than that 3.3 and I didn't want him walking for nothing, hence why I wanted him traded. With Fehr, Simon, and Sundqvist and possibly even Bleuger moving forward, I probably won't be advocating resigning Bonino to whatever raise he'll want after his two year contract is over, so there's a 50% chance I will be on the trade Bonino train next offseason depending on how things are looking.
- Victoro311

Again, I think Bonino is a better version of Spaling...and cheaper (slightly). Miles ahead of Adams, Sill, and the like.

I only mention this because I just made the trade...Bonino is an 85 in NHL 15 and Fehr is an 82 lol