Well said. I think Moulson and Gionta still offer a ton of value to the team in the form of veteran leadership.
- Buffalo--Sabres

i agree i think they do as well.. i just think they need to present that leadership from the third line not the top 6.. which is why i would like a better option for the top 6.. that was all my point really was from the beginning.

It's funny because the real issue that most people have with him isn't any of the above things you've argued against. It's because of the $$ and duration of his contract.

I don't think it ends up an issue regardless, but some people are worried what it means to our cap when we get into the years where we start really competing and the young guys are due for raises.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ya, I think we'll be fine as far as the Cap goes
The Pens competed in year 3, but it took Tampa 5yrs to be legit contenders
We still have questions in goal and on defense

Guys like Moulson & Gionta are the least of our worries for now
Let's let the next couple years play out, and then see where we're at

I think Bennett is a better winger. Only issue with him is he's reckless.

He's like a mix of Taylor Hall and Matt Duchene. Hard to say whether he will be as good as either
- sbroads24

IMO Bennett will have a career similar to Mike Richards in the retrospect of style of play fading away in his late 20's.

Reinhart will end up having the longer more productive career.

i agree i think they do as well.. i just think they need to present that leadership from the third line not the top 6.. which is why i would like a better option for the top 6.. that was all my point really was from the beginning.
- IndianaSabresFan

They'll eventually be moved down as guys like Eichel & Reinhart climb the charts, & possibly Girgensons & maybe Larsson or even Foligno if he gets back on track
Then you'll have Bailey & Baptiste challenging them as well
Let it all play out
These guys won't be in the top6 in 3yrs

Ya, I think we'll be fine as far as the Cap goes
The Pens competed in year 3, but it took Tampa 5yrs to be legit contenders
We still have questions in goal and on defense

Guys like Moulson & Gionta are the least of our worries for now
Let's let the next couple years play out, and then see where we're at
- jdfitz77

Gionta won't be here come cup contending time.

If and it's a big IF they stay healthy this year and Lehner is the real deal I can see them competing for the 8th seed.

16-17 is that 5-7 seed.

17-18 is that cup contending type team.

He's always been one of my favorite players in the league. Total class act.
- HonkFortheGoose

Second that


Just so effective too. Few players have ever overcome size in a sport as well in St. Louis.

It's funny because the real issue that most people have with him isn't any of the above things you've argued against. It's because of the $$ and duration of his contract.

I don't think it ends up an issue regardless, but some people are worried what it means to our cap when we get into the years where we start really competing and the young guys are due for raises.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree he's old and that means steady decline, but we also don't know how fast that decline will occur. My point is that he is a productive player and as long as he is productive, there is no sense in replacing him. His contract is up in 4 years and by then all of our young guys (exception of Kane) will still be RFA's and under relatively cost controlled contracts or already signed. Worst case scenario you make all the RFA's sign the 1yr arbitration deal Or long term team friendly deals until moulson is gone. Basically, I think we are better off having a top 6 winger and paying him (even if he is slightly declining), than not.

Second that


Just so effective too. Few players have ever overcome size in a sport as well in St. Louis.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Theo Fluery, Dino Ciccarelli, and Marcel Dionne come to mind.

They'll eventually be moved down as guys like Eichel & Reinhart climb the charts, & possibly Girgensons & maybe Larsson or even Foligno if he gets back on track
Then you'll have Bailey & Baptiste challenging them as well
Let it all play out
These guys won't be in the top6 in 3yrs
- jdfitz77

Exactly. And if they are? It's because Moulson is still productive. Even when/if he drops to the 3rd line you overpay him for a year or two while getting bargains from young guys in the top 6

I agree he's old and that means steady decline, but we also don't know how fast that decline will occur. My point is that he is a productive player and as long as he is productive, there is no sense in replacing him. His contract is up in 4 years and by then all of our young guys (exception of Kane) will still be RFA's and under relatively cost controlled contracts or already signed. Worst case scenario you make all the RFA's sign the 1yr arbitration deal Or long term team friendly deals until moulson is gone. Basically, I think we are better off having a top 6 winger and paying him (even if he is slightly declining), than not.
- MattFreaknEllis

I could see him in more of a 3rd line role as soon as next year honestly.

That isn't a good place for him though as he isn't fast enough nor gritty enough for that role.

If he isn't in a top 6 role he's somewhat useless.

I could see him in more of a 3rd line role as soon as next year honestly.

That isn't a good place for him though as he isn't fast enough nor gritty enough for that role.

If he isn't in a top 6 role he's somewhat useless.
- dadeadhead

I disagree as he was still our best possession player, which makes you good on any line

Edit: while also playing against the opposition's top line

Theo Fluery, Dino Ciccarelli, and Marcel Dionne come to mind.
- dadeadhead

Obligatory

Theo Fluery, Dino Ciccarelli, and Marcel Dionne come to mind.
- dadeadhead

They way St. Louis created space on the ice was marvelous.

I disagree as he was still our best possession player, which makes you good on any line
- MattFreaknEllis

Listen I like Moulson just hated the length they gave him.

If he's on the 3rd line, it's a waste of a roster spot as he doesn't have the ability to play that type of role. What you end up with is a very expensive strictly pp guy. That I am not on board with at all.


Also saying he's the best possession player on one of the worst possession teams is like calling a sh!t sandwich prime rib.

I disagree as he was still our best possession player, which makes you good on any line

Edit: while also playing against the opposition's top line
- MattFreaknEllis

reading too much into this, everyone was technically bad possession wise last year. Girgensons and Ristolainen were two of our worst.

Listen I like Moulson just hated the length they gave him.

If he's on the 3rd line, it's a waste of a roster spot as he doesn't have the ability to play that type of role. What you end up with is a very expensive strictly pp guy. That I am not on board with at all.


Also saying he's the best possession player on one of the worst possession teams is like calling a sh!t sandwich prime rib.
- dadeadhead

Obviously his possession numbers were still terrible, but I think it is still valuable to look at when a guy improves the numbers of the players around him, as Moulson did.

Last year we had guys playing 1,2,3 lines above where they should be (including Moulson). I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume he would be a good possession player in a better role to succeed without a dogsh!t team surrounding him

Obligatory
- Der Kaiser

Is that made from foods he cannot reach in the refrigerator ?

Is that made from foods he cannot reach in the refrigerator ?
- cabin

Pretty cool

http://wyrk.com/watch-buf...eveland-browns-fan-video/

Is that made from foods he cannot reach in the mini fridge ?
- cabin

Fixed for accuracy.

Gionta won't be here come cup contending time.

If and it's a big IF they stay healthy this year and Lehner is the real deal I can see them competing for the 8th seed.

16-17 is that 5-7 seed.

17-18 is that cup contending type team.
- dadeadhead

That's all BEST case scenario though
Just as easily could take an extra 2yrs beyond that

That's all BEST case scenario though
Just as easily could take an extra 2yrs beyond that
- jdfitz77

I can't see us coming anywhere near a playoff spot without a massive upgrade to the defense

Obviously his possession numbers were still terrible, but I think it is still valuable to look at when a guy improves the numbers of the players around him, as Moulson did.

Last year we had guys playing 1,2,3 lines above where they should be (including Moulson). I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume he would be a good possession player in a better role to succeed without a dogsh!t team surrounding him
- MattFreaknEllis

The Islanders who were/are on the up and up wanted zero to do with Moulson going forward. He was moved off of JT's line and as a result became an asset not worth keeping.

Just saying.

Listen I like Moulson just hated the length they gave him.

If he's on the 3rd line, it's a waste of a roster spot as he doesn't have the ability to play that type of role. What you end up with is a very expensive strictly pp guy. That I am not on board with at all.


Also saying he's the best possession player on one of the worst possession teams is like calling a sh!t sandwich prime rib.
- dadeadhead

Depends how Bylsma uses that 3rd line
I'm guessing that RORs line will match up against other teams' top line, so that 3rd line may end up being more of a scoring line
Think back when our 3rd line had Roy, Vanek & Max on it

Pretty cool

http://wyrk.com/watch-buf...eveland-browns-fan-video/
- jdfitz77

Goodwin's sister has cerebral palsy. ESPN did an E:60 about him. He is one of the good guys out there. It's worth a watch.