Do you guys still fully expect HBK to be your 3rd line again next season? I know its not really a "3rd" line, they play more like a 1st line, but if Malkin stays(which i think he will) will he and Crosby still anchor separate lines from HBK?
- SimpleJack

Short answer: Yes.

I think the North will fall in line, and I think Sansa will out smart LF next season, he has become so full of himself....I know he had a backdoor deal with the Lanisters, but I am pretty sure none of the Starks give an F about that. I wonder if Sansa is prego, with Ramsay telling her he will always be apart of her...that line stood out to me.
- Thorny

Good point about that line from Ramsay. That would be an interesting twist.

some boston reporters are saying they think vesey will sign with pens.
- martox

And where, my good Swede, did you hear this?

And three dragons
- tpcg402

But of course...

Short answer: Yes.
- Victoro311

That formula of elite spread out forward firepower that you guys used during your Cup run has led me to wish for my Hawks to try a Toews line, a Kane line, and a "3rd" line of Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa.

That is my point there are more contributions than just speed. A guy like Ladd brings a lot of those qualities too. But also makes more controlled plays. Hornqvist as good as he is at what he does also kills a lot of possessions.
- sditulli

Ladd's older and declining and will demand a big salary for at least 5 years. I think it would be a mistake....JMO.

Winnipeg has their own promising youngster who's probably just a tier shy of the Vasy/Gibson/Murray class. They shouldn't be in the market.
- Victoro311

I forgot about Hellubuyck... Good point.

And where, my good Swede, did you hear this?
- Victoro311

let me rephrase that. they said that people need to remember rights to buffalo doesn't mean he signs there and said keep looking at pens.
also honestly I can't remember where I saw it but it was on twitter and it was "confirmed posters"

Question: How come Vesey doesn't become a free agent on July 1st like everyone else? Why does he have to wait until August?

Question: How come Vesey doesn't become a free agent on July 1st like everyone else? Why does he have to wait until August?
- Victoro311

Collegiate players that do not sign by August 15th become free agents... CBA agreement

That formula of elite spread out forward firepower that you guys used during your Cup run has led me to wish for my Hawks to try a Toews line, a Kane line, and a "3rd" line of Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa.
- SimpleJack

Your players play well on the same line though. That's a big reason the pens split them all up. Even though it was a short trial period, kessel didn't mesh with Crosby or malkin. I think it's pretty obvious that Kane and panarin can play together

I love this website! Went through two pages trying to catch up and saw Fleury, dragons, and the white north. I don't understand any of it.

Collegiate players that do not sign by August 15th become free agents... CBA agreement
- hipcheck_goalie

Thanks.

Ladd's older and declining and will demand a big salary for at least 5 years. I think it would be a mistake....JMO.
- madmike71

I also don't think the Pens should go after a big salary for an older player. They will have a lot of big raises coming up next summer: Murray, Dumoulin, Bonino, Sheary if he has a good year. Also keep or replace Daley and top 4 RH d are not cheap.

There's no need to risk another possible Kunitz type contract and then be forced to lose a player we may want to keep the next year when the cap will really bite us.

Just thought of this... Dan Bylsma and his love of giving young players a chance to prove themselves. #Veseyinthepressbox

I also don't think the Pens should go after a big salary for an older player. They will have a lot of big raises coming up next summer: Murray, Dumoulin, Bonino, Sheary if he has a good year. Also keep or replace Daley and top 4 RH d are not cheap.

There's no need to risk another possible Kunitz type contract and then be forced to lose a player we may want to keep the next year when the cap will really bite us.
- Tojo.

Times a lot. We're good.

I also don't think the Pens should go after a big salary for an older player. They will have a lot of big raises coming up next summer: Murray, Dumoulin, Bonino, Sheary if he has a good year. Also keep or replace Daley and top 4 RH d are not cheap.

There's no need to risk another possible Kunitz type contract and then be forced to lose a player we may want to keep the next year when the cap will really bite us.
- Tojo.

People don't realize Murray and dumoulin could get between 6-10mil together. Have to be thinking ahead

Good point about that line from Ramsay. That would be an interesting twist.
- SimpleJack

I shudder at the thought, but it would not shock me. I am curious is to what happens with the lads from the iron islands...will the dragons wipe them out? I wonder who the next great villain will be, man do I miss the Red Viper. They could do a whole season on him, and I would be happy.

People don't realize Murray and dumoulin could get between 6-10mil together. Have to be thinking ahead
- jchst22

Dums was a rookie this past season wasnt he? I think they have RFA right to him for the next 4 years? Same with Murray...I think they will get a bridge deal done with each.

Why wouldn't they at least ask? He's 5 years older, but is better, especially after the year he just had in the regular season.

And if they didn't ask, this tells you the market is even smaller than MAF or his agent thinks.

Even more evidence that MAF is likely going nowhere.
- PensFan1962

I look at it this way... JR didn't meet with Flower and his agent, until AFTER that Calgary call. Thus, no answer to them right away. Toronto, should they know this (which anyone should, public information and all that) pursued Anderson before Flower, to not have to wait around. They struck the deal for him, signed him, who cares about waiting for Flower (from their org's mindset).

I also don't think the Pens should go after a big salary for an older player. They will have a lot of big raises coming up next summer: Murray, Dumoulin, Bonino, Sheary if he has a good year. Also keep or replace Daley and top 4 RH d are not cheap.

There's no need to risk another possible Kunitz type contract and then be forced to lose a player we may want to keep the next year when the cap will really bite us.
- Tojo.

Agreed. Kunitz, Scuderi, MAF, Daley, Bonino, and Fleury will all be coming off the books but we'll have a lot of decisions to make with the free agents we'll have. I'd rather not hamstring ourselves with an expensive new contract. Boedker's just not the type of player I'd do back flips to squeeze under the cap, especially if his going rate is over 5 mil.

Agreed. Kunitz, Scuderi, MAF, Daley, Bonino, and Fleury will all be coming off the books but we'll have a lot of decisions to make with the free agents we'll have. I'd rather not hamstring ourselves with an expensive new contract. Boedker's just not the type of player I'd do back flips to squeeze under the cap, especially if his going rate is over 5 mil.
- Victoro311

What about Helm? He is a fast skilled player that could help out they pick up if they move kuni out and have cap space

Do you guys still fully expect HBK to be your 3rd line again next season? I know its not really a "3rd" line, they play more like a 1st line, but if Malkin stays(which i think he will) will he and Crosby still anchor separate lines from HBK?
- SimpleJack

Depends on this offseason. Malkin line definitely needs to add a true top 6. If we add thru fleury trade or Ufa (Ladd, Boedker, vesey, are most likely) then increased likelihood of hbk

Ladd's older and declining and will demand a big salary for at least 5 years. I think it would be a mistake....JMO.
- madmike71

Agree I only add him if he's legit on his desire to take a sub market deal for winner. 55/22.5 would be as high as i would consider.

What about Helm? He is a fast skilled player that could help out they pick up if they move kuni out and have cap space
- nh4442

There's a couple cheap options I'd take a flyer on. Helm's aight. I'd also look into Grabner, Stalberg, and Eaves if JR wants to sign a UFA. No one expensive and try to keep it to a one-year soldier of fortune contract.