Hainsey sounds like a better version of lovejoy. I actually think having a top tier pk guy becomes more important in the playoffs as the forwards start to play a lot more defense and clog up the ice more. So special teams gain in importance. I wouldn't be shocked if hainsey plays in front of maatta. I think schultz and cole are safe. Daley we will want the offense.

Your know it all attitude gets annoying man...almost as annoying as mentioning Thomas Tatar and Mike Green every other day.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Decent skater, pretty steady, has a good stick.

He can get himself into trouble positionally sometimes but his gap control is excellent. Gets in the faces of opponents in the neutral zone and doesn't make many bad reads.

On the PK he WILL clear the puck the instant it lands on his stick. Doesn't screw around with it.
- BINGO!

The Pens PK has stunk this season. He should be a definite upgrade to that unit.

- willi

He can definitely garner a 1st. I just mean he's not worth a 1st to the Pens. If they retained 25%? Then sure, why not.

They'd be foolish to move him for a 1st this year though with such a thin draft, let alone to a team that will be one of the last teams drafting in the round.
- Rinosaur

If there was no expansion draft, would Pens fans be open to acquiring Green for a 1st+Pouliot?

Why is he not worth a 1st to the Pens? Who would be worth a 1st to the Pens?
- Feds91Stammer

Because he's not a major need. The Pens should, at least IMO, only move their 1st for a major need.

He can definitely garner a 1st. I just mean he's not worth a 1st to the Pens. If they retained 25%? Then sure, why not.

They'd be foolish to move him for a 1st this year though with such a thin draft, let alone to a team that will be one of the last teams drafting in the round.
- Rinosaur

What does next years draft look like compared to this years?

Because he's not a major need. The Pens should, at least IMO, only move their 1st for a major need.
- Rinosaur

Top 4 D isn't a major need? Given Maatta/Daley injuries, and Schultz's to an extent...

Because he's not a major need. The Pens should, at least IMO, only move their 1st for a major need.
- Rinosaur

What would their major need be?

What does next years draft look like compared to this years?
- j.boyd919

Supposedly deeper but still not a "generational" talent from what I've read.

If there was no expansion draft, would Pens fans be open to acquiring Green for a 1st+Pouliot?
- j.boyd919

Let me preface this by saying I don't think Schultz is better than Green...

Green is just not a need. He'd be a luxury for the Pens if they had the cap space. Schultz at around $4M is better value to the Pens than Green at $6M.

If there was no expansion draft, would Pens fans be open to acquiring Green for a 1st+Pouliot?
- j.boyd919

poop even with the expansion draft.

Protect: Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Dumo, Green, Schultz, Maatta, and Murray.

The risk is losing one of: Hornqvist, Hagelin, or Sundqvist.

poop even with the expansion draft.

Protect: Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Dumo, Green, Schultz, Maatta, and Murray.

The risk is losing one of: Hornqvist, Hagelin, or Sundqvist.
- Feds91Stammer

LOL!!! Um... no thank you. Not risking Horn or Hags for something that isn't necessary.

Let me preface this by saying I don't think Schultz is better than Green...

Green is just not a need. He'd be a luxury for the Pens if they had the cap space. Schultz at around $4M is better value to the Pens than Green at $6M.
- Rinosaur

And if Schultz costs more, say closer to $5M per year (as some people think) what about then?

And if Schultz costs more, say closer to $5M per year (as some people think) what about then?
- j.boyd919

Then you have a legit consideration IMO.

Let me preface this by saying I don't think Schultz is better than Green...

Green is just not a need. He'd be a luxury for the Pens if they had the cap space. Schultz at around $4M is better value to the Pens than Green at $6M.
- Rinosaur

See I dunno, Schultz is having a great season. But I am not a fan of paying him top 4 money because of 1 season. I really hope that if they extend him it's $4M or below. Also, I think how he plays come playoff time will be a big factor into his next contract. He got soft minutes and was a healthy scratch sometimes last playoffs. Definitely won't be this year, but let's see if his performance keeps up.

LOL!!! Um... no thank you. Not risking Horn or Hags for something that isn't necessary.
- Rinosaur

Hagelin is an overpaid role player and Hornqvist only has 1 year left. Not a huge risk.

There are so many ifs that can open the door...

The Pens have an opportunity to clear a lot of space off the books with Maatta and Fleury, plus you still have young strong players ready to enter the lineup which would save them some money.

Sheary and Dumo are going to get major bumps.
Murray's extension kicks in.

Cullen, Kunitz, Daley and Scuderi's retention come off the books. That more than clears the way for Sheary and Dumo.

Just a lot of shifting around that would need to happen. Still need to round out the D and add a back-up.

Hagelin is an overpaid role player and Hornqvist only has 1 year left. Not a huge risk.
- Feds91Stammer

Yes... huge risk. They were big parts of a cup winning team. If guys like that were so easily had they would have had guys like them three years ago.

poop even with the expansion draft.

Protect: Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Dumo, Green, Schultz, Maatta, and Murray.

The risk is losing one of: Hornqvist, Hagelin, or Sundqvist.
- Feds91Stammer

Hornqvist has higher trade value than green

LOL!!! Um... no thank you. Not risking Horn or Hags for something that isn't necessary.
- Rinosaur

I know everyone views Hags as the "start to the speed era" for the Pens and Horny is a bonafide stud, but they are going to have to move on after their contracts, which 1 is slightly overpaid in Hagelin, and the other is a UFA after next season. Even if they were to lose one of them, they would still have Sprong, Sheary, Rust, Guenztel, Wilson, Kuhnackl, Kessel, etc. for a very strong forward group. I'm not sure I see the Pens resigning either of them after their deals anyways.

There are so many ifs that can open the door...

The Pens have an opportunity to clear a lot of space off the books with Maatta and Fleury, plus you still have young strong players ready to enter the lineup which would save them some money.

Sheary and Dumo are going to get major bumps.
Murray's extension kicks in.

Cullen, Kunitz, Daley and Scuderi's retention come off the books. That more than clears the way for Sheary and Dumo.

Just a lot of shifting around that would need to happen. Still need to round out the D and add a back-up.
- Rinosaur

Honestly, I don't think Maatta is going anywhere

See I dunno, Schultz is having a great season. But I am not a fan of paying him top 4 money because of 1 season. I really hope that if they extend him it's $4M or below. Also, I think how he plays come playoff time will be a big factor into his next contract. He got soft minutes and was a healthy scratch sometimes last playoffs. Definitely won't be this year, but let's see if his performance keeps up.
- j.boyd919

His play was noticeable last year as well, but I get the apprehension. For $5M I would say let him walk, but what are the other options? We can talk about Green all day long, but that's a completely made up scenario. We have on real reason to suspect JR is thinking of going that route.

Realistically if the Pens let Schultz walk, the drop-off is very steep. His minutes were soft last year and to start the season, but he's been in an elevated role for a decent stretch now with no affect to his play.

Honestly, I don't think Maatta is going anywhere
- j.boyd919

I honestly don't know what to think at this point. I have to believe Maatta is the odd-man out to be exposed, but that doesn't mean he gets selected and may still be a Penguin.

JR is going be given a chance to prove his worth once again, that's for sure.

His play was noticeable last year as well, but I get the apprehension. For $5M I would say let him walk, but what are the other options? We can talk about Green all day long, but that's a completely made up scenario. We have on real reason to suspect JR is thinking of going that route.

Realistically if the Pens let Schultz walk, the drop-off is very steep. His minutes were soft last year and to start the season, but he's been in an elevated role for a decent stretch now with no affect to his play.
- Rinosaur

Honestly, who knows. UFA market looks like trash after Shatty... and who knows what the trade market/cost would be.