"Completely resonate with this, no need to bring in a defenceman before the season. Ruhwedel adds toughness out there and played well this year when given the opportunity."

Given our lack of depth at RD and the injury histories of Letang (and to a lesser extent Schultz, should he re-sign), I would like us to acquire Franson on a low-cost deal to be the 3RD.
- T-Train

I am 100% on board with Franson.

I'm taking Daley over Franson, and I'm very ready to move on from Daley.

I'm taking Daley over Franson, and I'm very ready to move on from Daley.
- Rinosaur

I think Franson could be a scenario just like Schultz, put him in a position to succeed on a better team. The Pens should Definitely inquire.

I think Franson could be a scenario just like Schultz, put him in a position to succeed on a better team. The Pens should Definitely inquire.
- Thorny87

Schultz actually had untapped talent. Franson is just a big, soft pylon who has made a name for himself by getting elevated minutes on bad teams.

Franson, for the third year in row(!) is a huge pass.

I'd like to load up on dmen this summer like they did last summer. First I would grab Colin Miller and Jon Merrill from LV. That would give us a third RHD with above average talent. Then I would let Cole go.
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Miller
Merrill Ruhwedal
That's puck moving/ offensively capable depth right there.

I think Franson could be a scenario just like Schultz, put him in a position to succeed on a better team. The Pens should Definitely inquire.
- Thorny87

I agree..he's a big RH dman who has some offensive upside. He's played on some horrible teams the past 5 or 6 years too.

Schultz actually had untapped talent. Franson is just a big, soft pylon who has made a name for himself by getting elevated minutes on bad teams.

Franson, for the third year in row(!) is a huge pass.
- hardnosed

Agreed, much better options.

Agreed, much better options.
- Dcoms

Such as?

I'm taking Daley over Franson, and I'm very ready to move on from Daley.
- Rinosaur

Why?

Has anyone seen Colin Miller play? I watched a few Bruins games and can't say I noticed him too much. His Hero chart is insanely good.

I'd like to load up on dmen this summer like they did last summer. First I would grab Colin Miller and Jon Merrill from LV. That would give us a third RHD with above average talent. Then I would let Cole go.
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Miller
Merrill Ruhwedal
That's puck moving/ offensively capable depth right there.
- Dcoms

Yes to Miller, no to Merrill. I have a feeling there will be a few teams inquiring about the services of Colin Miller, not to mention Vegas might just keep him.

Also, how do you "let Cole go"? He is under contract. For what he provides, he is a good value at $2 mil for the last year of his contract.

Brian Dumoulin doesn't have a good shot; he has a hard shot, big difference. If he had a good shot, he'd be scoring more. He also doesn't jump into the play all that often (which is fine, he does here and there and does so effectively). It's probably a mix of who he is as a player and how he's being coached.
RW said 4.5 for Schultz, then said the matrix was a bit low for Dumo. I would argue it's a bit low for both of them. I'm guessing Dumo will land in the $3.5 - $4mm range for 4-5 years and Schultz will land in the $5-5.75 range for the same term.
BUT, seeing as how we're only a few days away from Canada Day (free agent frenzy) I'd rather be reading a blog on who candidates are for: backup, depth D, Letang insurance, 3rd line C (other than just naming Thornton who most teams want, watch out for CHI if they move Anisimov), 4th line C

Brian Dumoulin doesn't have a good shot; he has a hard shot, big difference. If he had a good shot, he'd be scoring more. He also doesn't jump into the play all that often (which is fine, he does here and there and does so effectively). It's probably a mix of who he is as a player and how he's being coached.
RW said 4.5 for Schultz, then said the matrix was a bit low for Dumo. I would argue it's a bit low for both of them. I'm guessing Dumo will land in the $3.5 - $4mm range for 4-5 years and Schultz will land in the $5-5.75 range for the same term.
BUT, seeing as how we're only a few days away from Canada Day (free agent frenzy) I'd rather be reading a blog on who candidates are for: backup, depth D, Letang insurance, 3rd line C (other than just naming Thornton who most teams want, watch out for CHI if they move Anisimov), 4th line C
- WSCTeton17

I agree with this, but if Dumo wants $4+ mil, he might price himself out of Pittsburgh. There are a lot of LDs out there who provide little offense and are decent/good defensively. It's not like Dumo is a shut-down defenseman. He's good, just not great. Still makes a lot of mistakes and is inconsistent (even though he's still better than Maatta).

Speaking of Maatta, I think the Pens know they overpaid for him and will have a hard time unloading him if they want to move him. He should have been in the $3 mil range, especially given the term.

Here's Friedman's 30 thoughts. Some pens tidbits in there.
https://t.co/Y3CmH63HBY

I agree with this, but if Dumo wants $4+ mil, he might price himself out of Pittsburgh. There are a lot of LDs out there who provide little offense and are decent/good defensively. It's not like Dumo is a shut-down defenseman. He's good, just not great. Still makes a lot of mistakes and is inconsistent (even though he's still better than Maatta).

Speaking of Maatta, I think the Pens know they overpaid for him and will have a hard time unloading him if they want to move him. He should have been in the $3 mil range, especially given the term.
- T-Train

Coyotes just moved a young dman at the same pay who is awful. For Hjmalsson. You dmen can be moved. Someone values them.

Here's Friedman's 30 thoughts. Some pens tidbits in there.
https://t.co/Y3CmH63HBY
- tpcg402

that duchene thing is pure garbage, no one wants maatta

Here's Friedman's 30 thoughts. Some pens tidbits in there.
https://t.co/Y3CmH63HBY
- tpcg402

I know he`s from Minny but I just really feel that for Cullen its Pens or retirement. Pretty sure he said something along those lines before the past season too. No way do I see him on the Sabres just because of Botterill.

I agree with this, but if Dumo wants $4+ mil, he might price himself out of Pittsburgh. There are a lot of LDs out there who provide little offense and are decent/good defensively. It's not like Dumo is a shut-down defenseman. He's good, just not great. Still makes a lot of mistakes and is inconsistent (even though he's still better than Maatta).

Speaking of Maatta, I think the Pens know they overpaid for him and will have a hard time unloading him if they want to move him. He should have been in the $3 mil range, especially given the term.
- T-Train

Maatta was pretty important in the playoffs and arguably the Pens best d-man outside of Schultz.

I think if he stays healthy into this season people will be pleased with him again.

that duchene thing is pure garbage, no one wants maatta
- DDM-Coga

He was the MVP of the parade

that duchene thing is pure garbage, no one wants maatta
- DDM-Coga

alot of people want maatta. people want people like reeves and have torts as coach. people are stupid so never count them out. just cuz some of us are smart doesn't mean everyone are.

alot of people want maatta. people want people like reeves and have torts as coach. people are stupid so never count them out. just cuz some of us are smart doesn't mean everyone are.
- martox

not even Finland wantss maatta
#Confirmed, Fatmarsh5

Yes to Miller, no to Merrill. I have a feeling there will be a few teams inquiring about the services of Colin Miller, not to mention Vegas might just keep him.

Also, how do you "let Cole go"? He is under contract. For what he provides, he is a good value at $2 mil for the last year of his contract.
- T-Train

Trade him obviously. Second round pick at this point is fair value. Vegas has 15 dmen still. They will take what they can get for 8 of them. Merrill is still young and is very talented. Playing on a bad team is no measure of ones ability. He was the last one the Devils let go to expansion and he still has tons of upside.

I know he`s from Minny but I just really feel that for Cullen its Pens or retirement. Pretty sure he said something along those lines before the past season too. No way do I see him on the Sabres just because of Botterill.
- MattStrat

I agree with all that. Good for Daley having interest out there. He can go and get $ and we can let him walk and not overpay. Was disappointed Pens weren't listed as one of the teams interested in Jumbo though. Very interested in who our 3C will be next year. Bonino coming back? Haven't read anything about him since the courtship period opened.

Why?
- j.boyd919

I think Daley is less of a liability on the ice. Franson does some solid things offensively, but terrible at defending.

Trade him obviously. Second round pick at this point is fair value. Vegas has 15 dmen still. They will take what they can get for 8 of them. Merrill is still young and is very talented. Playing on a bad team is no measure of ones ability. He was the last one the Devils let go to expansion and he still has tons of upside.
- Dcoms

I think Cole is worth more than a 2nd round pick to the Pens. Way more. Cole is a versatile veteran and a playoff performer (not to mention he is one of the few Pens defensemen who isn't injured all the time). He is only making $2 mil. You won't find anyone as good as Cole for $2 mil. 2nd round picks aren't worth much at all.