He has a 10 team no trade clause.

I'd take Stone at 9.5m and the assets you get a trade over Kessel for 6.8m.
- MacPatty

Aren't we female doging about Kessel because of cap hit? I don't see how replacing him with a guy that's nearly 3 mil more expensive helps us at all. We get younger? Cool. Kessel is producing a point per game so who gives a damn how old or young he is?

Also this banks on Stone actually signing here when he has a ton of options to choose from. Sports fans always fall victim to the idea that if you can make the cap work its a sure thing if you want a player in free agency. That's just not the case unless you're the LA Lakers. There is a significant opportunity cost tied to getting rid of a point per game player that's locked up long term to try and lure a point per game player that may or may not sign here and is more expensive to boot. This idea of getting younger doesn't justify it.

Isn’t it the coaches decision on what player plays what side?
- j.boyd919

Technically, it's God's.

Technically, it's God's.
- jmatchett383

Aren't we female doging about Kessel because of cap hit? I don't see how replacing him with a guy that's nearly 3 mil more expensive helps us at all. We get younger? Cool. Kessel is producing a point per game so who gives a damn how old or young he is?

Also this banks on Stone actually signing here when he has a ton of options to choose from. Sports fans always fall victim to the idea that if you can make the cap work its a sure thing if you want a player in free agency. That's just not the case unless you're the LA Lakers. There is a significant opportunity cost tied to getting rid of a point per game player that's locked up long term to try and lure a point per game player that may or may not sign here and is more expensive to boot. This idea of getting younger doesn't justify it.
- Victoro311

Along the same lines, did you know that players are obligated to sign any/all offer sheets they receive?

What are the odds CBJ dont have Panarin and Duchene to start the season next year?

Overreaction blog with a lot of overreacting comments. Fitting.

Last night they blew, and this might not make sense to some, a lot of opportunities to have quality chances. Flubbing, fanning, mishandling and down right missing pucks all over the place.

Sometimes for a team the sum is more than its parts. For the Pens a lot of nights the parts are more than the sum. This team isnt that poorly constructed IMO. They just need to jive better and I think they will.

I still believe in this team. I still have my eyes on 1st in the Metro.

That we'd have a 2nd and a 3rd, or do you prefer Bjugstad?
- RoloTahmasee

I prefer Bjugstand and McCann over dumping Brass for picks. I realize your point is we'd have more picks to trade for different players but I like Bjug and Mccann. To get better players with those picks, you'd be looking at rentals and I dont think thats a shrewd move.

The Pens still need an identity...but with time I see Bjug and McCann being very valuable.

What are the odds CBJ dont have Panarin and Duchene to start the season next year?
- sammy87

High-ish. I have no idea what Duchene's views on signing an extension with CBJ and Panarin explicitly wants to test free agency.

Without Panarin and Bob, CBJ has a pretty mediocre roster. I totally get the mentality of just kinda going for it this season despite not being elite. Duchene didn't cost them a premium at all and if Panarin and Bob leave, they may as well do a reset and sell on everyone not named Jones and Werenski.

I prefer Bjugstand and McCann over dumping Brass for picks. I realize your point is we'd have more picks to trade for different players but I like Bjug and Mccann. To get better players with those picks, you'd be looking at rentals and I dont think thats a shrewd move.

The Pens still need an identity...but with time I see Bjug and McCann being very valuable.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah man. Bjugs is playing great. He's right behind the big 3 for chances since being acquired. He had 4 points in 5 games leading into last night.

Along the same lines, did you know that players are obligated to sign any/all offer sheets they receive?
- jmatchett383

I mean, I still don't get why offer sheets aren't thrown around more often. If nothing else to kneecap other teams in the salary cap department. If someone had the balls to offer sheet Matthews the full extent of a max contract (apparently no one in salary cap history has signed a full blown max besides somehow Brad Richards), the likelihood is slim to none that the Leafs wouldn't match, but it puts them in a total bind.

C'mon... If I was Robert Kraft (or any old Millionaire/Billionaire) I'd be drowning in whores.... admit it, so would you and all of us
- RoloTahmasee

The best commentary on prostitutes came from Charlie Sheen when somebody asked him why he needed to get one.

He said he's not paying the girl to come to him. He's paying the girl to leave him.

I imagine the Kraft situation applies.

PIT is trading Kessel for picks and the picks are being flipped for Stone.
- Feds91Stammer

LOL

Wait... you’re joking right? I’m working 12hr days right now, so I’m not so sharp.

- Victoro311

I never get tired of that show.

C'mon... If I was Robert Kraft (or any old Millionaire/Billionaire) I'd be drowning in whores.... admit it, so would you and all of us
- RoloTahmasee

Ehhh... Prosts don't interest me at all, but #SexWorkIsWork and should be legalized. I think most of the danger in the prostitution industry is caused by the fact that its illegal and forced into the black market which is inherently lawless and anarchic. If it were legalized and regulated, the whole enterprise of prostitution would be leagues safer for both workers and clients.

I mean, I still don't get why offer sheets aren't thrown around more often. If nothing else to kneecap other teams in the salary cap department. If someone had the balls to offer sheet Matthews the full extent of a max contract (apparently no one in salary cap history has signed a full blown max besides somehow Brad Richards), the likelihood is slim to none that the Leafs wouldn't match, but it puts them in a total bind.
- Victoro311

Maybe this answers the question.

I don't think TML would have ever let him get to RFA status on July 1st. Plus, he may actually like Toronto.

Also, the Flyers pretty much did this with Shea Weber, and thank Bruce Campbell Nashville matched.

Can anyone provide some info from Yohe’s new article in the athletic?
- Rinosaur

Well it was a mailbag so its all over...

he has some concern about Kessel maybe losing half a step as the league is getting faster and phil's not creating separation like he used to.

he thinks other teams will have more to offer Zuccarello....and Kreider would be a perfect fit but costs way too much (which I agree with)

he sees GMJR making a depth move at the TDL and thats about it. he doesnt think pens can fix their issues with a trade

A) Riikola isn't the best of the bunch. Oleksiak and Ruhwedel are legitimate bottom pairing defensemen. Riikola is replacement level and has been Olli's most common line mate this season.

B) Pretty much every single defenseman struggles on their offside. I guess Maatta could have marched into Sullivan's office and demanded that he play out of position for the sake of mentoring Riikola, but, like, who would do that? Everyone hates playing out of position and it would occur to almost no one that playing their off position would benefit the team. And most coaches when deciding who to play out of position will decide to maximize their better players and keep them in their natural position as a damage control element.
- Victoro311

A) Referring to offensive ability after Oleksiak was injured. Oleksiak does play better on his off side, which is rare I agree. Ruhwedel is just a mystery how the coaching staff is using him this year. That includes Gonchar, Martin, Sullivan and whoever else is involved in his situation. So yes between Johnson, Riikola and Petterson, Riikola is the best.

B) Nobody walks into the coaches office and demands anything, you do that during practice. The coaches are looking for a replacement for Shultz/Oleksiak and offering anyone who responds positively with more playing time. That is how you react.

I was asked to give my definition of a leader and that is how I define it. You can agree or disagree.

Well it was a mailbag so its all over...

he has some concern about Kessel maybe losing half a step as the league is getting faster and not creating separation like he used to.

he thinks other teams will have more to offer Zuccarello....and Kreider would be a perfect fit but costs way too much (which I agree with)

he sees GMJR making a depth move at the TDL and thats about it. he doesnt think pens can fix their issues with a trade
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Gotcha, thanks!

Maybe this answers the question.

I don't think TML would have ever let him get to RFA status on July 1st. Plus, he may actually like Toronto.
- jmatchett383

But I just don't see the downside. Matthews love Toronto and wants to take the old hometown discount and not sign the offer sheet, who gives a damn? Nothing changes. May as well go for it. Worst case scenario nothing happens. Medium case scenario the player signs, the team matches, and now an enemy has a bigger contract on the books than they otherwise would have, best case scenario you sign a star player in his prime that otherwise wouldn't have been available at the expense of picks. There really is no downside here.

if I put my thinking cap on....

GMJR likes his former players
GMJR trusts Matt Cullen's advice over anyone elses
GMJR doesnt have lots of assets, so probably looking at a rental


*runs trade deadline simulator*

PIT trades for Eric Staal

if I put my thinking cap on....

GMJR likes his former players
GMJR trusts Matt Cullen's advice over anyone elses
GMJR doesnt have lots of assets, so probably looking at a rental


<>

PIT trades for Eric Staal
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Im down with this.

A) Referring to offensive ability after Oleksiak was injured. Oleksiak does play better on his off side, which is rare I agree. Ruhwedel is just a mystery how the coaching staff is using him this year. That includes Gonchar, Martin, Sullivan and whoever else is involved in his situation. So yes between Johnson, Riikola and Petterson, Riikola is the best.

B) Nobody walks into the coaches office and demands anything, you do that during practice. The coaches are looking for a replacement for Shultz/Oleksiak and offering anyone who responds positively with more playing time. That is how you react.

I was asked to give my definition of a leader and that is how I define it. You can agree or disagree.
- Thunderbolt

I feel like you're very strongly assuming Sullivan even considered playing Maatta on his offside. Like I said, as a rule of thumb coaches generally like to keep their higher end players in their natural positions the logic being that whoever goes to their offside will struggle and a player that's already bad struggling won't hurt the team as badly than an actual good player struggling, if that makes sense.

But I just don't see the downside. Matthews love Toronto and wants to take the old hometown discount and not sign the offer sheet, who gives a damn? Nothing changes. May as well go for it. Worst case scenario nothing happens. Medium case scenario the player signs, the team matches, and now an enemy has a bigger contract on the books than they otherwise would have, best case scenario you sign a star player in his prime that otherwise wouldn't have been available at the expense of picks. There really is no downside here.
- Victoro311

The team has to allow him to get there first.

And for all we know, someone did this to a player, and since he rejected it, it never got out.

The team has to allow him to get there first.

And for all we know, someone did this to a player, and since he rejected it, it never got out.
- jmatchett383

I was just using Matthews as an example because he was until recently the highest profile RFA in the league. Generally, teams do a good job of locking up their high profile RFAs before free agency, so its not like there's a ton of opportunities to do this, but given that there are never any stories about it, I feel like its a pretty good assumption that it doesn't happen but once every blue moon. GMs don't like the tool.

damnit Caps

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