I agree...not always healthy but decent when he is, was thinking Ryan Murray would be another option, health again being the concern tho.
- rwilliams88

good Regina boy. never understood why the oilers passed on him in his draft year.

Saad signs with the Blues, 5 x $4.5M AAV.
- Theo Fox

Yes, I can hate him every bit as much as I hate the Blues.

Good measure for Kubalik
- CSKA1981

Those 2 are not the same player, Kubs has got a great shot and good hands. Kubs has a chance to grow into a point per game player, something Saad can only dream about

Pens Inside Scoop
@PensInsideScoop
When asked if he had any comment about the Marc-Andre Fleury trade, Hextall said, "No, I don't have a lot. I think Marc-Andre has been a terrific goalie for a long, long time. I've got the ultimate respect for him, and obviously people around here speak very highly of him."
3:47 PM · Jul 28, 2021


Matt Vensel
@mattvensel
·Jul 27
Just heard from a reliable source that the #Pens are not looking to acquire Marc-Andre Fleury. Not part of their plans at the moment. Carry on.


https://www.post-gazette....ency/stories/202107270165

But a source told the Post-Gazette on Tuesday evening that the Penguins are not looking to reacquire Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup winner here, and that he is not part of their plans with free agency set to begin Wednesday at noon.

But he is 36 and has a salary cap hit of $7 million in the final year of his deal. The Penguins, with limited cap space, are expected to go in another direction at that pivotal position, the source said. And it makes sense. If they coveted Fleury, why weren’t they the ones acquiring him for next to nothing from Vegas?
- Mr Ricochet

Because Pens couldn't afford the $7m cap hit. With Pens and Vegas both in cap hell, only way Fleury gets to Pens is through a middle man. Hawks can trade Fleury to Pens and retain as much as 50% of the cap hit. Fleury to Pens at $7m cap hit never worked. Fleury to Pens at $3.5m cap hit likely works. Not saying it happens, just saying Fleury from Vegas to Pens was always a very difficult deal to make work.

I just don't see the Hawks making another move for the blue line until deHaan is gone or McCabe isn't ready for the start of the season, or Jones, since Torts said he needed surgery at the end of the season.
- BetweenTheDots

I agree, I wouldn't pursue another D-man in free agency unless de Haan is gone. But if de Haan is still with the team, he can still be effective if he can stay healthy and play up to what he's been capable of doing defensively.

I agree, I wouldn't pursue another D-man in free agency unless de Haan is gone. But if de Haan is still with the team, he can still be effective if he can stay healthy and play up to what he's been capable of doing defensively.
- Theo Fox

I know some have Kalynuk pegged as AHL bound but it sure seemed whoever he partnered with he was the one that provided stability on the back end. Maybe the stats say different but to me it sure seems he was the key ingredient in defensive pairings playing better

I know some have Kalynuk pegged as AHL bound but it sure seemed whoever he partnered with he was the one that provided stability on the back end. Maybe the stats say different but to me it sure seems he was the key ingredient in defensive pairings playing better
- BetweenTheDots

If he is sent down to the A, he won't be there for long

Didn't you put yourself on a self imposed sabbatical last week because of the so called "toxic" environment here? Well it obviously didn't last long and then you make the post above...seems a bit hypocritical.
- NamedSources

My post referred to political or legal posts, not hockey posts. If we get political or legal I am out.

Because Pens couldn't afford the $7m cap hit. With Pens and Vegas both in cap hell, only way Fleury gets to Pens is through a middle man. Hawks can trade Fleury to Pens and retain as much as 50% of the cap hit. Fleury to Pens at $7m cap hit never worked. Fleury to Pens at $3.5m cap hit likely works. Not saying it happens, just saying Fleury from Vegas to Pens was always a very difficult deal to make work.
- Indianhead

That would be asinine to do...... But I can see Stan doing that which scares the poop out of me.

My post referred to political or legal posts, not hockey posts. If we get political or legal I am out.
- Ztra

So food, alcohol, music, all good?

I know some have Kalynuk pegged as AHL bound but it sure seemed whoever he partnered with he was the one that provided stability on the back end. Maybe the stats say different but to me it sure seems he was the key ingredient in defensive pairings playing better
- BetweenTheDots

No argument here. For Kalynuk, any AHL time is more fine tuning his skill set.

As for Mitchell and Beaudin, there's a lot more growth for them than fine tuning. It would do wonders for them to log top pair minutes plus play both special teams.

And when logging those big minutes, it's in a way where they can prioritize defense, improve in 3-zone play, and nail fundamentals.

Mitchell needs to learn that he's get the wheels to skate out of trouble and up ice to open up more options otherwise he's going to lean on the stretch pass too much like he has which he's pretty bad at.

Beaudin needs to focus on locking things down defensively first before even thinking about advancing up ice to activate offensively. He's shown spurts where he's capable of it so it's consistency.

So food, alcohol, music, all good?
- BetweenTheDots

It's always fun to pick your principles differently to fit how you feel that day....

Because Pens couldn't afford the $7m cap hit. With Pens and Vegas both in cap hell, only way Fleury gets to Pens is through a middle man. Hawks can trade Fleury to Pens and retain as much as 50% of the cap hit. Fleury to Pens at $7m cap hit never worked. Fleury to Pens at $3.5m cap hit likely works. Not saying it happens, just saying Fleury from Vegas to Pens was always a very difficult deal to make work.
- Indianhead

That would be asinine to do...... But I can see Stan doing that which scares the poop out of me.
- BGKarras

I don't agree. Fleury wont help the Hawks win another cup. There is a team out there (maybe Pens) willing to pay for the fact Fleury CAN help them win their next Stanley Cup.

No argument here. For Kalynuk, any AHL time is more fine tuning his skill set.

As for Mitchell and Beaudin, there's a lot more growth for them than fine tuning. It would do wonders for them to log top pair minutes plus play both special teams.

And when logging those big minutes, it's in a way where they can prioritize defense, improve in 3-zone play, and nail fundamentals.

Mitchell needs to learn that he's get the wheels to skate out of trouble and up ice to open up more options otherwise he's going to lean on the stretch pass too much like he has which he's pretty bad at.

Beaudin needs to focus on locking things down defensively first before even thinking about advancing up ice to activate offensively. He's shown spurts where he's capable of it so it's consistency.
- Theo Fox

It will be interesting to see how JC manages Caleb Jones...will he be forced to put him out there because of his brother and for how long. If Kalynuk is better he should play...there will also be injuries so I imagine the prospects will play.

Missed that from last year. did some reading up he has potential!
- SaskHawkFan

He had a very strong season at BU. like mentioned will probably be #1 goalie for the US at the WJC.
Saw him play a couple of games and liked what I saw.

Those 2 are not the same player, Kubs has got a great shot and good hands. Kubs has a chance to grow into a point per game player, something Saad can only dream about
- BetweenTheDots

Kubalik will never be a PPG player. a 30/20 guy? I can see that and there is nothing wrong with that. Saad will always be better defensively, tho. Probably the better player at ES, too.

That is, of course, if Kubalik is still around after this season.

Because Pens couldn't afford the $7m cap hit. With Pens and Vegas both in cap hell, only way Fleury gets to Pens is through a middle man. Hawks can trade Fleury to Pens and retain as much as 50% of the cap hit. Fleury to Pens at $7m cap hit never worked. Fleury to Pens at $3.5m cap hit likely works. Not saying it happens, just saying Fleury from Vegas to Pens was always a very difficult deal to make work.
- Indianhead



I don't agree. Fleury wont help the Hawks win another cup. There is a team out there (maybe Pens) willing to pay for the fact Fleury CAN help them win their next Stanley Cup.
- Indianhead

So what is in it for the Hawks...I'm mean we are not doing it for nothing...

I know some have Kalynuk pegged as AHL bound but it sure seemed whoever he partnered with he was the one that provided stability on the back end. Maybe the stats say different but to me it sure seems he was the key ingredient in defensive pairings playing better
- BetweenTheDots

Kalynuk is the only d-man that is waiver exempt. It will be the likely reason he is in the A. Can you see them exposing C. Jones to waivers to start the season?

Kubalik will never be a PPG player. a 30/20 guy? I can see that and there is nothing wrong with that. Saad will always be better defensively, tho. Probably the better player at ES, too.

That is, of course, if Kubalik is still around after this season.
- Elbows15

Never a big Saad fan but - mainly because I thought $6M salary was too much. In the playoffs with the Avs he was very good, better than Landeskog. If nothing else, he is consistent year over year.

Interesting how free agency works - Saad signing with the Blues will allow them to dump Tarasenko somewhere. The cost of new contracts for Landeskog and Makar cost Saad and Grubauer jobs with the Avs and then Sakic had to dump a Dman and a 1st rounder in order to get himself a new goaltender.

Kubalik will never be a PPG player. a 30/20 guy? I can see that and there is nothing wrong with that. Saad will always be better defensively, tho. Probably the better player at ES, too.

That is, of course, if Kubalik is still around after this season.
- Elbows15

I thought for sure he would struggle last year with inferior linemates and all he did was just keep producing. You may be right but i can definitely see him being closer to a point per game player than actually producing worse than he has the last 2 years in the league.

Kalynuk is the only d-man that is waiver exempt. It will be the likely reason he is in the A. Can you see them exposing C. Jones to waivers to start the season?
- Elbows15

That's true, it will be interesting for sure

Never a big Saad fan but - mainly because I thought $6M salary was too much. In the playoffs with the Avs he was very good, better than Landeskog. If nothing else, he is consistent year over year.

Interesting how free agency works - Saad signing with the Blues will allow them to dump Tarasenko somewhere. The cost of new contracts for Landeskog and Makar cost Saad and Grubauer jobs with the Avs and then Sakic had to dump a Dman and a 1st rounder in order to get himself a new goaltender.
- RickJ

Saad scored some big goals and was a big help in winning two cups. While he wasn’t a scoring machine he was always a dependable two way player. I always wished he was more physical but he never backed down when battling for pucks.

Isn’t that Makar kid something?

Never a big Saad fan but - mainly because I thought $6M salary was too much. In the playoffs with the Avs he was very good, better than Landeskog. If nothing else, he is consistent year over year.

Interesting how free agency works - Saad signing with the Blues will allow them to dump Tarasenko somewhere. The cost of new contracts for Landeskog and Makar cost Saad and Grubauer jobs with the Avs and then Sakic had to dump a Dman and a 1st rounder in order to get himself a new goaltender.
- RickJ

Well, CLB signed him to that contract. Saad was the ultimate tease as a player. There were night when he was a man against boys and I think everyone hope its what we would see every game.

He is consistent and there is something to be said for knowing what to expect. Versteeg was the same way. You could pen him in for .5 PPG every year.

Tarasenko wants out of St. Louis because he is not happy with his medical treatment. Kinda has nothing to do with Saad.

Sakic got Bowman'ed on that deal. Kuemper has played more than 30 games once in his career.

I thought for sure he would struggle last year with inferior linemates and all he did was just keep producing. You may be right but i can definitely see him being closer to a point per game player than actually producing worse than he has the last 2 years in the league.
- BetweenTheDots

It’s unlikely he’ll be a ppg guy but I like how he added a defensive side to his game. Most guys who have scoring success don’t put additional effort on the defensive side. The fact he improved in that regard I think makes him valuable.

I thought for sure he would struggle last year with inferior linemates and all he did was just keep producing. You may be right but i can definitely see him being closer to a point per game player than actually producing worse than he has the last 2 years in the league.
- BetweenTheDots

I like Kubalik a lot. I like players who try to work on their weaknesses and Kubalik definitely did last season. Kubie's hands aren't the greatest either. Watch how often he struggles to hold a pass in transition. His positives far outweigh his negative. He is one of the least problems on this team.