Uh, look at last year. He was their top center and they finished just behind the Flyers in the divisional race. He's not going to score at the Crosby or Malkin levels. When those guys are fully healthy, there's maybe 3 or 4 guys in the world that score at their levels.

He's also never been asked to play the role his brother plays. Perhaps if he hadn't been behind Malkin and Crosby, his game would be further along offensively. But I have no doubt that Staaal is a vital cog in their team-and would be welcomed with open arms by 29 other teams.
- Jsaquella

I agree. I just thought his offensive game would be better. He does average around 20 goals a year so hes not that bad. Defensively he is a monster and thats very important to the Pens because it allows Crosby and Malkin to do their thing.

I think Carle prices himself off this team.
Kubina has looked lost over the past 10 games, I don't know if he makes it back next year either.

Coburn-Grossmann
Kimmo-Meszaros
MAB-Lilja

If Schenn could be had for a reasonable price, I'd like him on the third pairing and make lilja a 7th defensemen
- the deaninator

They don't need Schenn next year. They need Carle or a guy that can move the puck like he does. I'm not comfortable with MAB in the top six full time next year, or Gustafsson. I like Lilja as the 7th guy.

I wouldn't trade JvR for Schenn right now. Before Grossmann, he was what they needed. Now? he's not what they need.

I agree. I just thought his offensive game would be better. He does average around 20 goals a year so hes not that bad. Defensively he is a monster and thats very important to the Pens because it allows Crosby and Malkin to do their thing.
- stveshdy

Exactly. It's hard for me to dismiss him as unimpressive offensively, because he's the third center. On 29 other teams, he's either the second center or the top line guy.

If Jordan Staal is in Toronto, he's in between Kessel and Lupul and being asked to score points.

They don't need Schenn next year. They need Carle or a guy that can move the puck like he does. I'm not comfortable with MAB in the top six full time next year, or Gustafsson. I like Lilja as the 7th guy.

I wouldn't trade JvR for Schenn right now. Before Grossmann, he was what they needed. Now? he's not what they need.
- Jsaquella

What about Johnny Oduya?

Uh, look at last year. He was their top center and they finished just behind the Flyers in the divisional race. He's not going to score at the Crosby or Malkin levels. When those guys are fully healthy, there's maybe 3 or 4 guys in the world that score at their levels.

He's also never been asked to play the role his brother plays. Perhaps if he hadn't been behind Malkin and Crosby, his game would be further along offensively. But I have no doubt that Staaal is a vital cog in their team-and would be welcomed with open arms by 29 other teams.
- Jsaquella

Giroux is about to find out just how vital he is. Claude will still get his though. Like 71 & 87, it's not about shutting them out, it's about limiting their chances.

I think Carle prices himself off this team.
Kubina has looked lost over the past 10 games, I don't know if he makes it back next year either.

Coburn-Grossmann
Kimmo-Meszaros
MAB-Lilja

If Schenn could be had for a reasonable price, I'd like him on the third pairing and make lilja a 7th defensemen
- the deaninator

I think you're right about Carle and Kubina.

I'd take Schenn at the right price and figure where he'd play at a later time. He'd develop at a quicker rate here than he would in TO. He's play with much less pressure because he wouldn't have the expectations he has right now.

What about Johnny Oduya?
- stveshdy

Oduya isn't as good as Carle. He'd be a solid addition if Carle can't be re-signed, but he's more defense minded than Carle.

Giroux is about to find out just how vital he is. Claude will still get his though. Like 71 & 87, it's not about shutting them out, it's about limiting their chances.
- canadianpenfan

I'm sure he will know more about Staal than he could ever want to.

These teams are a great match up. Sucks that one of them will lose in round one.

Oduya isn't as good as Carle. He'd be a solid addition if Carle can't be re-signed, but he's more defense minded than Carle.
- Jsaquella

I dont think hes better than Carle but he is a defenseman who can skate the puck and they need someone to replace Carle. There not getting Suter so whoever replaces him will have to be serviceable.

Oduya isn't as good as Carle. He'd be a solid addition if Carle can't be re-signed, but he's more defense minded than Carle.
- Jsaquella

Yep. We'd need someone with the ability to make the crisp first pass.

I dont think hes better than Carle but he is a defenseman who can skate the puck and they need someone to replace Carle. There not getting Suter so whoever replaces him will have to be serviceable.
- stveshdy

He's just more defensively inclined than Carle. I like the guy, but I think I;d be looking at the trade market more than FA...it's a fairly weak FA class, which hurts the effort to re-sign Carle.

Oduya isn't as good as Carle. He'd be a solid addition if Carle can't be re-signed, but he's more defense minded than Carle.
- Jsaquella

I'd prefer Coliaicovo from St. Louis.

Yep. We'd need someone with the ability to make the crisp first pass.
- 77rams

I'm looking at the UFA who can be had for a decent price. If we're expecting Carle's replacement to be as good then will be looking for a long time. I still think the Flyers can find another defenseman who can be serviceable and productive.

Oduya isn't as good as Carle. He'd be a solid addition if Carle can't be re-signed, but he's more defense minded than Carle.
- Jsaquella

Oduya can skate it out as well as Carle, but he doesn't have Carle's passing ability. Matt Carle doesn't get enough credit for the Flyers' turnaround in the Boston series in 2010. I was present for Carle's 4-assist effort in Game 4. It was something to behold.

I'm sure he will know more about Staal than he could ever want to.

These teams are a great match up. Sucks that one of them will lose in round one.
- Jsaquella

I relate this to vacation. Right now the anticipation is just so high, you're going to Hawaii and you can't wait to get there. Then we'll spend about 10 days drinking beer on the beach while looking at scantily clad beach girls. Then one of us will hop a plane to Cuba and the other will go home.

Moral of the story: It doesn't get better then the first part of the trip.

I'd prefer Coliaicovo from St. Louis.
- LordStanley88

If he could stay healthy for a half hour, he'd have been a good player.

Oduya can skate it out as well as Carle, but he doesn't have Carle's passing ability. Matt Carle doesn't get enough credit for the Flyers' turnaround in the Boston series in 2010. I was present for Carle's 4-assist effort in Game 4. It was something to behold.
- Flyskippy

Agreed. Oduya wouldn't be a bad option if they can't keep Carle...especially for his current cap hit.

I relate this to vacation. Right now the anticipation is just so high, you're going to Hawaii and you can't wait to get there. Then we'll spend about 10 days drinking beer on the beach while looking at scantily clad beach girls. Then one of us will hop a plane to Cuba and the other will go home.

Moral of the story: It doesn't get better then the first part of the trip.
- canadianpenfan

Still kind of sucks. If they did it by sheer points, the top four seeds would be NYR, PIT, PHI and NJ

Agreed. Oduya wouldn't be a bad option if they can't keep Carle...especially for his current cap hit.
- Jsaquella

Thats why I think hes an option without having to deal players.

Still kind of sucks. If they did it by sheer points, the top four seeds would be NYR, PIT, PHI and NJ
- Jsaquella

Totally agree.

Thats why I think hes an option without having to deal players.
- stveshdy

He's absolutely an option. I think that if they can't re-sign Carle, they go after a younger guy primarily-because of a lower cap hit & because Coburn, Meszaros and Grossmann are all still pretty young.

Totally agree.
- canadianpenfan

Oh well, here's to scantily clad beach gals in Hawaii.

Oh well, here's to scantily clad beach gals in Hawaii.
- Jsaquella

Have you seen anything come across Twitter on who's reffing yet?

Have you seen anything come across Twitter on who's reffing yet?
- canadianpenfan

Still kind of sucks. If they did it by sheer points, the top four seeds would be NYR, PIT, PHI and NJ
- Jsaquella

Well said.