I misread. I thought you were giving him another raise. My bad. But still is just how i feel reading all these comments.
- canadianpenfan

I hear that.

Not advocating keeping him, but the team is good for next year capwise, even with Martin still around.
- rival22

Perhaps, we really dont know what changes will be made to the CBA. Hypothetically speaking the cap could go down.

The trend in how the game is being called has not helped a player like Martin out at all like it has Volchenkov. I still dont blame Shero for making the Martin signing, it just isnt working out like Im sure he and us fans wanted it to.
- Gunner Staal

I liked both those signings as late as this time last year. I think alot of Z's problems are overblown and I think he'll get back to playing the way he did last year. But Martin just looks lost, almost like the game became too fast for him in one year. I would literally trade him for anything we could get at this point. Pluse when RS made those signings I don't think he knew what he had in Despres.

I'm off to fight southern california rush hour traffic. At least it's nice!

I liked both those signings as late as this time last year. I think alot of Z's problems are overblown and I think he'll get back to playing the way he did last year. But Martin just looks lost, almost like the game became too fast for him in one year. I would literally trade him for anything we could get at this point. Pluse when RS made those signings I don't think he knew what he had in Despres.
- canadianpenfan

FYI - Not sure if anyone saw, but Z underwent Hip surgery:

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ek-undergoes-hip-surgery/

Ron Francis and Jeff O'Neil
- Gunner Staal

Didn't O'Neil pop 40 one season. Actually who cares, if we are getting Ronny Franchise back they can be throwing in a pylon and I'm pleased.

Gents:

I'm really struggling with the outcome of the Caps vs Rangers series. I've been leaning ever so slightly in favor of the Caps because IMHO the Rangers are the team of those 2 that has the best chance of winning the Cup and I think the Devils have it within them to beat the Caps, but would struggle with the Rangers....plus a Tortorella press conference after a game 7 loss would be comedy gold!

But then again, I can't pull for a Dale Hunter coached team with A-holes like Ovechkin and Semin, can I?

This is a crisis.

I crisis I say.

Help!

I'll say this about the contracts though. Crosby and Malkin set an artificial ceiling for other players. Player agents are really in a tough spot when they come to the GM and say well I want 9M/yr. The response would be "haha, do you really think you are better than Crosby/Malkin?" This is the interesting dynamic of Crosby and Malkin's new deals, the NHLPA desperately wants its best players making the best money, it helps every other player who is up for a deal. If Malkin and Sid take 7M/yr it makes it tougher for other players to get 7M/yr. That is how it works.
- Gunner Staal

I agree there is that pressure by the NHLPA, but I also think its less prevelant in the NHL due to the hard-cap being pegged to a % of league revenue & Guarenteed contracts.

If Crosby/Malkin super-stars get more money, it just means there is less for 3rd/4th-line guys, whereas in MLB, NFL or the NBA owners can be pushed into exceeding the cap through loopholes & what not.

The trend in how the game is being called has not helped a player like Martin out at all like it has Volchenkov. I still dont blame Shero for making the Martin signing, it just isnt working out like Im sure he and us fans wanted it to.
- Gunner Staal

If the Pens signed Volchenkov, it would have come at the expense of Z, Shero probably would have still went after Martin, unfortunately.

Gents:

I'm really struggling with the outcome of the Caps vs Rangers series. I've been leaning ever so slightly in favor of the Caps because IMHO the Rangers are the team of those 2 that has the best chance of winning the Cup and I think the Devils have it within them to beat the Caps, but would struggle with the Rangers....plus a Tortorella press conference after a game 7 loss would be comedy gold!

But then again, I can't pull for a Dale Hunter coached team with A-holes like Ovechkin and Semin, can I?

This is a crisis.

I crisis I say.

Help!
- Emperor Filonius

In the Kings we trust (I am picking them vs. PHO)

Gents:

I'm really struggling with the outcome of the Caps vs Rangers series. I've been leaning ever so slightly in favor of the Caps because IMHO the Rangers are the team of those 2 that has the best chance of winning the Cup and I think the Devils have it within them to beat the Caps, but would struggle with the Rangers....plus a Tortorella press conference after a game 7 loss would be comedy gold!

But then again, I can't pull for a Dale Hunter coached team with A-holes like Ovechkin and Semin, can I?

This is a crisis.

I crisis I say.

Help!
- Emperor Filonius

For some reason, I am rooting for the Capitals. I like several of the Rangers players, but Tortorella has become insufferable for me, and so have the Rangers as a whole.

Ovechkin has gotten quieter and less annoying, and as much as I hated Hunter as a player, he's easier to deal with listening to than Boudreau was. I've found myself rooting for Laich, Ward, Holtby & Backstrom... and even Ovechkin.

Another slow day, so why not fill it with outlandish Staal trade rumors? lol

The chatter out of Raleigh still seems to be about Jordan Staal getting traded there. If you were Shero, what would trade would you propose for Staal?
- rival22

Just so we are clear, I don' think Staal is leaving Pitt. anytime soon unless (1) he's unhappy playing behing Crosby & Malkin or (2) the CBA drastically lowers the Cap and Shero has no choice. In any case, I certainly hope he doesn't leave. But, as the alternative is thinking about Pirates baseball, here we go:

Penguins: Jordan Staal

Hurricans: Brandon Sutter, 1st, & a top NHL prospect (preferably, a C)

Rationale: No way the Canes would let Skinner go and, to be honest, I'd rather have 6'3" Sutter than 5'10" Skinner. Sutter is also signed for 2 more yrs & then becomes a RFA. Top-6 would be Sutter-Crosby-Dupuis, Kunitz-Malkin-Neal.

Just so we are clear, I don' think Staal is leaving Pitt. anytime soon unless (1) he's unhappy playing behing Crosby & Malkin or (2) the CBA drastically lowers the Cap and Shero has no choice. In any case, I certainly hope he doesn't leave. But, as the alternative is thinking about Pirates baseball, here we go:

Penguins: Jordan Staal

Hurricans: Brandon Sutter, 1st, & a top NHL prospect (preferably, a C)

Rationale: No way the Canes would let Skinner go and, to be honest, I'd rather have 6'3" Sutter than 5'10" Skinner. Sutter is also signed for 2 more yrs & then becomes a RFA. Top-6 would be Sutter-Crosby-Dupuis, Kunitz-Malkin-Neal.
- s0rcerer1984

Well, then they wont get Staal.

In the Kings we trust (I am picking them vs. PHO)
- Gunner Staal

I'm pulling for the 'Yotes, just because of how it would piss off the elitist hockey snob segment of the Canadian fanbase, but the Kings are a nice potential story too.

I'm pulling for the 'Yotes, just because of how it would piss off the elitist hockey snob segment of the Canadian fanbase, but the Kings are a nice potential story too.
- Emperor Filonius

I very much enjoy seeing Dustin Brown succeed and I have always enjoyed Kopitar's play. Throw Doughty and Scuderi into the mix and they have some likable parts. Personally I have always liked how Richards plays the game and he never bothered me even as a Flyer. Carter I dont care for at all but I can find a player on any team in the league that I dont care for. Quick is fantastic and I hope he continues his level of play into the 2014 Olympics.

Well, then they wont get Staal.
- Gunner Staal

The way the hypothetical was posed was a trade between Pitt. and Car. In other words, no open market for Staal because Carolina is the only place he'll sign long-term. Given that situation, Pittsburgh wouldn't have the leverage of shopping Staal around.

Once again, all hypothetical. I think Staal will remain in Pitt. & the Penguins will find a way to make it work w/ the Cap and all.

The way the hypothetical was posed was a trade between Pitt. and Car. In other words, no open market for Staal because Carolina is the only place he'll sign long-term. Given that situation, Pittsburgh wouldn't have the leverage of shopping Staal around.

Once again, all hypothetical. I think Staal will remain in Pitt. & the Penguins will find a way to make it work w/ the Cap and all.
- s0rcerer1984

They wouldn't have the leverage shopping him around, but they would have some leverage with Carolina (if that makes any sense), if Carolina really wanted him. They would have the assurance that he'd be there long term.

Like you said, all hypothetical... I think he gets extended here too.

we cant afford many upgrades, but i really dont think they need anyone major. the core here is there, it just needs to play better.

Staal for Irbe, Kevin Dineen, and Jeff Sanderson.

Staal for Irbe, Kevin Dineen, and Jeff Sanderson.
- Deadstar

Throw in Craig Adams and you have a deal haha.

Another slow day, so why not fill it with outlandish Staal trade rumors? lol

The chatter out of Raleigh still seems to be about Jordan Staal getting traded there. If you were Shero, what would trade would you propose for Staal?
- rival22

Let me preface this by saying I'm against trading Staal because of what he brings to the table. I'm not also infatuated with what I see with the Hurricanes as a match. the roster doesn't intrigue me, absent Skinner, which they aren't trading and their farms system doesn't have what we need. They have some young defensemen, but not the type we need.

That said, if there is a deal and Skinner isn't apart of it, maybe the best would be Staal to the Canes for Staal Light (Brandon Sutter) and the eighth pick overall. Pens would have two first rounders in the draft. Not saying I'd do it, but ...

Staal for Irbe, Kevin Dineen, and Jeff Sanderson.
- Deadstar

Dineen - love him - former DU Pioneer.

Staal for Irbe, Kevin Dineen, and Jeff Sanderson.
- Deadstar

I always liked Geoff Sanderson... Dude could skate.

You think they'd throw in Nelson Emerson if we added a pick?

For some reason, I am rooting for the Capitals. I like several of the Rangers players, but Tortorella has become insufferable for me, and so have the Rangers as a whole.

Ovechkin has gotten quieter and less annoying, and as much as I hated Hunter as a player, he's easier to deal with listening to than Boudreau was. I've found myself rooting for Laich, Ward, Holtby & Backstrom... and even Ovechkin.
- rival22

I pretty much agree. Plus, my hate for the Rangers fan base is pretty much on the level with the Flyers, maybe more....(at least as far as this site goes). Actually, there are plenty of more rational Flyers fans here but most of the Rags fans are arrogant dbags. Torts fits right in with that crew.....

staal to edm for 1st and omark and anyone else they want to throw in

martin to who ever for a pick

Z to who ever for a pick

and we bring up despres, strait full time, resign nisk, we get nail and have room to go after parise...

and I am happy




oh wait, also dupes stays on 3rd line