Ryan Wilson: Penguins Arm Chair GM Penguins Arm Chair GM

less than 500,000 in cap space, and only a 22 man roster?

That would be dangerous if injuries hit.

Actually pretty good line up. But they better score a lot because they will be allowing a lot of goals as well.

less than 500,000 in cap space, and only a 22 man roster?

That would be dangerous if injuries hit.
- GardinerExpress

Fleury and his 5M wouldn't be on my team. That would solve things pretty quick.

less than 500,000 in cap space, and only a 22 man roster?

That would be dangerous if injuries hit.
- GardinerExpress

I agree. The pens window has shut and they must face that. In order to be a cup contender again they must move malkin or crosby or neal and fluery to bring in more assests to complete the line up and cut down on cap to actually sign fa to fill the holes. Fluery though may be the best option on the salary. Miller? I dont know if he would be a lower hit at this point. Neal could get you a top 9 and good pick and malkin...well he can get you a bounty!!! just my opinion though. But I think the pens run is over. They may be a fun team and sit high in the standings come playoffs, but their lack of depth in a post season of matching lines and close checking it just doesnt work for them anymore.

That's more like it! A down to Earth, realistic lineup. I would insert Jussi over Stemps simply for his versatility.

My concern with Hemsky isn't that he is soft, I've seen him take some nasty hits and bounce up like nothing happened. A more pressing concern is that he is prone to nagging injuries that cost him a lot of games.

I don't know if it is the quality of players he played with Edmonton, but pucks die Hemsky's stick all the time. He flies into the zone, wheels around behind the net and then....the puck is gone. Maybe with Crosby and Kunitz that won't happen as often.

My concern with Hemsky isn't that he is soft, I've seen him take some nasty hits and bounce up like nothing happened. A more pressing concern is that he is prone to nagging injuries that cost him a lot of games.

I don't know if it is the quality of players he played with Edmonton, but pucks die Hemsky's stick all the time. He flies into the zone, wheels around behind the net and then....the puck is gone. Maybe with Crosby and Kunitz that won't happen as often.
- Ben37

My guess is that for a long time he tried to do too much, because he had to do too much.

No lie this is the lineup I was tinkering with for fun about a month ago it's ver similar to yours.
Crosby Kunitz Hemsky
Kulemin Malkin Neal
Bennet Sutter dupuis
Megna goc gibbons
Sill payerl zolnierchuk

Letang Martin
Maatta pouliot
Doumolin despres
Bortuzzi Harrington
Ruop Samuelson


Fleury
Zatkoff
Murray

So basically the same roster that has done nothing but lose in playoffs is who you ice next season. That defense you iced is laughable. You are putting all your youth in at once and hoping it works. Which it will not. That's how you destroy prospects. How long will Pitt keep thinking fluery is elite. Your best shut down defenseman in orpik isn't in the roster either. Letang is just about unreadable. Again this team is relying on Cindy and Malkin to carry this team which they've shown they can't come playoffs. You could always tank and hope the NHL awards yet another superstar in next years draft.
Did you see the nhl explaining how Pitt ranked for Mario? In 10 years they will do the same for Pitt and Crosby.
What a joke Pitt is.

My guess is that for a long time he tried to do too much, because he had to do too much.
- Ryan_Wilson

I can see that when he was playing on a line with Horcoff. But it was happening regularly when he was on a line with Hall, Eberle, and other skill guys too. Perhaps it was a trait carried on, and hopefully he can get rid of it because he is talented.

So basically the same roster that has done nothing but lose in playoffs is who you ice next season. That defense you iced is laughable. You are putting all your youth in at once and hoping it works. Which it will not. That's how you destroy prospects. How long will Pitt keep thinking fluery is elite. Your best shut down defenseman in orpik isn't in the roster either. Letang is just about unreadable. Again this team is relying on Cindy and Malkin to carry this team which they've shown they can't come playoffs. You could always tank and hope the NHL awards yet another superstar in next years draft.
Did you see the nhl explaining how Pitt ranked for Mario? In 10 years they will do the same for Pitt and Crosby.
What a joke Pitt is.
- 28Girouxsalem28

Cindy, very clever. Probably most clever part of the entire diatribe.

So basically the same roster that has done nothing but lose in playoffs is who you ice next season. That defense you iced is laughable. You are putting all your youth in at once and hoping it works. Which it will not. That's how you destroy prospects. How long will Pitt keep thinking fluery is elite. Your best shut down defenseman in orpik isn't in the roster either. Letang is just about unreadable. Again this team is relying on Cindy and Malkin to carry this team which they've shown they can't come playoffs. You could always tank and hope the NHL awards yet another superstar in next years draft.
Did you see the nhl explaining how Pitt ranked for Mario? In 10 years they will do the same for Pitt and Crosby.
What a joke Pitt is.
- 28Girouxsalem28

So do you have a lineup that intelligently addresses the lineup, or are you fine with name calling and immature ridicule?

Kulemin would be one of my targets. I don't think he'll be very expensive and he can slot in nicely on the 3rd line and possibly move up if need be. Not expecting big numbers, but he has a pretty solid, well rounded game.

I def try to bring Goc back.

Bortuzzo would be my 5th or 6th guy. I thought he was pretty decent in the playoffs and they really don't have anybody left that plays his brand of D. Maybe Despres can step up his physicality a bit.

Cindy, very clever. Probably most clever part of the entire diatribe.
- Ryan_Wilson

He's too busy googling the definition diatribe to respond . . .

That defence is horrible... time to trade Malkin!!!

That defence is horrible... time to trade Malkin!!!
- jimmc7722

How so??? Top 10 in goals against last year... Despite massive injuries in the d... 3-4 solid prospects here it real close ... They lost games 1 0 and 2 1 in th playoffs
... How is that a problem ? Or were you talking about th isles back end? Malkin is a generational talent ... Won't be moved period

I can't understand why Pitt doesn't go out and get some big, gritty wingers to put 1 on each of the top 2 lines to step in when opponents take cheap shots at Sid & Malkin. As Grapes has repeatedly pointed out, the Pens failed to adequately protect Mario when he was targeted by teams taking cheap shots at him. I'm talking effective but not elite guys like Ward & Chimera who have speed, are really good on the cycle and can go to the front of the net---they also can step in when liberties are taken, especially with Sid. How many times has Kunitz stepped in to help him, but is largely ineffective in that role because he lacks size? Pitt needs to protect their assets before the window totally closes on them.
While I'm at it, you've got to upgrade in net----it's no accident that successful playoff teams are solid in goal.

How much is Letang worth to you?

Would you trade...

To Pit:
- Methot
- Prince
- 2014 2nd rd pick

To Ott:
- Letang

My reasoning is that Pitt get's more cap space from that trade since Methot makes $3M freeing up $4M for Pitt to sign Niskanen if they want. Prince is a good prospect that is a year or two away from the NHL but should become a T6 winger and the 2nd rd pick in 2014 is 40th overall so you can still draft a player worth taking a project on.

Ottawa gets another PMD that can play behind Karlsson and give the Sens the best 1-2 punch from the right side D. Assuming Letang is healthy and fully recovered as well.

Don't know if you've ever been there, but if you go, your question will quickly be answered.
- madmike71

Haha you mean it's not like it's always sunny in Philadelphia? Too bad, I love that show! But it giroux really any more of a man with his little ginger minge and all? Maybe we should call him Claudette, or would that be equally as classless?

Kulemin would be one of my targets. I don't think he'll be very expensive and he can slot in nicely on the 3rd line and possibly move up if need be. Not expecting big numbers, but he has a pretty solid, well rounded game.

I def try to bring Goc back.

Bortuzzo would be my 5th or 6th guy. I thought he was pretty decent in the playoffs and they really don't have anybody left that plays his brand of D. Maybe Despres can step up his physicality a bit.
- madmike71

Why bring in kulemin if he s not playing with Malkin??? This team is closer to a cup then not making the playoffs.. Fix the bottom 6 ... Make a decision on fleury ... Those hating in miller are judging him based on 1 series in St. Louis... He was excellent for a completely hapless buffalo team last season and is a definite step up if they can find a taker on fleury

How much is Letang worth to you?

Would you trade...

To Pit:
- Methot
- Prince
- 2014 2nd rd pick

To Ott:
- Letang

My reasoning is that Pitt get's more cap space from that trade since Methot makes $3M freeing up $4M for Pitt to sign Niskanen if they want. Prince is a good prospect that is a year or two away from the NHL but should become a T6 winger and the 2nd rd pick in 2014 is 40th overall so you can still draft a player worth taking a project on.

Ottawa gets another PMD that can play behind Karlsson and give the Sens the best 1-2 punch from the right side D. Assuming Letang is healthy and fully recovered as well.
- riceroni

So Pittsburgh gets the guy who tried to take out Crosby with a dirty hit and ended up taking out dupuis for the season instead? Why would they trade their best defenceman for orpik light when they could just have orpik?

When you have the talent at the top that the Pens have, you're never really going to by too far from contender status. It's just a matter of finding/using the proper supporting pieces - a task that has proven difficult.

So Pittsburgh gets the guy who tried to take out Crosby with a dirty hit and ended up taking out dupuis for the season instead? Why would they trade their best defenceman for orpik light when they could just have orpik?
- Dcoms

That was not a dirty hit... It's called a hip check! Also, when you're throwing a hit you aren't trying to tickle the guy. Methot is good for a few big hits when he has the opportunity.

Haha you mean it's not like it's always sunny in Philadelphia? Too bad, I love that show! But it giroux really any more of a man with his little ginger minge and all? Maybe we should call him Claudette, or would that be equally as classless?
- Dcoms

I don't want to indict the whole area. I actually have family and many friends from the area. Plenty of good people out there. BUT, there is certainly a sizable minority that are pretty angry and generally not too bright. I would use the word neanderthal, but that would be denigrating neanderthals.

What was that Abe Lincoln saying? "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Um....not so much in Philly.

As for Giroux... There was a handful of posters over there calling him "Fraud" Giroux when he was struggling. Pretty much says it all when they talk about their best player like that.