Ryan Wilson: Mailbag: GM candidates, center replacements, jersey retirements and more Mailbag: GM candidates, center replacements, jersey retirements and more

I agree that the numbers 68, 87, 71, 58, and 29 should all be retired.

However, I think Fleury should be in the HoF. For most of his career he played behind a high risk offense-first team that often put him in bad spots. Many forget how good he was and how many games he won for the team in their pre-2009 Cup years, and that he remained good for a while afterward. He was totally hung out to dry in the 2012 playoffs. He did gradually wear down behind the high risk systems that the Pens often employed but all goalies do, except for Hasek.

I agree that the numbers 68, 87, 71, 58, and 29 should all be retired.

However, I think Fleury should be in the HoF. For most of his career he played behind a high risk offense-first team that often put him in bad spots. Many forget how good he was and how many games he won for the team in their pre-2009 Cup years, and that he remained good for a while afterward. He was totally hung out to dry in the 2012 playoffs. He did gradually wear down behind the high risk systems that the Pens often employed but all goalies do, except for Hasek.
- PghPens668771

I have to think Fleury is a shoe-in for the HOF. If three cups and a vezina trophy doesn't do it, I'm not sure what does.

I have to think Fleury is a shoe-in for the HOF. If three cups and a vezina trophy doesn't do it, I'm not sure what does.
- Rinosaur

If that's the criteria, then he'll have to wait for Michel Larocque, owner of 4 Vezina trophies and 4 Stanley Cup rings.

Hell, Tom Barasso had one Vezina and two Cups and I wouldn't put him on the HHOF Induction short list, let alone a shoe-in.

Forgot to mention will likely retire as the second winningest goalie ever.

Eh I cant get on board with retiring MAF's number. For every good playoff run he went on, you can think of one that he completely fell apart in. He didnt win his Vezina in Pittsburgh, and I dont see him playing here again unless something changes.

Crosby/Malkin/Letang all finishing their careers in Pittsburgh, retiring at the same time (I feel like Crosby will outlast the other 2), and being inducted in the HOF together would be pretty damn cool.

Another reason to move dumoulin is that Pierre-Olivier Joseph is ready to play regular role in the line up and I dare say he can be Letangs partner on the top pair hoping that Letang re-signs.

Regardless of Malkin resigning, the Pens should be looking at one of the top C's to take his spot and move him to the wing.

Kadri and Trochek are obvious choices, though the cost may be prohibitive. I'll go out and say that Scheifle would be an awesome get for us as it sounds like he is wanting out of Winnipeg. Not sure we have the juice for it but a second line with Scheifle and Malkin would be great.

I'd rather run Matheson and Letang on separate pairings with responsible partners to cover when they go in attack mode. I thought that Friedman/Ruh did fine but you either need to load up the top 4 or get stronger on that bottom pair. POJ needs to either be penciled in as a starter or he needs to be traded.

Fleury is a first ballot HOFer and should have his jersey retired here. They should also try to get him on a reasonable 2 year deal to come in and compete with Jarry. Pens can't afford to fail again because of lack of goaltending depth.

As far as goalie depth goes, don't forget about Filip Lindberg. He was hurt almost all season so he dropped from the conversation but the guy was very good before that. He's 23. He will probably need more time in the AHL to develop but he could pull a Matt Murray and come in early to steal a spot as backup.

If that's the criteria, then he'll have to wait for Michel Larocque, owner of 4 Vezina trophies and 4 Stanley Cup rings.

Hell, Tom Barasso had one Vezina and two Cups and I wouldn't put him on the HHOF Induction short list, let alone a shoe-in.
- jmatchett383

Well then let's expand on it a tad. MAF is 3rd in wins, has a higher career save % than Broduer and Patrick Roy. He will be a 1st ballot hall of famer.

4C Teddy Blueger was the Pens third best center this season. He did it despite the fact he played with ZAR and Brock McGinn almost exclusively. I would hate to see what he could do with competent wings. Apparently Sullivan doesn't want that either.

Regardless of Malkin resigning, the Pens should be looking at one of the top C's to take his spot and move him to the wing.

Kadri and Trochek are obvious choices, though the cost may be prohibitive. I'll go out and say that Scheifle would be an awesome get for us as it sounds like he is wanting out of Winnipeg. Not sure we have the juice for it but a second line with Scheifle and Malkin would be great.

I'd rather run Matheson and Letang on separate pairings with responsible partners to cover when they go in attack mode. I thought that Friedman/Ruh did fine but you either need to load up the top 4 or get stronger on that bottom pair. POJ needs to either be penciled in as a starter or he needs to be traded.

Fleury is a first ballot HOFer and should have his jersey retired here. They should also try to get him on a reasonable 2 year deal to come in and compete with Jarry. Pens can't afford to fail again because of lack of goaltending depth.
- MacPatty

I agree on all points. I will say that I think Malkin's effectiveness over the years was compromised somewhat by playing more with the lesser defensive pairings (not just lesser wingers) but he is getting older now.

Eh I cant get on board with retiring MAF's number. For every good playoff run he went on, you can think of one that he completely fell apart in.
- SuperHenderson13[bHe didnt win his Vezina in Pittsburgh, and I dont see him playing here again unless something changes.

Crosby/Malkin/Letang all finishing their careers in Pittsburgh, retiring at the same time (I feel like Crosby will outlast the other 2), and being inducted in the HOF together would be pretty damn cool.

No goalie is ever going to do that with the high risk style of play the team has, much in the same way that no Flyers player has ever won the Lady Byng . Fleury was amazing in his earlier years here, considering what he was up against. I suppose in the post-Crosby era the team could become a very defensive oriented trapping team and then maybe a goalie could win it.

If that's the criteria, then he'll have to wait for Michel Larocque, owner of 4 Vezina trophies and 4 Stanley Cup rings.

Hell, Tom Barasso had one Vezina and two Cups and I wouldn't put him on the HHOF Induction short list, let alone a shoe-in.
- jmatchett383

How about 3rd all time in wins with a shot at 2nd, 12th in shutouts, better winning % than Hank and Roy, tied for 3rd all time in playoff wins and shutouts...does he get in now?

I wonder if Hextalls letter said, I was good enough for Mario Lemieux. I don’t even really like Hextall but (frank) some baseball fatso’s asking for a written assignment. Sit down and talk.

How about 3rd all time in wins with a shot at 2nd, 12th in shutouts, better winning % than Hank and Roy, tied for 3rd all time in playoff wins and shutouts...does he get in now?
- Pags

Even though they’ll definitely use wins to get him in, wins is more of a team stat than a goalie specific stat but also speaks to his longevity. I think he probably gets in partly due to name/draft status but also 3 cups and a vezina help.

I wonder if Hextalls letter said, I was good enough for Mario Lemieux. I don’t even really like Hextall but (frank) some baseball fatso’s asking for a written assignment. Sit down and talk.
- Grinder47

You’re soft. You’re triggered by people you know nothing about.

Even though they’ll definitely use wins to get him in, wins is more of a team stat than a goalie specific stat but also speaks to his longevity. I think he probably gets in partly due to name/draft status but also 3 cups and a vezina help.
- j.boyd919

What isn’t a team stat? I think assists require another goal scorer. How many goals are unassisted?

What isn’t a team stat? I think assists require another goal scorer. How many goals are unassisted?
- ChrisMS

Goals, there’s a shooter. Assists, there’s a passer. Wins are an entire team stat. Sv% is a better indicator of a goalies play imo. Like I said they’ll use wins and I think that’s a testament to his longevity but I don’t really think wins are indicative to how good a goalie is vs. his peers. Like if Fleury was drafted by Florida instead of Pittsburgh and then went on the teams and with Sid and Geno, would he still have racked up all those wins? Eh.

Goals, there’s a shooter. Assists, there’s a passer. Wins are an entire team stat. Sv% is a better indicator of a goalies play imo. Like I said they’ll use wins and I think that’s a testament to his longevity but I don’t really think wins are indicative to how good a goalie is vs. his peers. Like if Fleury was drafted by Florida instead of Pittsburgh and then went on the teams and with Sid and Geno, would he still have racked up all those wins? Eh.
- j.boyd919

If Florida had drafted him instead of Horton maybe he does? Maybe he has more. Goalies can still win games with a lower save percentage cause the teams in front of them play more offense than defense. They can steal games in that case. A wins a win and he got em.

If Florida had drafted him instead of Horton maybe he does? Maybe he has more. Goalies can still win games with a lower save percentage cause the teams in front of them play more offense than defense. They can steal games in that case. A wins a win and he got em.
- ChrisMS

Oh I agree with you that they’ll use the hat. I don’t agree that it’s necessarily indicative of how well they play.

You’re soft. You’re triggered by people you know nothing about.
- Feds91Stammer

Yes, because my opinion doesn’t align with the majority rule I am soft and triggered. [/img]

Yes, because my opinion doesn’t align with the majority rule I am soft and triggered.
- Grinder47[/img]

Soft

Soft
- Feds91Stammer

We spell it Soff around these parts

Watching this Rangers team play... how did we not sweep them let alone lose to them in 7 games?