2012 Offseason Thread
 

I'm almost happier they lost this way rather than a 2-1 OT game or something. It reinforced the issues that were ever so present in games 1-3, that kinda got pushed aside with a couple wins. Almost would've preferred a sweep, cause they definitely deserved that.

Really interesting decisions needs made. Bylsma, Fleury, Orpik, Martin, Michalek, and to a lesser extent, Asham, Park, and Sullivan who have expiring contracts. Niskanen is an RFA, Brent Johnson a UFA (he's probably gone). Staal and Crosby have expiring contracts after next season.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some real major changes come the black and gold's way this summer.

The only way this team survives moving forward is with some extreme changes. Once this week is over and I cool down I'll proably have an idea of who needs to go right now I'm too angry.

However, the draft is in Pittsburgh this year and the Pens have to maxamize any trade value at the draft. You can't leave it til the end.

As always in Shero I trust.

I think everyone is on the block not named Crosby or Malkin...But this team needs a major shaking up.No doubt...

And Neal. Everyone else is fair game.

Don't forget Letang.

All bets are off after those four.

Forgot about Neal

I'll give you Letang,but if Shero could get an unbelieveable offer.He's have to consider it is all i'm saying...All the defensemen are suspect if you ask me.They couldn't keep the puck out of their own net.I know one thing Despres would be in my top 6 next year.Which means someone has to go...

Are any of you guys going to the draft? I think I'll be there for at least Round 1.

Going both days, and might be helping out with the draft itself as well. I'll be at the Frozen Four as well helping out there too.

There is ZERO chance I trade Letang. The one thing this team has going is the incredible talent coming into the system on the backend. Letang, Morrow, Despres, and Harrington will be your top 4 in just a few years. Add in guys like Bortuzzo, Strait, Sneep, Smauelsson and they will be just fine.

I just hope they can afford Letang with Martins bad contract taking up money its going ultimate be tough

Is Morrow coming next season?

It won't be a problem for the most part because Letang's deal is after Sid and Staal. By that point I would feel ok about bringing him back. I'm more worried about keeping Staal around or even Malkin. They are going to want paid.

We won't know until training camp but I honestly feel he is just about ready. It really depends on how strong of a showing he gives the Pens brass come this summer. He was awesome in the preseason games.

I've made my thoughts pretty clear about Staal over the past few years. After this series, though, I don't know that his stock has been higher. If they can pull a deal like Philly, particularly the LA one, with Schenn and Simmonds coming back...if the Pens can find a deal similar to that, they'd be absolute morons not to take it.

And that's what I'm saying about pretty much everyone on this team except for those that we mentioned.But if Shero gets a deal proposed for Letang that he he can't refuse.He has to pull the deal...He's going to want a lot of money in a few years....I agree here with the champ about Staal.His stock will never be any higher.He's the perfect second line center for a team not strong down the middle.The one thing Shero has done is pull off some good trades.We'll see how he does this off season...He needs to make a splash...

You know that I love Staal as a player too, but I agree with what you and Wadubbin are talking about here. I just can't imagine the return he would get. I saw McKenzie briefly talk about it and said his package might be similar to Nash's. That's a 4 player type package and like I said before Brian Burke is a GM in the NHL still so anything is possible.

At this point we are running into a problem with keeping all the talent we have. They have a year left as far as making a deep run. It just looks like its time to move forward with a new gameplan.

I was looking at some of the role players out there. Kelly, Tootoo, Hudler are all UFA's this offseason and I think all would look pretty good in a Pens uniform.