2012 Offseason Thread

[camx]

On my wish list and being realistic..I would like to see a Chris Stewart/ Ryan Clowe type player instead to replace a guy like Sullivan. I'm not saying Sullivan had a bad season just think they need more size in the top 6 forwards similar tothe flyers who have size at forward,with guys like Hartnell, Jagr, Simmonds.. Also def need another physical d man right now the D is very soft not looking for a high priced dman just another physical presence

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by camx

On my wish list and being realistic..I would like to see a Chris Stewart/ Ryan Clowe type player instead to replace a guy like Sullivan. I'm not saying Sullivan had a bad season just think they need more size in the top 6 forwards similar tothe flyers who have size at forward,with guys like Hartnell, Jagr, Simmonds.. Also def need another physical d man right now the D is very soft not looking for a high priced dman just another physical presence

Yeah the Pens had a shyt load of trouble when Philly was on the cycle.A little more size and physical presence is needed.Especially in front of the net both ways.Stewart would look good in a Pens uniform if you ask me.I would love for the Pens to get Matt Carkner back.He's unrestricted too.And of you want to get really physical.Let Asham walk and go after Konopka..At least he fights a little more and he's a decent faceoff guy...I don't know.Everything is a pipe dream right now.I do think this team needs a shake up.Shero needs to make something happen..

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

Yeah the Pens had a shyt load of trouble when Philly was on the cycle.A little more size and physical presence is needed.Especially in front of the net both ways.Stewart would look good in a Pens uniform if you ask me.I would love for the Pens to get Matt Carkner back.He's unrestricted too.And of you want to get really physical.Let Asham walk and go after Konopka..At least he fights a little more and he's a decent faceoff guy...I don't know.Everything is a pipe dream right now.I do think this team needs a shake up.Shero needs to make something happen..

Konopka pissed all over Mario when he was in the ECHL and then again when he got to the NHL. Konopka will never be in the Pens system or farm team as long as Mario is around.

As far as Stewart and Clowe they are RFA's and that takes picks to get and with the current state of this team I wouldn't be willing to do that. Oshie is as well and that makes things tough. Unless they can get one of these guys to sign under $1 million they are going to be surrendering picks.

Their best bet to add any of them is through a sign and trade but those are rare in the NHL. Carkner is just not good at playing defense and I'd rather have a guy like Bortuzzo challenge for a spot. The Pens just are not going to get tougher we peaked with that last year.

I'd love to add Chris Kelly because he can score, play 2 way hockey, is a good faceoff man, and PK guy. Hudler would help with depth scoring, and Tootoo sounds like he wants to move on and would be an awesome agitator for us.

[camx]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

Yeah the Pens had a shyt load of trouble when Philly was on the cycle.A little more size and physical presence is needed.Especially in front of the net both ways.Stewart would look good in a Pens uniform if you ask me.I would love for the Pens to get Matt Carkner back.He's unrestricted too.And of you want to get really physical.Let Asham walk and go after Konopka..At least he fights a little more and he's a decent faceoff guy...I don't know.Everything is a pipe dream right now.I do think this team needs a shake up.Shero needs to make something happen..

I was pissed when Carkner was in the system and never got his shot...He isnt the best skater but brings size and toughness that's lacking.. I like the idea of Konopka but burned some bridges when he was in the sytem but wouldnt mind a type of player like him not sure what Prust status is.. Cooke gives the effort on the 3rd line but think he is moving towards a 4 th line role player who kills penalties.Kennedy was a huge disappointment he doesnt play any special teams and didn't do much on the scoreboard. I wouldnt be surprised if he was moved to free up some space. I would like to see Staal move up to one of the top lines and revamp the 3rd line with a defensive minded center and some grit on the wings

[Kid Roberts]

Someone bubble wrap Keven Veilleux and lets get him up here along with Sill!

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Konopka pissed all over Mario when he was in the ECHL and then again when he got to the NHL. Konopka will never be in the Pens system or farm team as long as Mario is around.

As far as Stewart and Clowe they are RFA's and that takes picks to get and with the current state of this team I wouldn't be willing to do that. Oshie is as well and that makes things tough. Unless they can get one of these guys to sign under $1 million they are going to be surrendering picks.

Their best bet to add any of them is through a sign and trade but those are rare in the NHL. Carkner is just not good at playing defense and I'd rather have a guy like Bortuzzo challenge for a spot. The Pens just are not going to get tougher we peaked with that last year.

I'd love to add Chris Kelly because he can score, play 2 way hockey, is a good faceoff man, and PK guy. Hudler would help with depth scoring, and Tootoo sounds like he wants to move on and would be an awesome agitator for us.

Not sure what Konopka did when he was in ECHL,but remember well what he said last year.Hey if a guy can help you win,and add a dimension to your team that has been lacking.Don't be a little baby and hold crap like that against anyone.That's the exact type of thing that to me is bringing this team down.All holier than thou Mario not signing someone because he was offended by what he said years ago....Have a little open mind with regards to your team.they're going to need it if they want to quit underachieving...

As far as a Stewart/Clowe type.Why not make a trade for someone of that caliber.The Pens have the players to make a blockbuster trade that can get some fresh new blood in here to try and make some deep runs in the playoffs.

Like I said this team needs a shake up really bad....Trades are the way to go...

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

Not sure what Konopka did when he was in ECHL,but remember well what he said last year.Hey if a guy can help you win,and add a dimension to your team that has been lacking.Don't be a little baby and hold crap like that against anyone.That's the exact type of thing that to me is bringing this team down.All holier than thou Mario not signing someone because he was offended by what he said years ago....Have a little open mind with regards to your team.they're going to need it if they want to quit underachieving...

As far as a Stewart/Clowe type.Why not make a trade for someone of that caliber.The Pens have the players to make a blockbuster trade that can get some fresh new blood in here to try and make some deep runs in the playoffs.

Like I said this team needs a shake up really bad....Trades are the way to go...

Konopka called the coaches at the ECHL and AHL level jokes, pretty much. At the time I think Bylsma was an assistant on the AHL staff. The problem is really when Konopka called the Pens out last year. He just really isn't a guy worth having around. Especially when you can find guys like him all over the NHL.

I agree the trade route is the only way to get this going but at the other end Clowe is the Sharks. So that's going to be a pretty hefty price to pay, Stewart would have been easier to get but him being a RFA and playing amazing I can't imagine the Blues wanting to move him or Oshie. I'd love to any of the 3 though.

To be honest I have no idea where this team will go. If the Pens make no moves in the off-season as far as fixing up the team and making a move then I will be hoping they are out of the playoff chase by the trade deadline. They need to realize how flawed this team is. Especially once Geno and Sid go missing.

Funny thing is TK actually showed up in the playoffs. He scored more in a week and a half then he did for months.

[Killah_punk]

There needs to be a bit of a shake up this summer but i don't expect Shero to blow up the whole team. We need a goalie that can handle 25-30 starts and can give Fleury a push. Our defense needs to be fixed but i don't expect it too look much different next season. I would love to see us get rid of Martin and free up some salary. I also have a feeling this team is going to be soft as butter next season. Asham is gone, MacIntyre will be a distant memory (not like he did anything anyways) and Engelland doesn't fight much anymore since he started playing more of a role on our blue line. I guess we will get to see Craig Adams get beat up 5-7 times next season.

[camx]

Originally Posted by Killah_punk

There needs to be a bit of a shake up this summer but i don't expect Shero to blow up the whole team. We need a goalie that can handle 25-30 starts and can give Fleury a push. Our defense needs to be fixed but i don't expect it too look much different next season. I would love to see us get rid of Martin and free up some salary. I also have a feeling this team is going to be soft as butter next season. Asham is gone, MacIntyre will be a distant memory (not like he did anything anyways) and Engelland doesn't fight much anymore since he started playing more of a role on our blue line. I guess we will get to see Craig Adams get beat up 5-7 times next season.

I dont know about being soft next season.. I think that Shero knows they got beat up a little in the playoffs and needs to add more grit. I do agree he isnt going to blow up the team if Shero can dump Martin he prob will.

[Mike Tython]

Interesting article about the problem facing the Pens with Staal and Crosby having contract years approaching.

http://triblive.com/sports/1085372-8...#ixzz1t0s9jdti

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by camx

I dont know about being soft next season.. I think that Shero knows they got beat up a little in the playoffs and needs to add more grit. I do agree he isnt going to blow up the team if Shero can dump Martin he prob will.

I'm sort of in the middle. I think Asham is gone but I also think Shero would look to a guy like Tootoo to bring in. I don't think they will be as soft as butter because lets face it in the NHL these days DE alone makes this team tough. I read Shero's comments yesterday and the best thing he said was our lack of grit pretty much doomed us. Sounded like he was looking for a guy or two who play D to bring that grit back.

The most troubling news yesterday was Letang saying his hip has hurt him for the past THREE YEARS! Dude I would seriously rethink about investing long term in him now if his hip has been bothering him that long. Any sort of operation will slow him down by a step or two. That scares me the most.

[thepolishkid88]

So I decided to take a look again at the UFA and RFA list for the offseason. As far as UFA's go they look pretty week or out of our range.

Dream boat city

Parise - Dream city, but will be a Devil after all is said and done
Semin - Pass
Stoll - Good faceoff guy and a solid 3rd line center, even 2nd if need be. I would welcome him but he is proably going for around $4 million or more on the open market.
Suter - Top pairing dman but will get $7 million because Brian Burke loves his model.

Who I think we could nab

UFA's

Hudler - Versaitle, provides some nice offense and usually around 20G at worst, and is a solid 2 way guy too. A better Dupuis if you will.
Kelly - Solid 2 way center and can play wing too and a wonderful PKer which is something we need badly.
Tootoo - Grit, fighter, and just irritating. We need that again we have become way to mellow. Shero always seems to find a way to bring in some former Preds.
Knuble - I will always have a soft spot for this guy. Brings in some awesome leadership as well.
Vokoun - His value only dropped after this horrid season in Caps land. He could be had for cheap and was already in the Pens organization as well. Could also help Fleury grow too.
Moen - See Kelly
Campbell - Solid 3rd line guy and can play the 4th line too. Decent faceoff guy and PKer
Parros - If he doesn't resign he might come home to Pittsburgh just depends on what George wants. I think Shero would use Parros more because Parros can play.
Prust - See Tootoo

RFA's

I think regardless of what I want here its going to cost a lot of picks. Pretty sure a top tender is 2 1st rd picks.

Evander Kane, Stewart, Oshie, Perron, Foligno, Fistric, Ennis would all be good additions to this team. I'd really like Ennis and Oshie. Stewart as well but at a certain point they will end up losing picks for years to come. Shero would proably look to trade rather than snake them from their teams. I see the best way to move forward by making a pitch of Staal for Oshie and Stewart although it sounds like they will be asking for draft picks instead of NHL talent.

[thepolishkid88]

Shero on @MarkMaddenX 's show. Of Michalek/Martin says they took unfair rap in 11-12 but "did not play as they expected or as we expected."

Shero on @MarkMaddenX 's show. On GMs voting for Vezina, said many made Fleury 4th or 5th on their ballots.

Shero on @MarkMaddenX 's show. Says this end of the season is the most frustrating he's ever had, even before joining the Penguins.

https://twitter.com/#!/emptynetters

Sounds like Ray is at the end of his rope. You combine this with his comments about reevaluating the 3 center model, that Disco isnt the problem, and that he felt they needed more grit and guys that can clog the middle makes you think he has quite the checklist this off season...

[Mike Tython]

I just think it makes the most sense to deal Staal. If you can get 2-3 pieces in return with bright futures or with a little bit of established success at the NHL level, you gotta do it. Get a feel of what Staal may want (say 5.5M+) and try to deal for 2-3 guys that might fit that space and can provide the production lost out by Staal. Really though, if it means sacrificing a few goals scored and maybe one of those pieces can sure up the defense a bit...why not? I just think Shero has too much of a hard-on for Staal to entertain the idea, but we've come to a fork in the road where it might need to happen.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

https://twitter.com/#!/emptynetters

Sounds like Ray is at the end of his rope. You combine this with his comments about reevaluating the 3 center model, that Disco isnt the problem, and that he felt they needed more grit and guys that can clog the middle makes you think he has quite the checklist this off season...

I'm not thinking it TPK.I'm one for knowing it...Shero has his work cut out for him this off season.This whole team has it's work cut out for it this off season.I think he needs to keep all doors open.Like I said in a few posts above.Everyone that isn't named Malkin,Crosby,and Neal should be fair game.I know everyone likes Letang,but defensively he's not that good and he's prone to turning the puck over...And even you pointed out that his hip has been bothering him for three years now..WTF is that???If that doesn't send up red flags.I don't know what does...I'm just saying that Shero can't afford to leave any stone unturned..

As far as all the FA's that you meantioned.I'd love to see the Pens go after Prust,Tootoo and Kelly..Then make a play for Fistric maybe in some kind of deal with the Stars..Obviously cash will always dictate what goes on...but there's your grit right there....