2012 Offseason Thread

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

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....

Well Mike apparently the Ducks have already asked about Staal. Now a guy like Sbisa or Fowler for Staal would be an awesome return but proably unlikely. I really don't see what they could offer us maybe outside of Etem or Ryan.

As far as this offseason I feel like Ray really wants to make some moves. Bylsma's system isn't the problem as Shero has said its the model doesn't fit the system. Staal seems to want to take a paycut but even then its around the $5 million mark and thats just too much. His value will get no higher and the time to cash in is now. If they don't trade Staal this offseason I would have to think they either will keep all 3 or trade Malkin. That's the only logic that can come from them keeping all 3.

I'd like the Pens to add a max of 3 forwards. Prust is a guy who can be a plugger coming in and out. Tootoo and Kelly are awesome 3rd liners and if you get guys like Sill-Vitale-Vellieux for your 4th line it gives your team 2 great energy lines and that 4th line would be awesome. The Pens really miss that hunger aspect and you could see it. They looked like a has been line out there with Park-Adams-Asham. None of them seemed to excited. Tangradi just deserved a better fate to be truthful.

[Wadubbin]

That's another thing with this team.They have this unwillingness to give their younger talent in WBS to even have a chance.Yeah they get some token time in training camp.But the Pens always seem to go out and sign veterans like Park,Adams,Sullivan who had a pretty good year,didn't get hurt,but turned the puck over to Giroux that got Philly going in game 6.Yeah I haven't let it go just yet.I'm coping well though.But I think you get my point.It seems like guys like Sill,Veilleux,Tangradi get buried in the minors.I see Philly play with rookies and win.I see the Pens sign retreads and get bounced.It makes me want to see what these younger guys can do.Especially the younger defensemen like Morrow,Despres,Harringoton....That's all we ever hear about is the Pens depth at D..I either want to see it,or trade some of it to get something good in return.

Oh and I think I'd trade a Kennedy-Staal-Cooke line for a Prust-Kelly-Tootoo 3rd line...

[Kid Roberts]

Kunitz - Malkin - Neal
Someone - Crosby - Dupuis
Prust - Kelly - Tootoo
Sill - Vitale - Veilleux

Letang - Michalek
Morrow - Niskanen
Despres - Engelland

How does that sound?

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by Kid Roberts

Kunitz - Malkin - Neal
Tangradi - Crosby - Dupuis
Prust - Kelly - Tootoo
Sill - Vitale - Veilleux

Letang - Michalek
Morrow - Niskanen
Despres - Engelland

How does that sound?

Put a winger in there for Sid's line for you..Time to give this kid a legit shot with a premier play maker

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Kid Roberts

Kunitz - Malkin - Neal
Someone - Crosby - Dupuis
Prust - Kelly - Tootoo
Sill - Vitale - Veilleux

Letang - Michalek
Morrow - Niskanen
Despres - Engelland

How does that sound?

I hope they move Kunitz, Niskanen, Michalek, Martin, and Staal if they maxamize his value. I like the bottom 2 pairings but the D needs redone and we don't know if Morrow is ready, I feel he is, but you never know when it comes to out of sight players making a run at the roster IE DE. Bortuzzo and Strait have a shot as well.

Bottom line the Pens need to be aggresive and make the moves to sure up that D and find a bottom 6 that produces goals and not ****. I will be thrilled if Kunitz is moved. He has become useless.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

I hope they move Kunitz, Niskanen, Michalek, Martin, and Staal if they maxamize his value. I like the bottom 2 pairings but the D needs redone and we don't know if Morrow is ready, I feel he is, but you never know when it comes to out of sight players making a run at the roster IE DE. Bortuzzo and Strait have a shot as well.

Bottom line the Pens need to be aggresive and make the moves to sure up that D and find a bottom 6 that produces goals and not ****. I will be thrilled if Kunitz is moved. He has become useless.

I agree totally with you about Kunitz..He scored some goals this year,but in the playoffs he did nothing but take stupid penalties,he's really not that good defensively,and he doesn't penalty kill..

As far as Morrow.He falls into my category of guys that the Pens will never give a legit shot to stay with the big club long term at least for a few more years.Heaven forbid they throw a 19 year old kid into the fire and see what becomes of it.This league is filled with players that can do the job at a very young age.The Pens have given some young guys chances(Sid,Malkin,Staal,Fleury).They were no brainers...It just seems recently that's all you do is hear that they have all these young defensemen..I want to see them,and not in WBS...

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

I agree totally with you about Kunitz..He scored some goals this year,but in the playoffs he did nothing but take stupid penalties,he's really not that good defensively,and he doesn't penalty kill..

As far as Morrow.He falls into my category of guys that the Pens will never give a legit shot to stay with the big club long term at least for a few more years.Heaven forbid they throw a 19 year old kid into the fire and see what becomes of it.This league is filled with players that can do the job at a very young age.The Pens have given some young guys chances(Sid,Malkin,Staal,Fleury).They were no brainers...It just seems recently that's all you do is hear that they have all these young defensemen..I want to see them,and not in WBS...

Eventually they will have no chance but to move these Dmen and let the kids play. I think Morrow is ready but I wouldn't be against him taking another year at the WHL level. Even if they keep him for an 9 game tryout I'd be ok with that. I mean Bortuzzo and Strait are the 2 I feel are the most ready for the next step. Sneep and Despres should also get their shots too. Despres I think the most likely of the group to come up.

I mean you take a look at the group we have Martin most likely moves, Michalek hopefully moves, Letang possibly getting operated on and that leaves him doubtful for the begining of the season, Niskanen needs resigned and he will be asking for more then we want proably. Orpik and DE are the only locks to come back I would say and Orpik is getting old. Really could be an interesting offseason on the backend.

[FightingIsGood]

I'm back, yo!

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

I'm back, yo!

I'm afraid you've missed all the fun...

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

I'm afraid you've missed all the fun...

Around here maybe...I just wish I could have missed all of the "fun" of the Pens' "playoff run" that lasted all of 10 days.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

Around here maybe...I just wish I could have missed all of the "fun" of the Pens' "playoff run" that lasted all of 10 days.

Haha. Sadly I wish I could of too.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by FightingIsGood

Around here maybe...I just wish I could have missed all of the "fun" of the Pens' "playoff run" that lasted all of 10 days.

We went down with the ship brother...Me,Mike,TPK,KP,Cam,Kid...We slugged away,but even the Ranger fans hated us worse than Flyer fans.So the Pens really riled everyone up.After game three there is no one on this site that likes us anymore.If anyone ever did.It feels pretty damn good to be honest...

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

We went down with the ship brother...Me,Mike,TPK,KP,Cam,Kid...We slugged away,but even the Ranger fans hated us worse than Flyer fans.So the Pens really riled everyone up.After game three there is no one on this site that likes us anymore.If anyone ever did.It feels pretty damn good to be honest...

That's fine by me, brah. I have no problem with being the "heel" - it's fun. Let them hate.

[camx]

Here's a look at what the team will look at with no trades ect...Assuming Staal moves up to second line.

Kunitz (3.725)- Malkin ( 8.7)- Neal (5.0)
Staal (4.0)- Crosby (8.7)- Dupuis ( 1.5)
Kennedy( 2.0)- Open- Cooke(1.8)
Adams (675,000)- Vitale (550,000)- Open

Letang (3.5)- Orpik (3.75)
Martin (5.0)-Michalek (4.0)
Engelland (566,000)- Despres (840,000)
Lovejoy (525,000)

Fleury (5.0)
Backup-open

If the Penguins sit back and do nothing there isnt going to be much different next year with only a few roster spots open. The obvious choice would be to trade Martin if possible.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by camx

Here's a look at what the team will look at with no trades ect...Assuming Staal moves up to second line.

Kunitz (3.725)- Malkin ( 8.7)- Neal (5.0)
Staal (4.0)- Crosby (8.7)- Dupuis ( 1.5)
Kennedy( 2.0)- Open- Cooke(1.8)
Adams (675,000)- Vitale (550,000)- Open

Letang (3.5)- Orpik (3.75)
Martin (5.0)-Michalek (4.0)
Engelland (566,000)- Despres (840,000)
Lovejoy (525,000)

Fleury (5.0)
Backup-open

If the Penguins sit back and do nothing there isnt going to be much different next year with only a few roster spots open. The obvious choice would be to trade Martin if possible.

There will be a lot of movement. Shero was pretty candid and made the point that they are going to be making a lot of moves this offseason. The pressure is on Shero and Disco Dan to actually make it past round 1 next year.