Penguins Offseason

[abpk2903]

Pens sign Christian Erhoff...

[theoneandonly]

That likely means you're going to see Paul Martin on the move today... Coming up on the last year of his contract at $5mil and age 34. Rumor was he wanted close to $7mil per to sign an extension.

[theoneandonly]

Florida just gave Jussi 4 years at $4mil per... wow. Carolina could barely give him away 15 months ago. Thats nuts to pay for a borderline top 6 forward who isn't gettin' any younger.

Rumored asking price for Niskanen is $7mil per.... talk about cashing in on one good year.

[theoneandonly]

5 years and $27.5 for Orpik from the Caps..... laughable.

[Aoki11]

I'm not going to argue with you Aoki but you said he was similar to Kunitz/Dupuis and I don't really see any similarities but I suppose that is a matter of opinion.

Saying that Malkin inflates peoples stats was more of a knock on James Neal than it was directed to Kulemin. I think you took that out of context a little bit or I didn't word it right. I loved James Neal when he played like he was capable of and hated him when he played like an idiot... I was just saying I don't really think he is going to be hard to replace.

I don't want to see them lose Jussi either but his play in the playoffs came as a double edged sword... they just can't afford him. When they are as tight against the cap as they are they have to anticipate losing players like Jussi every year. The key is finding comparable players at a better value to replace them...

I wouldn't call Zatkoff a "great backup" personally but I'm on board with staying away from Brodeur unless he comes at veterans minimum... but that won't happen.

First of all I never had an arguing tone, don't expect the worst, I just want to discuss. Thats all.

Second of all, zatkoff posted a 12-6 record with a 2.61 GAA and a .912 Save %. IMO that's dang good for a backup. I don't care who you are playing behind, those are admirable numbers. That wasnt even my point: I DON'T WANT BRODEUR. Nobody should.

Next kulemin isn't comparable to Dupuis or Kunitz in terms of playing style, never said they were and if it seemed like that was what I was saying I apologize, I would love to talk to you guys in person it would be so much easier. What I meant was he will come to Pittsburgh, his production will be elevated due to many circumstances that is what I was saying.

I think Kulemin and Neal are more similar. Before Neal came, he was in the 40-50 point area, that's about where Kulemin is right?

I hope Niskanen leaves, not Martin. Ehrhoff is a more than capable player to replace Niskanen. Correct me if I'm wrong didn't Buffalo just do something with Ehrhoffs contract yesterday?

[theoneandonly]

Yeah they bought him out because they singed him to an insane 10 year $40mil deal... Real solid deal for a solid player. Niskanen is deff gone... I just don't know where he is going to end up. A few teams have reportedly been scared off by his asking price. I wouldn't be surprised to see Martin be moved as well. If Martin doesn't get moved they must have some plan to dump Scuderi or else they won't be able to stay under the cap.

I hate to break it to you but Zatkoff is going to be moved with the signing of Thomas Greiss. That makes 3 goalies on one way deals... someone is going to be the odd man out. Greiss was 10-8-5 last year with a 2.29 GAA and a .920 save %. All better numbers outside of W/L which can be a subjective stat anyways.

I like the signing of Blake Comeau as a depth move with a relatively low hit of $700k... solid NHL'er that should fill a hole in the bottom 6.

[Aoki11]

Do we all remember how annoying Comeau was in the CBJ series? That's what Pittsburgh needs as it was lacking in these playoffs.

I would take Greiss over Zatkoff.

Honestly just the idea of losing Martin deeply upsets me. He is such a solid player. But you are absolutely right, he will more than likely be gone.

[theoneandonly]

I don't really want to see Martin go either but if the pipeline is as good as we have been led to believe on the back end they have to make some room somehow. Martin is 34 and wants a deal at around $7mil next year... 0% chance he gets re-signed at that #. I'd rather see him be moved now and get some assets back than get nothing out of it. I guess the scary part is Mattaa and Poulliot being out til mid November or so. That means a top 6 of Letang, Ehrhoff, Bortuzzo, Despres, Scuderi and...?

Ideally they can figure out a way to keep PaulMart and send Scuderi out to pasture but I just don't see any realistic way that can happen.

[Aoki11]

Arrivals:
Thomas Greiss
Christian Ehrhoff
Blake Comeau

Departures:
Tanner Glass
Joe Vitale
Brooks Orpik
Deryk Engelland
Jussi Jokinen

Kulemin is unlikely now because Rutherford says "the pens don't need a top 6 winger"
I disagree but we will found out.

[Aoki11]

Doubt Scuderi gets dumped. He's way overpayed. Unless he mans up and admits how horrible he is and retires, we are going to have to deal with him.