probably a horrible idea, but...

[ExPatriatePen]

I might be tempted to take a chance on Radek Dvorak

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

Here are the best free agents for the Pens this summer. Unless new ownership is here by then, I don't expect more than one free agent move to acquire a goal scorer to replace Palffy.

LW/RW
1. Maxim Afinogenov - plays with Malkin on 2nd line
2. Patrik Elias - would cost too much $$ and probably wants to stay in NJ
3. Sergei Samsonov - could be another winger for Malkin
4. Jochen Hecht - solid two-way forward for any top two line
5. Radek Dvorak - another good two-way winger

Defensemen
1. Zdeno Chara - big physical two-way dman, probably costs too much
2. Pavel Kubina - see above
3. Rob Blake - unlikely to leave Avs
4. Joe Corvo - relative unknown who is a good player
5. Bryan McCabe - could he slip with all the big named guys around

Afinogenov is a player I'd love to see on the Pens.

[Jim]

Samsonov seems extremely injury prone and doesn't score for the money. Elias could get 40+ on a wing for Crosby or Malkin.

[wondermoose]

Here are the best free agents for the Pens this summer. Unless new ownership is here by then, I don't expect more than one free agent move to acquire a goal scorer to replace Palffy.

LW/RW
1. Maxim Afinogenov - plays with Malkin on 2nd line
2. Patrik Elias - would cost too much $$ and probably wants to stay in NJ
3. Sergei Samsonov - could be another winger for Malkin
4. Jochen Hecht - solid two-way forward for any top two line
5. Radek Dvorak - another good two-way winger

Defensemen
1. Zdeno Chara - big physical two-way dman, probably costs too much
2. Pavel Kubina - see above
3. Rob Blake - unlikely to leave Avs
4. Joe Corvo - relative unknown who is a good player
5. Bryan McCabe - could he slip with all the big named guys around

I think we could afford Chara if you ask me. Kubina has had a terrible year, and he isn't really that much of an impact player. Amazingly, Blake is 37 and makes 6.6 million a year so thats out of the question. Corvo would be a very nice pick up, and McCabe wouldn't have a place on the team with Gonchar already here.

As for wingers, I would LOVE to see someone like a Brian Rolston or Marian Gaborik from Minnesota come to the Pens. That team has the work ethic we are trying to attain, and although Gaborik has had injury issues as of late, he's still young. I don't know what kind of contract he's on, but I absolutely love the guy.

[Pitts]

Afinogenov is really the only one that interests me on that list. I highly doubt any of the UFA defensemen would want to sign here. They will have too many better options available to them. I'm banking on Ottawa retaining Chara and Toronto re-signing McCabe.

[Jim]

Afinogenov is the wrong wing though...

[Pitts]

Afinogenov is the wrong wing though...

Do you really think I care???

[Jim]

Just saying that the Pens would need a left wing MUCH more than a right wing.

[Pitts]

Who is our current 2nd line RW? Seriously, I can't recall! In fact, I don't even know what our 2nd line has been lately!

[Bowser]

Let's say the Penguins sign Afinogenov as I expect them to do with Malkin coming over, here's my initial 06-07 lineup.

1st: Rita - Crosby - Armstrong - Gonchar - Orpik
2nd: Malone - Malkin - Afinogenov - Whitney - Scuderi
3rd: Surovy - Christensen - Kessel - Melichar - Welch
4th: Koltsov - Talbot - Ouellet
Fleury - Thibault
Extra: Roy - Boguniecki - Cairns

Caron is traded and LeClair retires.

[Jim]

Who is our current 2nd line RW? Seriously, I can't recall! In fact, I don't even know what our 2nd line has been lately!

I posted the "depth" list on the previous page. Forwards can shift around so that does not mean that that is where they play... but I posted the list from pp.com.

[netwolf]

Who is our current 2nd line RW? Seriously, I can't recall! In fact, I don't even know what our 2nd line has been lately!

I posted the "depth" list on the previous page. Forwards can shift around so that does not mean that that is where they play... but I posted the list from pp.com.

The Pens official site is wrong. Malone was a leftwing before moving to center this year. I dont recall him ever playing right wing. Rita can play either wing but is currently on the left side (he was playing center before the deadline as well).

Besides, in looking at the names listed I think it's safe to say they could target a scoring winger on one side or the other (maybe even both) and still find a way to squeeze them into the lineup.

[NIN]

Who cares who wears the "C". It's gay anyways.

[Rohit]

Who cares who wears the "C". It's gay anyways.

whatever helps you sleep at night donald

[NIN]

Corvo is the man.

Oh hell yeah! Sign Corvo and Afiniganov and bring over Malkin and that is it.

[NIN]

McCabe has about as much chance playing for the Pens next year as I do. And keep in mind I've never ice skated.

Isn't Ruslan Salei an upcoming UFA? I'd love to see him on the Pens blueline...

I'm not so sure Afinogenov would be a good pickup, I'd rather see Morozov back here than bringing in someone else's problems.

The Pens could'nt pay me enough to watch McCabe on this team. Salei is ok but im not a fan.

Afinogenov is one of the best skaters in the league but like many talented russian players, his superiority complex belittles his hockey sense. I don't know what Morozov's mindset is these days but Afinogenov has a can't miss work ethic and the kind of hustle on the backcheck that would really compliment Therrian's scheme.