Whitney traded to Ducks for Kunitz and Tangradi

[Abe Frohman]

I have a feeling this is just the first shoe to drop.

I cannot see Shero dealing Whitney a week before the deadline UNLESS he wants the new player(s) to get some time to gel during the coming roadtrip. Be that the case, my belief is (based upon nothing but gut instinct, so I have no mythical 'sources') that Shero will likely (in the next day or so) deal Staal and some spare parts (Gil, Satan, maybe even Sykora or Fedotenko) to lessen the cap strain and get a TRUE stud winger (think St. Louis, Heatley, or Kovalchuk) and a banger on the blueline.

Just a gut feeling...flame if you must. I think that IF Shero didn't feel that this team could make a reasonable run in the playoffs, he would have sat on Whitney until the offseason.

Agree 100%. This seems like the first of a series of moves to try and make the Pens a Cup contender for this season. Whitney has been bad for sure, but he was considered part of the core. Now that it has been broken up and the fact Shero sold Whitney at an all time low (I think even the Whitney detractors would agree with that), I think Shero (Lemieux) is focused on winning this season. If Shero weren't focused on this season, it would have made sense to let Whitney train/rehab/condition over the summer, get his mental state in order, get off to a strong start next season, then sell him when his value was higher.

I might not go so far as to say that Shero wants to (or even CAN) make the Pens into a Cup-contender this season, but I think that the potential for playoff revenue (or lack thereof IF the Pens remained a fringe team - as they have been all season) AND the potential for FUTURE returns (as in the OHL prospect) made this a palatable trade. The Pens dealt from strength (offensive defenseman) and addressed a few missing 'pieces' to a good team for years to come (grit, top-6 wing - I assume Kunitz IS - and a large, power-forward type prospect).

With that in mind, Shero is NOT dense, and realizes that the Pens have yet ANOTHER 'hunted' commodity in Jordan Staal - a young, UNDER CONTRACT (a reasonable cap hit for another team), large #1 or #2 center (eventually, IF he understands how to use his size, grows some nuts, AND learns how to find the net) that is expendable on a team with Crosby and Malkin centerring the top 2 lines. Trading Staal SHOULD garner a rather hefty return - and, again, I'm thinking a STUD winger (I'm leaning towards Heatley, but would be happy with Kovalchuk, not AS much St. Louis, depending on other deals the Pens may make, maybe a Frolov, though I do not necessarily call him a 'stud' on the level of the previous 3).

Looking at Heatley (and Ottawa's potential firesale), I would TRY (don't ask me how - I have NO idea) to find a package for both him AND Volchenkov (whom I consider, potentially, a BIG piece on a Cup team akin to Ulfie was when he patrolled the defensive zone - UNpredicatble devastating hitter, MUST be feeared if utilized correctly). However, I would think that, having traded Whitney, this 'package' may be impossible to acquire...

[Abe Frohman]

I have a feeling this is just the first shoe to drop.

I cannot see Shero dealing Whitney a week before the deadline UNLESS he wants the new player(s) to get some time to gel during the coming roadtrip. Be that the case, my belief is (based upon nothing but gut instinct, so I have no mythical 'sources') that Shero will likely (in the next day or so) deal Staal and some spare parts (Gil, Satan, maybe even Sykora or Fedotenko) to lessen the cap strain and get a TRUE stud winger (think St. Louis, Heatley, or Kovalchuk) and a banger on the blueline.

Just a gut feeling...flame if you must. I think that IF Shero didn't feel that this team could make a reasonable run in the playoffs, he would have sat on Whitney until the offseason.

Agree 100%. This seems like the first of a series of moves to try and make the Pens a Cup contender for this season. Whitney has been bad for sure, but he was considered part of the core. Now that it has been broken up and the fact Shero sold Whitney at an all time low (I think even the Whitney detractors would agree with that), I think Shero (Lemieux) is focused on winning this season. If Shero weren't focused on this season, it would have made sense to let Whitney train/rehab/condition over the summer, get his mental state in order, get off to a strong start next season, then sell him when his value was higher.

Agree with both Abe and Draftnik.

RS is probably under some major pressure to get the ship righted again.

There is no doubt that Kunitz is a heart/soul kind of guy. This trade told me that Shero wants this team to be harder and tougher to play against.

The next person I think that's out of here is Gill. I think Gill will be replaced by a guy like Zanon or Witt.

If Shero doesn't want to trade Staal, it could mean taking a chance on Gaborik depending on how his March 3rd physical goes, or Havlat, or Antropov.

Tampa may trade St. Louis to us but they would be forced to take on Satan for salary cap reasons. Not sure why TB would want Staal either since they have Lecavalier, Stamkos, and a shot at Tavares, Duchesne, Kane, etc.

I doubt they are going to trade for Kovalchuk unless Fedotenko is moved. They'd have too many LWers at that point.

It's up in the air at this point but I don't think RS is done.

IF there is a trade for St. Louis involving Staal, it MAY be contingent on the 'rumored' deal involving Lecavalier, thus necessitating the acquisition of a young, PROSPECT (as a #1 or #2) like Staal.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Kunitz looks to be fairly sturdy - he's played 81 and 82 games the last couple of seasons.

Keep him away from Colby Armstrong's nose.

[joker10277]

Yup, its impossible, unless you wanna trade Letang, I don't wanna trade Letang.

Anyways, I don't think Staal should be shipped, you move him to wing for next season, doesn't pan out, and THEN you could/should move him. He should pan out at wing though.. Don't wanna deal Staal.

What exactly makes you think he's should pan out at wing? His rookie year, that is more the exception than the rule with staal, he never put up those kind of numbers even in juniors.

[Abe Frohman]

Yup, its impossible, unless you wanna trade Letang, I don't wanna trade Letang.

Anyways, I don't think Staal should be shipped, you move him to wing for next season, doesn't pan out, and THEN you could/should move him. He should pan out at wing though.. Don't wanna deal Staal.

I can respect your opinion that you 'don't wanna deal Staal,' but WHAT proof is there that he 'should pan out at wing.'

By all accounts he either does NOT want to play wing, or is just unable to perform well outside of the center position. EITHER case points to a wealth of centers that is NOT manageable in a cap era, and a luxury / unneeded expenditure of $4 million / year should be dealt to bolster a weakness at top-6 wings or STUD defenseman (if you'd prefer to make other deals -like a Guerin or Tkachuk for spare parts / draft picks to tide the team over).

[Bob McKenzie]

Whitney is in the line up tonight...interesting

He's playing with Pronger. Watching on Center Ice.

[Abe Frohman]

Yup, its impossible, unless you wanna trade Letang, I don't wanna trade Letang.

Anyways, I don't think Staal should be shipped, you move him to wing for next season, doesn't pan out, and THEN you could/should move him. He should pan out at wing though.. Don't wanna deal Staal.

What exactly makes you think he's should pan out at wing? His rookie year, that is more the exception than the rule with staal, he never put up those kind of numbers even in juniors.

DING DING DING...

His rookie year MAY have been an abberation...too hard to tell, but he did NOT have the 'scorers pedigree' coming into the NHL. Though I like his 'potential,' you sometimes need to trade 'potential' (especially when you have a wealth of centers) for missing parts - ESPECIALLY when NHL Gms seemingly are salivating at the prospect of acquiring Staal. The payoff COULD be large...

[Digitalgypsy66]

http://community.citizensvoice.com/blog ... ement.aspx

Little interview with Tangradi from Jason Bombulie. Good stuff, and more in depth tomorrow. Looks like Tangradi has people from Allentown and attended a prep school near Wilkes Barre.

[mickaelh87]

Whitney is in the line up tonight...interesting

He's playing with Pronger. Watching on Center Ice.

Has the second most ice time on the team so far behind pronger

[penny lane]

Ducks GM saying he's been working on this trade for about a month.

Kunitz has been a warrior for the ducks; done it all for them. Emotional to let him go.

[Maagwa]

Anyone got a link to the Anaheim boston game?

[Abe Frohman]

Yup, its impossible, unless you wanna trade Letang, I don't wanna trade Letang.

Anyways, I don't think Staal should be shipped, you move him to wing for next season, doesn't pan out, and THEN you could/should move him. He should pan out at wing though.. Don't wanna deal Staal.

I can respect your opinion that you 'don't wanna deal Staal,' but WHAT proof is there that he 'should pan out at wing.'

By all accounts he either does NOT want to play wing, or is just unable to perform well outside of the center position. EITHER case points to a wealth of centers that is NOT manageable in a cap era, and a luxury / unneeded expenditure of $4 million / year should be dealt to bolster a weakness at top-6 wings or STUD defenseman (if you'd prefer to make other deals -like a Guerin or Tkachuk for spare parts / draft picks to tide the team over).

Because he has performed best at wing.. he's a lot more effective there right now. He technically HAS to be top 6 anyway soon. Staal isn't making 4 million to be a 3rd line centre the time he's here.

Yup...he MUST be top-6 to justify his contract, but this MAY be forcing a square peg into a round hole BECAUSE of a perceived 'potential.'

I'd prefer to trade 'perceived potential' for a proven commodity, ESPECIALLY when the Pens are so strong up the middle (for the forseeable future)...

[Bob McKenzie]

Abe Frohman:

Are you sure you aren't Mark Madden undercover?

[Ron`]

http://community.citizensvoice.com/blogs/penguins/archive/2009/02/26/plenty-of-movement.aspx

Little interview with Tangradi from Jason Bombulie. Good stuff, and more in depth tomorrow. Looks like Tangradi has people from Allentown and attended a prep school near Wilkes Barre.

He went to Wyoming Sem for awhile and played there.

[Abe Frohman]

Abe Frohman:

Are you sure you aren't Mark Madden undercover?

LOL...I enjoyed his show on ESPN, but cannot listen to him (especially the surrounding music - whatever happened to Zeppelin or Hendrix?) on his new station. I enjoy the way he spanks moronic callers...sometimes hate his overall persona...but appreciate his knowledge and LOVE of hockey.

[Tico Rick]

http://community.citizensvoice.com/blogs/penguins/archive/2009/02/26/plenty-of-movement.aspx

Little interview with Tangradi from Jason Bombulie. Good stuff, and more in depth tomorrow. Looks like Tangradi has people from Allentown and attended a prep school near Wilkes Barre.

That's JONATHAN Bombulie. Or Jonny the Bomb, as I like to call him.

[offsides]

Whitney is in the line up tonight...interesting

He's playing with Pronger. Watching on Center Ice.

Has the second most ice time on the team so far behind pronger

I see they are losing 3 - 0. Is he a minus yet??

[Why So Serious?]

He's playing with Pronger. Watching on Center Ice.

Has the second most ice time on the team so far behind pronger

I see they are losing 3 - 0. Is he a minus yet??

Not yet. He's getting plenty of playing time too.

[penny lane]

http://community.citizensvoice.com/blogs/penguins/archive/2009/02/26/plenty-of-movement.aspx

Little interview with Tangradi from Jason Bombulie. Good stuff, and more in depth tomorrow. Looks like Tangradi has people from Allentown and attended a prep school near Wilkes Barre.

He went to Wyoming Sem for awhile and played there.

Allentown isn't exactly western PA

Sounds like he is enthused to be penguin.

[Pitts]

http://community.citizensvoice.com/blogs/penguins/archive/2009/02/26/plenty-of-movement.aspx

Little interview with Tangradi from Jason Bombulie. Good stuff, and more in depth tomorrow. Looks like Tangradi has people from Allentown and attended a prep school near Wilkes Barre.

He should. He's from Philadelphia.

[Matthew Monstar]

Wow, Lucic is a dirty player.

He was drilling punches to the side of Mike Browns head while he was sitting on the ice.

This game is getting very dirty and everything is being called in favor of boston.

[Burnaby_Joe]

Interesting..........

http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service= ... &iid=12242

[Bob McKenzie]

Wow, Lucic is a dirty player.

He was drilling punches to the side of Mike Browns head while he was sitting on the ice.

This game is getting very dirty and everything is being called in favor of boston.

Brown had his glove off first and punched Lucic before he dropped his gloves.

Made me wish we drafted Lucic...he's Rick Tocchet reincarnated.

[Matthew Monstar]

Wow, Lucic is a dirty player.

He was drilling punches to the side of Mike Browns head while he was sitting on the ice.

This game is getting very dirty and everything is being called in favor of boston.

Brown had his glove off first and punched Lucic before he dropped his gloves.

Made me wish we drafted Lucic...he's Rick Tocchet reincarnated.

Yeah but he couldve waited til brown got up to fight. Not through bombs at Browns ear while hes sitting on the ice not able to defend himself.

But tough guy Lucic took advantage of him.

Parros is tough man. I like him

[Steve]

Wow, Lucic is a dirty player.

He was drilling punches to the side of Mike Browns head while he was sitting on the ice.

This game is getting very dirty and everything is being called in favor of boston.

Brown had his glove off first and punched Lucic before he dropped his gloves.

Made me wish we drafted Lucic...he's Rick Tocchet reincarnated.

Yeah but he couldve waited til brown got up to fight. Not through bombs at Browns ear while hes sitting on the ice not able to defend himself.

But tough guy Lucic took advantage of him.

Parros is tough man. I like him

Parros looks like a porn star from the 70's.

Third period should be interesting - The game is going to get real nasty, or both teams may just want to get the h out of there. Whitney looks solid so far, he's only been on the ice for one of the five goals...