The draft

[meecrofilm]

Whats wrong with us getting another Center? We look weak at that spot from a prospects point imo.

Nothing wrong with it, but as weak as they look at C they are 10x weaker on the wings.

Dunno about that. Bennett may be the only high-end talent, but then you've still got some potential players in Tangradi, Kuhnhackl, Wilson, Agostino, Uher, and maybe Thompson at the moment.

The only real center prospect right now is Ben Hanowski, and he may be a better fit at wing anyway.... aside from him you've got what, Street? Gibbons?

Obviously the Pens will be set 1-2 for a long time, and 3-4's can be found fairly easily through FA, but (much like D) it's a good position to have flexibility in, as you can either move them to wing, or swap needs with an organization.

[tfrizz]

Whats wrong with us getting another Center? We look weak at that spot from a prospects point imo.

Nothing wrong with it, but as weak as they look at C they are 10x weaker on the wings.

Dunno about that. Bennett may be the only high-end talent, but then you've still got some potential players in Tangradi, Kuhnhackl, Wilson, Agostino, Uher, and maybe Thompson at the moment.

The only real center prospect right now is Ben Hanowski, and he may be a better fit at wing anyway.... aside from him you've got what, Street? Gibbons?

Obviously the Pens will be set 1-2 for a long time, and 3-4's can be found fairly easily through FA, but (much like D) it's a good position to have flexibility in, as you can either move them to wing, or swap needs with an organization.

Fair enough. I was looking at a more short-term window, and hoping there was a NHL-ready winger available in the draft.

[Malkamaniac]

We're picking someone? I didn't know LGP got a pick.

PBP on re-entry waivers.

lol no.

[Rocco]

We're picking someone? I didn't know LGP got a pick.

PBP on re-entry waivers.

Free Kicksave.

[Malkamaniac]

We're picking someone? I didn't know LGP got a pick.

PBP on re-entry waivers.

Free Kicksave.

Yes

[meecrofilm]

A lot of you have already mentioned some key names.

Guys I'm paying particular attention to:

6. Slater Koekkoek - Big rangy defenseman that can do anything you ask him to.

Have any thoughts on Olli Maatta and Matt Finn? Two players who stock has steadily risen the 2nd half of the season, and could be viable candidates if Shero decides to go D.

I'm just not sure of the ceiling of those 3 (Maatta less so). Looking back at our recent 1st round selections, it seems Shero definitely values a high-end talent in the first round, and even though there's a lot of D ranked in the top-30 and beyond, there might not be any left with a game-breaking talent by the time we pick (a la Morrow), and the preferable choice might be to "reach" so to speak, on a forward whose raw skillset is more sought after (Bennett for example).

[Corvidae]

I predict the Pens taking Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland Winterhawks.

1) He's a defenseman. Shero loves defensemen.
2) He's a defenseman playing with another defenseman prospect the Pen's have (Morrow). Shero :favorite: the double team dip.
3) He's a defenseman.
4) He's Ranked somewhere in the late teens/ early 20s, depending on what source you use.

As far as I'm concerned they've already picked him.

[sil]

A lot of you have already mentioned some key names.

Guys I'm paying particular attention to:

2. Brendan Gaunce - Prototypical power forward with a good pedigree and work ethic. Center, that's the only issue. Not where he needs to be defensively just yet. Perfect fit if he can convert to wing.

I brought up Gaunce for similar reasons, though I'd also argue we lack depth at center in this organization more than we do winger. He actually reminds me a lot of Grabovski the way he plays in the offensive zone and with the puck, though with a bit more edge. I have a hard time seeing him fall as far down the board as we'll be picking, though it's hard to tell sometimes with those middle first round picks. I really think Shero will have to trade up to be able to grab this kid.

[Noise]

Shero will pick a large north american player, most likely a defensemen or a center, with a small chance that it's a winger.

[Noise]

I predict the Pens taking Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland Winterhawks.

1) He's a defenseman. Shero loves defensemen.
2) He's a defenseman playing with another defenseman prospect the Pen's have (Morrow). Shero :favorite: the double team dip.
3) He's a defenseman.
4) He's Ranked somewhere in the late teens/ early 20s, depending on what source you use.

As far as I'm concerned they've already picked him.

But how big is he?

[Malkamaniac]

I predict the Pens taking Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland Winterhawks.

1) He's a defenseman. Shero loves defensemen.
2) He's a defenseman playing with another defenseman prospect the Pen's have (Morrow). Shero :favorite: the double team dip.
3) He's a defenseman.
4) He's Ranked somewhere in the late teens/ early 20s, depending on what source you use.

As far as I'm concerned they've already picked him.

But how big is he?

Probably 5'11. Another Shero favorite.

[sil]

Shero will pick a large north american player, most likely a defensemen or a center, with a small chance that it's a winger.

First rounders since being here...

2006: Canadian Center
2007: Canadian Center
2008: n/a
2009: Canadian Defenseman
2010: Californian Winger
2011: Canadian Defenseman

One is NOT like the others.

[Trip McNeely]

I've mentioned this in another post but, if moving Martin is in the cards, the best way I think to do it is to move him and our first rounder for a pick anywhere from 7-12. There are alot of teams in serious need for defenseman (Carolina, Winnipeg, Tampa, Minnesota) and are picking in that range. The Pens could draft a forward who is basically NHL ready and frees us from the Martin contract.

Now, I'm not sure if Shero does want to move Martin, but if he does, this seems like the most advantageous way to do so

[Pens4Life]

A lot of you have already mentioned some key names.

Guys I'm paying particular attention to:


6. Slater Koekkoek - Big rangy defenseman that can do anything you ask him to.

Guys I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole:

1. Tom Wilson - Let the Maple Leafs take this guy.

Koekkoek? How do you pronouce that?

[sil]

I've mentioned this in another post but, if moving Martin is in the cards, the best way I think to do it is to move him and our first rounder for a pick anywhere from 7-12. There are alot of teams in serious need for defenseman (Carolina, Winnipeg, Tampa, Minnesota) and are picking in that range. The Pens could draft a forward who is basically NHL ready and frees us from the Martin contract.

Now, I'm not sure if Shero does want to move Martin, but if he does, this seems like the most advantageous way to do so

Just have to hope no one heard Shero say he's concussed, nor watched him play this past season.

[sil]

Koekkoek? How do you pronouce that?

[Guinness]

We're picking someone? I didn't know LGP got a pick.

PBP on re-entry waivers.

[Guinness]

I've mentioned this in another post but, if moving Martin is in the cards, the best way I think to do it is to move him and our first rounder for a pick anywhere from 7-12. There are alot of teams in serious need for defenseman (Carolina, Winnipeg, Tampa, Minnesota) and are picking in that range. The Pens could draft a forward who is basically NHL ready and frees us from the Martin contract.

Now, I'm not sure if Shero does want to move Martin, but if he does, this seems like the most advantageous way to do so

I'd be thrilled if he could find a team to switch picks and Martin. Free up space to for Niskanen and Despres, and move up in the draft, even a couple of spots, makes it a win to me.

[sil]

I've mentioned this in another post but, if moving Martin is in the cards, the best way I think to do it is to move him and our first rounder for a pick anywhere from 7-12. There are alot of teams in serious need for defenseman (Carolina, Winnipeg, Tampa, Minnesota) and are picking in that range. The Pens could draft a forward who is basically NHL ready and frees us from the Martin contract.

Now, I'm not sure if Shero does want to move Martin, but if he does, this seems like the most advantageous way to do so

I'd be thrilled if he could find a team to switch picks and Martin. Free up space to for Niskanen and Despres, and move up in the draft, even a couple of spots, makes it a win to me.

To get a forward that's "NHL ready" you pretty much have to be picking in the top-5...or at worst the top-8. Martin and our 1st won't get us that high on the board.

[Guinness]

I've mentioned this in another post but, if moving Martin is in the cards, the best way I think to do it is to move him and our first rounder for a pick anywhere from 7-12. There are alot of teams in serious need for defenseman (Carolina, Winnipeg, Tampa, Minnesota) and are picking in that range. The Pens could draft a forward who is basically NHL ready and frees us from the Martin contract.

Now, I'm not sure if Shero does want to move Martin, but if he does, this seems like the most advantageous way to do so

I'd be thrilled if he could find a team to switch picks and Martin. Free up space to for Niskanen and Despres, and move up in the draft, even a couple of spots, makes it a win to me.

To get a forward that's "NHL ready" you pretty much have to be picking in the top-5...or at worst the top-8. Martin and our 1st won't get us that high on the board.

Agreed. I didn't say anything about getting an NHL ready player, though.

Edit - I see you were responding to Trip.

[Malkamaniac]

I wish we drafted more swedish people.

[sil]

I wish we drafted more swedish people.

I wish I ate more swedish fish.

[thehockeyguru]

Trade up = Teuvo Teravainen
Trade down = Tim Bozon
Stay put = Andrei Vasilevski

I wouldn't mind Vasilevski at all.

[Streaks House]

Trade up = Teuvo Teravainen
Trade down = Tim Bozon
Stay put = Andrei Vasilevski

I wouldn't mind Vasilevski at all.

What a showing he had at the WJCs a few months ago. He's a pretty big goalie too, around 6'3"/6'4". I'd be hesitant to draft him in the 1st round though because of the KHL factor.

No 1st rounder is a lock to make it to the NHL, but these Euros that aren't already in North America may not even make it across the pond. Look at Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko; the Caps and Blues are still waiting for these 2 high end prospects to come to North America.

[Mr. Colby]

Latest Pens can pick now is #23, with Florida losing