Michalek to Coyotes for 3rd round pick, prospect

[Corvidae]

Martin for Suter's rights without having a deal in place is incredibly stupid.

I'd still give away Martin for free even with Michalek gone. That's how little I think of him.

[Sarcastic]

I am perfectly OK with this. Shero signed Z as a FA so we're not losing any in-grown assets. This was a salary dump in preparation of the FA season.

I had a problem with Z all year long and, as far as I remember, he was worse that Martin. In fact, when Martin was paired with him, Martin sucked. Then when Orpik got paired with him, Orpik sucked. Martin had a beautiful stretch of can't-do-wrong after he got paired with Letang and I remember I only turned against Martin (in addition to his pairing with Z, of course) during playoffs.

My #1 goat on defense all season was Z and I remember repeatedly saying that between Martin and Z, Z's worse and that he's the one to go. I see this sentimental attachment to Z some have and I don't know why, but I can't accept that it was his playing.

I am happy Shero got rid of him. Many don't realize for one reason or another that Z was just as weak and physically innefectual as Martin, so why exactly the difference in treatment? In fact, I saw Martin punch somebody. Never saw Z do that. Michalek was terrible defensively and I got sick of watching him throw himself to the ice in panic every time the puck got close to Fleury. Martin brings more to the team with his skating and passing anyway and I would rather give Martin another shot if he isn't traded than be stuck with another disappointing year from Michalek.

I congratulate Shero for admitting Z didn't play as expected and for selling him back to Phoenix.

[FallenHero96]

So I looked up Harrison Ruopp on Youtube, and it's full of fights.

[ville5]

Ah, so Shero, drunk off all the D he acquired, thought he was bringing back mike rupp. Instead he got ruopp.
And I was hoping all those PIMS were from slammin bodies through the glass. Oh well.

[DelPen]

Marc Cheverie is from Cole Harbour so I'm sure he knows Crosby.

[lifetimefan]

Will miss Z...best of luck.

Shero has decided to blow up the team...
for a chance at another superstar.

Which one, we don't know yet...but Parise or Suter have to be in play at this point.

Blow up the team? What are you talking about. Staal gave hiim no option and he did a great job getting as much from Carolina as possible. We all new either Z or Martin, possibly both, we going to move. Shero did a great job on day 1 of the draft. If day 1 of free agency is anything like this, WOW!

[pcmforless]

Considering he was picked up as a free agent with no assets being lost to get him, trading him back to the same team you got him from with a few assetts in return and the fact he wasn't working out here and you got rid of some salary.... Looks like a win to me

[lemieuxReturns]

Marc Cheverie is from Cole Harbour so I'm sure he knows Crosby.

They are friends actually.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2007/12/09/crosby-and-cheverie/1864/

[Puffymuffin]

So I looked up Harrison Ruopp on Youtube, and it's full of fights.

He'll fit in fine with the baby Pens then

[darkstar57]

I just think Shero was tired of watching people on the pens win awards, Malkin and Crosby the hart! Bylsma the jack Adams.

Shero said pizza it I want to win GM of the year next year

[firepower]

I probably wouldn't want to see both Suter and ZP unless they traded Martin away. Sign ZP to give Sid a top 6 winger and land some size on this team(which comes at a cheaper price then high end talent).

[Tico Rick]

Marc Cheverie is from Cole Harbour so I'm sure he knows Crosby.

They are friends actually.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2007/12/09/crosby-and-cheverie/1864/

So Cheverie, Parise... is it time to replace FOM with FOS?

[Gaucho]

BOTS - Buddies of teh Sid.

[DesertPenguin]

Only way Martin gets dealt out of here now is if Shero brings a top 4 veteran in first and signs him. Ray Shero will not take any action that risks the pens starting the season with:

Letang - Orpik
Niskanen-Despres
Lovejoy-Engo
Strait

Like him or not, Martin is here to stay until Shero has a guy under contract to eat the 22+ minutes a night he is responsible for.

[TheHammer24]

Only way Martin gets dealt out of here now is if Shero brings a top 4 veteran in first and signs him. Ray Shero will not take any action that risks the pens starting the season with:

Letang - Orpik
Niskanen-Despres
Lovejoy-Engo
Strait

Like him or not, Martin is here to stay until Shero has a guy under contract to eat the 22+ minutes a night he is responsible for.

Really not crazy about that D lineup. I also really am not crazy about free agency again. Hmm.

[Corvidae]

Ah, so Shero, drunk off all the D he acquired, thought he was bringing back mike rupp. Instead he got ruopp.
And I was hoping all those PIMS were from slammin bodies through the glass. Oh well.

[icecats30]

the real question will be..will Dupuis give up his number 9?

[mikey287]

Unless we need a backup AHL goalie or ECHL goalie...I doubt either prospect is ever signed. But I don't have that on authority...yet...

[HomerPenguin]

If you're going to do a salary dump then atleast get something good in return. Heck, I'd take a 2nd round pick pick straight up for Z over this deal.

LULZ YEAH SHERO IS SO DUMB FOR NOT TAKING A DEAL THAT PHOENIX PROBABLY NEVER OFFERED! WAKE UP SHERO!

[KG]

I watched the Shero media scrum. The staff/scouts were high on Ruopp last year and almost drafted him.

Another chip...

[mikey287]

I watched the Shero media scrum. The staff/scouts were high on Ruopp last year and almost drafted him.

Another chip...

That'd be nice. My guess, he never plays in the NHL. I'll get another look at him, ask a couple of Dub guys though.

[SolidSnake]

Michalek already given the A in Phoenix

[Steve]

I'm glad we were able to trade him back to Phoenix - I think it's a good move for him and the Pens.

I'm also glad I got to see this in person, in the only game Pens game I attended this year:

[ville5]

Supposedly Michalek originally wanted to stay in Phoenix?
But he was unsure of what was gonna happen with the team, correct? So he took the best offer. That's what I've read anyway.
Supposedly other teams were interested. surely Shero could've fleeced more than two scrubs and a 3rd.
Since ZM was just signed here semi- recently, is it possible Shero asked ZM where he'd like to go so as not look like a **** to other possible FA's? And just took the best offer from that team?
I realize this was a pure salary dump and the idea sounds far fetched. But surely with ZM past performance, we could've gotten more than two scrubs and a 3rd for a top 4 defensive D.

[littlemoonboot]

"Crosby and Friends"