Gaucho wrote:How do you avoid injuries? By not playing?
iceolater wrote:Yes, we shouldn't wait around until the trading deadline because the asking price and value in trade is getting much higher then it would be at this stage of the season. As to who should be on the block?
1. Brooks Orpik - Absolutely does nothing to help this team. He is past his prime when he would hit, clear the crease and meet on coming rushes at the blue line like Scott Stevens did with the Devils. Now he can't take a pass, (has to stop it, settle it down 2 second delay then react), hits but with not much authority or impact, and backs in as the oncoming rush is approaching him. (Look at Colorado ONLY goal..Orpik backing up and blocks Fleury's vision.) Sure he may be a great guy but this is a business and this team is loaded with young talent waiting to be called up.
2. Letang: Sorry folks, the guy still wants to be an offensive player and leaves his partner and Fleury out to dry. He is out of position, turns the puck over too much and Oli Maata is learning the bad habbits (Going high in the defensive zone while the other team scores on Fleury.) Letang is a $igned lock for 8yrs and his return would warrant more value NOW then it would if it is done at trading deadline. I don't see why Maata can't go to the side on the powerplay and do the same thing Letang is doing now. Trade off is Maata is cheaper and is talented and we can get more scoring winger.
3. James Neal: Yea, hate to say it but Nealers since his concussion is becoming somewhat of a "China Doll". Injuries are starting to add up for Neal and we need someone who can play wing, score and avoid injuries. Shame because, I like Neal when he is healthy. Great shot, but he like Letang, is Signed and proven that he can score, but we need someone who is going to be there on the line with Malkin who we are paying top $$$$. Malkin can't be playing on lines where it is "Let's insert this Winger here and then try this one." Neal hasn't been healthy the past few years and in this business, we need him to be.
4. Dupree: Duper is one I like as well because you get a good solid short hand role player and he plays on the top line. Not too mention, He is signed too. Easy to dangle him out there and package maybe him and Letang and get a strong return. Duper this year hasn't done much on Sids line and I am starting to doubt if he is a solid #1 line winger. We could easily get another top winger, (Yes SID will have to adjust) and with those 2 in a package deal, we could get some solid players in return.
Thought on Goalie:
Shero needs to sign a solid back up goalie: Not sure if Zatkoff (spelling) is the answer but I thought he did play better in game 2. However, if MAF goes down , we are in trouble. I am not sold on Zatkoff like I was with Volkoun. And with as much money as Shero has invested in this team, Goal could be an issue to watch out for. I have noticed a lot more interference within in the crease with bodies hitting into MAF. Just saying, that I am not comfortable with our Goalie situation if MAF goes down.
The Pens started out the season great, but since Letang's return, the defense is starting to run around and we are playing the same type of hockey that got us in to trouble in the playoffs. We can't continue to play a great 1st period, a lack lust 2nd period and then because of a defensive lapse or a give away at center ice, we loose it in the 3rd. Shades of last year starting to resurface its ugly head.
Shero with the advantage of having so many players under solid contracts, maybe making calls now. Don't be surprised if within a few weeks, some of this team is traded . I doubt Mario & Co. will allow this to go on when you can feel the same thing happening now, that happened at the end of last season in the playoffs.
Jim wrote:How much better than Niskanen is Orpik?
scals37 wrote:iceolater wrote:Yes, we shouldn't wait around until the trading deadline because the asking price and value in trade is getting much higher then it would be at this stage of the season. As to who should be on the block?
1. Brooks Orpik - Absolutely does nothing to help this team. He is past his prime when he would hit, clear the crease and meet on coming rushes at the blue line like Scott Stevens did with the Devils. Now he can't take a pass, (has to stop it, settle it down 2 second delay then react), hits but with not much authority or impact, and backs in as the oncoming rush is approaching him. (Look at Colorado ONLY goal..Orpik backing up and blocks Fleury's vision.) Sure he may be a great guy but this is a business and this team is loaded with young talent waiting to be called up.
2. Letang: Sorry folks, the guy still wants to be an offensive player and leaves his partner and Fleury out to dry. He is out of position, turns the puck over too much and Oli Maata is learning the bad habbits (Going high in the defensive zone while the other team scores on Fleury.) Letang is a $igned lock for 8yrs and his return would warrant more value NOW then it would if it is done at trading deadline. I don't see why Maata can't go to the side on the powerplay and do the same thing Letang is doing now. Trade off is Maata is cheaper and is talented and we can get more scoring winger.
3. James Neal: Yea, hate to say it but Nealers since his concussion is becoming somewhat of a "China Doll". Injuries are starting to add up for Neal and we need someone who can play wing, score and avoid injuries. Shame because, I like Neal when he is healthy. Great shot, but he like Letang, is Signed and proven that he can score, but we need someone who is going to be there on the line with Malkin who we are paying top $$$$. Malkin can't be playing on lines where it is "Let's insert this Winger here and then try this one." Neal hasn't been healthy the past few years and in this business, we need him to be.
4. Dupree: Duper is one I like as well because you get a good solid short hand role player and he plays on the top line. Not too mention, He is signed too. Easy to dangle him out there and package maybe him and Letang and get a strong return. Duper this year hasn't done much on Sids line and I am starting to doubt if he is a solid #1 line winger. We could easily get another top winger, (Yes SID will have to adjust) and with those 2 in a package deal, we could get some solid players in return.
Thought on Goalie:
Shero needs to sign a solid back up goalie: Not sure if Zatkoff (spelling) is the answer but I thought he did play better in game 2. However, if MAF goes down , we are in trouble. I am not sold on Zatkoff like I was with Volkoun. And with as much money as Shero has invested in this team, Goal could be an issue to watch out for. I have noticed a lot more interference within in the crease with bodies hitting into MAF. Just saying, that I am not comfortable with our Goalie situation if MAF goes down.
The Pens started out the season great, but since Letang's return, the defense is starting to run around and we are playing the same type of hockey that got us in to trouble in the playoffs. We can't continue to play a great 1st period, a lack lust 2nd period and then because of a defensive lapse or a give away at center ice, we loose it in the 3rd. Shades of last year starting to resurface its ugly head.
Shero with the advantage of having so many players under solid contracts, maybe making calls now. Don't be surprised if within a few weeks, some of this team is traded . I doubt Mario & Co. will allow this to go on when you can feel the same thing happening now, that happened at the end of last season in the playoffs.
This post reeks of "What have you done for me lately?"
You don't up and unload your no. 1 defenseman because he's had a pair of shaky games after returning from injury. Wait until his timing and game-legs are back to pass judgment.
Trade Neal and Dupuis?? Pretty sure Neal's injury is unrelated to his concussion last year, and if we were to start dealing all the players that had a concussion in the past we'd be having a hard time filling out a roster. Both of these players are integral pieces on the lines they play on, Crosby and Malkin would not benefit from losing them. Also, Dupuis is basically our best PKer right now
The only guys on the d corps now that are off the market for me are Martin and Maatta.
iceolater wrote:The only guys on the d corps now that are off the market for me are Martin and Maatta.
I agree. Something has to be done with this group. Think Shero signed Letang last year so that he is easy trade bait for this year being that he is signed. The ordeal about the teams he would or wouldn't agree to a trade with is writing on the wall. For those who think Letang is our best defensemen, then we are in trouble. Yeah, he can score but he is a liability that causes us too many goals.
SolidSnake wrote:Jim wrote:How much better than Niskanen is Orpik?
Niskanen is twice as good as Orpik
Jim wrote:SolidSnake wrote:Jim wrote:How much better than Niskanen is Orpik?
Niskanen is twice as good as Orpik
Then wouldn't you rather keep Niskanen and move Orpik?
Froggy wrote:letang isn't going anywhere.
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