Pens Off-Season Game Plan

[Mr. Colby]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397843

The Verdict: Scott Cullen still sucks.

Anyway at least it provides a bit of an overview, regardless of the fact that he literally said nothing in the article.

[SCrosby87]

Even if Staal does want to play with his bro Eric... there's no reason to believe they are a trading partner. It just means if he doesn't resign with the Pens, he will sign with Carolina as a UFA.

Who does Carolina even have that would interest the Pens for a cup run now? Skinner, Ruutu and Eric Staal would be the only players Shero would want... and they aren't going to trade those guys (Maybe Ruutu).

So there's no reason to even post trade proposals as Carolina as a trade partner. They have no D and no O depth to trade for Staal.

[steelhammer]

Interesting thoughts on the goaltending situation:

That alone doesn't mean that Vokoun is going to take Fleury's job, but it as an indication that the Penguins won't feel compelled to play Fleury no matter what.

Fleury has been an okay NHL goaltender for the last five seasons -- his .913 save percentage in that time ranks 25th among goaltenders with at least 100 games played, 18th among those with at least 200 games -- yet his value is generally overestimated, in large part because of his role in the Penguins' 2008 and 2009 playoff runs to the Stanley Cup Finals.

After his performance in the first round against Philadelphia last season, however, Fleury isn't likely to be overvalued for a while. His .834 save percentage was the worst among goaltenders to play at least five games in a playoff season since they started tracking save percentage in 1984.

With the Penguins' top performers in prime position to win, Pittsburgh can ill-afford to cast their lot with only Fleury in goal.