Shero states he plans to trade a defenseman or two

[IanMoran]

Per molinari's twitter

Also shero states no plan to trade staal

Nice to finally have real reporting

[SolidSnake]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

[columbia]

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG

Shero confirms that he expects to trade a defenseman or two before next season, declines to say if he's asked any to waive no-trade

Which leads me to believe that he has.

[IanMoran]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

Agree

[sil]

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG

Shero confirms that he expects to trade a defenseman or two before next season, declines to say if he's asked any to waive no-trade

Which leads me to believe that he has.

Hmmm...unless it's Niskanen's rights, Letang, Engellend, Lovejoy, or any of the prospects...(i.e. the ones likely to be kept)...he pretty much HAS to.

[JoseCuervo]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

I'd guess the d men most likely to be traded are strait, bortuzzo, and lovejoy. The team is stacked with bottom pairing defensemen and they'll have to clear waivers next year.

[SolidSnake]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

Agree

I wonder too, because Orpik has an affordable salary, but he is getting older, and I can't remember if he has a limited NMC or not. I dunno what teams would be interested in Orpik.

[steelhammer]

Trading Bortozzo and Strait is a great way to continue the Pens' saga of why we never have any defensive d-men in the system.

[columbia]

Trading Bortozzo and Strait is a great way to continue the Pens' saga of why we never have any defensive d-men in the system.

I wouldn't expect either of them to be traded; unless DB has visions of grandeur, of Lovejoy finally breaking out.

[SolidSnake]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

I'd guess the d men most likely to be traded are strait, bortuzzo, and lovejoy. The team is stacked with bottom pairing defensemen and they'll have to clear waivers next year.

What would you really get for any of those guys? Lovejoy kinda sucked at the end of the year, Strait is kind of a dime a dozen, Bortuzzo might be the only one who would fetch anything.

[Malkamaniac]

Most likely Martin. Outside the box would be Orpik(but that's like half of the entire team's toughness and vocal leadership).

[Pitts]

The d man that could be traded is most likely Martin, or maybe Orpik. I wouldn't give up on Michalek just yet.

I'd guess the d men most likely to be traded are strait, bortuzzo, and lovejoy. The team is stacked with bottom pairing defensemen and they'll have to clear waivers next year.

Agree. Everyone will go ape-charcoal with rumors of a Martin trade and it will be Lovejoy to whoever for another no good forward prospect, or a low-round pick in the draft.

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

Other than letang nobody is safe.

Martin is obviously the first thy want out, probably Orpik next.
And the fact they barely used Engellend in the playoffs when the defense was already sucking shows little confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see three go.

[JoseCuervo]

Other than letang nobody is safe.

Martin is obviously the first thy want out, probably Orpik next.
And the fact they barely used Engellend in the playoffs when the defense was already sucking shows little confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see three go.

I don't think there is much point to trading the whole defense away when the coaching is the main problem, imo.

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

Other than letang nobody is safe.

Martin is obviously the first thy want out, probably Orpik next.
And the fact they barely used Engellend in the playoffs when the defense was already sucking shows little confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see three go.

I don't think there is much point to trading the whole defense away when the coaching is the main problem, imo.

Well I agree but it's just what I think they will do. It doesn't get mentioned as much but Orpik was just as awful as anyone down the stretch and in the playoffs, and they still wouldn't give Engellend any minutes at all.

[sil]

Engellend, for his role/minutes/salary...is fine. Orpik, yeah, it could be argued to trade him...and some teams may really want him, but $3,750,000 for two more years with the experience/leadership he brings is also fine. Michalek...more of an argument could be made, but his $4,000,000 isn't the most hampering of salaries for his role/minutes. For multiple and obvious reasons Martin, while not a terrible player, is the guy Shero will be looking to deal...perhaps even before Friday.

[steelhammer]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

[Rylan]

If Orpik got traded I would be a very sad panda.

[no name]

Pens are in need of a Strong stay at home presence on the blueline. We have enough puck movers.

But i agree with the other poster, its most likely a Burtuzzo Lovejoy Strait or Engelland. You might be able to get a draft pick or something like that from them.

I would assume this might mean Niskanin is close to being signed.

[interstorm]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

...if he didn't make that pass in the early moments of the 3rd period of game 2, i believe the pens win that game.

they win that game - i think the flyers are out of their head (they clearly were in it).

with the flyers out of their heads - i think the pens play much better in that series and (honestly) i believe they win it.

not saying lovejoy's pass cost us the cup...but that was a REALLY BAD play that sucked the life out of the team. for what he brings (which isn't much when there are others who can take his place), i simply couldn't keep a risk like him around.

[JoseCuervo]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

...if he didn't make that pass in the early moments of the 3rd period of game 2, i believe the pens win that game.

they win that game - i think the flyers are out of their head (they clearly were in it).

with the flyers out of their heads - i think the pens play much better in that series and (honestly) i believe they win it.

not saying lovejoy's pass cost us the cup...but that was a REALLY BAD play that sucked the life out of the team. for what he brings (which isn't much when there are others who can take his place), i simply couldn't keep a risk like him around.

There were a lot of bad plays in that series. From every defenseman and every forward. I think singling one out is pretty stupid.

[opie22002]

With guys like Despres, Morrow, and Harrington in the system and with Shero trying to resign Niskanen, it only makes sense that the Pens will be looking to move some dmen for assets. I'd be in favor of moving Martin and Michalek.

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

...if he didn't make that pass in the early moments of the 3rd period of game 2, i believe the pens win that game.

they win that game - i think the flyers are out of their head (they clearly were in it).

with the flyers out of their heads - i think the pens play much better in that series and (honestly) i believe they win it.

not saying lovejoy's pass cost us the cup...but that was a REALLY BAD play that sucked the life out of the team. for what he brings (which isn't much when there are others who can take his place), i simply couldn't keep a risk like him around.

There were a lot of bad plays in that series. From every defenseman and every forward. I think singling one out is pretty stupid.

I think the notion they were in our heads more than that we sucked on the overall team game once teams started attacking us all the time is silly.

whether its coaching or players or both some changes need made and that includes no matter what some d personnel movement.

[interstorm]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

...if he didn't make that pass in the early moments of the 3rd period of game 2, i believe the pens win that game.

they win that game - i think the flyers are out of their head (they clearly were in it).

with the flyers out of their heads - i think the pens play much better in that series and (honestly) i believe they win it.

not saying lovejoy's pass cost us the cup...but that was a REALLY BAD play that sucked the life out of the team. for what he brings (which isn't much when there are others who can take his place), i simply couldn't keep a risk like him around.

There were a lot of bad plays in that series. From every defenseman and every forward. I think singling one out is pretty stupid.

not sure how that was "stupid" (nice vocabulary, by the way). the pens had the momentum there. they were all fired up, the home team was in it -- everything was set to go their way and the team was ready to put game 1 behind them. i had read somewhere that mario threw something (bottle of wine maybe) after that goal. whether that is true or not - i didn't hear any similar statement on any other goal. that was a real pivotal moment in the series and there is nothing "stupid" about wanting that one back.

[guiner]

Lovejoy seems to get piled on around here for little reason. He had what, 1 or 2 bad games this season? Last season he played very well. For what it's worth, Crosby says he is the toughest defender to play against in practice. He could still be good if he got regular shifts. He's nothing like that one horrendous playoff game. Niskanen proved that this season.

...if he didn't make that pass in the early moments of the 3rd period of game 2, i believe the pens win that game.

they win that game - i think the flyers are out of their head (they clearly were in it).

with the flyers out of their heads - i think the pens play much better in that series and (honestly) i believe they win it.

not saying lovejoy's pass cost us the cup...but that was a REALLY BAD play that sucked the life out of the team. for what he brings (which isn't much when there are others who can take his place), i simply couldn't keep a risk like him around.

Perhaps he doesn't make that pass if the Zamboni had cleaned the ice counter clockwise instead of clockwise... you just aren't pursuing enough depth in your causal chain.