Shero states he plans to trade a defenseman or two

[FallenHero96]

For what it's worth, article in the MN paper today - Russo mentions that if the Wild can't get Suter, he mentions Paul Martin as a plan B for them.

[Bioshock]

What i think Shero is gonna do is go after Parise and Suter and if he gets both, you will see Paul Martin moved after the fact.

[pens_CT]

What i think Shero is gonna do is go after Parise and Suter and if he gets both, you will see Paul Martin moved after the fact.

I believe you are exactly correct. Shero has to wait and see who he can obtain in free agency before he moves Martin. Otherwise he would be forced to overpay for somebody. At this time of year they can be over the cap anyhow so this is the smarter play.

[tfrizz]

If a 30-year old fringe NHLer can have "sky is the limit" potential...I can't imagine what you think of Eric Tangradi, hell even...anyone. everyone.

You're missing the point. Tangradi should be moved for a bag of pucks and two water bottles, and Engelland should be signed to a 10 year contract so he can realize his potential into his 40s!

[no name]

Engelland is a perfect 7th defenceman, espicially when you need a physical presence on the ice. You no longer need a Godard type. Just a guy you can plug in the lineup if you think things might get chippy. He can hold his own. But if he didn;t have that fighting ability he would be in the minors on a team with more depth at defence.

[steelhammer]

Engelland is a perfect 7th defenceman, espicially when you need a physical presence on the ice. You no longer need a Godard type. Just a guy you can plug in the lineup if you think things might get chippy. He can hold his own. But if he didn;t have that fighting ability he would be in the minors on a team with more depth at defence.

Yeah, I was just thinking how terrible Engelland was when he was called upon to shut down Ovechkin on several occasions last season. Strange how more teams weren't able to exploit his weakness on this team?

[mikey287]

Engelland is a perfect 7th defenceman, espicially when you need a physical presence on the ice. You no longer need a Godard type. Just a guy you can plug in the lineup if you think things might get chippy. He can hold his own. But if he didn;t have that fighting ability he would be in the minors on a team with more depth at defence.

Yeah, I was just thinking how terrible Engelland was when he was called upon to shut down Ovechkin on several occasions last season. Strange how more teams weren't able to exploit his weakness on this team?

Very difficult to be exploited when you're scratched for the entire 2010 and 2011 playoffs. And in 2012, the only time he wasn't stapled to the bench was when Pittsburgh was up 100-3 on Philadelphia in game 4. Otherwise, he was playing 10 minutes a night against the other teams 4th line. They couldn't exploit him because we hid him on the bench or in the press box.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Brandon Sutter after his rookie year.. was what 19?

Engelland didn't start showing any signs of life at the NHL level till he was almost 30.

Pretty big difference I think there.

Again, my analogy is that age is irrelevant here.

Come again? There is no difference between a 19 year old with 2 years experience and a 30 year old with 2 years experience? I don't know why you're upset that people are disagreeing with you because I would say 99%+ of analysts, fans, coaches, GMs, and players would say otherwise. I'd be willing to put money on the fact that even Engelland would disagree with you here.

So is your notion that Pesonen never got a fair shot and if we just gave him 2 years to develop, he easily had a shot at being a top 10 NHL player?

Again...as others on this board are, you're misinterpreting what I'm saying.

If two players have NEVER played in the NHL before, regardless of age, if will take them a few years to really develop their game and adjust to the speed. By speed, I don't just mean physical speed, but the speed of being able to react and think at how fast the game moves. Obviously a 19 year old has a longer future than someone entering the league at 28, but IF BOTH have NO PRIOR NHL experience, they're both at ground zero.

[pugilist13]

Engelland is a perfect 7th defenceman, espicially when you need a physical presence on the ice. You no longer need a Godard type. Just a guy you can plug in the lineup if you think things might get chippy. He can hold his own. But if he didn;t have that fighting ability he would be in the minors on a team with more depth at defence.

Yeah, I was just thinking how terrible Engelland was when he was called upon to shut down Ovechkin on several occasions last season. Strange how more teams weren't able to exploit his weakness on this team?

Steelhammer, haters gonna hate, bro. Like i said the other day, theres bigger issues on this club than the 6th D.

[hockeymon]

its interesting Martin vs Suter. Basically same type of player. Suter may score 2-3 goals more per year and a few more assist which you can contribute to playing more on the power play. they play about the same in minutes per game. Plus Minus about the same. so to pay him 1-2 milliion more will be interesting what fans strart saying if they do get him.

[Idoit40fans]

They are similar style players, Suter is undoubtedly better though. This has been the case for several years.

[Pavel Bure]

I have a similar view of Suter. If he signs it won't be long till he's a whipping boy like Martin cause he's not a 60 point d-man.

[PhantomJB93]

For the last time, Martin is NOT being criticized because of his offensive play. He sucks defensively too. Suter is not desired because of his offensive prowess and will not be criticized for not being a Letang as long as he performs like the shutdown dman most think he is.

[hockeymon]

Defensively same !!

[Streaks House]

For what it's worth, article in the MN paper today - Russo mentions that if the Wild can't get Suter, he mentions Paul Martin as a plan B for them.

And "Plan B" for the Wild would require trading for Paul Martin, which dismisses the "Paul Martin is untradeable and has zero value" theory.

.....

I still think a lot of dominos would have to fall for the Pens to ship Paul Martin away. Pens sign Suter and/or Parise AND/OR sign/acquire additional defenseman(men).

[Daniel87]

For what it's worth, article in the MN paper today - Russo mentions that if the Wild can't get Suter, he mentions Paul Martin as a plan B for them.

So we sign Suter and the Wild are forced into taking plan b. Sounds like a plan to me.

[Pavel Bure]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

[Grunthy]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

clutterbuck...

[mikey287]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

If we get Suter, thus forcing the Martin trade, what is it that you want for Martin? I'd be fine with Nick Palmieri and a 3rd for Paul Martin and Ben Lovejoy.

[Streaks House]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

They certainly aren't giving up a player like Granlund, but I wouldn't mind a prospect, as trading Martin would serve to open cap space.

[Pavel Bure]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

clutterbuck...

Ehhhhhhh, that'd leave the Pens D looking like

Letang - Orpik
Suter - Nisky
Engelland - Lovejoy/Strait/Bortuzzo

I'd rather keep Martin in that case.

[Grunthy]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

clutterbuck...

Ehhhhhhh, that'd leave the Pens D looking like

Letang - Orpik
Suter - Nisky
Engelland - Lovejoy/Strait/Bortuzzo

I'd rather keep Martin in that case.

depending on how much salary we take on trading martin we could still possibly sign allen to knock down one of the defenseman.

[JoseCuervo]

If they sign suter, they will likely end up dumping martin. I really don't think suter is going to be a pen next year. With michalek gone, the pens will need nisky and some young guys to contribute more. I personally think strait, bortuzzo, and despres are ready to play in the nhl.

[burghsportsguys]

Minn. has nothing that looks appealing trade wise for the Pens.

clutterbuck...

Ehhhhhhh, that'd leave the Pens D looking like

Letang - Orpik
Suter - Nisky
Engelland - Lovejoy/Strait/Bortuzzo

I'd rather keep Martin in that case.

When did they get rid of Despres? Morrow has no shot?

Basically you'd rather have that lineup with Martin than with Suter? That's very odd.

The appeal in dealing Martin is that you free up $5MM in cap space to spend on others like Suter and (in the future) Letang. Realistically, the only thing the Pens should want is to dump the salary.

[Pavel Bure]

My bad knew I was missing someone. Suter - Despres/Nisky than

Engel - Despres/Nisky

Still don't like it.