Rob Rossi Rumor Tracking Website

[wondermoose]

I never said he was perfect, but if someone is going to bag on him, it should at least be for something he actually did. And while I agree that it's a ridiculous notion, he's not the only person commenting on it:

Writers in Ottawa insist Pens might trade James Neal; why trade proven 25yo power F with good contract who scored 40+ goal pace last 2 years

The definition of power forward gets looser every day. In the last few days, i've seen Neal, Bobby Ryan, and Rick Nash referred to as power forwards.

Sidney Crosby is a power forward then.

[Stevens25]

Hometown Hunk Ryan Malone. Now that is a PF

[topshelf66]

Neal is not a power forward. He is a shooter / scorer. Much better without the puck on his stick.

Kevin Stevens = Power forward.

Rick Nash = Power eater.

[SpinnerSpencer]

Ryan Malone. Now that is a PF

Read that he may be a buyout candidate.

[bhaw]

Ryan Malone. Now that is a PF

Read that he may be a buyout candidate.

I know you didn't come out and suggest it, but I have seen several others advocate bringing Malone back. People do realize that when players leave the Pens, they do go through the standard aging process, right? It's like when everyone was getting excited about Kovalev coming back. The dude was a decade past his prime production with Pittsburgh and fans were expecting him to come back and be highly productive.

Malone is shot. He can't even stay healthy. If he's bought out, Shero shouldn't even look his direction.

Spend the money on Dupuis who has proven durable and his game has inexplicably gotten better this late in his career.

[penny lane]

Hometown Hunk Ryan Malone. Now that is a PF

The last power forward on the pens. no doubt. But, pens can't go back to 2008. Pens are going older; need youth, and a strong personality.

[Froggy]

plus, malone wasn't all that great when he WAS here.

[Pavel Bure]

plus, malone wasn't all that great when he WAS here.

Eh average of 20 goals a season and 50 points. Malone was pretty good. People just wanted more out of him constantly.

[Froggy]

he got a lot of those points playing on the first unit pp, something which he almost certainly would not be doing now. the year he had 51 points with the pens, 11 of his 27 goals, and 16 of his 51 points came on the pp. i think he's more like a 15g 30pt guy now at least on this team, and he's too expensive for that kind of production

[Pavel Bure]

he got a lot of those points playing on the first unit pp, something which he almost certainly would not be doing now. the year he had 51 points with the pens, 11 of his 27 goals, and 16 of his 51 points came on the pp. i think he's more like a 15g 30pt guy now at least on this team, and he's too expensive for that kind of production

I don't get the PP hate. He produced, end of story. I wouldn't want him now but he was good when he was here, people just wanted him to be something he wasn't.

[Froggy]

the point is, he would not play on our top pp, so subtract that production. it's really not that complicated. he is a mediocre ES player.

[Stevens25]

I just miss seeing a big body in front of the net. Didn't realize he is 33. Where does the time go.

[Defence21]

Rossi reported last night or this morning that Shero is not looking to trade Fleury unless Fleury wants out. Nice work on the scoop, there, Tom Brokaw. This comes literally two weeks after Shero announced this in his press conference. His only added tidbit: the goalie market is weak this summer and the Penguins need a starter. Regurgitated information (we won't even call it news) that Rossi puts out to make it look like he's doing digging. Sad part: people fall for it all the time.

[GDR]

Rossi must be reading LGP for trade ideas again. Hi Rob!

Rob Rossi ‏@RobRossi_Trib 15m
#TribHKY Letang prefers #pens, but #leafs a preferred destination IF trade must happen:

http://t.co/WmAAnN8QF4

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Rossi must be reading LGP for trade ideas again. Hi Rob!

Rob Rossi ‏@RobRossi_Trib 15m
#TribHKY Letang prefers #pens, but #leafs a preferred destination IF trade must happen:

http://t.co/WmAAnN8QF4

I read this. Toronto is a tough team to trade with. Half of their team is unsigned. Who would I want if it worked financially?

Either Cody Franson or Carl Gunnarsson for one of their roster players, Tyler Biggs for a prospect and their 21st overall pick. Nothing less.

Neither of those players will be cheap, but they will be affordable under the Pens cap.

I'd then like to see the Pens try to trade up in the draft order.

[ville5]

Strange article. Mostly regurgitation, with the TO tidbit thrown in. Has the feel that someone associated with the team had him write that. To make the other teams think they have to improve their offers.
Something's definitely gonna go down at the draft.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Something's definitely gonna go down at the draft.

I agree. Players are definitely getting drafted.

[Boogeyman]

I'll bite....

JVR and his 4.2 cap hit through 2017. I would also want Kulemin as a package, while sending Kennedy back the other way. The Kulemin and Kennedy additions would wash out in terms of salary, we get the edge with Kulemin but let's not forget that JVR was traded for Luke Schenn in recent history. They would now be getting Kris Letang.

JVR obviously replaces Dupuis. Kulemin fills the void on Malkins wing.

JVR - Crosby - Kunitz.

Kulemin - Malkin - Neal


With that said, it would be contingent on JVR being able to play RW or Kunitz moving to RW. Though you will likely lose Kunitz next year regardless so one year of this may be worth it then insert Beau Bennett at RW on that line.

For Toronto, not much needs to be said.. They still have Kessel, Kadri, Bozak, Lupul etc. they now can unload Phaneuf, which everyone knows they want to do, and insert a franchise defenseman in Letang.

Not worried about Letang in conference either, especially in the playoffs ( =

[no name]

Something's definitely gonna go down at the draft.

I agree. Players are definitely getting drafted.

Hugo you must be Rossi himself, only a savy member of journalism could peice that together.

That did make me laugh, thanks i needed that.

[Defence21]

I'll bite....

JVR and his 4.2 cap hit through 2017. I would also want Kulemin as a package, while sending Kennedy back the other way. The Kulemin and Kennedy additions would wash out in terms of salary, we get the edge with Kulemin but let's not forget that JVR was traded for Luke Schenn in recent history. They would now be getting Kris Letang.

JVR obviously replaces Dupuis. Kulemin fills the void on Malkins wing.

JVR - Crosby - Kunitz.

Kulemin - Malkin - Neal


With that said, it would be contingent on JVR being able to play RW or Kunitz moving to RW. Though you will likely lose Kunitz next year regardless so one year of this may be worth it then insert Beau Bennett at RW on that line.

For Toronto, not much needs to be said.. They still have Kessel, Kadri, Bozak, Lupul etc. they now can unload Phaneuf, which everyone knows they want to do, and insert a franchise defenseman in Letang.

Not worried about Letang in conference either, especially in the playoffs ( =

An NHL-ready defenseman with top-pairing skills must be included in the deal. I'm all for JVR and/or Kulemin, but a Letang fill-in needs to be added.

[shmenguin]

I don't see it happening but JVR on this team would be lots of fun

[opie22002]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Kris Letang's agent Kent Hughes on reports their preferred destination is TOR: "We haven't discussed the Toronto Maple Leafs. Period...

[CERV96]

Toronto has a lot of speed. Gave the Bruins fits much like the Isles did to us in round 1.

[Defence21]

Might be missing something, but can't recall Rossi having any news on Kunitz. For having the "inside track" on the Penguins, he sure missed a big story.

[Boogeyman]

If Letang says he will sign a long term deal with Toronto and basically says Toronto or bust, I think that's the best deal for that scenario.

I know most wouldn't like this for some misguided reason, but if Kessell was willing to talk extension in he 5 million price range... Don't think for a second that he wouldn't set the league on fire playing here in the circumstances he would likely be playing in.