Penguins offseason thread

[Toddyd77]

Downie signing is a pure Rick Tocchet move. He really brings nothing more than cheaper options Harry Z or Zach Sill could have done. The Pens lineup is sorely lacking offense and that is disturbing when you have Malkin and Crosby.
Kulemin is definetly a no go right now. Maybe Rutherford look for another bargain basement signing in David Booth, Devin Setoguchi or Peter Mueller. Low risk high reward kinda moves that could spark some offense. 1mil dollar contracts seem to be his way.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Erhoff?!!! Holy shit...I missed this POS signing...

 

[evolver115]

Erhoff?!!! Holy shit...I missed this POS signing...

Since you've seen Johnston's approach up close, do you see Erhoff as someone he could utilize? Because, looking at it from afar, Erhoff seems like a logical replacement for Nisky. And JR didn't have to pay him 40 shmillion, either.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I can't get past my dislike of the no talent erhoff to see his usefulness. Coach preaches puck possession and clean moves out of your zone...I don't see Erhoff as any improvement over what the Pens have or compensation for what they lost. Hopefully I am wrong

 

[element1286]

How is Erhoff a 'no talent'

 

[element1286]

Now this is the first head scratcher of the day. Steve Downie....

I mean, I get it, he's not a terrible player, he works well with Tochett, they need to get tougher and harder to play against.

 

[Darkstone42]

I can't get past my dislike of the no talent erhoff to see his usefulness. Coach preaches puck possession and clean moves out of your zone...I don't see Erhoff as any improvement over what the Pens have or compensation for what they lost. Hopefully I am wrong

No talent? Are you thinking of the same Ehrhoff the rest of us are talking about?

 

[element1286]

Also I think Zatkoff can start in the minors and his cap hit won't count even though it is a one way deal.

I don't think it was much of a debate it is a good deal especially the fact that Griess could be an NHL starter if needed. I was just shocked they made that deal, just like the Ehrhoff deal.

I mean, they are certainly going in a new direction. I get they will make moves we don't necessarily expect.

I'd rather they go with these short terms stuff, than what got the org in trouble signing free agents to long term deals.

 

[thedddd]

I mean, I get it, he's not a terrible player, he works well with Tochett, they need to get tougher and harder to play against.

I hope tochett can keep him in check and not take the stupid penalties.

He isn't a bad player and the contract is highly favorable vs all the signings that have gone on.
I just hope we don't get a total meathead like we have seen from him in the past.

 

[thedddd]

I mean, they are certainly going in a new direction. I get they will make moves we don't necessarily expect.

I'd rather they go with these short terms stuff, than what got the org in trouble signing free agents to long term deals.

Oh totally agree. I guess when I say shocked I didn't mean in a bad way, I more surprised they gott those players short-term to keep the teams cap situation in check.

 

[element1286]

I hope tochett can keep him in check and not take the stupid penalties.

He isn't a bad player and the contract is highly favorable vs all the signings that have gone on.
I just hope we don't get a total meathead like we have seen from him in the past.

As long as Downie doesn't go off the deep-end, it's hard to play his game without taking some dumb penalties, just limit them as much as possible.

 

[element1286]

I think the most interesting thing from the offseason is that the centers are the centers, Crosby, Malkin, Sutter, Goc, and the wingers can conceivably play anywhere in the lineup.

Comeau and Downie have both scored goals in this league, and you could toss Downie up on Crosby/Malkin's line to start some shit if Sid was getting hammered, a la go after Dubinsky.

Hornqvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, Bennett will probably all see 1st through 3rd line duty at some point.

 

[Darkstone42]

The Isles signed Kulemin, so that's done.

 

[element1286]

Looks like Kulemin and Grabovski were a packaged deal, no thanks on those numbers.

 

[thedddd]

Interesting from the off season notes:

"The Penguins’ top-six currently has a hole to be filled. Right now the team has Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis, Patric Hornqvist and Evgeni Malkin. Rutherford said that the team may still fill that void in free agency or wait until after the start of the season. He cited Beau Bennett and Nick Spaling as possible fits. There also could be some intrigue from first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen. He is close to making the leap to the NHL after playing against professional players in Finland. Although the Penguins believe he is still a year away, he could make things interesting in training camp."

We know with HCDB and GMRS none of those names would have cracked the top 6 or had a chance. I am liking this off season so far and nice to see changes, I hope they are positive.

 

[thedddd]

Looks like Kulemin and Grabovski were a packaged deal, no thanks on those numbers.

Yeah teams that need to hit that cap min put out big numbers. Also the J. Jokinen deal yesterday probably pushed their numbers up.

 

[element1286]

So at this point were at

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Hornquist - Malkin - Bennett (H)
Spaling - Sutter - Downie
Comeau - Goc - Adams/Megna

Martin - Letang
Erhoff - Despres
Scuds - Botz

With Pouloit/Maata coming back from injury at some fairly early in the season.

 

[Todd1a]

So at this point were at

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Hornquist - Malkin - Bennett (H)
Spaling - Sutter - Downie
Comeau - Goc - Adams/Megna

Martin - Letang
Erhoff - Despres
Scuds - Botz

With Pouloit/Maata coming back from injury at some fairly early in the season.

steve dowine i miss that guy in tampa but he will get in the box a lot

 

[scoutyjones2]

Malkin cannot be happy with this roster...wonder how he will react thru the year? Pout or be driven...

 

[element1286]

steve dowine i miss that guy in tampa but he will get in the box a lot

That's fine, at least he will do it with a purpose, assuming Tocchet keeps him in line. Pens needed a replacement for Matt Cooke.