Bye Bye Geno...

[Urkie]

Some talk on the Hotstove tonight about Kovalev going to the Pens with Malkin out. Just thought I'd bring that to Pens fans attention.

 

[pixburgher66]

Some talk on the Hotstove tonight about Kovalev going to the Pens with Malkin out. Just thought I'd bring that to Pens fans attention.

Yeah, twitter seems to have mentioned that a bunch. Personally, I don't wanna see it. Kovalev is clearly a different player now than he once was. Beyond the fact that he'd probably not buy into Danny B's system very well (and that he's a pricey acquisition), hearing the stories of him not being part of the team worries me. From what I saw in the 24/7 series, and what I can ascertain from merely watching the team work together, the Pens are very tight, and it's gonna take a team player to work well with this group. Looking back on the '09 year, the thing that worked so well was that the Pens acquired team players at the deadline. Guerin is the prime example of that. With all that said, I trust Shero. He's done a fantastic job. But jeez, if the Pens get a good run this season, he should be GM of the year. And Danny B should be coach of the year. Haha

 

[Urkie]

Yeah, twitter seems to have mentioned that a bunch. Personally, I don't wanna see it. Kovalev is clearly a different player now than he once was. Beyond the fact that he'd probably not buy into Danny B's system very well (and that he's a pricey acquisition), hearing the stories of him not being part of the team worries me. From what I saw in the 24/7 series, and what I can ascertain from merely watching the team work together, the Pens are very tight, and it's gonna take a team player to work well with this group. Looking back on the '09 year, the thing that worked so well was that the Pens acquired team players at the deadline. Guerin is the prime example of that. With all that said, I trust Shero. He's done a fantastic job. But jeez, if the Pens get a good run this season, he should be GM of the year. And Danny B should be coach of the year. Haha

Yeah this is true...lol

It's a tough call on Kovalev as you mention though. I really do believe that in a good situation he'd thrive (aka playing with Crosby) but it would still be a gamble.

However, it wouldn't cost all that much...maybe a 2nd/3rd round pick or decent prospect (maybe a conditional pick somewhere in there that would go to the Pens) and if he doesn't fit in then just let him walk this summer.

 

[pixburgher66]

Yeah this is true...lol

It's a tough call on Kovalev as you mention though. I really do believe that in a good situation he'd thrive (aka playing with Crosby) but it would still be a gamble.

However, it wouldn't cost all that much...maybe a 2nd/3rd round pick or decent prospect (maybe a conditional pick somewhere in there that would go to the Pens) and if he doesn't fit in then just let him walk this summer.

Hahahaha, yeah FakeRayShero was having a field day on twitter with this rumor, saying that Kovy was being given away. To me though, it's more "is that the best we can do?" His cap hit is over 5 mil, right? That's a bit expensive. While the Pens now have a bunch of space to make such a move, I'd rather them pursue other Ave. first. But you're right. If there was a place for him to thrive, it'd be here. With a contendor, playing with high caliber centers, under Mario and a player friendly coach, etc.

 

[Urkie]

Hahahaha, yeah FakeRayShero was having a field day on twitter with this rumor, saying that Kovy was being given away. To me though, it's more "is that the best we can do?" His cap hit is over 5 mil, right? That's a bit expensive. While the Pens now have a bunch of space to make such a move, I'd rather them pursue other Ave. first. But you're right. If there was a place for him to thrive, it'd be here. With a contendor, playing with high caliber centers, under Mario and a player friendly coach, etc.

There probably are better options but they're going to cost more then that. So yeah, he might not be the best option but I doubt Shero wants to give up his first round pick or a roster player which is something he would have to do to get someone better. And if Kovalev plays the way he can then it will definitely be a win for the Pens and it wouldn't cost them anything substantial.

Or he could just decide to do nothing which may be the right decision. My guess is that he won't make a move until right around trade deadline day and between now and then he'll see what he's got.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

With Crosby not expected back until at least March I don't see any reason to press the panic button. The Pens are playing well right now. If the right deal comes along they will make it. I expect guys like Fisher or Weiss to be targets. I think the Pens need a winger as well. However I don't think Kovalev is the answer to any contending teams problems. He only plays when he feels like it.

 

[pixburgher66]

With Crosby not expected back until at least March I don't see any reason to press the panic button. The Pens are playing well right now. If the right deal comes along they will make it. I expect guys like Fisher or Weiss to be targets. I think the Pens need a winger as well. However I don't think Kovalev is the answer to any contending teams problems. He only plays when he feels like it.

Fisher or Weiss are also on my "dream list". I've found that all the guys I want Shero to get are typically the ones that KILL the Pens when we play. Weiss is guaranteed a goal every time we play the Panthers, it's ridiculous.

EDIT: Also, I think that a guy like Weiss could really be amazing on a contender and in the playoffs, although a guy like Fisher comes with more comfort because he's been in the playoffs to get an idea of what it takes. Is Fisher a UFA this offseason?

 

[quoipourquoi]

Huh. Well, at least they got to play two games with their Cerberus of centers, right?

 

[awaz]

blessing in disguise

 

[Darkstone42]

I've wanted Neal for years now. Especially after last trade deadline when certain sites dangled that bait in front of us. He's a GREAT young talent. But that's exactly why we won't get him. He's young. As far as trading Cooke...I'd have to disagree. He does a lot for this team, IMO. And Morrow would be a great pick up as well, but again, these guys may be too pricey, unless they're coming short term.

Penner's signed through next season at $4.25 million. I think the Penguins could manage that. Morrow's locked up through 2012-2013 at $4.1 million. Kessel would be the only one who would be tough to make room for at a $5.4 million hit through 2013-2014.

It would take some doing to make room for Penner or Morrow going forward, as I look at the numbers, but not utterly impossible. I think we spend too much on grinders on this team right now, especially Talbot, Cooke and Dupuis.

 

[pixburgher66]

Penner's signed through next season at $4.25 million. I think the Penguins could manage that. Morrow's locked up through 2012-2013 at $4.1 million. Kessel would be the only one who would be tough to make room for at a $5.4 million hit through 2013-2014.

It would take some doing to make room for Penner or Morrow going forward, as I look at the numbers, but not utterly impossible. I think we spend too much on grinders on this team right now, especially Talbot, Cooke and Dupuis.

Agreed. Like we've discussed on here before, we pay many players to do the job of one or two. We have a plethora of grinders and guys that can fill one role, and while that's nice, we could use some of that money on other aspects.

 

[Automattic]

Agreed. Like we've discussed on here before, we pay many players to do the job of one or two. We have a plethora of grinders and guys that can fill one role, and while that's nice, we could use some of that money on other aspects.

You gotta farm your grinders. That's the best way to go.

 

[Darkstone42]

You gotta farm your grinders. That's the best way to go.

We've got good grinders on the farm. They're just blocked by the likes of Cooke, Dupuis, Rupp, Asham, Godard, etc.

 

[pixburgher66]

We've got good grinders on the farm. They're just blocked by the likes of Cooke, Dupuis, Rupp, Asham, Godard, etc.

Exactly...which is why we can let some of them go. Godard is gone, Engo is our new enforcer. Rupp's probably gone too. Had a great season last year, but this season not as much. Dupuis is so off and on, and I think Cooke has the best chance to stay.

 

[Darkstone42]

Exactly...which is why we can let some of them go. Godard is gone, Engo is our new enforcer. Rupp's probably gone too. Had a great season last year, but this season not as much. Dupuis is so off and on, and I think Cooke has the best chance to stay.

Cooke's been a disappointment this year, but he is the most likely to stay, simply because he's under contract for two more years, so we would have to trade him in order to get rid of him, and I don't see anyone offering much of anything for Matt Cooke.

 

[pixburgher66]

Cooke's been a disappointment this year, but he is the most likely to stay, simply because he's under contract for two more years, so we would have to trade him in order to get rid of him, and I don't see anyone offering much of anything for Matt Cooke.

He's underrated IMO. I realize that most people hate him, and he does make bad choices at times. But, he's a good teammate, he has scoring ability, and he's the best agitator in the league. Well...one of the best.

 

[TOX1]

blessing in disguise

Great Metal Church album.

 

[TOX1]

{sorry folks.....carry on please}

 

[flyersfan4706]

blessing in disguise

In a way, yes. They have played fine without him recently and he makes a lot of free cap for the deadline.

I see him being missed in the playoffs though.