Just What Both Teams Need? GNT | Pens @ Caps on NBCSN | 7:30 PM ET 1.11.12

[ritari330]

Pens Injuries:
Crosby
Staal
Letang
I'm going to stop here because there are more but I really don't want to 1. go search for them, or 2. reach the word limit per post

Caps Injuries:
Backstrom
Green
Semin (still suffering from that "Tin Man Injury" he's had for a few years, likely to play though unfortunately)

Not that amped for the game tonight, but its early.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

This game has lost a bit of luster that's for sure. Nobody could have imagined both teams would be battling for the 8th seed in the East.

 

[thedddd]

Great news it is not on Root so no Steigerwald and Errey.

But I sure hope Pierre McGuire is not between the benches.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Both teams will end the season comfortably in the playoffs. One of them will worry other teams, not named the Rangers.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Both teams will end the season comfortably in the playoffs. One of them will worry other teams, not named the Rangers.

I'm starting to have my doubts about Pittsburgh. They have far too many injuries.

 

[Darkstone42]

I'm starting to have my doubts about Pittsburgh. They have far too many injuries.

For now....


Eventually those guys will get healthy.


Then they'll get hurt again.



But that's not the point.

 

[thedddd]

I'm starting to have my doubts about Pittsburgh. They have far too many injuries.

A lot of the teams under them have the injury bug also like Buffalo. I have my doubts also but some of the teams are pretty weak.

Finally not sure Florida (maybe Toronto) can keep this up but if the Penguins can't score goals the season is over.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

A lot of the teams under them have the injury bug also like Buffalo. I have my doubts also but some of the teams are pretty weak.

Finally not sure Florida (maybe Toronto) can keep this up but if the Penguins can't score goals the season is over.

Malkin has been the Penguins offense the last two games. If Shero expects this team to make the playoffs he has to make a trade or two.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Malkin has been the Penguins offense the last two games. If Shero expects this team to make the playoffs he has to make a trade or two.

They are at the cap limit. They would have to trade a contract for a contract. Who? Martin? Michalek? Orpik?

Players should focus on the next game, but GMs should focus on next year...don't break up a nucleus because of a rash of injuries.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

They are at the cap limit. They would have to trade a contract for a contract. Who? Martin? Michalek? Orpik?

Players should focus on the next game, but GMs should focus on next year...don't break up a nucleus because of a rash of injuries.

All the Pens have to do is put Crosby on LTIR & they will have his salary to spend.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

All the Pens have to do is put Crosby on LTIR & they will have his salary to spend.

And if he gets healthy?

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

And if he gets healthy?

There has already been talk that he could be shut down for the year. What's the latest on Letang? I've heard he's not even skating yet. If that's the case they could put him on LTIR as well.

 

[Darkstone42]

I'd rather sit and wait. Healthy, this team is a serious Cup contender as is, and there's still a chance they'll get to the point of being healthy again. If you put Crosby on LTIR and spend his salary on a player you traded for, then you'll have a cap situation next year, or you'll simply be moving assets for nothing more than an emergency rental player, who may or may not even have a significant positive impact on the team.

If you don't put Crosby on LTIR, then you have to move a competent NHL player, probably a pretty decent one, and you better get a guy in return with some years left on his deal, otherwise you just lost a long term piece of the puzzle.

At this point, it's too hard to know which pieces will be coming back and when, so who do you deal, and who do you deal for? There would just be too much guessing at this point.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I don't think that you can bank cap space with a player on LTIR, so unless you plan to shut them down completely, leaving them active is the best bet.

 

[ritari330]

There has already been talk that he could be shut down for the year. What's the latest on Letang? I've heard he's not even skating yet. If that's the case they could put him on LTIR as well.

Letang is skating and I only know that from my fantasy team.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I think it all depends on how much Lemieux & Shero believe this team can make a serious run in the playoffs. If they don't, their best bet is to leave things as they are & hope players get healthy ASAP.

 

[ritari330]

I don't think that you can bank cap space with a player on LTIR, so unless you plan to shut them down completely, leaving them active is the best bet.

exactly. There is a 0% chance Tom Poti will play for the Caps this season.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

The Flyers will use at least part of Pronger's salary. That's all, but guaranteed.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

I think it all depends on how much Lemieux & Shero believe this team can make a serious run in the playoffs. If they don't, their best bet is to leave things as they are & hope players get healthy ASAP.

This is the shrewd approach and I think it is what they plan to do. there is no history of these guys making drastic moves. All of the moves they have made have been low risk.

 

[elocomotive]

Finally not sure Florida (maybe Toronto) can keep this up but if the Penguins can't score goals the season is over.

The Panthers were considered to have a great first half and the Caps a very forgettable one with a lot of struggles. Despite that, the Caps are only 6 points back of them with 2 games in hand. I wouldn't bet against the Caps winning the Southeast Division again.

Whether we'll be a legit Cup contender or not? I'm more skeptical about that and we'll have to wait and see.