Pens Reduce Roster by 11

[pixburgher66]

Among the reassigned are N. Johnson, Sterling, Potter, Curry, Thiessen, Conner, Wallace, Vitale, Bortuzzo, Wagner, and Strait . The more interesting part is who was NOT reassigned yet...Tangradi, Letestu, and Despres remain up with the big team. Should be an interesting week coming up with these guys. The bolded names have to go through the waivers. I really hope they ALL make it through, but the one I'm most worried about is Sterling (and Conner). WBS can't afford to lose those guys.

 

[PenVolution]

Letestu is probably a lock, at least for the start of the season. He's too quality of a player to keep bouncing around.

I give the edge to Tangradi over Despres with staying power. Simon will probably be here to stay next year if Lovejoy falls out or if someone gets traded.

 

[sbb122]

Letestu is a lock to make this team. He would need to clear waivers to be returned to WBS which plays in his favor.

But regardless of that, Bylsma made a comment last week along the lines of " There is no way i can look that kid in the eyes and tell him you aren't good enough to play on this team."



/Penvo beat me to it.

 

[pixburgher66]

So, if Letestu makes the team (pre-Staalsie return), when Staalsie comes back, who's on the outs? TK? Max? Gods? Personally I think TK is done. He's at least no longer an every night player.

 

[sbb122]

If Letestu stays (after Staal returns) i could see the Pens moving Dupuis to free up some precious cap room. Most likely though TK is odd man out. I like him and would hate to see him go.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I still can't believe Pix joined this site back in January and didn't tell anyone.

 

[dare2be]

I still can't believe Pix joined this site back in January and didn't tell anyone.

yeah, what gives?

 

[pixburgher66]

I still can't believe Pix joined this site back in January and didn't tell anyone.

Well, SFNL invited me, and I thought, what the heck, more sports to chat about! At that time though, none of you all were here, and really there was no movement or desire to leave the old barn. I guess I'm just a) lazy and b) not good at initiating change. I mean, when I first checked this place out it seemed cool and what not, but there was NO hockey talk, which is what I enjoy the most anyway.

 

[pixburgher66]

And sbb, you REALLY think they'd move Dupuis?? I mean, he was one of the best players on the team down the stretch last year and into the first round of postseason.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Well, SFNL invited me, and I thought, what the heck, more sports to chat about! At that time though, none of you all were here, and really there was no movement or desire to leave the old barn. I guess I'm just a) lazy and b) not good at initiating change. I mean, when I first checked this place out it seemed cool and what not, but there was NO hockey talk, which is what I enjoy the most anyway.

 

[sbb122]

And sbb, you REALLY think they'd move Dupuis?? I mean, he was one of the best players on the team down the stretch last year and into the first round of postseason.

It hinges on numerous things, if Comrie can play with Crosby effectively, likewise Talbot with Malkin. Dupuis would be the most likely candidate to go, to shed some cap hit for the trade deadline. It's highly unlikely, but just one scenario i thought could happen, but probably won't.

I see the lines like this after all is said and done...

Kunitz/Crosby/Comrie
Malkin/Staal/Talbot
Cooke/Letsetu/Asham
Rupp/Adams/Kennedy/Godard

 

[PenVolution]

Dupuis has the most returnable value; he's the most versatile.

Everyone below Cooke (since he re-upped) on the totem pole is on the bubble. I can see major changes happening if people don't produce on the lower lines. They may play well, but with everyone being a UFA next year, Shero probably isn't afraid to move 'em.

 

[JustAsking]

I guess no one goes to the Pens board huh? I'll just paste what I wrote earlier...

Preseason is dwindling down, only two games left, who will be on the Big Squad?

I see it shaking down like this:

Kunitz-Sid-Dupuis
Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin
Cooke-Letestu-Asham
Rupp-Talbot-Adams
Goddard

Michalek-Orpik
Martin-Letang
Goligoski-Lovejoy
Potter

A couple thoughts I have. I have really been impressed with Depres from what I have seen from him. If I was GM I would seriously consider giving him 9 games in the NHL. But who wouldn't make the team? Potter? Is it wise to have Lovejoy or Depres as the 7th d-man and not really playing? Not really. Also, from my understandng, Lovejoy and Letestu are waiver eligible so they both make this team for that reason. Because of that fact and the reason stated above, Depres will not be granted a 9 game "tryout". Moving forward to next year, is Depres a lock to make this team (health not factoring into this). I say yes. But the Pens already hvae 6 defenseman signed next year. They need to make room for Depres somewhere. Keep this is mind.

What to do when Staal comes back. Unless there is crazy chemistry between Malkin and Comrie, Staal centers 2nd line. So who is the odd man out, Comrie, Letestu or Talbot. Comrie is too $$$ friendly. Letestu is younger and cheaper than Talbot, Talbot making over 1 million and will be UFA next year, may be the odd man out.

Look for Talbot and Goligoski (Depres is already better and has more potential than Gogo) to be traded at some point this year.

The battle for the 7th defenseman. Engelland and Potter seem to be made out of the same mold, however, I have seen Potter shut down two 2-1's and one 3-1. I have seen Engelland give away the puck to Kane rigth between the circles (big save johnson). Potter, IMO, has played better.

Last thought, Tangradi can not buy a goal. He's big, plays smart, but hte guy has not shown me he can finish. I worry about him.

EDIT:Well, Potter was already been sent down. And from what I am hearing, Depres is getting a serious look to start the year in the NHL, which would mean Lovejoy would hold the 7th spot. If it's for 9 games, I don't mind the idea of Lovejoy riding the pine. If Depres plays to the level that the Pens can not send him to Jrs.... I think a Talbot/Gogo trade would happen shortly after Staal returns.

One thing is sure, the Pens are looking like a solid team heading into the season.

 

[JustAsking]

SIDE NOTE: I have been told that my brother received the decemeber 28th home game tickets the other day.... against Atlanta?... Atlanta? What happened to Leafs yearly visit to the Burgh over holidays you ask.. I don;t know.... but I do know that I was getting sick of seeing blue wigs, maple leaf flags worn as capes and fat 20 yr old dudes wearing children extra small maple leaf shirts so there guts are hanging out every time I went home for the holdiays... I guess I won't have to chant '1967' this year.

 

[JustAsking]

TK will be on the Islanders opening day roster....

 

[pixburgher66]

I guess no one goes to the Pens board huh? I'll just paste what I wrote earlier...

Preseason is dwindling down, only two games left, who will be on the Big Squad?

I see it shaking down like this:

Kunitz-Sid-Dupuis
Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin
Cooke-Letestu-Asham
Rupp-Talbot-Adams
Goddard

Michalek-Orpik
Martin-Letang
Goligoski-Lovejoy
Potter

A couple thoughts I have. I have really been impressed with Depres from what I have seen from him. If I was GM I would seriously consider giving him 9 games in the NHL. But who wouldn't make the team? Potter? Is it wise to have Lovejoy or Depres as the 7th d-man and not really playing? Not really. Also, from my understandng, Lovejoy and Letestu are waiver eligible so they both make this team for that reason. Because of that fact and the reason stated above, Depres will not be granted a 9 game "tryout". Moving forward to next year, is Depres a lock to make this team (health not factoring into this). I say yes. But the Pens already hvae 6 defenseman signed next year. They need to make room for Depres somewhere. Keep this is mind.

What to do when Staal comes back. Unless there is crazy chemistry between Malkin and Comrie, Staal centers 2nd line. So who is the odd man out, Comrie, Letestu or Talbot. Comrie is too $$$ friendly. Letestu is younger and cheaper than Talbot, Talbot making over 1 million and will be UFA next year, may be the odd man out.

Look for Talbot and Goligoski (Depres is already better and has more potential than Gogo) to be traded at some point this year.

The battle for the 7th defenseman. Engelland and Potter seem to be made out of the same mold, however, I have seen Potter shut down two 2-1's and one 3-1. I have seen Engelland give away the puck to Kane rigth between the circles (big save johnson). Potter, IMO, has played better.

Last thought, Tangradi can not buy a goal. He's big, plays smart, but hte guy has not shown me he can finish. I worry about him.

EDIT:Well, Potter was already been sent down. And from what I am hearing, Depres is getting a serious look to start the year in the NHL, which would mean Lovejoy would hold the 7th spot. If it's for 9 games, I don't mind the idea of Lovejoy riding the pine. If Depres plays to the level that the Pens can not send him to Jrs.... I think a Talbot/Gogo trade would happen shortly after Staal returns.

One thing is sure, the Pens are looking like a solid team heading into the season.

It's a very confusing situation to say the least, and someone's gotta go. I think Talbot may have too many intangibles for him to be let go...at least this early. The guy needs a shot at a 'comeback' season before anything happens. I really want to see Despres given a few games this season. I highly doubt he sticks around though...it's just not fair to have him up here unless he's playing big minutes. On the forward front, I think Letestu is a lock at this point. He's playing too good to be ignored. However, I think that his play will move out TK and put Tangradi (who doesn't need to go through waivers) back to WBS for at least half the season until injuries kick in.

I'm trying to conclude who all is left now that cuts have happened...there are 30 players remaining on the team: 18 F, 10 D, 2 G

Goalies: Fleury, Johnson
Defense: Goligoski, Lovejoy, Michalek, Martin, Orpik, Engelland, Hutchinson, Grant, Letang, Despres
Forwards: Dupuis, Letestu, Staal*, Kunitz, Jeffery, Rupp, Comrie, Craig, Cooke, Talbot, Adams, Godard, Tangradi, Asham, Kennedy, Pierre-Zbotel, Malkin, Crosby

Bylsma has said he wants 25-27 going into the weekend. So, 3-5 are gone after Friday's game. Who? From the forward side of things, Craig (sadly...he's injured though), CPZ, and Jeffery are probably donezo and on D most likely Grant and Hutchinson (who's looked phenomenal however). So that brings us down to 25. So, then by the start 2 more have to go...one will be a Dman (Engelland most likely) and the other a forward (my guess is TK goes). So that brings us to the max of 23. Now...Staalsie's return puts us one over, which IMO would set up Tangradi for a return to WBS. Soooooo, we enter the season with a roster of:
G: Fleury, Johnson
D: Goligoski, Lovejoy, Michalek, Martin, Orpik, Letang, Despres on as 7th (after his junior return bring up Engelland if 7th D needed??)
F: Dupuis, Letestu, Kunitz, Rupp, Comrie, Cooke, Talbot, Adams, Godard, Tangradi, Asham, Malkin, Crosby
Then after Staal's return we'd still be at 23 or send down Tangradi and bring up extra D? I dunno...it works in my head. I just don't see the need to dump a guy like Dupuis or even Talbot.

 

[JustAsking]

I see the Talbot situation like this, he won't be a Penguin next year. Period. The Pens are not going to give another 3rd-4th liner a raise over the 1+ million they make already (Cooke). Trade him now where we can still get at least a draft pick for him. Hopefully he plays well so the Pens can get a higher return.


EDIT:
The Pens are full of Talbots...

 

[PenVolution]

The Pens are full of charismatic, studly men?

 

[flyersfan4706]

There is a board for you freaks.

 

[pixburgher66]

There is a board for you freaks.

I know...but personally I appreciate anyone's input, not just Pens fans. I know most of the time other fans don't care, or just skim, but occasionally it's nice to see it from the other side.