Speculation: Trade Deadline Discussion Part VIII: Kesler!? Callahan!?

[Darth Vitale]

Can't speak for you, but I'm conditioned to be uninspired.

Well... I keep my expectations in check, if that's what you mean.

 

[specialized]

Miller and Ott to STL for Halek Stewert picks and prospects

 

[KIRK]

Probably only draft picks since the Pens can't afford to trade away any of their forward prospects, or if Buffalo covets something that could easily be parted with.



Take Orpik, please take Orpik.

Not sure they are stacked with Defensive prospects. I'm thinking Bennett, Sutter, or draft picks.

I'm thinking Sutter and Bennett being of interest too. Also seems like Buffalo wants first round picks.

I don't know. I can't see Buffalo rushing to flip Stewart to Ottawa without inquiring around the league.

Looking quickly at their roster and prospects, I could see them being very interested in a center. Then again, I don't see it being Sutter, not after Philly calls.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Do you guys think this forces Ray to make big moves now that the Blues look really good now?

No, because Shero is too patient. He's so patient he'll wait to make his deadline moves until after the deadline passes.

 

[Shrimper]

So the players we've been linked to or speculated with were Miller, Ott, Kesler and Hemsky.

Ott and Miller traded.

Kesler available but unlikely given the asking price.

Hemsky the final option.

 

[Pharrell Williams]

So the players we've been linked to or speculated with were Miller, Ott, Kesler and Hemsky.

Ott and Miller traded.

Kesler available but unlikely given the asking price.

Hemsky the final option.

Na, we're getting Stamkos and Ovechkin, calling it now.

 

[Shrimper]

Na, we're getting Stamkos and Ovechkin, calling it now.

An injured player and a defensive liability.

Great.

 

[KIRK]

Well... I keep my expectations in check, if that's what you mean.

No, that's what I mean. Watching yesterday, listening to the same **** from Shero and Bylsma, I'm now officially in the complacent camp. I expect nothing from Shero. I expect nothing from Bylsma. As people, including you, I believe, have counseled, it's not worth the aggravation. It just took people like me (and IcedCapp, I've noticed) longer to get there.

Seriously, this team isn't a cup contender. Maybe it will get really lucky, get a lot of bounces, or Fleury by some miracle will get hot or Sid and Geno will go nuts.

It's why I'd love to see Shero go into buy and sell mode like Doug Wilson did last year.

But, he won't. He lacks the foresight. He'll make some dumb*** rental or two, Bylsma will be overwhelmed, Sid and Geno will get no help when they need it most, Fleury will **** the bed, and we'll be back to the same spot next September, only it will be with Brooks Orpik smiling after signing his 5 year, 22M extension.

 

[Darth Vitale]

Shrimper who besides us (that is reliable) mentioned Hemsky as Penguin bait? The NHL Network guys who were talking trade and had a lot of players names up, didn't show him so doubting there is a legit rumor. But maybe they / I missed something.

Kirk: if Orpik gets a big contract from us this summer, I will cancel my Center Ice subscription. That's not a promise, that's an oath. Will be time to save money and cut ties at that point other than NBCSN games.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I wasn't in your hypothetical world anymore. I was pointing out that we could have a really good 3rd line even without any trades if we thought it was more important than our top 6. But its not, so we don't.

Kunitz - Crosby - Gibbons
Glass - Malkin - Jussi
Megna - Sutter - Neal

Rumors of Sutter, Pouloit and maybe more ring a bell?

Our top six is one player away from respectable, and our bottom six is 3 players away.

I don't think Sid's RW is that pressing as the bottom six. That's just me, though. The injuries have messed the plan up.

 

[KIRK]

The Blues.

"We're a great defensive team who's difficult to play against and lean hard on opponents with big bodies, so we got an all world goaltender to add to that defense, and one of the better grinders and physical players in the league to add to our grit"

The Penguins:

"We want to be known as an offensive team, but we don't surround our top two all-world talents with the type of support they need. We also want to be known as a defensive team that's great in transition, but we constantly dress defensemen who can only bang the puck off the glass. We also want to be known as a fast team that's hard to play against but still plays within the rules because there are a lot of children watching.

"We're everything to everyone!!! Come one!!! Come all!!!"

Am I missing anything?

**** this team.

You were until you followed up your question with that answer.

 

[KIRK]

Shrimper who besides us (that is reliable) mentioned Hemsky as Penguin bait? The NHL Network guys who were talking trade and had a lot of players names up, didn't show him so doubting there is a legit rumor. But maybe they / I missed something.

Nobody. Nobody has mentioned our being interested in Kulemin either.

You wait . . . some third liner may or may not be picked up. Maybe we rent a defenseman. The only intrigue is whether Shero goes 'all in' and gets Matt Moulson or settles for Brad Boyes.

 

[Shrimper]

Shrimper who besides us (that is reliable) mentioned Hemsky as Penguin bait? The NHL Network guys who were talking trade and had a lot of players names up, didn't show him so doubting there is a legit rumor. But maybe they / I missed something.

Kirk: if Orpik gets a big contract from us this summer, I will cancel my Center Ice subscription. That's not a promise, that's an oath. Will be time to save money and cut ties at that point other than NBCSN games.

I've seen him name come up somewhere. Can't recall if it was from a respectable NHL source or not though.

 

[penguins2946*]

Rumors of Sutter, Pouloit and maybe more ring a bell?

Our top six is one player away from respectable, and our bottom six is 3 players away.

I don't think Sid's RW is that pressing as the bottom six. That's just me, though. The injuries have messed the plan up.

I tried arguing this earlier and got destroyed. It's not a good idea to bring in Kesler to play on the 3rd line, and it especially isn't a good idea to bring in Hemsky for the 3rd line.

 

[KIRK]

Shrimper who besides us (that is reliable) mentioned Hemsky as Penguin bait? The NHL Network guys who were talking trade and had a lot of players names up, didn't show him so doubting there is a legit rumor. But maybe they / I missed something.

Kirk: if Orpik gets a big contract from us this summer, I will cancel my Center Ice subscription. That's not a promise, that's an oath. Will be time to save money and cut ties at that point other than NBCSN games.

How sad is it that you even have to make that vow?

How much sadder is it that it's far from inconceivable that you may have to follow through on it?

IMO, so much of what is wrong with this team begins and ends with Orpik. I had no problem with Therrien going, but Orpik was the leader of that cabal. It forever changed the dressing room. So much of what is wrong with the team's dressing room begins and ends with the guy people like Madden and Rossi call the team's 'conscience'.

 

[KIRK]

I've seen him name come up somewhere. Can't recall if it was from a respectable NHL source or not though.

Actually, I think it may have been from one of the Edmonton Sun guys, but it was purely speculative.

 

[Pharrell Williams]

To keep consistent with the Morrow/Morrow trade of last year, I suggest that this year we trade Derrick Pouliot for Benoit Pouliot.

 

[MtlPenFan]

Nobody. Nobody has mentioned our being interested in Kulemin either.

You wait . . . some third liner may or may not be picked up. Maybe we rent a defenseman. The only intrigue is whether Shero goes 'all in' and gets Matt Moulson or settles for Brad Boyes.

A lot of what Moulson does is on the PP. I mean I like him, but he's yet another guy who doesn't do much of anything until he scores. He won't find himself on the first unit, so exactly what use is he going to have exactly?

Let's just face it. There aren't going to be any moves done. Signing Scuderi and keeping Orpik made certain of that.

Even if they make some kind of move, it won't make a difference. This team needs about 3 moves, THEN those moves have to be properly utilized.

We're asking for a lot here.

 

[Shrimper]

Actually, I think it may have been from one of the Edmonton Sun guys, but it was purely speculative.

Sadly right now he is probably looking like the only viable option.

 

[ObsessedCreative*]

To keep consistent with the Morrow/Morrow trade of last year, I suggest that this year we trade Derrick Pouliot for Benoit Pouliot.

No way it will be Malkin for Malkin... sadly I wouldn't be THAT shocked.

 

[jmelm]

If they turned down Sutter and Pouliot than that's it IMO. Paying anything more would be outrageous.

I'm glad that offer was pulled. While I never believe Pouliot will become the #1 Dman that Letang is (I think DP is more of a #3/4 and PP specialist), we need to have that offensive element in our system.

And I've already explained my feelings about Brandon Sutter as being a good young player who we can re-sign long term for good $, and will get MUCH better in the future. With the improvement he can attain himself, and with us giving him better wingers in the future, he can absolutely be part of a great 3rd line.

And on the other hand, while I've said that I have no problem trading Sutter for an elite winger, Kesler would have to (A) want to play RW and (B) want to re-sign here for me to want to pull the trigger on that deal. Otherwise, Kesler very simply does not fit the position we need most, and we just lost our 2 best tradeable assets.

I wanted Ott. St. Louis is going to be incredible.

This is what happens when you have ELITE drafting. That's what happens when you have Jarmo Kekalainen running your draft and not trading away picks. David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Chris Stewart, David Perron, Lars Eller, Jaden Schwartz, Vladamir Tarasenko, Ty Rattie and Dmitri Jaskin. I mean let's be honest -- that's f***ing incredible, and far, far better than what the Penguins have done in the draft.

This is why it bothers me we're not one of the 3-5 drafting team in the NHL and why we trade so many picks.

i don't think the upgrade from Miller to Halák was worth all that. guess we'll see what happens.

I think it is worth it. The St. Louis Blues were NOT going to re-sign Halak. There is a very good chance they would want to sign Miller, and now they not only significantly strengthened their team for this year's run, but they also put themselves in a position to have negotiating rights with Miller from now until after the draft. Well, well worth the gamble.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I tried arguing this earlier and got destroyed. It's not a good idea to bring in Kesler to play on the 3rd line, and it especially isn't a good idea to bring in Hemsky for the 3rd line.

Which is pretty much trading to lose. Funny ****.....

But as long as they do it their way.

 

[penguins2946*]

Which is pretty much trading to lose. Funny ****.....

But as long as they do it their way.

Kesler would be a huge gain for our 3rd line, without doubt. But as others have said, it doesn't matter who the center is if the wingers are Glass and Kobasew (who Bylsma will put there). It won't be a good 3rd line. Kesler with Crosby would probably be our best bet.

 

[Ugene Magic]

This is what happens when you have ELITE drafting. That's what happens when you have Jarmo Kekalainen running your draft and not trading away picks. David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Chris Stewart, David Perron, Lars Eller, Jaden Schwartz, Vladamir Tarasenko, Ty Rattie and Dmitri Jaskin. I mean let's be honest -- that's f***ing incredible, and far, far better than what the Penguins have done in the draft.

This is why it bothers me we're not one of the 3-5 drafting team in the NHL and why we trade so many picks.

What?

Crosby
Malkin
Letang
Staal(traded)
Maatta
Bennett

Would you like to trade the two sides?

 

[gordie]

I'm glad that offer was pulled. While I never believe Pouliot will become the #1 Dman that Letang is (I think DP is more of a #3/4 and PP specialist), we need to have that offensive element in our system.

And I've already explained my feelings about Brandon Sutter as being a good young player who we can re-sign long term for good $, and will get MUCH better in the future. With the improvement he can attain himself, and with us giving him better wingers in the future, he can absolutely be part of a great 3rd line.

And on the other hand, while I've said that I have no problem trading Sutter for an elite winger, Kesler would have to (A) want to play RW and (B) want to re-sign here for me to want to pull the trigger on that deal. Otherwise, Kesler very simply does not fit the position we need most, and we just lost our 2 best tradeable assets.




This is what happens when you have ELITE drafting. That's what happens when you have Jarmo Kekalainen running your draft and not trading away picks. David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Chris Stewart, David Perron, Lars Eller, Jaden Schwartz, Vladamir Tarasenko, Ty Rattie and Dmitri Jaskin. I mean let's be honest -- that's f***ing incredible, and far, far better than what the Penguins have done in the draft.

This is why it bothers me we're not one of the 3-5 drafting team in the NHL and why we trade so many picks.




I think it is worth it. The St. Louis Blues were NOT going to re-sign Halak. There is a very good chance they would want to sign Miller, and now they not only significantly strengthened their team for this year's run, but they also put themselves in a position to have negotiating rights with Miller from now until after the draft. Well, well worth the gamble.

Pens have won a Stanley Cup recently and appeared in another Final but the St Louie Franchise hasn't seen those lofty heights since Bobby Orr was flying through the air. I know you're frustrated but until they win something, St Louis is just moving pieces around the board. By the way, I'll take Maatta over anything St Louis has gotten out of the draft recently.