Confirmed with Link: Penguins Agree To Terms With Matt Cullen (1 year | $800k)

[FanaticalFan]

Meh, iirc the ducks got a guy like that for Ben Lovejoy last year... I mean it cant be that hard to do, right?

With all Lovejoy experience, and he will have even more experienced this coming year. Imagine his trade value at the trade deadline. I suspect GMs just wont be able to contain themselves.

I wonder if the ducks have any defenceman that fit the penguins need.

 

[Sam Spade]

Uh, the Kessel deal was pretty damn awesome. The rest? blah

Agreed. But apparently we are not allowed to have this opinion, no sarcasm here.

The Fehr signing and Sutter trade were pretty good. I mean that's pretty much unanimous.

The Fehr (and Cullen) signing was stupid (but CHEAP I know, I know), the Sutter trade was rearranging the deck chairs a bit for a cheaper price, I think Sutter will be missed honestly.

The league is getting younger, giving kids chances and they are making big differences on teams all around the league, signing an oft injured player and an old guy doesn't impress me at all.

Yes, this team is approaching historical levels of softness. I'm sorry some absolutely refuse to see this as a problem. I do, and every time they sign a soft, pint-sized, old, etc guy to play in the bottom 6 I'm going to comment on it. Well first I'll laugh, then comment.

Pretty much sums up my issue with the moves as well.

People can say you don't need the "truculence" factor but personally I believe you do. The team has absolutely zero feistiness in them, except on the rare occasion when Malkin goes off.

Now don't get me wrong this team will score goals, a ton of them, it will be interesting to see how it goes in the playoffs though.

 

[mpp9]

We could use a Seabrook. Only guy like that who might become available is Phaneuf. And hes likely to cost too much and would need them to retain big time.

 

[Terrapin]

Agreed. But apparently we are not allowed to have this opinion, no sarcasm here.



The Fehr (and Cullen) signing was stupid (but CHEAP I know, I know), the Sutter trade was rearranging the deck chairs a bit for a cheaper price, I think Sutter will be missed honestly.

The league is getting younger, giving kids chances and they are making big differences on teams all around the league, signing an oft injured player and an old guy doesn't impress me at all.



Pretty much sums up my issue with the moves as well.

People can say you don't need the "truculence" factor but personally I believe you do. The team has absolutely zero feistiness in them, except on the rare occasion when Malkin goes off.

Now don't get me wrong this team will score goals, a ton of them, it will be interesting to see how it goes in the playoffs though.

Yeah people certainly don't like opinions different from theirs. That's why they threaten to put people on ignore lists. lol. But don't worry, other guys share our opinion too. Once the games start they'll be back. And who knows, maybe Mario and JR will revolutionize the entire sports industry. We may see pro football teams start signing 5'10", 190lb offensive lineman, MMA fighters who instead of training attend daily sensitivity classes, NBA centers that top out at 6 foot, etc.

 

[Fordy]

glad we know how this team plays already in August

 

[Nakawick]

Yeah people certainly don't like opinions different from theirs. That's why they threaten to put people on ignore lists. lol. But don't worry, other guys share our opinion too. Once the games start they'll be back. And who knows, maybe Mario and JR will revolutionize the entire sports industry. We may see pro football teams start signing 5'10", 190lb offensive lineman, MMA fighters who instead of training attend daily sensitivity classes, NBA centers that top out at 6 foot, etc.

Politicians being critical and at the same time offering alternative solutions comes to mind.

 

[OnMyOwn]

Yea it would be nice to see who they think we should've signed or how they could've GM'd a better off season.

And you can't scream "moved Scuderi and Kunitz!" Because that was tried and they both have NTC's.

Instead it's just a ***** fest with no alternatives given.

 

[Fordy]

Yea it would be nice to see who they think we should've signed or how they could've GM'd a better off season.

And you can't scream "moved Scuderi and Kunitz!" Because that was tried and they both have NTC's.

Instead it's just a ***** fest with no alternatives given.

i've never seen this happen, ever and terrapin at least has been making identical posts for several years

 

[Ogrezilla]

I don't want them adding a physical dman at the deadline because the kind of physical dman you get at the deadline is Douglas Murray. I want a long-term, can play in all situations physical dman.

I got physically ill typing this.

you're not wrong, and I don't really want to add anyone. But I can see the team doing it anyway. There's nothing to add to the forward group unless we move someone else out first.

 

[Terrapin]

Yea it would be nice to see who they think we should've signed or how they could've GM'd a better off season.

And you can't scream "moved Scuderi and Kunitz!" Because that was tried and they both have NTC's.

Instead it's just a ***** fest with no alternatives given.

Well unlike some on here, I don't pretend to be a GM. But don't tell me it was completely impossible to add someone with a hint of physicality and toughness to this team. Management has obviously decided they want the complete opposite of that. We'll see how it works out. Maybe we score 10 goals a game and win the Cup. If so great. I have a strong feeling we'll be suffering through another season of injuries, cheap shots, guys reading War and Peace in front of Fleury, etc.

 

[Pete Gas]

Yea we will miss Sutter alright

 

[Rectify]

Have to believe this opens up an opportunity to move Kunitz if he plays well to begin the year. My ideal scenario has him being moved at the deadline for a vet, #4D, but he would have to be playing solid hockey for 2/3 of the season.

For better or worse, our top 6 will be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel
Perron-Malkin-Horny

FWIW, I like the signing.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Have to believe this opens up an opportunity to move Kunitz if he plays well to begin the year. My ideal scenario has him being moved at the deadline for a vet, #4D, but he would have to be playing solid hockey for 2/3 of the season.

For better or worse, our top 6 will be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel
Perron-Malkin-Horny

FWIW, I like the signing.

My ideal scenario would be us not needing a #4D at the trade deadline

 

[Shady Machine]

People on here don't mind different opinions, they mind bad opinions. If anyone truly believes the Sutter trade and Fehr signing weren't good moves, their opinion is wrong. Their is no way to justify complaining about those moves.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Yes, this team is approaching historical levels of softness. I'm sorry some absolutely refuse to see this as a problem. I do, and every time they sign a soft, pint-sized, old, etc guy to play in the bottom 6 I'm going to comment on it. Well first I'll laugh, then comment.

Yeah, so pretty much exactly what I said:

I disliked JR's body of work coming into this off-season as much as anyone, but he's had a helluva summer. It seems you've got blinders on to any upgrade but physicality if you can't recognize that.

We could use more physical play, as I've mentioned myself, but you're acting as though that's the only issue that mattered, which is beyond myopic.

We needed another high-end winger.
We needed better scoring depth.
We needed to start looking to Euro leagues for cheap options.
We needed to improve on faceoffs.
We needed more size.
We needed to move Sutter.

And we got them. But your narrow focus just has this flashing 24/7 in your mind's eye:


NO BRUISERS
OFF-SEASON FAIL

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Have to believe this opens up an opportunity to move Kunitz if he plays well to begin the year. My ideal scenario has him being moved at the deadline for a vet, #4D, but he would have to be playing solid hockey for 2/3 of the season.

For better or worse, our top 6 will be:

Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel
Perron-Malkin-Horny

FWIW, I like the signing.

My ideal situation is Kunitz for Boedker (think of the ticket sales in a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold winner, Coyotes. He played with Crosby. We should lend them Morehouse.) and Lovejoy for Despres.

If Kunitz starts hot, and he probably will even if he's dragged there kicking and screaming, then I doubt he still would be at the TDL. If he does happen to be playing well by then he's going to stay. Hope JR moves him in the off season or in the first month or two of the season.

 

[Rectify]

My ideal scenario would be us not needing a #4D at the trade deadline

Well, that would be ideal.

In all reality, I don't see the defense (as constructed) being able to withstand an entire season plus playoffs. It would be fantastic if a few of the young guns would step up and take the reigns, but I would be much more comfortable with a solid vet on the back end. Preferably, someone who isn't named Cody Franson.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Well, that would be ideal.

In all reality, I don't see the defense (as constructed) being able to withstand an entire season plus playoffs. It would be fantastic if a few of the young guns would step up and take the reigns, but I would be much more comfortable with a solid vet on the back end. Preferably, someone who isn't named Cody Franson.

I've watched enough solid vets come in and fail to help us in the playoffs to care about that at all.

 

[Shady Machine]

Well, that would be ideal.

In all reality, I don't see the defense (as constructed) being able to withstand an entire season plus playoffs. It would be fantastic if a few of the young guns would step up and take the reigns, but I would be much more comfortable with a solid vet on the back end. Preferably, someone who isn't named Cody Franson.

I mean most of us want a solid top 4 vet but those guys aren't cheap in cap space or assets. We have to stick with what we have and look for that guy, Hamhuis, at the deadline if still needed.

 

[Badman]

Well, that would be ideal.

In all reality, I don't see the defense (as constructed) being able to withstand an entire season plus playoffs. It would be fantastic if a few of the young guns would step up and take the reigns, but I would be much more comfortable with a solid vet on the back end. Preferably, someone who isn't named Cody Franson.

There's rumors from Russia that one of Russia's best defensemen, Ilya Nikulin, is set on moving to North America. He's quality, and very experienced, but question marks over how he's going to adapt to North America and how much he would demand. Worth a shot?

Ilya Nikulin

Russian article

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I've watched enough solid vets come in and fail to help us in the playoffs to care about that at all.

There's a lot to be said for familiarity for everyone and having time to adjust.

 

[Ogrezilla]

My thoughts are, if our guys are playing like they belong on the 2nd pairing at the deadline, is there any reason to still bring in a vet? I mean sure, for depth. More good players is better. But people make it sound like being a vet automatically makes a player more effective. A good player is a good player.

 

[Ogrezilla]

There's rumors from Russia that one of Russia's best defensemen, Ilya Nikulin, is set on moving to North America. He's quality, and very experienced, but question marks over how he's going to adapt to North America and how much he would demand. Worth a shot?

Ilya Nikulin

Russian article

The main reason to add a D-man at this point is because we are uncomfortable with the number of question marks we have on D.

 

[Ogrezilla]

There's a lot to be said for familiarity for everyone and having time to adjust.

I've seen a lot of solid vets who had been on the team all year (or longer) fail to help us in the playoffs.

 

[Rectify]

I've watched enough solid vets come in and fail to help us in the playoffs to care about that at all.

It wouldn't be a guarantee, but it would be a better situation than what we have now. We all know injuries are going to hit, they do every year, going into the season with Cole as a 3/4 is a little unnerving.

I mean most of us want a solid top 4 vet but those guys aren't cheap in cap space or assets. We have to stick with what we have and look for that guy, Hamhuis, at the deadline if still needed.

Kunitz for Hamhuis

I mean, weirder things have happened. Kunitz starts the year looking like he did 2 years ago, Vancouver quickly heads for the basement of the West and gets desperate.

A man can dream...