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

[Black Label]

Whos sitting?

No one while Fehr is out. After he comes back evaluate who is doing well.

Perron - Sid - Hornqvist
Plots - Malkin - Kessel
Kunitz - Bonino - Bennett
Cullen - Sundqvist - Dupuis

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Bonino can play wing, he's just not as comfortable.

Ditto Fehr.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Why do we have to "do" something with him? It's called depth. We'll have other injuries by the time Fehr is healthy.

Bingo.

Plus it never hurts to have a spare 54% faceoff guy.

 

[Rob Scuderi]

Because the younger player could be better by the end of the season than Cullen, or that NHL experience could set them up better for the next season. Not outperforming the vet in the preseason makes it a semi-block, it's what came to mind, rather than simply blocking the young player who looks better in the preseason. The semi-block at least isn't blatantly stupid and biased, even if it is potentially shortsighted.

I'm just not buying Oskar Sundqvist and Matt Cullen as the poster children for this line of thinking.

 

[Asuna]

Not if they still want to keep Kunitz and/or Scuderi.

Why would they want to do that? lol

 

[Human]

Why?

 

[Ugene Magic]

This only makes sense to me if Kunitz is being traded for a defenseman, or something of that nature.

Having good defensive forwards could also hide the Pens lack of experience on the back end.

They have had depth at defense and not be enough because of lack of scoring. Now they should be scoring from everywhere, but they'll let a few more slide in.

I think depth period at forward is a huge thing, and much, much harder to do seeing there are more forwards then defensmen.

 

[Epic Neal Time]

This is a great sign. This is a guy we normally target at deadlines and lose assets. Toronto does bargain signings every year and those players are covered at the deadline. Not saying we'll be trading him, but we won't be trading FOR him. (*cough* Winnik *cough*)

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I'm just not buying Oskar Sundqvist and Matt Cullen as the poster children for this line of thinking.

I tried to keep it broader than just them.

 

[Stad]

The forward depth on this team is ridiculous lol, start the damn season already, I can't wait any longer.

 

[Deutschland Dangler]

 

[eXile59]

We needed another forward. We weren't playing with 12 forwards. Not sure why people don't get it.

Good for timely face off wins as well.

 

[Rob Scuderi]

I tried to keep it broader than just them.

I get the broader concept, but we're in a Matt Cullen signing thread talking about the implications re: Sundqvist so I don't understand the application of it.

 

[Nakawick]

JR won a cup with Cullen before.

 

[Shockmaster]

Why would they want to do that? lol

Because the last two seasons have shown the Penguins find no faults in those two.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Meh, with that price on a one year deal it's tough to complain.

 

[Asuna]

Because the last two seasons have shown the Penguins find no faults in those two.

Times are changin, son!

Jk, idk. We'll see. Doesn't seem like there's much room for either player now.

 

[Pancakes]

Cullen is a solid player, and good at faceoffs. Don't mind this.

It wouldn't hurt for Sundqvist to start in the AHL if it comes to that. I'm as high on him as anyone here but the guy hasn't even played in the AHL yet let alone the NHL. No need to rush him.

 

[redsono93]

I like it Cullen adds that veteran presence like we felt with Roberts and Billy G. Plus he can help us win key face offs as a 4th liner in playoffs. Best forward depth we've had in years

 

[billybudd]

Lost track of him when he left Minnesota. I don't know if he's got anything left or not.

What I do know is that we've got too many guys at the moment for the number of chairs we got.

 

[Shockmaster]

Times are changin, son!

Jk, idk. We'll see. Doesn't seem like there's much room for either player now.

Like I mentioned before, they may choose to move on from Perron before they think of moving on from Kunitz or Scuderi.

 

[Asuna]

This is a good signing. Cullen will be a great fourth liner...good on faceoffs...can play wing as well.

Sucks for Sundqvist, but experience in the AHL won't hurt him.

 

[Asuna]

Like I mentioned before, they may choose to move on from Perron before they think of moving on from Kunitz or Scuderi.

I shudder at that thought.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Meh, with that price on a one year deal it's tough to complain.

Some are trying to make a case.

Depth, real depth.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I get the broader concept, but we're in a Matt Cullen signing thread talking about the implications re: Sundqvist so I don't understand the application of it.

Because it could apply. Cullen will be 39 this season, him becoming awful and the Pens regretting Sundqvist not getting NHL playing time is possible early in the season is possible.