Salary Cap: Salary Cap: 2015 - insert witty title here

[steveg]

Even said he's curious to see how much better Sprong will become as the year goes on.

Link. Go to 0:56.

Thanks for the link. Was interesting to hear MJ talk about Sprong...

Sounded like some hints in there that they may be at least considering him...

 

[Riptide]

I hope the two aren't mutually exclusive. I don't want to see Scuderi or Pouliot on the team.

Please don't misread that to think that I've given up on Pouliot. Far from it, but I think his play has earned him the start in WBS. Give non-exempt Clendening a chance. Letang, Maatta, Cole, Dumoulin, and Lovejoy (by reluctant default) should round out your top 6. Scuderi should sit in the press box if he can't be demoted until he accepts a trade. Scuderi + a 5, 6, or 7th round pick for nothing would be a steal.

If Clendening does really well and Pouliot doesn't, then yeah I could get behind that. Dumoulin is the one I really do not want to see on waivers.

 

[Saints11]

I'm finding it difficult to believe anything MJ says. Really, Kunitz is one of the candidates to play with 87 & 81, CANDIDATES....he is the only one to play there! Plotnikov was there yesterday after Kunitz changed earlier than Sid and Phil, and it led to Phil's goal. He has had Kunitz and only Kunitz there since the beginning. I really hate coaches who think they are above the game and any reproach. So I take what he said about Sprong and Pouliot with a great deal of skepticism.

That said, I think Sprong will be here for 9 games, period Fehr is out, and Pouliot will be ticketed to WBS, if only because he is exempt. I also believe JR wants Pouliot in WBS. Hopefully, I hope they don't send DP down to preclude the signing of Gonchar. I hope that JR, who spoke so glowingly of 55 before camp, did not realize how incredibly bad he has become. Back when Gonch stunk when the Habs were bouncing the Pens out, he was Bobby Orr compared to where he is now. I hate this, "he's a great locker room guy", hearing that about 14, 4, and 55 all the time. Guess what, there is no ice in the locker room, and the game is played on the ice. If they can't cut it there, they shouldn't be on the club. Neither 4 or 55 has shown they can still cut it, and 14 is hitchhiking.

 

[Riptide]

I'm finding it difficult to believe anything MJ says. Really, Kunitz is one of the candidates to play with 87 & 81, CANDIDATES....he is the only one to play there! Plotnikov was there yesterday after Kunitz changed earlier than Sid and Phil, and it led to Phil's goal. He has had Kunitz and only Kunitz there since the beginning. I really hate coaches who think they are above the game and any reproach. So I take what he said about Sprong and Pouliot with a great deal of skepticism.

Please remind me how many games we've played?

 

[TheGoldenJet]

There are possibilities where Perron on the 3rd line makes sense. If Plotnikov would thrive as the physical guy with Crosby and Kessel and Bennett has great chemistry with Malkin and Hornqvist, where does Perron go? Do you bump one of those 2 down in the depth chart just because Perron is a top-6 winger?

I know people have already given you a hard time for this...and with good reason.

But Perron is our best LW. We have two generational centers, and an average 3C. This means that Perron plays in the top 6, it's a hockey 101 no brainer. If he does not, that is another black mark on Johnston's shaky, short NHL coaching resume. This is without even considering that Perron is in a contract year, and we gave up a 1st+ for him.

 

[drpepper]

Please remind me how many games we've played?

It's four.

However, Bennett, Perron, & Dupuis are in the line-up tonight without Crosby or Malkin so that will be 5 games.

And unless one of Bennett, Perron, or Dupuis play back-to-back games, they won't play with Crosby and/or Malkin in the 6th game either.

Assuming that either Malkin and/or Crosby plays back-to-back Tues & Wed or that one plays Tues & the other Wed, that leaves two preseason games for Johnston to play an actual LW candidate besides Kunitz & Plotnikov.

Preseason is half over without seeing any sign of another LW on either line.

 

[SprootsMasterFlex]

I like the fact that Clendening is righthanded unlike Cole, DP and Dumo. That is a big positive and gives us some options.

 

[IcedCapp]

1) I've seen some people refer to Scuderi as "this year's Adams". I think that's more apt than people realize. The penguins have, to date, asked him to waive his NTC three times for two different teams. Both teams met his east coast criteria.

Last year we heard/saw Adams attempt to prove his worth both in the press and in practice. You're going to be seeing/hearing similar this year with Scuderi. He won't go quietly into that good night.

2) Sprong is both on the cusp of winning the organization over and on the next train back to juniors. There's a growing sense in the FO that he might be ready this year, but JR remains steadfast that he won't be rushed. You can believe the platitudes that MJ heaps upon him. But any words to the effect that he has a real chance to earn a spot are likely hollow. I won't say 0%, but it's close.

3) reading between the lines, I believe there's at least one forward on the way out. I don't know if they'll wait until December.

4) yo dawg, I heard you like Kunitz? Cuz we put some Kunitz in your Kunitz so you could Kunitz while you Kunitz.

5) the Pouliot meter reached defcon 3 after the last PS game. He was supposed to anchor the 2nd pairing, he was the lynchpin to allowing them the Maatta - Letang pairing. Now, it's kind of like, "how many seasons in the AHL does he need?"

certain lines are set. Certain pairs are set. But there are still some spots up for grabs. Id be shocked if Pouliot convinces them he can play defense iover the next two weeks.

 

[deakka]

1) I've seen some people refer to Scuderi as "this year's Adams". I think that's more apt than people realize. The penguins have, to date, asked him to waive his NTC three times for two different teams. Both teams met his east coast criteria.

Last year we heard/saw Adams attempt to prove his worth both in the press and in practice. You're going to be seeing/hearing similar this year with Scuderi. He won't go quietly into that good night.

2) Sprong is both on the cusp of winning the organization over and on the next train back to juniors. There's a growing sense in the FO that he might be ready this year, but JR remains steadfast that he won't be rushed. You can believe the platitudes that MJ heaps upon him. But any words to the effect that he has a real chance to earn a spot are likely hollow. I won't say 0%, but it's close.

3) reading between the lines, I believe there's at least one forward on the way out. I don't know if they'll wait until December.

4) yo dawg, I heard you like Kunitz? Cuz we put some Kunitz in your Kunitz so you could Kunitz while you Kunitz.

5) the Pouliot meter reached defcon 3 after the last PS game. He was supposed to anchor the 2nd pairing, he was the lynchpin to allowing them the Maatta - Letang pairing. Now, it's kind of like, "how many seasons in the AHL does he need?"

certain lines are set. Certain pairs are set. But there are still some spots up for grabs. Id be shocked if Pouliot convinces them he can play defense iover the next two weeks.

Finally some gossiping
Im not too worried about either of those points except, ofc, number one.

If i were an athlete and the team had made it clear i was not wanted, the hell i would stay. Ofc he has the NMC, and if he doesnt wanna move west, fine. But if i was unwanted, and they found a taker relatively close in the east, i would be long gone.

I guess the pens need to play harball then. Just put him in the pressbox. Sure, the dead cap is killer, but i rather play Clendening (or whoever) for scuderi cap+his own 721k than having scuderi om the ice.

Wich forward do you think is on the way out? Sure seems Perron is getting the short stick so far this pre-season. But maybe they see him gel with Bonino on the 3rd line. Kunitz, who we all wished gone, are either geting showcased BIG time, or just getting the 1st line job handed to him?

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Please remind me how many games we've played?

One can reasonably presume that preseason would be the time to test out potential candidates for that spot. Nobody but Kunitz has had so much as a sniff.

Kunitz is a candidate for Sid's LW like the owner's nephew is a candidate for the new job opening. You all get an interview, but when you walk up to the building he's already got his name on a parking spot.

 

[Empoleon8771]

From reading that, it seems like Scuderi has a lot more restrictive of a NTC than we previously thought. It doesn't seem like Scuderi submitted a list based on the teams fitting his east coast criteria, it seems like Scuderi can say no to any trade until he runs out of however many teams he can block. What I mean by that is that it doesn't seem like he submitted an 8 team list, but rather will just block any of the first 8 teams that the Pens agree to a Scuderi trade with.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

From reading that, it seems like Scuderi has a lot more restrictive of a NTC than we previously thought. It doesn't seem like Scuderi submitted a list based on the teams fitting his east coast criteria, it seems like Scuderi can say no to any trade until he runs out of however many teams he can block. What I mean by that is that it doesn't seem like he submitted an 8 team list, but rather will just block any of the first 8 teams that the Pens agree to a Scuderi trade with.

Then bench or demote him. We don't owe Scuderi a god damn thing.

 

[Asuna]

Then bench or demote him. We don't owe Scuderi a god damn thing.

Exactly.

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

1) I've seen some people refer to Scuderi as "this year's Adams". I think that's more apt than people realize. The penguins have, to date, asked him to waive his NTC three times for two different teams. Both teams met his east coast criteria.

Last year we heard/saw Adams attempt to prove his worth both in the press and in practice. You're going to be seeing/hearing similar this year with Scuderi. He won't go quietly into that good night.

2) Sprong is both on the cusp of winning the organization over and on the next train back to juniors. There's a growing sense in the FO that he might be ready this year, but JR remains steadfast that he won't be rushed. You can believe the platitudes that MJ heaps upon him. But any words to the effect that he has a real chance to earn a spot are likely hollow. I won't say 0%, but it's close.

3) reading between the lines, I believe there's at least one forward on the way out. I don't know if they'll wait until December.

4) yo dawg, I heard you like Kunitz? Cuz we put some Kunitz in your Kunitz so you could Kunitz while you Kunitz.

5) the Pouliot meter reached defcon 3 after the last PS game. He was supposed to anchor the 2nd pairing, he was the lynchpin to allowing them the Maatta - Letang pairing. Now, it's kind of like, "how many seasons in the AHL does he need?"

certain lines are set. Certain pairs are set. But there are still some spots up for grabs. Id be shocked if Pouliot convinces them he can play defense iover the next two weeks.

If they're still uncertain about Sprong, maybe they can give him the 9 game and take a decision after.

As for Kunitz, dam yes, personally I'd trade him now instead of waiting, don't want to mess with the chemistry too much once the season is started but again it's just my opinion.

As for Pouliot I agree, nothing to really drag about, was meh I found even at the rookie tournament ..

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

1) I've seen some people refer to Scuderi as "this year's Adams". I think that's more apt than people realize. The penguins have, to date, asked him to waive his NTC three times for two different teams. Both teams met his east coast criteria.

Why insist on staying with a team that doesn't want your services any longer?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Then bench or demote him. We don't owe Scuderi a god damn thing.

Yeah of course. I don't know why someone would want to stay with a team that clearly wants to move him. I understand not wanting to uproot his family, but it can't be good for morale if you know you're clearly not wanted by your own team.

 

[DegenX]

words

An IcedCapp sighting ... my morning is complete

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Yeah of course. I don't know why someone would want to stay with a team that clearly wants to move him. I understand not wanting to uproot his family, but it can't be good for morale if you know you're clearly not wanted by your own team.

I understand why Scuderi wants to scrape and claw to stay. What I don't understand is why we don't go nuclear on a ****** player who's hurting our cap.

 

[deakka]

Why insist on staying with a team that doesn't want your services any longer?

That was what i was saying. OK if he nix the trades out west, i wouldnt wanna take my family across the country either, but iw i got the question to get traded somewhere remotely reasonable i would do it right away. It would feel awkward to say the least to play for a team that had tried numerous times to get rid of me.....

 

[Shady Machine]

1) I've seen some people refer to Scuderi as "this year's Adams". I think that's more apt than people realize. The penguins have, to date, asked him to waive his NTC three times for two different teams. Both teams met his east coast criteria.

Last year we heard/saw Adams attempt to prove his worth both in the press and in practice. You're going to be seeing/hearing similar this year with Scuderi. He won't go quietly into that good night.

2) Sprong is both on the cusp of winning the organization over and on the next train back to juniors. There's a growing sense in the FO that he might be ready this year, but JR remains steadfast that he won't be rushed. You can believe the platitudes that MJ heaps upon him. But any words to the effect that he has a real chance to earn a spot are likely hollow. I won't say 0%, but it's close.

3) reading between the lines, I believe there's at least one forward on the way out. I don't know if they'll wait until December.

4) yo dawg, I heard you like Kunitz? Cuz we put some Kunitz in your Kunitz so you could Kunitz while you Kunitz.

5) the Pouliot meter reached defcon 3 after the last PS game. He was supposed to anchor the 2nd pairing, he was the lynchpin to allowing them the Maatta - Letang pairing. Now, it's kind of like, "how many seasons in the AHL does he need?"

certain lines are set. Certain pairs are set. But there are still some spots up for grabs. Id be shocked if Pouliot convinces them he can play defense iover the next two weeks.

Good stuff IC. Any insight into why Perron is seemingly getting the shaft?

Also, good on JR for standing strong with Sprong. I know we want to give young guys a chance, but we have plenty of NHL quality depth this year and he's the only talented legit F prospect we have. We actually have the luxury to let him develop properly. Sure give the kid his 9 games, but then send him back. Let him earn the spot next year.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I understand why Scuderi wants to scrape and claw to stay. What I don't understand is why we don't go nuclear on a ****** player who's hurting our cap.

Because maybe we can't go nuclear on him, maybe he has a NMC where he can't get sent down. I'd tell him "it's either being traded or riding busses with WBS", but I don't know if the second option is even possible.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Because maybe we can't go nuclear on him, maybe he has a NMC where he can't get sent down. I'd tell him "it's either being traded or riding busses with WBS", but I don't know if the second option is even possible.

Then you press box him until he yields. It's not like it wouldn't be warranted. Make it so if he wants to play at all, he'll have to accept a trade.

Other teams have scratched better, more expensive players for less.

 

[Boocock]

Anyone have the details of Scuderi's limited NMC?

 

[Shady Machine]

Then you press box him until he yields. It's not like it wouldn't be warranted. Make it so if he wants to play at all, he'll have to accept a trade.

Other teams have scratched better, more expensive players for less.

Oh for sure. It's certainly within Scud's right to use his NTC. That's why they exist. It's also within the Pen's rights to sit an underperforming player in the press box every night. Or, assuming he doesn't have a NMC (which I'm sure he does, thanks Ray), bury him in WBS.

 

[gdsmack267]

Anyone have the details of Scuderi's limited NMC?

His movement is extremely limited