NHL Buzz: Guerin waits; Ponikarovsky mulling offer; Rangers picking up pursuit of wingers

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NHL Buzz: Guerin waits; Ponikarovsky mulling offer; Rangers picking up pursuit of wingers

11:11am - Monday, July 26th, 2010 by DePaoli

Around the NHL

39 year old veteran Billy Guerin continues to wait patiently on the open market. While Guerin remains in contact with the Penguins, Guerin's agent Bob Murray is aggressively exploring other options but Guerin has yet to receive a firm offer.
Pens' contacts tell me while there is believed to have been some inquiries, Guerin has yet to come to Pittsburgh with an offer for the team to match or come close too. The Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have reached out to Guerin at somepoint since July 1. However, the Flyers and Rangers have either moved on or are moving in other directions.
The market is slowly starting to pick up leaguewide and former Penguin Alexei Ponikarovsky is moving closer to finding a new home.
According to a league source, Ponikarovsky is mulling over an offer he has received in the past 72 hours. It's the first offer Ponikarovsky's camp is considering since free agency began.
When contacted this morning, Rick Curran the agent for Ponikarovsky confirmed Alexei is mulling over an offer they have received in recent days.
"We have received an offer to consider, " Curran told Inside Pittsburgh Sports, shortly after 10:00 a.m. this morning.
League sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports, Ponikarovsky has drawn interest from the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers of late. However, the Rangers are pushing forward in talks with Alexander Frolov. LA appears to be the most likely landing spot for Ponikarovsky.

Comments

Jeff2266

Rangers would be a perfect marriage a loser player for a loser team

07/26/2010 11:15am

jeffed

Frolov is a pretty nice player, would hate to see him go to NYR. I really wish the Pens could get in on Frolov, just can't happen without moving someone.

07/26/2010 11:19am

Peluso5192

Is there a "like" button for Jeff's comment...lol

07/26/2010 11:20am

rkrichter

Oh but which Jeff? Their opinions on Frolov couldn't be any more different haha.

07/26/2010 11:21am

jeffed

I think the other Jeff is talking about Poni

07/26/2010 11:22am

rkrichter

Oh. Perhaps.

07/26/2010 11:23am

Jeff2266

Ya i am talking about poni

07/26/2010 11:23am

rkrichter

I have no interest in Frolov being the winger the Pens pay $3-$4 million to for the next 3-5 years, but I do agree that he is a very skilled player.

07/26/2010 11:23am

Jeff2266

Frolov to the rangers for 3mill a year didnt they learn there lesson with kotalik last year?

07/26/2010 11:24am

jeffed

He can bury the puck, I think he'd be unreal on Sid's wing for the next 3 years or so.

07/26/2010 11:24am

dirtmccurt

Did Rangers forget the need to resign Staal?

07/26/2010 11:24am

rkrichter

They are going to bury Redden's contract in the minors and in doing so should be able to fit Frolov under the cap if it's around $3 mill.

07/26/2010 11:25am

froods

Glen Sather has got to be the biggest idiot on the face of the planet

07/26/2010 11:26am

Jeff2266

Sather is the perfect example of a guys past keeping him employed today. He should send some of his paycheck to Gretzky Coffey Messier

07/26/2010 11:27am

rkrichter

Every article you see that involves Pens' management talking about Gogo, it's all positive and how he's going to be a superb 50+ point dmen for the majority of his career, but if they had so much confidence in him why the high commitment to Martin? I like Martin and believe he will succeed here, but signing another dmen at $2 mill (until younger guys are ready) and using that extra $3 mill on a winger would look real nice right now.

07/26/2010 11:29am

rkrichter

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of rolling out Orpik, Letang, Martin, Michalek as the top 4, and like I said I believe Martin will play well and earn that paycheck, I'm not questioning the contract, just whether or not it was right for this team. Only time will tell, and obviously Shero knows what he is doing, much more so than I.

07/26/2010 11:31am

dirtmccurt

The biggest free agent should be hitting the market tomorrow. No way in hell Boston can afford Wheeler after MacArthur gets 2.4

07/26/2010 11:32am

Jeff2266

ya rkrichter thats exaclty how i feel about it all right there, kinda disappointed there will be no impact winger coming, though i do like the potential of a great defense i just think finding a mix between the 2 might have been better for the team

07/26/2010 11:32am

Jeff2266

If dupuis is traded does that make Wheeler affordable?

07/26/2010 11:33am

Jeff2266

Froods are you froods on HF BOARDS?

07/26/2010 11:34am

froods

Yes

07/26/2010 11:34am

rkrichter

I honestly think management is set with this lineup, with some young guys/vets on tryouts battling for the final spots, unless some trade offer comes up that they just can't refuse, which I don't expect to happen.

07/26/2010 11:35am

froods

I think they are willing to be set....but wouldn't mind grabbing a guy late that can't find a home for cheap

07/26/2010 11:36am

Jeff2266

Ya i figured saw u on the top 10 center page, what a joke of a list that is

07/26/2010 11:37am

dirtmccurt

Wheeler was making 2.8 on an entry level deal. I can't really see teams willing to give him more than that on a direct cap hit.

07/26/2010 11:38am

jpaha

I agree, about the lineup being pretty much set. u won't see a big name like Wheeler or anything like that unless Shero gets blown away in a trade. Probably just a low risk signing/tryout and then a trade at the deadline

07/26/2010 11:38am

dirtmccurt

Dupuis will give you an extra 900k, so we could offer him about 2.4

07/26/2010 11:39am

rkrichter

Dupuis - $1.4 mill - don't see any team really wanting him, especially in a salary dump type trade by the Pens - unless you're willing to get a late round pick or a lowly prospect to throw in the minors.

07/26/2010 11:41am

froods

Oh yea...it gets really ugly

07/26/2010 11:43am

Jeff2266

If it ment getting a guy like wheeler id trade duipus for whatever they could get

07/26/2010 11:43am

dirtmccurt

Especially if Wheeler will sign a longer term deal

07/26/2010 11:45am

rkrichter

Wheeler doesn't impress me too much - he's probably going to get $3.5 - $4.5.

07/26/2010 11:45am

dirtmccurt

I seriously doubt he gets anything over 3 unless its a crap team overpaying for him. Like I said, his contract was only 875k, 2 mill, guaranteed money, would be a nice raise

07/26/2010 11:47am

Jeff2266

This team needs to add a winger that has either speed or size and a quick release, and they would be a great addition

07/26/2010 11:48am

jeffed

Pens won't be involved with him so I wouldn't even bother speculating.

07/26/2010 11:48am

rkrichter

Like I said, I don't think the Pens will be involved with anyone really, except tryout guys.

07/26/2010 11:49am

dirtmccurt

I know but at least its something to talk about

07/26/2010 11:50am

rkrichter

I didn't realize how young or big Wheeler was though, but the Pens won't be in on him.

07/26/2010 11:51am

coachhank

Sign Billy G and get it over with

07/26/2010 11:53am

froods

I would be ok with that. Billy G and Duper can rotate on the 1st line

07/26/2010 11:54am

dirtmccurt

I'd wait until tryouts before I resign Billy G

07/26/2010 11:54am

jeffed

They want Billy to play for peanuts, won't happen I don't think. I guess they feel that 20 goal scoring wings just grow on trees.

07/26/2010 11:55am

froods

They are just out of money

07/26/2010 12:03pm

froods

If we had another million bucks....he would have been signed on the 2nd

07/26/2010 12:03pm

jeffed

They don't really want him back I don't think.

07/26/2010 12:04pm

jeffed

They don't think he can play a top 6 role any longer and he doesn't fit anywhere else. Thats my take on it and on top of that they don't want to pay him anything.

07/26/2010 12:06pm

mwalluk

Frolov and Gaborik would be sick as 1st line wingers

07/26/2010 12:12pm

froods

Frolov is not that good.....who is gonna center that line btw?

07/26/2010 12:13pm

LeMagnifique

Frolov = Average

07/26/2010 12:18pm

jeffed

Frolov puts the puck in the net better than any winger we have, hands down. He's just a whack job.

07/26/2010 12:19pm

froods

Nothing NY does will worry me. Philly has a sick line-up (minus goaltending) and NJ will be scary if they can keep Kovalchuk

07/26/2010 12:20pm

froods

He had 19 goals last year...and he doesn't do anything else....not impressed

07/26/2010 12:21pm

IronCity18

i think billy g should pull a teemu and come back after the all star break...yeah he put in 20 goals last year but he was beat up from the feet up when the playoffs rolled around

07/26/2010 12:21pm

LeMagnifique

No doubt about it. You could put the puck in the net better than any winger the Pens have. Let's hope a guy like TK turns it around this year(doubtful) I like Dupuis for his price. He does a lot for this team. Hopefully Tangradi steps in and produces. Lotta question marks regarding wing, but they'll be okay. It's going to be like this as long as we have Malkin, Staal and Sid and i'm just fine with how things are.

07/26/2010 12:21pm

CM2005

In my opinion the signing of Martin was to replace Scuderi. Neither offer big time points, but are solid on defense. I'm curious to see how Martin does in an uptempto system. I bet he puts up a few more points, like Rupp did in the Pens' system.

07/26/2010 12:22pm

jeffed

Philly got lucky last year, they have a nice lineup, but come on. They got to where the finals becuase of favorable matchups. No way around that. Everyone thinks that they are world beaters now, but they are the same team as always.

07/26/2010 12:22pm

froods

What? No Michalek was to replace Scuderi

07/26/2010 12:22pm

jeffed

I see why people question the Martin/Michalek signing with the public love affair that the Pens have for Gogo. If they love him so much then why bother signing two top guys long term.

07/26/2010 12:23pm

froods

Martin is a great Puck mover...nothing like Scuderi

07/26/2010 12:23pm

LeMagnifique

Because our defense sucked last year.

07/26/2010 12:24pm

jpaha

because he will most likely be gone after the year is over

07/26/2010 12:24pm

jeffed

Personally I love that they went out and got Michalek and Martin.

07/26/2010 12:24pm

froods

Philly is by far the deepest team in the league. and they could taste it....they will be hungary. Goaltending as always is their question mark

07/26/2010 12:25pm

jpaha

Me too, now their top 4 is set for years to come. Then we will get to see young guys like Lovejoy, Bortuzzo, Strait, Despres develop on the 3rd pairing

07/26/2010 12:25pm

jeffed

Le- Yes it did suck, but if htey are expecting Gogo to be this world beater then why bother with the defense? My guess, they are just talking Gogo up because they will be shipping him out in the near future, possibly this deadline.

07/26/2010 12:25pm

froods

Im with you Jeffed.....we were the first to say spending all the cash on D was a great idea.

07/26/2010 12:26pm

jpaha

yep, Gogo will probably be traded. If not at the deadline, definitely at the draft

07/26/2010 12:26pm

jeffed

Philly is deep on defense, they are paying $4mm for a 5th defenseman that won't even see the ice once the games start to matter. They will be losing Carter more than likely becuase they won't be able to afford him or a goalie at any time in the near future. Everyone is in love with Giroux becuase of his playoff performance, if he puts up more than 50 points in the regular season then come talk to me.

07/26/2010 12:27pm

froods

We were also the first to be on suicide watch thinking we were not gonna get any of them!!! lol

07/26/2010 12:27pm

jeffed

I was on big time suicide watch. That's what being a fan is all about. I still don't like that we lost Gonchar, but that's water under the bridge at this point.

07/26/2010 12:28pm

froods

Im just saying they have a really good line-up this year

07/26/2010 12:28pm

froods

Martin was prob the only decent trade off to that

07/26/2010 12:28pm

jeffed

They have a nice line up, but they are getting overblown a tad IMO.

07/26/2010 12:28pm

jeffed

I agree, I was shocked they got Martin after signing Michalek. Loved it though.

07/26/2010 12:28pm

froods

Had we not got Matin the loss to Gonch would still sting

07/26/2010 12:29pm

froods

Martin

07/26/2010 12:29pm

jeffed

Also everyone loves this Ville Leino guy, go back and watch his playoffs. Everything he shot went in, it didn't matter if it was going towards the net or not, it would end up in the back of the net. He got on a hot streak, he's not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination.

07/26/2010 12:30pm

jpaha

it's still going to sting, he definitely won't put up nearly as many points as Gonch did, but we will be better at keeping the puck out of our own net which was my 1st priority in the offseason

07/26/2010 12:31pm

jeffed

Froods - Would you rather have Gagne or Zherdev? Personally, I'd rather have Gagne any day of the week.

07/26/2010 12:31pm

jeffed

Jpaha - The offense lost on the back end is going to have to be picked up by Gogo, Martin and Letang. Who knows what Martin can do in a system like the Pens, I guess we'll have to see.

07/26/2010 12:33pm

froods

Carter-Richards-Hartnell Leino-Briere-Giroux Van riems-Lapierre-Zherdev Carcillo-Betts-Shelley Powe/Cote That is nice

07/26/2010 12:33pm

froods

For sure Gagne but they couldn't afford that

07/26/2010 12:34pm

dow5020

i'd rather have gagne but the flyers needed to clear some cap space so they brought zherdev in for cheaper

07/26/2010 12:34pm

froods

meszaros/O'donnell/Walker as 5th,6th, and 7th d-men

07/26/2010 12:34pm

jpaha

they could have kept Gagne if they didn't get Meszaros

07/26/2010 12:35pm

froods

I am a little scared

07/26/2010 12:35pm

froods

Good news is they are screwed next year

07/26/2010 12:36pm

froods

Giroux and Carter are RFA's

07/26/2010 12:36pm

dow5020

yep this is the year the flyers have to win

07/26/2010 12:37pm

jeffed

Carter is gone for sure. NO chance they can pay him what he's going to command. He's already making $5mm.

07/26/2010 12:39pm

Jeff2266

Flyers = not shook

07/26/2010 1:01pm

niespodj

Pens don't like soft one-way players, that's why guys like Frolov and Afinegenov aren't of much interest to them unless they are rock-bottm cheap. As much as Poni is maligned here, he's a more complete winger than either of those guys.

07/26/2010 1:10pm

Jeff2266

lol poni is soft and 0 way player, uterly useless

07/26/2010 1:11pm

niespodj

Poni was ineffective in his stint with the Pens, but was a solid 2-way player for the Leafs for many years. If you think Poni is soft, you'd better watch some tape on Frolov and Afinogenov.

07/26/2010 1:26pm

TDBennyC3

poni didnt do anythign here the last 2 months and still finished with 50 points... i hated his time here to, just saying to call a 50 point winger useless is a stretch

07/26/2010 1:26pm

Jeff2266

u saw it first hand that poni as a pen is useless. And i didnt say afino and frolov arnt soft just the fact that Poni is a goat

07/26/2010 1:37pm

jeffed

Poni was a solid TWO WAY player in Toronto? come on now!

07/26/2010 1:52pm

Jeff2266

The was a perception that he was a two way player which i never understood having watched him his entire career, but as showed this year hes just not a very impactful player

07/26/2010 1:55pm

Jeff2266

in any aspect of the game

07/26/2010 1:55pm

jeffed

The man was playing for a contract on a team with two of the top centers in the world and managed to sneak the puck in the net twice... no thanks.

07/26/2010 1:57pm

froods

Poni is a defensive gem compared to Afinegenov and Frolov...that is saying nothing

07/26/2010 1:58pm

dirtmccurt

Afino had 30 hits last year, Frolov had 60, Poni had 150. I think there's no doubt that Poni isn't soft

07/26/2010 2:03pm

dirtmccurt

*compared to the other two

07/26/2010 2:06pm

Jeff2266

ya it really doesnt say much to say letestu is a better goal scorer than craig adams

07/26/2010 2:12pm

niespodj

I didn't say I wanted the Pens to sign Poni; my point was simply that the Pens do not like soft players. Many on here keep clamoring for the Pens to sign wingers who put up points, regardless of how well they'd actually work in the system. Also keep in mind that Frolov, Afinogenov got PP time on their former teams to pad their numbers, and wouldn't get that here. Shero/Bylsma want two-way players, and will sacrifice points to gain on the physical/defensive side.

07/26/2010 2:13pm

Jeff2266

Dirt you watched him play those stats really dont mean much, beacuse for a guy who is 6'4 and over 220lbs hes quite soft

07/26/2010 2:13pm

dirtmccurt

I know but we're not talking about a sheet of glass like Afino or Sykora here jeff. I will agree that he doesn't use his size effectively at all

07/26/2010 2:15pm

Jeff2266

cant we all just be in agreement that poni is a piece of shit and just move on

07/26/2010 2:31pm

froods

I would take him if we had the cash...but getting Martin and Michalek were way more important

07/26/2010 2:37pm

froods

I certainly would not give up a current roster player to get him back

07/26/2010 2:38pm

dirtmccurt

I'm still not convinced, but I also don't want to waste money proving it. I think if he'll take less than 1.5 you almost have to give him another shot

07/26/2010 2:38pm

froods

When the Pens made the trade i was in the press box at Mellon sitting next to a Sabres radio guy who has a good amount of knowledge of the leafs. He laughed when he heard the trade and said "Good luck with that lazy piece of shit"

07/26/2010 2:41pm

froods

I am at the point of staying away from European wingers all together......they all have been problems-Ruutu

07/26/2010 2:44pm

froods

I'm ok with the Fins

07/26/2010 2:44pm

Jeff2266

Its funny because leaf fans and media over value there players so much, but im yet to find a leaf fan who misses poni or even antropov for that matter. They were grouped together as complete pieces of shit for a few years now by leaf fans

07/26/2010 2:51pm

Jeff2266

i dont care where there from as long as they can play

07/26/2010 2:52pm

dirtmccurt

I don't really think that helps jeff, especially when the people calling them a piece of shit are the same idiots as the ones who thought they were gods in Toronto. I'm not saying we should have gone after Antropov but the guy did put up 70 points

07/26/2010 2:55pm

dirtmccurt

I think now he's realizes that he hasn't earned the contract he wants and I think he'll really bust his ass this season if he only gets a 1 year deal

07/26/2010 2:58pm

dirtmccurt

*realized

07/26/2010 2:58pm

Jeff2266

No man alot of Leaf fans i know never liked either of them

07/26/2010 2:58pm

dirtmccurt

fair enough

07/26/2010 3:01pm

froods

I wasn't talking to a leafs fan

07/26/2010 4:02pm

froods

I was talking to the beat reporter for the Sabres/Play by play fill in guy Paul Hamilton

07/26/2010 4:03pm

Jeff2266

no no it was me talking about leaf fans i hear paul hamilton on gr550 fm, hes alright

07/26/2010 4:09pm

Jerkhart66

whens the Winter Classic press conference? like what time tomorrow?

07/26/2010 4:34pm

dirtmccurt

Didn't know Selanne and Kariya had the same agent. Now let the Selanne and Kariya rumors begin again lol

07/26/2010 6:35pm

dirtmccurt

And TSN is saying Frolov's deal might be 1 year 800k. I hope not because he'd be 0/2 with Russians

07/26/2010 6:41pm

dirtmccurt

*by he I meant Shero

07/26/2010 6:42pm

dsig41

RS needs to atleast talk to the agents of these guys and see if this type of deal is possible in Pitt

07/26/2010 7:17pm

dirtmccurt

That's what I'm saying. Its alright to be skeptical of Russians but to not even look into them is stupid. He's easily the 2nd most talented goal scorer available and might have only costed 800k-1M

07/26/2010 7:21pm

dsig41

RIP John Barbaro.. There was no better... Mario Lemiiieeeeuuuxxxxx!!

07/26/2010 7:37pm

TDBennyC3

this is what you call dropping the ball, reports are out he is willing to take a 1 eyar deal similiar to max a, ink is not on the deal yet, RS needs to get active... cant b worse than feds making 1.8 last year

07/26/2010 7:37pm

TDBennyC3

**** balls not dropped yet, but if they seriously sign 1 yr at 800k, with a heds up thats all it would take, the said ball is dropped

07/26/2010 7:38pm

Samtheman

mason raymond got 5.1 million 2 years whit van

07/26/2010 8:36pm

dirtmccurt

I don't think we learned our lesson bc fin wasn't in our division. We'll see this year when we have to play zherdev and frolov 6x apiece

07/26/2010 8:44pm

froods

They can have Frolov

07/26/2010 8:48pm

dirtmccurt

I'd agree if he was signing there for 3M, not 800k

07/26/2010 8:52pm

jpaha

For 800K i don't care how one dimensional he may be. He has proven to be a goal scorer. He even scored 19 last year on the 3rd line because he was in the coaches doghouse. I would gladly give him 800K

07/26/2010 9:03pm

jaluco

Yep - just nuts not to be interested at that price, if its true.

07/26/2010 9:04pm

dirtmccurt

These reports are clearly a move to get someone to give him more money. Let's just give him 1.25M and call it a day

07/26/2010 9:49pm

CM2005

Anyone on this blog that wouldn't love to have Frolov in a Pens uniform for 800K on a 1 year deal is absolutely lunatic! he has his issues, but at 800K you'de have to be bat shit crazy not to have him on this team.

07/26/2010 10:35pm

froods

I don't agree.......Sykora, Satan, Poni, every similar player to him has failed miserably in Bylsma's system. You cannot be a floater

07/26/2010 10:36pm

gdsmack267

Does anyone have any idea when the press conference is tomorrow and will it be on tv? Every article i read just say its tomorrow but no details

07/26/2010 10:39pm

jpaha

Poni just sucked here, while Satan and Sykora were too slow for the system. If ur going to be slow, u have to be like Rupp and Guerin and go in the corners or stay in front of the net. Sykora and Satan just weren't good fits in our system, and Frolov definitely has better skating than both of them

07/26/2010 10:43pm

jpaha

Winter Classic news conference on NHL Network at noon tomorrow

07/26/2010 10:44pm

CM2005

Sykora, Satan, Poni...none of those 3 are close to Frolov when he's in the corner with the puck. He's a very hard guy that battle sin the corners and is no way soft like those 3. At 800K you put aside your hatred for the guy..

07/26/2010 11:02pm

froods

Poni is a monster in the corners compared to Frolov

07/26/2010 11:02pm

froods

Frolov is a piece of garbage....and I pray the Rangers sign him......those are guys you want in your division

07/26/2010 11:03pm

froods

Zherdev, Frolov, Satan, Avinegenov...bring them all in the Atlantic. Brooks Orpik will be Salivating.

07/26/2010 11:05pm

froods

Afinegenov...sorry

07/26/2010 11:05pm

jpaha

i'd rather have a guy that routinely gets 20-25 goals and 50 or more points on my team for 800K than on another team in our division. Nobody was complaining about Sykora when he was in MT's system even though he played soft. The only reason he faded was because he couldn't skate in the new system. I don't care how soft the guy is, if u could get him for 800K u do it

07/26/2010 11:08pm

froods

He started to struggle before Byslma's system. The difference is Sykora always played hard....those guys do not

07/26/2010 11:09pm

froods

I would rather have a guy who scores 2 goals....and works hard and plays the game of hockey. We have Crosby, Malkin, Staal, even Kunitz....guys that can put the puck in the net.....we don't need bags of shit that are bad locker room guys. This is a stanley cup contending team now.....why take a risk on a low character guy?

07/26/2010 11:12pm

jpaha

because 800K is hardly a risk when he would instantly become ur most talented winger on the team. It doesn't really matter anyway because it's not going to happen

07/26/2010 11:15pm

froods

He is getting a 1 year 3 million dollar deal

07/26/2010 11:16pm

dirtmccurt

No one here is talking 3M, the reports all say 800k. You honestly think 800k is too much for a 30 goal scorer?

07/26/2010 11:17pm

froods

Talent......let Glen Sather have the talent.....I will take wins

07/26/2010 11:18pm

jpaha

it's not official yet, and for 3M i wouldn't do it. But we have plenty of role players on our team, 800K for a sniper is hardly a risk even if he has a bad attitude or is one dimensional

07/26/2010 11:18pm

froods

I guarntee he never scores 30 again.....and even if he does...how much is he giving up in return

07/26/2010 11:18pm

froods

He scored 1 more goal then Duper last year....he is not some great sniper.

07/26/2010 11:19pm

dirtmccurt

You're getting a tad out of hand. I'm sure you also thought Afino wasn't putting up 60 points again either

07/26/2010 11:19pm

jpaha

He scored 19 last year on the 3rd line of the Kings. that is pretty impressive considering they have no centers behind Kopitar. He scored 30 or more twice and is only 29 years old, i'd bet he could do it with one of our centers

07/26/2010 11:20pm

froods

http://twitter.com/NHLSourcesSay

07/26/2010 11:20pm

dirtmccurt

Who would you rather have Dupuis or Frolov (at the reported 800k)?

07/26/2010 11:21pm

jpaha

Exactly, if Dupuis could score 18 he could easily score 30

07/26/2010 11:21pm

froods

Im not getting out of hand....I just do not want any of these floaters.....they are team killers

07/26/2010 11:21pm

froods

Dupuis works for his goals......Frolov has never worked for anything

07/26/2010 11:22pm

jpaha

not when u have guys like Kunitz, Dupuis, TK, Cooke, that already crash the net and play in the corners

07/26/2010 11:22pm

froods

Trust me....after the 4th game of the year against the Rangers you will be laughing at Sather again.....garbage

07/26/2010 11:23pm

dirtmccurt

If you think Frolov will ruin this team, you are getting out of hand.

07/26/2010 11:23pm

froods

You mean guys that play hockey?

07/26/2010 11:23pm

froods

I don't think he will ruin the team.....but he could create a bad atmopshere

07/26/2010 11:24pm

jpaha

not if he signs for 800K i won't be. I don't care how bad you think he may be, for 800K it is not going to hurt this team at all

07/26/2010 11:24pm

froods

Im sorry guys....I think all you guys are very intelligent and know a ton about hockey, but I feel you are way off on this winger thing.

07/26/2010 11:25pm

dirtmccurt

Christ we could just cut the guy if he was getting that bad. 800k is one of the cheapest contracts on this team

07/26/2010 11:25pm

jpaha

right on dirt. 800K is absolutely nothing even if he plays bad. worst case is u cut him and bring up a young guy, best case is he works out and u don't need a winger at the trade deadline

07/26/2010 11:26pm

froods

For 1 he is not getting 800K.....they were talking about the years not the cash. 2nd that 800K could be very pivotel money to this team.....we are very close to the cap. I don't want to spend it on a floater

07/26/2010 11:27pm

jpaha

That being said, if he does indeed get 3M i don't want him, but 800K is completely different

07/26/2010 11:27pm

froods

Yea...the person who wrote that article was confused or confusing. I think similar deal meant the years and him kinda getting a try-out for 1 year

07/26/2010 11:28pm

dirtmccurt

What don't you understand froods. If he plays bad, you put him on waivers and you get his cap hit back. There is nothing to lose except Staal might have to stay on the 3rd line a little longer

07/26/2010 11:28pm

jpaha

TSN said he might be getting a contract like Afinegenov. and they r better than nhlsourcessay who get their stuff from Eklund. u keep saying this floater thing, we have enough guys that work hard in the corners. having one sniper for 800K isn't going to kill this team

07/26/2010 11:29pm

froods

You might lose out on bringing Billy G back or a third line center. Frankly I just don't want the guy.....and the Rangers picking him up helps the Pens IMO

07/26/2010 11:30pm

dirtmccurt

I agree with you if his contract is 3M but if its 800k there is no way you are right.

07/26/2010 11:31pm

jpaha

i'd rather have him for 800K than Billy G for 1.5 or a 3rd line center. and if he did work out, we would be able to keep the 3 center model and still have a good top 6. But like i said i don't see it happening. Most likely we will see Billy back

07/26/2010 11:31pm

froods

D is dealing with this guy now....are you sure he works with Eklund?

07/26/2010 11:31pm

jpaha

Idk if he works with him, but he talks to him a lot and sometimes they take some stuff from him

07/26/2010 11:33pm

froods

D is this guy legit??

07/26/2010 11:33pm

jpaha

right before D answered his one question he said that the Pens were after Kariya and Torres. then D answered his question and said the complete opposite, so somebody is wrong

07/26/2010 11:34pm

froods

Like I said though...TSN never said numbers. His agent said a deal like Max Afinegenov.....what does that mean? It could just mean a 1 year deal to prove himself again....might have nothing to do with money. The only thing mentioned about money was that Max got a 800K contract

07/26/2010 11:34pm

dirtmccurt

Geno deserves someone who can finish. Its that simple. I would put any money on Frolov getting 20 before Billy G

07/26/2010 11:35pm

jpaha

yeah, it could mean either the term or money, not exactly sure. I honestly don't think he would even take a look at 800K anyway

07/26/2010 11:35pm

dirtmccurt

Yeah but if was only term, why wouldn't they just say "1 year deal"? If he was going to get some money, he would have got it by now IMO

07/26/2010 11:36pm

froods

Yes but what is Frolov costing you in other area's compared to Guerin? That would take oppurtunities away from Geno

07/26/2010 11:36pm

froods

I think the writer did a crappy job and assumed that is what the agent meant......Frolov would go to the KHL before taking 800K. The only reason MAX did last year....he has had problems with the Russian Mob in the past (so I have heard)

07/26/2010 11:38pm

dirtmccurt

Maybe the guy just needs a change of scenery? He's got Sid or Geno to gel with

07/26/2010 11:38pm

jpaha

i know stats aren't everything, but Frolov was only a -1 last year while Guerin was a -9. I'd like Guerin back, but i don't think he could stay in a top 6 role for the whole year considering how downhill his skating went last year

07/26/2010 11:38pm

dirtmccurt

I don't care about defense on the 2nd line. I care about Geno only getting 80 points because he has 3rd liners instead of top 6 wingers

07/26/2010 11:39pm

froods

I think Guerin and Duper would split time with Sid

07/26/2010 11:41pm

froods

Gotta roll boys. Have a good one!

07/26/2010 11:41pm

dirtmccurt

Here's a stat for you. Your boy afinogenov only counted 800k and put up 61 points. Feds and Dupuis costed about 3M and put up roughly the same numbers. Frolov at 800k is a no brainer, frolov over 1.5 is a no go

07/26/2010 11:43pm

Mark Madden

Frolov blows.

07/27/2010 12:07am

Samtheman

ya but dupuis plays whit heart specially big games ur maxx disapears days like that

07/27/2010 12:40am

Samtheman

russians are only good in season come playoffs its a CAnadian sport

07/27/2010 12:41am

Samtheman

those russians as soon as they hit playoffs they start dreaming there tikets to go there home town

07/27/2010 12:42am

jaluco

...Malkin won the Conn Smythe....?

07/27/2010 7:21am

Jeff2266

Sam what examples do you have the Max disappears in big games?

07/27/2010 8:44am

dirtmccurt

Yeah MM, cause we have tons of snipers to spare right? Guess what guys, when you can score 30 goals a year you don't have to bust your ass every game. I'm not saying guys like Dupuis or Talbot aren't important but they're role is to crash and bang. Frolov's role is to score goals, anything else is just a bonus

07/27/2010 8:45am

John_P

Does anyone know what time the press conference is today?

07/27/2010 9:08am

dirtmccurt

I think its at noon

07/27/2010 9:10am

dirtmccurt

Most important think to me is that the Rags don't get him at 800k. I don't care if we don't get him, I just hope someone does something to drive that number up

07/27/2010 9:28am

Cory7321

NHL Source Say is a joke

07/27/2010 10:03am

froods

really Cory......bad as Eklund?

07/27/2010 11:15am

TDBennyC3

Blake Wheelers's arbitration date is today. be interesting to see how that goes, really wish we had the cap to sign him if the bruins walk away

07/27/2010 11:20am

dirtmccurt

Who's to say we don't benny? The money he's awarded today only applies to the Bruins. When the choose not to resign him, he becomes UFA and is still looking for a job

07/27/2010 11:27am

dirtmccurt

MacArthur was awarded 2.4M and he's never going to see that. I'd have to assume Wheeler is never going to see the money he's awarded today either. I'd offer him a 3 year 6M contract, he can either take that or hope that some team thinks he's worth more

07/27/2010 11:33am

rkrichter

You would offer that as the Pens GM? Because I'm not sure where you are getting that money from for this year especially.

07/27/2010 11:45am

dirtmccurt

I'm pretty sure we could fit in a 2M contract, it would definitely push Tangradi back until about Jan. And if it meant dropping Dupuis to get Wheeler at that contract, I'd do it in a second

07/27/2010 11:53am

Jeff2266

ya dumping dupuis to get wheeler to me is a no brainer

07/27/2010 11:59am

bob_sacamanto

speaking of dupuis why is he at the press conference. sid and max i can see but dupius i dont get.

07/27/2010 12:07pm

dirtmccurt

Probably because no one else was around

07/27/2010 12:08pm

Cory7321

Yes, froods. Just as bad.