Talbot ruled out for this weekend; Kunitz unlikely to play Sat.; Letestu to be recalled

11:36am - Friday, February 5th, 2010 by DePaoli

The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice today as the team went through a 65 minute skate today in what was more of a structured practice with attention to details.

As expected Penguins forward Max Talbot has been ruled out for tomorrow's game against Montreal and Sunday against Washington.

Talbot who is bothered by a groin injury, could be shutdown until after the Olympic break, team sources indicate.

Wilkes Barre forward Mark Letestu will be recalled this afternoon.

Letestu is expected to center the Penguins third line as the unit of Jordan Staal - Evgeni Malkin - Pascal Dupuis will remain together against Montreal.

Pittsburgh went through a 65 minute skate today in what was more of a structured practice with attention to details.

I was also informed that Pittsburgh may be forced to callup a second forward due to the questionable status of Chris Kunitz.

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Comments

fyinzall

he needs to just shut it down and try to get healthy by the playoffs as he is no help to us in the shape he is in now

02/05/2010 11:48am

TITLETOWN

D wheres the trade deadline chart - i need good reading material for the afternoon

02/05/2010 11:49am

mwalluk

Talbot is of no use unless he's close to healthy

02/05/2010 11:52am

jeffed

Can't wait to see FEDS out there on the 2nd line again. That's always a treat.

02/05/2010 12:03pm

buccosin2012

great to hear that 11/71 still together

02/05/2010 12:21pm

seabs926

jeffed, if Kunitz plays then we likely won't have to. Dupuis would remain on the 2nd line and Feds might be bumped to the 4th line.

02/05/2010 12:21pm

j_s15226

Boynton on re-entry waivers.....I'd claim him

02/05/2010 12:32pm

depaoli

Kunitz said he prob won't play on Sat after no practice. Their not saying whether there was a setback or anything. Not ruled out for Sunday

02/05/2010 12:37pm

depaoli

Bylsma also confirmed a few minutes ago that Max is out for this weekend

02/05/2010 12:37pm

tommybishop71

i dont understand why we dont throw Skoula on waivers

02/05/2010 12:43pm

jaluco

Is Boynton any better than Skoula? I guess my point is, Anaheim's defense is abhorrent, and he couldn't cut it there. How does he end up helping here?

02/05/2010 12:44pm

j_s15226

i believe he was put on waivers due to the emergence of a younger d-man....

02/05/2010 12:50pm

Carnauerff

Boynton cleared a few days ago.

02/05/2010 12:57pm

dsig41

Yes, now he is on re-entry waivers

02/05/2010 12:58pm

Cory7321

what would he cost

02/05/2010 1:14pm

Prorated for the rest of this year roughly $25,000

02/05/2010 1:17pm

psupens

1.5 million...we can still do better for that much

02/05/2010 1:17pm

1.5 is his cap hit but re-entry would be 750,000. Prorated 25,000

02/05/2010 1:19pm

02/05/2010 1:20pm

j_s15226

25k? more like 250k

02/05/2010 1:24pm

prorated 250,000 would put his cap hit for 65 days at 16.25 million

02/05/2010 1:26pm

my bad you are right. sry j_s15226

02/05/2010 1:30pm

it would be a little over $250,000

02/05/2010 1:31pm

seabs926

No it wouldn't. 250,000 for 65 days would put it at right around 0.75M. There's 193 days in the NHL season and 65 is approx 1/3 of 193. Simple math.

02/05/2010 1:32pm

seabs926

Sorry, didn't see you had corrected yourself.

02/05/2010 1:33pm

seabs. Simple mistake.

02/05/2010 1:33pm

zizou1790

boynton is wayyy better than skoula id love that move

02/05/2010 1:41pm

cpykosh

kunitz getting traded

02/05/2010 2:00pm

77star

believe it when we see it! cpykosh

02/05/2010 2:14pm

mwalluk

source other than eklund

02/05/2010 2:18pm

seabs926

I don't even think eklund posted it. I think cpykosh just threw that out there because Kunitz unexpectedly isn't playing in our next game.

02/05/2010 2:23pm

mwalluk

Here's a thought CPy - he's injured!

02/05/2010 2:25pm

mwalluk

Another thought is, if you wanna trade Kunitz go ahead just give me one name who's out there who is one better than Kunitz, under contract and realistically able to get?

02/05/2010 2:26pm

dsig41

How good exactly is Kunitz. I know he does a lot of little things correct, but that 1 goal in the playoffs last season wouldn't be hard to replace. You could easily pick up someone to replace Kunitz. It just depends on who you are willing to trade. A straight up trade for Kunitz would be tough, no one would want his contract. Torres would be a great pick up and posible replacement for Kunitz, but most of you don't use the CJB in NHL 2010 to understand that.

02/05/2010 2:31pm

dsig41

CBJ. oops..!

02/05/2010 2:37pm

mwalluk

No way is Torres as good as Kunitz. 1st Kunitz is oft injured this year. Second, is Torres going bring grit, work the boards, all the things Kunitz brings? Kunitz wasn't brought in to score massive amounts of goals. People put that expectation on him. Just like they did on Feds. Hossa was brought in to score goals, Kunitz was brought for grit and veteran leadership. How long is torres contract anyhow/.

02/05/2010 2:44pm

dsig41

Yes, watch Torres play. Torres is very similar to Kunitz at about 1/2 the cost. Kunitz was brought in to play with Crosby, so he was brought in to score. You don't pay a guy 3.75 to play on the first line and not score. Torres' contract ends at the end of the season.

02/05/2010 2:48pm

mwalluk

SO your saying let's trade our only legit top six winger besides guerin, who is under contract for a rental. Then what happens after thsi season when Guerin retires, feds leaves? Genius.

02/05/2010 2:55pm

mwalluk

They made that trade because of Tangradi. If they wanted a legit scorer they could've traded Whitney for Booth.

02/05/2010 2:56pm

jaluco

The next time Raffi f'ing Torres even approaches 60-65 points, as Kunitz has, I'll dignifiy that comparison with a response.

02/05/2010 2:57pm

dsig41

Legit? 1 goal is the playoffs.. Legit top six winger stats right? His contract is for 3.75. The Pens are up against the cap and may lose Letang or Gonchar because of this fact. If Torres works out you can re-sign him cheaper the Kunitz. If fact, I am a genius.

02/05/2010 2:57pm

dsig41

Torres has scored more goals in a season than Kunitz. Torres was playing in EDM with less talent than Kunitz in ANA. Kunitz played with the best center in the league and score 1 goal in the playoffs.

02/05/2010 2:59pm

jaluco

LOL Raffi Torres > Kunitz! I've seen it all!

02/05/2010 3:00pm

dsig41

Its takes two teams to trade. Its nice to through Booth's name out there, but was that trade on the table? We will never know!

02/05/2010 3:01pm

jaluco

Who even cares? Why Booth when you can have third line winger extraordinaire Raffi Torres?

02/05/2010 3:02pm

dsig41

Never said greater, read! Similar player at half the cost!

02/05/2010 3:02pm

jaluco

By similar player, you mean Kunitz consistently has 1.5 times the production that Torres does. Other than that, they're identical.

02/05/2010 3:03pm

mwalluk

If you wanna argue with stats then here we go...TORRES career stats games played, goals, assist and points is 413 95 77 172 while Kunitz are 365 94 136 230. Conclusion in less games Kunitz scored 1 less goal, almost doubles in assists and has more points.

02/05/2010 3:07pm

mwalluk

moreover, Torres HAD ONE 27 goal season and a 20, while the rest where 15, 12, 16 and some others low numbers (those were becasue injuries) KUNITZ on the other hand has 25, 19, 21, 23.

02/05/2010 3:09pm

mwalluk

Torres is not as good as kUnitz

02/05/2010 3:10pm

dsig41

Look at who they played with throughout their careers. Also, The contract plays a huge role. Kunitz is a fringe top 6

02/05/2010 3:12pm

mwalluk

And Torres is a bonafide top 6?

02/05/2010 3:12pm

jaluco

Well, then you have a fringe Top in Kunitz, and definitely not a Top 6 in Torres. The two are not close.

02/05/2010 3:13pm

dsig41

Pick up the phone... Call madden and ask him if Kunitz is a legit top 6 worth 3.75.

02/05/2010 3:14pm

mwalluk

When did Madden become a pro scout, FO, or anything remotely associated with the inner circles of hockey

02/05/2010 3:15pm

mwalluk

So your theory goes like this if Madden says so it must be true.

02/05/2010 3:16pm

Carnauerff

Kunitz only scored one goal in the playoffs... That's not that big of a deal. He opened up space and allowed Sid to turn into a monster goal scorer. He took a hit along the boards to spring Talbot for his second game 7 goal... Maybe overpaid yea. But every team has one overpaid player and I'm glad ours is Kunitz. He's a big asset to this team. >Torres. I'd rather spend the extra cash

02/05/2010 3:16pm

dsig41

I have to leave work.. Can't argue.. Will when I get home...

02/05/2010 3:18pm

dsig41

Crosby has a career high in goals without Kunitz most os the season... Is he opening space from pressbox?

02/05/2010 3:19pm

mwalluk

Betcha he calls Madden..what should i tell them MM...

02/05/2010 3:19pm

mwalluk

Guarentee someone's going bring up Staal into this argument as well.......

02/05/2010 3:20pm

j_s15226

Staal sucks...he's overpaid. TRADE HIM!

02/05/2010 3:28pm

j_s15226

*end sarcasm*

02/05/2010 3:28pm

Carnauerff

Some people don't realize the importance of those quiet role players. If he doesn't score he sucks...

02/05/2010 3:28pm

j_s15226

Just because he does his job doesn't mean he's not overpaid.....I love Kunitz, just not for 3.75 million

02/05/2010 3:29pm

jaywizzard8766

hey-im starting to wonder if shero is going to make a deal.He doesnt have fletcher around anymore to make deals for him.Theres plenty available out there but it always seems as if he doesnt want to get involved.Sometimes I think he over values his players.

02/05/2010 3:30pm

mwalluk

Thanks J_S I needed that ahahaha

02/05/2010 3:33pm

mwalluk

That or He's cautious not to mess with the team that won him a STanley Cup last year

02/05/2010 3:34pm

mwalluk

Is Kunitz overpaid? Probably, but at that time he signed it was a good deal, if he starts scoring it would be a better deal. The problem I have is not with his contract its with people trying to say Torres is better than Kunitz, which isn't the case. If we trade Kunitz that's fine, let's at least use him to get someone else who is UNDER CONTRACT

02/05/2010 3:38pm

Carnauerff

I did say he was overpaid, but I'd rather have him at 3.75 than say torres at 2.25 (if he would resign for that). And yea it's a Cup winning team, but the competition upgraded. Had everyone stayed the same that might be a different story.

02/05/2010 3:39pm

PetariFX

Jay, over valuation of the defending stanley cup champs? sounds like a strategy to me.

02/05/2010 3:39pm

mwalluk

Wasn't referring to you Carn

02/05/2010 3:54pm

mwalluk

Now where is that trade deadline chart at?

02/05/2010 3:55pm

dirtmccurt

I don't know who mentioned this earlier but they were dead on. Every team overpays someone, i.e...Wade Redden (6.5m), Huet (~6m). Kunitz making 3.75 isn't a bad deal, because you're not going to find many players better than him making significantly less money

02/05/2010 4:14pm

dsig41

Every team does overpay players certain times. Is keeping Kunitz worth losing Gonchar or Letang? The Pens are up against the cap. The may not even be able to call someone up for Sat because of cap concerns. I like Kunitz, but not at 3.75. If you can move Kunitz and bring in a similar player for less money, then you should look into the move. I have never said anything bad about Kunitz other than he needs to score or he is not worth his contract. That's a fact when you are up against the cap. You cannot argue that fact. In order for the Pens to be competitive year in and year out, you cannot overpay frindge players.

02/05/2010 4:25pm

dsig41

fringe..oops..

02/05/2010 4:29pm

coachhank

Any other rumors hitting the airways today. I have a friend in Columbus who said they are hearing GoGo going to Columbus. But he didnt hear for who ?

02/05/2010 4:35pm

Carnauerff

They wouldn't send gogo for anyone like torres. It would have to be an Umberger type player but I doubt it.

02/05/2010 4:42pm

mwalluk

but dsig - that's the price they pay for using the 3 center model

02/05/2010 4:45pm

mwalluk

They will be able to sing letang and Gonch without having to tyrade Kunitz mark it down

02/05/2010 4:46pm

dsig41

Would you rather have Staal or Kunitz?

02/05/2010 4:48pm

mwalluk

STaal - of course - but that's not to say we can't have both. There's no need to trade Kunitz right now.

02/05/2010 4:49pm

mwalluk

If it comes down to it and we have to shed salary, we do it in the offseason

02/05/2010 4:50pm

dsig41

If Kunitz scores and I hope he does, we wouldn't have a conversation about trading him. i like the guy, I wish him nothing but success.. But he hasn't shown he can score goals since joining the Pens.

02/05/2010 4:51pm

OU812

Kunitz = 2009 Cup... Without Kunitz last year, no cup!

02/05/2010 4:51pm

Carnauerff

He'll be fine.

02/05/2010 4:55pm

dsig41

I just hope the cap issues do not prevent us from making a run at players we need this season. That's the point i have been trying to make. I do still like Torres. If he was traded to Pitt I think a lot of poeple would love what he brings to a team

02/05/2010 4:57pm

jaluco

How would it? Waiving/demoting skoula and or sending go-go to wlikes barre free up a shit ton of cap room.

02/05/2010 5:02pm

dsig41

Can't send Gogo down. 1 way contract.

02/05/2010 5:07pm

jackattack8771

is it just me, or can no one else get to the new article

02/05/2010 5:08pm

jackattack8771

just links me to the home page

02/05/2010 5:09pm

jackattack8771

nvm, thanks if u did that D

02/05/2010 5:13pm

mwalluk

the articles take a few min after he posts them

02/05/2010 5:20pm

jaluco

Jesus - see dsig, this is where you lose credibility with me. This isn't NHL10 - a one way contract has nothing to do with whether or not you can send a guy down without him having to clear waivers. Nothing. All it does is dictate that he'll be paid the same regardless of where he plays.

02/05/2010 5:49pm

↑ previous comments ↑

dirtmccurt

gets'em

02/05/2010 7:34pm

dsig41

No, the contract does not matter in this case, but Gogo would have to clear waivers, because he was 22 when he signed his first contract and he has played over 70 games.

02/05/2010 8:11pm

dsig41

Gets 'em.....

02/05/2010 8:14pm

dsig41

Actually he was 31 and he has played 80 games...so WAIVERS...

02/05/2010 8:17pm

dsig41

21 ...oops...hate this phone sometimes...

02/05/2010 8:20pm