Talks with Niedermayer still in preliminary stages

Talks with Niedermayer still in preliminary stages

12:51pm - Monday, July 5th, 2010 by DePaoli

Third line center Rob Niedermayer is on the Pens radar but nothing is imminent at this time. Niedermayer has reportedly drawn interest from up to six teams and is still exploring all of his options.

Pittsburgh has expressed serious interest but talks are just in the preliminary stages.

"Yes, very prelim right now, " Kevin Epp the agent for Niedermayer told Inside Pittsburgh Sports via text message this afternoon, when asked if talks are still in the preliminary stages.

The Pens pursuit of Niedermayer, others has been a clear sign that the Penguins fully intend to move Evgeni Malkin or Jordan Staal to wing next season. Indications are Malkin will be the one making the switch and has no problems with a potential move to wing.

Jordan Staal will be entering his 5th NHL season and now is the time where he appears ready to take the next step offensively. Staal is coming off his third 20+ goal season in his career and has already established himself as one of the top two-way centerman in the game.

"In four years, Jordan Staal has developed into one of the top two way centerman in the NHL, Paul Krepelka, the agent for Jordan Staal told Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com.

"He is a shutdown centerman as evidenced by his being a Selke Finalist. The best way to describe him is that you win Cups with players like Jordan Staal."

"As he continues to mature as a player, you will see him become a more prolific scorer in the years to come, " Krepelka said.

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Comments

Chancebd7

Get a winger we have enough centers

07/05/2010 12:55pm

dsig41

D: any news if the pens have interest in any of the EDM buyout guys?

07/05/2010 12:56pm

rs6363

Anyone else think dom moore might be a good option? Can play center or wing, made 1.1 last yr. Wasn't a big fan of him first time he was here, but he played great in playoffs this year

07/05/2010 12:56pm

dynamicduo

I'd rather keep Staal at center and bring in a kariya/selanee over a third line center. talbot can always fill that void if staal moves to wing

07/05/2010 12:57pm

fatman00

why cant talbot play the third line center

07/05/2010 12:58pm

fyinzall

they must have him sloted at 1 of the wing positions

07/05/2010 12:59pm

rblaze38

The only guy Edmonton end up buying out was Nilson I believe . . .Ethan Moreau was claimed by someone and they end up trading O'Sullivan

07/05/2010 1:00pm

rs6363

Talbot would be an option still. Sheri seems to prefer versatile players. Both Talbot and niedermayer can play W

07/05/2010 1:00pm

Chancebd7

O sullivan got traded then bought out i think

07/05/2010 1:00pm

rs6363

*shero

07/05/2010 1:01pm

dsig41

EDM: Nilson, MA Pouliot, O'Sullivan (Traded then bought out) All three could add something to the Pens for not a whole lot.

07/05/2010 1:02pm

gdsmack267

how much would Nikolai Zherdev cost? think he would look good next to crosby or geno

07/05/2010 1:07pm

jpaha

TSN just had an article up saying he was negotiating with Buffalo for 4M or more.

07/05/2010 1:09pm

zerocool6687

Nik is asking 4 million! No way he wears our colours! MA Pouliot has never panned out in the NHL and its kinda foolish to think that because Sid cbounced pucks off him nightly in Rimouski that it would translate to the NHL. Ive seen that kind of thinking in the past and it usually doesnt work!

07/05/2010 1:10pm

gdsmack267

Didnt see that about buffalo. Yea thats too much money for us.

07/05/2010 1:12pm

Jeff2266

Shero really hasnt taken a chance on somoen like Pouliot, im sure he wouldnt be too expensive. Hes a talented player who is familar with playing with Sid well worth the risk IMO

07/05/2010 1:14pm

Chancebd7

id like to see O' sullivan

07/05/2010 1:15pm

Chancebd7

Devils are front runners for Kovalchuk, saying offer is 7 years 60 mil

07/05/2010 1:15pm

Chancebd7

they will need to move salary if thats the case plus they still need 4 players for this season

07/05/2010 1:17pm

dsig41

It's more foolish not to offer a guy like Pouliot a two way deal and see if there is anything there.. He is only 24.

07/05/2010 1:17pm

jpaha

let them have Kovalchuk, then they won't be able to resing Parise next year

07/05/2010 1:19pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I would like to see malkin on Staal's line to start, then move him to crosby's as needed during the game. Also, I think the frontrunners for the other top wing positions are dupuis, talbot, and tangradi. If Tangradi is ready for the NHL level and nets 20-25 goals this season, I think our team is in good shape right now as is.

07/05/2010 1:36pm

jeffed

How much space does NJ need to clear in order to get Kovy signed to that type of contract? Does the cap space need to be cleared prior to signing him to a contract, or can they go over for a short period of time?

07/05/2010 1:52pm

froods

Next I agree....ike a said a few days ago...you will Geno on every line, playing every position.....and I think that is a good thing

07/05/2010 1:52pm

froods

you will see

07/05/2010 1:53pm

froods

For the record I think getting Nieder is a great idea.

07/05/2010 1:53pm

jeffed

Wow... this is a big big year for Jordan.

07/05/2010 1:53pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

they probably need 6 million at least cleared. and they are able to go over for a little bit i think. not sure on that tho. i just know you arent able to go over during the regular season.

07/05/2010 1:54pm

jeffed

Devils fans seem to think differently Froods... so who knows. Haha

07/05/2010 1:54pm

froods

Kunitz-Crosby-Duper Cooke-Staal-Malkin Tangradi-Nidermayer-Kennedy Rupp-Talbot-Adams I like!!!

07/05/2010 1:54pm

jeffed

I thought that a team can go over up until a certain date, I may be way wrong on that one.

07/05/2010 1:55pm

froods

10% i think

07/05/2010 1:55pm

jeffed

Personally I still don't see the need for Neidermayer. If they want to keep Talbot and Letestu around they are centers and can take up the 3rd and 4th line roles pretty effectively IMO.

07/05/2010 1:57pm

froods

I don't think they have much confidence in Talbot deing a good 3rd line center......he certainly didnt help his cause......I think they also want him to be versitile up and down the line-up

07/05/2010 1:59pm

jeffed

I guess, I just don't see the need for 6 or 7 centers on the same team.

07/05/2010 2:00pm

froods

Plus they only have about a million bucks to spend.....your not gonna get much better then Rob Nieds.....Vetran, leader, good on the PK, has won cups

07/05/2010 2:00pm

joepuck66

Devils have $4.7 M Cap space

07/05/2010 2:01pm

pens17404

Cap space doesnt need to be cleared til start of season

07/05/2010 2:01pm

pens17404

i believe wings were over like 3 to 4 mill ly this time

07/05/2010 2:02pm

catz27

2010 Pens=1995 Devils with the current lineup. Staal isn't a second line center as demonstrated amply over the past few seasons.

07/05/2010 2:03pm

froods

I would prefer Madden...but he prob will get 2

07/05/2010 2:03pm

froods

I completely disagree......I think he will be 1 of the better 2nd line centers in the league.

07/05/2010 2:05pm

froods

He is completely pysically dominating out there

07/05/2010 2:06pm

jeffed

That's great, but can he get Geno the puck consistently.... I don't see that happening whatsoever.

07/05/2010 2:07pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I think he could definately make it happen. last season staal played wing with malkin. He is clearly more comfortable at center and Malkin is all over the ice anyway so wing shouldnt be a big deal haha.

07/05/2010 2:07pm

CM2005

Staal scored 29 goals when he played with Malkin. Staal will go deep into the corners and that will allow Malkin to get open in front and finish. Staal is a beast when he has the puck, and they use him in front on the power play, only good will come from that.

07/05/2010 2:08pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I think that they want him to get the puck possession on that line and then geno has time to get open and staal plays the same type of game that bugsy did, but not quite as good hands.

07/05/2010 2:08pm

jeffed

CM - 25% of those goals weren't scored with Malkin.

07/05/2010 2:09pm

jpaha

so then ur saying ud rather have him on wing than center? ur post just before said the opposite

07/05/2010 2:09pm

CM2005

As he showed last year, Staal when he has the puck isn't the easier person at all the take it away from. He can and will get Malkin the puck. He showed signs of being a pretty good play maker last year as well.

07/05/2010 2:09pm

froods

Who do you guys think playes with those 2? Im thinking Cooke or Kennedy

07/05/2010 2:10pm

jeffed

Tangradi?

07/05/2010 2:11pm

froods

Im thinking Duper starts with sid...then maybe Tangradi grabs that spot later in the year. I think they will start him on the 3rd line

07/05/2010 2:11pm

CM2005

Jeffed- That is correct. But that means 75% of them were. He also has like 6 or 7 SH goals that year I think too. My point is Staal is getting paid 2nd line money he should be played on the 2nd line. I think will will allow Malkin to roam, and do his thing. I guess we'll see how it works out.

07/05/2010 2:13pm

froods

I think that is great CM

07/05/2010 2:14pm

jpaha

they won't start him up here just to play on the 3rd line. they have too many other guys that can play bottom 6. If he isn't on the top 2 then he will be in WBS to start

07/05/2010 2:14pm

froods

not even to get his feet wet.....I think it is possible

07/05/2010 2:15pm

jeffed

Tangradi isn't on the big club if he's not in the top 6, no reason to have him start on the 3rd line.

07/05/2010 2:17pm

froods

That the role he played with WBS last year

07/05/2010 2:17pm

jpaha

it's definitely possible, but i wouldn't do it. i would rather see him in WBS on a top line and scoring than up here on a checking line, but that's just what i think

07/05/2010 2:17pm

jpaha

Same way Caputi and Jeffrey played their first year down there as well

07/05/2010 2:17pm

froods

It would be short term...that is for sure

07/05/2010 2:17pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

If the poni deal goes through, then we will have plenty of time to wait for tangradi. Id really rather have guerin for 1.5 than poni, but...

07/05/2010 2:21pm

jeffed

That's a tough one. The pens don't seem to be too high on Guerin for one reason or another. If they can get Poni and his 50 points for $1.5m, that woudl be tough to turn down from the Pens standpoint.

07/05/2010 2:22pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

i hope he will put up those kind of numbers, but 2 goals in 16 games with us is just awful. I just hope if we sign him that he gets used to this uptempo system cause he plays extremely lazy IMO.

07/05/2010 2:23pm

jeffed

I think he'd put up decent numbers with Sid or Geno for an entire year, he was horrendous with us during the end of last season and the playoffs. But if you can get him on the cheap it probably wouldn't be the worst thing.

07/05/2010 2:25pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

ehhhhhh... I think id rather have cheechoo for half of that price.

07/05/2010 2:27pm

jpaha

he has a pretty good track record of getting 50 or so points, and if u could get that for 1.5 that would be a huge bargain. I know he looked bad here, but i highly doubt he would be on the same horrendous pace that he was at with us last year

07/05/2010 2:27pm

jeffed

You think Poni is lazy but want Cheechoo... kinda odd.

07/05/2010 2:28pm

Doogs

I would rather see them put the cash towards someone to play with Sid...like Karyia...and give Letestu the 3rd line center job. Karyia-Sid- Kunitz. ...Geno-Staal-Duper/Talbot...Cooke-Letestu-Kennedy...Rupp-Adams-Talbot/Duper. Saying Tangradi needs more time. If not F Karyia.

07/05/2010 2:28pm

Jeff2266

I just dont get why poni is still an option. He simply did not fit

07/05/2010 2:28pm

froods

I don't understand this Cheecho stuff...he is done. Guerin did look like he was skating in cement last year

07/05/2010 2:29pm

jeffed

He's only an option because he puts up some points and he can be had on the cheap since there seems to be no market. I don't think he's worth it but if it comes down to him and Guerin it would be a tough decision for the Pens to make.

07/05/2010 2:30pm

Doogs

I'd rather not see Cheechoo in a Pens united.

07/05/2010 2:30pm

froods

I think if it's not Poni.....then it will be a vet 3rd line center. They must not have faith in Letestu or Talbot in that role.....+ I think they want them to earn it

07/05/2010 2:30pm

Doogs

Pens uni.

07/05/2010 2:31pm

froods

A third line center needs to be able to score a little....and Talbot has not proved he can do that

07/05/2010 2:32pm

Doogs

What is Conner's natural position?

07/05/2010 2:34pm

jpaha

Niedermayer only had 22 pts. last year. i'd rather go with Talbot/Kennedy/Letestu than dishing out another million

07/05/2010 2:34pm

froods

They want him to play like "mad Max" 3rd line center responability would take away from that

07/05/2010 2:34pm

froods

07/05/2010 2:34pm

Doogs

No help from him there.

07/05/2010 2:37pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

froods, excluding last season, talbot had put up around 12 goals a season. I like that production from a 3rd line center. he had a slow year last season, not sure why, maybe it was playing on the wing, but i think @ center he will be fine.

07/05/2010 2:38pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

Plus, put him between cooke and kennedy and that should be a pretty dynamic 3rd line. obviously you lose staals size, but talbot is far more proven than letestu and should get that first chance as a 3rd line center.

07/05/2010 2:40pm

Doogs

Next...didn't he have his shoulder done?

07/05/2010 2:40pm

Chancebd7

would love too see staal on the 1st PP in front of the nt and also retrieving pucks

07/05/2010 2:41pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

yea that's probably a reason for his poor season last year. lost a lot of conditioning and training time, plus any kind of ice time. I think that with a full offseason he will be back to his old self.

07/05/2010 2:42pm

CM2005

Ponikarovsky had a less than stellar showing in Pittsburgh, but just my opinion...I don't think he was used the correct way, at all. It's clear he does not work with Malkin, but when he played with Crosby he seemed to develop some chemistry. He's a big body and he should have been used in front of the net, smashing in rebounds. It's odd that the only 2 people to seem to have any mojo with Malkin are Talbot and Staal.

07/05/2010 2:42pm

dow5020

sykora and malone were pretty good with malkin too

07/05/2010 2:43pm

Chancebd7

Cm the reason is with malkin he was counted on to retrieve pucks, which isnt his game. with sid kunitz played that role so he was able to find the soft areas and get scoring chances. Staal on the second line retrieving pucks with geno and Poni would work well IMO

07/05/2010 2:43pm

Doogs

@Next...my thoughts exactly. @CM...if you can get him for 2 or less (preferred ) then sign Poni ASAP. If not cheaper is better.

07/05/2010 2:45pm

Jeff2266

Thats because the people malkin plays with are not real talented players. Geno can shot and pass if someone cant play with him i dont know who they can play with. Ponikarovsky is a straight up loser waste of a jersey. can shero not admit he fucked up and move on

07/05/2010 2:45pm

Jeff2266

He played with dupuis and malkin at times, dupuis gets behind the goal line to get after pucks before poni 100 out of 100 times

07/05/2010 2:46pm

Doogs

Very true Jeff. But Poni's game should be in front of the met.

07/05/2010 2:50pm

Doogs

Net.

07/05/2010 2:50pm

Jeff2266

ya would think a 6'4 220 + player would play in front of the net and play physical but really he doesnt. Hes a decent player on a bad team

07/05/2010 2:51pm

CM2005

Kovy signed with the Devils.

07/05/2010 2:53pm

Jeff2266

will that effect resigning Parise?

07/05/2010 2:54pm

Chancebd7

Where did you see he signed, i just saw that they offered 7yrs 60 mil

07/05/2010 2:55pm

Chancebd7

you would have to think Parise will want 7 mil + next year so it will most certainly affect that. if they sign kovy to that deal it puts them almost 4.5 mil over the cap and still would need 3 more forwards for the team

07/05/2010 2:57pm

Jeff2266

It would be funny if Parise leaves and Brodeur retires, the devils will be the new Atlanta Thrashers

07/05/2010 2:58pm

Chancebd7

yea i thik its a dumb move for them to sign Kovalchuck

07/05/2010 2:59pm

Chancebd7

no one is reporting its done on twitter so i dont think its happened yet, but that was the rumored offer from them

07/05/2010 3:01pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

tsn has it up, unconfirmed, but still a lil closer.

07/05/2010 3:03pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

payin him 8.57 million a year. wow... personally I think he could have gotten more.

07/05/2010 3:03pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I just looked a lil closer @ kovys stats, and he has an average of around .5 goals per game. is there any player (aside from OV) that has that kind of amazing goal production?

07/05/2010 3:06pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

its actually over .5 a game...

07/05/2010 3:07pm

Chancebd7

devils will need some cap magic to make this work, they are paying rolston 5 mil for the next 2 seasons on a 35+ contract

07/05/2010 3:08pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

maybe they bury someone in the minors... not sure who tho they would need to do more than that. That gives them an excellent 1-2 punch at left wing with parise and kovalchuk. but now that martin is gone, who is going to get them the puck?

07/05/2010 3:11pm

Chancebd7

not volchenkov thats for sure

07/05/2010 3:12pm

dynamicduo

What do you guys think about going after Jamie Langenbrunner? Only makes 2.8 mill, would have to move a little salary, but put up 61 points last year and is a very responsible player in his own end. Shero alluded to possibly exploring trade acquisitions, this is one that I would pursue.

07/05/2010 3:12pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

maybe andy greene... thats about all they have. unless you count salmela, but lets be realistic, who is.

07/05/2010 3:13pm

Chancebd7

id think they would want to hold on to him and try to trade arnott or Rolston to clear up space

07/05/2010 3:14pm

jpaha

they would never trade a player of Langenbrunner's to a cup contender in their own division

07/05/2010 3:14pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

dynamic, the devils will only take prospects or picks because of their cap situation, so i dont think that it would be very beneficial for the teams future to do that. i think we just need to build from within, or on tryout contracts.

07/05/2010 3:15pm

jpaha

langenbrunner's caliber

07/05/2010 3:15pm

Chancebd7

also langenbrunner has a NTC

07/05/2010 3:16pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

who would take rolston and his salary tho?

07/05/2010 3:16pm

Chancebd7

no one, they may have to send him to the minors

07/05/2010 3:18pm

dynamicduo

Oh ok.. Looking at their current salaries, it's going to be very hard for them to move the likes of Arnott, Rolston, Elias. I think they have a better chance moving White or Salvedor. That Arnott signing looks worse and worse

07/05/2010 3:18pm

Chancebd7

thats why i dont think it will work for them

07/05/2010 3:18pm

dynamicduo

I want Bobby Ryan so bad haha, just thought I'd throw that wishful thinking out there.

07/05/2010 3:29pm

zerocool6687

Why does the Arnott signing look worse and worse... he has been a solid player over the past few seasons! The Rolston signing has been, in retrospect, a bad one! He is the key to keeping Kovalchuk.. the find a way to bury his salary and NJL has the money for Ilya!

07/05/2010 3:50pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

just barely. and they still need another forward, even if its for the minimum then they are over again.

07/05/2010 3:52pm

dynamicduo

Well if signing Arnott prohibits them from signing Kovalchuk, I think it's evident.

07/05/2010 3:53pm

zerocool6687

Only concern with Arnott is health... if he pllays more the 70 games he will probably chip in around a PPG... plus he does a lot of other things on the ice!

07/05/2010 3:53pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

sorry, they need 2 forwards. They will still need to shed another contract.

07/05/2010 3:54pm

zerocool6687

They have a couple of youth options at Fwd already there that may be ready (Halischuk) so I dont think its a complete crisis at this point! They have 19 signed with 3.748 under the cap! Add Kovalchuk subtract Rolston and you reach the cap. Lou has done some crazy shit in the past so I cant imagine he does not find a way to swing this!

07/05/2010 4:00pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

yes. but they will still need another 2 forwards! they cant add any more unless they send some people to the minors or trade away at least 1 more contract.

07/05/2010 4:02pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

If they send both rolston and salvador to the minors they will be ok, but I can't see that going over 2 well with the rest of the team.

07/05/2010 4:04pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

and outside of zharkov (halischuk plays for nashville) there are no NHL ready players in their pipeline.

07/05/2010 4:09pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

halischuk was the main piece of the deal the brought arnott back to NJ and screwed their cap situation... ironic?

07/05/2010 4:18pm

zerocool6687

oh ya... lol

07/05/2010 4:30pm

jyanko

Pens should shed Kunitz's salary and trade for a young prospect like Nikita Filatov. Include the add-ons and this is a done deal!

07/05/2010 5:11pm

dirtmccurt

Filatov has already fled back to Russia. I'd rather keep the guy who leaves it all on the ice and can put up 50pts then that cry baby bitch

07/05/2010 5:20pm

Chancebd7

Caps had three guys file for arbitration

07/05/2010 5:25pm

dirtmccurt

Probably why they didn't go after an blue chip defensemen

07/05/2010 5:26pm

Jeff2266

On hfborads someone made a rumor goligoski, jeffrey and 2011 1st for filatov and mathot. Who filatov have that much value? I know every is made up there, just don't know much about him

07/05/2010 6:08pm

SV84

If people don't like Kunitz be happy we have him over an even more priced Ryan Whitney that Anaheim gfot sick of.

07/05/2010 6:24pm

dirtmccurt

I do it for gogo and maybe jeffrey, but that 1st is crazy. The kid's not even a guarantee to come back from Russia

07/05/2010 6:24pm

dirtmccurt

Methot would be nice for the 3rd pair. He's a big time hitter

07/05/2010 6:25pm

dirtmccurt

Methot and Filatovs contracts would be matched by gogo's

07/05/2010 6:25pm

Jeff2266

Kunitz tangradi for Whitney easily sheros best move what a steal

07/05/2010 6:26pm

Jeff2266

Sounds like not a bad deal if martin can play the pp and filatov plays ofcoarse

07/05/2010 6:27pm

↑ previous comments ↑

dirtmccurt

I doubt RS deals gogo though, especially with Filatov being a big wild card. He would be a sweet winger for Geno

07/05/2010 6:29pm

dirtmccurt

Thanks alot jeff, now I really want to get Methot. Just watch some youtube videos of him, the guy's a warrior

07/05/2010 6:38pm

CM2005

Filatov won't be on the Pens. I'd love to see him on this team, but it won't happen.

07/05/2010 9:26pm

gdsmack267

Where is the new prospects info page?

07/06/2010 9:28am

roaddogg925

Staal as the second line center worries me slightly, but not as much as him being a 2nd line winger. I don't think he is as great of a playmaker as some on this thread think. But he even worse in the corners, loses more battles than he wins and doesn't have good ice vision. He is definitely NOT a "beast" in the corners CM.

07/06/2010 11:51am