Comments on: Are the Penguins a better team today, or excuse me, is anyone using this Staal?

By: Coach Bombay

Coach Bombay — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:58:16 +0000

Glad to see no one here crying like there were on Friday night! Excellent points, Disco! I’d give you the thumbs up thing, but it looks like Krundle made it go away.

Another thing that fans have to remember is that you have to set aside Staal’s talents for a moment and realize what his role on this team was…he was a 3rd liner. $4 million was a lot for a third liner, $6 million is insane. I realize his importance to the team, but you’ve got two top centers, young defensemen, and a goalie that you have to keep signed long term. And, it would be nice to give them some guys to play with. Tying up $24 (not counting whatever raise Crosby would get which would also kick in at the same time that Staal’s would) down the middle in a lot.

I’m very happy with the deal. We got an excellent replacement at Staal at 50% off, a great defensive prospect (I won’t even berate his college team since he’s a new Penguin), and another exciting prospect with our pick to watch develop. More importantly, while filling the gap left by Staal, combined with the Michalek deal, we freed up cap space. That will make us a better team sometime next week. Even if we can’t fill both the winger and defensemen positions with big-named players, remember that there are a lot of young defensemen in the system that I think the organization feels might be close to stepping up to fill in some spots. After all, we’re collecting defensemen like they’re going out of fashion.

By: pen's 4ever

pen's 4ever — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:24:34 +0000

I haven’t heard that one yet, but I like it. I hope we don’t get into bidding war for Zach and sign Suter then when the cap goes down have to dump salaries like Letang and or Neal.

By: Disco Stu

Disco Stu — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:06:26 +0000

Rumor I’m hearing is that the Pens are going to go hot and heavy after Ryan Suter and then make a play for PA Parenteau. Parisie, from what I hear, will be looking for somewhere between 7 and 8 million per year, and I say good luck to him. I’m sure someone out there will give it to him. I just hope it’s not us

By: pen's 4ever

pen's 4ever — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:36:41 +0000

I heard there is teams calling about Paul Martin

HEY RAY GIVE HIM AWAY TO THE FIRST CALLER!!!

By: pen's 4ever

pen's 4ever — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 01:53:57 +0000

Paul Martin to Islanders for some pens and paper

By: pen's 4ever

pen's 4ever — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 01:52:41 +0000

Very sad to see Staal go, but it had to be done now..got great value in return

Are we better??

Wait until after July 1st, then we might be able to see what the future might bring.. STANLEY???

By: Joey Wales

Joey Wales — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:27:53 +0000

Oh, and I’d take Suter over Parise if I had to choose. As we’ve heard time and time again, we gotta strengthen our D, and I agree whole-heartedly. Blowing it all on Parise would be like going into battle bare-ass naked with a howitzer. Sure, you got the firepower to be intimidating, but you’re completely vulnerable and everyone knows it.

By: Joey Wales

Joey Wales — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Great post, Stu. As I told those fans I have been talking with who are wailing and rending their garments over losing Staal, “We got Staal for Staal, plus two other players and a ton of money.” Glad to see you got my back on that one!