LeftWinger

Ok, I guess this isn't too expensive, but I sure wish that Holland would hold off on these signings until he sees how much he could possibly land Stamkos for. Good to have signed though.

but we can agree that if we were trading one of them, Ericsson needs to go first! Based on last couple of seasons.

Ya, we have Green already, I think we need to get a younger, as close to a franchise player, defenseman that we can. I wouldn't be surprised is Yandle is signed, but I would be mad if he wasn't. I just don't think Holland will trade for Trouba (or Barrie.) But maybe he'll surpirse us all this June. I'd like to see a hold butt ton of movement from him at the draft. Just trade these players and contract(s) for draft picks. What about trading Howard+ to Anaheim for Fowler? Right now they have Gibson, but he only makes a bit north of $2M and adding Howard as insurance wouldn't be too bad cap wise for their combined total. Plus Anaheim is a very good to great team, Jimmy would probably accet a trade there. Trade Pav+ to Carolina for a pick, trade Jimmy+ to Anaheim for Fowler Have: Dekeyser - Fowler Kronwall - Green Smith - Marchenko Ericsson.... ya right, DAMN YOU ERICSSON!!!! YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!

I too would much rather dump E over Smith. I think Colorado and Winnipeg are going to swap Trouba and Barrie. I think our acquistion on D is going to be Yandle. I just have a feeling... I mean, if we got Stamkos, Okposo and Yandle, would that make our team better? I'm not holding my breath, but I think Holland will go all in on Stamkos and then go from there.

Looking at capfriendly.....we actually have plenty of room roster-wse up front. Not counting Pav and Franzen, we have 9 players signed (including keepin Mantha and AA up) and make that 10 with Sheahan when he re-signs. That leaves 3-4 spots open to fill. I have a feeling its going to be either Helm or Miller, not both. I think Helm gets a better deal elsewhere, unless he wants to stay a Red Wing, so that'll make MIller the 13th/14th guy. That leaves 3 spots open for two UFA signings and allows Frk to be on the roster to start the season. (of course that is if Pulk gets dealt before he is re-signed) Honestly, if both Helm and Miller walk, trade Pulk or Jurco in the Dats deal, that leaves 9 spots with Sheahan, allowing for two UFA additions and Frk. Making 13 forwards. I like the idea of having 8 d-men, keeping 2 of Sproul/Ouellet/Jensen and also getting that top guy. But we'd still have to get rid of another D man in order to keep 2 of the 3 kids. That is why I mentioned Smith, because E won't be dealt(sadly.) #1 - Dekeyser Kronwall - Green Ericsson - Marchenko Sproul/Ouellet Our F's would be: (in no particular order) Z - Nyquist - Abby Tatar - Larkin - Jurco Mantha - AA - Glenny Sheahan - UFA - UFA Frk/Miller (no those are not line combos) I think there will be deals made, One of Smith or E traded along with kid(s) and one of Pulk or Jurco (maybe Frk is dealt too.) I think Holland is under the gun and will try hard for Stamkos, then Brouwer or Okposo....Ladd is always an option to. But I think he gets 2 forwards a top tier D and of course a back up goalie. Of course, he could trade for that top D as well! Lets Go Off Season! Outside of winning the Cup, this is the most exciting time of the year! (and can be the most disappointing time as well!)

Ok, that works too. I don't mind Smith to much, he is very capable. #1 / Dekeyser Kronwall / Ericsson Smith/ Marchenko (one of) Sproul/Oullet/Jensen But where does Green go? That is why we need to trade someone else. I'd hate to see Smith be delegated to #7, and we konw Ericsson won't be dealt. If we only land a #1, we'd still have to trade another D just to make room. Plus we'd need to trade all the kids for something or risk losing them for nothing. Either way, just look at the waste of time it was developing all the D kids if they have to be traded or lost to waivers... Frk is out of expemptions too? We have way too many players and not enough roster spots. We already don't have room for Jurco and Pulkkinen if Stamkos and another is signed, there is going to be a lot of turnover and players lost from our organization. Either way there is going to be a whole lot of talent sitting upstairs... Ok, here, according to capfriendly.com, are our players out of exemptions: Ouellet Lashoff Tangradi Frk Jensen McCollum Coreau Miele Sproul Callahan Cleary Aubry Not including our guys already out of options in Detroit. It is noted Mantha, Athanasiou and Larkin all have exemptions left. Not that they will start the season in GR. I hope not.

is that Karmonos on the left?

Ok, off season GO! We need to dump Pav's cap, Howard, one of the under used players (Jurco or Pulk) and IMO another D. (Smith or E, PLUS try to get some return for the kids in GR that are out of exemptions (Sproul, Oulett, Jensen on D, not even sure who is out of exemptions on F.)) I hate that we offered Helm a contract, hopefully its $3M or less. I am Meh about Miller, he could be a good utility 13/14 forward to swap in and out. We need a #1 Center/Scorer and gritty, pugnacious forward plus a #1 Dman alomng with a sollid #3/4 D man AND a backup for Petr. I am sure (as well is the entire world is) that Holland will tender an offer to Stamkos and maybe even Yandle. He named Okposo in his end of year speech, that's be a nice pickup. We've heard rumors of Radulov and of course there are other available UFA too. go here to see a complete list of UFA's. Then there is always trades for some needs, and the always infamous player getting bought out by their team and becoming a UFA. I heard rumors of Vanek getting bought out. Like I said, its Off Season! GAME ON!!!

Looking at the cap, it looks like the Pens had the highest payroll in the NHL, how long until we can start saying the "bought" the Cup?

Ahhhh! I see! Ok then.

I have nothing against Pulkkinen, but like a lot of us said last year, if you're not going to play him, trade him. Plus outside of the cap they'd gain, Pulkkinen would be the extra gift to entice them. I would swap Howard for Wiz if Wiz could stay healthy. Plus he has a modified NTC/NMC, he would probably have to approve being traded here, and we all know his opinion of Detroit. The Arizona for Pronged scenario makes no sense. His cap is $4.9 and we'd retain $2 from Pav because of the CBA, so we'd still have $6.9 in dead cap, which doesn't help us at all. Best scenario is to Carolina for a late pick.

Hmmmmmmm......

In return, cap relief. I'd take a 7th round pick just to get the relief and roster spots.

I'm calling Datsyuk, Pulkkinen and Howard to Carolina.

I'm confused. 1995 Cup Final was Detroit v. NJ.

I swear. Pool is not me! Honestly!

None of you are Darren Helm, don't you know my friends, brother dates his sisters next door neighbors dog sitters milk man? Sheesh, now that's Darren Helm!

Just read this on twitter. Folks seem excited. Let's make some trades now!

Helm should go, hopefully they offered him something like $3M. We don't need him. I'd rather keep AA and Mantha all season long.

Again! ( ...and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and ag...) We somehow gotta convince igor that being an assistant coach is much better than being an agent!

Not that I want Pit to win another Cup, but can the series just get over so the REAL off season can start already!?!?!

Trade Pav's contract - $5.5M Trade Howard - $5.3M Franzen LTIR - $3.9M You now have $27.8M of cap space before any increase, if at all. Is that enough to get Stamkos and a top 2 D-Man? Plus re-sign Mrazek, DD and Sheahan... I guess you may have to deal someone else for a top 2 guy to make is all fit. Plus we'd still need a back up...

any scenario where Z is still our #1 center is a disaster waiting to happen.

While I totally agree, I don't see E getting traded unless a team really wants him. I think, to make room, it would be easier to trade Nyquist. Trading Pav, Howard and Nyquist clears a ton of cap space. I know DD, Mrazek and Sheahan need to re-signed, but that still leaves a lot of cap space to land Stamkos. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to also move E, could you imagine what we could accomplish with an extra $20M+ added to the $13M+ we are prjected to have before any increase if there is to be? Lets just say we could shed all that salary and end up with $33M to add players and re-sign our RFA's...Nice!

Trade Pav, Pulk, Jimmy and Nyquist....plenty of cash now!