Hossa To Pittsburgh

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

We NEVER could have gotten all three of these and would have had to give up way to much even if we only got Hossa. Look at what Pitt gave up to him. Furthermore, Foote had a NTC and didn't want to come to DET and the Blue Jackets might not have wanted to deal to a division team. But whatever, just go ahead and rant anyway.

That and like I said earlier, I think Foote is on his last legs to begin with. I am not dissappointed with how today went.

[Yemack 1]

we are gonna get Hossa this offseason. don't worry

[johnnyoski 0]

Wow, are you people ******* stupid?

Armstrong is a crappy grinder.

Christensen is a piece of s*** and most Penguins fans know it. He's great at shootouts. Big ******* deal.

Esposito is crappy and lazy. There's a reason he was passed on in the draft so much.

The first rounder is likely nothing.

[Osgood=WIN! 0]

Pens fans i've talked to since this trade came through think the cup is theirs. They seem to forget their defense and goaltending are half assed at best.

[toby91_ca 620]

If Hossa doesn't re-sign with the Pens, not a great deal for them.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Dude listen, Columbus wouldn't have traded with us, plus Foote was only going to waive his no-trade if he went to Colorado. And why should we have matched the offer for Hossa?

Also, maybe other teams don't have much interest in Hudler.

Don't bother. I pointed all this out to LeftWinger 3 times already. He won't address it because it doesn't mesh with the reality he's created. If he acknowledges that info it means he can't whine anymore.

[RedStormRising 7]

An equivalent trade for us might have been:

1. 2008 1st round pick

2. Brendan Smith

3. Hudler

4. Kopecky

It's a lot to give up for someone you either are just renting or have to turn around a give $7 mill per for about 7 years.

Done. I'd do that in a heartbeat. They are nothing special that can't be replaced. Wings are done for IMHO.

[Dabura 12,207]

Oh wow, Pittsburgh gave up a ton!

I still don't understand why fans would have wanted Hossa anyway. We already have Zetterberg and Datsyuk (same type of player), plus Hossa is a no show in the playoffs.

Hossa is a pure goal-scorer. We have maybe one of those in Hank. Datsyuk is a playmaker. Datsyuk was also invisible in the postseason up until this past run.

Pens gave up too much, though.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Dabura

[al48 1]

I don't think it's possible for Pitt to resign Hossa this offseason. That would put them in a world of hurt with their younger players that are going to be asking for raises.

[Airborn 0]

Done. I'd do that in a heartbeat. They are nothing special that can't be replaced. Wings are done for IMHO.

I might agree with you if Hossa didn't have a history of disappearing in the playoffs or if there was a possibility of signing him to a cap-friendly deal.

I wouldn't sweat too much losing Huds or Kopecky, but Smith and the 1st round pick would be hard to lose.

[CrossCheck24 2]

I don't think it's possible for Pitt to resign Hossa this off season. That would put them in a world of hurt with their younger players that are going to be asking for raises.

I can't see the Pens holding this team together for any longer than 2 years. Crosby, Malkin, and Stall would be legally retarded not to ask for more money. Maybe the Pens forgot about the salary cap? The pie is only so big, and I certainly would not like to be the one who has to choose 2 out of those 4, because thats probably whats going to happen. Lets just hope the other 2 don't end up in Anaheim.

I bet Kovalchuck is thrilled about this trade

[Anomalously 0]

I will say this... the Penguins look like they traded a lot, but it is in fact less.

Christensen is a powerplay specialist -- an average one, good shot. With Sykora, Hossa, Malkin, Crosby, that's expendable. In the playoffs, any upside to his ability in SOs -- gone.

Colby Armstrong is overrated. GordieSid&Ted, if you think the Wings need a streaky grinder, well, you're wrong. Colby has balls one day and then it disappears for a month. A very long month. He's good for a lockerroom, but he's there for what he does on the ice. He laid out Fedoruk (I believe), and believe me -- I was at the home games -- he did nothing physical, was completely timid, avoided contact, for a very, very long time. Overrated.

Angelo Esposito. Could be great, could be Cleary. We'll see.

And a 1st.

[sixer 37]

Pens overpaid big time, Atlanta has some great prospects now! The Pens D and goaltending aren't good enough to win the cup.

[Must Kill 0]

its kinda sad tho we didnt land hossa and alot of people at my work busted my balls about it saying the pens are gonna win the cup i mean yes hossa makes pitts better but the team is good enough to win a cup and goaltending is the biggest problem for them

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I think once Pitt gets some more time under their players they will be a powerhouse. However, I think right now they are just too green in general to make it all the way.

[jagr68 0]

Yeah, as probably the biggest Pens fan on here. My first reaction was that is great. The Pens need a scoring winger for Sid so they don't have to play him and Malkin together all the time.

Malkin likes to play with Sid but said he has a hard time playing wing. He's a natural center. That could be one reason he has 32pts in the 18 games without Sid. He is playing his natural position, plus more ice time.

Anyone who has watched has seen the Malone/Malkin/Sykora line play very well almost every game. They seem to dominate every time they are out there. With Sid coming back sooner than later you can keep the Malkin line together and add Hossa with Sid. So now you have two very good scoring threats out there. Critics for a while of the Pens feel that there is no winger on that team that can play at Sid's level. They have tried Armstrong, Malone, Christensen, and Sykora. Malkin and him played very well, but they became a one line team and Malkin wasn't playing his best hockey as a winger.

Did they give up too much? It's hard to say now.

Like many have pointed out, Christensen has some of the best hands in the league, mainly in a shootout, but for some reason he has a hard time using those same hands in a game. He scored a few pretty goals, but that's it.

Armstrong, like many fans know is a 3rd or 4th liner at best. They tried him with Sid most of the time because they are best friends, but he just doesn't have enough skill or smarts to stay on a first line with Sid, or probably any team. He does hit though, it's about the only thing he is good for on the ice, but that's it. His biggest asset is he was a very popular guy not only in the locker room but the city. He was very funny and is great towards the fans.

My take: Losing Armstrong and Christensen for Hossa (and Dupuis) made the team better on the ice. It may effect the chemestry a bit by losing Armstrong, but only time will show if that effects how they play on the ice.

The 1st round draft pick? The way things are going, they will finish anywhere from 3rd to 6th best overal in the standings. With Sid coming back, their is a chance they could take 1st overal in the East. So they may give up the 25th to 29th pick or so.

Esposito? That is the real question mark. Year before he was drafted he was looked at as the #1, #2, or #3 pick. Then as time went on he kept moving farther down the pack. Last season was nothing special. And this year, he has something like 55pts in 45games. Sure, it's over a point a game, but when you look at other guys who are the games top player today, they had much better stats in juniors.

Also, don't forget. The Pens have three top center all 21 or younger (Sid, Malkin, and Staal).

Esposito is a natural center, and lately his coach, Patrick Roy, tried putting him on wing (probably because the Pens are deep in center) and it hasn't been working out to well. Not sure if he's back at center again. And like someone else said, he's been known to be very lazy. So he can turn out to be a real stud in a few years, but just as easily can turn into a dud. You have to take some chances out there.

As many know, the Pens will probably be down the same road Tampa Bay went down, having too many guys making too much money. So if your Shero (Pens GM) you know you only have a few shorts years to win a Cup with Sid, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Whitney, Gonchar, and Letang. So why not take a shot on getting a top three forward?

Also, Shero plans on signing Hossa next year. It's known Hossa is a greedy type of guy. But the main reason he left Atlanta is because he is 28 or 29, has not won a Cup, and wants to play for a Cup contender in the prime of his career. So if you're Hossa, the Pens may not be the favorite this year, but they certainly are contenders. Any team in the top of the league is a legit contender. The Ducks and the Wings are the favorites, but the Pens will compete. So I'm saying, sure it's not for sure he'll sign with the Pens in the off season, but it's not guarenteed he will not sign for them either. Him and Sid may tear up the league, and he may want to come back. He may play horrible with Sid and may take less money, or the Pens may not want him back. No one knows yet.

Also, adding Gill to the Pens is huge. Doesn't seem like much. But Gill is a 6'7" guy who can shadow the others team forwards. Before, you had to have Whitney or Gonchar do it. They aren't bad, but are mostly offensive defensiveman. So now you have a big body back there that can play tough against other teams top players and give Whitney and Gonchar a bit of a break. Sid has said Gill is very tough to play against, so he is probably going to give other guys a rough time too.

[blues_demitra38 11]

Interesting take. Despite what you say, this deal looks like purely a rental. Hossa will command close to 10 million a year this summer. Will the Penguins grant that long term commitment knowing they still have those young stars that will commad rasies? I highly doubt it. Hossa will walk at the end of the year. If they don't win the Cup this trade was a failure, simple as that.

[96Homer 0]

wow looking at who they gave up for rental it is pretty steep. I don't know if we should have made the move

I could see it is a smart move for us that we didnt do anything

I agree being that Ken Daniels mentioned during the game last night the pens won't have money to sign him when he becomes a UFA this summer. So maybe the wings can pick him up this summer. *wishful thinking*

[jagr68 0]

Yeah, they say Hossa will want a lot. 10 million? Maybe.

I think when Sid took that discount, that made some people think that it will help lower the rising salaries.

So far, it hasn't. Ovechkin signed for even more.

I think with Sid getting 8.7 million, it would be hard as a agent (Let's say I'm Hossa's agent) to argue why he should get more than Sid. Sid is MVP, Art Ross Trophy winner and a captain of his team. I can't think of much of a arguement for Hossa to not just demand more, but to even think he should even get 8 million.

Sid won't be the highest paid player in the league for atleast the next 5 years, and many would say he is already the best, and probably will continue to get better.

Problem is, even though a guy like Hossa doesn't deserve Sid's money, some NHL team will pay him. And as long as a team is willing to overpay players, Sid taking that discount really won't change a thing.

[Louisville 112]

Well we got McCarty! How smart is Holland now? I guess our team IS better with Hudler and Sammy!

...look out here come all the defenders of Holland!!! We'll be lucky to score a goal in the first round let alone NOT get swept! You heard the one about slim and none and slim just left the building? Well that is all about the Wings now!!!!!

....Fedorov/Foote/Hossa... would have been nice, but Holland would rather blow Hudler...

Dude pull the large stick out of your ass. You obviously know nothing about managing an NHL team if you think we could have gotten any of those players you just mentioned. I think someone could argue that Prospal was a mistake by Kenny, he should of jumped on him, but then again, we don't know the circumstances.

Just quit your bitching.

Also, while your on the subject, NO ONE WANTS HUDLER.

[esteef 2,679]

Question: What's harder to get, the top trade deadline player, or Hannah Montana tickets?

[stuart6 0]

Reason why we didn't get Hossa... and thank god we didn't!

Early on Detroit was the big team, but they were unwilling to give up Brendan Smith or another one of their key youngsters.

Then early tuesday Detroit, who also was VERY much in the Sundin sweeps, started to get back involved again. The Philadelphia Flyers made a pitch. Boston got back in, and all eyes were on Montreal who only had to say "yes" to trading Higgins.

It seems to me like Atlanta was just asking for too much... Smith and Kindl were probably the two prospacts they wanted plus a 1st round pick and probably Filppula. To give up a 1st round pick in what is called "the deepest draft in 15 years" is just way too much to start with and then you add two of our best defensive prospects with Kindl being a guy that many have said could be a #1 d-man in the future plus Smith who's a great skater and is perfect for our system... and to trade a Filppula who keeps getting better and doesn't cost much is just way TOO MUCH to give up for a rental player. Sure we might have had a shot at resigning Hossa but then again we also saw what happened with Forsberg and Bertuzzi last year plus rumor has it that Hossa is a close friend with Chara and is most likely going to sign with the Bruins.

BTW anyone remember what Hossa did last year in the playoffs for the Thrashers? 5 shots on goal and only scored once!

[2probert4 8]

Dude pull the large stick out of your ass. You obviously know nothing about managing an NHL team if you think we could have gotten any of those players you just mentioned. I think someone could argue that Prospal was a mistake by Kenny, he should of jumped on him, but then again, we don't know the circumstances.

Just quit your bitching.

Also, while your on the subject, NO ONE WANTS HUDLER.

His object of affection went to Washington, so now he's a bitter person.....Now