Penguins-66

I'm more of an old-school jersey fan in the first place, so the "futuristic" look doesn't do it for me. I'm still trying to figure out why they went with the vegas gold rather than keeping the "real" colors of Pittsburgh (Steelers, Pirates, the city flag). Changing the design is one thing, changing the color was just wrong in my book. I refuse to purchase a new Penguins jersey until they change back to the original gold and get rid of the vegas gold.

Why wasn't he working on his conditioning, health and skating before this offseason? Like, during the last three seasons? Anyway.... While I will never confuse Eric Tangradi with Pavel Bure when it comes to skating ability, his skating doesn't bother me nearly as much as his lack of physicality and intensity. With his size and frame, I would love to put Joe Vitale's heart inside Tangradi's chest. Again, I'm not holding my breath. Hopefully that winger comes sooner rather than later.

Yeah, I didn't think that trade would fly even though I didn't think it was that insane of a proposal.

Personally, I like the signing. He's my type of player, physical and can score you some goals. I'm sure many in this city would have an aneurysm because of their strange man-crush with Tyler Kennedy, but I would gladly take a 23-year old Simmonds who put up 28 goals last season at $4.0 per year over Kennedy at $2.0. Wanna trade? Kennedy and Martin for Simmonds and a 3rd? :unsure:

From the rumors I've read, at least three teams are/were interested in taking Martin and his salary - Minnnesota, Nashville and Detroit. Ever since Shero traded Michalek, he seems to be inclined to keep Martin even though I can't see how Strait, Depres or Lovejoy could play any worse. Again, I felt Strait's defensive game and grit was a welcoming surprise. Unlike Martin, he actually throws the body around from time to time. While I wasn't expecting Martin to magically morph into Scott Stevens when he joined the club, a little physicality wouldn't hurt his game. Oh well, fingers crossed.

I'll even take these over what we have now...

When it comes to the NHL, I've always been a fan of the Maple Leaf jerseys. Quite frankly, I don't like our current colors or jersey design. Personally, I think we should go back to these...

I've heard every excuse for Martin's play last season, from Bylsma's system to his shoulder problem to planet alignment. When he was playing a solid defense, he was praised to no end. Even though I'm not convinced he is worth the money he is being paid, I tipped my hat to him before this past season. He played a very solid defensive game. Unfortunately for him, his defensive game suffered last season and he was criticized. My thinking... If you're not bringing anything to the table from an offensive standpoint, at least play a solid defensive game, especially for $5.0 per year. He didn't do that last season. Some were angered by the negative response. I'm not sure what they were expecting the response to Paul Martin's defensive game to be? Should we have marched a parade down Centre Avenue in honor of the guy? Erected a statue next to Lemieux outside of the CEC? Don't get me wrong, as a long-time season ticket holder and fan, I wish the guy all the best and I hope he turns his game around. I never want to see any Penguin fail. But I felt Strait played a better defensive game than Martin did last season and I would have no problem dumping his insane salary if there's a willing buyer and taking my chances on Strait, Despres, Lovejoy or Bortuzzo. I'm absolutely sure many will disagree with that opinion, but I feel you have to see what these young(er) guns can do at some point. *Waits and ducks for bashing...lol*

Speaking of Zlobin, he held his own on a line with Yakupov and Grigorenko during the Canada-Russia Challenge , scoring two goals in four games. Hopefully he has a good 2012-2013 campaign in Val-d'Or. Showing good hustle and speed on his Game 3 shorty...

In Shero's defense, he was just joining the organization when Moulson was ready to turn pro. He lacked firsthand knowledge about the kid and was receiving his scouting reports from scouts who were under the Patrick regime. On top of that, he also faced an August 15th signing deadline for Moulson and they did offer him a contract. Moulson turned them down and chose to hit the open market. If I had to blame anyone for the Moulson situation, I place more of the blame on former scouts than I do Shero. Plus, hindsight is always 20/20. We were definately not the only team out there who doubted Moulson's talents. There were 29 other organizations that passed on him for nine straight rounds in the '03' draft. Heck, the Kings let him walk after claiming him on the open market and after he put up some very solid numbers with the Monarchs.

Thanks for the welcoming. It's much appreciated. Happy to see a fellow Pens fan.

I'm not so sure he considers Setoguchi to be untouchable as long as he receives fair value in return. Then again, maybe he does? If I go by the rumors I've read and comments from Minnesota fans, I think we could land him if we put forth a solid offer. But I would gladly take him if the asking price is right. I'm not stating Shero should get him all cost and get completely hosed in the process, but simply giving Fletcher a call and seeing what he would like in return for Setoguchi can't hurt the organization. Either way, at some point this team will have to make a move for a top-six winger in my opinion. There's a reason why Shero was going after Parise. As much as some Penguin fans are automatically banking on the likes of Eric Tangradi or Matt Cooke, I do not consider them viable options for the job. While I'm willing to wait and see what Tangradi can do if given the opportunity, I'm by no means holding my breath. To be perfectly honest, I would be fairly shocked if Tangradi is still on the roster around this time next year.

I would like to see us remain patient and use our cap space wisely. If Shero receives a trade proposal that he's comfortable with, then pull the trigger. I prefer that option over giving a soon-to-be 36-year old Shane Doan a 4-year/$30.0 deal. Call me cheap, but the most I would offer Doan is 2-years/$7.0. Unlike some Penguin fans, I never wanted Semin in the first place, so I wasn't ready to leap off the Duquesne Bridge when Carolina decided to throw $7.0 at him and he accepted. I was actually somewhat relieved. In short, I prefer patience over desperation. Shero giving Fletcher a ring and simply inquiring about Setoguchi would make me a happy camper. He has always intrigued me and I wanted him in a Penguins sweater back when San Jose was shopping his services. He's young (25) and has proven in the past that he's capable of putting up 30+ goals. Plus, he's cap friendly, receiving only $6.0 over the next two seasons. I wouldn't mind seeing him paired with Crosby or Malkin for the right offer. IMO, he's a more realistic trade option for the Penguins than Bobby Ryan.

Unfortunately, we need him to play well when he's going up against the other 28 teams in the league, not just when he's going up against the Flyers. Either way, I don't see what Kennedy has to do with Cooke. Kennedy is a right winger. Cooke is a left winger. If Kennedy were to get bumped up to the second line, he would be replacing Dupuis. Why should we replace a guy who is coming off a career year on Crosby's line for a guy who underachieved all season long and who has also proven in the past that he is unable to produce on a line with Crosby? I don't get it. Again, I like him on a 3rd line and I'm all for bumping Kennedy up to #2-RW if Neal or Dupuis are injured or if Dupuis is struggling, but I don't see how he's earned the right to take Dupuis' spot on the second line. If we are struggling offensively, do I see him getting another chance on the top-six? Considering we lack legitimate options at this point in the season, I sure do unfortunately.

I like him too... in a third line role. Oddly enough, he had the best season of his career while playing without Crosby and Malkin in the lineup during the 2010-2011 season. They have tried Kennedy with Crosby in the past and he didn't produce. If anything, he has proven himself to be more consistently effective when playing on a third line and handling third line duties. I think one of the more popular assumptions out there is just because a forward plays next to Crosby or Malkin, that forward will automatically click and produce. It's not as easy as some may think to play next to those guys. Dupuis was given the opportunity and he took advantage of it this past season. Tyler Kennedy was given the same opportunity in the past and he failed to consistently produce in the situation. With that being said, do I feel he will have a better season than last year? Well, I would hope so. You can't get much worse than 11 goals after being rewarded an extension by the organization.

Hopefully they have better luck than in past decades when it comes to drafting and bringing along wingers. The last winger drafted by the Penguins to score 30 goals was Jaromir Jagr back in 1990. They've gone 22 consecutive drafts without drafting and keeping a 30-goal winger. They gave one away - Markus Naslund, whom they drafted in 1991, and went on to have his fair share of 30 and 40 goal seasons in Vancouver. And Ryan Malone drafted in 1999, came close with 27 goals in 07-08. But their record of growing talent on the wings through the draft has been, well, appallingly bad. As a result, they unfortunately have no choice - and have had no choice for decades - other than to take risks on free agents and trades in order to find scoring from the wings. In order to make those trades, they stock up on defensive prospects and trade them for wingers. While I'm not completely against that particular tactic, especially after seeing how that Neal trade worked out for us, I do think we eventually need to find a way to start drafting and successfully grooming some offensive talent on the wings.

Ah, yes. Tyler Kennedy's predictable toe-drag, shoot from 40 feet out and aim for the logo move. If he's going to constantly use that move, at least hold up and wait until there is a body in front of the net for a rebound opportunity. It's frustrating to watch. Thank you for the welcoming. Reinforcements have arrived.

I tipped my hat to TK after his 2010-2011 season, but netting only 11 goals and 22 helpers after receiving a pay raise isn't going to cut it on a second line. He has taken some heat for his lack of production and rightfully so. If you're given the ice time and a raise, you should be expected to produce and he didn't this past season. With that being said, I do like his speed and energy. Much like Cooke, I do like him in a third-line role, but barring an injury to one of our top-six wingers or if Dupuis is seriously struggling, I prefer seeing him on the third line. Like you and considering our options are limited, I would start the season off with Tangradi and see how he responds. If he doesn't cut it, I would give Jeffrey a shot. He's not the "answer" to our woes, but given our circumstances I would give him a shot. I think the knee surgery back in 2011 didn't do him any favors and he was sort of forgotten about over time. I'm willing to see what he can do when given a legitimate opportunity. At the end of the day and until Shero swings a deal, what could it hurt?

I'm liking a Cooke-Sutter-Kennedy third line. It's a good mix of energy, grit, speed and physicality.

With Dupuis coming off the best season of his entire career (25 goals-34 assists), I would keep him with Crosby.

I'm a little surprised they left out Zlobin on that list. Like Marcantuoni, I think he could end up being a steal.

In my opinion and I can't say I'm exactly thrilled with the way the second line is looking, but until a move is made I guess this will have to do... Kunitz - Malkin - Neal Tangradi - Crosby - Dupuis Cooke - Sutter - Kennedy Glass - Vitale - Adams (Jeffrey) Orpik - Letang Martin - Niskanen Engelland - Despres (Lovejoy) Fleury Vokoun