nossagog

I think in general DFB had favorites who were given passes when the played bad. His handling of young players in general was never good.

Well they did have Billy Guerin in that position for a little while. So they've done well in choosing people who have some influence by reputation to help mold the young players.

Personally, I'm surprised he's still a Penguin. I thought he may be a little bitter seeing how they treated Matta as opposed to him. Despres was always punished if he made a mistake on the ice as if he were a veteran the previous year, but Matta's mistakes were let slide.

Recchi is a great character guy who'll do great with the young kids. What a role model to follow.

The Pens have come to terms with Simon Despres, two years at $900k per year. Very nice deal for the Pens, I've liked Despres, and don't think he was given a chance under DFB. That should be it on defense to start the year(unless they can find someone to take Scuds off our hands).

Yawn, so what

Come on Polaris, you're making it too easy for them.

Wouldn't be surprised if this happened in the Olympics. The Olympic games this time was a slashfest that injured several players. Its the kind of reason the owners need to tell the NHL NOT to send their players to the Olympics.

I've gotten over the Neal trade, I think its the best for all. Maybe Neal learns a lesson out of it. For the Pens, I think Hornqvist will thrive, and give the Pens the net front presence at even strength and the PP that they need.,

Ahhhh, they can only wish. I don't think they can buy him out, they're screwed.

When you put it that way, damn we're in trouble.

Couldn't agree more. Nisky I think I will miss, especially IF he continues to grow, but I don't think he's the defensive type that the Caps needed. Oripik? We'll always have the memories of his younger years, but he's not the player he was, not sure why. I think it was a hugh overpayment for too many years, and its going to haunt the Caps in years to come. He's already slowed down at 33, imagine him 3 years from now let alone 5. I wanted to see him dealt at the deadline to get something, this is just a secondary bonus to see him decline further in Washington.

We'll see. I don't really like this signing, but maybe they think they can temporarily rehabilatate him. If he can stay out of the box, not bad. If he's the Downie that can't stop doing stupid things, what a waste.

Not for the moment. He needs to see what happens with the qualifying offers to Despres, Megna, Spalling and Sutter first. He does need to make a decision on Martin and Fleury NOW. Either they are a part of the plan past this year, or start to put together the package to get something from them instead of simply losing them in free agency next year. If you are going to go another direction in goal, let's pull the trigger now, get what we can, and gain experience with whomever is next in line.

Jammer we forgive and forget, and turn the other cheek. Just not in front of G. Opps sorry, I already slipped.

$11.25M/year for the two of them is seriously going to inhibit their teams ability to keep young talent on the team to compliment the Grape Ape. I see this as a big mistake for the Craps.

As one of the boards token Pens fans, I'd just like to say that I am NOT going to jump on this with full force in order to try to embarrass Flyers fans for Claude's improprieties. No, I'm going to savor this one, let it age like a fine wine for a while, and just bring it out on special occasions. This one is going to live for a looooong time.

Wow, glad the Pens walked away from Orpik, Engelland, Glass and Jokinnen, All were overpayments by the perspective teams(yeah, Dooms the Craps for more years). Will miss Nisky, still an overpayment at 5.75/year, next Green at the blueline.

WOW, 7 years at $5.75m/year. I still think that's overpayment for one good year, but good for Nisky to get his payday. I'll admit it, I was wrong.

Neal traded to Nashville for Hornqvist and Spaling, Bye bye Nealer, just didn't work out

Wow, $12M a year? No home town discount there at all.

Ron Cook's an idiot who likes to say things that draw a lot of attention to him. I wouldn't draw anything from an article of his.

@jammer2 I think as Pens fans we still expect him to play like the Brooks Orpik that laid out 3 Wings in one shift in the SCF in 08. Over the ensuing years, his physical nature has gone away, and his defensive skills have declined with age and he's lost a step. He's still a great leader, but the bottom line is, he's not the top defensive pair player he was.

Rutherford says the Pens won't be trying to resign some of the pending free agents. Hope he tries to sell some rights for late picks. Could be the end of Brooksie http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2014/06/12/New-Penguins-GM-s-plans-will-take-shape-next-week/stories/201406120264

One of the interesting comments from Rutherford at his presser announcing DFB's firing: I have a short list of coaches in mind,” Rutherford said. “The coach will have to adjust to the style of players that we have. With the teams we ultimately have to compete with, we’re going to have to have a coach that can make the proper adjustments during a game, during a period of time in the regular season or during a playoff series.” This by far has been the one thing that DFB has been criticized for the most, not being able to adjust, period.