Take this to the bank: the Pittsburgh Penguins will go hard after Carolina Hurricanes winger Ray Whitney as a free agent, after letting the hugely disappointing Alexei Ponikarovsky and the enigmatic Ruslan Fedotenko walk away.
Ponikarovsky was a dud after they got him from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a healthy playoff scratch, doing himself no favours in free agency.
Whitney would like a two-year deal, but he might take one to play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
I have no problem with giving him a 2 year deal. He has proven he is still a great player especially on the PP. Then if he does age fast or get injuried his contract won't hold us down more then a year.
I hope its just not wishful thinking and a fabrication.
If it's true what they're saying, that you have to take Sopel if you want Versteeg for a 2nd rounder (or equivalent), I think the Pens are out of the running which *sigh* I think is the correct call. Now if they would take our 1st rounder and just give us Versteeg I'd still do that.
Keep in mind that the Hawks are willing to give up Versteeg for a 2nd, if you'll accept Sopel as well. So take that deal, waive Sopel and then sign Whitney, winger problems solved!!
ESPN rumors is reporting James Wisniewski is asking for a trade he mad 2.75 last year and wants a raise. For 3 million he could be a great asset for our defense. I really love his style of play.
Keep in mind that the Hawks are willing to give up Versteeg for a 2nd, if you'll accept Sopel as well. So take that deal, waive Sopel and then sign Whitney, winger problems solved!!
Hmm I also keep hearing Ladd is part of trade rumors. Is that true? How is Sopel? He would be a decent bottom pairing.
If it's true what they're saying, that you have to take Sopel if you want Versteeg for a 2nd rounder (or equivalent), I think the Pens are out of the running which *sigh* I think is the correct call. Now if they would take our 1st rounder and just give us Versteeg I'd still do that.
So would I my friend, so would I.
Our first round pick this year may not reach the level Versteeg is at right now. Let's take a chance on him.
I think it's more like Whitney wants a 3 year deal but might take 2. He should have more than enough leverage to get 2 years if that's what he'll settle for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UnderratedBrooks44
If it's true what they're saying, that you have to take Sopel if you want Versteeg for a 2nd rounder (or equivalent), I think the Pens are out of the running which *sigh* I think is the correct call. Now if they would take our 1st rounder and just give us Versteeg I'd still do that.
This is where ownership steps in and says: if worse comes to worse, we'll eat Sopel's $2M left on his contract in WBS if it means we get Versteeg.
This is where ownership steps in and says: if worse comes to worse, we'll eat Sopel's $2M left on his contract in WBS if it means we get Versteeg.
Maybe. I can understand it being a tough pill to swallow when basically you're having to take $2.33 million and flush it down the toilet. I understand where you're coming from, but I could also understand ownership making the point that there's other players out there.
I think it's more like Whitney wants a 3 year deal but might take 2. He should have more than enough leverage to get 2 years if that's what he'll settle for.
This is where ownership steps in and says: if worse comes to worse, we'll eat Sopel's $2M left on his contract in WBS if it means we get Versteeg.
We could use Sopel on our third pairing, though. His 2 million cap hit isn't higher than what we would have to pay for Leopold or Eaton. I'd take a chance with Sopel and go with that defense:
Orpik - Letang
Michalek (hopefully) - Goligoski
Leopold/Eaton (sign one of them) - Sopel
Lovejoy
We could use Sopel on our third pairing, though. His 2 million cap hit isn't higher than what we would have to pay for Leopold or Eaton. I'd take a chance with Sopel and go with that defense:
Orpik - Letang
Michalek (hopefully) - Goligoski
Leopold/Eaton (sign one of them) - Sopel
Lovejoy
True, Sopel is overpaid but still a good depth defenseman who obviously can play a role on a Cup winner. At the very worst, you dump him in WBS at some point over the year and bring him back for the playoffs.
Down the stretch, Sopel played VERY WELL for the Hawks. Now, that might not extend to the upcoming season, but he was a large part of the Hawks winning the Cup. Very reliable.
I've got a hunch they'd take a 2011 2nd rounder...
I don't think we have a 2nd rounder for 2011. Would they take a 1st this year and maybe Dupis, Godard, or Talbot and or prospects for Versteeg and Ladd? If they have to throw in Sopel then so be it. If we can't get Whitney, Ladd would be a great back up plan. Worse case scenario Ladd plays in Cooke's spot and gives our 3rd line a scoring punch. When Kunitz and Whitney retire and or get traded we would have Ladd as a top LW and Tangradi.
