What does it take to get Nash?

Hoags wrote:We need someone on Spezza's line who can create chances (other than #19). Greening and Michalek did a decent job of "making space".

Problem is all the offense still begins and ends with Spezza on that line. MacLean had to put Alfie on there at times because Greening and Michalek aren't very good at creating scoring chances on their own, which leads to Spezza making forced plays at times to try and get something to happen.

Penner won't improve that. Nash would (if he'd waive to Ottawa and Howson removes his head from his Donkey).

Spezza likes to have the puck... can really create much unless it's space. Penner does that. Can't leave him alone and he does get chances on his own and had decent vision.

Honestly, I question whether people have actually watched Penner play or just listen to the stupid media articles because he was an easy target in Edmonton.

No, no. Penner drives the net with Michalek - and when they're not doing that, they're getting Spezza the puck then driving the net. That would be the beauty of Fat Penner, he'd draw defenders to him and create havoc in the goalie's crease while Spezza sets up Michalek, Karlsson, D-man X or banks one off the Fat One's arse.

Penner can dish the puck too... not sure why people think he's just some fat a$$ that doesn't do anything out there. 2 cups to his name playing on those teams top 2 lines. Maybe he's doing something right?

I wouldn't accuse him of being a great passer, but he can get 20 goals easily with Spezza - and isn't that what we want? Greening on the 3rd line and a 20 goal guy with Spezza.

NEELY wrote:

Spezza likes to have the puck... can really create much unless it's space. Penner does that. Can't leave him alone and he does get chances on his own and had decent vision.

Honestly, I question whether people have actually watched Penner play or just listen to the stupid media articles because he was an easy target in Edmonton.

In the playoffs, Spezza will get shutdown and the others won't do much. He played with Richards and Carter who did more of the work, he's just good guy to have along for the ride.

Has nothing to do with Edmonton, even Lombardi called him out:

“Dustin is at the crossroads of his career,” Lombardi wrote in an email to Sporting News. “He can choose to use his athletic ability to either become a dominant power forward in the National Hockey League or be a dominant number four hitter for the El Cid Lounge in a men’s softball league — the choice is his.”

Hardly a ringing endorsement at the time. One good post season for the 1st time in years and we should sign him for 4-5 years at $4M+ ???

Yah, Lombardi wasn't trying to cover his Donkey at that point when the season was almost lost. The line between the cup and absolute failure for the Kings was so thin people just choose to ignore it. Lombardi was 2 points in the standings from losing his job... now it's secure forever.

Penner is what he is and always has been. His game hasn't changed, his work ethic hasn't, it's the way he plays.

NEELY wrote:
Penner is what he is and always has been. His game hasn't changed, his work ethic hasn't, it's the way he plays.

Yeah and it doesn't strike me as the kind of player MacLean would like.

Hoags wrote:

NEELY wrote:
Penner is what he is and always has been. His game hasn't changed, his work ethic hasn't, it's the way he plays.

Yeah and it doesn't strike me as the kind of player MacLean would like.

Depends. If he works hard he should fit into the system with no troubles. I think Hudler is another option that the Sens will look at as well.

NEELY wrote:
Depends. If he works hard he should fit into the system with no troubles. I think Hudler is another option that the Sens will look at as well.

Hudler had his ups and downs in Detroit, a team we're pretty much trying to emulate.

Definitely not a move without risks.

Hoags wrote:

NEELY wrote:
Depends. If he works hard he should fit into the system with no troubles. I think Hudler is another option that the Sens will look at as well.

Hudler had his ups and downs in Detroit, a team we're pretty much trying to emulate.

Definitely not a move without risks.

50 points with a 15:40 ice tim average is pretty good.

Damn Foligno actually produced 47 with 14:39...

Big Ev wrote:
50 points with a 15:40 ice tim average is pretty good.

Damn Foligno actually produced 47 with 14:39...

But but Foligno is not a top 6 forward !

Both are inconsistent, but one will come cheaper and is way more physical and younger to boot.

Hoags wrote:

Big Ev wrote:
50 points with a 15:40 ice tim average is pretty good.

Damn Foligno actually produced 47 with 14:39...

But but Foligno is not a top 6 forward !

Both are inconsistent, but one will come cheaper and is way more physical and younger to boot.

ugh why'd you link to HFBoards. I haven't gone there in a long time. Can't stand some of those guys. Such as "ReginKarlssonLehner" and "Mighty Manked".

Certainly sounds like things are starting to work against Howson. I'd imagine our main competition is coming from NY at this point. I doubt Philly is still down for this kind of thing, and you read that Columbus wanted JVR as one of the pieces.

SJ has opted out (for now) because they're not moving Couture, and I assume not willing to deal Pavelski +.

NY wants Parise pretty badly, but everyone now thinks he's Pittsburgh bound.

Toronto would likely have to give up Gardiner ++ to get Nash, and I doubt they want that.

Boston appears to be out, but I can't remember the guy's name who said that. Their beat writer from the Post Gazette or somewhere like that.

Howson might have to get that list expanded soon, and you can imagine he'll start thinking more and more about getting Ottawa's name on there.

A lot of this is posturing.

Columbus says no one is close to try and get teams to increase their offers.

Teams say they are out to say they made their final offer -- take it or leave it.

Howsen is going to have to take something but if Parise signs in Pitt... you can bet NYR will pay out the a$$ for Nash and I think that's what he might be banking on.

NEELY wrote:Howsen is going to have to take something but if Parise signs in Pitt... you can bet NYR will pay out the a$$ for Nash and I think that's what he might be banking on.

They may as well wrap it up now then. I think Shero suspected Staal might want to move and made that huge offer to confirm that (upon refusal from Staal).

Dumping Michalek means Parise will be a Penguin.

Trading Staal was the right move. He's an o.k player (NHL terms). Probably a 2nd line center, more like a 3rd. He gets to play some pretty easy min for the Pens so we'll see how he does in Carolina.

If Parise goes to the Pens... man, they better find a way to solidify their blueline because after that Flyers series it showed some serious issues.

As for Nash, if Parise stays in NJ or goes out west, I think Howsen is SOL. If he signs in NY or Pitt, one of those 2 teams will pay through the roof.

NEELY wrote:Trading Staal was the right move. He's an o.k player (NHL terms). Probably a 2nd line center, more like a 3rd. He gets to play some pretty easy min for the Pens so we'll see how he does in Carolina.

If Parise goes to the Pens... man, they better find a way to solidify their blueline because after that Flyers series it showed some serious issues.

As for Nash, if Parise stays in NJ or goes out west, I think Howsen is SOL. If he signs in NY or Pitt, one of those 2 teams will pay through the roof.

I'm not sure what PIT would offer. Perhaps The Flower for starters?