Shelly Anderson's Penguins chat transcript 02/04/08
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jim66: Shelly, I've heard that the Pens are $10 million under the cap how much of that will they realistically spend with the trade deadline coming up? How are they in regards to budget restraints and what implications does that have on trades?
Shelly Anderson: The ownership, including Mario Lemieux, has made it pretty clear the Penguins won't spend up to the salary cap until they start seeing increased revenue when the new arena is operational. Therefore, any moves at the trade deadline in three weeks would probably have to be made with strong financial considerations. Remember, the team has to sign a lot of young talent between now and the time those revenues will rise. The new arena is scheduled to open in time for the 2010-11 season.
jim66: At times Laraque seems unmovable when he has the puck against the boards and two guys are having little or no chance of pushing him away, so why don't they put him in front of the net more a la a young John LeClair?
Shelly Anderson: You're right that Georges Laraque is tough to move off the puck, and he would be formidable around the crease. It seems the preferred spot for him, though, is behind the net or along the boards. That way, he can move the puck toward the net and to someone with a little more skill to finish the play. John Leclair had what could be described in an understatement as slightly better hands than Laraque.
jim66: The $64 question: Fleury is close to returning so what do the Pens do and why? Keep 3 goalies, trade one in package deal or release one?
Shelly Anderson: In a best-case scenario, the Penguins could send Dany Sabourin to Wilkes-Barre and no other club would claim him off waivers. That's a fairly big risk, though. Sabourin was playing well early in the season before Ty Conklin came on like gangbusters after Marc-Andre Fleury got hurt. The only relatively sure thing is that Fleury, a former top overall draft pick, needs to get into games and get his career going again after so many weeks out with a high ankle sprain.
jim66: The Pens brought Stone back and sent two others down ... why all the movement with these guys?
Shelly Anderson: Forward Ryan Stone was summoned from Wilkes-Barre for his second stint with the Penguins and is expected to play tonight in New Jersey. It's been tough to keep an accurate scorecard on which prospects are on the roster with all the shuffling, but what better time to take a look at several guys than now, when the Penguins have been rocked by injuries and illness? It gives the organization a chance to see how players from Wilkes-Barre respond. Nathan Smith, for example. has looked solid, while Jonathan Filewich has looked uninspired -- probably a reason he was returned to the American Hockey League.
jim66: So If Sabourin would not make it through waivers do they trade one of the other goalies now? It would be risky but Fleury is RFA right so is a trade possible if the right person came up?
Shelly Anderson: They're not going to trade Marc-Andre Fleury. Bank on that. General manager Ray Shero has a few weeks to see what Ty Conklin or Dany Sabourin would bring in return. Also, if a couple other teams make trades for goaltenders, it might become more likely that Sabourin would clear waivers. In other words, the Penguins might be wise to take as long as they can on this decision and see how things develop.
beer0303: With Brooks Orpik seemingly falling out of favor with the coaching staff, do you see the Pens trying to address their weakness of having almost no physical defensemen? If so would that be done this season or for the start of next?
Shelly Anderson: Brooks Orpik, who recently played two games at left wing because of so many missing forwards but has returned to his normal spot on defense, is really the only physical defenseman they have. If the Penguins don't plan on re-signing him, it would seem prudent to try to find another defenseman who has that aspect to his game. Whether that's before the upcoming trade deadline or during the summer probably depends on who is available at those times. Alain Nasreddine, a veteran who has spent most of his career in the minor leagues but has been up with the Penguins some this season, and rookie Ryan Lannon, who was called up last month but didn't get into a game, are not the type of rugged defensemen the Penguins would be looking for.
jim66: Any news with Esposito and his status? I'm guessing he is a Baby Pen at some point but when?
Shelly Anderson: I believe Angelo Esposito, the Penguins' first-round draft pick last summer, is obligated to remain with his junior team, Quebec, until its season ends. After that, he could end up in Wilkes-Barre. Defenseman Kris Letang did that last season, but only got to play in one playoff game for the Baby Penguins.
beer0303: Do you think next season is a make or break year in determining where Jordan Staal fits in the Pens long-term plans?
Shelly Anderson: There's no reason to think Jordan Staal, yet another former first-rounder, hasn't already made himself a part of the Penguins' long-term plans. He hasn't been producing as much offensively this season as he did as a rookie, but then again, last season was somewhat fluky because he was never considered a prospect who would rack up the points. Staal is valuable in a lot of areas, including penalty-killing, and at 19 and with great size, he's still a player with tremendous potential. His confidence seemed a little off the first third or so of this season, but that doesn't seem to be a problem any longer.
jim66: Shelly, are there any physical blue line guys Shero likes, and who are available if Orpik is out of favor?
Shelly Anderson: There are a couple reports about Buffalo's Brian Campbell catching Ray Shero's eye, but I don't know how serious any talks are or whether something could be worked out.
First Published February 4, 2008 3:19 pm
