Scouts Abound
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Nov 23, 12:03 PM | Hype this story!
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, there have been more scouts than normal in attendance at Penguins games, fueling speculation that general manager Ray Shero may be seeking some roster shakeups.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche each had two scouts in Ottawa on Thursday. Columbus is coached by Ken Hitchcock, who has ties with Penguins’ veterans Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor, each of whom was a healthy scratch last night.”
And, Faceoff Factor’s own Brian Metzer also reported at HockeyBuzz.com that another person has been watching, as well.
“Chicago Blackhawks Assistant GM, Rick Dudley, was in town scouting the game [against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night]...”
Lastly, according to Steve Zipay of Newsday and several other prominent sources, the Penguins have had several scouts in attendance at Dallas Stars games.
“Pittsburgh reps have been following the Stars from city-to-city.”
Comments
spinnerspencer
Nov 23, 04:16 PM
Sydor, Recchi and Fleury for:
DAL – Boucher, Lehtinen and Turco
COL – Hejduk and Theodore
CHI – Seabrook (or Sopel), Williams and Khabibulin
any takers?
Let's Go Pens @ Myspace
Nov 23, 05:24 PM
Absolutely not!
While MAF is struggling mightily this season, it is part of the growing pains of the youngest #1 in the game, behind a very suspect defence. You can not throw the book out on a player w/ that much skill at such a young age, not knowing what he could turn into. Case in point, Pascal Leclaire in Coulmbus. While he is benefitting from a tight structure instilled from coach Hitchcock, he was chosen very high in the draft (8th overall), and never lived up to his potential. This year he is a top 5 netminder.
Besides, Sydor is not in the Stars plans, or they wouldn’t have let him walk over the summer; Turco makes way too much money, as does Theo and Khabi; and anyone who will take a shot on Rex now has obviously not seen him play this year.
If anyone is to go my first bet would be Christensen. He is slowly improving this season, but should have more than 2 goals at this point, and clearly has fallen out of favour in the staff’s eye. I would have said Ruutu as well 2 weeks ago, but he has put some real solid games together.
Recchi is a sad story, you don’t want to say it, but it seems to be the same situation John Leclair found himself in last fall. Leclair last year after 21 games had 2 goals, 7 pts and was a -2, then came the healthy scratches. Rex after 19 games has 2 goals, 8 pts, and is a -2. Healthy scratch 3 of 4. What will happen?
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 23, 05:42 PM
Thanks for the comments, SpinnerSpencer. I’ll analyze below, but I want to point out that what I am about to say is personal opinion and an opportunity for me to think out loud.
Of the three goalies you mentioned, Turco is the only one worth acquiring. Khabibulin isn’t having much better of a season than Fleury is, and Theodore hasn’t been the same since he was caught using Propecia, which acts as a steroid masking agent — plus both make big money and do not earn it at all. Turco, meanwhile, is a monster during the regular season, and despite previous playoff performances where he got little offensive help and lost, he may be the right guy for the playoffs.
I doubt the Penguins trade Fleury anytime soon, but if they do, it better be for someone who is better now than he is, not for someone who is doing about the same as he is.
To break down your trades:
DAL – no way would Dallas give up those three players for two unproductive vets and a young goalie who hasn’t yet hit his stride.
COL – It might be an acceptable trade for Colorado, but I want nothing to do with Theodore. Hejduk would be nice, though.
CHI – Sopel was a free agent that few teams wanted. If the Pens didn’t want him in free agency, why trade for him now? Seabrook would be great, but Williams and Khabibulin are very overrated at this point in their careers.
Any deal the Penguins make, they better bring in solid defenders. Offense is not great right now, but it is much better than the defense. In order to improve the team, the Penguins must become more well-rounded, and adding offense alone will not do that.
KG
Nov 24, 12:25 AM
Something tells me that if the Pens deal Recchi to Columbus (he has to OK it first I am sure) they will not get much more then a 4th round pick in return. Bumber.
Jag Off
Nov 24, 11:06 AM
Recchi, Sydor, Roberts, and a 7th round pick to San Jose for Thornton, Marleau, McLaren, and future considerations.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 24, 12:35 PM
KG, I’m not sure whether Recchi has a no-trade clause, but I’d be willing to bet that, if he truly is unhappy (which we, as fans aren’t privy to), he would accept a trade to any team willing to play him more than Pittsburgh is. With that being said, I think you’re right on line with the return — it won’t be much (if he is even traded), unless he is part of a bigger deal.
Rich Yan
Nov 27, 10:14 PM
Nothing wrong with Fluery that some mobility on defense and stronger defensive play from the forwards wouldn’t fix. More than 30 goals, Staal was valuable playing defense last year. Now no goals and that defensive dynamo hasn’t been seen much lately.Doesn’t help when three of your free agents have played over a 1000 games each.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 27, 10:57 PM
Rich, excellent points. Keep the comments coming.
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