I found it interesting that at today's optional practice, only Smith and Carter were absent. Carter I understand due to age. Unless he is nursing an injury we don't know about, that's a bad look for Smith
- Tojo.

Does Smith have any say in where he goes?

I find it really strange that if a guy was visibly unhappy and it was a distraction to the team the GM would not move him ASAP.

Does Smith have any say in where he goes?

I find it really strange that if a guy was visibly unhappy and it was a distraction to the team the GM would not move him ASAP.
- Thorny87

10 team no trade list this year
8 team no trade list next year

I count six guys on next year's roster that probably aren't traded, aren't really top six guys, but would need waivers and not sure how many management would want to risk. DOC, Puljujarvi, Accairi, Nieto, Poulin, and Puustinen.

Do you give them all spots and only sign one bottom six and fill whatever openings you have on the top six? Yager may also fit in. Really the question is how many spots do you give to internal guys? I think it might be high if they want to get younger. I'm between 4-5.

10 team no trade list this year
8 team no trade list next year
- BINGO!

Thanks. Seems like there would be a fit somewhere if he really does hate it there. Or maybe he's just a big baby and only wants to be in Vegas?

Does Smith have any say in where he goes?

I find it really strange that if a guy was visibly unhappy and it was a distraction to the team the GM would not move him ASAP.
- Thorny87

I can't remember who reported it a couple months ago, but I do remember reading that Dubas was willing to move Smith, but his cap hit was a major impediment. Teams that would be interested didn't have the space.

Who knows how much of this stuff is legit. I just try to pass on the local BS as I hear/read it.

Thanks. Seems like there would be a fit somewhere if he really does hate it there. Or maybe he's just a big baby and only wants to be in Vegas?
- Thorny87

This is what Madden has said.....repeatedly.

This is what Madden has said.....repeatedly.
- madmike71

I guess that would explain Dubas not moving him. Probably puts a big red flag out to any perspective buyers too.

Isn't Madden a f'n hack?

What's he been right about before?... That's an honest question.

Acciari is back so cue the winning streak

Acciari is back so cue the winning streak
- Thorny87

F'n right. Watching it all unfold...1-3-1 without him.

Isn't Madden a f'n hack?

What's he been right about before?... That's an honest question.
- MattStrat

Madden is like Rossi. He's not afraid to make something up. But he's also very connected.

The Smith rumors have gotten legs because to most people he looks like someone just going through the motions. That said, completely possible this is just Madden stirring crap up.

Isn't Madden a f'n hack?

What's he been right about before?... That's an honest question.
- MattStrat

He's more of a bloviating as$hole than a hack. He's broken a bunch of things that came true over the years. All three teams. It's hard to listen to him, but the Pens are his big focus.

I consider Rossi a hack. He makes shyt up. I don't think Madden actually makes things up.

Madden is like Rossi. He's not afraid to make something up. But he's also very connected.

The Smith rumors have gotten legs because to most people he looks like someone just going through the motions. That said, completely possible this is just Madden stirring crap up.
- Tojo.

Ha ha... I just said the opposite. I think they're a little different. I don't remember really seeing something he made up. Yeah, he stirs the pot for sure.

I've seen Rossi make things up.

Thing with Smith is it doesn't matter if the rumors are true. It hasn't worked. It's not a long contract that's hard to move. Recoup a pick and try again next year.

Come to think of it.... Here's something Madden broke.... Mario's and FSG's frosty relationship. Nobody had any idea before MM talked about it.

Ha ha... I just said the opposite. I think they're a little different. I don't remember really seeing something he made up. Yeah, he stirs the pot for sure.

I've seen Rossi make things up.
- madmike71

TJ Watt skipping exit interviews was something Madden said happen, and Watt denied.

Thing with Smith is it doesn't matter if the rumors are true. It hasn't worked. It's not a long contract that's hard to move. Recoup a pick and try again next year.
- Tojo.

Yeah teams are going to line up for a 33 yr old making 5M next yr ,coming off a lousy yr who only wants to play in Vegas.

TJ Watt skipping exit interviews was something Madden said happen, and Watt denied.
- j.boyd919

Yeah.... There is no way of knowing whether that happened or not. No second source came forward to confirm or deny as far as I know. He stands by the report.

Honestly, it doesn't matter. I only listen for the Pens stuff and I've learned to sift through the crap.....and there's ton's of it. I always pass along the tidbits I think would be interesting to the board, but I include the disclaimer that it came from him lol.

I have almost no respect for the guy, but have a mutual friend with him who insists he's a good guy.

Right now he's trashing Sullivan.

Yeah teams are going to line up for a 33 yr old making 5M next yr ,coming off a lousy yr who only wants to play in Vegas.
- hfc355

How come you never say/post anything over in the Rangers blog?

So there's mixed thoughts about Madden....I do know the guy was all about trading Geno before those two back to back cups hahaha. I say fvck em.

Yeah.... There is no way of knowing whether that happened or not. No second source came forward to confirm or deny as far as I know. He stands by the report.

Honestly, it doesn't matter. I only listen for the Pens stuff and I've learned to sift through the crap.....and there's ton's of it. I always pass along the tidbits I think would be interesting to the board, but I include the disclaimer that it came from him lol.

I have almost no respect for the guy, but have a mutual friend with him who insists he's a good guy.

Right now he's trashing Sullivan.
- madmike71

I definitely have heard he's a good guy off air, but his on-air persona is wrestling-heel, but it makes sense considering he worked for WCW back in the day lol but I don't really bite on poop from him, I can't even listen to him anymore. His opinions are usually hollow with no substance, and his leaks are just whatever.

On one hand, Madden is very well connected and has a lot of legit Penguin news. He was talking about Dubas to Pittsburgh when no one was even thinking about it. As someone else, FSG and Mario was another big story he reported.

On the other hand, he's a shock jockey. His job is to get you to listen and engage with him, good and bad. He loves a good story, especially one that is going to cause questions/debate. He's also the guy that last year was saying we should've signed Trocheck instead of Malkin.

Dubas’s only redeemable value-He’s young. Dude is a hack. He should just quit like he quit hockey.

So there's mixed thoughts about Madden....I do know the guy was all about trading Geno before those two back to back cups hahaha. I say fvck em.
- MattStrat

Madden is hilarious and seriously connected to the pens.

Dubas talking to the media and essentially saying he wants to get younger, but he also wants to see what we do the next few weeks. I wonder if it's all just a game to get leverage and increase the prices on some players. I read multiple reports we have been getting calls on multiple players asking if they are available. He can just sit back and wait until someone gives him an offer he can't refuse