{re-signing} Nick Spaling

[Axeman33]

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/ho...192/story.html

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pittsburgh Penguins and restricted free agent forward Nick Spaling have agreed to a two-year contract worth $4.4 million.

The Penguins acquired Spaling and forward Patric Hornquist in a trade with Nashville in June that sent All-Star forward James Neal to the Predators.

The 25-year-old Spaling is coming off a career season in Nashville. He had 13 goals and 19 assists in 71 games.

Spaling has 40 goals and 44 assists in 297 regular-season games, all with the Predators.

[petegreg21]

I still think this kid has more offence than he's been able to show. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go over 40 points given the right opportunity.

[0PucksGiven]

[QUOTE=petegreg21;1307507]I still think this kid has more offence than he's been able to show. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go over 40 points given the right opportunity.[/QUOTE
i completely agree.

[agentzero]

What a trade that was.... PIT needed penalty killers after all... But what a trade. We don't see too many hockey trades. This was one of them.

[rataylor22]

Probably a bit too much, but oh well. Gotta get Sutter signed, should have done that before Spaling.

[Dutch]

Probably a bit too much, but oh well. Gotta get Sutter signed, should have done that before Spaling.

I prefer Spaling on my team over Sutter, so not sure I agree with that myself. Spaling is a solid workhorse. Sutter doesn't do it for me.

[rataylor22]

I prefer Spaling on my team over Sutter, so not sure I agree with that myself. Spaling is a solid workhorse. Sutter doesn't do it for me.

No 3C on that team right now. Goc maybe? I'd rather have him at 4 and Sutter at 3.

[petegreg21]

I prefer Spaling on my team over Sutter, so not sure I agree with that myself. Spaling is a solid workhorse. Sutter doesn't do it for me.

I'm half with you on this. I'd take Spaling > Sutter in a heart beat, but I still don't mind Sutter.

[Dutch]

I'd say the 4 c's I prefer I Pittsburgh are

1: Crosby
2: Malkin
3: Goc
4: Spaling

Sutter traded or minors or whatever. Don't like him either way

[JagrBomb]

wouldnt be surprised if pens traded sutter. he's a RFA though...maybe sign and trade? i say give him a one year deal, two year max. by trade deadline you should know who is your 3rd/4th line C, trade the loser out of sutter/goc/spaling for a bottom 6 winger.

[rataylor22]

Is Spaling a center? I guess that works.

I always pegged

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Bennett-Malkin-Hornqvist
Spaling-Sutter-Downie
Adams-Goc-Comeau

[petegreg21]

Is Spaling a center? I guess that works.

I always pegged

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Bennett-Malkin-Hornqvist
Spaling-Sutter-Downie
Adams-Goc-Comeau

He was drafted as a LW, has played predominantly at LW but has shown an ability to shift to the middle for extended periods of time. He's also pretty average at faceoffs which doesn't hurt.

[rataylor22]

Ah I see. Why I had him slotted at LW haha.

[Carcillo]

PIT needed penalty killers after all

Craig Adams has been teams top penalty killer for years now. Not surprisingly the PK has failed big time in the playoffs in several years. So if Spaling is a good and active (not passive like Adams and Glass) penalty killer, it will certainly be a big plus for the team.

[Carcillo]

Is Spaling a center? I guess that works.

I always pegged

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Bennett-Malkin-Hornqvist
Spaling-Sutter-Downie
Adams-Goc-Comeau

I don't want to see that useless plug on the team ever again. He was Shero's and Bylsma's trusted guy who should have no place on the team under new regime. Thanks to the two year extension (35+ contract) Shero gave him last summer, getting rid of him isn't easy. But JR has waived the guy once already, I hope he finds a way to dump his sorry ass to somewhere again.

You can only shake your head when realizing Adams didn't miss a single game in years. How that happened is beyond me. You do not give a 4th liner like him a free pass like he was given from Shero and Bylsma. That was a big issue around the team. No real competition for even 4th line roster spots. No chances for the younger guys. That needs to change under new regime and new coaching staff.