Pens Thoughts, Opinions, Options and Ideas

This Offseason, the penguins have work to do to get ready for the upcoming season. They've already made some splashes sending Jordan Staal to Carolina for Sutter, Pouliot, and Brian Dumoulin. They signed Tanner Glass who is perfect to fill in for Asham. They traded Michalek and signed some low key guys. . They still have important roles to fill, which include getting a winger to play with Crosby and getting a Top 4 defenseman. As for getting a winger for Crosby, the Penguins have many options. Two big names in free agency still remain unsigned, Shane Doan and Alex Semin. Shane Doan's status will be unknown until ownership in Phoenix is sorted out. If it isn't sorted out soon Doan will likely go to another team, such as Pittsburgh. Crosby's been looking for that one special winger and Doan's been looking for that top line center, so it looks like a pefect fit. Doan would chip in offensively and adds toughness, grit, and also some Defensive skill. Doan also has talent that other wingers such as Kunitz and Dupuis, don't have which could help take some of the work load of Sid. If Doan does sign in Pittsburgh, I guarentee you he will have more then one career hattrick. . Another option for the Pens is Alex Semin. Semin is highly skilled and scores alot. Though Semin sometimes lacks defense, and is not know for backchecking. Semin would come at a hefty price. Semin has had chemistry with Malkin in the olympics and the World Championships. He could fill that top six spot and add some scoring and thats probably just about it. One option that many of you you have never heard or thought of is old Petr Sykora. Sykora scored the same amount of goals as Semin last year and just about the same amount of points. He was a valuable peice in the Devils playoff run that just fell short of its goal. Sykora can play defense unlike Semin and can has show he is still a top six forward and that he can still score. He's played with Pittsburgh in the past and had some of his best years there including a stanely cup. He had chemistry with Malkin and he had played well with Crosby. He would be a cheap option for them and well worth it. Imagine what a power house Malkin, Sykora, and Neal would be. . The Pens still have role they need to fill, which is a top 4 defender. As you may have heard, Lubomir Visnovsky has filed a greviance to the NHLPA, saying that his No-Trade Clause was still in affect and that it should not have been allowed. I won't blame Visnovsky the Isles suck. If he gets his way he will be in Anahiem who may trade him again to a team or if he doesn't win, he will likely request a trade from the Isles. The Pens have been looking for a PP quarter back ever since Gonchar left and desperately need a defensive upgrade. Visnovsky was acquired for a second round pick, if he is on the trade market again the Pens could easily trade for him. He has one year left on his contract, if he's a bust the Pens could trade him or dump him in the minors. Visnovsky has a great shot and is good defensively to. He scored 18 goals two years ago, and scored 6 this year (not to mention the Ducks sucked this year, so his production went down) which is still great for a defenseman. I really think the pens should add him, and they could maybe bring his production up. . -Sherret Out