I'm surprised Wayne is even interested. It sounded like he had a pretty bad experience in Phoenix.
I say this as someone who wants the Pens to buy out his contract... but I think people are too wowed by his *potential* to play fantastically while finding excuses for when his play is poor. They've disillusioned themselves.
This year though seems different. In the circles I run in, there is now (for the first time) almost overwhemling support for letting him go. He had good years with good enough numbers in the 2008 and 2009 playoffs. Since then, it's been all downhill and it has taken this long for the average fan to consider he may be the source of the problem.
His playoff numbers just simply aren't acceptable. The team does not play well or have as much confidence when he's in net. He's terrible at playing the puck and some of his spectacular saves come because his positioning is poor leading to the god-awful stupid goals he allows in trade.
But he won the cup in '09, so obviously there can be nothing wrong.
The goalie the Pens need is someone who plays a consistent "B" game every game. Not an "A+" half the time and a "D" the other half. I'm not sure they'll get someone in place this offseason, so it might not be until 2014 they buy out the contract (that's when they'll desperately need the cap space anyways). But it seems pretty obvious here his time is drawing to a close.
The question really becomes, if not MAF, who? Not the first choice, but you could ride Volkoun for one year while getting someone in place. His age will catch up with him though. Is getting Backstrom a possibility this off-season? I couldn't even begin to speculate who might be available in 2014.
Luongo! lol
Joey the Junior Reporter is back on the case!
http://video.blackhawks.nhl.com/vide...252248&lang=en
looking at capgeek stuff, notice most popular buyouts. Makes sense, then #2 wat.
Don't get the Hossa one either, lol, but all the rest seem right.
Also the fact that Bryzgalov isn't #1 is pretty surprising I think. God he bad.
nah, Richards as #1 makes perfect sense after his terrible playoffs and benching lol, Bryz is lowered because Philly fans stopped caring about hockey 3+ months ago.
I doubt Richards gets bought out this year though, the FA class looks pretty weak to me.