Brooks Orpik was our second worst defenseman this year, much worse than Michalek. For anyone that says Orpik can't be traded because he's the only one that brings a physical presence, you're wrong. His gap control has become awful, that physical presence does nothing to clear the front of the net, and when he does try to make the big hit he puts himself out of position. Thankfully, he still offers some trade value on the trade market.

My offseason plan:

Let walk: Park, Sullivan, Asham, and Johnson.

Extend:
Crosby - I expect Crosby's price to remain constant.
Staal - I expect Staal to get 5.5-6 and he's worth every penny going forward. There needs to be a spot for him in the top 6. If there isn't then he needs to be traded prior to the start of the season.
Niskanen - he was one of our best D's over the last half of the season (I know that's not saying much). I think in the low 2's would get it done.

Trade:
Orpik - see above reasons.
Martin - he's so sofffff.
Kennedy - more of a salary move. We can't invest 10M+ in our bottom 6. Could net a significant return if packaged with Orpik.
Lovejoy - he's shit.
Bortuzzo - he's subject to waivers next year and wouldn't clear. I'd imagine the team favours Strait over him.

Sign:
Jarret Stoll - he's overpaid now, but would be a solid addition for a 2 year, 5M deal. He can take over for Staal as 3C and is good in the faceoff dot.
Bryan Allen or Ryan Suter - Suter is the dream scenario for 6.5-7M. I understand that as many as 10 teams will go after him. Bryan Allen actually brings that physical presence that we're missing out of Orpik.
Dan Ellis - former starter, we need someone to push Fleury.

Promote:
Despres and Strait - they're both ready. I believe Strait will serve as the 7th D.
Tangradi - seeing him play over the last bit of the season and playoffs has shown me that he's ready. Bylsma has really fucked with his development.

Lineup:

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Staal - Malkin - Neal
Tangradi - Stoll - Cooke
XXXXX - Vitale - Adams
Jeffrey

Suter - Letang
Niskanen - Michalek
Despres - Engelland
Strait

Fleury - Ellis

Propects:
Morrow - he'll start in WBS. If the Pens still want to run 4 forwards on the PP, he will force the coaching staff to bump Letang off by the end of the year. He's that decisive and has that good of a shot.
Harrington - he'll stay with the Knights next year since he's not AHL eligible. I was in the building last night when he scored the GWG to cap off a 4 goal third period. He looks like a less soft version of the Paul Martin of last year.
Bennett - jury is still out.

Draft - I predicted Despres a few years ago. I'm not sure if there's a point in predicting because knowing Shero he'll go D, we'll bitch, and then we'll be wrong.

I don't live in Pittsburgh...Jordan Staal is an absolute stud.

Paul Martin makes 5 milion and is a miserable hockey player their isn't a team in the Nhl who would pick up his 3 million dollar deal pens have zero chance of trading him

100% disagree. In a very structured defensive system he can still be an effective player. I wouldn't be surprised to see TB, PHX, etc. look into acquiring him.

If Scott Gomez can be moved, anyone can.

If you are in a room with a bunch of women who are blind you might get a date. Hey if you can figure out a team that would take Martin after the season he had please email the pens and let them know.