Like Smith but I'd like to think he's worth a 3rd or DP, not both

doubtful Flames have any interest in Fleury though, Elliot Johnson tandem is fine

You're probably right about Calgary. I'm just wishfully going with those rumors that they were interested. As for the other trade, I can't imagine Pouliot really has any value aside from being a flashy idea for a reclamation project for some team that didn't do their homework on him. Ruhwedel is a legitimately decent player, but if Steve Oleksy is getting the call up first then it's pretty clear how highly Pittsburgh thinks of Pouliot. He will probably never see another NHL game again in Pittsburgh and they might not even give him a qualifying offer at the end of the season. That being said, I guess if anyone could pull off swapping him straight up for a decent rental, it'd be Rutherford.

What! He is 22yo!
For all the posts talking about how great Manson is in Anaheim not many discussing that he is finally an NHL Defenseman at 25 years old. Dumoulin was awful in his NHL time until he finally settled in at 24.

Pitt is going to qualify DP. He's not worth the 8th overall status, but he is still a good prospect. Penguins management made it clear this week that they want him to play and develop in the AHL uninterrupted. Being jerked back and forth is partly what put him where he is today.

Kids a two time allstar in the AHL and has, until this recent stretch played well in a third pairing role. He had some excellent games last spring before being scratched for two months straight after Schultz was acquired.

I'm not saying he is going to be something, but I'm sick of people acting like he is Tyler Biggs or Tim Erixon....

Believe me, I'm rooting for him. But Pittsburgh is in the thick of a really tough playoff position battle and they have a gaping hole in their blue line that they chose to fill with Steve Oleksy instead of Pouliot. The Pens organization since JR and Sullivan have taken over has had a single consistent message. It doesn't matter how old/young or far along you are in your development you are, if you can help the team right now then you will play. The fact that a scrub like Oleksy is playing over Pouliot is pretty telling of where their heads are at regarding his status in the organization. (Don't get me wrong. I wish they'd give him one more shot at NHL minutes while they have such a need)