Crazy game last night. I've come to the conclusion that this team is never out of any game, but they are playing with fire.

Good to see them sure it up in the 2nd and 3rd period. Bennett has looked good the past few games, but still needs to build up some strength so he doesn't get knocked off the puck so easily. That will come with age and experience.

Also, everybody talks about Sid's offensive game, but last night was a good example on how good a 2 way player he is. Look at the goal in the 3rd. Gets back, breaks up a cross crease pass, gets the puck out of the zone, then joins the rush and makes a great play for a Kunitz lay-up. He is on a completely different level then anybody else in this league. It's fun to watch.

I can't remember who but they vehemently told me that Crosby would not be able to be a point/game player in a shortened season. I thought it was funny then but now, ha.

24 GP 11 goals 28 assists 1.63 points per game
- Gunner Staal

If you just take his eight 3 point games, he is a point/game scorer.

Since the back to back Devils weekend where he was shut out, he's:

11 GP 6 goals 16 assists 2.00 points per game

Oh I'm not posting Stewart stuff for the Penguins. I'm being a jack ass about a fantasy hockey trade I was getting crap for.
- Gunner Staal

I stand by my original assertion of trade rape.

I stand by my original assertion of trade rape.
- Rawdog9755

4 point night baby!

Bare with me as I channel my inner NH as I know this is not feasible:

Acquire Jagr, bump Dupuis down to third line (this really is channeling NH isnt it?) and leave Bennett in the top 6. To me Bennett is a top 6 player regardless of what league it is. His skills and mind for the game translate into that kind of role. Could he get by in a third line role, meh, maybe. But you wouldn't be maximizing his best assets by doing that.

Quite a lineup at that point.
- Gunner Staal

I'm all for that! I watch Dallas games just to watch Jagr and he still looks great. As the Flyers are finding out, he's still a very valuable player. As you admit, It's very doubtful Jagr ever returns here.

I say get a bigger, stronger player for the 3rd line. Bump TK to the 4th and let Glass rot in the press box.

4 point night baby!
- Gunner Staal

Selling high!!!!!

I'm all for that! I watch Dallas games just to watch Jagr and he still looks great. As the Flyers are finding out, he's still a very valuable player. As you admit, It's very doubtful Jagr ever returns here.

I say get a bigger, stronger player for the 3rd line. Bump TK to the 4th and let Glass rot in the press box.
- madmike71

Glass hasn't been that impressive but people are ripping him to shreds. He is a fourth line guy and gets limited time on the ice too boot. I say move your frustration to other people that get more significant time.

Bare with me as I channel my inner NH as I know this is not feasible:

Acquire Jagr, bump Dupuis down to third line (this really is channeling NH isnt it?) and leave Bennett in the top 6. To me Bennett is a top 6 player regardless of what league it is. His skills and mind for the game translate into that kind of role. Could he get by in a third line role, meh, maybe. But you wouldn't be maximizing his best assets by doing that.

Quite a lineup at that point.
- Gunner Staal

ok what gets jagr a pick or someone like burtuzzo or jeffrey or both?

more than likely players being traded:
jeffrey- could be top 6 guy if given the chance, pens have no room
tk- needs a new team, this years scapegoat, can get back to a 20g scorer (if he ever was one )
burtuzzo- brings grit and nice 5-7thD, pens have no room with Eaton who is playing well
nisk- decent 2nd line D pairing, has shown flashes of being a well rounded dman, but depth at D might make him tradeable
martin- playing great, 5 mil cap hit still doesnt suit him, pens depth at D and resigning letang
letang- quesionable plays lately, but leading all D in pts (thanks cooke) going to get a huge raise and could play himself out of pitt ( could bring a decent winger like eberle or ryan or even perry)
then there are our draft picks... havent been really looking at the kids this year to see if there are any wingers or seals, but i hate giving up 1st rdrs...

Glass hasn't been that impressive but people are ripping him to shreds. He is a fourth line guy and gets limited time on the ice too boot. I say move your frustration to other people that get more significant time.
- Oneonta Penguin

I tend to think of it another way... if your biggest lightning rod of recent days is a 4th line winger, than that means your team is in pretty good shape.

And speaking of lightning rods, Bylsma takes A LOT of abuse, and some of it is completely deserved, but you can't look at how the team responded, and stayed disciplined for the last 40 minutes, without giving him some credit.

ok what gets jagr a pick or someone like burtuzzo or jeffrey or both?

more than likely players being traded:
jeffrey- could be top 6 guy if given the chance, pens have no room
tk- needs a new team, this years scapegoat, can get back to a 20g scorer (if he ever was one )
burtuzzo- brings grit and nice 5-7thD, pens have no room with Eaton who is playing well
nisk- decent 2nd line D pairing, has shown flashes of being a well rounded dman, but depth at D might make him tradeable
martin- playing great, 5 mil cap hit still doesnt suit him, pens depth at D and resigning letang
letang- quesionable plays lately, but leading all D in pts (thanks cooke) going to get a huge raise and could play himself out of pitt ( could bring a decent winger like eberle or ryan or even perry)
then there are our draft picks... havent been really looking at the kids this year to see if there are any wingers or seals, but i hate giving up 1st rdrs...
- nh4442

Scary thing about possibly moving Martin or Letang, is that when either of them are out, the defense corps turns into a dumpster fire most of the time.

Scary thing about possibly moving Martin or Letang, is that when either of them are out, the defense corps turns into a dumpster fire most of the time.
- rival22

i agree, i was just thinking of the team and who they would trade or who was in rumors.. i left out despres bc i just remembered now, but i dont want to move him

but if they move letang or martin i could see them bringing in someone to fill that spot like a scuds or gill.... but who that player is I dont know... need to research my defensive dman with good contracts or possible ufas

Glass hasn't been that impressive but people are ripping him to shreds. He is a fourth line guy and gets limited time on the ice too boot. I say move your frustration to other people that get more significant time.
- Oneonta Penguin

Glass is a -8 while averaging 10min of TOI. I know +/- isn't the greatest stat, but Glass deserves the criticism. The 4th line is brutal defensively.....they're all big time minus players and Glass is the worst of them. Constantly loses his coverage and below average PK'r. Make a concentrated effort to notice when he's on the ice, the other team frequently have their best cycles.

hey gunner I was going to go with a iggy sid jagr line with kuni geno neal but then bennett is kicked out....

sooo with that who would bring in more of what we need iggy or jagr?

hey gunner I was going to go with a iggy sid jagr line with kuni geno neal but then bennett is kicked out....

sooo with that who would bring in more of what we need iggy or jagr?
- nh4442

I dont want Iginla. The cost will be extremely high. You have a team who is uneasy with moving him to begin with, a team that needs to hit a homerun on the trade, and a team who is inept because they overvalue their own talent.

Bennett was awesome last night. With a little more size and strength he's going to be a legit long term top 6 player. Hard to believe a 21 year old rookie could help stabilize a line with Malkin and Neal in a tough game like that, but that happened.

I'd like JJ here as well, but I can't see the Stars moving him. They are raving about him in the room, and the effect that he is having on their younger players.

Add to the fact that Nieuwendyk got burned the last time he made a big deal with Shero, he's gotta be a bit gun shy.

Bennett was awesome last night. With a little more size and strength he's going to be a legit long term top 6 player.
- Deadstar

And also the best option right now to fill that spot. I'm glad he was able to translate to the NHL so soon. It will be fun to watch his development with our two centers.

And also the best option right now to fill that spot. I'm glad he was able to translate to the NHL so soon. It will be fun to watch his development with our two centers.
- Gunner Staal

He's a good fit with Malkin and Neal. Slick and calm with the puck and a very good distributor. The one time he came back into our own corner and carried the puck out I had to double check to make sure it was him.

I dont want Iginla. The cost will be extremely high. You have a team who is uneasy with moving him to begin with, a team that needs to hit a homerun on the trade, and a team who is inept because they overvalue their own talent.
- Gunner Staal

I think Calgary has their hands tied Iginla has a NTC and he can walk away for nothing after this season. They royaly screwed up by not trading him 3 years ago.

Bennett was awesome last night. With a little more size and strength he's going to be a legit long term top 6 player.
- Deadstar

I'm still worried about him hitting the wall, as this season is like three times as much hockey has he's played in the last couple seasons, but he is playing well.

If he has a great Gary Roberts style off-season program, he could make big strides next season.

Not sure about the long term but Kunitz is def the winger for sid we have all been wanting. The guy has been amazing. I know playing with world class centers is huge but he makes both Geno and Sid a lot more dangerous. Wish we had 2 more just like him.Last nights game was again fun to watch. My only complaint is Despres being scratched again. You didn't hide him from the flyers in a playoff situation why would you now in the regular season? Sorry but Nisk Orpik and Engo can sit before him IMO. I know Engo was needed in last night just in case things got out of hand. Despres is like 6"4 220 pounds I don't think you need to hide him from anyone. He's not the most physical defenseman but he's far from soff as well. Let the kid play Dan

I'm still worried about him hitting the wall, as this season is like three times as much hockey has he's played in the last couple seasons, but he is playing well.

If he has a great Gary Roberts style off-season program, he could make big strides next season.
- rival22

Not every game will be as physical as last night and it will help ease the load playing with Malkin and Neal. I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs, but last night was encouraging.

He's a good fit with Malkin and Neal. Slick and calm with the puck and a very good distributor. The one time he came back into our own corner and carried the puck out I had to double check to make sure it was him.
- Deadstar

Obviously his takeaway in the high slot that led to the Neal goal was very noticeable but I really liked on a few times in the neutral zone he had the puck with poise and was able to softly leave an area pass to the next guy blowing through the neutral zone with speed. Those kind of plays can lead to goals when talking about Malkin flying by with speed. Just very good awareness and deft touch. I like the kid.

Obviously his takeaway in the high slot that led to the Neal goal was very noticeable but I really liked on a few times in the neutral zone he had the puck with poise and was able to softly leave an area pass to the next guy blowing through the neutral zone with speed. Those kind of plays can lead to goals when talking about Malkin flying by with speed. Just very good awareness and deft touch. I like the kid.
- Gunner Staal

Bennett is doing exactly what a rookie should. He's paying attention to very small details and making smart plays. As he gets more comfortable he will really show the skill he has. He can stay on the 2nd line he certainly isn't hurting them. Love that kid

Question - Do you come right back with Fleury next game, or go with Vokoun?