I think the dip in Schenn's play coincided with Briere landing on his line with Simmonds. The last ten games vs the rest of the season, Schenn has had almost double the time on a line with Briere.

It's like Danny's a black hole.
- Jsaquella

You really start to wonder if the guys that went over to Europe to play did themselves any favors.

That said, BSchenn and Couturier were in Adirondack, so it's not like that was helpful either.

At this point, my hope for this season is to see young players, specifically Couts, overcome their personal troubles. Exorcise this poop season and its effects.
- BulliesPhan87

I think it makes sense to send Couturier down. He's not performing at an NHL level right now. Perhaps demoting him lights a fire under his ass.

Nobody, really. But he can start rewarding guys like Talbot with PP time, rather than running Briere out there. He could play Couturier in a more offensive role and try to get him going, rather than burying him after every mistake.

Last night was the first time we've seen Rinaldo get a bump up in ice time, despite being a very effective player all season long.
- Jsaquella

And to be honest... that trio looked very good when he was on the ice.. a few very good chances.

I'm not sure why Schenn escapes criticism as much as he does.
- shekkie

Because Schenn displays twice the offensive ability Couts does...Schenn may not be scoring but he seems to be around the puck more and is at least making more plays. As it looks now though the biggest assets of the Carter/Richie trade is Voracek and Simmonds. Like others were saying hopefully its just a sophomore slump.

With his defensive ability, I think he would have a good chance.
- MJL

Bruins are pretty damn strong down the middle. Marchand, Krejci, and Bergeron. At best Couturier is a 4th line Center. Chris Kelly is injured now, but he's a very good 4th line center.

Everyone except Vorachek is having a poor year. The three players coming back from significant injury are having trouble getting into mid season form. It is a complete team slump.
Part of the problem is lack of defensive depth. I'm not sure I follow the logic of solving this by trading defensemen
- strongsupporter

Grossman and l schenn can't skate the puck past their own blue line. Schenn and coburn as a pairing just whip pucks into each others skates. L schenn can't make any play but a shot. You can't have that on today's NHL as a top pairing guy I'm sorry. Need to be a little more dynamic. Coburn maybe for a more offensive minded defender. A hockey trade would help the mix

I'm not sure why Schenn escapes criticism as much as he does.
- shekkie

He's still young (only 21) and has shown flashes of being a pretty good player this year when paired with skilled players that were going good.

Sean Couturier has looked like confused, tired, and unlucky.

Heres the thing that always burns me up about most pens fans, they gave up on the team. Ten years removed from 2 cups and the can't support the team?
- twotoekenn

Burns me up about alot of Pens fans too. But I've never lived in Pittsburgh and I've never stopped cheering for them since I started so I don't know how that applies to me.

"Pens fans" make up a wide variety of people. Just like fans of any team in any sport.

I'm a long time Dolphins fan and A's fan too. So if they all of a sudden become good I get to look forward to hearing about how i just started liking them.

You really start to wonder if the guys that went over to Europe to play did themselves any favors.

That said, BSchenn and Couturier were in Adirondack, so it's not like that was helpful either.
- johndewar

The trouble is, Briere and Giroux both got hurt in Europe, which affected the starts of their seasons negatively. Read benefitted by playing in Europe.

The compressed Schedule and injuries have been a factor, too

Yeah. I was surprised. I figured injuries/Lavi would be at the top with Bryz making a strong run for the second "issue".
- Lexington Flyer

Injuries haven't been that bad for us this year and bryzgalov is twice as good as leighton or Boucher yet we've gone deep with those guys. Not saying bryzgalov is great either but as bill said he's OK. Not what you prolly want for that contract but ok goaltending is a notch better than typical flyer goaltending which never hamstrung them from getting into the postseason at least. I mean visions of hextall Burke come to mind good lord...

Nobody, really. But he can start rewarding guys like Talbot with PP time, rather than running Briere out there. He could play Couturier in a more offensive role and try to get him going, rather than burying him after every mistake.

Last night was the first time we've seen Rinaldo get a bump up in ice time, despite being a very effective player all season long.
- Jsaquella

Rinaldo has deserved to have his ice time increased. He's one of the few guys that has brought it every game this year. Talbot has improved his play dramatically lately, I don't have a problem elevating him. Right now Couturier and Briere are providing zero. They shouldn't even be dressing.

I think it makes sense to send Couturier down. He's not performing at an NHL level right now. Perhaps demoting him lights a fire under his ass.
- PLindbergh31

It might make sense. I don't know if it lights a fire/helps him get re-established, or if it crushes his confidence, or what. I really wouldn't be stunned to see him stay or go down.

And to be honest... that trio looked very good when he was on the ice.. a few very good chances.
- jak521

If players are worried about if Rinaldo is going to truck them, maybe they aren't thinking about what G is doing.

Watching the game, I am wondering how hurt Meszaros still is. He did not look sharp.

And to be honest... that trio looked very good when he was on the ice.. a few very good chances.
- jak521

Because he's got good wheels and never stops skating. I don't see him as a first liner, by any stretch, but he;s not limited to being a 4th line goon, either.

My thing with Laviolette is, I don't want to retard the process by letting him stay. Bite the bullet and make the change now, get somebody in to start the process of breaking the bad habits-and identify the guys who will have trouble making those changes, because there's some guys who will not be able to play in a disciplined system.
- Jsaquella

Like who? (Full disclosure, I am a Hartsy fan and would not want to see him go anywhere. I hope he gets his poop together soon. He has done it before.)

7 too many men penalties so far this season. That leads the NHL. To be honest I do not know if bad line changes are on the coaching staff or players. I would say a little of both.
- PLindbergh31

Ultimately it's the coach. Look he's a good coach but he has a short shelf life, which has expired.

It might make sense. I don't know if it lights a fire/helps him get re-established, or if it crushes his confidence, or what. I really wouldn't be stunned to see him stay or go down.
- BulliesPhan87

If it crushes his confidence he would be pretty weak mentally. He must realize based on his performance that he doesn't deserve to wear an NHL sweater right now.

In the meantime, while everyone is whipping on Couturier, fellow 2nd year player Brayden Schenn is back to scuffling again offensively, too. Pointless in his last seven games, two points (assists) in the last 10 games, hasn't scored a goal since Feb 23. He's minus-10 over that span, and also took that awful penalty in the New Jersey game.
- bmeltzer

I really am hating the Briere-Schenn-Simmonds line right now.

Burns me up about alot of Pens fans too. But I've never lived in Pittsburgh and I've never stopped cheering for them since I started so I don't know how that applies to me.

"Pens fans" make up a wide variety of people. Just like fans of any team in any sport.

I'm a long time Dolphins fan and A's fan too. So if they all of a sudden become good I get to look forward to hearing about how i just started liking them.
- canadianpenfan

I was living in out west working at a hotel in the mountains during the years of rico fata ect lol. Worked night shift at a hotel and watched the highlights every morning while I ate breakfast. It bruised my soul I think.

Rinaldo has deserved to have his ice time increased. He's one of the few guys that has brought it every game this year. Talbot has improved his play dramatically lately, I don't have a problem elevating him. Right now Couturier and Briere are providing zero. They shouldn't even be dressing.
- PLindbergh31

I agree on Briere. Couturier needs to play. I wouldn't be totally against sending him to the AHL for a stretch, but I'd rather bump him up and play him with Schenn and Simmonds.

Briere has been invisible and is playing 15 minutes a night. It's illogical.

I think it makes sense to send Couturier down. He's not performing at an NHL level right now. Perhaps demoting him lights a fire under his ass.
- PLindbergh31

i would sit him first. he might have been rushed after all, but we've crossed the rubicon w/ that, so maybe a healthy scratch is the better way to go and spot him from there.

You really start to wonder if the guys that went over to Europe to play did themselves any favors.

That said, BSchenn and Couturier were in Adirondack, so it's not like that was helpful either.
- johndewar

We really need to move the Phantoms back to Philly.

Like who? (Full disclosure, I am a Hartsy fan and would not want to see him go anywhere. I hope he gets his poop together soon. He has done it before.)


- Lexington Flyer

Hartnell can play disciplined hockey and do enough good to mitigate his occasional stupid.

I think the dip in Schenn's play coincided with Briere landing on his line with Simmonds. The last ten games vs the rest of the season, Schenn has had almost double the time on a line with Briere.

It's like Danny's a black hole.
- Jsaquella

I agree 100%