Your blogger off himself cause the Pens got swept or what ?
- Rayven

Probably covering the bucos it their year

Its my biggest gripe with how it played out. We were loaded up so that we didnt have a repeat of last year where Engelland had to dress. I have a hard time seeing Marchand get that pass across to Bergeron in game 3 if thats Despres instead of Engelland. And I like Engelland as a 7th in the regular season.
- Deadstar

And if you want to dig even deeper, if it is Despres instead of Engelland on that sequence I can almost guarantee that Despres would not turn and blindly throw it off the glass when he had time and space. That blind toss off the glass is what led directly to the Jagr "hook". Engelland did not get his butt up to the blue line for gap control either which made Marchand's job easier.

I have to believe Despres would have used his time and space more effectively in that same situation and the Penguins might have had a controlled breakout instead of the game losing scrum at center ice. Little things matter.

Engelland's not a good defenseman. His hit without worrying about where the puck is mentality is AHL material. I respect the hell out of him. But was really disappointed to see him dressed in that Boston series.

I think Dumoulin, Harrington, Despres (obviously) could make a difference next year.

Engelland's not a good defenseman. His hit without worrying about where the puck is mentality is AHL material. I respect the hell out of him. But was really disappointed to see him dressed in that Boston series.

I think Dumoulin, Harrington, Despres (obviously) could make a difference next year.
- Deadstar

Younger players are better prepared for the NHL now more than they ever have been. Penguins were afraid to use their youth, got burned using guys with past successes.

They did make adjustments. They were a ton better in 3 and 4. Still not good enough in the end. Where I differ is I dont see the difference between a sweep and a 7 game loss. A bounce here or there and we lose in 6. Then what? A bounce is the difference between blowing the team up and firing the coach?

Claude Julien was a minute away from being fired in round 1. Now everyone thinks hes a genius.
- Deadstar

I'm not buying the adjustments. They shot 53 times in game 3 and all were basically perimiter shots with no traffic. And yes getting swept is a lot worse than losing in game 7 on many levels most importantly revenue generation. Please show me in my post where I mentioned anything about a coaching change? Or that Julien was a genius? A little premature with that assessment.

Not using Despres is a tough pill to swallow. Even the Leafs and Randy Carlyle (who is stubborn with using his unskilled physical players) realized that Jake Gardiner had to be part of the solution.
- Gunner Staal

I agree with Despres... He played professional hockey last season, including both AHL & NHL playoffs, and played as a 1st pairing defensemen in the AHL during the lockout. It's not like he was a 19 year old that made the roster straight junior.

He was the same draft year as defensemen like Vicktor Hedman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jared Cowen & Nick Leddy. These guys have been trusted in the playoffs.

I'm not buying the adjustments. They shot 53 times in game 3 and all were basically perimiter shots with no traffic. And yes getting swept is a lot worse than losing in game 7 on many levels most importantly revenue generation. Please show me in my post where I mentioned anything about a coaching change? Or that Julien was a genius? A little premature with that assessment.
- dbell646

Maybe because there weren't huge adjustments to be made? They were right there in 3 of the 4 games. The only thing I would have changed was keeping Kennedy, Bennett, and putting Despres' skating in the lineup.

I wouldnt say they were all perimeter shots. They had a healthy amount of scoring chances in game 1 and 3. A little luck and the series is different. The line is thin when teams are this good. Its why winning the cup is so difficult.

Maybe because there weren't huge adjustments to be made? They were right there in 3 of the 4 games. The only thing I would have changed was keeping Kennedy, Bennett, and putting Despres' skating in the lineup.

I wouldnt say they were all perimeter shots. They had a healthy amount of scoring chances in game 1 and 3. A little luck and the series is different. The line is thin when teams are this good. Its why winning the cup is so difficult.
- Deadstar

I hope TK never wears a Pens Jersey again unless he stays on the 4th line. Twice in teh 3rd in gm 4, he took the puck into the zone, and instead of getting the puck deep, he tried to Mario his way through every one and caused a turnover. He had Malkin open and even tried to cut through the center, UFB!

Maybe because there weren't huge adjustments to be made? They were right there in 3 of the 4 games. The only thing I would have changed was keeping Kennedy, Bennett, and putting Despres' skating in the lineup.

I wouldnt say they were all perimeter shots. They had a healthy amount of scoring chances in game 1 and 3. A little luck and the series is different. The line is thin when teams are this good. Its why winning the cup is so difficult.
- Deadstar

They certainly made some adjustments in their 5v5 play. Unfortunately it was too late. This is my biggest gripe, they didn't start playing the kind of hockey needed to win the series until they were down by 2 home losses. Meanwhile, other than the first 2 periods of game one, Boston played exactly how they needed to play to win. Boston never deviated after that.

I honestly believe the series was lost on the Pens PP. Not one single adjustment to that unit. I think they put Martin out there on the very last chance.

Yes, they didn't get one break. Not one. But I still find it hard to trust a guy that has really made some pig headed personnel choices. When you combine that with his slow adjustments, I don't know how Pens management trusts him moving forward.

They certainly made some adjustments in their 5v5 play. Unfortunately it was too late. This is my biggest gripe, they didn't start playing the kind of hockey needed to win the series until they were down by 2 home losses. Meanwhile, other than the first 2 periods of game one, Boston played exactly how they needed to play to win. Boston never deviated after that.

I honestly believe the series was lost on the Pens PP. Not one single adjustment to that unit. I think they put Martin out there on the very last chance.
Yes, they didn't get one break. Not one. But I still find it hard to trust a guy that has really made some pig headed personnel choices. When you combine that with his slow adjustments, I don't know how Pens management trusts him moving forward.
- madmike71

I thought this too, although with the minutes he was logging while playing with a "signifcant injury" who knows.

Younger players are better prepared for the NHL now more than they ever have been. Penguins were afraid to use their youth, got burned using guys with past successes.
- Gunner Staal

gunner, don't know if you made it to WBS to watch the baby penguins or to London to watch the Knights play.

if you did, any idea when guys like doumlin, Harrington, or even ulf Samuelsson's son will be ready?

I feel like this is the wrong attitude to have. Bylsma would be hired in a minute if fired. The last thing I want is this team to play a Tippett or Tortorella style hockey.
- Deadstar

dan bylsma is not a bad coach. he is just the wrong coach for this team.

and if we trade letang, look at that defense. we might have to play tippet hockey.

if we trade letang and assuming we get no one significant back on defense but maybe a solid dman, a 1st, and a prospect or two... we are looking at martin, oprik, despres, and eaton... and niskanen unless he gets traded with the 6th spot up for grabs.

that isn't a great defense on paper. it could be a good defense, but it needs to play a good style of hockey which is not the dan bylsma school of defense. tippet could turn that defense and MAF into a very solid backend for the penguins.

he brings a lot to this team. guys like Crosby and malkin will score regardless. they scored under therrein, they can score under tippet.

gunner, don't know if you made it to WBS to watch the baby penguins or to London to watch the Knights play.

if you did, any idea when guys like doumlin, Harrington, or even ulf Samuelsson's son will be ready?
- SuperHenderson13

I saw them twice this year here in Rochester. Once in the preseason and then once pretty drunk in the regular season. Eaton was playing in his first game back with WB/S in the regular season game.

Here were my observations from the preseason game http://hockeyhurts.com/co...nguins-1st-preseason-game

I saw them twice this year here in Rochester. Once in the preseason and then once pretty drunk in the regular season. Eaton was playing in his first game back with WB/S in the regular season game.

Here were my observations from the preseason game http://hockeyhurts.com/co...nguins-1st-preseason-game
- Gunner Staal

Your comments on morrow make me more upset we traded him for...morrow

FWIW....

http://thehockeywriters.c...-the-pittsburgh-penguins/

The feeling I have is that we should bring everyone back if most of them take BIG discounts. If Morrow took $1M and Iggy took $3M to stay with us, I'd probably make them go through the Gary Roberts program for a last run at the cup.

Dupuis wants 4 year contract. Cooke 3 year contract. I wouldn't have a problem giving it to them since they are very reliable. Take 1 year from each and I'd sign those deals if the money was right.

The feeling I have is that we should bring everyone back if most of them take BIG discounts. If Morrow took $1M and Iggy took $3M to stay with us, I'd probably make them go through the Gary Roberts program for a last run at the cup.

Dupuis wants 4 year contract. Cooke 3 year contract. I wouldn't have a problem giving it to them since they are very reliable. Take 1 year from each and I'd sign those deals if the money was right.
- Orpik44

oh hey welcome back, how was your vacation

Your comments on morrow make me more upset we traded him for...morrow
- Genev21

It was only one game though, super small sample size.

oh hey welcome back, how was your vacation
- Rayven

Hey Rayven, guess what? I don't hate you anymore. I'm actually pulling for the Bruins to win it all. Your team D, goalie (and the posts) were just amazing.

Hey Rayven, guess what? I don't hate you anymore. I'm actually pulling for the Bruins to win it all. Your team D, goalie (and the posts) were just amazing.
- Orpik44

hm I must be doing something wrong

anywho, welcome aboard, lotsa room on this bandwagon

FWIW....

http://thehockeywriters.c...-the-pittsburgh-penguins/
- madmike71

I agree with most of what was written. What he didn't mention was not putting sid on iggys wing and not playing Bennett and despres in top 6/ top 4 minutes even though he said that's where they will be next year.

I just don't think there is a good reason for bylsma to stay.

hm I must be doing something wrong

anywho, welcome aboard, lotsa room on this bandwagon
- Rayven

I actually think you can beat the Hawks only by playing the way you did against the Burgh. It falls a lot on Tuukka. He's just lights out right now.

I actually think you can beat the Hawks only by playing the way you did against the Burgh. It falls a lot on Tuukka. He's just lights out right now.
- Orpik44

I'm certainly hoping they keep it rolling, and yes same as against the Pens we'll need Rask to be at his best, but we shall see.

FWIW....

http://thehockeywriters.c...-the-pittsburgh-penguins/
- madmike71

Pretty much what I have been saying for 2 to 3 years.

im fine with reevaluating the philosophy of the team and a lot of the components on the roster, but i just still cannot believe the trade malkin comments are still getting life from anyone who isnt trying to stir the pot. unless we are forced to financially or some ridiculous cap constraints, i just dont get how it helps the team. you wont get value back in the trade. you just wont. id be curious to see how many people would still be saying he was brutal in the series if a few of his posts had gone in.

i know the if game is a dangerous thing, but i actually dont think he had a horrible series all things considered. multiple chances per game. just nothing biting