Ryan Wilson: Thoughts Opinions And Observations From Penguins/Jackets Preseason Opener

I agree with all of that. Also thought and I posted in your last blog that Payerl makes Glass expendable. Has size speed more upside and willing to mix it up. Also I noticed Neal was still wearing the tinted visor. Is his vision still bothering him from concussion last season?

I agree with all of that. Also thought and I posted in your last blog that Payerl makes Glass expendable. Has size speed more upside and willing to mix it up. Also I noticed Neal was still wearing the tinted visor. Is his vision still bothering him from concussion last season?
- dbell646

Most AHL players make Glass expendable. He really doesn't seem to being ANYTHING other than the B-grade fight from time to time. I'm sure he's a good guy and plays hard, but there's gotta be a young defensive forward in WBS who can bring what he does.

Most AHL players make Glass expendable. He really doesn't seem to being ANYTHING other than the B-grade fight from time to time. I'm sure he's a good guy and plays hard, but there's gotta be a young defensive forward in WBS who can bring what he does.
- jmatchett383

They force feed him to us on the PK. All of the short handed goals we let up last year I can recall Glass was on the ice for. He does nothing for me.

I agree with all of that. Also thought and I posted in your last blog that Payerl makes Glass expendable. Has size speed more upside and willing to mix it up. Also I noticed Neal was still wearing the tinted visor. Is his vision still bothering him from concussion last season?
- dbell646

I don't think Payerl is ready to contribute at the NHL level. Certainly a guy to keep an eye on moving forward but I havent seen anything from him that would merit leap frogging anybody on the depth chart and that includes Glass.

That doesn't mean he will never be able to contribute to NHL level, I just don't think that time is now. Hopefully I am wrong.

I don't think Payerl is ready to contribute at the NHL level. Certainly a guy to keep an eye on moving forward but I havent seen anything from him that would merit leap frogging anybody on the depth chart and that includes Glass.

That doesn't mean he will never be able to contribute to NHL level, I just don't think that time is now. Hopefully I am wrong.
- Ryan_Wilson

We view it differently. I saw a faster younger version of Glass.

We view it differently. I saw a faster younger version of Glass.
- dbell646

I don't want Glass, regardless of age or speed.

The biggest thing to gather from this game in my opinion was Vitale looking like he is starting to remember the style of play that got him on our roster to begin with.

Im not a huge Vitale fan but he looked good last night.

Man, is it good to see #4 back in a Pens uniform. He looked as solid as always. He will be a nice calming presence on that blue line, and the perfect partner for Letang. Our top 4 is going to be as good as anybodys in the NHL this year, if they stay healthy.

I'm excited to see more of Kobashew. He was everywhere!

Also, its a good year to be a CBJ fan. They are going to be tough.

The biggest thing to gather from this game in my opinion was Vitale looking like he is starting to remember the style of play that got him on our roster to begin with.

Im not a huge Vitale fan but he looked good last night.
- nbartley9

Bad thing is that with all of the depth in camp trying to get a bottom six job, Vitale better hope that he doesn't have a concussion or struggles with any injury from that pointless fight.

Bad thing is that with all of the depth in camp trying to get a bottom six job, Vitale better hope that he doesn't have a concussion or struggles with any injury from that pointless fight.
- rival22

Yeah preseason fighting is pretty dumb, I really just meant his all around play I thought he was good last night.

I'm excited to see more of Kobashew. He was everywhere!

Also, its a good year to be a CBJ fan. They are going to be tough.
- WVPensFan22

The more you see of Kobasew the less you will like him.

Bad thing is that with all of the depth in camp trying to get a bottom six job, Vitale better hope that he doesn't have a concussion or struggles with any injury from that pointless fight.
- rival22

I think Vitale's spot in the lineup is close to a lock.

Off topic, but 3 people shot up the DC Navy Yard this morning. 1 still at large.

Just an FYI, I will be updating information in the blog throughout the day which will serve as a preview for tonight's game against the Red Wings.

I have updated the blog to include the projected line combinations for this evening.

Just an FYI, I will be updating information in the blog throughout the day which will serve as a preview for tonight's game against the Red Wings.

I have updated the blog to include the projected line combinations for this evening.
- Ryan_Wilson

OK, thanks.

Saw D'Agostini is out tonight because his wife is in labor. So, good there is no injury and congrats to them.

Maatta will be paired with Letang tonight. Should be fun to watch. Gotta figure that that pairing will get plenty of time with Crosby's line on the ice.

We view it differently. I saw a faster younger version of Glass.
- dbell646

I'm with Gunner... I didn't see anything from Payerl last night that leads me to believe he deserves a spot on this roster. Certainly don't want Glass either, but his contract is an albatross that the Pens are stuck with for another year.

I'd say Kobasew was the biggest surprise of any player last night. He looked like a guy that want's a job in the NHL.

I'm with Gunner... I didn't see anything from Payerl last night that leads me to believe he deserves a spot on this roster. Certainly don't want Glass either, but his contract is an albatross that the Pens are stuck with for another year.

I'd say Kobasew was the biggest surprise of any player last night. He looked like a guy that want's a job in the NHL.
- madmike71

To each their own. I'll take payerl over both those guys at this point.

To each their own. I'll take payerl over both those guys at this point.
- dbell646

It's just one game (preseason). Regardless, Glass will be causing us great pain throughout the year whether another guy deserves that spot or not.

I don't care what anyone says, I think the goalie situation is not settled with the Pens. I trust Vokun, MAF not so much. Coach Dan called it the best tandem in hockey recently. I am pretty sure tandem requires two doesn't it? I am not sure what MAF problem is but it makes me worry about goatending.

I don't care what anyone says, I think the goalie situation is not settled with the Pens. I trust Vokun, MAF not so much. Coach Dan called it the best tandem in hockey recently. I am pretty sure tandem requires two doesn't it? I am not sure what MAF problem is but it makes me worry about goatending.
- powerhouse

If MAF has totally lost his game, then there is no reason to keep him here for another second.

I still believe that he will find his game, its a good thing that he looked like he has made adjustments to his game since last year. He was noticeably playing deeper
in the net, at least him along with the organization is aware that some adjustments need made.

If MAF has totally lost his game, then there is no reason to keep him here for another second.

I still believe that he will find his game, its a good thing that he looked like he has made adjustments to his game since last year. He was noticeably playing deeper
in the net, at least him along with the organization is aware that some adjustments need made.
- nbartley9

Yes. I was just commenting on Coach Dan's overly optimistic evaluation of the " best tandem in hockey." No way.

Yes. I was just commenting on Coach Dan's overly optimistic evaluation of the " best tandem in hockey." No way.
- powerhouse

Potential is on thing, reality is another thing at this point.
I really want to cheer for the guy, it doesn't seem like you could find a better guy in sports. But the performance has to be there as well.

Also its been proven time and time again no matter how monotone and seriously Bylsma talks everyone knows he is an idiot.