I think the Pens overwhelm teams with talent. They have multiple guys who routinely make passes right through the box. That's very difficult to defend. The Flyers have a much more structured PP that has worked well in the past. (Not this year).
- PhillySportsGuy

i dont know why streit isnt better at the point for you guys. yes he is a turnstile defensively, but this is an area in which i would think his skill set would shine. and giroux is an extremely gifted distributor as well. i do agree though, a lot of times the flyers dont look as though they have a particular plan from shift to shift.

yeah timonen is a perfect example. he never wowed me with his shot, but his ability to read the play and see what was there was incredible. have a good screen in front, then a well placed simple shot can get it done. defender moved over to take away that option, then therefore something else must have opened up. boom get the puck there. there is talent in being able to excel in the simplicity that sounds like common sense, but often isnt. then that solid foundation allows for the skill guys on the powerplay to get the job done.

i cant gripe too much because the powerplay for the pens has been thriving, but it certainly hasnt been due to letang.
- stayinthefnnet

His signature that sticks in my head is when he shoots it and aims at the boards behind the net so it bounces off them and back in front. He's taught it to the youth, too. I've seen Gus do that a couple times, and I saw Luke Schenn try it last night.

I don't think anyone's upset that he's not going to try to be Eric Lindros out there. I think the more damning parts are bolded:

“I love more playing with the puck. I don’t really like playing without the puck, skate all the time and do forecheck and hit somebody every shift — I don’t think it’s my game. I try to do it some time, but I’m not here to crush everything. I just want to play hockey.”

“I’m not going to change,” adding, “I really don’t like skating all the time, and forechecking, and hitting somebody every shift.”

The 2 players you mentioned (Bure and Jagr) weren't Selke winners, but were adept as using their superior skills to be responsible away from the puck. The comments from Yakupov almost seem to say, "I only care about when I have a chance to score, and am not interested in playing hard when the other team has the puck."

Again, no one's expecting him to be a Lindros, or a Fedorov, or even Bure. But he comes off as being a player who is very selfish in those comments.
- jmatchett383

I still think its more of a language barrier. Remember, US and Canadian players are taught the cliche retoric "from day 1". So they know what NOT to say to the media. And I deal with foreign people all the time... While they might say something one way, the often mean something different.

You say that Jagr tried to back check, but did he at 18? And if he did, was it beause he had someone like Lemieux inspiring him too? There arent any Lemieux's in Edmonton right now.

it either works or it doesnt. i know that sounds like well duh, but i dont know how else to explain it. if you can find ways to neutralize the crazy passing, they wont score (and youll likely get quality shorthanded opportunities). if your goalie can weather an initial storm, frustration will likely boil over as well. like i said, i dont want to complain too much because it can literally be beautiful to watch when it works, but sometimes i just wish they would be content with simple plays.

neal is a godsend. the one guy not afraid to just fire away.
- stayinthefnnet

Those things are real concerns for the Pens. I'm not being sarcastic. Those are the types of things that can derail a playoffs run.

I've always liked the Flyers PP over the years because they keep things simple and truly value the net front presence. They get away from these things from time to time, but overall, the PP has been a strong point for this team for a number of years. Guys like Knuble and Hartnell have been great for the PP.

Sometimes, I think things come too easily for the Pens and they end up developing bad habits. It's kind of like the classic case of 'white people problems' in hockey terms, but I think they may be too talented at times and they don't need to outwork teams to win in the regular season.

I still think its more of a language barrier. Remember, US and Canadian players are taught the cliche retoric "from day 1". So they know what NOT to say to the media. And I deal with foreign people all the time... While they might say something one way, the often mean something different.

You say that Jagr tried to back check, but did he at 18? And if he did, was it beause he had someone like Lemieux inspiring him too? There arent any Lemieux's in Edmonton right now.
- youarewrong

So the only way a kid from overseas can find an inspiration to back check is if he has one of the 4 greatest players in hockey history to show him the way? How do the rest of them get it done?

His signature that sticks in my head is when he shoots it and aims at the boards behind the net so it bounces off them and back in front. He's taught it to the youth, too. I've seen Gus do that a couple times, and I saw Luke Schenn try it last night.
- JAKEw1234

im not in the crowd that luke schenn is a bust of a player, but at the same time if you guys want to groom him to be your primary point guy i certainly wouldnt have a problem with it. that just doesnt strike me as his game.

i dont know why streit isnt better at the point for you guys. yes he is a turnstile defensively, but this is an area in which i would think his skill set would shine. and giroux is an extremely gifted distributor as well. i do agree though, a lot of times the flyers dont look as though they have a particular plan from shift to shift.
- stayinthefnnet

Streit has been a mess for the most part. He has a great shot but looks so shaky at the point. Timonen doesn't have close to the same shot, but he read plays well and is much smarter. Overall, I think Streit had been disappointing and this is coming from someone who didn't think much of him when the Flyers signed him.

im not in the crowd that luke schenn is a bust of a player, but at the same time if you guys want to groom him to be your primary point guy i certainly wouldnt have a problem with it. that just doesnt strike me as his game.
- stayinthefnnet

He's not capable of producing much in terms of points. I think were mostly disappointed that he's still experiencing the growing pains. He should be at the point now where his bad stretches are shorter and he's more consistent. Every time you think he's turned the corner, he plays a poor game or a poor period and you're back at square one with him.

i dont know why streit isnt better at the point for you guys.
- stayinthefnnet

Simple... because his name is worth more than his play on the ice. It's like Sheldon Souray... GMs are easily seduced by the shot, but the rest of the package is just meh.

Streit has been a mess for the most part. He has a great shot but looks so shaky at the point. Timonen doesn't have close to the same shot, but he read plays well and is much smarter. Overall, I think Streit had been disappointing and this is coming from someone who didn't think much of him when the Flyers signed him.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agree 100%
I thought the contract was 1 year to long and about 1 million per season too high, but at least I figured he'd play the point well, generate some offense and anchor one of the pp units. So far he's 0 for 3!

I think they need to show that their chemistry won't wear off before we try to keep it together for a few years.
- JAKEw1234

The longevity of that line notwithstanding, Downie is a solid, two-way player in his own right...he works hard and makes a lot of good little plays that don't show up on the scoresheet and a fair amount of plays that do...also, I think it's pretty clear that he's matured and is no longer a discipline case. I'm a fan, and I'd like to see him re-upped for 3-4 yrs with maybe a modest raise.

Those things are real concerns for the Pens. I'm not being sarcastic. Those are the types of things that can derail a playoffs run.

I've always liked the Flyers PP over the years because they keep things simple and truly value the net front presence. They get away from these things from time to time, but overall, the PP has been a strong point for this team for a number of years. Guys like Knuble and Hartnell have been great for the PP.

Sometimes, I think things come too easily for the Pens and they end up developing bad habits. It's kind of like the classic case of 'white people problems' in hockey terms, but I think they may be too talented at times and they don't need to outwork teams to win in the regular season.
- PhillySportsGuy

oh trust me, im not taking anything youre saying as an insult, and i hope the same goes for you.

but i 100 percent agree. they can develop bad habits because they are insanely talented that a lot of times they can overcompensate for it. im not trying to puff them up to you guys more than they already are, but the amount of times crosby or malkin make just a seemingly second nature play for them to bail themselves or someone else out of trouble that could have been avoided in the first place is ridiculous. they dont often seem to have a real plan out there. it is largely just well if we allowe 87 and 71 to pass back and forth to each other, eventually one of them will do something awesome leading to a scoring chance. yeah that can work great in long island in the regular season, but talk to me in may when youre down a goal in the third period in boston and get a crucial powerplay.

Simple... because his name is worth more than his play on the ice. It's like Sheldon Souray... GMs are easily seduced by the shot, but the rest of the package is just meh.
- Tomahawk

A hard shot is like when a player runs a fast 40 at the NFL combine. It looks great, but how often does a guy get to wind up for a big shot without anyone in front him or run 40 yards in a straight line without being touched.

Streit has been a mess for the most part. He has a great shot but looks so shaky at the point. Timonen doesn't have close to the same shot, but he read plays well and is much smarter. Overall, I think Streit had been disappointing and this is coming from someone who didn't think much of him when the Flyers signed him.
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah. i admit i wasnt a huge follower of his with the islanders, but his point totals were always pretty decent.i thought that regardless of his shot, he would be able to see the ice better, both on the powerplay and triggering breakouts, similar to gonchar later in his career.

They'd have been much better off matching what Tampa paid carle. At least he would be effective.
- JoeRussomanno

If Streit could get a few more goals like that blast he scored in Tampa, I'll forget about Carle.

oh trust me, im not taking anything youre saying as an insult, and i hope the same goes for you.

but i 100 percent agree. they can develop bad habits because they are insanely talented that a lot of times they can overcompensate for it. im not trying to puff them up to you guys more than they already are, but the amount of times crosby or malkin make just a seemingly second nature play for them to bail themselves or someone else out of trouble that could have been avoided in the first place is ridiculous. they dont often seem to have a real plan out there. it is largely just well if we allowe 87 and 71 to pass back and forth to each other, eventually one of them will do something awesome leading to a scoring chance. yeah that can work great in long island in the regular season, but talk to me in may when youre down a goal in the third period in boston and get a crucial powerplay.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree with you. If I were a penguin fan (I'd kill myself…jk) I'd be concerned about trying to win a typical, grind-it-out playoff series against a decent team.

As a side note, if the Pens played the Blackhawks in the SC, it would be the most exciting series ever.

If Streit could get a few more goals like that blast he scored in Tampa, I'll forget about Carle.
- Marc D

No matter which side you're on, I don't think any of us will forget Carle.

If Streit could get a few more goals like that blast he scored in Tampa, I'll forget about Carle.
- Marc D

I'm gonna go watch that right now. I turned that game off when they went down 2-0 and never saw it.

I would like to see Streit and Vinny get a chance to play on the top PP unit.

It is interesting to think about where he would go. But the fact as a Russian he goes 1st overall is telling of the talent he has. For example, Nichushkin is a beast and I will bet 10 years from now people will say he was if not the best player in the draft, but top 3, and yet he dropped to 10.
- youarewrong

Russians that play in the CHL are judged by a completely different set of standards... the risk of flight is almost nil. Nail's willingly assimilated and committed to NA hockey.

They could re-draft the top-10 today, and I still don't think Nichushkin would move up... in fact, he might slide even further in light of Mantha, Rychel and Morrissey experiencing big leaps forward this season.

yeah. i admit i wasnt a huge follower of his with the islanders, but his point totals were always pretty decent.i thought that regardless of his shot, he would be able to see the ice better, both on the powerplay and triggering breakouts, similar to gonchar later in his career.
- stayinthefnnet

The problem with players like Streit is that they need to produce offense or they are very below average defenseman.

The longevity of that line notwithstanding, Downie is a solid, two-way player in his own right...he works hard and makes a lot of good little plays that don't show up on the scoresheet and a fair amount of plays that do...also, I think it's pretty clear that he's matured and is no longer a discipline case. I'm a fan, and I'd like to see him re-upped for 3-4 yrs with maybe a modest raise.
- exlund

amen brother ex

I'm gonna go watch that right now. I turned that game off when they went down 2-0 and never saw it.
- Feanor

you will want to know why Streit doesn't do that every game

one timer high corner

like Hartnell last night

im not in the crowd that luke schenn is a bust of a player, but at the same time if you guys want to groom him to be your primary point guy i certainly wouldnt have a problem with it. that just doesnt strike me as his game.
- stayinthefnnet

He won't be that guy and I dont think he will. I just saw him do it and thought it was a smart little play

you will want to know why Streit doesn't do that every game

one timer high corner

like Hartnell last night
- Marc D

He sprays a lot of his shots... or he has trouble getting them through at all. His decision making on when to pull the trigger is also kind of suspect.

It is interesting to think about where he would go. But the fact as a Russian he goes 1st overall is telling of the talent he has. For example, Nichushkin is a beast and I will bet 10 years from now people will say he was if not the best player in the draft, but top 3, and yet he dropped to 10.
- youarewrong

Probably because it was a top-heavy draft this year as opposed to last year. And I don't get what Nichuskin has done that has people drooling over him so much.