Dupuis likely out for season. tough break for the Beaks
- wilsonecho91

From Crosby's skate on that hip check play by Methot?

A weird funky way to get an injury.

I was initially skeptical but I think Chief has done a very good job.
He is using the players he has, to their best advantage, for the most part.

This team doesn't have the puck carrying skill and speed to play a press offense all the time. Getting a forward to stay high in the zone has helped defensively, although they won't score as much. The team they have can make life difficult for the opponents by winning the neutral zone and transitioning to offense off turnovers. They have given up fewer odd man chances, although that is increasing a bit lately.

I also like how he rotates the goalies better then the way Lavi did it.
- Marc D

Regarding your second paragraph, I agree though sometimes I wish he would activate that third guy high a little sooner or at least in certain situations. I've seen them down a few and hold that posture for too long.

From Crosby's skate on that hip check play by Methot?

A weird funky way to get an injury.
- Marc D

I believe so.

Regarding your second paragraph, I agree though sometimes I wish he would activate that third guy high a little sooner or at least in certain situations. I've seen them down a few and hold that posture for too long.
- wilsonecho91

I agree.

On a slightly different topic, they do seem to activate the D guys a bit more when they are down a goal.

I cringe though, when certain defenseman pinch up on attack.
With Streit and Grossmann as a pair, I never want to see one of them deep in the attack zone. Too often it turns into a great scoring chance or goal for the other team.

I agree.

On a slightly different topic, they do seem to activate the D guys a bit more when they are down a goal.

I cringe though, when certain defenseman pinch up on attack.
With Streit and Grossmann as a pair, I never want to see one of them deep in the attack zone. Too often it turns into a great scoring chance or goal for the other team.
- Marc D

yep.

I agree.

On a slightly different topic, they do seem to activate the D guys a bit more when they are down a goal.

I cringe though, when certain defenseman pinch up on attack.
With Streit and Grossmann as a pair, I never want to see one of them deep in the attack zone. Too often it turns into a great scoring chance or goal for the other team.
- Marc D

Unfortunately, depending on the time and the score, you don't have much choice other than to activate the D and hope for the best.

Unfortunately, depending on the time and the score, you don't have much choice other than to activate the D and hope for the best.
- 77rams

I liked Luke Schenn jumping up in the last game. He has a sneaky good wrist shot.

My biggest concern currently with Berube has been player management.

Certain players, like Hartnell, Rosehill or Rinaldo would continue to play, when they should have benched. More so, they would continue to play after taking stupid penalty, after stupid penalty.

Yet you would have guys like Guss or Luke Schenn benched. I understand neither d-man has been really good this year but you aren't going to develop them by sitting their ass on the sidelines.

I was more concerned with having the pendulum swing too far in the other direction, from offense to too defensive. He has helped take away some of my worry from that end, and the team also doesn't appear to sit back as much as they did initially under his tenure.

Hard to evaluate him, or Laviolette for that matter though with this group. Too average, as someone else put it.

From Crosby's skate on that hip check play by Methot?

A weird funky way to get an injury.
- Marc D

and the injury drum just marches the (frank) on. ugh.

and the injury drum just marches the (frank) on. ugh.
- stayinthefnnet

The Pens are cursed.

I think you have to just bite the bullet and make a human sacrifice of James Neal to the hockey Gods, otherwise it will only get worse.

From CSN Philly:
Downie to return vs Edmonton. Berube will slot him on the 4th line, as he does not want to tinker with other lnes at the moment. Downie skated with VDV and Rinaldo today. Hall missed practice with the flu and is questionable for Saturday, No roster move needs to be made cause Gus is on IR.

As well, and this comes slightly from the management angle, I would like to see the team more willing to develop its youth, and focus on that, more than winning games at an absolute cost.

There is no reason why Gill or Meszaros should be playing instead of some of the kids down in the AHL.

You have available call-ups in McGinn, Cousins and Akeson. If Rinaldo or Hartnell are a liability, you need to call them up. This team could use some youthful enthusiasm and guys fighting to prove themselves in the league.

The Pens are cursed.

I think you have to just bite the bullet and make a human sacrifice of James Neal to the hockey Gods, otherwise it will only get worse.
- Marc D

cant complain too much. over a long season, every team deals with injuries. the good ones adapt. still though, its been pretty ridiculous this year by any measurable. they have the defenders to compensate for guys, but the forward depth is brutal. this one is going to hurt big time.

youll never hear me defend what james neal has been doing lately. but dupuis is a good dude.

As well, and this comes slightly from the management angle, I would like to see the team more willing to develop its youth, and focus on that, more than winning games at an absolute cost.

There is no reason why Gill or Meszaros should be playing instead of some of the kids down in the AHL.

As well, you have available call-ups in McGinn, Cousins and Akeson. If Rinaldo or Hartnell are a liability, you need to call them up. This team could use some youthful enthusiasm and guys fighting to prove themselves in the league.
- flyer_nutter

i dont know why, but i liked him a lot.

As well, and this comes slightly from the management angle, I would like to see the team more willing to develop its youth, and focus on that, more than winning games at an absolute cost.

There is no reason why Gill or Meszaros should be playing instead of some of the kids down in the AHL.

As well, you have available call-ups in McGinn, Cousins and Akeson. If Rinaldo or Hartnell are a liability, you need to call them up. This team could use some youthful enthusiasm and guys fighting to prove themselves in the league.
- flyer_nutter

actually yeah, i think that last line pretty much nailed why i liked him.

From CSN Philly:
Downie to return vs Edmonton. Berube will slot him on the 4th line, as he does not want to tinker with other lnes at the moment. Downie skated with VDV and Rinaldo today. Hall missed practice with the flu and is questionable for Saturday, No roster move needs to be made cause Gus is on IR.
- BiggE

If they are going to play defensive against Edmonton, they need to keep it up all game long.

If you open up against that team, get into the run and gun too much, the talent will rip you apart.

cant complain too much. over a long season, every team deals with injuries. the good ones adapt. still though, its been pretty ridiculous this year by any measurable. they have the defenders to compensate for guys, but the forward depth is brutal. this one is going to hurt big time.

youll never hear me defend what james neal has been doing lately. but dupuis is a good dude.
- stayinthefnnet

I'd like to see the Pens go up against the Hawks in the final.

I respect the Bruins, but too much Neanderthal hockey lately in the league.

cant complain too much. over a long season, every team deals with injuries. the good ones adapt. still though, its been pretty ridiculous this year by any measurable. they have the defenders to compensate for guys, but the forward depth is brutal. this one is going to hurt big time.

youll never hear me defend what james neal has been doing lately. but dupuis is a good dude.
- stayinthefnnet

Dupuis is way down the list on Pens I love to hate.

The way freak injuries happen against the Senators, I would just sit Crosby next time they play.

I'd like to see the Pens go up against the Hawks in the final.

I respect the Bruins, but too much Neanderthal hockey lately in the league.
- flyer_nutter

ugh that finals

Dupuis is way down the list on Pens I love to hate.

The way freak injuries happen against the Senators, I would just sit Crosby next time they play.
- Marc D

exactly. talent wise hes really nothing that special. just a guy who plays hard every shift and makes the most of what he has. and really isnt a scumbag on the ice and is a down to earth guy off of it.

and yeah, the injuries are pretty wacky right now. i dont know if i want them to make any moves, but it has to at least be entering the realm of thought for shero at this point

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Assessing Berube
- bmeltzer

I'm on the fence with Craig Berube. You might even notice that I have more cons for Berube than positives. My issues are more player placement and personnel than how he coaches.

One example that I love is how aggressive he is with the hybrid icing in a losing situation. He's not afraid to pull the goalie with like 5 minutes left. By having the other team ice the puck, he forces the other team to keep all five tired opposing players out there for maybe the rest of the game. Smart strategy.

What I worry about is (and this might not be a great example) fans becoming sour on Ray Emery. Steve Mason has played great but Steve Mason gets the majority of the starts, which includes easier teams to beat. Throwing Emery into the fire against the Red Wings, Capitals, Black Hawks, Wild or Lightning when he's rusty isn't hair, even when a pro like Emery says he's ready. That game in Columbus in my opinion, Mason should have started. Emery started against his old teammates in their barn, the Hawks are a tougher team, what's the difference? The problem for me in Columbus is the team loses chemistry by having Downie come off of arguably our best line for Lecavalier who's rusty in his own right. Grossmann his been one of, if not our best defenseman for Hal Gill. With changes like this, I think you have to keep going with Mason.

Decisions with line up changes seriously bother me. It's great to see Raffl blooming next to next to Giroux and Voracek but I feel looks can be deceiving. Raffl to me has only had two or three offensively solid games. A lot of Giroux and Voracek's offense come from the Power Play. Raffl can do what he does and still contribute how any lines. This is Raffl's second opportunity on the first line, while he sucked the first time. Where has been Read, Simmonds or Couturier's crack at the first line? Where has been Brayden Schenn's second opportunity since his strong start? To me, we're lucky to have Raffl as a depth player, not as someone who's gonna replace someone else on this roster. I just hope Berube knows this and the fans do as well.

I'd like to see the Pens go up against the Hawks in the final.

I respect the Bruins, but too much Neanderthal hockey lately in the league.
- flyer_nutter

i loathe the bruins for exactly that reason, but i respect them a ton too. hawks pens would be fun hockey. i honestly dont know how that would shake out. the hawks can run and gun with the best of them, but they also have that switch they can flip too and just say okay we are winning this game 2 to 1 and there really isnt much you can do about it.

the pens have as much, if not more, firepower than anyone. but i dont know if they mentally have that second gear

I'm on the fence with Craig Berube. You might even notice that I have more cons for Berube than positives. My issues are more player placement and personnel than how he coaches.

One example that I love is how aggressive he is with the hybrid icing in a losing situation. He's not afraid to pull the goalie with like 5 minutes left. By having the other team ice the puck, he forces the other team to keep all five tired opposing players out there for maybe the rest of the game. Smart strategy.

What I worry about is (and this might not be a great example) fans becoming sour on Ray Emery. Steve Mason has played great but Steve Mason gets the majority of the starts, which includes easier teams to beat. Throwing Emery into the fire against the Red Wings, Capitals, Black Hawks, Wild or Lightning when he's rusty isn't hair, even when a pro like Emery says he's ready. That game in Columbus in my opinion, Mason should have started. Emery started against his old teammates in their barn, the Hawks are a tougher team, what's the difference? The problem for me in Columbus is the team loses chemistry by having Downie come off of arguably our best line for Lecavalier who's rusty in his own right. Grossmann his been one of, if not our best defenseman for Hal Gill. With changes like this, I think you have to keep going with Mason.

Decisions with line up changes seriously bother me. It's great to see Raffl blooming next to next to Giroux and Voracek but I feel looks can be deceiving. Raffl to me has only had two or three offensively solid games. A lot of Giroux and Voracek's offense come from the Power Play. Raffl can do what he does and still contribute how any lines. This is Raffl's second opportunity on the first line, while he sucked the first time. Where has been Read, Simmonds or Couturier's crack at the first line? Where has been Brayden Schenn's second opportunity since his strong start? To me, we're lucky to have Raffl as a depth player, not as someone who's gonna replace someone else on this roster. I just hope Berube knows this and the fans do as well.
- Schenn2shine

that is one thing i will definitely agree on that i feel as though the average person might not notice. emery does seem to either draw a really tough opponent, or like a throwaway game in which no one seems up for it. i realize such is the life of a backup goalie, but its hard to have shimmering stats when those are the only games you really get

that is one thing i will definitely agree on that i feel as though the average person might not notice. emery does seem to either draw a really tough opponent, or like a throwaway game in which no one seems up for it. i realize such is the life of a backup goalie, but its hard to have shimmering stats when those are the only games you really get
- stayinthefnnet

I think Emery would be a decent trade deadline candidate. I don't see him returning next season, even though I would like him to.

If I was a playoff bound tea, I'd love to add him.

I think Emery would be a decent trade deadline candidate. I don't see him returning next season, even though I would like him to.

If I was a playoff bound tea, I'd love to add him.
- flyer_nutter

The problem is that most teams are already set at back up goalie, and he still wont get much of anything for a return.