Ryan Wilson: Assessing the Penguins Bottom 6 Forward Unit Penguins bottom 6 forwards not getting the job done

It's possible to beef up the third line from within eventually when some guys get back, but it's a risk if there are further injuries, and it means hurting/not helping the top two lines:

Kunitz/Crosby/Gibbons
Megna/Malkin/Neal
Jokinen/Sutter/Bennett
Glass/Vitale/Adams

Ryan Wilson: Assessing the Penguins Bottom 6 Forward Unit
Penguins bottom 6 forwards not getting the job done
- Ryan_Wilson

Colorado or Nashville are good dance partners for you guys.

A lot of your prospects are Dmen (Colorado) or Offensively-oriented forwards (Nashville). Both of these teams are teeming with reliable bottom 6ers.

Colorado or Nashville are good dance partners for you guys.

A lot of your prospects are Dmen (Colorado) or Offensively-oriented forwards (Nashville). Both of these teams are teeming with reliable bottom 6ers.
- Morris

We don't have offensively oriented forward prospects to trade Nashville. There isn't a fit I see between the two clubs. I don't want to part with a nice piece to get someone like Legwand, who will be a UFA. I don't want to part with a Harrington or a Despres to acquire a third line center making 6.5 per year.

Trade Bortuzzo and a fourth and get McGinn. That is the type we need.

The type of guys (solid bottom 6 forwards) the Penguins need will eventually be available on the market. Don't forget that Craig Adams was a waiver wire pick up. Any word on how much longer Bennett will be out? I really believe Megna will be part of the solution as well.

Staal would have carried a line with these guys on his line. He was the greatest 3rd line center ever. He used to put his uniform on in a phone booth and bust out and save the penguins.

The type of guys (solid bottom 6 forwards) the Penguins need will eventually be available on the market. Don't forget that Craig Adams was a waiver wire pick up. Any word on how much longer Bennett will be out? I really believe Megna will be part of the solution as well.
- Emperor Filonius

Shero was on the fan and said hopefully prior to or right after the olympic break. So help isn't on the way real soon.

Shero was on the fan and said hopefully prior to or right after the olympic break. So help isn't on the way real soon.
- dbell646

http://www.nhl.com/ice/st...?season=20132014&type=DIV

#firstworldproblems

Any word on how much longer Bennett will be out?
- Emperor Filonius

This is his sixth week after surgery, and originally it was supposed to be 8-10 weeks.

Not counting this week, there's 4 weeks left before the Olympics, but the Penguins only play 11 games during that time period - doesn't seem like there's any reason to rush him back when waiting until the break will give him another 20 days of rehab. However, that would also only give them 3 games to figure out what to do deadline-wise, but I also don't think Megna/Bennett's returns should influence much at the deadline.

We need a Matt Cooke, max talbot type guy period ... One could argue they were the difference in 09 ... They should be looking at guys like ott, McGinn , talbot , Chris Neil et...

We need a Matt Cooke, max talbot type guy period ... One could argue they were the difference in 09 ... They should be looking at guys like ott, McGinn , talbot , Chris Neil et...
- Brianandr1

I can't root for Chris Neil.

We don't have offensively oriented forward prospects to trade Nashville. There isn't a fit I see between the two clubs. I don't want to part with a nice piece to get someone like Legwand, who will be a UFA. I don't want to part with a Harrington or a Despres to acquire a third line center making 6.5 per year.

Trade Bortuzzo and a fourth and get McGinn. That is the type we need.
- Oneonta Penguin

isn't "offensively oriented" essentially a description for Bennett, Blueger, Gibbons, Sundqvist, Zlobin etc.?

I don't know what center making 6.5 a year you're referring to, but obviously no playoff bound team is itching to acquire one.

I can't root for Chris Neil.
- Oneonta Penguin

2nd this.

I think they'll go after a couple of bottom 6 players this year. Glass hasn't looked very good since his return. Adams hasn't played well either. Pyatt is toast IMO.

isn't "offensively oriented" essentially a description for Bennett, Blueger, Gibbons, Sundqvist, Zlobin etc.?

I don't know what center making 6.5 a year you're referring to, but obviously no playoff bound team is itching to acquire one.
- Morris

ROR would be a third line center making 6.5 million. pass.

Based on the skating speed and ability to make the smart plays plus having an at least decent scoring touch, I think the best case would be to insert Megna into Dupuis spot on Sid's wing. Bennett slots onto the third line and the fourth line of Adams, Glass, Sill, Vitale can be rotated through.

IMO sometimes the best way to "shutdown" a teams top line is to put a couple players who are defensively responsible but also possess some offensive upside.... attack the top line when the opportunity arises and make them work in the defensive zone.

ROR would be a third line center making 6.5 million. pass.
- Oneonta Penguin

Gotcha. I was thinking more in terms of reliable, steady-eady guys like you singled out in McGinn.

I'd be interested to know what other teams bottom six produce in comparison to the stats Gunner just provided. Just saying those numbers seem alarming, but are they far off from the league average? Either way, I enjoy seeing those charts. Good stuff.

Do you think Gibbons should be considered the fill in for Dupers? I've been a big fan of his recently, but to say he's proven is far fetch.

Bennett seems to be a player who stays injured. That was the report on him as he transitioned from college to the AHL (coming off a broken wrist), and it seems to be the story line thus far in the NHL. I like him, but I think Shero should be shopping for a piece to replace him, or just a third line piece in general. Is Rupp available lol jk

I can't root for Chris Neil.
- Oneonta Penguin

We do have a great PK, something that will be need to for killing mindless Chris Neil penalties lol

I'd be interested to know what other teams bottom six produce in comparison to the stats Gunner just provided. Just saying those numbers seem alarming, but are they far off from the league average? Either way, I enjoy seeing those charts. Good stuff.
- WVPensFan22

There's a lot of teams with bottom sixes that don't produce. But the issue is less about stats (the Penguins have 18 more goals than any other Eastern Conference team) and more about matchups. The Islanders and Senators' third and fourth lines outproduced the Penguins' third and fourth lines, but the Penguins' stars were able to make up for it. Boston's depth just ended up being too much, but the stars also failed to deliver despite opportunities.

I don't think the Penguins are going to make much in the way of moves. They're not going to be in a hurry to spend resources, especially draft picks. They don't have cap room. And there's just not many realistic targets out there that would significantly improve the team.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/st...?season=20132014&type=DIV

#firstworldproblems
- Emperor Filonius

Pittsburgh is a win now team, they have one glaring whole as a team ... The 3rd line , which btw has been as issue since day one this year needs to be upgraded if we're going to beat the other elite teams when it counts , I understand the people on this thread that don't want to trade d prospects for a rental , however... The organization is so rich there that even if every prospect worked out there would not be enough spots on the roster, it's time to cash in one of the chips .. In shero I trust , his track record tells me he ll get something done

Do you think Gibbons should be considered the fill in for Dupers? I've been a big fan of his recently, but to say he's proven is far fetch.

- WVPensFan22

I'd give him a good look at this point... it's not like there are many other options. His speed is great, and he has some hands. I just worry about his size on that line. Dupuis isn't Milan Lucic, but he plays a very tenacious, physical forechecking game.

I really hope that Megna gets back soon and gets a look there. Comparing size, skating and skill, he seems to be an ideal replacement for Dupuis.

We should see how much Dallas wants for Dustin Jeffrey!

Pittsburgh is a win now team, they have one glaring whole as a team ... The 3rd line , which btw has been as issue since day one this year needs to be upgraded if we're going to beat the other elite teams when it counts , I understand the people on this thread that don't want to trade d prospects for a rental , however... The organization is so rich there that even if every prospect worked out there would not be enough spots on the roster, it's time to cash in one of the chips .. In shero I trust , his track record tells me he ll get something done
- Brianandr1

Question for everybody on here. Would you trade Niskanen to the Avs for McGinn straight up? Gives the Pens a good bottom 6 guy, gives the Avs the top 4 PMD they are looking for.

OK Gunner, here are my top bottom six forwards:

Dave Bolland, Curtis Glencross, Jamie McGinn, Daniel Paille, Christian Hansen, Jaret Stoll, and Gabriel Landeskog.

Probably Curtis Glancross and Gabriel Landeskog would be our 'most likely' as Curtis is with Calgary and Gabriel is with Colorado, both of which might be looking for defense.

I know it can't happen this year, but if shero did acquire a top 6 guy, then dupuis could fill in as a 3rd line guy next year. Dupuis-sutter-Bennett would be a nice 3rd line to have