Hence the Conn Smythe....
- cap1681

Don't have to win the cup to get the conn smythe.

and vancouvers rebuild begins, is torts next?

I'd do Backes in an instant. The Pens have too much talent and not enough grit, and they rely on that talent waaaay too much. I wanted Kesler at the deadline for that reason.

The nmc though, I don't think Malkin would waive it.

I'd do Backes in an instant. The Pens have too much talent and not enough grit, and they rely on that talent waaaay too much. I wanted Kesler at the deadline for that reason.

The nmc though, I don't think Malkin would waive it.
- Topshelf Mountain

hed only do it if he had russian comrades on the other team...

To Ryans blog, I find it interesting that Trotz is being rumored on the outs. Does that influence the decision if the decision is brought up? Me thinks so.
- Topshelf Mountain

I would have no interest in Trotz. Not the right fit for this group.

hed only do it if he had russian comrades on the other team...
- JLT168

Ship him to Detroit for Tatar and Nyquist. You know, if we're getting carried away.

anyone let granato try as head coach? keeping martin and reirden, wait do we have reirden still? and once again thats only if we have to let DB go, I for one think it should take a huge underwhelming playoff performance to let him go, and I hope that doesnt happen obviosuly

I would have no interest in Trotz. Not the right fit for this group.
- SuperHenderson13

Why not?

Don't have to win the cup to get the conn smythe.
- Grinder47

There has only ever been one non-goalie to win the Conn Smythe on the losing team. It's only happened 5 times in the last 50 years.

Am I the only one who thinks DB deserves another year of having a healthy team regardless of their playoff finish?

I dont like how he plays vets over younger players or that he almost flat out refuses to line match, but that doesnt mean the grass is greener. Look at Vancouver. I dont think this team would benefit in any way from having a coach come in and try to impose a more defensive minded system. And I dont think that he has lost the team in any way. If anything, I think the players needs to take a little more personal responsibility for some of the lack of effort.

I think we have the right team looking ahead to next year. If we can be healthy and not tired from the Olympics like this year, I dont see why we cant win the Metro again (although you never know). My only question mark has been in goal. And in that situation, its MAF's time to show he's got the goods. If he sucks it up again, you cant really blame that on HCDB.
- thickman1178

he has had more than enough opportunities to prove himself here.

I don't have gripes with Bylsma over where we lose in the playoffs. winning the cup was tough, if it wasn't, then it wouldn't be as big of a deal as it is. it is the way that we lose.

if you notice, we typically play pretty well in the first period, then the other team has a chance to adjust, and our play drops off. that is a problem. you cant maximize your offensive potential in the first 20 minutes and then hold on to dear life for the last 40. that is an easy way to lose.

bylsma has a lot to show me in these playoffs. losing to boston in 7 games is nothing to be mad about. losing to boston in 4 games is something to be mad about.

There has only ever been one non-goalie to win the Conn Smythe on the losing team. It's only happened 5 times in the last 50 years.
- cap1681

Unlikely but possible. Just like the Pens actually trading Malkin.

Why not?
- Topshelf Mountain

guy has a similar system and attitude like Therrein.

tough coach, defensive system. it would be hard to ask guys on this team to go from a free rein offensive system to a 100% defensive system that looks at the X's and O's.

Trotz is a great coach. as someone mentioned, maybe with more toys on offense, he would do something differently.

what this team needs is a system that falls between therrein's strictly defensive system and bylsma's strictly offensive system.

When I was at the Avs last home game, they have a video of highlihgts for the season. One of them was game 1 when Roy got in a fight with Bruce. I never liked Roy, but I respected him after that, he set the tone from day 1 and he always stands up for his players and will highlight them when needed. Something DB doesn't do is show that passion. I wish he would, he seems to want to be the friendly parent with no discipline. I hate that.

With regards to trading Malkin, I think the Pens must consider it. No team has won a cup with 1 contract as high as 87 or 71, let alone 2. I was in favor of Staal over Malkin a few yrs ago. Yeah Malkin probably most talented player in the league, but I just hate his style. I wouldn't do it for Backes alone, but maybe Malkin for a 1st, Kesler, and Hamhus style deal would work. I know Ryan Wilson will come back and say Malkin will look like a bargain compared to Toews and Kane. Same rule applies to the Hawks, they will have to keep 1 not both. Keeps the team solid top to bottom, in stead of 2 super stars.

I'd do Backes in an instant. The Pens have too much talent and not enough grit, and they rely on that talent waaaay too much. I wanted Kesler at the deadline for that reason.

The nmc though, I don't think Malkin would waive it.
- Topshelf Mountain

Not sure you can ever have enough talent. Grit can be found. Once in a generational talents should be not be dealt away for grit. Relying too much on that talent is an indication that the grit is not gritty enough.

This team has tried to piece together their third and fourth lines with undrafted free agents and waiver wire pickups. Make a concerted effort to add grit (Dave Bolland) through smart free agent signings (thus probably not Dave Bolland for the price he will be seeking) and keep your generational talent.

lets talk some real hockey...

adult league semi final tonight, game 3 in a best of 3, better hit up stub hub though because I think all the tickets are sold out

Mario Lemieux will not allow one of the most gifted offensive players in the world to be traded from his roster. Malkin is not going anywhere.

Not sure you can ever have enough talent. Grit can be found. Once in a generational talents should be not be dealt away for grit. Relying too much on that talent is an indication that the grit is not gritty enough.

This team has tried to piece together their third and fourth lines with undrafted free agents and waiver wire pickups. Make a concerted effort to add grit (Dave Bolland) through smart free agent signings (thus probably not Dave Bolland for the price he will be seeking) and keep your generational talent.
- Tiogadog

Yeah no way we will ever afford the David Bollands of the league while paying Malkin 9 million.

Not sure you can ever have enough talent. Grit can be found. Once in a generational talents should be not be dealt away for grit. Relying too much on that talent is an indication that the grit is not gritty enough.

This team has tried to piece together their third and fourth lines with undrafted free agents and waiver wire pickups. Make a concerted effort to add grit (Dave Bolland) through smart free agent signings (thus probably not Dave Bolland for the price he will be seeking) and keep your generational talent.
- Tiogadog

bolland came through for the hawks in the playoffs, I think due to their team build and system more so than his actual ability, meaning the other teams best players probably werent on the ice when he was, plus with his injuries this year, I cant imagine he will get more than 4-4.5 mill, which is still ludacris in my book...then again, doesnt ville leino make that much, does he still not have a goal this season??? hahaha, he was decent on philly against us I hate to admit...

Mario Lemieux will not allow one of the most gifted offensive players in the world to be traded from his roster. Malkin is not going anywhere.
- madmike71

Cause we all know stanley cup winners are always made up of the most gifted offensive players.

Top 5 lies in this thread:

1. Bylsma doesn't line match.
2. Bylsma doesn't play young guys
3. Bylsma doesn't make adjustments
4. Bylsma doesn't focus on team defense
5. Bylsma is in any kind of danger of being fired

Yeah no way we will ever afford the David Bollands of the league while paying Malkin 9 million.
- Grinder47

When healthy, Malkin at 9 million is a good contract. It is not my money. It might be your money, but with the cap projected to go up his deal is fine. The Letang contract on the other hand....

I was just mentioning Bolland as he was the first to come to mind.

Top 5 lies in this thread:

1. Bylsma doesn't line match.
2. Bylsma doesn't play young guys
3. Bylsma doesn't make adjustments
4. Bylsma doesn't focus on team defense
5. Bylsma is in any kind of danger of being fired
- hardnosed

6. Malkin is getting traded
7. Malkin for Backes would be a good deal for Pittsburgh

When healthy, Malkin at 9 million is a good contract. It is not my money. It might be your money, but with the cap projected to go up his deal is fine. The Letang contract on the other hand....

I was just mentioning Bolland as he was the first to come to mind.
- Tiogadog

Letang when healthy will probably turn out to be the better deal.

6. Malkin is getting traded
7. Malkin for Backes would be a good deal for Pittsburgh
- canadianpenfan

I never said he is getting traded, I actually dont think anyone did, we all just said its something theyve got to think about if we dont come close to the cup...

I never said he is getting traded, I actually dont think anyone did, we all just said its something theyve got to think about if we dont come close to the cup...
- JLT168

No, it's not.