So can I expect a rematch in the playoffs this year?
- mighty13duck

Islanders are making the playoffs?

I don't think Sutter is capable enough to put up 50% or better possession numbers. He has had better linemates in the past and it made no difference. He sucks on the wall. He is a sniper and a decent winger but as a center, not so much. Goc may end up centering the third line, I predict. He has more intention and purpose to what he does with the puck compared to Sutter.

I don't think Sutter is capable enough to put up 50% or better possession numbers. He has had better linemates in the past and it made no difference. He sucks on the wall. He is a sniper and a decent winger but as a center, not so much. Goc may end up centering the third line, I predict. He has more intention and purpose to what he does with the puck compared to Sutter.
- powerhouse

He doesn't need 50% but he can't be 44% or below like he has been

He doesn't need 50% but he can't be 44% or below like he has been
- Ryan_Wilson

I think we are splitting hairs here. My point is in observing him with the puck he rarely has a plan. When you go into the boards you should try to position your body between the player and the puck. If cycling then develop a feel for it. If your strategy is none, then you end up coughing it up more than not. I just don't see a pattern of possession strategy development with him. Granted he has not had consistent linemates but my patience with him has grow as thin as a hair's width.

I still like trying out Sutter on Geno's wing.

Kunitz-Sid-Bennett
Sutter-Geno-Horny
Downie-Goc-Dupuis
Comeau-Spaling-(anyone but adams)

I still like trying out Sutter on Geno's wing.

Kunitz-Sid-Bennett
Sutter-Geno-Horny
Downie-Goc-Dupuis
Comeau-Spaling-(anyone but adams)
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Thinnest team in the Metro after Carolina.

Thinnest team in the Metro after Carolina.
- rangerdanger94

Your comment has some merit.

But, they will be a work in progress during the year. If this is their team come playoff time, I imagine they'll get pushed around still.

Long as 87 and 71 stay injury free, they will compete for the division crown.

Now, add one big body to this lineup that can play....look out.

Your comment has some merit.

But, they will be a work in progress during the year. If this is their team come playoff time, I imagine they'll get pushed around still.

Long as 87 and 71 stay injury free, they will compete for the division crown.

Now, add one big body to this lineup that can play....look out.
- 87_71_11_29

Dustin Penner maybe?

Your lineup has improved in terms of overall depth but 1 or 2 injuries (I'm looking at you Steve Downie in particular) and all of a sudden a guy like Adams or someone of Vitale's calibur has to be tossed into the lineup again.

I don't think Neal is to blame to be honest. Malkin had 4.52 shots per game and scored a career high 50 goals with Neal on his line in 2011-12.
- Ryan_Wilson

That was 3 yrs ago. Neal's first full season. Last 2 years we began to see more of a deferral to 18.

Plus, this is the "eye test" + "statistical backing" = "we really need to look at this".

That was 3 yrs ago. Neal's first full season. Last 2 years we began to see more of a deferral to 18.

Plus, this is the "eye test" + "statistical backing" = "we really need to look at this".
- 87_71_11_29

I would blame his shoulder injury more than anything.

Dustin Penner maybe?

Your lineup has improved in terms of overall depth but 1 or 2 injuries (I'm looking at you Steve Downie in particular) and all of a sudden a guy like Adams or someone of Vitale's calibur has to be tossed into the lineup again.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah but isn't that almost every team in the league? Granted our FW depth sucks ballz. But, we've already seen the Pens can overcome injuries in the reg season.

You get injuries in the playoffs (see Sid last year), you're likely done anyway.

As far as Penner...I'll keep the $930K in cap space for the season and the flexibility that provides. Pass.

Yeah but isn't that almost every team in the league? Granted our FW depth sucks ballz. But, we've already seen the Pens can overcome injuries in the reg season.

You get injuries in the playoffs (see Sid last year), you're likely done anyway.

As far as Penner...I'll keep the $930K in cap space for the season and the flexibility that provides. Pass.
- 87_71_11_29

Yea let's get Pyatt too. Size is so overrated, imo.

Yea let's get Pyatt too. Size is so overrated, imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

A big young guy like kevin hayes would've helped

Thinnest team in the Metro after Carolina.
- rangerdanger94

A big young guy like kevin hayes would've helped
- rangerdanger94

How bout we wait and see if he can play in the NHL first

How bout we wait and see if he can play in the NHL first
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Exactly. Doing well in college with two really talented teammates is a little different than doing well in the pros. Oh well, even if he doesn't do well they have Tanner Glass for a few years.

Yea let's get Pyatt too. Size is so overrated, imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

How can you say size is overrated with respect to trying to win a Cup? You absolutely have to have 4-5 quality big players if not more.

2014 Kings: Brown, King, Carter, Nolan, big D..big team
2013 Hawks: Bickel, Bollig, Seabrook, Hossa, big FW's
2012 Kings: Carter, King, Penner, Nolan, big D
2011 Bruins: Chara, Lucic, Thorton, Boychuk, Wheeler, Horton, etc.. big
2010 Hawks: Buff, Ladd, Bickel, Brower, Seabrook
2009 Pens: Guerin, Stall, Gill (closest to an exception the past 6 yrs)
2008 Wings: Franzen, Cleary, Holmstrom, Kronwall
2007 Ducks: Penner, Pronger, Perry, Getzlaf, Niedermayer, etc.. huge team

A big young guy like kevin hayes would've helped
- rangerdanger94

From some of the small things I've read he sounds more interested in living the NYC nightlife then being a big body in an NHL top 6.

How can you say size is overrated with respect to trying to win a Cup? You absolutely have to have 4-5 quality big players if not more.

2014 Kings: Brown, King, Carter, Nolan, big D..big team
2013 Hawks: Bickel, Bollig, Seabrook, Hossa, big FW's
2012 Kings: Carter, King, Penner, Nolan, big D
2011 Bruins: Chara, Lucic, Thorton, Boychuk, Wheeler, Horton, etc.. big
2010 Hawks: Buff, Ladd, Bickel, Brower, Seabrook
2009 Pens: Guerin, Stall, Gill (closest to an exception the past 6 yrs)
2008 Wings: Franzen, Cleary, Holmstrom, Kronwall
2007 Ducks: Penner, Pronger, Perry, Getzlaf, Niedermayer, etc.. huge team
- 87_71_11_29

The truly sizeable team on this list is the 07 Ducks. A lot of the other teams are not that big, they just have guys who play big. Holmstrom wasn't a big guy at all. Probably about the same size as patric Hornqvist.
Penner might be big, but brought little to any physicality. His effectiveness in 12 was very limited.
Brown is only like 6'0? 6'1 at the most? Kunitz is about the same size.

It's all about playing big. Playing physical and keeping the puck. Tocchet is going to help out a lot with that. This system won't be as soft as the prior one. Plus, the Pens are not that small this season. They are actually pretty average.

How can you say size is overrated with respect to trying to win a Cup? You absolutely have to have 4-5 quality big players if not more.

2014 Kings: Brown, King, Carter, Nolan, big D..big team
2013 Hawks: Bickel, Bollig, Seabrook, Hossa, big FW's
2012 Kings: Carter, King, Penner, Nolan, big D
2011 Bruins: Chara, Lucic, Thorton, Boychuk, Wheeler, Horton, etc.. big
2010 Hawks: Buff, Ladd, Bickel, Brower, Seabrook
2009 Pens: Guerin, Stall, Gill (closest to an exception the past 6 yrs)
2008 Wings: Franzen, Cleary, Holmstrom, Kronwall
2007 Ducks: Penner, Pronger, Perry, Getzlaf, Niedermayer, etc.. huge team
- 87_71_11_29

06 Canes weren't big, they had some size on the back-end in Ward, Commodore, Wallin and Wesley, but they were gritty as hell and FAST.

The burden on Crosby? Not like they have 3 centers that can all be number 1 centers on some nhl teams. Crosby has 0 burden.
- jake24242

How have you not been claimed by natural selection yet?

He doesn't need 50% but he can't be 44% or below like he has been
- Ryan_Wilson

Sutter played some of his best hockey as a wing. I think he actually has a better skillset as a shooting winger than he does as a checking center. He's very good at knocking the puck away from oppenents and blocking shots, but not so great at actually hanging on to the damn thing.

Huh.. did you miss the insinuation from Johnston that Adams might be more than just a 4th liner? yucko.

sign bizznasty.

Thinnest team in the Metro after Carolina.
- rangerdanger94

stop whining about the rangers on the pens board.