I like Kap going back to Europe, too small for the NHL game right now, and what he his game is being a top 6 forward, he didn't show he is ready for top 6 minutes yet, give him another year to mature, add some muscle mass in a softer, less physical Finnish league while playing a top line winger role.

Sundqvist being sent back makes me scratch my head. Sounded like he had an outstadning camp, and he's not 18 either, he's already played a couple seasons against men and appeared ready. He's game is also suited for a bottom 6 role, so you are not doing him an injustice by playing him there, thats where he should be. You think he could beat out Sill or Ebbett? Atleast cut a deal with his Swedish team to buy out his contract and have him playing in WBS so we could call him up later in the year for injuries or when Sill/Ebbett/Adams aren't cutting it. Ah well, next year.

Harrington, would have loved to see him on the team, but as someone else already sadi, he is better served playing 20-25 mniutes a game in WBS than being our #7 and sitting everyonther game in the press box. There will be injuries, and he'll get time in Pitts as the 5/6 guy, and between maybe 10-15 games up this season and heavy minutes in WBS this year he'll be ready for the #5 role on the big club next year.

My $0.02.

Kunitz - Sid - Duper
Downie - Geno - Hornqvist
Spaling - Sutter - Comeau
Sill - Goc - Adams
Ebbett
(If Geno is out, he goes to 13 and the centres move up)

- cygnus41

The Trib article that said that Kapanen is flying back to Finland suggested:

Kunitz/Crosby/Hornqvist
Dupuis/Sutter/Malkin
Comeau/Goc/Spaling
Adams/Sill/Downie

I actually really like those combos for now.

I would hope that Sill would play before Ebbett.

They need a guy like Sill. Wins tons of faceoffs, blocks a lot of shots, tough to play against, and he'll hang in there against guys bigger than him.

The Trib article that said that Kapanen is flying back to Finland suggested:

Kunitz/Crosby/Hornqvist
Dupuis/Sutter/Malkin
Comeau/Goc/Spaling
Adams/Sill/Downie

I actually really like those combos for now.
- hardnosed

I'm cool with those lines for now. Interesting 2nd line. I've wanted to see what Sutter can do in the top 6 and not pretending to be a shutdown center.

I'd also probably want Downie on the third line and make the 4th line Megna-Sundqvist-Spaling

I'm cool with those lines for now. Interesting 2nd line. I've wanted to see what Sutter can do in the top 6 and not pretending to be a shutdown center.

I'd also probably want Downie on the third line and make the 4th line Megna-Sundqvist-Spaling
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The article mentions that Johnston REALLY likes the Comeau/Goc/Spaling line, and with good reason - they were incredibly effective the last two or three games of the preseason.

I'm cool with those lines for now. Interesting 2nd line. I've wanted to see what Sutter can do in the top 6 and not pretending to be a shutdown center.

I'd also probably want Downie on the third line and make the 4th line Megna-Sundqvist-Spaling
- YouMeAndDupuis9

As much Spaling hate as there is on this board, he has no buisiness being on the 4th line. He is a top 9 forward no doubt. Ideal 3rd liner, could fringe up to the top 6 if need thanks to our talented centers.

I would hope that Sill would play before Ebbett.

They need a guy like Sill. Wins tons of faceoffs, blocks a lot of shots, tough to play against, and he'll hang in there against guys bigger than him.


- hardnosed

Not a big Sill fan but I would certainly take him over Ebbett or Adams. We may need a little extra muscle up front this year anyway having 6 defenseman that are "soff" (until Bortz gets back)

Head coach Mike Johnston sees himself in Craig Adams and puts him in situations he himself would have wanted to be in.

Head coach Mike Johnston sees himself in Craig Adams and puts him in situations he himself would have wanted to be in.
- Grinder47

*fartnoise Give it up, Adams is done. He has little footspeed and nowhere near enough skill to be effective at this level anymore. He is a shell of a former 4th liner. In other words. Finished

*fartnoise Give it up, Adams is done. He has little footspeed and nowhere near enough skill to be effective at this level anymore. He is a shell of a former 4th liner. In other words. Finished
- usethe1-2-2

Yet NHL coaches still play him, we should be saving him for the playoffs.

Yet NHL coaches still play him, we should be saving him for the playoffs.
- Grinder47

What NHL coach? He might be getting a paycheck but that coach isn't behind any bench for a reason.

What NHL coach? He might be getting a paycheck but that coach isn't behind any bench for a reason.
- usethe1-2-2

So when Adams plays on Thursday that's Bylsma's decision?

He's really not that great of a C. Faceoffs and back checking are characteristics of a C, Those are probably his biggest flaws.
- sammy87

He's not that great of a center ?😳 surely you jest !

The Trib article that said that Kapanen is flying back to Finland suggested:

Kunitz/Crosby/Hornqvist
Dupuis/Sutter/Malkin
Comeau/Goc/Spaling
Adams/Sill/Downie

I actually really like those combos for now.
- hardnosed

Ya know I really like those line too!
I have been trying to piece together the line for awhile now and never came up wtih that combination, but when I look at it, it just works!

I LOVE the comeau goc spaling line but I didnt want to see them as the 4th line. this solves that.
I wanted a grittier 3/4th line but forcing Sutter in there made that difficult. this solves that.

That top line is going to be a buzz saw. Those 3 are going to be a nightmare to play against.
Second line just looks nice. Has the elements Dupuis gets in hard, Sutter is fast and responcible, much better in the dzone where the new system requires the center to play low. Malkin is score. I like it...its nice.

Cant wait.

So when Adams plays on Thursday that's Bylsma's decision?
- Grinder47

He can thank Disco Dan and Shero for that. He should not be on a cup contending roster....might as well put a cone out there, its the same thing.

So when Adams plays on Thursday that's Bylsma's decision?
- Grinder47

Ha, no. If he does indeed play then its on Johnston. If he plays when the roster is fully healthy then its a shame.

I think Fleury plays best in a baseball cap on the bench...or in Winnipeg or Minnesota where he could be useful.

"Don't take it too seriously, I repeat don't take it too seriously..." People took it too seriously.

Ya know I really like those line too!
I have been trying to piece together the line for awhile now and never came up wtih that combination, but when I look at it, it just works!

I LOVE the comeau goc spaling line but I didnt want to see them as the 4th line. this solves that.
I wanted a grittier 3/4th line but forcing Sutter in there made that difficult. this solves that.

That top line is going to be a buzz saw. Those 3 are going to be a nightmare to play against.
Second line just looks nice. Has the elements Dupuis gets in hard, Sutter is fast and responcible, much better in the dzone where the new system requires the center to play low. Malkin is score. I like it...its nice.

Cant wait.
- stackthepads

I also like these lines and for the same reasons you like them. Sutter, to me, plays better when he has speed with him. This solves that situation, and we should be able to judge his abilities better this year.

Sund and kap should have gotten a 9 game tryout, adams and scuds should have been traded or waived, ebbett should not be up, dupes should not be on top 6 lines to start the season,.

I thought things were going to be different but apparently they r not. Young kids still getting screwed and old useless vets gets to play....

And I'm still pissed about megna.. how they hell did ebbett and sill get a spot over him?? I just don't understand this organization sometimes...

Sund and kap should have gotten a 9 game tryout, adams and scuds should have been traded or waived, ebbett should not be up, dupes should not be on top 6 lines to start the season,.

I thought things were going to be different but apparently they r not. Young kids still getting screwed and old useless vets gets to play....

And I'm still pissed about megna.. how they hell did ebbett and sill get a spot over him?? I just don't understand this organization sometimes...
- nh4442

We have not even set our game day roster yet. Sometimes you keep these kids, but most times you do what is best for their growth and that is letting them evolve their game in a lesser league where they will learn without getting blown away.
*EDIT before we get into the semantics of the prospect crap just know that an 18 year old Fin and a 19 year old Swede are different prospects than a 20 year old North American player. Maatta was different as well playing here for a few years before the draft.
This isn't about the young guys not getting time. The two you mentioned are prospects, not AHL borderline NHL ready players. There is a difference between the two that you are not recognizing.

We have not even set our game day roster yet. Sometimes you keep these kids, but most times you do what is best for their growth and that is letting them evolve their game in a lesser league where they will learn without getting blown away.

This isn't about the young guys not getting time. The two you mentioned are prospects, not AHL borderline NHL ready players. There is a difference between the two that you are not recognizing.
- usethe1-2-2

Sundqvist has been playing in the Swiss elite league.. how can you say he is not ready for the nhl compared to guys like sill and ebbett playing in ahl. He is not a tweener. How do we know he is not ready they didn't even give him a 9 game chance.

As for kap when is the last time the pens played a legit rookie right out of camp? Those 9 games are to see where these 1st rdrs belong. You give them linemates like sid malkin stamkos kane toews etc and see how they play. What you don't do is put them on 4th line and barely use them like DB did.

And we all know (even tho it worked ouy) maatta would have been sent down if half of the blue line last yr was healthy come regular season. So we can't use him as a comparison.

Sundqvist has been playing in the Swiss elite league.. how can you say he is not ready for the nhl compared to guys like sill and ebbett playing in ahl. He is not a tweener. How do we know he is not ready they didn't even give him a 9 game chance.

As for kap when is the last time the pens played a legit rookie right out of camp? Those 9 games are to see where these 1st rdrs belong. You give them linemates like sid malkin stamkos kane toews etc and see how they play. What you don't do is put them on 4th line and barely use them like DB did.

And we all know (even tho it worked ouy) maatta would have been sent down if half of the blue line last yr was healthy come regular season. So we can't use him as a comparison.
- nh4442

Sundqvist plays in the Swedish elite league, but that doesn't mean his game is even near ready. He was showing during the preseason that he had what it takes to hang in there, he wasn't blowing anyone away. Let his skills develop and use him next season.
Same with Kap.

So tell me what rookie lines up with Toews and Stamkos and Kane?

Sundqvist has been playing in the Swiss elite league.. how can you say he is not ready for the nhl compared to guys like sill and ebbett playing in ahl. He is not a tweener. How do we know he is not ready they didn't even give him a 9 game chance.

As for kap when is the last time the pens played a legit rookie right out of camp? Those 9 games are to see where these 1st rdrs belong. You give them linemates like sid malkin stamkos kane toews etc and see how they play. What you don't do is put them on 4th line and barely use them like DB did.

And we all know (even tho it worked ouy) maatta would have been sent down if half of the blue line last yr was healthy come regular season. So we can't use him as a comparison.
- nh4442

Last year with Maatta

If we are female doging about line combos and bottom 6 players and rookies not making the team it's going to be a long season. I'm just going to watch how it unfolds and see what Johnstons vision looks like as coach. Can't wait for tomorrow Lets GO Pens