Ha..nice analogy. I mean the issue isn't really making the playoffs. It could get hairy or we could end up a wild card but the point is something needs to change if we want to make a serious run.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I know and I agree. I'm just not that worried about games in February unless someone is getting injured. Literally one year ago STL and BOS looked great. And then a few months later they collapse. Too many lower seeds have won/made the SC finals to make me all that concerned about seeding. Ideally Malkin and Crosby would be #1 and #2 in points and the PP would be #1 and the team would be in the President's trophy contention, but frankly it means nothing if they aren't playing in June.

I assume that would be a Sutter, Kunitz, Dumoulin/Harrington for ROR plus or Staal plus type of deal ..but why would Carolina or Avs want Kunitz at his age?

That's the hard part. You can make the salary work. Unload Scuderi, move guys with high price tags, whatever. But a deal that makes sense is the harest part, imo, not the salary.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

ROR would be so completely awesome. He's the only Avalanche forward who is having a decent season. Complete player, all-zones player. He's the kind of player that a team identity is molded around.

I assume that would be a Sutter, Kunitz, Dumoulin/Harrington for ROR plus or Staal plus type of deal ..but why would Carolina or Avs want Kunitz at his age?

That's the hard part. You can make the salary work. Unload Scuderi, move guys with high price tags, whatever. But a deal that makes sense is the harest part, imo, not the salary.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

no it was of a what if about Dubinsky

ROR would be so completely awesome. He's the only Avalanche forward who is having a decent season. Complete player, all-zones player. He's the kind of player that a team identity is molded around.
- Johnny Wrath

ROR has a lot of Ron Francis in his game

My suggestion for the next coach of the Penguins: Stannis of the House Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.



His Grace gives no (frank)s. His Grace survived a siege by eating rats and leather. His Grace's seed made a demon. That demon killed His Grace's younger brother after he made a claim for His Grace's throne. His Grace gives no (frank)s. Go Pens.

They don't need puck possession from their top two lines — they need points. And that's not coming right now.

Here is my assessment.

Too much passing that is not necessary, especially on the PP.

Ill advised passes.

A small pesky team that fights to get to the net and passes. If you are playing big players please use your speed and stop trying to check them into next week.

The two PP teams is a failure HCMJ, admit it please and have the original guys watch video of the successful PP and work on recreating that in practice.

Be disciplined and stay focused not distracted by the other teams antics and physicality.

let's see some swagger. Nuff said.

My suggestion for the next coach of the Penguins: Stannis of the House Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.



His Grace gives no (frank)s. His Grace survived a siege by eating rats and leather. His Grace's seed made a demon. That demon killed His Grace's younger brother after he made a claim for His Grace's throne. His Grace gives no (frank)s. Go Pens.
- Johnny Wrath

POTD.

Same blog as the one before. And the one before that. And the one before that.

Only this one included name calling.

Fun!

POTD.
- thickman1178

The post of the careful refutation of Mr. Wilson gets my vote, as well as Barty's. Thank you, though.

Kassian healthy scratch 3rd straight game... just sayin...

The post of the careful refutation of Mr. Wilson gets my vote, as well as Barty's. Thank you, though.
- Johnny Wrath

It's gotta be Bartley's Atlantic City comment

I'm too lazy to check, but due to Goc being touted as 3rd C material how is he going with the blues? I know the Hammer has been ticking over in Edmonton (he hopefully will be a boomerang), but if that was the price so be it, glad Perron is here.

If I have to say it again, I'll pop a lollie - bash & beat the 3rd & 4th lines who have produced lately all you want, but we require SOME (frank)ing scoring from our (frank)ing D - just like ALL the other contenders!!!! (frank) me with a broomstick!

Here is my assessment.

Too much passing that is not necessary, especially on the PP.

Ill advised passes.

A small pesky team that fights to get to the net and passes. If you are playing big players please use your speed and stop trying to check them into next week.

The two PP teams is a failure HCMJ, admit it please and have the original guys watch video of the successful PP and work on recreating that in practice.

Be disciplined and stay focused not distracted by the other teams antics and physicality.

let's see some swagger. Nuff said.
- powerhouse

Forgot the rumours?

Sometimes I read stuff like this from Johnston and I think he's senile:

“On faceoffs, for me, a lot of times it's a 50/50 puck,” Johnston said. “It's the guys around you — the wingers, defense — getting in on that puck, collecting that puck and pushing it to your side. It's more than just the centers, although centers get dinged for the win or loss. It's a five-man responsibility.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/sport...ontact-puck#ixzz3SKzZT2ls

That's not what I'm seeing pretty much every game. I'm seeing our centers losing faceoffs cleanly. No chance for a scramble. Crosby can't beat top faceoff men anymore. Malkin sucks at faceoffs. Sutter is average at best. Lapierre has been bad in the circle so far for the Penguins.

Bylsma's cupcake practices featured work on the shootout, work on faceoffs, lots of shooting, lots of PP work, etc.

I get that Johnston is trying to instill toughness via his highly physical practices, but that only gets you so far. And those areas I mentioned are all areas where the Penguins have been weak.

Soooo about the condescending tone that I referred to yesterday is on great display in this one. haha

Your dude was great last night though! Only reason we were still in the game after the first.
- kgrpitt

lol yes, I did chuckle when I read it.

I think its frustrating.

PITT scouts watching CAR game tonight...Bennett + Bortuzzo for Tlustly + Sekera + mid rnd pick???

I'm too lazy to check, but due to Goc being touted as 3rd C material how is he going with the blues?
- Aussiepenguin

One secondary assist in 11 games.

boy did this piece tick people off.....

Tone of article do it?

One secondary assist in 11 games.
- hardnosed

and how many rolls of the dice against?

PITT scouts watching CAR game tonight...Bennett + Bortuzzo for Tlustly + Sekera + mid rnd pick???
- mventres

works great if this was baseball and had no cap

Sometimes I read stuff like this from Johnston and I think he's senile:



Read more: http://triblive.com/sport...ontact-puck#ixzz3SKzZT2ls

That's not what I'm seeing pretty much every game. I'm seeing our centers losing faceoffs cleanly. No chance for a scramble. Crosby can't beat top faceoff men anymore. Malkin sucks at faceoffs. Sutter is average at best. Lapierre has been bad in the circle so far for the Penguins.

Bylsma's cupcake practices featured work on the shootout, work on faceoffs, lots of shooting, lots of PP work, etc.

I get that Johnston is trying to instill toughness via his highly physical practices, but that only gets you so far. And those areas I mentioned are all areas where the Penguins have been weak.
- hardnosed

I still stand by Bylsma being an awesome coach at dragging bad up to the top and limiting the top end players.

The gap between the top end players and the bottom end players was much smaller under Bylsma.

It is the issue with the change of coach, he requires skill on all 4 lines for his system to work.

Bylsma's system allowed the bottom 6 to look better than they were, and the top 6 didnt explode like they can.

This year our top 6 are creating a stack of chances but are not finishing like they have in the past, and it sticks out like dogs balls because our bottom 6 struggle to play in the system.

So management either got the wrong coach for this roster, or management have not constructed the roster to how the coach wants the team to play.

Or they are transitioning trying to get the roster to what the coach wants?

There seems to be a disconnect between what the coach wants to do and what chess pieces he has been given to do it.

whoa, that was impressive. I have no idea who could have beaten those guys!
- Isles_since_6

hey that still hurts....

and how many rolls of the dice against?
- walshy66

Um, none? It's hockey, not some luck-based casino game.

works great if this was baseball and had no cap
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Indeed. Maybe Martin gets sent out as well, say to EDM for Petry + 3rd rnd pick, EDM can send Martin to say LA for Jones or picks. That may free up some space...just an idea...