Ryan Wilson: Poorly Constructed Depth Leads To Star Players Owning the Blame Poorly Constructed Depth Leads To Star Players Owning the Blame

They pass too much!

Does anyone think there will be a trade this weekend?

Does anyone think there will be a trade this weekend?
- PensFanRVA

Yes I think something happens today.

Yes I think something happens today.
- nbartley9

Sutter and Sill for GMJR's old dentures that he left at a Holiday Inn Express.

The solution would be to trade for some fourth line help. Zack Sill and Craig Adams need to up their production.

Sutter and Sill for GMJR's old dentures that he left at a Holiday Inn Express.
- thickman1178

They're in the room I just checked out of. Rm 112.

I am waiting for the news flash that the Pens have extended Adams for 2 more spectacular seasons, while giving Scuds a lifelong contract for as long as he wants to play. In addition Sill is given an "A" on his jersey and Kunitz is given the key to the city. That should solve all the problems this team has.

Comeau happened to pass both the eye test and possession #s test this offseason. Thank goodness.

Spaling is totally vanilla, but at least he's above replacement. Fine if he's your best 4th liner/worst 3rd liner.

And i have no idea how Sutter is passing peoples' eye test. Did a fewwww good things last night. But still.
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i liked the part about judging the process vs results.

Sid burned defensemen like 3 times last night. The got more shots on the powerplay, but just missed the net.

If 2 more goals trickled in for the Pens, causing a 3-2 victory, but the Pens played exactly the same as they did last night, everyone would be talking about how much balls the Pens showed and how player X stepped up and showed leadership.

Comeau happened to pass both the eye test and possession #s test this offseason. Thank goodness.

Spaling is totally vanilla, but at least he's above replacement. Fine if he's your best 4th liner/worst 3rd liner.

And i have no idea how Sutter is passing peoples' eye test. Did a fewwww good things last night. But still.
----
i liked the part about judging the process vs results.

Sid burned defensemen like 3 times last night. The got more shots on the powerplay.

If 2 more goals trickled in for the Pens, causing a 3-2 victory, but the Pens played exactly the same as they did last night, everyone would be talking about how much balls the Pens showed and how player X stepped up and showed leadership.
- poopmouth

columbus's goalie did make some big stops

So am I the only one who wants to see this line?

Downie - Spaling - Bennett

2 guys who can crash and bang, 2 guys who can score. And Sutter is scratched or dropped to the 4th line where he belongs.

It seems like it would be a non brainer to at least give this line a shot, but I also think 72 should be on the top line and 14 dropped down to play with Malkin.

And i have no idea how Sutter is passing peoples' eye test.
- poopmouth

That's how. Cause of his last name. He'd be a 4th liner if not for his "pedigree."

If 2 more goals trickled in for the Pens, causing a 3-2 victory, but the Pens played exactly the same as they did last night, everyone would be talking about how much balls the Pens showed and how player X stepped up and showed leadership.
- poopmouth

Yup. Im actually very happy with our last 3 games except the meltdown after the OV hit and the end score. I thought we played playoff hockey in each of those games.

columbus's goalie did make some big stops
- JLT168

yep. that too!

i wasn't saying "missed the net" as some big fatal flaw. I meant it in that "hey. they're taking shots. malkin's slappers will hit the net eventually."

we're in agreement.

So am I the only one who wants to see this line?

Downie - Spaling - Bennett

2 guys who can crash and bang, 2 guys who can score. And Sutter is scratched or dropped to the 4th line where he belongs.

It seems like it would be a non brainer to at least give this line a shot, but I also think 72 should be on the top line and 14 dropped down to play with Malkin.
- thickman1178

If only on both those line combos..

Yup. Im actually very happy with our last 3 games except the meltdown after the OV hit and the end score. I thought we played playoff hockey in each of those games.
- thickman1178

I'd really like to see the Penguins harass star players more though. That stuff gets called less and less and is almost never called in the postseason. Crosby and Malkin get that treatment all the time, other top players deserve the same.

So am I the only one who wants to see this line?

Downie - Spaling - Bennett

2 guys who can crash and bang, 2 guys who can score. And Sutter is scratched or dropped to the 4th line where he belongs.

It seems like it would be a non brainer to at least give this line a shot, but I also think 72 should be on the top line and 14 dropped down to play with Malkin.
- thickman1178

I wanna see Bennett with Malkin, and i definitely prefer Downie on a RW, but anything to get Bennett from Sutter. They just don't work together.

If 2 more goals trickled in for the Pens, causing a 3-2 victory, but the Pens played exactly the same as they did last night, everyone would be talking about how much balls the Pens showed and how player X stepped up and showed leadership.
- poopmouth

If 2-3 more goals had trickled in every game, they'd be running away with the President's Trophy.

But they didn't.

The solution would be to trade for some fourth line help. Zack Sill and Craig Adams need to up their production.
- HarrisonHamm

Honestly, i come to the conclusion that i have no problems with Craig Adams being on the 4th line. Yes, he does lack any kind of production, but he prevents goals, plain and simple, which doesn't show up in the fancy stats. Add into the fact that he is the Penguins best pk forward, and that this is probably his last year on the team, there is no reason to get rid of him. The penguins aren't losing because of Craig Adams.

Yes I think something happens today.
- nbartley9

Seth Rorabaugh said on twitter that HCMJ left the ice after about 10 minutes of practice and then 10 minutes after that a few players left the ice. Of course, he doesnt mention which ones.

That's how. Cause of his last name. He'd be a 4th liner if not for his "pedigree."
- jfkst1

meh. the Sutters were all 3rd and 4tth liners

Sid's crushing it and is the victim of bad luck? OK got it. Rinse, wash, repeat. RW's been saying this for, what, almost a year now? Musta been one hell of a black cat that crossed 87's path in Sochi.

Let's just let him keep humming along, trying hard, making crappy passes, looking disinterested for chunks of time, and not producing. He hasn't scored in what, 24 of the games this season? Are you kidding me? You think that's acceptable? I'd love for you to be my boss. "Nice try Krypkie! Go get em next time."

Using Jumbo Joe, Kessel, and Seguin as your evidence to not trade star players? Really?

I'll give you the 3rd and 4th line issues you describe. Mgmt has done a crappy job in that regard. Cant argue that at all.

But, absolving the core 4 players of any blame is asinine.

I wanna see Bennett with Malkin, and i definitely prefer Downie on a RW, but anything to get Bennett from Sutter. They just don't work together.
- poopmouth

Who does Sutter work well with on the current roster?

Honestly, i come to the conclusion that i have no problems with Craig Adams being on the 4th line. Yes, he does lack any kind of production, but he prevents goals, plain and simple, which doesn't show up in the fancy stats. Add into the fact that he is the Penguins best pk forward, and that this is probably his last year on the team, there is no reason to get rid of him. The penguins aren't losing because of Craig Adams.
- cap1681

actually, his goal prevention does show up in some fancy stats. But we agree.

as long as adams is mostly just a PKer and in there for defensive zone faceoffs, you could do worse for 700k. You could do a lot better. but you could do worse.

like paying Sutter 3.3.

Who does Sutter work well with on the current roster?
- jfkst1

Greiss?