I know that we (me included) have spent most of the past week complaining about how bad things are, but I honestly don't think that the problems are as big as they seem right now.

If the power play gets some shots through, that automatically gets better. If there is a little line shifting and the top six scores some goals, then that gets a lot better.

A couple of tactical adjustments, and some puck luck, and this team is right back where we thought it was... A playoff team with a weak bottom six.

It's not like things are unfixable, and with maybe some roster tinkering before the deadline, it can be even better than that.

Without a TON of luck, this team isn't winning the Cup, but with how the East is, this team could make it to the conference finals. The Rangers, Islanders and Caps are all running pretty well right now, but that will change... Those aren't perfect teams/rosters, and like any team, they will have some injuries and tough times too.

It all comes down to how healthy a team is, and how they are playing in April, not what is going on in February.
- rival22

Yeah, I could've left the "so" off that sentence. The lines bother me and many, and keeping Sutter on the third, let alone in thw lineup, aint working. There are issues that need fixed, but my main point for posting earlier was to try and dispell the myth that tje coaching staff is 100× smarter than the majority of fans who see the issues.

Ok people. In the big picture how important is this game?

Against a top western team (that is like us & having some difficulties), the other Metro teams getting away, PK & PP struggling, line changes????, personnel changes possible????, coach under pressure, Mario down to his undies in his bet with other owners????

How bad is it if the result isn't 2 points?

Ok people. In the big picture how important is this game?

Against a top western team (that is like us & having some difficulties), the other Metro teams getting away, PK & PP struggling, line changes????, personnel changes possible????, coach under pressure, Mario down to his undies in his bet with other owners????

How bad is it if the result isn't 2 points?
- Aussiepenguin

I don't see us getting two points against a Hitchock coached team. But then, honestly I have lowered my expectations for this team. It's the SOS day after day and game after game. I usually sit at the computer while the game is on so I don't get angry at what is going on.

Yeah, I could've left the "so" off that sentence. The lines bother me and many, and keeping Sutter on the third, let alone in thw lineup, aint working. There are issues that need fixed, but my main point for posting earlier was to try and dispell the myth that tje coaching staff is 100× smarter than the majority of fans who see the issues.
- Topshelf Mountain

The NHL isn't much different than most industries where who you know is more important than what you know. With that, I'm confident a good number of fans could manage NHL roster every bit as effectively as current GMs. Their discretion is far from infallible and there are plenty that routinely make poor decisions.

The NHL isn't much different than most industries where who you know is more important than what you know. With that, I'm confident a good number of fans could manage NHL roster every bit as effectively as current GMs. Their discretion is far from infallible and there are plenty that routinely make poor decisions.
- jfkst1

Truer words were never spoken.

The NHL isn't much different than most industries where who you know is more important than what you know. With that, I'm confident a good number of fans could manage NHL roster every bit as effectively as current GMs. Their discretion is far from infallible and there are plenty that routinely make poor decisions.
- jfkst1

Any contract over a 4 year period in a contact sport is insane. There are exceptions but very few.

Big money long term = security & complacency.

top six is apparently changed...


Downie scratched for Sill... only real complaint...

I don't see us getting two points against a Hitchock coached team. But then, honestly I have lowered my expectations for this team. It's the SOS day after day and game after game. I usually sit at the computer while the game is on so I don't get angry at what is going on.
- powerhouse

Hitch must have been off on the days recently 1-7 CBJ, 1-4 Stars. No team is infallible (at the moment those playing us might just be ).

Burmistrov is nothing more than Zherdev 2.0. Pass. Complete garbage.
Frolik - I like ... alot
Peluso - pass
Perreault - you realize he is probably out for the year?

No chance Toronto does that deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

I like Frolik but if our PP doesn't start scoring I'd rather have the other guy from Kladno

Hitch must have been off on the days recently 1-7 CBJ, 1-4 Stars. No team is infallible (at the moment those playing us might just be ).
- Aussiepenguin

Hitch has about run his course with St Louis... He has about 4 years until he wears out his welcome with a team.

top six is apparently changed...


Downie scratched for Sill... only real complaint...
- rival22

Still the message seems to be Sutter, Spaling & Bennet are the men to be our 3rd line. Scratch a recent goal scorer when scoring goals is our problem - WTF

Did I say ?

top six is apparently changed...


Downie scratched for Sill... only real complaint...
- rival22

It wouldn't surprise me if Downie gets dealt. With him getting healthy scratched as of late, it feels like its going to happen any day now.

top six is apparently changed...


Downie scratched for Sill... only real complaint...
- rival22

Sutter still on the 3rd line and Sill in for Downie? What the hell!!!

Johnston is a god damn fool and Im not sure what the Pens love affair with Sutter is all about but he belongs on the 4th line.

Bennett - Spaling - Downie would be the best 3rd line we can put out there.

Still the message seems to be Sutter, Spaling & Bennet are the men to be our 3rd line. Scratch a recent goal scorer when scoring goals is our problem -
- Aussiepenguin

Sutter isn't going anywhere. I am convinced of that, so I am not even going to get angry about him.

All we can hope for is that he finds the gear he was in during last year's playoffs for this spring.

It wouldn't surprise me if Downie gets dealt. With him getting healthy scratched as of late, it feels like its going to happen any day now.
- joescullz

I was about to throw that in as an edit, then through some form of clarity on the toilet I thought that JR has found a team for Zachy boy & they wanted him to play against a western team to get the deal over the line.

Wishful thinking?

Still the message seems to be Sutter, Spaling & Bennet are the men to be our 3rd line. Scratch a recent goal scorer when scoring goals is our problem - WTF

Did I say ?
- Aussiepenguin

On a positive note, hopefully #72 can light it up again with Sid & #14 can light up with Geno. Glad Bennett is not playing on 4th line too.

Sutter isn't going anywhere. I am convinced of that, so I am not even going to get angry about him.

All we can hope for is that he finds the gear he was in during last year's playoffs for this spring.
- rival22

C'mon just 1 . Give us 1 !

(frank)!

I'll be angry for us both.

I do hope that Bartleys boy does start getting his game together again, maybe a goal will kick start something?

Sutter isn't going anywhere. I am convinced of that, so I am not even going to get angry about him.

All we can hope for is that he finds the gear he was in during last year's playoffs for this spring.
- rival22

Never say never. I thought i just read somewhere that JR said the only players not in play are sid, geno, tanger and flower.

On a positive note, hopefully #72 can light it up again with Sid & #14 can light up with Geno. Glad Bennett is not playing on 4th line too.
- joescullz

Great work Joe getting the positives out there - love your work.

Now let's go kick some southern bumholes bumholes!

Great work Joe getting the positives out there - love your work.

Now let's go kick some southern bumholes bumholes!
- Aussiepenguin

Lol. Thanks. This board needs some positive thoughts for a change....too much doom & gloom as of late.

top six is apparently changed...


Downie scratched for Sill... only real complaint...
- rival22

We're getting closer to the lines we need. Scratching Downie is a HUGE mistake. Hope to God he's not being traded.

Hey guys Send me a good link for tonight's game!!

Lol. Thanks. This board needs some positive thoughts for a change....too much doom & gloom as of late.
- joescullz

Yes it's been said a few times of late, last year & the start of this 1 a lot of people were pleading for some changes in coaching structure through the 82 game season & for a little adversity to harden the team. Now when that has happened & we aren't winning most games everyone hates it. Fortunately no metro team has the ability to leave everyone behind & we are all fighting some type of injury or slump. Makes life entertaining & gives us a chance to use !

Game on mutha fcuffas!

Let's go Pens.

Any contract over a 4 year period in a contact sport is insane. There are exceptions but very few.

Big money long term = security & complacency.
- Aussiepenguin

Case in point, Sutter has been a mainstay as 3C for 3 years now that unmistakably coincide with the years the Pens have consistently not had good forward depth. And yet, he has never been a healthy scratch, demoted, or actively shopped in trades despite every eye test and data analysis identifying he is a problem. Yeah, I think I'll remain highly skeptical of management's decisions until they are raising another cup banner.

Great work Joe getting the positives out there - love your work.

Now let's go kick some southern bumholes bumholes!
- Aussiepenguin

From Molinari's twitter: @MolinariPG: Sill starting game on a line with Sutter and Bennett.