I think he's implying that Hammond won't be that good next year and the team had an extremely rare hot streak. Other teams have gotten better while the send have stayed the same
- drummer829

Given that they spent the first half of the season figuring out their post-Spezza forward lines, missing one of their top-pairing defemcemen, and replacing their coach, I'm not sure it will take anything like that hot streak to send them back to the playoffs.

Not to mention the fact that this off-season could have seen UFA status for all of Ryan, MacArthur, Anderson, and Methot, plus RFA status for all of Zibanejad, Stone, Pageau, Chiasson, and Hoffman. The fact that every single one of those players is still in the fold is very impressive work by Murray - far more so than some arbitrary roster addition that may or may not yield any particular benefit.

I dont think the coaching staff has anything to do with it. Pouliot is too good for that league, most nights he isnt facing any competition that requires him to improve his game. Sure he'll get more ice time, and the new coach could teach him some new approaches, but at the end of the day he doesnt have to put in 100% most nights and playing like that will set back his development.
If he is playing with the big club it isnt just about playing time, its also practice time. He will get more competition out of practicing with the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang ect then he would ever face in the minors. Crosby catches him being too cute with the puck he is going to get burned, whos going to burn him in WBS?
- stackthepads

Yeah I agree. For some guys the AHL comes to easy and they develop bad habits. Pouliot would face tougher competition in Penguins practice most days than he would in in AHL games. That's not to say the AHL isn't a a good development league but some guys do better in NHL than they do in the AHL.

Yeah I agree. For some guys the AHL comes to easy and they develop bad habits. Pouliot would face tougher competition in Penguins practice most days than he would in in AHL games. That's not to say the AHL isn't a a good development league but some guys do better in NHL than they do in the AHL.
- willi

You have to remember, DP played for like 3-4 yrs under MJ at Portland. He should know his system in and out and frontways and backwards... this should be giving him an edge over new guys like claddenning and erixon. plus I agree if he is up he will be getting the added bonus of practicing with sid geno letang kessel horn etc... he cant do that if he is down in wbs bc guys like gonch and scuds and less talented 1 way guys are taking up spots..

Is no one going to mention that Ryan Wilson, who writes Pens blogs on this site, called Spaling trade deadline trade bait? The ghost of Pens bottom 6 past? No player that vanilla is putting any team over the top.

Boston - They lost WAY more than they gained in the off season. I'm predicting strong goaltending, and some character top end guys keep them competitive, but they slide a bit further this year than last. Not playoffs.

Buffalo - O'rielly is a nice add. Sabres couldn't be worse, but how much better will they be? A little? A lot?

Detroit - Green is an okay add for offense from the back end, but I keep expecting the wings ageing core to decline. Another serious injury to Datsyuk. How many times does he come back?

Florida - Smith is a quality add. The biggest thing for the panthers is that their young core is going to be a bit more mature and thus a bit better. Could be an outside shot at the playoffs.

Montreal - Semin...who the heck knows with him. I think the habs regress a bit, but Price can make any team pretty good.

Ottawa - I don't understand the mentality here. If Chicago had managed to keep their entire team aboard with no other big moves, would we assume they'd be worse the next year? Why would it be the case for the sens? Wouldn't the development of their young players make them....better?

Tampa - Condra is a good 3/4th line player. Hands of stone, but the lightning didn't really need to do much anyhow.

Toronto - Obviously rebuilding Parenteau is a buy low guy. If he can find some points with the leafs they could get something back for him at the deadline.
- MaxTLimit

The mentality here is you don't get better in the NHL only in the AHL. Once you hit the NHL you are at your peak. We like old guys because we know what to expect, young guys are question marks that we can't handle. We like status quo because that way we can complain better, not be excited about the possibilities of what youth can bring.

That is a bit facetious but it is my take on how this board reacts at times.

Gonch! No way! Deja vu, man. This is too funny. How is his speed? Always a great skater and a great shot. Defense? What's that? Love the guy but......

I can't stand the hockey press. They talk about all these rumors with scuds to the Avs.... Don't mess with my feelings like this because I want to believe this.