I think the Pens have the personnel to do damage. I truly believe that. Why they are not executing better and working harder is beyond me. There will be a coaching change if they are around .500 in the New Year, if not before.
- MattStrat

I've been beating the "Fire MJ" drum since last December. He needs to go. The Pens need someone that'll push them and hold them accountable. It's damn embarrassing rooting for this team when they show zero effort.

Crosby apparently said the team is frustrated but not mad at each other. Didn't Malkin say they were mad at each other 2 days ago?
- Zac_O

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.
- Victoro311

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.
- Victoro311

Didn't you know your reason 1 is why we need to trade Malkin over Crosby. At least according to sammy87.

I could not agree more on your second point. I'm more of a Sid fan than a Geno fan but Geno is actually trying to make the system work. Sid is not putting any effort forward for it. I feel sorry for Johnston for this but if he can make them do as he says he needs to go. I'm very unhappy with crosby at this point. Definitely not being a leader for this team. Honestly think he is trying to get Johnston fired. Dont want to give the toy to the kid whos throwing a fit but they have little option.

Come on man you know there is a huge difference between the AHL and a bunch of bush leages. The AHL is the training ground for the NHL all that crap you are talking about wont see one of their players graduate to anywhere near the NHL so that is a stupid analogy. Theresa less difference between the AHL and NHL as you think. Yeah I have seen them play and Pouliot looks bored and unchallenged. He needs NHL time and a chance to figure it out.
- dcoms77

Interesting that you seem to be the only person who has actually watch him play that has that opinion, pretty much everyone else says he's playing what would be deemed subpar hockey for his skill level but hey why would I doubt your well trained eyes and all the extensive scouting you've done on the subject? Get him up here and get him on the ice for 30 minutes a game RIGHT NOW, I wouldn't even worry about giving him a partner, I would just put him out with 4 forwards knowing that his outstanding play will be like 2 defenseman on the ice anyway.

Obviously I was making a joke with the high school analogy but I wasn't joking about the vast difference between the NHL and the AHL, if they were as closely related as you seem to think then there should be no shortage of talent in the NHL and they should be able to expand to 40-45 teams.

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.
- Victoro311

Malkin was f'n awful over the weekend. He looked worse than Sid. Yes, he's generally been the better player, but the last few games he was not. I wonder if anybody asked him about that egregious trip he had behind the Devils net on Saturday. That sure wasn't leadership.

the worst part about these losses coming now is that mj probably will be stupid enough to think juggeling the def pairs back to letang cole and scudz and maatta will help.

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.
- Victoro311

.

It's possible that there are leadership issues in the locker room, a big part of that could be the Malkin/Crosby dynamic. Watching the powerplay over the years it honestly looked like Malkin was trying to keep the puck away from Crosby at times. To insinuate Crosby is being a locker room cancer is a bit ridiculous. Lets face it, last year Malkin packed it in. Obviously Crosby isn't playing his best right now but I don't think that makes him a cancer in the locker room. If you have to get rid of one I would much rather build the core around Crosby than Malkin.

There's two very reasonable explanations for this.

1) Malkin's command of English has improved over the years but is not perfect. He could have meant something like the team is frustrated rather than literally pissed off at each other.

2) Crosby is slowly losing the locker room and being usurped by Malkin and is trying to play a PR damage control. Someone the other day insinuated that it looked like half the team spearheaded by Malkin had bought into the system where as the other half lead by Crosby had not. Say what you want about Crosby having to play a two way game and lack of PMDs cutting into his effectiveness but that's horse cock. Malkin is hampered by the same thing and still looks like a super star trying to win games where as Crosby looks disinterested and is handling and passing the puck sloppily. I'm more sure than ever before that MJ is a bad, cuckholded coach, but from my own experiences playing organized sports, I have zero respect for an athlete that doesn't buy into the team and doesn't at least try to make the most of his system and team mates. If Crosby is doing this Malkin is the one acting like the captain in the locker room and calling people out and trying to light fires then by all means strip the C from the best player in the world and give it to the ruskie. If he has an issue with it trade Crosby for a ransom. We're gonna lose any Crosby or Malkin trade but if Crosby is being a locker room cancer then (frank) him.
- Victoro311

Yes
Yes
and more Yes!

I'm a huge Crosby fan, and had been up until this point but his attitude and lack of leadership is about the only thing that I think most everyone here can agree on (I'm sure I'll get some backlash on this).


[Edited because I'm an idiot who cannot use the smiley's obviously]

Malkin was f'n awful over the weekend. He looked worse than Sid. Yes, he's generally been the better player, but the last few games he was not. I wonder if anybody asked him about that egregious trip he had behind the Devils net on Saturday. That sure wasn't leadership.
- madmike71

at least #71 showed-up on the game sheet!

.

It's possible that there are leadership issues in the locker room, a big part of that could be the Malkin/Crosby dynamic. Watching the powerplay over the years it honestly looked like Malkin was trying to keep the puck away from Crosby at times. To insinuate Crosby is being a locker room cancer is a bit ridiculous. Lets face it, last year Malkin packed it in. Obviously Crosby isn't playing his best right now but I don't think that makes him a cancer in the locker room. If you have to get rid of one I would much rather build the core around Crosby than Malkin.
- MacPatty

So you choose the one that is activly not trying because he isnt getting what he wants over the one thats trying in a bad situation? My bias also picks sid but realistically theyd be better off moving forward with geno as the guy for the team if needed.

That's how I feel about the Penguins right now.

Penguins got me thinking about the old 90's wings with the "Russian 5"

Why can't the team have 3 5 man "units" (The 3rd/4th lines share the 3rd pairing defense)

In theory, you could have 3 lines technically playing 3 different systems. You'd have to think that would be tough for an opposition team to scheme and matchup against on a game to game basis. Even harder in the regular season when you might only play a team 4 times

Design a system that plays to each "5 man units" strength - And quit juggling the lines hoping to strike Gold

Penguins got me thinking about the old 90's wings with the "Russian 5"

Why can't the team have 3 5 man "units" (The 3rd/4th lines share the 3rd pairing defense)

In theory, you could have 3 lines technically playing 3 different systems. You'd have to think that would be tough for an opposition team to scheme and matchup against on a game to game basis. Even harder in the regular season when you might only play a team 4 times

Design a system that plays to each "5 man units" strength - And quit juggling the lines hoping to strike Gold
- TheGame316

I don't think our current coach is gifted enough to do that. I also don't think many coaches in general are. The. What happens when there's injuries or you need to shuffle the lines? A player would have to learn a completely different system mid season.

Penguins got me thinking about the old 90's wings with the "Russian 5"

Why can't the team have 3 5 man "units" (The 3rd/4th lines share the 3rd pairing defense)

In theory, you could have 3 lines technically playing 3 different systems. You'd have to think that would be tough for an opposition team to scheme and matchup against on a game to game basis. Even harder in the regular season when you might only play a team 4 times

Design a system that plays to each "5 man units" strength - And quit juggling the lines hoping to strike Gold
- TheGame316

Well... that is not a bad theory, however, with our 3rd and 4th line looking better than our top 2 most nights, that seems like it might hurt us even more.

And since HCMJ can't even figure out which lines and pairings work the best, no way he can start that kind of shenanigan prowess

Plenty of people were more than happy on this board to claim the Pens were just preventing dangerous shots by allowing more attempts from the perimeter. Defending more often than not is a losing strategy. Eventually it always catches up with the team.
- jfkst1

Those days we were getting shots on goal as well - now there is very little. How many goals have been scored over the weekend where you could say that the goalie 'should' have saved that?

Combine both those points & you have a different team. You had a team that scored a couple of goals & a D & goalie that were stopping most shots, over the weekend you had a team with no effort outshot 6/7-1 at some stages & goals that should/could have be stopped.

I'm not saying I want the team to struggle with 2-1 wins defending 50 sog every game but there has been difference in play that has declined.

I watched a team pass the puck around our D zone & ALL the Pens players stand still & (frank)ing 'watch' the puck - wtf is that? I saw a Pens team push passes through active defence & either lose it completely or throw a shot to nowhere, build no pressure have no puck support which is funny because that's what I thought the system consisted of having/controlling the puck & getting bodies around it supporting the puck carrier???

As they said after the Devils game we have hit rock bottom. Now it's time to get our arses off the deck & be a (frank)ing team that wants to earn their money & more importantly the respect of each other & themselves!!!

Go the (frank)in Pens!!!!!!!

post of the day

"The Penguins should just trade both Malkin and Crosby and then sign 2 of 3 of Stamkos, Kopitar, Staal"

get future star based packages for 87 and 71 and then sign 2 of those 3 guys in FA. lol

post of the day

"The Penguins should just trade both Malkin and Crosby and then sign 2 of 3 of Stamkos, Kopitar, Staal"

get future star based packages for 87 and 71 and then sign 2 of those 3 guys in FA. lol
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Ermmm... how much is the cap going up next year?

Those days we were getting shots on goal as well - now there is very little. How many goals have been scored over the weekend where you could say that the goalie 'should' have saved that?

Combine both those points & you have a different team. You had a team that scored a couple of goals & a D & goalie that were stopping most shots, over the weekend you had a team with no effort outshot 6/7-1 at some stages & goals that should/could have be stopped.

I'm not saying I want the team to struggle with 2-1 wins defending 50 sog every game but there has been difference in play that has declined.

I watched a team pass the puck around our D zone & ALL the Pens players stand still & (frank)ing 'watch' the puck - wtf is that? I saw a Pens team push passes through active defence & either lose it completely or throw a shot to nowhere, build no pressure have no puck support which is funny because that's what I thought the system consisted of having/controlling the puck & getting bodies around it supporting the puck carrier???

As they said after the Devils game we have hit rock bottom. Now it's time to get our arses off the deck & be a (frank)ing team that wants to earn their money & more importantly the respect of each other & themselves!!!

Go the (frank)in Pens!!!!!!!
- Aussiepenguin

The Farnham goal was weak, but obviously that wouldn't have changed the outcome in that game.

You're absolutely correct that there is zero puck support. The team can't pass. I mean like they need to go back to mites and practice passing and receiving the puck because they suck at it.

so... sid have been pointless in 44 of 99 games since mj took over... that is a quite horrible stat

so... sid have been pointless in 44 of 99 games since mj took over... that is a quite horrible stat
- martox

And still almost led the league in scoring last year... holy (frank)

And still almost led the league in scoring last year... holy (frank)
- Guile

apperantly xD

Now Malkin said they were frustrated with each other because of bad play. Maybe it was just his bad english. If I pretend that they all will come together and play the system now will you guys allow me to live in that delusion? I mean it is possible that after the players only meeting it does happen but with how things have gone it seems far fetched.

Ermmm... how much is the cap going up next year?
- Guile

Well Sid and Geno are off the books and brought back a ton of young, cost efficient players. We could defnitely sign 2 of them!

Returns for Sid and Geno - gives us the best farm system in the NHL, full of young defenseman and upside forwards. Then we sign Kopitar and Stamkos. Window opened for 10 more years. Magic.

edit: just kidding...mostly...yea Im joking....I think...

Well Sid and Geno are off the books and brought back a ton of young, cost efficient players. We could defnitely sign 2 of them!

Returns for Sid and Geno - gives us the best farm system in the NHL, full of young defenseman and upside forwards. Then we sign Kopitar and Stamkos. Window opened for 10 more years. Magic.

edit: just kidding...mostly...yea Im joking....I think...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kop and Stam would be... what, about 21 million combined? Maybe more? Would need Scuds and Kunitz gone... Feel like Duper is just going to retire after this year. And then we have loads of cap space... and about the same damn team fundamentally