That's what I was saying last night. I think he's a major factor in why the PP struggles at times. Guy can't get his shots on net.....and he's making some terrible decisions.
- madmike71

Burns = 108
Byfuglien = 81
Faulk = 76
OEL = 72

Just in case you are wondering, those are the 4 defenseman who have more SOG than Kris Letang after last night's action and just in case you guys are wondering SOG stands for Shots "ON" Goal and just in case you guys were wondering that means Kris Letang is 5th in the league among defenseman at hitting the net with shots and finally just in case you were wondering this myth that hitting the net is a problem for Kris Letang is exactly that, a myth that was created by people that don't have any clue what they are talking about so they create myths because there is no factual evidence that supports their agenda.

It is extremely unrealistic/optimistic/early to mention Pouliot in the same breath as Letang and Maatta.
- Victoro311

Also unrealistic to say that both Letang and Maata (let alone Pouliot) should be in the top-12 league wide.

Burns = 108
Byfuglien = 81
Faulk = 76
OEL = 72

Just in case you are wondering, those are the 4 defenseman who have more SOG than Kris Letang after last night's action and just in case you guys are wondering SOG stands for Shots "ON" Goal and just in case you guys were wondering that means Kris Letang is 5th in the league among defenseman at hitting the net with shots and finally just in case you were wondering this myth that hitting the net is a problem for Kris Letang is exactly that, a myth that was created by people that don't have any clue what they are talking about so they create myths because there is no factual evidence that supports their agenda.
- jaydogg1974

I'm sorry, you lost me at "SOG." What's that stand for?

Seriously though, I think his argument was his ability to get shots through on the PP. For that, you'd need shots attempted/SOG ratio for the PP only.

I would MUCH rather have Pouliot up here making mistakes over Scuderi making mistakes. Pouliot can help out in areas Scuds can't (PP, transition). Both are probably at least equal in defensive play at this point.

I would probably kill myself if DP is given the Johnny Manziel treatment.

Also unrealistic to say that both Letang and Maata (let alone Pouliot) should be in the top-12 league wide.
- jmatchett383

I was merely speaking to their known potential, and Letang was easily top-12... well... he was...

Pens spent a lot of time chasing the puck in their own end last night. Sharks were blasting away at MAF. Other than the 4th line there was not a lot of sustained pressure. Crosby's lines MO was enter the zone, lose the puck, retreat.

Maybe Scuderi and/or Letang need to sit. Warf had a solid game.

One of the other responders wished for our 'other top 4' to just play to their average... agreed 110%... but if this team had their top 3 defensemen as anticipated going into this season, things would be alot different. Letang is horrible, as RW noted, poor Ollie can't seem to stay healthy, and where IS Pouliot ???

No team could perform to potential without 3 defensemen that could rank top 12 league-wide, as we SHOULD have in Letang, Maatta and Pouliot.

Just my opinion.
- skridscousin

What? What? and WHAT? Maata and Pouliot in the top 12 defenseman in the league? Did you have a RidRichard like procedure where you had your eyes permanently shined black & vegas gold?

Pens spent a lot of time chasing the puck in their own end last night. Sharks were blasting away at MAF. Other than the 4th line there was not a lot of sustained pressure. Crosby's lines MO was enter the zone, lose the puck, retreat.
- sammy87

They were basically just trying to give Geno's line a break by not creating anything.

I was merely speaking to their known potential, and Letang was easily top-12... well... he was...
- skridscousin

Yes, all 3 of them could be top-12 defenders some day. However, it's highly unlikely that any team ever has 3 guys in the top-12 at the same time (Nashville maybe). Still, if Letang gets back to 2012 form, Maata gets back to rookie form, and Pouliot progresses well, it's a very nice top-3.

Yes, all 3 of them could be top-12 defenders some day. However, it's highly unlikely that any team ever has 3 guys in the top-12 at the same time (Nashville maybe). Still, if Letang gets back to 2012 form, Maata gets back to rookie form, and Pouliot progresses well, it's a very nice top-3.
- jmatchett383

And I think it's reasonable to say the Pens had (still have?) this expectation... Letang is the puzzle of the 3. If not all 3, at least 2 of them are supposed to be the guys moving the puck up to our underachieving forwards.

That's what I was saying last night. I think he's a major factor in why the PP struggles at times. Guy can't get his shots on net.....and he's making some terrible decisions.
- madmike71

Plus the inability to keep the pucks in even if they aren't difficult plays. He did it again last night. He's got so much talent but he's frustrating to watch because he should be smarter with his decision making.

I'm sorry, you lost me at "SOG." What's that stand for?

Seriously though, I think his argument was his ability to get shots through on the PP. For that, you'd need shots attempted/SOG ratio for the PP only.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough. He's currently tied for 10th among all defenseman with 17 SOG on the pp, and among that top 10 his 8 missed shot is right around average, Burns has 6, Byfuglien has 7, OEL/Faulk/Subban all have 12 and his 1 pp shot blocked is better than every in the top 10 except for Krug who hasn't had a shot blocked.

So again the myth is still proven to be 100% incorrect, Kris Letang is actually among the elite in the league when it comes to shooting and getting his shots on net while on the powerplay.

Fell asleep before the game started. Usually I fall asleep after it starts
And Hornqvist I'll take the effort. You keep doing things right and evenutally it will work out.

What? What? and WHAT? Maata and Pouliot in the top 12 defenseman in the league? Did you have a RidRichard like procedure where you had your eyes permanently shined black & vegas gold?
- jaydogg1974

That's so funny! It actually change the movie name Ridd.ick to RidRicahrd. I don't think I ever laughed so hard.

because of their salaries, i am not sure it is possible but will the coaches ever give letang a time out to get him to re group? he has been a - player since before last years playoffs. the salary and history of concussions/stroke make him an unlikely player to be traded.

And I think it's reasonable to say the Pens had (still have?) this expectation... Letang is the puzzle of the 3. If not all 3, at least 2 of them are supposed to be the guys moving the puck up to our underachieving forwards.
- skridscousin

Yes, they have the expectation. And teams have the expectation that every 1st round pick is going to be a superstar. Whether it happens or not is a different story. Yes, all 3 of them are likely to be very good players, but to say that all 3 will simultaneously be top-12 in the league...it's just not gonna happen, regardless of Letang.

I'll own up to having that train of thought. More specifically I was defending Perron when I was harping on that and I'm glad I did. He's playing great hockey and even though he's not lighting up the score sheet, he's finally found production.

-snipped-

- Victoro311

I think that Hornqvist is a fantastic grinder. He's skilled, but not skilled enough to create offense on his own. He's not the guy you want carrying the puck, he's the guy who can work the corner, get it to the playmaker, get to the net, and get the feed from the playmaker.

Yes, they have the expectation. And teams have the expectation that every 1st round pick is going to be a superstar. Whether it happens or not is a different story. Yes, all 3 of them are likely to be very good players, but to say that all 3 will simultaneously be top-12 in the league...it's just not gonna happen, regardless of Letang.
- jmatchett383

Unfortunately for the Pens, you are probably correct.

But I'm still going to hold out hope that by season's end, Letang can regain his form, Ollie will be healthy and gaining on spectacular, and Pouliot will at least get a look.

Stats show the Pens have suffered well above league average in man-games lost to injury the past few seasons. Guess I was hoping the law of averages... or the hockey gods... would finally cut them some slack.

I think that Hornqvist is a fantastic grinder. He's skilled, but not skilled enough to create offense on his own. He's not the guy you want carrying the puck, he's the guy who can work the corner, get it to the playmaker, get to the net, and get the feed from the playmaker.
- jmatchett383

He's been failing miserable at both those things. Though I don't think it is any coincidence that almost every aggressive straight line player on this team is playing like crap either.

@Oneonta:

It sucks. The place where most Of the competitions are going to be played is heavy poluted. A great deal of the constructions for the olympics are way behind the schedule and a lot do things promised by the government simply wont happen. Rio de Janeiro has no conditions whatsoever to host the olympics, unfortunately. Brazil as a whole is living one Of its biggest crisis due to several corruption scandals.

What blockbuster save did Fluery make last night to attribute the game to him?
The Sharks had maybe a handful of threatening chances and the rest of there shots were worthless put it on the net with a prayer shots.

That was a complete game by the whole team and RW come up with that terrible headline to push his analytics are god agenda yet again. The fact that Plotnikov is our top player analytics wise should show you the holes in those metrics, the guy does nothing out there.

Try Sprong with Sid and Kunitz
Duper with Cullen and Fehr

Rotate Bennett and Plotnikov in the press box the extra games off should help them maintain those excellent corsi numbers that everyone knows is what really makes a player.

@Oneonta:

It sucks. The place where most Of the competitions are going to be played is heavy poluted. A great deal of the constructions for the olympics are way behind the schedule and a lot do things promised by the government simply wont happen. Rio de Janeiro has no conditions whatsoever to host the olympics, unfortunately. Brazil as a whole is living one Of its biggest crisis due to several corruption scandals.
- Conse

So, it's basically Sochi, but warmer?

@Oneonta:

It sucks. The place where most Of the competitions are going to be played is heavy poluted. A great deal of the constructions for the olympics are way behind the schedule and a lot do things promised by the government simply wont happen. Rio de Janeiro has no conditions whatsoever to host the olympics, unfortunately. Brazil as a whole is living one Of its biggest crisis due to several corruption scandals.
- Conse

Petrobras LOL, thats a good one!

IMO the Olympics are a bit of a joke anymore. Nobody wants them, its a huge cost to the host city, half the athletes are doped. Isn't Russia sitting Rio out? Last year Russia used them to hide an invasion of Ukraine.

Petrobras LOL, thats a good one!

IMO the Olympics are a bit of a joke anymore. Nobody wants them, its a huge cost to the host city, half the athletes are doped. Isn't Russia sitting Rio out? Last year Russia used them to hide an invasion of Ukraine.
- sammy87

The Olympics are a scam. They should be held in set respective locations or on a rotating basis between several locations. Changing locations every time is beyond stupid.

What blockbuster save did Fluery make last night to attribute the game to him?
The Sharks had maybe a handful of threatening chances and the rest of there shots were worthless put it on the net with a prayer shots.

That was a complete game by the whole team and RW come up with that terrible headline to push his analytics are god agenda yet again. The fact that Plotnikov is our top player analytics wise should show you the holes in those metrics, the guy does nothing out there.

Try Sprong with Sid and Kunitz
Duper with Cullen and Fehr

Rotate Bennett and Plotnikov in the press box the extra games off should help them maintain those excellent corsi numbers that everyone knows is what really makes a player.
- stackthepads

Why rotate Bennett and Plot in the pressbox when both of them are playing way better than Dupuis?? Especially Plot.