This is not just any win though, we got Lundqvist out of our heads, and we got in Lundqvists head. The next time we play the Rags we will be all over that cry baby. - stackthepads
I hope you're right. One game should not break anyone's confidence, plus he has a built in excuse with the injury. On the flip side it can only help our confidence.
I guess the difference is Shultzy cost us nothing at all to acquire and is upside makes any cost of acquisition worth it. Shultz is so many things even right now that Lovejoy is not. He's only 25, has a tremendous pedigree, has played in all situations and scenarios including ppqb. Yes he's a little broken from playing for a bad team under high expectations but playing for a good team under no expectations should be a quick remedy for that. I would never trade Despres or any dman we have spent years developing for either Shultz or Lovejoy, but a third round pick and them retaining salary, it's all wins for us. - Dcoms
I guess I'd be more fine with it if draft picks were in greater supply these days.
This is not just any win though, we got Lundqvist out of our heads, and we got in Lundqvists head. The next time we play the Rags we will be all over that cry baby. - stackthepads
This whole Schultz thing is whatever, if he plays then so be it. I would like to see him at some point, but if he doesnt, we know it is because others are performing, it is a good thing!
The absolute main reason we acquired him though, do you all remember last year when we went in the (frank)ing playoffs with 5 defensemen? JR was not going to let that happen again. We will now have hopefully 8 serviceable defensemen come playoff time of varying skill sets.
Schultz is simply insurance and that's what we paid a third round pick. It's in case Daley or Pouliot gets hurt. I assume Schultz is first sub for those 2 and Cole is first sub for Maata, Dumoulin, Lovejoy. Seasons over if Letang gets hurt so he's not insurance on them. 3rd round pick was the established price for a 7/8 at trade deadline.
People need to quit saying Schultz is a long term plan. He is essentially UFA at the end of the year. Qualifying offer to retain a guys rfa status is a 1 year deal at current salary. We will not offer him a 1 year 3.9 contract.
Schultz will play some in the remaining games to see how he fits in the system. I would probably give Daley time off and pair him with Dumoulin since pouliot needs NHL experience. Also assume Schultz will play in all of our back to back games to add fresh legs like we are doing with fleury/Murray.
Also wouldn't hate it if we play him 4th line forward to see if he can do that at all.
I won't be excited about the outcome of this game until RW validates what we just witnessed with some fancy charts and graphs. - Emperor Filonius
Validating opinion with statistical evidence is a good thing. JMO. Yost (one of the best bloggers this site has ever had) did it too and the Sens fans didn't shred him for it. Just saying...
Validating opinion with statistical evidence is a good thing. JMO. Yost (one of the best bloggers this site has ever had) did it too and the Sens fans didn't shred him for it. Just saying... - madmike71
I think RW's biggest downfall is the tone he takes when he acknowledges the non-stats people. There's not even an attempt at disrespect. I think Ryan gets way more poop than he deserves, but sometimes he does himself zero favors. It kind of hurts his credibility, which is unfortunate, because his blogs are semi-objective for being an obvious hardo Penguins homer.
Validating opinion with statistical evidence is a good thing. JMO. Yost (one of the best bloggers this site has ever had) did it too and the Sens fans didn't shred him for it. Just saying... - madmike71
I think RW's biggest downfall is the tone he takes when he acknowledges the non-stats people. There's not even an attempt at disrespect. I think Ryan gets way more poop than he deserves, but sometimes he does himself zero favors. It kind of hurts his credibility, which is unfortunate, because his blogs are semi-objective for being an obvious hardo Penguins homer. - Victoro311
No where near as condescending as tanner can be though haha
I think RW's biggest downfall is the tone he takes when he acknowledges the non-stats people. There's not even an attempt at disrespect. I think Ryan gets way more poop than he deserves, but sometimes he does himself zero favors. It kind of hurts his credibility, which is unfortunate, because his blogs are semi-objective for being an obvious hardo Penguins homer. - Victoro311
I've been around here a long time. I'm a Pens "hardo" myself and rarely miss a blog and I like the discussion. I think the non-stats people usually take the first shot. Check that... They always take first shot. I've said it many times, IT'S FREE. People b!tching about FREE is annoying to me.
Furthermore, it's hard work. Many, many years ago I wrote a column and I'll tell you, it's not easy coming up with regular content. Not remotely easy.
I'm a little older. I guess I appreciate effort. That's all.
Location: Drinking the tears of the defeated from Lord Stanley's chalice. Joined: 01.18.2007
Mar 3 @ 11:33 PM ET
Validating opinion with statistical evidence is a good thing. JMO. Yost (one of the best bloggers this site has ever had) did it too and the Sens fans didn't shred him for it. Just saying... - madmike71
Yes, but Yost never tended to beat people over the head with the same data to further an agenda over and over again (we get it, Scuderi's sucks!), nor was he quite as condescending as RW can be at times to people who are not fully converted disciples of advanced stats. That being said, I do think RW does a good job and we could do far worse, mostly I was just trying to be funny. The graphs do kind of have a life of their own, like Donald Trumps hair.
Yes, but Yost never tended to beat people over the head with the same data to further an agenda over and over again, nor was he quite as condescending as RW can be at times. That being said, I do think RW does a good job and we could do far worse, mostly I was just trying to be funny. - Emperor Filonius
I know. I didn't want to "go off" on you. You've been around a long time too. I was just making a general comment because I've read some truly nasty crap from a few people around here.
I don't think it's an agenda. I think it's his style. Some people believe in it. Others don't. Either way it's a good way to start a conversation. Which is ultimately his intent.
Location: Drinking the tears of the defeated from Lord Stanley's chalice. Joined: 01.18.2007
Mar 3 @ 11:38 PM ET
I know. I didn't want to "go off" on you. You've been around a long time too. I was just making a general comment because I've read some truly nasty crap from a few people around here.
I don't think it's an agenda. I think it's his style. Some people believe in it. Others don't. Either way it's a good way to start a conversation. - madmike71
No worries man. We beat the Rangers. it's all good.
