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Today @ 2:09 PM ET
So, As The Penguins blow the doors off the Sharks with Speed and Skill, Benning seems to be loading up on Size and Toughness

#BehindtheTimesBenning

#DimJim"


Its not Tuesday you (frank)in whiny bipolar.....

You think Pittsburgh is a small team?

They manhandled the sharks which are supposed to be a big, mobile, physical and skilled team. I was shocked that the sharks didn't put up a bigger fight.

I bet the sharks in 5. Boy was I wrong.
- bloatedmosquito

We were apparently watching a different series. The Penguins won with speed and skill. They weren't physical at all. polak said it well. Pitts wouldn't engage physically on the forecheck, instead they relied on numbers to steal the puck off the Sharks defenseman.

The Sharks didn't have a single game in that series in which they looked remotely like the team that won the previous 3 rounds. They played well for parts of game 6 but it was too little too late.
- NorthNuck

I was wondering how much the St Louis series (and going through Nashville/LA) was having an effect on SJ. They really looked nothing like they did in the previous series. Maybe it was just that Pitt was significantly faster and it neutralized things, but the composure of SJ's players with the puck and their depth seemed to be missing throughout

Ducks at 16/1 might be worth a poke, but I'm not a gambler anymore.

The Sharks didn't have a single game in that series in which they looked remotely like the team that won the previous 3 rounds. They played well for parts of game 6 but it was too little too late.
- NorthNuck

They looked like just finally getting to the Cup finals was their internal victory.

Not sure if someone posted this in an earlier blog or not

Friedman: Sources saying that Scott Hartnell has agreed to waive his no-movement clause for several teams. Sounding like it’s a decent-sized list. He has three years left on his contract.

Some talk that the Vancouver Canucks prefer Logan Brown.

One GM on the Canucks: “One of the free-agent wingers is going there. Just have to figure out which one.”
- NorthNuck

I just dont want Ladd, not as good of player as the money will get him, pretty invisible in the playoffs with chicago aswell

So, As The Penguins blow the doors off the Sharks with Speed and Skill, Benning seems to be loading up on Size and Toughness

#BehindtheTimesBenning

#DimJim
- TheGame316

right, because it always works to change the makeup of a team year to year based on the most recent stanley cup champs...

right, because it always works to change the makeup of a team year to year based on the most recent stanley cup champs...
- dbot

Id still take Schultz from the stanely cup winning team if they dont sign him

Id still take Schultz from the stanely cup winning team if they dont sign him
- phyllee

Oh, i'd take quite a few players off either SJS or Pitts

You think Pittsburgh is a small team?

They manhandled the sharks which are supposed to be a big, mobile, physical and skilled team. I was shocked that the sharks didn't put up a bigger fight.

I bet the sharks in 5. Boy was I wrong.
- bloatedmosquito

I too thought the sharks would take em. Sullivan really did an amazing job though, Deboer as well.

I think the key to the physical side was the pens were extremely disciplined and didnt take retaliation penalties which is how the sharks beat you.
Pens had their D going the right way as well, a huge factor.

Oh, i'd take quite a few players off either SJS or Pitts
- dbot

Does Pits even have the cap space to qualify Shultz?

We were apparently watching a different series. The Penguins won with speed and skill. They weren't physical at all. polak said it well. Pitts wouldn't engage physically on the forecheck, instead they relied on numbers to steal the puck off the Sharks defenseman.
- CanuckDon

I'm not saying that speed and skill didn't win the series but the sharks couldn't get to the net let alone get across the penguin's blue line. Shark players were constantly harassed while they had the puck, passes rushed, interrupted, or not even made because penguin players stripping them of the puck.

You don't always have to win the physical battles down low. You can be physical in the neutral zone too.

I don't know how you can explain SJ's inability to get to the net; pucks or bodies. Pittsburgh's defense blew me away on how sound they were.

I was wondering how much the St Louis series (and going through Nashville/LA) was having an effect on SJ. They really looked nothing like they did in the previous series. Maybe it was just that Pitt was significantly faster and it neutralized things, but the composure of SJ's players with the puck and their depth seemed to be missing throughout
- WhiteLie

Yes SJ looked just worn right out. The LA and STL series especially were taxing on the body will all teams playing the big and heavy game.

Got to give PIT a bit more credit with being able to handle 'big and heavy' clubs though. NYR and especially WAS were taxing on PIT players as well. It wasn't just SJ that had a tough road.

I was actually quite shocked to see SJ not make it more of a series...they were just out of gas completely. Kinda figured whoever won the PIT-WAS series was gonna take it...

I'm not saying that speed and skill didn't win the series but the sharks couldn't get to the net let alone get across the penguin's blue line. Shark players were constantly harassed while they had the puck, passes rushed, interrupted, or not even made because penguin players stripping them of the puck.

You don't always have to win the physical battles down low. You can be physical in the neutral zone too.

I don't know how you can explain SJ's inability to get to the net; pucks or bodies. Pittsburgh's defense blew me away on how sound they were.
- bloatedmosquito

thats usually a sound defensive plan (with capable players as well to execute said plan)...tactical play. Whoever runs the D in pittsburg did a great job.

I think its Martin who runs the D. Well done!

I too thought the sharks would take em. Sullivan really did an amazing job though, Deboer as well.

I think the key to the physical side was the pens were extremely disciplined and didnt take retaliation penalties which is how the sharks beat you.
Pens had their D going the right way as well, a huge factor.
- SMBDragon

Agree. Being phyical doesn't mean just big hits or playing stupid. Twins are a good example. I think they play a physical game (never shy away from the tough areas) without fighting, cheap shots, and big hits.

Coaching staff did a great job but player additions during the season also made a huge difference.

Ducks at 16/1 might be worth a poke, but I'm not a gambler anymore.
- A_SteamingLombardi

as long as Kesler graces their lineup they will never see that cup.

Natural born loser.

Id still take Schultz from the stanely cup winning team if they dont sign him
- phyllee

PP1 with Edler?

Discuss..

PP1 with Edler?

Discuss..


- LordHumungous

I want to see how Larsen works.

thats usually a sound defensive plan (with capable players as well to execute said plan)...tactical play. Whoever runs the D in pittsburg did a great job.

I think its Martin who runs the D. Well done!
- SMBDragon

Letang would make most D coaches look pretty good on any team dude...

Agree. Being phyical doesn't mean just big hits or playing stupid. Twins are a good example. I think they play a physical game (never shy away from the tough areas) without fighting, cheap shots, and big hits.

Coaching staff did a great job but player additions during the season also made a huge difference.
- bloatedmosquito

I noticed sullivan mentioned he also had a cup win last year as well, so back to back wins for him. Didnt realize it but he was on Chicago for their win, as coach of player development or something like that. He said he learned a lot that made him a better coach and applied it here as HC.

I want to see how Larsen works.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Larson hasnt signed yet, i find it kinda weird, id like Schultz on the third line with Tryamkin (hes more defensive) and then on powerplay 1 with edler.

Letang would make most D coaches look pretty good on any team dude...


- LordHumungous

Great D man yes.

Im referring to how they held the sharks to 2 shots in the 3rd. Couldnt even cross blue line whether Letang was on or not. That right there is a sound plan. Martin is known as a defensive genius. Every team he coaches on has sound D.

He figured out the sharks pattern and shut em down with his deployment

I just dont want Ladd, not as good of player as the money will get him, pretty invisible in the playoffs with chicago aswell
- phyllee

I'd be a happy camper with Brouwer at 4 x 4.5 AAV. He would look great on the Sedin line and give us the flexibility to move Hansen for another high pick.

Or if not, how about Frans Nielsen at 4 x 4 AAV?

I'd be a happy camper with Brouwer at 4 x 4.5 AAV. He would look great on the Sedin line and give us the flexibility to move Hansen for another high pick.

Or if not, how about Frans Nielsen at 4 x 4 AAV?
- we_are_all_canucks

Id have no problem at all signing Brouwer after trading Hansen, thats one of the moves i hope Benning makes

Id have no problem at all signing Brouwer after trading Hansen, thats one of the moves i hope Benning makes
- phyllee

Hansons speed is an asset I dont care to lose. Who do you replace that immense speed?
We'd be better off keeping Hanson, unless its for something like a 1st round pic in top 15....not debating if thats fair just saying unless its towards something like that you keep his speed.