Like Crosby never got a stick in the face without protection, or Geno hasn't been run without protection.

Difference is, Geno didn't have to fight someone, Letang didn't have to fight some one, and Crosby didn't have to nutshot anyone because Reaves was there.

As has been said a million times, Reaves isn't going to protect everything.

And also as has been said before, there's no way to know what would have happened if he WASN'T there. So who's to say he didn't prevent someone from doing something even MORE stupid?

Bottom line is, Reaves is 5 goals away from tying Beau Bennett's single-season Penguins' personal best for goals in a season.
- hardnosed

The narrative that enforcers can calm a game down or deter anything has to die. As long as no-one is peddling that bullpoop there's nothing to complain about. If you want to get guys emotionally invested in regular season games or cause some chaos then Reaves can definitely do that. We've been fine without that for 2 years with cups in them though.
- cygnus41

I think it's only the anti reaves types that push this 'deterrent' rubbish. Everyone else knows what happens happens. No one deters anything usually as anyone that wants to will no matter who is on the ice.

1 thing I will say again is that the Pens have difficulty in a physical tight game. The Sens played that type of game & nearly beat us. Having Reaves the team is more physical especially losing Kunitz who was our most consistent physical presence.

Ryan Reaves > Ryan Wilson. Ive been on a quest to somewhat become a more enlightened human being and except others opinions rather than constantly make my life a up hill challenge but Ryan Wilson is a joke. I will always challenge his employment as the pens blogger. what a clown.

Ryan Wilson just does not get it. If you are being bullied....what is the best way to get the bully to stop. Hire your own bully and then see what happens. That is exactly what this team was missing And I bet Sid and Geno are happy to finally have some reinforcements when things get rough and tumble. Remember they are paid to produce not fight This makes is a little easier to produce in spite of what dimwit Ryan Wilson says

It's funny...regardless of whether anyone on here is a Reeves fan or not, everyone came to his defense because of how obviously Wilson bashed him for no reason. It just takes one hater to get everyone else on the same page.

Ryan Reaves > Ryan Wilson. Ive been on a quest to somewhat become a more enlightened human being and except others opinions rather than constantly make my life a up hill challenge but Ryan Wilson is a joke. I will always challenge his employment as the pens blogger. what a clown.
- Grinder47

His job is to give his opinion, not state whatever you think is true. If you disagree and it gets you all emotional, just don't read it. You should take some of your own medicine.

Oh, and being a homophobe isn't cool. Scumbag.
- j.boyd919

But asking someone to slobber on your knob is?

It's funny...regardless of whether anyone on here is a Reeves fan or not, everyone came to his defense because of how obviously Wilson bashed him for no reason. It just takes one hater to get everyone else on the same page.
- cranktheradio

Reaves had an objectively good game last night. I don't think it will be the norm, and RW has a very valid point that Reaves didn't stop the stars from getting ran, but this wasn't the time to dedicate a blog to bashing Reaves. Read the room.

You sure? I feel like you fantasize about me a lot. And I feel like slobbing on my knob would probably make you feel better about yourself. It seems like you're really fighting with some inner demons right now. Maybe a little bit of my spunk would help calm those demons.
- j.boyd919

Yeah dude you never cross my mind and I rarely come on here. Unlike you who checks it every 5 minutes and starts 5 page fights with anyone and everyone. It's ironic that you wrap so much of your life up in a mediocre hockey message board and then have the nerve to talk about other people's demons.

Oh, and being a homophobe isn't cool. Scumbag.
- j.boyd919

I don't hate gay people I just hate you. The fact you happen to be a little homo is just a bonus.

But asking someone to slobber on your knob is?
- Garnie

Actually.... I'm in agreement with Boyd here. That's pretty funny.

Reaves is out there with Sid for the same reason that Carcillo used to flank Kane and Toews and guys like Bickell, Brouwer, and even Byfuglien have played with Kane for long stretches.

Its also why Ryan Hartman is playing LW (and playing well to his credit) with Kane and not the much hyped DeBrincat or even Patrick Sharp.

The fact is, NHL coaches, guys who are actually paid to coach, including guys who have won Cups, see the need to occasionally "protect" their top guys in real time with guys like Reaves who drive the analytics jockeys nuts because . . . "even strength Corsi goddammit!!"

Funny, as much as some think hockey has changed over the last 20-25 years, and it has changed some, there's still TREMENDOUS value to a guy who can support the play skating a regular shift with skill players AND "take care of business." Like a young Bob Probert or a Lucic.

Not that Reaves is really that guy, and actually, I think he's a cementhead, but . . .
- John Jaeckel

Blackhawks blogger by day, Penguins troll by night....I like it!

Blackhawks blogger by day, Penguins troll by night....I like it!

- Larsson_fan

Hey, haven't you got some random individual to go & send to the end of his sanity like that dude over the Vegas comment last week???

Not that I found your comment insensitive but his reaction was pretty extreme - have you (frank)ed with him before?

Hey, haven't you got some random individual to go & send to the end of his sanity like that dude over the Vegas comment last week???

Not that I found your comment insensitive but his reaction was pretty extreme - have you (frank)ed with him before?
- Aussiepenguin

Have I (frank)ed with him before?????
Son, do you know who the Hell I am?


That was pretty awesome tho wasn't it?

It never works...
- Feds91Stammer

It did for the 'Hawks, often. It was most notable with Buff on the left flank with Toews and Kane in '10, especially the SCF.

The difference between Buff and Reaves is Buff can actually play, and with star players. Reaves is totally out of his element with Sid/Geno.

It did for the 'Hawks, often. It was most notable with Buff on the left flank with Toews and Kane in '10, especially the SCF.

The difference between Buff and Reaves is Buff can actually play, and with star players. Reaves is totally out of his element with Sid/Geno.
- blackhawk24

But Sid & Geno are pretty elite............not like Toews.

Yeah dude you never cross my mind and I rarely come on here. Unlike you who checks it every 5 minutes and starts 5 page fights with anyone and everyone. It's ironic that you wrap so much of your life up in a mediocre hockey message board and then have the nerve to talk about other people's demons.
- Dcoms

Dude don't act like you're not interested and then slide into my DMs and ask for pics of my knob. I'm not that easy. You gotta at least wine and dine me. I prefer dry aged rib eye and bourbon. Then maybe if you treat me right I'll let ya give me a rim job.

Ryan Wilson just does not get it. If you are being bullied....what is the best way to get the bully to stop. Hire your own bully and then see what happens.
- holeinone

What is this, a (frank)ing 90s teens sketch comedy show? The (frank).

What is this, a (frank)ing 90s teens sketch comedy show? The (frank).
- Blackstrom2

Kids in the Hall was (frank)ing brilliant dude. (frank) off. Hahaha

I don't hate gay people I just hate you. The fact you happen to be a little homo is just a bonus.
- Dcoms

I'm not a homophobe, I just like to call people gay and homo as insults.

I bet you're a Libertarian.

I'm not a homophobe, I just like to call people gay and homo as insults.

I bet you're a Libertarian.
- Blackstrom2

Nope. I am this board's resident aPAULogist.

off topic, but I have a NHL 18 question:
Are Sprong and ZAR in the game, possibly in the AHL, and available for call ups?

I'm not a homophobe, I just like to call people gay and homo as insults.

I bet you're a Libertarian.
- Blackstrom2

"Yeah, I'm not racist, I just call African American's n*ggers when I hate them, but I don't hate ALL of them though, I'm actually really good friends with 3 of them."

I'm not a homophobe, I just like to call people gay and homo as insults.

I bet you're a Libertarian.
- Blackstrom2

Who the (frank) goes to libraries anymore?

I'm not a homophobe, I just like to call people gay and homo as insults.

I bet you're a Libertarian.
- Blackstrom2

Listen, you either hate everyone equally (equality), or, love everyone except non whites, blacks, yellows, Browns, Asians, Africans, euros, Latinos, New Zealanders & Tasmanians!

You're forgiven.