Just had a look at Pittsburg D stats.
The first question that comes into my mind is.. What the (frank) has happened so far this season

They have very decent possession numbers... but the goal results are total poop
Letang 54.92 CF% and goals for/against 25-46

They are in a playoff spot at the moment with some extreme terrible luck it looks like.
So put some sheckles on them winning a lot down the stretch
- senstroll

Kessel might win the (frank)ing Art Ross.

you didnt even mention their leading scorer
- senstroll

Kessel was awesome but I'd dare say he's not as important as the other two?

Kessel might win the (frank)ing Art Ross.
- AdamFrench

Just noticed his stats this year.

Dayum! GO PHIL!

If he's so awesome, why is the volume of work so low?
- Unholy_Goalie

It's purely Babcock. He's they type of coach who rides one guy. NHL is moving towards 60/40 spit with goalies but he's old school.

Andersen hasn't been pulled once this year, but lots of games he's been shelled for 4+ goals....

Leafs could have any other backup in the league and it wouldn't affect Andersen's games played one bit

Horrible year for fashion at the Australian Open.

Just noticed his stats this year.

Dayum! GO PHIL!
- Scabeh

Also I know this is off topic, but (frank)ing hell. How bad would you feel as a kid when you are in the same league as somebody doing this?

2001-02 Madison Capitols Bantam Major Bantam 86 176 110 286


Also the second placed scorer was named Joey Nigro.

Also I know this is off topic, but (frank)ing hell. How bad would you feel as a kid when you are in the same league as somebody doing this?

2001-02 Madison Capitols Bantam Major Bantam 86 176 110 286
- AdamFrench

Next thing you're gonna tell me is that he's playing at the "B" level.

If he's so awesome, why is the volume of work so low?
- Unholy_Goalie

cause Andersen so far has shown he can handle playing more.

It's purely Babcock. He's they type of coach who rides one guy. NHL is moving towards 60/40 spit with goalies but he's old school.

Andersen hasn't been pulled once this year, but lots of games he's been shelled for 4+ goals....

Leafs could have any other backup in the league and it wouldn't affect Andersen's games played one bit
- Garth_Mctavish

I’m with Babs on this one.

With today’s level of fitness for goalies, why the frank do they need any night off, other than back to backs?

Hes still playing great...no matter what age.
playing great in the ahl.....doesnt mean much in the NHL.
Mcbackup is cheap and has bee really good.
he'll be back next season...unless traded
- Fakepartofme

And yet only 8 games out of 51. Maybe because Babcock knows he can't trust him for more than that. He'll be back because he has 1 year left but it doesn't mean one of the Marlies can't outplay him in training camp or that they can't sign a better back-up.

So when Rielly returns, what should the d-pairings look like? Methinks:

Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Dermott
Borgman-Carrick

Having said that, I actually kind of like Gards playing with Hainsey so they could go with (though, admittedly, I can't see Babs actually doing this):

Rielly-Dermott
Gardiner-Hainsey
Borgman-Carrick

When Zaitsev gets back they're going to have to make a hard choice in Borg or Carrick riding the pine as I think Dermott has performed admirably and has earned a regular spot. I'm thinking Carrick is the better bet to stay in the lineup over Borg.

Polak can go (frank) himself on Robidas Island.
- mjones242

Even though Dermott has been steady, he'll be returned to the AHL.
Not because of performance but because he can be sent down without any issue, unlike Leivo.

Kessel was awesome but I'd dare say he's not as important as the other two?
- Scabeh

maybe

And yet only 8 games out of 51. Maybe because Babcock knows he can't trust him for more than that. He'll be back because he has 1 year left but it doesn't mean one of the Marlies can't outplay him in training camp or that they can't sign a better back-up.
- Unholy_Goalie

Or maybe Babs knows he can play his starter more.
the two in the marlies...meh.

but anything can happen next training camp

If he's so awesome, why is the volume of work so low?
- Unholy_Goalie

That would falls under "it's the coaches decision"

It's purely Babcock. He's they type of coach who rides one guy. NHL is moving towards 60/40 spit with goalies but he's old school.

Andersen hasn't been pulled once this year, but lots of games he's been shelled for 4+ goals....

Leafs could have any other backup in the league and it wouldn't affect Andersen's games played one bit
- Garth_Mctavish

If they had Hutton for example, he still plays 8 games? I don't think so. Playing Andersen into the ground could come back to bite him in the ass. He's a big body who faces the most shots. That's risky.

Thank god for Dermott and Carick Stepping up. Gardiner as well.
- Santo_44

..yes it's a nice surprise! ..funny tho do they return to their old play when the other two return

If they had Hutton for example, he still plays 8 games? I don't think so. Playing Andersen into the ground could come back to bite him in the ass. He's a big body who faces the most shots. That's risky.
- Unholy_Goalie

agree.
But its babs

Also I know this is off topic, but (frank)ing hell. How bad would you feel as a kid when you are in the same league as somebody doing this?

2001-02 Madison Capitols Bantam Major Bantam 86 176 110 286


Also the second placed scorer was named Joey Nigro.
- AdamFrench

Frank's son..he used to play for the leafs 82/83..I believe

Meh, Cole is like a slightly younger Polak.. The player to target from Pittsburgh is Frankie Corrado.


- PatC80

Or hunwick!

So when Rielly returns, what should the d-pairings look like? Methinks:

Rielly-Polak
Gardiner-Dermott
Polak-Carrick

Having said that, I actually kind of like Gards playing with Hainsey so they could go with (though, admittedly, I can't see Babs actually doing this):

Rielly-Dermott
Gardiner-Hainsey
Borgman-Carrick

When Zaitsev gets back they're going to have to make a hard choice in Borg or Carrick riding the pine as I think Dermott has performed admirably and has earned a regular spot. I'm thinking Carrick is the better bet to stay in the lineup over Borg.

Polak can go (frank) himself on Robidas Island.
- mjones242

fixed

Or hunwick!
- Chardcore709

Or hunwick!
- Chardcore709

Ian Cole sucks.

Stop trying to trade for him.

- MR.Hunter

rather have p.martin

agree.
But its babs
- Fakepartofme

Maybe it's not. Maybe he just doesn't have a better option he can trust.