I don't think they played together much. I think Rowney and Wilson came in and Kuhnhackl was benched and never returned in the playoffs.
- Tojo.

You are correct. Kuhn was a 4th line mainstay in the 2016 run. He and Cullen were very good together that year.

A 4th line, especially on a cap limit team, is going to have one Carter Rowney on that line. He doesn’t do anything special, but he’s rarely a major liability, plays a simple game and does some of the dirty work.

A player like Rowney will cost you nothing, so a smart team will take advantage a spend $1/$1.5 on a solid center or other wing, not on Reaves.

As many of us have said, you can have one of those guys in the lineup without it being too much of a negative. Every team has roll players that don't score a lot. It becomes a big problem when you you have 3 of them. Rowney, Reaves and Kuhnhackl is literally one of the worst lines in the entire league. They get dominated.

It's hard for me to reconcile a two time cup champion putting any of these players on the ice when a player like Sprong is sitting in the minors. Sprong should be playing when two top 6 forwards are hurt.
- madmike71

Yeah this is a really good post and a point I've made many times. Personally, my choice for who I'd rather give a sweater to out of those three when completely healthy in descending are Kuhnhackl, Reaves, and then Rowney, with there being a pretty big gap between Kuhn and the other two. In a choice between Reaves and Rowney I'm fairly indifferent.

I think when healthy, we're fine. One of Sheahan or Rust will be on the 4th line at all times when we're healthy and I've seen that line really rise up with just swapping out Sheahan for Rowney or Rust for Reaves. That said, I'd like to see a move, because it would be best if we can push another one of those guys off that line, and there's no contingency for injury as things currently stand. I mean look at us now when we're missing two forwards. We have goddamn Kuhnhackl playing up in the top 6! Depth that gives you 4 good lines when healthy gets you points in the regular season, but depth that lets you have four good lines even when injuries nag you wins Cups.

You are correct. Kuhn was a 4th line mainstay in the 2016 run. He and Cullen were very good together that year.
- MattStrat

Yeah, when Kuhnhackl was the 3rd best player on his line he was fine. Same for Rowney (at least at wing), and Reaves had some success last year.

The problem now is there isn't usually a guy on that line to elevate it like Cullen did. Rust and Sheahan have done it with a fuller line-up. Just grabbing one more center and I think our depth is fine.

Wonder if maybe Sprong isn’t ready for the NHL yet. Probably why he isn’t in the NHL. Rowney’s been playing awesome though.
- Grinder47

This guy has to be a meme bot at this point.

So Rowney is the punch bag around here now...

Yeah, when Kuhnhackl was the 3rd best player on his line he was fine. Same for Rowney (at least at wing), and Reaves had some success last year.

The problem now is there isn't usually a guy on that line to elevate it like Cullen did. Rust and Sheahan have done it with a fuller line-up. Just grabbing one more center and I think our depth is fine.
- Tojo.

Sheehan needs to be the 4C. How they get a 3C and who IDK. I dont think Cole alone as a pending UFA is enough.

Yeah, when Kuhnhackl was the 3rd best player on his line he was fine. Same for Rowney (at least at wing), and Reaves had some success last year.

The problem now is there isn't usually a guy on that line to elevate it like Cullen did. Rust and Sheahan have done it with a fuller line-up. Just grabbing one more center and I think our depth is fine.
- Tojo.

Agree with all of that, especially last sentence.

So Rowney is the punch bag around here now...
- Barnaby36

Not for I.

I said Id give most new guys until Christmas before passing judgement. Well, its February and I dont want to give Reaves any more time. He doesn't do anything for the Pens that Oleksiak cant, except Oleksiak can do positive things on the ice with and away from puck.

Ive seen a handful of games with a Reaves 4th line looking ok to pretty good...but it was never because of Reaves.

The other whipping boy, Hatewick, Im willing to give some more time because just before the concussion I thought he started looking really good.

78.4% of making postseason on this day Gents....not bad, not bad

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html

IF the Pens go 28-0-0 to close out season they have a 44.4% chance of winning the Presidents Trophy and will finally be deemed hockey's best team...

http://www.sportsclubstat...ropolitan/Pittsburgh.html

Not for I.

I said Id give most new guys until Christmas before passing judgement. Well, its February and I dont want to give Reaves any more time. He doesn't do anything for the Pens that Oleksiak cant, except Oleksiak can do positive things on the ice with and away from puck.

Ive seen a handful of games with a Reaves 4th line looking ok to pretty good...but it was never because of Reaves.

The other whipping boy, Hatewick, Im willing to give some more time because just before the concussion I thought he started looking really good.
- MattStrat

Such a bad signing considering that Ruhwedel can play just as good as him and earns 1/3.

I'd give up on him if we could give him away for a couple sticks and a puck.

IF the Pens go 28-0-0 to close out season they have a 44.4% chance of winning the Presidents Trophy and will finally be deemed hockey's best team...

http://www.sportsclubstat...ropolitan/Pittsburgh.html
- MattStrat

So Rowney is the punch bag around here now...
- Barnaby36

Nah I wouldn't call him a punching bag, he just sucks. That whole line sucks when they're together.

Is he, or that line the biggest problem? Nah not really, but they are part of the problems.