Agreed with the calling up of Bleuger 100%, as well as keeping Cullen out of the lineup for him, but as a lockerroom guy, I don’t mind him being here. The team has taken some hits with lockerroom chemistry and it is somewhere Cullen can help.
- Doogs

Cullen is the reason they are putting Brass on the 4th and it’s maddening.

They've actually been playing very well for the most part the last 15ish games. Ive been checking all the fancy stats to back up my eye tests and they have been out corsi'n, out possession'n, out chancing and out shooting most teams most nights and have been rewarded with at least a point in a lot of those games for doing so.

If you mean as it stands because they're missing some wingers, than maybe yes. They havent been quite as effective without Horny.

This RW blog is like an overreaction blog this time because it was a loss to a team that hadn't won in 8 games.
- MattStrat

Hornqvist gives them a dimension that nobody else on this team is capable of replicating. A couple of things that I noticed about the offence in the last three games; their passing is not tape to tape, it is merely throw the puck in an area and hope we get to it first. Net front presence is practically non-existent, no tips, rebounds or screens.

Hornqvist gives them a dimension that nobody else on this team is capable of replicating. A couple of things that I noticed about the offence in the last three games; their passing is not tape to tape, it is merely throw the puck in an area and hope we get to it first. Net front presence is practically non-existent, no tips, rebounds or screens.
- Thunderbolt

Tear it down time?

Tear it down time?
- jmatchett383

hahaha

Is there any truth to what Ek posted. That they are talking to St. Louis about Parayko? That might help but at a very high cost I am sure. And would adding him help the Goaltending issues by the transitive property?
- Doogs

There is never any truth to what Ek posts. Dude finds his rumors in Spaghetti-Os.

The power shift in the East has pretty much happened. Tampa, Toronto and soon to be Buffalo are the new powerhouses, but I 100% do believe the Pens could be right there with them for the next couple of years if they construct their team properly.

The Penguins need a gut-check. This team is maybe a minor trade away from away from being a playoff team, but IMO they MUST get one more top-six winger or a top-nine capable of slotting in the top-six and a quality RD if they want to be true contenders.

I really love the game Pearson brings and I do think he's a fine 2nd winger and when he brings his game, I love Rust. This is not enough. They need to stack the deck or they're toast.

There is never any truth to what Ek posts. Dude finds his rumors in Spaghetti-Os.
- j.boyd919

hahaha

I wish we could sign a petition to get Cullen and ZAR out of the lineup.

Hornqvist gives them a dimension that nobody else on this team is capable of replicating. A couple of things that I noticed about the offence in the last three games; their passing is not tape to tape, it is merely throw the puck in an area and hope we get to it first. Net front presence is practically non-existent, no tips, rebounds or screens.
- Thunderbolt

Yeah they havent been quite as cohesive the past 2 or 3 games but the chances have still been there. 2 games ago I thought it was the sloppiest Id seen a Pens game in a long time, tape to tape was non existent...took until the about half way until I realized it was the ice that was f'n terrible in NY. (disclaimer: I had eaten a heavy edible)

I wish we could sign a petition to get Cullen and ZAR out of the lineup.
- Rinosaur

I'm fine with ZAR on the 4th line. You need fearless guys like that for the PK. He's very good on the PK.

Cullen I'm completely done with and turns out I was completely wrong. I thought this was going to be one of those injuries that turned into retirement.

I'm fine with ZAR on the 4th line. You need fearless guys like that for the PK. He's very good on the PK.

- MattStrat

Fearless is fine, but you need hockey ability as well and he has none at the professional level. I really hate to bring up Sprong, but I'm (frank)in baffled at the level of slack ZAR gets. If ZAR got the Sprong treatment he would have been out of the lineup ages ago.

ZAR is OK on the PK. He's far from very good IMO. Positionally yeah, he's fine on the PK, but I've seen him struggle more than a couple of times in clearing the puck out. If he didn't ever have to pass or shoot he'd be awesome.

Fearless is fine, but you need hockey ability as well and he has none at the professional level. I really hate to bring up Sprong, but I'm (frank)in baffled at the level of slack ZAR gets. If ZAR got the Sprong treatment he would have been out of the lineup ages ago.

ZAR is OK on the PK. He's far from very good IMO. Positionally yeah, he's fine on the PK, but I've seen him struggle more than a couple of times in clearing the puck out. If he didn't ever have to pass or shoot he'd be awesome.
- Rinosaur

He had a horrible time clearing puck vs the Islanders...but he's been very good to my eyes on the PK.

Not one of the D-core has stepped up in the absence of Schultz. Moving from LD to RD is a challenge but you still want someone to accept that challenge. We constantly read about how disappointing Johnson is but I am disappointed in the development of Maatta and Oleksiak. Oleksiak has played RD and really should be the guy to step in and take the reigns. Neither seems to be any more than a bottom pairing, constantly shielded defenseman.
- Thunderbolt

Jamie Oleksiak is 25. Thinking he was going to develop (many thought that) is a mistake. At the age of 25, you are what you are in the NHL for the most part. A third pairing defenseman is and always was his ceiling, regardless of the coach and GM pumping his tires.

Maatta in the other hand is a complimentary player ala Dumo. The sooner people accept that the better off they’ll be in their analysis of Maatta. He’s not going to be the guy on any pairing but he is more than capable of being a compliment to another guy who can be the offensive guy on the pairing.

He had a horrible time clearing puck vs the Islanders...but he's been very good to my eyes on the PK.
- MattStrat

I remember a few bad attempts against CHI and just other games in general.

His shot has ZERO velocity. I remember all the Hornqvist comparisons he was getting when first getting called up because of his net-front-ability, but I've realized that's because he can only score from 3ft in front of the goalie. He also can only make passes that are in his vicinity.

I think Dea is twice the hockey player ZAR is and I don't even think Dea is that good.

Healthy...

Jake-Sid-Horn
Pearson-Geno-Kessel
Simon-Brass-Rust

I’m a big fan of Simon and I’m hoping Rust finds his game, but when you watch teams like Tampa and Toronto, if the Pens are going to compete they need an upgrade that either pushes Pearson down to the 3rd or Rust to the 4th.

Pens need a Nyquist or Zucc.
- Rinosaur

Getting either of those guys would be awesome.

Hornqvist gives them a dimension that nobody else on this team is capable of replicating. A couple of things that I noticed about the offence in the last three games; their passing is not tape to tape, it is merely throw the puck in an area and hope we get to it first. Net front presence is practically non-existent, no tips, rebounds or screens.
- Thunderbolt

But this is how they won the 2nd Sully cup. Are you trying to say this style of play isn’t sustainable for success over 82 games!?!

How dare you...

Jamie Oleksiak is 25. Thinking he was going to develop (many thought that) is a mistake. At the age of 25, you are what you are in the NHL for the most part. A third pairing defenseman is and always was his ceiling, regardless of the coach and GM pumping his tires.

Maatta in the other hand is a complimentary player ala Dumo. The sooner people accept that the better off they’ll be in their analysis of Maatta. He’s not going to be the guy on any pairing but he is more than capable of being a compliment to another guy who can be the offensive guy on the pairing.
- j.boyd919

Pretty much. Unless it comes down to tightening up areas of a player's game or shoring up other fundamentals, once they've hit 25 you pretty much have what you have.

Right now, and maybe it's because Shultz is out, Oleksiak seems to have taken it upon himself to slide into the role of offensive-defenseman and he's not. Oleksiak does have decent offensive-ability, but not at the level he's trying to play.

He's not a bad dman, but he's playing beyond his abilities right now.

Getting either of those guys would be awesome.
- j.boyd919

It wouldn't just be awesome, it would be necessary for the Pens to compete. If they can get any guy at that level on the team it would create a profound affect.

Healthy...

Jake-Sid-Horn
Pearson-Geno-Kessel
Simon-Brass-Rust

I’m a big fan of Simon and I’m hoping Rust finds his game, but when you watch teams like Tampa and Toronto, if the Pens are going to compete they need an upgrade that either pushes Pearson down to the 3rd or Rust to the 4th.

Pens need a Nyquist or Zucc.
- Rinosaur

I can agree with that... but whats worse that or...

Letang - dumo
Maatta - JO
Johnson - Pettersson.

I can agree with that... but whats worse that or...

Letang - dumo
Maatta - JO
Johnson - Pettersson.
- joecool2931

Plain and simple, GMJR (frank)ed up hardcore in building his blue line. The construction of it looks confused. The signings and acquisitions of JO and Johnson completely diverted from what made this team success. Pettersson I’ll wait to be the judge until I have a bigger sample size and maybe wait till he has a competent d partner.

He paid a premium to make the defense worse. And that’s what makes the Pens an average team this year.

Plain and simple, GMJR (frank)ed up hardcore in building his blue line. The construction of it looks confused. The signings and acquisitions of JO and Johnson completely diverted from what made this team success. Pettersson I’ll wait to be the judge until I have a bigger sample size and maybe wait till he has a competent d partner.

He paid a premium to make the defense worse. And that’s what makes the Pens an average team this year.
- j.boyd919

Is there a chance the coach and JR work together to make decisions on player acquisitions? Is JR rogue taking flyers on players like JJ? Curious if Sullivan has any say in the process.

There is never any truth to what Ek posts. Dude finds his rumors in Spaghetti-Os.
- j.boyd919

He gets his information from agents, who have one interest and that is to start a bidding war for their clients. Even if none exist. Remember Broduer to Pittsburgh a few years ago.

I'm fine with ZAR on the 4th line. You need fearless guys like that for the PK. He's very good on the PK.

Cullen I'm completely done with and turns out I was completely wrong. I thought this was going to be one of those injuries that turned into retirement.
- MattStrat

Cullen has a lot of pride. I'm hoping he realizes he's hurting the team and hangs em up. I really don't think they'll bench him out of respect.

I can agree with that... but whats worse that or...

Letang - dumo
Maatta - JO
Johnson - Pettersson.
- joecool2931

They're both problematic and I stated in an earlier post that in addition to a forward move they need an RD.

This team was never one with a d-core that you looked at and was like wow, that's a great defense. This team was built on the ability of its players to keep the puck on their sticks and transition well.

I think the problem is easier to address with forwards right now and needs to be done. If a true upgrade on defense can be had, then obviously jump on it. Making weird lateral moves are useless.

Is there a chance the coach and JR work together to make decisions on player acquisitions? Is JR rogue taking flyers on players like JJ? Curious if Sullivan has any say in the process.
- sammy87

I would think that they do. And if that’s the case then they both (frank)ed up.

I definitely think Sully deserves some blame too. He’s going the route of Bylsma and going hard, IMO.