Yes, JJ is not good and signed to a bad contract. Let's be honest though, Petterson sucks and they traded Sprong for him. Maata is also looking like a bottom pairing guy on a big contract.

This is the Pens biggest problem, they have two top pairing d men, one second (when Schultz is healthy) and 5 bottom pairing guys. They need a really good 2nd pair LD if they are going to compete this year.
- MacPatty

I agree, I like the forwards at the moment. I do think if Rutherford makes another move it will be for a LD. As for how, that is a much debated topic. Many others agree on here also as evidenced by the 'how do we prop up Maatta' posts.

I haven't heard much on the WB-Scranton D' and obviously management is not sold on them as none have been recalled. I thought they were high on Prow and Taylor.

Football does not have guaranteed contracts.
- Thunderbolt

Yes, but that does not mean the Pens need to lock into long term deals with players with limited upside who are easily replaceable.

Maata, Johnson & Pearson are all guys you could find equivalents to in free agency every year for similar or less annual cost. When healthy Bjugstad doesn't fit into this category but "when healthy" will be a concern for the next 3 years.

I agree, I like the forwards at the moment. I do think if Rutherford makes another move it will be for a LD. As for how, that is a much debated topic. Many others agree on here also as evidenced by the 'how do we prop up Maatta' posts.

I haven't heard much on the WB-Scranton D' and obviously management is not sold on them as none have been recalled. I thought they were high on Prow and Taylor.
- Thunderbolt

Maatta is a top 4.

I really dont see GMJR acquiring any more LD's this year.

Yes, but that does not mean the Pens need to lock into long term deals with players with limited upside who are easily replaceable.

Maata, Johnson & Pearson are all guys you could find equivalents to in free agency every year for similar or less annual cost. When healthy Bjugstad doesn't fit into this category but "when healthy" will be a concern for the next 3 years.
- MacPatty

Almost all players miss time every season. Bjugstad played every single game last season, which is more than can be said for every single Penguin last season besides Sid, Phil, Guentzel and Maatta. The season before last? Only Phil played all 82 games.

Almost all players miss time every season. Bjugstad played every single game last season, which is more than can be said for every single Penguin last season besides Sid, Phil, Guentzel and Maatta. The season before last? Only Phil played all 82 games.
- MattStrat

He has missed 10 or more games in 4 of his 6 seasons, I'd say he is more injury prone than most. Like I said, the upside on him is good but it comes with risk.

Maatta is a top 4.

I really dont see GMJR acquiring any more LD's this year.
- MattStrat

Maata is not a top 4 d man. He is fairly skilled and a pretty smart player but he makes Johnson look like a good skater.

Maata is not a top 4 d man. He is fairly skilled and a pretty smart player but he makes Johnson look like a good skater.
- MacPatty

What does being a good skater have to do with being a top 4? And also skating is the only thing JJ does well so not sure what your point is there as he will out skate most D in the entire league.

What does being a good skater have to do with being a top 4? And also skating is the only thing JJ does well so not sure what your point is there as he will out skate most D in the entire league.
- Feds91Stammer

How did you HBSL go?

How did you HBSL go?
- Rinosaur

Oh damn I forgot to look. Need to setup my lineup for this week too.

How did you HBSL go?
- Rinosaur

After a few weeks neglecting to set lines and losing, I've banged off a few wins. 76th in league currently.

How did you HBSL go?
- Rinosaur

Won 431-235

Back to 1st in my division and 20th overall.

What does being a good skater have to do with being a top 4? And also skating is the only thing JJ does well so not sure what your point is there as he will out skate most D in the entire league.
- Feds91Stammer

Not being able to skate means you get burnt constantly against fast teams and you can't play aggressive and hold the blue line. You also get beat to the puck in the corners constantly.

Johnson is not a good skater. Once upon a Time he was but every game I have seen him play this year he has had very heavy feet.

Maata is not a top 4 d man. He is fairly skilled and a pretty smart player but he makes Johnson look like a good skater.
- MacPatty

Great qualities for a D-man.

Not being able to skate means you get burnt constantly against fast teams and you can't play aggressive and hold the blue line. You also get beat to the puck in the corners constantly.

Johnson is not a good skater. Once upon a Time he was but every game I have seen him play this year he has had very heavy feet.
- MacPatty

He is though.

Won 431-235

Back to 1st in my division and 20th overall.
- Feds91Stammer

Nice. I'm still climbing up. I'm 3rd in my division, jumped up about 20 spots in the league to 159th. I think if I went my next two I'll make the wild card.

After a few weeks neglecting to set lines and losing, I've banged off a few wins. 76th in league currently.
- MattStrat

Nice!

Nice. I'm still climbing up. I'm 3rd in my division, jumped up about 20 spots in the league to 159th. I think if I went my next two I'll make the wild card.
- Rinosaur

Cut off is 128th?

Cut off is 128th?
- MattStrat

Yep.

Not being able to skate means you get burnt constantly against fast teams and you can't play aggressive and hold the blue line. You also get beat to the puck in the corners constantly.

Johnson is not a good skater. Once upon a Time he was but every game I have seen him play this year he has had very heavy feet.
- MacPatty

ok

Yes, JJ is not good and signed to a bad contract. Let's be honest though, Petterson sucks and they traded Sprong for him. Maata is also looking like a bottom pairing guy on a big contract.

This is the Pens biggest problem, they have two top pairing d men, one second (when Schultz is healthy) and 5 bottom pairing guys. They need a really good 2nd pair LD if they are going to compete this year.
- MacPatty

Don't know how you can say Petterson is bad... he looks just slightly above average with JJ as his partner.

I'm staying away from COL players for the most part this week which will probably come back to bite me in the ass, but...

LW: Ovie, Marchand, Skinner, Connor

C: Bergeron, Matthews, Point, Marner

RW: Rantanen, Aho, Pastrnak, Kucherov

D: Krug, Ekholm, Josi, Rielly, Byfuglien, Chabot

G: Bishop and Gibson

Cut off is 128th?
- MattStrat

Yes. It seems each win bumps me up about 20ish spots, so if I take the last two weeks I should be good.

Don't know how you can say Petterson is bad... he looks just slightly above average with JJ as his partner.
- Guile

He took a couple of bad penalties recently..maybe thats whats sticking out to him.

I think he's doing a pretty decent job considering who his partner is.

Not being able to skate means you get burnt constantly against fast teams and you can't play aggressive and hold the blue line. You also get beat to the puck in the corners constantly.

Johnson is not a good skater. Once upon a Time he was but every game I have seen him play this year he has had very heavy feet.
- MacPatty

Johnson is a very good skater. That’s the only good quality he has. He just doesn’t have the hockey IQ to go with it.

I'm staying away from COL players for the most part this week which will probably come back to bite me in the ass, but...

LW: Landeskog, Marchand, Skinner, Connor

C: Stamkos, MacKinnon, Tavares, Marner

RW: Rantanen, Aho, Laine, Kucherov

D: Dahlin , Ekholm, Josi, Rielly, Yandle, Chabot

G: Vasi and Lehner
- Rinosaur

Point and Buff are injured btw