Bjugstad to my eyes looks waaaaay better in a C role over a RW role. He doesn't have the acceleration to be a winger for Sids line. I see good defensive tendencies out of him and his reach and stick are great. He should be 3C. Why not try McCann at wing?

Fact is, this team is used to being able to coast during the regular season and win on top end talent. Problem is that everyone around them has gotten better and they are worse.

JR has the team committed to way too many reclamation projects. Johnson, Pearson, Bjugstad (sheahan before that), Petterson, Cullen... All guys who had been playing like poop prior to the Pens bringing them on.

Not to mention Malkin even when healthy doesn't seem like the same player and Schultz has been out. If Crosby and Letang weren't having possibly the best years of their careers, they would be playing the lottery for Hughes.

Bjugstad to my eyes looks waaaaay better in a C role over a RW role. He doesn't have the acceleration to be a winger for Sids line. I see good defensive tendencies out of him and his reach and stick are great. He should be 3C. Why not try McCann at wing?
- MattStrat

My question, why is Sullivan always trying different personnel at right wing when Brian Rust is solid there? Not to mention Rusty is a much better play at RW than he is at LW.

My question, why is Sullivan always trying different personnel at right wing when Brian Rust is solid there? Not to mention Rusty is a much better play at RW than he is at LW.
- Thunderbolt

Its a great question to which the only answer I can think of is that GMJR wanted him there and said thats where he wanted him when he traded for him...which to all, or most all, of our eyes and brains makes no sense at all.

Honestly, I'd rather miss the playoffs and have a lottery pick than trade a bunch more futures for rentals or reclamation projects. So unless they can bring it a talented younger player to add to the core moving forward I hope they stand pat.

I'd go out and see what you can get for Maata, Pearson and if any teams are desperate enough Johnson and Cullen. Sub them in with some young, hungry and cheap guys and make a run at it.

Honestly, I'd rather miss the playoffs and have a lottery pick than trade a bunch more futures for rentals or reclamation projects. So unless they can bring it a talented younger player to add to the core moving forward I hope they stand pat.

I'd go out and see what you can get for Maata, Pearson and if any teams are desperate enough Johnson and Cullen. Sub them in with some young, hungry and cheap guys and make a run at it.
- MacPatty

Very good chance they lose the next 2 as well....hope you're ready.

Buckle up, the playoffs are basically already starting. Woo.

Yeah I was watching, heard Errey saying that. I agree need more from the D. Need a bit more from everyone. Even Sid isnt producing. Personally, I think with the personnel they have now plus the age some of the vets are getting to, they have to change it up a bit. Lay back more and tighten up. Wait more for opportunities than trying to force them.
- MattStrat

Can’t have more from the D when you have terrible defensemen. That’s just the reality of it.

My question, why is Sullivan always trying different personnel at right wing when Brian Rust is solid there? Not to mention Rusty is a much better play at RW than he is at LW.
- Thunderbolt

I think it's because Rust is so versatile. I do agree though, Jake-Sid-Rust has been an awesome line this year!

Very good chance they lose the next 2 as well....hope you're ready.

Buckle up, the playoffs are basically already starting. Woo.
- MattStrat

I mean, the good thing is that it's better to go through your funk now than in the playoffs. I remember the Jackets going on a crazy 20 game run around this point of the season and then burnt themselves out for the playoffs trying to keep it going. At least the Pens aren't doing that!

Can’t have more from the D when you have terrible defensemen. That’s just the reality of it.
- j.boyd919

Well...I dont think Tanger, Dumo, Maatta or Schultz are terrible. I wouldnt call Pett terrible either...Rikk is a little above terrible and JJ is worse than terrible.

The forwards were way worse than the D last night IMO.

Kessel, Rust and Cullen all below 30 CF% last night.

I mean, the good thing is that it's better to go through your funk now than in the playoffs. I remember the Jackets going on a crazy 20 game run around this point of the season and then burnt themselves out for the playoffs trying to keep it going. At least the Pens aren't doing that!
- MacPatty

2009 Cup: 12th in the east in February

2016 Cup: 12th in the east in February.

What do these 2 years also have in common? A coaching change right before a major uptick in play....I dont see that happening this year though, for better or worse.

McCann had his best game so far by far and not just because he scored. He looked effective all 200 feet to me.

Malkin on IR. Duchene? I bet he broke his hand in that fight
Edit: Pull a Hawks and leave Geno out til the playoffs

Malkin on IR. Duchene? I bet he broke his hand in that fight
Edit: Pull a Hawks and leave Geno out til the playoffs
- 668710

Wasnt he skating and stick handling yesterday? isnt there something called retroactive IR?

I think the injury came from when he got annihilated by a check.

Well...I dont think Tanger, Dumo, Maatta or Schultz are terrible. I wouldnt call Pett terrible either...Rikk is a little above terrible and JJ is worse than terrible.

The forwards were way worse than the D last night IMO.

Kessel, Rust and Cullen all below 30 CF% last night.
- MattStrat

Schultz is hurt
Maatta is only as good as his partner (which isn’t a bad thing when he has a decent partner.)
Kola is not good.
Jury is out on Petterson because he’s been chained to JJ.

That leaves 2 competent defenseman and Dumo was never a point getter (honestly don’t know how he hasn’t accidentally scored more to be honest. Hahaha)

Schultz is hurt
Maatta is only as good as his partner (which isn’t a bad thing when he has a decent partner.)
Kola is not good.
Jury is out on Petterson because he’s been chained to JJ.

That leaves 2 competent defenseman and Dumo was never a point getter (honestly don’t know how he hasn’t accidentally scored more to be honest. Hahaha)
- j.boyd919

hahaha its very perplexing indeed.

Well...I dont think Tanger, Dumo, Maatta or Schultz are terrible. I wouldnt call Pett terrible either...Rikk is a little above terrible and JJ is worse than terrible.

The forwards were way worse than the D last night IMO.

Kessel, Rust and Cullen all below 30 CF% last night.
- MattStrat

Letang and Dumo are doing plenty.

Schultz hasn't played.

Maatta has been shackled to AHL caliber D partners all year.

Pettersson is okayish.

Riikola is trash.

JJ is

Malkin on IR. Duchene? I bet he broke his hand in that fight
Edit: Pull a Hawks and leave Geno out til the playoffs
- 668710

Gotta make them first.

Wasnt he skating and stick handling yesterday? isnt there something called retroactive IR?

I think the injury came from when he got annihilated by a check.
- MattStrat

If I'm not mistaken didn't he fight after the check?

Gotta make them first.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah you're right Feds. Why you do this to me lol

Malkin on IR. Duchene? I bet he broke his hand in that fight
Edit: Pull a Hawks and leave Geno out til the playoffs
- 668710

Mackey said he's confirmed Geno didn't hurt himself in the fight. Most people think it was the Girardi hit....but that is unconfirmed.

Who knows, but the coach fell to Bylsma levels of stubborn giving Cullen Geno's TOI last night. It was infuriating watching that last night. How f'n dumb can you be? 42 year old guy getting 17 mins.

hahaha its very perplexing indeed.
- MattStrat

I mean; the D is just poorly constructed. Yes Schultz missing is a huge part of it, but hell at least when the Pens had Daley he was capable of putting up some points and filling in when injuries occurred. The pens have no one to step up and do anything. It’s a disaster on the backend and that’s mostly why the forwards are useless as well. It was a completely botched job by GMJR in retooling something they didn’t need to be retooled.

Yeah you're right Feds. Why you do this to me lol
- 668710

sorey

I mean; the D is just poorly constructed. Yes Schultz missing is a huge part of it, but hell at least when the Pens had Daley he was capable of putting up some points and filling in when injuries occurred. The pens have no one to step up and do anything. It’s a disaster on the backend and that’s mostly why the forwards are useless as well. It was a completely botched job by GMJR in retooling something they didn’t need to be retooled.
- j.boyd919

Daley and NYI 2nd for JJ and a 1st

I mean; the D is just poorly constructed. Yes Schultz missing is a huge part of it, but hell at least when the Pens had Daley he was capable of putting up some points and filling in when injuries occurred. The pens have no one to step up and do anything. It’s a disaster on the backend and that’s mostly why the forwards are useless as well. It was a completely botched job by GMJR in retooling something they didn’t need to be retooled.
- j.boyd919

Poorly constructed doesn't begin to describe that. It's a mess.