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 was trash in year 2.

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

Its not more poorly constructed or more of a mess than the D corps that won the cup in 2017.

I agree its a mess though, no f'n doubt.

Daley was trash in year 2.
- MattStrat

Point production was similar. CF% was bad year 2.

Primary year 1 D partner: Dumo

Primary year 2 D partner: Maatta

Its not more poorly constructed or more of a mess than the D corps that won the cup in 2017.

I agree its a mess though, no f'n doubt.
- MattStrat

I think this one is worse. They weren't very talented in 2017 but at least most of those guys could skate. At least half your D is suuuper slow right now.

Point production was similar. CF% was bad year 2.

Primary year 1 D partner: Dumo

Primary year 2 D partner: Maatta
- Feds91Stammer

He was trash and you know it. He didnt even play the final 2 or 3 games of the ECF in 2016 or any of the Stanley Cup Final that year. He, along with all the D besides Schultz and Cole, were brutally bad in the 2017 cup run.

I think this one is worse. They weren't very talented in 2017 but at least most of those guys could skate. At least half your D is suuuper slow right now.
- BINGO!

Hainsey was on the top pair. Maatta was fresh back from long layoff and slowest of his career.

I dont think skating outside Maatta is an issue with that D at all.

He was trash and you know it. He didnt even play the final 2 or 3 games of the ECF in 2016 or any of the Stanley Cup Final that year. He, along with all the D besides Schultz and Cole, were brutally bad in the 2017 cup run.
- MattStrat

Speaking of Cole, did you see Wilson rag doll him last night?

Speaking of Cole, did you see Wilson rag doll him last night?
- Thorny87

I did not.

*goes to find highlights*

Hainsey was on the top pair. Maatta was fresh back from long layoff and slowest of his career.

I dont think skating outside Maatta is an issue with that D at all.
- MattStrat

Being slow to the puck isn't the issue. It's what they do with it when they get there...

Being slow to the puck isn't the issue. It's what they do with it when they get there...
- Thorny87

Exactly.

He was trash and you know it. He didnt even play the final 2 or 3 games of the ECF in 2016 or any of the Stanley Cup Final that year. He, along with all the D besides Schultz and Cole, were brutally bad in the 2017 cup run.
- MattStrat

Yeah I know. I was at game 4 of the ECF when he broke his ankle...

Yeah I know. I was at game 4 of the ECF when he broke his ankle...
- Feds91Stammer

Really? Thats f'n awesome. That was a great paced high event series. Lucky to of seen some live. Sid scored 3 of the 4 game winners in that series I believe.

Really? Thats f'n awesome. That was a great paced high event series. Lucky to of seen some live. Sid scored 3 of the 4 game winners in that series I believe.
- MattStrat

Don't you try and sidestep the Daley injury you forgot about

Don't you try and sidestep the Daley injury you forgot about
- Feds91Stammer

Huh?

I brought up that injury.

Its not more poorly constructed or more of a mess than the D corps that won the cup in 2017.

I agree its a mess though, no f'n doubt.
- MattStrat

Nobody counted on losing Schultz for 4 months. I'm not making him out to be Bobby Orr or anything, but the D has been chaos ever since. Losing him exposed the depth big time.

He was trash and you know it. He didnt even play the final 2 or 3 games of the ECF in 2016 or any of the Stanley Cup Final that year. He, along with all the D besides Schultz and Cole, were brutally bad in the 2017 cup run.
- MattStrat

There’s no mention of injury here?

Its not more poorly constructed or more of a mess than the D corps that won the cup in 2017.

I agree its a mess though, no f'n doubt.
- MattStrat

I definitely think it’s worse than the D Corp that won the cup in 2017.

There’s no mention of injury here?
- j.boyd919

There's no mention of a scratch either hahaha

You honestly think I cant f'n remember what happened?

It is a big point. They were losing on the road and battled back and tied it. The team that finished that game looked completely different than the one that started it.

If they play like the 3rd more often than not they'll be ok.

No Geno or Schultz. 2 new guys in top 9. Playing a team that still has playoff hopes in their barn.

Everyone step back from the edge/ledge now.
- MattStrat

Sullivan's response was not the first time he's responded this way. Given, we don't know what happens in that locker room, but a glaring problem with this team that has been around since last year is playing with a sense of urgency.

It's so apparent IMO that you can see the vast difference in their losses. You can see how incredibly different they play in the 3rd period of loss than a win.

The map has been like a script all year...

1st Period - come out slow, pick it up toward the end

2nd Period - get clobbered

3rd Period - come out looking like a different team with life, urgency and determination, but generally too little too late if they're down.

Obviously there are outliers, but the big difference between the wins and losses here has been being opportunistic despite bad play and goaltending helping hold the lead.

I can probably count on one hand how many times they've actually outplayed a team this year and more times than most it's been because of the urgency they bring.

Point production was similar. CF% was bad year 2.

Primary year 1 D partner: Dumo

Primary year 2 D partner: Maatta
- Feds91Stammer

^^this. Daley has always been a player who trades chances but in those chances he has the capability to get some points which is why I mentioned him. None of the current dmen have any offensive pulse.

^^this. Daley has always been a player who trades chances but in those chances he has the capability to get some points which is why I mentioned him. None of the current dmen have any offensive pulse.
- j.boyd919

I'd take Daley right over pretty much anyone in the current 3rd pair.

What is Phil’s role on this team? He can’t carry a line. They don’t want to play him with Geno. Sid and Phil is against the coaches religion. Where does he fit? Especially if Bjug is gonna be a wing.
- Thorny87

Phil is just Phil, you can't say anything to him or about him. It is just Sullivans fault he is a fruitcake.

Nobody counted on losing Schultz for 4 months. I'm not making him out to be Bobby Orr or anything, but the D has been chaos ever since. Losing him exposed the depth big time.
- madmike71

Not trying to build on my negativity here, but the Pens weren't exactly playing well wit him for the four games he did play this year.

I really don't think he's going to have any profound effect on this team this year. He's basically not played any real hockey since the playoffs and coming back from a major injury. Dude is gonna need at least a month to get his legs and timing back.

There's no mention of a scratch either hahaha

You honestly think I cant f'n remember what happened?
- MattStrat

I read it as: he was trash. He didn't even play.

Sounds like you were referencing not playing due to poor play.

Not trying to build on my negativity here, but the Pens weren't exactly playing well wit him for the four games he did play this year.

I really don't think he's going to have any profound effect on this team this year. He's basically not played any real hockey since the playoffs and coming back from a major injury. Dude is gonna need at least a month to get his legs and timing back.
- Rinosaur

I disagree. His biggest asset is his puck moving ability which nobody other than Letang brings to the table.