No on Boyle as just about any signing or trade will ultimately hurt the Pens. Give the kids a chance. See what you got. Just hope/pray that the injury bug has left the building.

This is one of the reasons I think good for PK. PKing being one of the times IMO faceoffs are truly important.
- MattStrat

He also can't help but block shots

at this point i don't think signing another player will really help you guys. the team is built around 4 core players, maybe 5 now. two centers injured and already against the cap, plus the free agents available are available for a reason.

trading future assests to dump JJ would hurt further. Unless you are hoping they repeat what they've done in the past......i mean be horrible to pick high multiple years in a row. However i doubt lightning strikes three times. Getting Mario then Jagr to later draft crosby then malkin.

it's a shame but they are going down the same path again. Detroit did well with datysuk and zetterberg....rode them until retirement. now look at them.


but don't complain...you guys got your cups.

at this point i don't think signing another player will really help you guys. the team is built around 4 core players, maybe 5 now. two centers injured and already against the cap, plus the free agents available are available for a reason.

trading future assests to dump JJ would hurt further. Unless you are hoping they repeat what they've done in the past......i mean be horrible to pick high multiple years in a row. However i doubt lightning strikes three times. Getting Mario then Jagr to later draft crosby then malkin.

it's a shame but they are going down the same path again. Detroit did well with datysuk and zetterberg....rode them until retirement. now look at them.


but don't complain...you guys got your cups.
- Peter Richards

I very much agree with this. Take the medicine and don't mortgage the future. I don't think it's feasible to do another Cup run. I consider Sid, Geno, Letang as the "core". Since the last Cup, Sid missed 10 regular season games over the 3 years (4%) , Geno - 38 (15%), Tanger - 61 (25%). I know all about the point totals, near-career records, etc. But the reality is that that's a lot of games for 2 of the 3 core players to miss!! I would have done what the Rangers have started last year by rebuilding around Henrik ... let Geno and Tanger go for a bunch of picks, build the new team around Sid and Jake. I would rather see that than watch year after year of another missed opportunity for a Cup run. I kind of saw the writing on the wall when the Isles swept us last year. I don't think I want to see us ride Sid, Geno, and Tanger until we can't get anything in return for any of them.

Add-on: I don't see any more Cup runs with this roster, even if Geno/Rust/Bjugstadt/Galchenyuck are healthy. The Defense is not good enough.

I very much agree with this. Take the medicine and don't mortgage the future. I don't think it's feasible to do another Cup run. I consider Sid, Geno, Letang as the "core". Since the last Cup, Sid missed 10 regular season games over the 3 years (4%) , Geno - 38 (15%), Tanger - 61 (25%). I know all about the point totals, near-career records, etc. But the reality is that that's a lot of games for 2 of the 3 core players to miss!! I would have done what the Rangers have started last year by rebuilding around Henrik ... let Geno and Tanger go for a bunch of picks, build the new team around Sid and Jake. I would rather see that than watch year after year of another missed opportunity for a Cup run. I kind of saw the writing on the wall when the Isles swept us last year. I don't think I want to see us ride Sid, Geno, and Tanger until we can't get anything in return for any of them.
- chimpira

Agree. I thought they were going to start this a few years ago with malkin. I remember the rumors that edmonton was interested...and this was before mcdavid. With the age of the core and yes he is worth the cap hit, but the cap hit as well I would see what Malkin could get this upcoming summer. All the fans that want JJ gone, he could be part of the deal. With the amount of money to me it would have to take place in the offseason, but you guys have a window of two more years IMO. Malkin's injuries are happening more rapidly and Sid isn't getting younger...still amazing but time passes just the same. If you could get a second line center and two picks, it would be a start.

And i'd be shopping schultz at the deadline depending on where you guys are....don't see him resigning, but what do i know.

I actually think dedication to a speed game is going to sink the pens. They have one exceptionally fast player. Sid geno tanger are trending slower. Time to structure up and let there talent do it’s thing.
- Grinder47

I'm actually going to agree here. The Penguins won back-to-back Cups with a speedy skating team. And that's great, and it worked, and it was good times. However, maybe their roster (minus the GMJR moves) at this stage, including key players, aren't set up to play that style. Both Washington and St. Louis, while skilled, were able to win playing a heavier game. I know it may not be as flashy and fancy, but maybe the Penguins should stop trying to do what worked 3 years ago and look to possibly go in a different direction.

Just a thought.

See if he will sign for 1 year for league minimum, only 2 goals were on the PP, good at faceoffs. When everyone is healthy you play him, trade him, or trade someone else and recoup a draft pick.

Have to still move a dman for cap reasons to do this, but pretty sound logic to acquire him for nothing then send him or someone else for draft capital. Last 2 years he's been traded for a 2nd round pick. Even if you get a 3rd, great job all the way around.

RW has rightly pointed out all the draft picks JR has sent away, this gets one back.
- abcpens10

While this appears to be sound logic there are two flaws:

1. If the Pens are in contention, only another team in contention would make this type of trade. And why would we help that team out?

2. The Pens are in love with vets and more than likely this would push out younger talent to make room to keep him, albeit hopefully on the 4th line.

If the Pens aren't in contention, then this logic is very sound.

Edit: But if Boyle signed a two way deal, then I'd do it in a second. Big if though. Thoughts?

While this appears to be sound logic there are two flaws:

1. If the Pens are in contention, only another team in contention would make this type of trade. And why would we help that team out?

2. The Pens are in love with vets and more than likely this would push out younger talent to make room to keep him, albeit hopefully on the 4th line.

If the Pens aren't in contention, then this logic is very sound.

Edit: But if Boyle signed a two way deal, then I'd do it in a second. Big if though. Thoughts?
- Beatnic57

Why would it matter if it was a one-way or two-way deal?

I'm actually going to agree here. The Penguins won back-to-back Cups with a speedy skating team. And that's great, and it worked, and it was good times. However, maybe their roster (minus the GMJR moves) at this stage, including key players, aren't set up to play that style. Both Washington and St. Louis, while skilled, were able to win playing a heavier game. I know it may not be as flashy and fancy, but maybe the Penguins should stop trying to do what worked 3 years ago and look to possibly go in a different direction.

Just a thought.
- jmatchett383

Probably the biggest misconception about those teams stems from calling it "speed" instead of "pace". They had a couple of skilled players who were lightning quick, but that isn't what made them so strong. They were a fast paced team. Really quick in the transition game and to getting on the forecheck. They were constantly flowing in their game, not a lot of starts and stops, and yes having individual speed helps, but it isn't everything. This is where having slug D kills you. They slow down the transition and allow the opposition to collect themselves to counter. IMO that is the biggest difference. And it's also why Washington and St. Louis were so good. They had those guys that didn't just sit, they flowed to the puck and could transition it without hesitation.

Probably the biggest misconception about those teams stems from calling it "speed" instead of "pace". They had a couple of skilled players who were lightning quick, but that isn't what made them so strong. They were a fast paced team. Really quick in the transition game and to getting on the forecheck. They were constantly flowing in their game, not a lot of starts and stops, and yes having individual speed helps, but it isn't everything. This is where having slug D kills you. They slow down the transition and allow the opposition to collect themselves to counter. IMO that is the biggest difference. And it's also why Washington and St. Louis were so good. They had those guys that didn't just sit, they flowed to the puck and could transition it without hesitation.
- burgh4life87

Fair enough. But my point being, at least with respect to Boyle, playing him on the 4th line wouldn't be a terrible idea. The dude will likely sign for less than the AHL bury minimum, and he at least knows what to do with the puck. He's not fast, but if you wanna talk about executing quick plays with the puck, that's something he could do pretty well.

Why would it matter if it was a one-way or two-way deal?
- jmatchett383

If you send him down, it wouldn't count towards the cap.

It’s still just 3 games. I’m less concerned with the roster injuries than I am with HCMS. Dressing 7 d men when forwards were already hurt? Continued deployment of JJ? An anemic powerplay? A real lack of jump and tempo from the squad? The onus is always on the players every single day, but at some point it has to be on the bench boss as well. Don’t be have a bit of a ringer down in WBS? I’m also a Jacques Martin fan as well, huge huge fan of the transition style coaches like Martin and AV. The Penguins transition game these last 5 years is more a result of our personnel and less of our playstyle and deployment

I very much agree with this. Take the medicine and don't mortgage the future. I don't think it's feasible to do another Cup run. I consider Sid, Geno, Letang as the "core". Since the last Cup, Sid missed 10 regular season games over the 3 years (4%) , Geno - 38 (15%), Tanger - 61 (25%). I know all about the point totals, near-career records, etc. But the reality is that that's a lot of games for 2 of the 3 core players to miss!! I would have done what the Rangers have started last year by rebuilding around Henrik ... let Geno and Tanger go for a bunch of picks, build the new team around Sid and Jake. I would rather see that than watch year after year of another missed opportunity for a Cup run. I kind of saw the writing on the wall when the Isles swept us last year. I don't think I want to see us ride Sid, Geno, and Tanger until we can't get anything in return for any of them.

Add-on: I don't see any more Cup runs with this roster, even if Geno/Rust/Bjugstadt/Galchenyuck are healthy. The Defense is not good enough.
- chimpira

Bad part is I don't know what malkin would bring back...He will be 34 to start next season and is broken all the time. I think he will only have 2 yrs left on his contract too. Maybe after the 2nd cup run they could have gotten a lot in return and helped take some of the workload off 87 but now they are just and old team with a bunch of plugs.

Probably the biggest misconception about those teams stems from calling it "speed" instead of "pace". They had a couple of skilled players who were lightning quick, but that isn't what made them so strong. They were a fast paced team. Really quick in the transition game and to getting on the forecheck. They were constantly flowing in their game, not a lot of starts and stops, and yes having individual speed helps, but it isn't everything. This is where having slug D kills you. They slow down the transition and allow the opposition to collect themselves to counter. IMO that is the biggest difference. And it's also why Washington and St. Louis were so good. They had those guys that didn't just sit, they flowed to the puck and could transition it without hesitation.
- burgh4life87

The thing slowing the pens pace more than anything is their wingers being incapable of getting the puck out. They are always too far ahead of the play. It’s like beer league and everyone’s cheating up ice because defense isn’t fun to play.

The thing slowing the pens pace more than anything is their wingers being incapable of getting the puck out. They are always too far ahead of the play. It’s like beer league and everyone’s cheating up ice because defense isn’t fun to play.
- Grinder47

I’m perfectly fine with stretching the ice out. Lots of teams do this successfully. The issue for me with it is that our wingers are not dynamic at all when they fly the zone. It’s straight north-south and they’re not creating any time and space with their defenders.

The best way to stretch the ice is in pairs. Have the guy who’s receiving the puck slash across or come back towards the puck for a clean exit while having his PIC come across for support. If you have your center or weakside D beat their man up the ice you can facilitate some odd man rushes while keeping the puck away from your net

Hudson's Baby bourbon is poured neatly, do we have an injury pool for tonight's game yet?

Horny is in. Nice

All eyes on Rowney.

Simon (frank)ed up another breakout.

Horny is not the guy that should be carrying the mail on the pp.

Rough looking PP

Hey Guentzel, Rust, Hornqvist, Simon check out Blueger a real (frank)ing hockey player.

Hudson's Baby bourbon is poured neatly, do we have an injury pool for tonight's game yet?
- Reverend Killtaker

I have A Johnson

Thats 5 and a game if the uniforms are reversed.

Hey Guentzel, Rust, Hornqvist, Simon check out Blueger a real (frank)ing hockey player.
- Grinder47

Haha - I knew that was coming.

Good to see Blueger stepping up.