Kessel has 0 G in 4 games.....RW is so butt hurt about that...I might actually read the blog tomorrow.

Pens play better w/o Malkin.
- sammy87

Unfair to say the least. Geno did some great things when Crosby went down as well. They step up when one of them is out.

Rust, Kahun, JJ, Gubs, ZAR or Simon and Bjustad could all be moved. I also don't know what they would do with Shultz either. I could see a stud mid pairing dman as a need, but not sure what else they really need with the young gus playing well.
- sammy87

Guds, JJ and Kahun are the guys I'd move on from right now. I wouldn't want to move Bjugstad tbh.

Unfair to say the least. Geno did some great things when Crosby went down as well. They step up when one of them is out.
- Barnaby36

If my memory is correct... the Pens have never won a cup with Geno ponying up in the playoffs. Sammy is a donkey. Dude doesn’t know poop about hockey.

If my memory is correct... the Pens have never won a cup with Geno ponying up in the playoffs. Sammy is a donkey. Dude doesn’t know poop about hockey.
- j.boyd919

McCann doesn't have a point in 4 games. He and Blueger aren't exactly making me see we don't need Malkin and Bjugstad, especially Malkin.

McCann doesn't have a point in 4 games. He and Blueger aren't exactly making me see we don't need Malkin and Bjugstad, especially Malkin.
- Tojo.

If people think this is sustainable they are full of it. Blueger has not shown much this season outside of one shot and McCann looks like a capable bottom 6 player, but nowhere near a top 6 guy.

Lafferty looks to be the real damn though. His game is very well rounded and he looks like he might have another level for offense.

If people think this is sustainable they are full of it. Blueger has not shown much this season outside of one shot and McCann looks like a capable bottom 6 player, but nowhere near a top 6 guy.

Lafferty looks to be the real damn though. His game is very well rounded and he looks like he might have another level for offense.
- burgh4life87

I like McCann, but I still have no idea where his best spot in the line up is. If I want to be fair to him, he had instant chemistry with Tanev and Galchenyuk, but is playing with Hornqvist and the invisible Kahun. Pens aren't getting much from their middle line centers or Kahun on the second line so yes, this isn't sustainable.

Lafferty as been solid but not spectacular offensively and had a consistent year in WBS. Was curious if he could find another level as a second year pro. We'll see when the adrenaline wears off in a couple weeks, but he looks like a keeper and they might want to bump him up a line while he's hot.

Ryan Wilson: Minnesota Tame
Minnesota Tame
- Ryan_Wilson

You mean burry him in the minors like they won't do with JJ? Not sure why anyone would assume this is something they'll ever do.
- MattStrat

Very different situation with a pending UFA forward they’d have no intention of keeping.

I like McCann, but I still have no idea where his best spot in the line up is. If I want to be fair to him, he had instant chemistry with Tanev and Galchenyuk, but is playing with Hornqvist and the invisible Kahun. Pens aren't getting much from their middle line centers or Kahun on the second line so yes, this isn't sustainable.

Lafferty as been solid but not spectacular offensively and had a consistent year in WBS. Was curious if he could find another level as a second year pro. We'll see when the adrenaline wears off in a couple weeks, but he looks like a keeper and they might want to bump him up a line while he's hot.
- Tojo.

Playing McCann with Tanev and Galch while giving Geno Horny and Kahun might not be a bad idea.

Unfair to say the least. Geno did some great things when Crosby went down as well. They step up when one of them is out.
- Barnaby36

In the 2015 cup run Geno missed a lot of time and the Pens went on a great run that got them back in the playoff race. Morons were saying they’re worried about Geno coming back and ruining the chemistry the team has.

In the 2015 cup run Geno missed a lot of time and the Pens went on a great run that got them back in the playoff race. Morons were saying they’re worried about Geno coming back and ruining the chemistry the team has.
- Rinosaur

Exactly, and in that run to the 16 cup HBK was born and when Geno returned he was given Kunitz and Rust. We have no idea what can come from this absence, who stays, who gets traded for cap space, but either way this is a great time to evaluate this roster.

And the team chemistry thing, or as DK wrote today, the pens play "better" without malkin, is just BS.

Exactly, and in that run to the 16 cup HBK was born and when Geno returned he was given Kunitz and Rust. We have no idea what can come from this absence, who stays, who gets traded for cap space, but either way this is a great time to evaluate this roster.

And the team chemistry thing, or as DK wrote today, the pens play "better" without malkin, is just BS.
- burgh4life87

Total BS. Aston-Reese said they just played less flashy when asked about the team's good play lately. Guess what: they should do that more often and just don't wait for the big guys to take the scoring load in their backs. Geno will be fine once he gets back.

Playing McCann with Tanev and Galch while giving Geno Horny and Kahun might not be a bad idea.
- j.boyd919

I'd be surprised if they gave up on Galchenyuk-Malkin but that's an intriguing third scoring line. Not sure I want Hornqvist in the top 6 but maybe, and I definitely not Kahun right now. Still have Bjugstad and Rust so I'll try this.

Jake-Sid-Bjugstad
Simon-Malkin-Hornqvist
Galch-McCann-Tanev
ZAR-Blueger-Rust/Lafferty

Gives Sid a goal scorer who can play in tough matchups. Malkin gets the wings who were so successful in driving play last year, giving us 2 top lines who can drive play. If Lafferty continues to play well, it takes Rust expendable. Either way, the 4th line can handle tough minutes to make up for a 3rd line that probably shouldn't.

Lots of puzzle pieces. Hard to figure out where they all fit with so many missing.

Just imagine how many goals the Pens would've scored if they didn't have JJ and Gudbranson in the lineup

I'd be surprised if they gave up on Galchenyuk-Malkin but that's an intriguing third scoring line. Not sure I want Hornqvist in the top 6 but maybe, and I definitely not Kahun right now. Still have Bjugstad and Rust so I'll try this.

Jake-Sid-Bjugstad
Simon-Malkin-Hornqvist
Galch-McCann-Tanev
ZAR-Blueger-Rust/Lafferty

Gives Sid a goal scorer who can play in tough matchups. Malkin gets the wings who were so successful in driving play last year, giving us 2 top lines who can drive play. If Lafferty continues to play well, it takes Rust expendable. Either way, the 4th line can handle tough minutes to make up for a 3rd line that probably shouldn't.

Lots of puzzle pieces. Hard to figure out where they all fit with so many missing.
- Tojo.

Why break up Sid's line now? They are on a roll. Simon has great hockey IQ and does the little things well and keeps the line running. He's no liability. That's the best Sid's line has looked in quite a bit.

I'd stick Tanev with Malkin and Galchenyuk or even Rust.

I know McCann hasn't been lighting up and his stats aren't off the charts, but when you consider he's playing above his pay-grade I think he's doing a good job. At this point I'd be willing to see how McCann fares at 3C over Bjugstad.

Total BS. Aston-Reese said they just played less flashy when asked about the team's good play lately. Guess what: they should do that more often and just don't wait for the big guys to take the scoring load in their backs. Geno will be fine once he gets back.
- Barnaby36

Exactly. I don't get how Malkin returning changes the way the bottom 6 is supposed to play the game and how that is Malkin's fault. It doesn't make sense.

I'm also really hoping for a healthy ZAR this season. I want to see if he can take the next step in his game.

I'd be surprised if they gave up on Galchenyuk-Malkin but that's an intriguing third scoring line. Not sure I want Hornqvist in the top 6 but maybe, and I definitely not Kahun right now. Still have Bjugstad and Rust so I'll try this.

Jake-Sid-Bjugstad
Simon-Malkin-Hornqvist
Galch-McCann-Tanev
ZAR-Blueger-Rust/Lafferty

Gives Sid a goal scorer who can play in tough matchups. Malkin gets the wings who were so successful in driving play last year, giving us 2 top lines who can drive play. If Lafferty continues to play well, it takes Rust expendable. Either way, the 4th line can handle tough minutes to make up for a 3rd line that probably shouldn't.

Lots of puzzle pieces. Hard to figure out where they all fit with so many missing.
- Tojo.

I’d rather not remove Simon from Sids line. That line is nasty and they generate chances galore.

I think Malkin could be the guy to get Kahun going and having Horny opposite to bang poop around could work. I agree Kahun has been relatively invisible but I don’t want to put ZAR and Horny on the wings and I don’t want to break up line 1. And if that McCann line was showing chemistry, I dunno. It’s an interesting predicament but Geno has worked with lesser players before.

I’d rather not remove Simon from Sids line. That line is nasty and they generate chances galore.

I think Malkin could be the guy to get Kahun going and having Horny opposite to bang poop around could work. I agree Kahun has been relatively invisible but I don’t want to put ZAR and Horny on the wings and I don’t want to break up line 1. And if that McCann line was showing chemistry, I dunno. It’s an interesting predicament but Geno has worked with lesser players before.
- j.boyd919

This probably is going to get some flack, but everyone has Teddy plugged in at the 4th line center spot when he has been replaceable so far. I think he will be fine down the stretch, but at this point he might have to sit when everyone is healthy.