@Tojo from last blog:

I'd go Jarry B2B...he hasn't played much, is young and can handle it. It would allow MM to do some more soul searching...now if Jarry sh!ts the bed tonight...well MM tomorrow.

Rikky over Rudy.
- MattStrat

I basically never advocate for starting goalie in back to backs myself. So I feed Murray the easier opponent tonight, Jarry tomorrow against the champs.

As in last blog Riikola in. I'd play him with JJ, they were mostly fine, and then get Marino and Pettersson a look.

I basically never advocate for starting goalie in back to backs myself. So I feed Murray the easier opponent tonight, Jarry tomorrow against the champs.

As in last blog Riikola in. I'd play him with JJ, they were mostly fine, and then get Marino and Pettersson a look.
- Tojo.

Please and thank you

So take that, Tojo.
- VeryModernMan

Just took a stab at it, so long as they split, I'm good either way.

Honest question: would anyone here trade Galchenyuk for Gusev straight up?
- Barnaby36

That's a tough call. They're both really bad defensively so that's a wash.

I think Gusev can have a bigger offensive impact and in theory, on a team of good defensive players, they can carry him. Additionally, he has no PP points and could fill the RH spot on the PP here.

Biggest concern is the extra year on his contract. But I guess I'd do it. No incentive for NJ though, and we can probably find a better fit.

I think malkin playing majority of every game with the best defensive pairing makes the most difference.
- 10inchTerror

Agree. That's why if given the choice, I'd rather find Malkin his Letang than his Guentzel.

MM...class act.


https://hockeytroll.ca/20...4Ekp9LhrF5TXOSI6MSDiCbSgE

From DeFabo:

Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Kahun - McCann -Hornqvist
Galchenyuk - Lafferty - Simon
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev

Dumoulin - Letang
Pettersson - Trotman
Johnson - Marino
Riikola - Ruhwedel

From DeFabo:

Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Kahun - McCann -Hornqvist
Galchenyuk - Lafferty - Simon
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev

Dumoulin - Letang
Pettersson - Trotman
Johnson - Marino
Riikola - Ruhwedel
- Tojo.

Marino deserves better.

From DeFabo:

Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Kahun - McCann -Hornqvist
Galchenyuk - Lafferty - Simon
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev

Dumoulin - Letang
Pettersson - Trotman
Johnson - Marino
Riikola - Ruhwedel
- Tojo.

Thoughts:

Would have played Riikola over Trotman, but Ruhwedel definitely deserved being benched.

Kahun back with McCann! Hornqvist wasn't great with them earlier so would have preferred Tanev, but might as well see if this is a spot for him.

3rd line is really the 4th, the 3 guys Sully has been playing the least.

Tanev doesn't deserve the demotion, but he makes that shutdown line better, and it gets the Pens top 9 forwards on 3 lines.

Marino deserves better.
- MattStrat

At least he still played a ton last game. Pettersson-Ruhwedel had sheltered ice time.

It might be worth it for the Pens to pick up an insurance defenseman at the deadline even if they feel the top 6 are locked.

Thoughts:

Would have played Riikola over Trotman, but Ruhwedel definitely deserved being benched.

Kahun back with McCann! Hornqvist wasn't great with them earlier so would have preferred Tanev, but might as well see if this is a spot for him.

3rd line is really the 4th, the 3 guys Sully has been playing the least.

Tanev doesn't deserve the demotion, but he makes that shutdown line better, and it gets the Pens top 9 forwards on 3 lines.
- Tojo.

Bob Grove tweeted prior to last game that Trotman had a CF above 56% in 5 straight games for the Pens FWIW

Neal is a bum. He’s doing exactly as I said he would, as he always does.
- Rinosaur

He had 11 in his first 17 which wasn’t sustainable. He has 3 goals in his last 10 games which is ~25 goal pace. Isn’t that what you pay him for?

I don’t like Neal but I liked the trade and he’s definitely helped them win games this season

Thoughts:

Would have played Riikola over Trotman, but Ruhwedel definitely deserved being benched.

Kahun back with McCann! Hornqvist wasn't great with them earlier so would have preferred Tanev, but might as well see if this is a spot for him.

3rd line is really the 4th, the 3 guys Sully has been playing the least.

Tanev doesn't deserve the demotion, but he makes that shutdown line better, and it gets the Pens top 9 forwards on 3 lines.
- Tojo.

I don't think it was a demotion; the other three are the guys that Sullivan is demoting so they'll probably start as the 4th line tonight. That's the way he's been doing it this season.

MM...class act.


https://hockeytroll.ca/20...4Ekp9LhrF5TXOSI6MSDiCbSgE
- MattStrat

Very interesting - good share!

I don't think it was a demotion; the other three are the guys that Sullivan is demoting so they'll probably start as the 4th line tonight. That's the way he's been doing it this season.
- pens_4ever

Tanev was on the second line which is why I said demotion, but he'll still get about the same ice time, just less chance to get points.

Bob Grove tweeted prior to last game that Trotman had a CF above 56% in 5 straight games for the Pens FWIW
- WSCTeton17

I had noticed Trotman had some good numbers, I just like Riikola more.

He had 11 in his first 17 which wasn’t sustainable. He has 3 goals in his last 10 games which is ~25 goal pace. Isn’t that what you pay him for?

I don’t like Neal but I liked the trade and he’s definitely helped them win games this season
- WSCTeton17

The problem with Neal is that he's not even streaky. Streaky is more effective. He scores a ton in a small period of time then is a ghost the rest of the year. At least a streaky player helps you score goals throughout the entire season. He also doesn't have much in the way of a game away from the puck.

Neal's only real consistent year was his 40 goal year obviously. If you look over his career this has happened ALMOST every year. 20/25 goal scorers are streaky by nature otherwise they'd be 50 goal guys, but again, it's the fact he scores a bunch in a short period of time then goes bye-bye.

Down goes Rust...

Down goes Rust...
- Rinosaur

Should be "fine": https://triblive.com/spor...ing-in-the-morning-skate/

Should be "fine": https://triblive.com/spor...ing-in-the-morning-skate/
- VeryModernMan

I read that, but they called up Blandisi, so I don’t think he’s 100% good to go.

Agree. That's why if given the choice, I'd rather find Malkin his Letang than his Guentzel.
- Tojo.

100% my main goal as gm!

I read that, but they called up Blandisi, so I don’t think he’s 100% good to go.
- Rinosaur

They got a free roster spot with Schultz IR yesterday, still now "just" 13 forwards... but i'm now also a little frightened...

They got a free roster spot with Schultz IR yesterday, still now "just" 13 forwards... but i'm now also a little frightened...
- VeryModernMan

They need to go get Kreider.

They need to go get Kreider.
- Rinosaur

Would like that addition, especially as he may cost just a 2nd and maybe some mid prospect. But hell, our 2nd belongs to VGK for giving them their first franchise player. So, what can we offer NYR for Kreider?

@MadMike:

I don’t think either has been necessarily shortened overall but it seems rare that both have a stud winger at the same time. Post-HBK Phil Kessel seems to be the only time both centers had major fire power at the same time. Cus remember, before Guentzel the story of the deadline every year was getting Sid his winger.
- Victoro311

It's funny... Both Kessel and Neal were brought in to be "Sid's winger" and both rarely played with him. Hossa was the only guy that actually stuck.....unfortunately it was too brief. Iggy went to Malkin's line too as a LW.

It's been rare because of the cap. When the two super-star centers are eating a huge chunk of cap it's hard to stock the top 6 with elite wingers. As the cap has grown it's getting a little easier, but the Pens haven't exactly been a "draft and development" team since they're always in win now mode.

Honestly, I don't think either center should feel slighted with their complimentary pieces. Both have had chances with really good wings and both have elevated players too.