Pens can’t play against teams that match physicality with skating and fast hockey, Bruins Islanders, columbus(give or take) St. Louis. While I have a soft spot for players like Gudbranson and Reaves these other teams have been compiling guys that can really do it all. Pens have Simon. Tanev has been a slight let down to me. Can’t wait to play the caps. Field day for Obie Wilson and Gudas to run around on this weak ass roster. Thing is there’s nothing to do about it. Start drafting over 120 lbs and 4 ft tall maybe.

DK-Haase "calculated" that Blandisi might not made it to the game, therefore Riikola on the 4th wing: https://www.dkpittsburghs...enguins-blue-jackets-tlh/

Now curious how many weeks a guy, who 2min after "the wall incident" came back to practice, will miss - again.

DK-Haase "calculated" that Blandisi might not made it to the game, therefore Riikola on the 4th wing: https://www.dkpittsburghs...enguins-blue-jackets-tlh/

Now curious how many weeks a guy, who 2min after "the wall incident" came back to practice, will miss - again.
- VeryModernMan

It literally showed Blandisi arriving to the rink after the game started.

They’re also just a few points away from last in the West. If he’s going to do anything he needs to go win-now big or tear it down. A few minor upgrades or tweaks will be a waste of time.
- Rinosaur

Yeah that could be true, but also they’re winning games now & Stalock has helped stop the bleeding with consistent net minding. It’s possible they keep winning while doing nothing. They averaged 3.54 goals per game in Movember and their D remains solid. I don’t like the Wild but I like Guerin, plus I feel bad for that fan base 😂

DK-Haase "calculated" that Blandisi might not made it to the game, therefore Riikola on the 4th wing: https://www.dkpittsburghs...enguins-blue-jackets-tlh/

Now curious how many weeks a guy, who 2min after "the wall incident" came back to practice, will miss - again.
- VeryModernMan

Well he was on crutches someone said. Could just be a deep bruise which is limiting his mobility but sliding into the boards is the most common way to get a high ankle sprain in hockey and that would be 4-8 weeks depending on severity

Edit: I forgot he returned to practice, so likely not a high ankle sprain which is painful to play through

Edit: I forgot he returned to practice, so likely not a high ankle sprain which is painful to play through
- WSCTeton17

Yes, its still the hope that it was something precautionary... so he has not to limp and doctors in Pit can see... but we will see, Sully not stating anything is a bad sign.

Rino I agree with you that someone else should take Rust’s spot. Simon had a few good shifts there but overall he wasn’t connecting and his lack of wall support ultimately led to the first goal against

But I also agree with Tojo that Michael doesn’t give a 💩 about Galchenyuk’s trade value. Still, it’s a coach’s job to prepare his team and to make adjustments and we didn’t see it last night

Galchenyuk took a bad penalty last night, really bad. But in recent memory so has Kahun, Tanev, JJ, etc. Michael probably won’t see it that way

Rino I agree with you that someone else should take Rust’s spot. Simon had a few good shifts there but overall he wasn’t connecting and his lack of wall support ultimately led to the first goal against

But I also agree with Tojo that Michael doesn’t give a 💩 about Galchenyuk’s trade value. Still, it’s a coach’s job to prepare his team and to make adjustments and we didn’t see it last night

Galchenyuk took a bad penalty last night, really bad. But in recent memory so has Kahun, Tanev, JJ, etc. Michael probably won’t see it that way
- WSCTeton17

I know you had high expectations for Galch prior to the season starting and really sung his praises, but you have to come to reality that he's just terrible on the Pens. I didn't have super high expectations for him, but I certainly didn't expect this. He doesn't fit on this team.

Depth is an issue, but if they can get anything for him they should do it now to at least open up even more space for a bigger move.

I know you had high expectations for Galch prior to the season starting and really sung his praises, but you have to come to reality that he's just terrible on the Pens. I didn't have super high expectations for him, but I certainly didn't expect this. He doesn't fit on this team.

Depth is an issue, but if they can get anything for him they should do it now to at least open up even more space for a bigger move.
- Rinosaur

Well this is probably 10+ times of me saying it here so I’ll say it in all caps so maybe you remember: HE IS NOT HITTING THE EXPECTATION I HAD FOR HIM AND I WAS WRONG. Take a screenshot if you want

The reality is that he just had 5 ES points and 6 points overall in a 6 game stretch. Is he a huge driver of play? No, he’s about even but he’s also not a liability when he’s out there. He also got those points in a bottom 6 role (away from Lafferty/Blandisi though)

IMO this is the perfect time to try Kahun with Malkin and Jake; you can slot Galchenyuk next to McCann where they both recently produced together

Well this is probably 10+ times of me saying it here so I’ll say it in all caps so maybe you remember: HE IS NOT HITTING THE EXPECTATION I HAD FOR HIM AND I WAS WRONG. Take a screenshot if you want

The reality is that he just had 5 ES points and 6 points overall in a 6 game stretch. Is he a huge driver of play? No, he’s about even but he’s also not a liability when he’s out there. He also got those points in a bottom 6 role (away from Lafferty/Blandisi though)

IMO this is the perfect time to try Kahun with Malkin and Jake; you can slot Galchenyuk next to McCann where they both recently produced together
- WSCTeton17

Hadn't seen you say it yet actually.

The thing is he's still here and if he's still the Pens need to continue to attempt to find a way to help him succeed and the 4th line is just not going to do that. If he's going to play the 4th they need to just move him because they're wasting their money. I'd rather have Blandisi on the 4th line than Galch.

Regardless, I think the Pens need to make a couple of bold moves right now. It's clear this injury bug isn't going away any time soon. Move Galch for what you can, use that space on a more appropriate player.

Hadn't seen you say it yet actually.

The thing is he's still here and if he's still the Pens need to continue to attempt to find a way to help him succeed and the 4th line is just not going to do that. If he's going to play the 4th they need to just move him because they're wasting their money. I'd rather have Blandisi on the 4th line than Galch.

Regardless, I think the Pens need to make a couple of bold moves right now. It's clear this injury bug isn't going away any time soon. Move Galch for what you can, use that space on a more appropriate player.
- Rinosaur

lol he's definitely said it a few times, usually following with good analysis of his play too.

Hadn't seen you say it yet actually.

The thing is he's still here and if he's still the Pens need to continue to attempt to find a way to help him succeed and the 4th line is just not going to do that. If he's going to play the 4th they need to just move him because they're wasting their money. I'd rather have Blandisi on the 4th line than Galch.

Regardless, I think the Pens need to make a couple of bold moves right now. It's clear this injury bug isn't going away any time soon. Move Galch for what you can, use that space on a more appropriate player.
- Rinosaur

I’m fine with moving him for a player Sullivan will actually use. Same story as Strome in AZ - GM traded him for a player Toch would actually play

Having said that, I still want to see Kahun play with Malkin and Jake. He’s earned it.

Simon? I like him but he’s only got 3 points in his last 10 games, last 13 actually. He’s also had a number of defensive lapses this season. Galchenyuk has 6 in his last 10. Hornqvist doesn’t mesh with Geno’s style of play. Blandisi looks bad. Tanev hasn’t looked the same these past two weeks, I’m wondering if he’s playing hurt. I think this gives us a better chance to win, just my opinion

Jake-Geno-Kahun
Galchenyuk-McCann-Hornqvist
Tanev-Blueger-ZAR
Simon-Lafferty-Blandisi

lol he's definitely said it a few times, usually following with good analysis of his play too.
- j.boyd919

More than wanting any one player to succeed (Crosby aside) I just want the Pens to win. I’d still like to see Petts with Marino. Like frick, come on Michael!

Don’t know was wondering about “torrent” vs. TORRID, blame it on JJ.

I don’t think Galchenyuk is here much longer. Another game or two of him playing under 14 minutes and his agent will quietly ask for him to be moved. He’s still in his 20s and is in a contract year. Hopefully it happens before his value drops below a 3rd rounder. If he’s going West then I think STL is a fit, if GMJR doesn’t care where he goes then I think BOS would welcome him

Well this is probably 10+ times of me saying it here so I’ll say it in all caps so maybe you remember: HE IS NOT HITTING THE EXPECTATION I HAD FOR HIM AND I WAS WRONG. Take a screenshot if you want

The reality is that he just had 5 ES points and 6 points overall in a 6 game stretch. Is he a huge driver of play? No, he’s about even but he’s also not a liability when he’s out there. He also got those points in a bottom 6 role (away from Lafferty/Blandisi though)

IMO this is the perfect time to try Kahun with Malkin and Jake; you can slot Galchenyuk next to McCann where they both recently produced together
- WSCTeton17

I remember Sully mentioning he put Tanev on McCann's line because he wanted someone to do the grit work. Since then I've noticed he hasn't paired his "softer" skill wings together on a line: Guentzel, Galchenyuk, and Kahun. So I think he wants a guy like Rust, Tanev, Hornqvist, or Simon on every line.

If that's true, it's Galchenyuk or Kahun for a top 6 spot. Once Sid is back, there might be another opportunity for Galchenyuk as there will be 3 skill lines, if he can hang on until then.

I remember Sully mentioning he put Tanev on McCann's line because he wanted someone to do the grit work. Since then I've noticed he hasn't paired his "softer" skill wings together on a line: Guentzel, Galchenyuk, and Kahun. So I think he wants a guy like Rust, Tanev, Hornqvist, or Simon on every line.

If that's true, it's Galchenyuk or Kahun for a top 6 spot. Once Sid is back, there might be another opportunity for Galchenyuk as there will be 3 skill lines, if he can hang on until then.
- Tojo.

Not looking good with the benching. I really like Mike Sullivan, but I just don't see enough to warrant playing the guy 9:something a game. That's pretty bad, but he's the coach. They're not exactly swelling his trade value by not playing him. I think he looks like someone that is playing to not make a mistake. That overthinking isn't going to do the guy any favors.

Not looking good with the benching. I really like Mike Sullivan, but I just don't see enough to warrant playing the guy 9:something a game. That's pretty bad, but he's the coach. They're not exactly swelling his trade value by not playing him. I think he looks like someone that is playing to not make a mistake. That overthinking isn't going to do the guy any favors.
- pens_4ever

Lots of people thought he looked close prior to him being taken off McCann’s line. I didn’t think he was close, I thought he was pretty much there just wasn’t getting the best shots but as far as playing with the puck and his passing he looked good. He definitely is playing not to get benched and it’s not working. That’s a lot of stress to play with

I remember Sully mentioning he put Tanev on McCann's line because he wanted someone to do the grit work. Since then I've noticed he hasn't paired his "softer" skill wings together on a line: Guentzel, Galchenyuk, and Kahun. So I think he wants a guy like Rust, Tanev, Hornqvist, or Simon on every line.

If that's true, it's Galchenyuk or Kahun for a top 6 spot. Once Sid is back, there might be another opportunity for Galchenyuk as there will be 3 skill lines, if he can hang on until then.
- Tojo.

I don’t think 18-19-72 would be a soft line. But with that line you tell your D to try not to break it out to 72 but if you’re dumping it in then send it to his corner 😂

Hey, isn’t STL one of the teams Sid has never scored against? Or maybe he’s never scored in that city