I do like him but if that was Guddy, Goddard or Engelland I bet he picks himself up and skates the other way. Sad when Petterson is your main fighter. I remember guddy laughing at him last year and trying to teach him how to throw em a bit
- 10inchTerror

Mike Sullivan has a no fighting rule.

I go back and forth on this. I think Tanev can get more offense playing higher up the line-up. But he's so good at his role and that line has great chemistry. He deserved that winner.

Kahun was all over the place at both ends in that 3rd, hope he starts with Malkin next game.

Finally, a good game for Murray.
- Tojo.

Kahun definitely deserves top 6 time. I thought he was great when finally given a chance with Geno and Rust.

I'd try to find a couple of shifts a period with Tanev in the top 6. Players like Geno and Sid would definitely benefit from the things he does. I understand why Sully keeps him in a "shutdown" role, but I'd love to maximize his ability to turn defense into offense. Those turnovers he creates high in the D zone would turn into goals with Geno or Sid.

Mike Sullivan has a no fighting rule.
- Grinder47

But he does have 2 cups in the last 4 years.....so there's that.

Now in 2nd 6 points back of 1st with a game in hand on Caps. Slowly inching towards it. I think they can play solid enough to stay competitive in very close games that can go either way but they need some scoring touch added back to wing to make a difference in close games ...to snag more Ws down the stretch. That's two 3-2 OT games in a row. 3 on 3s are random as fvck...so let's add some more scoring on wing so we don't even have to play them random 3 on 3s and take away extra points for opposing teams. Just f'n do it GMJR.

Now in 2nd 6 points back of 1st with a game in hand on Caps. Slowly inching towards it. I think they can play solid enough to stay competitive in very close games that can go either way but they need some scoring touch added back to wing to make a difference in close games ...to snag more Ws down the stretch. That's two 3-2 OT games in a row. 3 on 3s are random as fvck...so let's add some more scoring on wing so we don't even have to play them random 3 on 3s and take away extra points for opposing teams. Just f'n do it GMJR.
- MattStrat

Yeah tougher opponents are on the horizon. Have to see how they do against some playoff teams like Colorado or Boston. An all defence no one can score game with Arizona could be interesting lol

Yeah tougher opponents are on the horizon. Have to see how they do against some playoff teams like Colorado or Boston. An all defence no one can score game with Arizona could be interesting lol
- 10inchTerror

Ya. The only thing I'm worried about is the Pens arent that tough. I just hope they domy get pushed around.

Ya. The only thing I'm worried about is the Pens arent that tough. I just hope they domy get pushed around.
- nateca44

We’re soff before so that doesn’t matter.

I envision a California team, Detroit, or Chicago as eventual trade partners for gmjr. Will have to look through their rosters tomorrow so I can get my hopes up

We’re soff before so that doesn’t matter.

I envision a California team, Detroit, or Chicago as eventual trade partners for gmjr. Will have to look through their rosters tomorrow so I can get my hopes up
- 10inchTerror

A top nine of Crosby, Malkin, McCann at center; Rust, Hornqvist, Bjugstad at RW; and Kahun, Tanev, Blueger at LW is solid. You can flip flop McCann and Blueger if you want. Really you can mix and match a number of different combinations.

The position we are hurting is now RD. Ruhwedel just isn't a long term replacement. It is easy to say now but do I wish we would have traded Schultz and kept Gudbranson.

But he does have 2 cups in the last 4 years.....so there's that.
- madmike71

Yeah. 2009 was still way better. Pens were not bunch of Pu Pu Pu Pussi es back then.

A top nine of Crosby, Malkin, McCann at center; Rust, Hornqvist, Bjugstad at RW; and Kahun, Tanev, Blueger at LW is solid. You can flip flop McCann and Blueger if you want. Really you can mix and match a number of different combinations.

The position we are hurting is now RD. Ruhwedel just isn't a long term replacement. It is easy to say now but do I wish we would have traded Schultz and kept Gudbranson.
- Thunderbolt

RD? Have you seen our LD lol. Letang and Marino are better than anything on the left. And Schultz is coming back.

Any one know if there were any scouts in attendance last night for our game? I assume there always is, but I was just wondering. I am hoping we trade for Andreas Athanasiou I think he could fit our system pretty well.

RD? Have you seen our LD lol. Letang and Marino are better than anything on the left. And Schultz is coming back.
- 668710

When is Schultz returning? Is it before Dumoulin?

Yes Letang and Marino are better than what we have on the left side. The entire left side is also better than Ruhwedel, even Riikola.

Yeah. 2009 was still way better. Pens were not bunch of Pu Pu Pu Pussi es back then.
- Grinder47

It really wasn't. It lead to Dan Bylsma believing he was the second coming of Scotty Bowman. Followed by mostly embarrassing early exits from the playoffs.

From Yohe: The Penguins lead the NHL in man games lost due to injury and in goal differential. Guessing that’s never been done. And the injured players have been a galaxy of Hall of Famers and All Stars. Matt Murray has largely struggled, too. Mike Sullivan, everyone.

From Yohe: The Penguins lead the NHL in man games lost due to injury and in goal differential. Guessing that’s never been done. And the injured players have been a galaxy of Hall of Famers and All Stars. Matt Murray has largely struggled, too. Mike Sullivan, everyone.
- Tojo.

We have had a lot of players step up and do a great job when called upon. I agree our coaching has been good. Our players have played a pretty disciplined game, and they have bought in to the system which is great!

From Yohe: The Penguins lead the NHL in man games lost due to injury and in goal differential. Guessing that’s never been done. And the injured players have been a galaxy of Hall of Famers and All Stars. Matt Murray has largely struggled, too. Mike Sullivan, everyone.
- Tojo.

That’s pretty amazing considering we’ve seen the pens in a similar situation with injuries and barely made the playoffs.

A top nine of Crosby, Malkin, McCann at center; Rust, Hornqvist, Bjugstad at RW; and Kahun, Tanev, Blueger at LW is solid. You can flip flop McCann and Blueger if you want. Really you can mix and match a number of different combinations.

The position we are hurting is now RD. Ruhwedel just isn't a long term replacement. It is easy to say now but do I wish we would have traded Schultz and kept Gudbranson.
- Thunderbolt

I think right now I'd just call the Blueger line the 3rd line.

McCann-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kahun-Malkin-Rust
ZAR-Blueger-Tanev
Galch-Bjugstad-Simon

That's about the best I can make with what we have. Ideally, they add some top 6 guys and push enough talent onto that 4th line that it looks like a 3rd line, but the Blueger line has handled that role well all year. Other than a better version of Bjugstad that I still think is possible, that's our best 9 forwards right now.

Any one know if there were any scouts in attendance last night for our game? I assume there always is, but I was just wondering. I am hoping we trade for Andreas Athanasiou I think he could fit our system pretty well.
- 123Kid

Hopefully not because hes a defensive liability and absolutely not fit in the Pens system pretty well. Dude is a gong show and makes Phil look like a Selke candidate if you're looking for hard working 2-way players.



bUt hE sKaTeS ReAlLy FaSt...

When is Schultz returning? Is it before Dumoulin?

Yes Letang and Marino are better than what we have on the left side. The entire left side is also better than Ruhwedel, even Riikola.
- Thunderbolt

I would hope the left side is better than our extra Dmen. Point is Schultz will be back and our right side is locked up. Even with Dumo back are we trusting Petterson? JJ has been decent but are we fully trusting that too? So you would add a RD who could possibly sit on the bench while the left side struggles?

I think right now I'd just call the Blueger line the 3rd line.

McCann-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kahun-Malkin-Rust
ZAR-Blueger-Tanev
Galch-Bjugstad-Simon

That's about the best I can make with what we have. Ideally, they add some top 6 guys and push enough talent onto that 4th line that it looks like a 3rd line, but the Blueger line has handled that role well all year. Other than a better version of Bjugstad that I still think is possible, that's our best 9 forwards right now.
- Tojo.

That's a very winnable forward group IMO....and there's a fair bit of cap space on the table...

Ya. The only thing I'm worried about is the Pens arent that tough. I just hope they domy get pushed around.
- nateca44

We weren't that tough in our back to back cup runs. We were fast and skilled

That's a very winnable forward group IMO....and there's a fair bit of cap space on the table...
- MattStrat

Missing that elite winger ala Guentzel/Phil, while it is still a balanced forward lineup and can definitely compete, they need to bring a top 6 forward in IMO. Kreider, Toffoli, Saad, etc. some sort of top 6 option.

Random personal observation on Eye Test vs. Advanced Stats...

I think a lot of us were on the same page last night as far as feeling the Pens looked out-of-sorts for most of the game. Tons of defensive miscues, errant passes and turnovers. However, when you look at the fancy stats the Pens pretty much dominated this game.

I wish naturalstattrick tracked turnovers.

Missing that elite winger ala Guentzel/Phil, while it is still a balanced forward lineup and can definitely compete, they need to bring a top 6 forward in IMO. Kreider, Toffoli, Saad, etc. some sort of top 6 option.
- j.boyd919

I brought this up yesterday, but I think they can go all in and get two guys. They have the parts and the space to bring in both Toffoli and Saad. Saad would at least bring in what they expected out of Galchenyuk (obviously he would be moved out) while still under contract for another year and Toffoli would be the actual rental.

Also, while LD is a bigger need, I brought up yesterday that Martinez has been activated and is under contract for one more year. I'd love to see them bring him in this year to replace Schultz.

The cupboard would be bare after these moves, but they'd have one heck of a lineup not only this year, but next year as well.

Hopefully not because hes a defensive liability and absolutely not fit in the Pens system pretty well. Dude is a gong show and makes Phil look like a Selke candidate if you're looking for hard working 2-way players.



bUt hE sKaTeS ReAlLy FaSt...
- j.boyd919

Here is an article on him.

https://lastwordonhockey....ckiest-player-in-the-nhl/


He may need a change of scenery to excel. I feel Galchenyuk is the same way. I think both players could be a good swap.