Ryan Wilson: Penguins October scare Penguins October scare

Vic:

I feel like even if Poulin comes in and is a legit top 9 guy, we still need one more forward to really compete. And that’s if the team remains healthy.

I agree, so its really important Poulin is good to go haha...but Im not holding my breath on it.

Why does Hockeybuzz insist on making the Penguins blogger someone who constantly writes lazy hack pieces that do nothing but whine about the Penguins organization?

Even when there is nothing to whine about, RW creates hypotheticals just to poop on the Pens organization.

RW your relationship with the Pens has clearly become toxic and you need to take some time apart before you spread it any further.

Someone start a petition for Ben Shelley to be the new Pens blogger already.

Ah gotcha. I think I’d agree with that on principle, but with reservations. We know the line cratered without ZAR, but we don’t know if the line would similarly crater without Tanev or Blueger because we just didn’t see it and don’t have those data points. I think all the info we have suggests ZAR is super important for the success of that line, but there’s not really anything saying that Tanev and Blueger aren’t just as important.

I will say though that ZAR was still a play driver during brief stints with Malkin, so I think we can say that’s a skill he has independent of who his linemates are and something he brings to the fourth line and not a stat that comes from being a beneficiary of Tanev and Blueger.
- Victoro311

Yeah, there's a lot of data we still don't have because thankfully Blueger and Tanev defied being Penguins and stayed healthy last year, so it's still theory.

And I agree, ZAR is not just a beneficiary of his linemates. I just think the blend of skills is what makes it work so well. They could all still succeed with other linemates.

You just probably don't have as good of a shutdown line unless you found a replacement with similar abilities. ZAR's skill set I don't think they have elsewhere on the team. Some think Lafferty could play Tanev's role, I'm not sure he's consistently tenacious enough though.

Yeah, there's a lot of data we still don't have because thankfully Blueger and Tanev defied being Penguins and stayed healthy last year, so it's still theory.

And I agree, ZAR is not just a beneficiary of his linemates. I just think the blend of skills is what makes it work so well. They could all still succeed with other linemates.

You just probably don't have as good of a shutdown line unless you found a replacement with similar abilities. ZAR's skill set I don't think they have elsewhere on the team. Some think Lafferty could play Tanev's role, I'm not sure he's consistently tenacious enough though.
- Tojo.

I think we overrate Lafferty here because he banged off five goals at the beginning of the season last year. He’s not very good. As fine a 13th forward as you can find, but I would have never seriously considered dressing him over any of the other forwards we had last season. Scratching McCann for him in the playoffs that one game was a Bylsmanian personnel decision on Sullivan’s part.

EVERYTHING WITH A RACIAL ELEMENT IS SERIOSLY OVERPLAYED THESE DAYS.

Gotta really find out the truth, and even if you do the person in question will not, in all probability, be able to clear himself in the public eye and his career will be seriously stunted, irregaudlous of his innocence.

I think we overrate Lafferty here because he banged off five goals at the beginning of the season last year. He’s not very good. As fine a 13th forward as you can find, but I would have never seriously considered dressing him over any of the other forwards we had last season. Scratching McCann for him in the playoffs that one game was a Bylsmanian personnel decision on Sullivan’s part.
- Victoro311

I agree. Strong first impression + local kid + organization low on prospects got Lafferty overrated. And speed, because after 2016 a lot of people equate fast with good. (thus why some people still like Adam Johnson). He's a decent depth forward, but I wouldn't carve out a spot for him.

I agree. Strong first impression + local kid + organization low on prospects got Lafferty overrated. And speed, because after 2016 a lot of people equate fast with good., thus why some people still like Adam Johnson. He's a decent depth forward, but I wouldn't carve out a spot for him.
- Tojo.

Didn’t even know Lafferty was from the area.

Why does Hockeybuzz insist on making the Penguins blogger someone who constantly writes lazy hack pieces that do nothing but whine about the Penguins organization?

Even when there is nothing to whine about, RW creates hypotheticals just to poop on the Pens organization.

RW your relationship with the Pens has clearly become toxic and you need to take some time apart before you spread it any further.

Someone start a petition for Ben Shelley to be the new Pens blogger already.
- RonPielep

I guess Wilson keeps waiting for Mario to call him and offer him the GM job. And why does he think Tallon is a mistake? It was Tallon who was one of they keys for Chicago's Cup wins. He brought in Nikolai Khabibulin, drafted Toews, Kane, Havlat and Kjalmarsson, traded for Sharp, Versteeg, and Ladd. Signed Hossa and Madden. Pretty good if you ask me.

I guess Wilson keeps waiting for Mario to call him and offer him the GM job. And why does he think Tallon is a mistake? It was Tallon who was one of they keys for Chicago's Cup wins. He brought in Nikolai Khabibulin, drafted Toews, Kane, Havlat and Kjalmarsson, traded for Sharp, Versteeg, and Ladd. Signed Hossa and Madden. Pretty good if you ask me.
- Wingsfan61

GMs have shelf lives. Tallon did exceptionally building the Hawks back up after some doldrums, but he’s very clearly been awful in Florida. The good he did in Chicago is well over a decade in the past at this point. We’re seeing the same thing with Stan Bowman over there right now. He did super well in retooling the Hawks on the fly after the first Cup win but has largely let them go to poop over the past 5 years and I can’t remember the last time that dude has made a good trade.

And obviously we all know about Jim Rutherford.

GMs hace shelf lives. Tallon did exceptionally building the Hawks back up after some doldrums, but he’s very clearly been awful in Florida. The good he did in Chicago is well over a decade in the past at this point. We’re seeing the same thing with Stan Bowman over there right now. He did super well in retooling the Hawks on the fly after the first Cup win but has largely let them go to poop over the past 5 years and I can’t remember the last time that dude has made a good trade.

And obviously we all know about Jim Rutherford.
- Victoro311

I know that Jim Rutherford is a 3 time Stanley cup winning hall of fame GM.

I know that Jim Rutherford is a 3 time Stanley cup winning hall of fame GM.
- stackthepads

And so is Stan Bowman. It’s really not difficult to acknowledge that someone has been great in the past but is bad now. We do it with players all the time.

RW wins powerball
*complains about taxes*

RW wins powerball
*complains about taxes*
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I 100% would do this haha. My company gave us a small stimulus bonus and we lost like $35 of it to taxes and I still bring it up on team meetings frequently haha.

I 100% would do this haha. My company gave us a small stimulus bonus and we lost like $35 of it to taxes and I still bring it up on team meetings frequently haha.
- Victoro311

I 100% would do this haha. My company gave us a small stimulus bonus and we lost like $35 of it to taxes and I still bring it up on team meetings frequently haha.
- Victoro311

I'm just glad that RW found a reason to mention JJ again

I 100% would do this haha. My company gave us a small stimulus bonus and we lost like $35 of it to taxes and I still bring it up on team meetings frequently haha.
- Victoro311

Guess its safe to say you hate taxes and dont want them increased right? ok, Ill leave politics out. But seriously, Do you think players take that into consideration when playing for a team that doesnt take state?

Why the Daley bashing? He just retired and is now assisting in evaluating players. I’d rather have a younger/recently retired player who understands the current game rather than an older person/player who still wants grit and leadership over skill.

GMs have shelf lives. Tallon did exceptionally building the Hawks back up after some doldrums, but he’s very clearly been awful in Florida. The good he did in Chicago is well over a decade in the past at this point. We’re seeing the same thing with Stan Bowman over there right now. He did super well in retooling the Hawks on the fly after the first Cup win but has largely let them go to poop over the past 5 years and I can’t remember the last time that dude has made a good trade.

And obviously we all know about Jim Rutherford.
- Victoro311

I was going to reply, but Vic pretty much said it all.

Tallon doesn't receive near enough credit and Bowman too much for the Blackhawks dynasty, IMO. I think Bowman added Hossa, and he got a lot of guys he inherited on good contracts, but other than that guy was handed an embarrassment of riches.

But that was a long time ago and Tallon hasn't done much since. Not sure how a guy who is too passive would mesh with GMJR.

Why does Hockeybuzz insist on making the Penguins blogger someone who constantly writes lazy hack pieces that do nothing but whine about the Penguins organization?

Even when there is nothing to whine about, RW creates hypotheticals just to poop on the Pens organization.

RW your relationship with the Pens has clearly become toxic and you need to take some time apart before you spread it any further.

Someone start a petition for Ben Shelley to be the new Pens blogger already.

Doesnt Shelley have enough teams to write about already?

I know you dont want to hear these things, but wasn't RW correct about Jack Johnson? Maybe the problem isnt RW, but rather the Penguins organization not doing the right things since we won the Cup in 2017. I want my blogger to be informative and tell me when they are doing things wrong, not just pump clovers and sunshine up the backside all the time. Because we sure don't get anything negative from local media.

Guess its safe to say you hate taxes and dont want them increased right? ok, Ill leave politics out. But seriously, Do you think players take that into consideration when playing for a team that has doesnt take state?
- nateca44

100%. Also we have seen players agree to smaller deals in Florida because the take home is just as big or bigger than a larger contract somewhere else.

EVERYTHING WITH A RACIAL ELEMENT IS SERIOSLY OVERPLAYED THESE DAYS.

Gotta really find out the truth, and even if you do the person in question will not, in all probability, be able to clear himself in the public eye and his career will be seriously stunted, irregaudlous of his innocence.
- HenryHockey

spoken by someone who does not know the struggle of being a minority. Please do not speak on a plight you know nothing about with the attitude "innocence until proven guilty" yet that standard doesn't work for all

Doesnt Shelley have enough teams to write about already?

I know you dont want to hear these things, but wasn't RW correct about Jack Johnson? Maybe the problem isnt RW, but rather the Penguins organization not doing the right things since we won the Cup in 2017. I want my blogger to be informative and tell me when they are doing things wrong, not just pump clovers and sunshine up the backside all the time. Because we sure don't get anything negative from local media.
- Amanion

The issue is the 40+ blogs in the last 2 years specifically bashing JJ and JRs signings. We got it after the 10 or so

to the folks who bash RW for writing so many negative blogs about the Pens:

it's not his fault that so many of the storylines around the Penguins are negative

in the last 3 years they've won 1 playoff round and the GM has put them in a position where they have rather little blue-line depth, very little prospect depth, and they're paying Jack Johnson for the next 6 years

also, the team went from having MAF and Matt Murray in net, to having Jarry and DeSmith