I definitely think the absence of Zucker will help him. Those 2 had negative chemistry when watching them.
- j.boyd919

English? I thought you either have chemistry or you don't ... what's "negative chemistry"? Like it's full of electrons?

English? I thought you either have chemistry or you don't ... what's "negative chemistry"? Like it's full of electrons?
- chimpira

Learn our idioms, ruski.

Learn our idioms, ruski.
- Victoro311

Sorry, too busy listening to death metal version of "Look What You Made Me Do"

Sorry, too busy listening to death metal version of "Look What You Made Me Do"
- chimpira

Hahaha

I actually think that group of forwards could be Cup caliber. Only thing that isn’t optimal is the left half wall on the PP.
- Victoro311

The current group? Average at best imo.

Learn our idioms, ruski.
- Victoro311

He’s lazy.

The current group? Average at best imo.
- Feds91Stammer

I think with all the underperforming going on I'd agree, but if everyone was playing at their regular level of abilities they're well above average even with no fourth line right now.

He’s lazy.
- Feds91Stammer

Don't forget enigmatic...

The current group? Average at best imo.
- Feds91Stammer

I don’t think anyone is debating that the Penguins currently don’t have enough forward talent to compete.

I don’t think anyone is debating that the Penguins currently don’t have enough forward talent to compete.
- Victoro311

I don't think it's simply about the talent level. I think there's a lot of underperforming going on. Geno and before he was injured, Zucker and to some degree Jake; if they were all playing at their normal levels, things would be a different story. I know Jake is pulling it together now and has tallied 15 points, but I still don't see him at his normal level of play yet.

Do they need some more talent? Absolutely.

I don't think it's simply about the talent level. I think there's a lot of underperforming going on. Geno and before he was injured, Zucker and to some degree Jake; if they were all playing at their normal levels, things would be a different story. I know Jake is pulling it together now and has tallied 15 points, but I still don't see him at his normal level of play yet.

Do they need some more talent? Absolutely.
- Rinosaur

Yeah Crosby and Malkin simply aren’t dominant like they once were. They need a massive improvement depth and chemistry/mix wise.

Yeah Crosby and Malkin simply aren’t dominant like they once were. They need a massive improvement depth and chemistry/mix wise.
- Feds91Stammer

I don't disagree completely, but what we're seeing with Geno right now I don't think is regression, maybe a little, but he clearly wasn't conditioned and is starting to get that stride back. Zucker, Jake and Rust are all solid supporting talent, but not all of them are at their levels either.

I think there's a factor of this just being a weird season. There's consistent players all around the league who are just not putting it together right now.

Regardless, I would like to see them add one legit top-six winger and strengthen the bottom six.

I don't disagree completely, but what we're seeing with Geno right now I don't think is regression, maybe a little, but he clearly wasn't conditioned and is starting to get that stride back. Zucker, Jake and Rust are all solid supporting talent, but not all of them are at their levels either.

I think there's a factor of this just being a weird season. There's consistent players all around the league who are just not putting it together right now.

Regardless, I would like to see them add one legit top-six winger and strengthen the bottom six.
- Rinosaur

Pens are 1-9 in their last 10 “playoff” games. It’s not just early season struggles this season. They aren’t what they used to be.

Pens are 1-9 in their last 10 “playoff” games. It’s not just early season struggles this season. They aren’t what they used to be.
- Feds91Stammer

Whole lotta context to that record...

I don’t think anyone is debating that the Penguins currently don’t have enough forward talent to compete.
- Victoro311

How many nhl teams forwards groups (top 12) would you trade straight up for the top 12 pens forwards for this season only? For this season only I think I’d have 7 teams that are better IMO.

Whole lotta context to that record...
- MattStrat

I’m trying to tell you I’ve already seen this movie.

How many nhl teams forwards groups (top 12) would you trade straight up for the top 12 pens forwards for this season only? For this season only I think I’d have 7 teams that are better IMO.
- pens4life-66

Well just in our division we’re probably 5th best in the top 12 forward department behind Boston, Philly, Washington, and Carolina. We only have two legit top 6 wingers and one additional top 9 winger, and that top 9 winger just got his ass hurt.

How many nhl teams forwards groups (top 12) would you trade straight up for the top 12 pens forwards for this season only? For this season only I think I’d have 7 teams that are better IMO.
- pens4life-66

I would probably have the pens in the 10-12 range.

I’m trying to tell you I’ve already seen this movie.
- Feds91Stammer

hahaha oh there's been lots of movies of contenders starting to fade viewed over the years...albeit with different subplots.

Red Wings had 5 very important players come back just for playoffs after missing a few months each and got swept by the Isles?

hahaha oh there's been lots of movies of contenders starting to fade viewed over the years...albeit with different subplots.

Red Wings had 5 very important players come back just for playoffs after missing a few months each and got swept by the Isles?
- MattStrat

No but they went 5-12 their last 3 playoff series because they had an incompetent GM that didn’t commit to a rebuild or commit to acquiring impact players.

I don't disagree completely, but what we're seeing with Geno right now I don't think is regression, maybe a little, but he clearly wasn't conditioned and is starting to get that stride back. Zucker, Jake and Rust are all solid supporting talent, but not all of them are at their levels either.

I think there's a factor of this just being a weird season. There's consistent players all around the league who are just not putting it together right now.

Regardless, I would like to see them add one legit top-six winger and strengthen the bottom six.
- Rinosaur

Ain’t got nothin to do with early season struggles. Got everything to do with the roster and lack of depth.

hahaha oh there's been lots of movies of contenders starting to fade viewed over the years...albeit with different subplots.

Red Wings had 5 very important players come back just for playoffs after missing a few months each and got swept by the Isles?
- MattStrat

Also using the circumstances as justification for losing isn’t really a great excuse. This team hasn’t been a contender for a while and needs some pretty significant upgrades if that’s going to change.

Whole lotta context to that record...
- MattStrat

What.. context do you need?

Well just in our division we’re probably 5th best in the top 12 forward department behind Boston, Philly, Washington, and Carolina. We only have two legit top 6 wingers and one additional top 9 winger, and that top 9 winger just got his ass hurt.
- Victoro311

I guess that’s where opinion matters. Carolina for example I would definitely not trade straight up for. Defence in a heartbeat but forwards hard no. Washington I just had as an equal and Philly I think our top 9 is better but there 4th line is much better.
Hard for me to call the canes forward group really good.....
https://www.dailyfaceoff....icanes/line-combinations/

I guess that’s where opinion matters. Carolina for example I would definitely not trade straight up for. Defence in a heartbeat but forwards hard no. Washington I just had as an equal and Philly I think our top 9 is better but there 4th line is much better.
Hard for me to call the canes forward group really good.....
https://www.dailyfaceoff....icanes/line-combinations/
- pens4life-66

Well that’s because you’re being biased.