Interesting... I thought Freedman did well last night
- Beatnic57

He did, but I'm sure it's just a depth move.

He did, but I'm sure it's just a depth move.
- Rinosaur

Probably means Matheson isn’t exactly day to day.

Probably means Matheson isn’t exactly day to day.
- Feds91Stammer

Groin injuries are tricky.

Probably means Matheson isn’t exactly day to day.
- Feds91Stammer

Friedman might be better, anyway haha. Maybe not as naturally gifted athletically (skating and shot) but I wouldn't be surprised if Friedman had a better overall impact to the on ice product over time than Matheson would...at the very least, is Matheson worth 4.15 mill more than Friedman a year? Probably not.

Friedman might be better, anyway haha. Maybe not as naturally gifted athletically (skating and shot) but I wouldn't be surprised if Friedman had a better overall impact to the on ice product over time than Matheson would...at the very least, is Matheson worth 4.15 mill more than Friedman a year? Probably not.
- MattStrat

The issue for me with Matheson is term. If he plays like he did last year then I think he's worth his cap hit. I don't know if I'm amongst a minority who've changed their tune on him.

The issue for me with Matheson is term. If he plays like he did last year then I think he's worth his cap hit. I don't know if I'm amongst a minority who've changed their tune on him.
- Rinosaur

Yeah maybe its term plus how unnecessary his cap hit is on LD that factors into me making such posts haha.

He can have some strong games and really f'n brutal ones too. My point was that Friedman could possibley take a LD spot and be more reliable overall for much, much cheaper.

I liked Friedman's really small sample showing last season, I was surprised. He continued it last night.

It was a really good game overall. Sully definitely had those guys ready to play from the start. Zucker looked strong yesterday. 4 shots at 5v5, 2 really good scoring chances, and had two great steals in the D zone. He was flying too.

I have a confession to make: I've always thought Boyle is older than he actually is. I really thought he was 39/40/41, around there haha

Yeah maybe its term plus how unnecessary his cap hit is on LD that factors into me making such posts haha.

He can have some strong games and really f'n brutal ones too. My point was that Friedman could possibley take a LD spot and be more reliable overall for much, much cheaper.

I liked Friedman's really small sample showing last season, I was surprised. He continued it last night.
- MattStrat

Matheson reminds me of Trevor Daley, but his gaffes are more egregious.

Matheson reminds me of Trevor Daley, but his gaffes are more egregious.
- j.boyd919

I really didn't think he committed those gaffes with much frequency. Not as much as he was previously criticized for. Yeah, they definitely stand out when they happen, but I thought he did a good job of mitigating them. I'm sure Ceci helped mask some of it.

Matheson reminds me of Trevor Daley, but his gaffes are more egregious.
- j.boyd919

Yeah that's a good comparison and his gaffes seem not only more egregious but more frequent as well.

Yeah that's a good comparison and his gaffes seem not only more egregious but more frequent as well.
- MattStrat

Egregious yes, but more frequent, no. He was #5 which still isn't great, but he plays high-event hockey and when you do, you're going to be more prone to turnovers.

1) Letang 40
2) Sid 39
3) Geno 26
4) Rust 22
5) Matheson 20

And, Matheson had 21 takeaways.

Egregious yes, but more frequent, no. He was #5 which still isn't great, but he plays high-event hockey and when you do, you're going to be more prone to turnovers.

1) Letang 40
2) Sid 39
3) Geno 26
4) Rust 22
5) Matheson 20
- Rinosaur

I meant compared to Trevor Daley, but really, I cant say that for sure now 4 or 5 years later hahaha

I meant compared to Trevor Daley, but really, I cant say that for sure now 4 or 5 years later hahaha
- MattStrat

I edited to show he had more takeaways than giveaways.

Matheson was good for us last year and really did a good job of mitigating his issues. I think some people are still thinking of how he was before the Pens.

I edited to show he had more takeaways than giveaways.

Matheson was good for us last year and really did a good job of mitigating his issues. I think some people are still thinking of how he was before the Pens.
- Rinosaur

I think Matheson finished the year playing really well. The beginning of the year he was kind of brutal. Part of that was playing with Marino vs. Ceci. I think he will excel more with a stay at home defender to help cover, and with Marino, I want him trying to jump in on the offense, but that's going to take a hit if he's covering for Matheson's play. Honestly, I think Matheson-Ruhwedel would actually be a solid third pair, given Ruh's quiet but effective play.

But yes, the frustration was more "why" on acquiring him, not on his actual game, imo. Didn't need him with Dumo, Petts, POJ, any bargain bin LD (which is usually an abundance of 3LD's. Could have used that 4m for a better player to crash the net.. like Hornqvist.

Matheson's fancy stats from last season:

CF:49.96
FF: 49.95
SF: 50.47
xGF%: 49.53
SCF%: 51.21%
HDCF%: 51.23%
HDGF%: 55.56

He was also on pace for about 10G/30Points 5v5. His numbers were actually better than Letang in many of these categories and obviously he doesn't play the same kind of minutes, it's still something that stands out. Matheson really excelled at creating high danger chances. I think he deserves more credit than people give him.

I think Matheson finished the year playing really well. The beginning of the year he was kind of brutal. Part of that was playing with Marino vs. Ceci. I think he will excel more with a stay at home defender to help cover, and with Marino, I want him trying to jump in on the offense, but that's going to take a hit if he's covering for Matheson's play. Honestly, I think Matheson-Ruhwedel would actually be a solid third pair, given Ruh's quiet but effective play.

But yes, the frustration was more "why" on acquiring him, not on his actual game, imo. Didn't need him with Dumo, Petts, POJ, any bargain bin LD (which is usually an abundance of 3LD's. Could have used that 4m for a better player to crash the net.. like Hornqvist.
- j.boyd919

100% to the bolded part. It was completely unnecessary, but it is what it is.

I do agree he was brutal to start, but I think part of that is also adjusting. I do also agree he works better with a stay-at-home. I think Ruhwedel with him could be very effective. I also agree 100% on Marino. I think Marino has a lot more to give offensively, so playing with Matheson will change how he needs to play.

Tanev actually deked. 12 3 inch stick handles and straight to the corner is funny. I’ll take Simons pure luck goal though. Doesn’t change the fact that he sucks.

Tanev actually deked. 12 3 inch stick handles and straight to the corner is funny. I’ll take Simons pure luck goal though. Doesn’t change the fact that he sucks.
- Grinder47

Simon actually looks like a better player now than he did in his previous stint with the Pens and he far from sucked then.

He notches 15 goals this year if he plays enough. Mark it down.

100% to the bolded part. It was completely unnecessary, but it is what it is.

I do agree he was brutal to start, but I think part of that is also adjusting. I do also agree he works better with a stay-at-home. I think Ruhwedel with him could be very effective. I also agree 100% on Marino. I think Marino has a lot more to give offensively, so playing with Matheson will change how he needs to play.
- Rinosaur

Have the lanky Pettersson play clean up for Marino in the same style Dumo does to Letang and you have 2 pairings that could easily eat 20+ minutes per night.

Tanev actually deked. 12 3 inch stick handles and straight to the corner is funny. I’ll take Simons pure luck goal though. Doesn’t change the fact that he sucks.
- Grinder47

Rodrigues did the same thing. Tried to open up the big goalie and get the 5 hole, but lost the puck.

Tanev actually deked. 12 3 inch stick handles and straight to the corner is funny. I’ll take Simons pure luck goal though. Doesn’t change the fact that he sucks.
- Grinder47

Yeah he deked himself right into the corner lol

Have the lanky Pettersson play clean up for Marino in the same style Dumo does to Letang and you have 2 pairings that could easily eat 20+ minutes per night.
- burgh4life87

That happened last night. They were dynamite together and played just over 16 minutes together.

That happened last night. They were dynamite together and played just over 16 minutes together.
- Rinosaur

Yah and Petts looked great. His reach and ability to keep guys to the outside in the D zone really came through. I hope they stay together long term.

Tanev actually deked. 12 3 inch stick handles and straight to the corner is funny. I’ll take Simons pure luck goal though. Doesn’t change the fact that he sucks.
- Grinder47

Tanev had a breakaway and the puck ended up in the corner. Simon at least forced to goalie to make a save.