LOL! Why isn't McCann regressing this year? His PDO was higher than Kap's last season.
- Thunderbolt

His regression is hidden by additional ice time. Can’t just look at totals.

His regression is hidden by additional ice time. Can’t just look at totals.
- Feds91Stammer

Good thing we traded McCann.

PDO is one of the shakiest stats in advanced stats as a standalone stat IMO. There's just too many gray areas.

Anyway, from the Athletic, an interview with Burke. Here's just the last little tidbit from that article.

Just how different the Penguins will look by the March 21 remains to be seen.

“We’re capped out,” Burke said.

Hextall would have to get creative to make a deal.

“We’d have to be sending some cash out to get some cash in,” he said. “I just don’t know if I see us doing much. But it’s up to Hexy. It could all change.”

Well here's my Kapanen prediction... If he's still a Penguin once the deadline passes, he will catch fire as we head in the playoffs and pulls a Kessel.

Well here's my Kapanen prediction... If he's still a Penguin once the deadline passes, he will catch fire as we head in the playoffs and pulls a Kessel.
- Rinosaur

I'd settle for him just pulling a Sheary.

I'd settle for him just pulling a Sheary.
- burgh4life87

I think Kapanen is at the point in his career where he either figures it out to become a decent 2nd line/Middle six winger or Alex Galchenyuck.

Good thing we traded McCann.
- Thunderbolt

Its hard to argue with the signings to replace him though...Heinen and Erod...even Simon and Boyle have had positive impacts. Pens are challenging for 1st in division while having the 10th most goals scored, 6th in fewest goals against all while being top 10 in a lot of underlying metrics. I'd like to still have McCann, sure, but dont really care that we dont anymore haha. He has 33 points in 50 games, with 12 of those being PP points placed on top PP unit. Kap has 26 in 56 with 4 PP points.

LOL! Why isn't McCann regressing this year? His PDO was higher than Kap's last season.
- Thunderbolt

McCann's on ice numbers have regressed a little bit when you dive into it.

His goal differential at even strength is -9.

His xGF is slightly under 50% at 49, whereas the last 3 years his avg. xFG was 52%ish

He's also shooting at 16% at 5v5, whereas he's never had a season over 10%.

Raw output is his best season though but that's probably because he's getting solid PP time.

PDO is one of the shakiest stats in advanced stats as a standalone stat IMO. There's just too many gray areas.

Anyway, from the Athletic, an interview with Burke. Here's just the last little tidbit from that article.
- Rinosaur

I hope we do something at the deadline. I just don't feel like this team is a Stanley cup type team come playoff time.

I hope we do something at the deadline. I just don't feel like this team is a Stanley cup type team come playoff time.
- 123Kid

For the Pens it's really going to come down to everyone catching fire at the same time to make a deep playoff run. I know that sounds like a stupid obvious answer that applies to all teams, but I don't think it does.

I think teams like FLA, CAR and to some degree Tampa, the way they're built and the way they play, they don't necessarily need all their big guys clicking at the same time. While all three of those teams have some major offensive weapons, they're teams built for success by committee, more-so CAR and FLA.

FLA and CAR specifically are well-oiled machines that can still dominate if their big guys aren't showing up on the score sheet, but the Pens need Sid, Geno, Letang, Jake and Rust all clicking at the same time to have real serious success.

To sum up my long-winded response, yes, IMO for the Pens to truly contend, they need another weapon in their arsenal IMO, but if they do nothing and everyone is clicking at the same time? I think they can take down anyone. It's just not something we've seen for some time, so it's something I don't expect.

McCann's on ice numbers have regressed a little bit when you dive into it.

His goal differential at even strength is -9.

His xGF is slightly under 50% at 49, whereas the last 3 years his avg. xFG was 52%ish

He's also shooting at 16% at 5v5, whereas he's never had a season over 10%.

Raw output is his best season though but that's probably because he's getting solid PP time.
- j.boyd919

I think it’s clear that McCann is just a better hockey player so even his regression looks better than Kap’s.

Good thing we traded McCann.
- Thunderbolt

Yeah that’s clearly what I said…

I think it’s clear that McCann is just a better hockey player so even his regression looks better than Kap’s.
- Victoro311

The one thing I'll say about McCann is this, it may come off as stupid and I'm not saying he wouldn't have still had similar success here this year, especially due to the major injuries, but sometimes players need to be put in larger roles to truly flourish.

McCann is having a career year and IMO part of that is because he's assumed a larger role and has been given a real chance to shine. Not that I'm saying ERod is as good as McCann, he's clearly not, but IMO it's no coincidence that ERod's production sunk as soon as Rust and Geno returned. OBVIOUSLY he was due for some regression. What he was doing was not sustainable for a player of his level, but he fell off a cliff when his role changed.

“Listen, I’m not trying to pick on the guy,” Burke said. “We just haven’t gotten enough out of Kappy. It’s that simple. It’s a fact. He needs to be better.”

Burke knows the talent is there with Kapanen. Like everyone else in the organization, he wants to see more from the 25-year-old.

“We like Kasperi a lot,” Burke said. “He’s a good kid. The players like him a lot. He’s got that skill set, that package. God gave him a special set of gifts. He’s got the skill. That explosive speed. The hands. He can shoot. He can make intelligent plays. We just need more production, and for him to play better. We know he’s capable.”

Followed a little later by this...

“We’re capped out,” Burke said.

Hextall would have to get creative to make a deal.

“We’d have to be sending some cash out to get some cash in,” he said. “I just don’t know if I see us doing much. But it’s up to Hexy. It could all change.”

IMO, this clearly puts Kapanen on notice and if the Pens have a chance to move him and bring in an upgrade that financially works, they'll do it.

Why does nobody ever suggest putting Guentzel with Malkin? I think it’s a better fit than Rust, plus Rust has a more willingness to play down low and work out of the cycle which is where Sid is still the best in the league.

Why does nobody ever suggest putting Guentzel with Malkin? I think it’s a better fit than Rust, plus Rudy has a more willingness to play down low and work out of the cycle which is where Sid is still the best in the league.
- Grinder47

Actually, many of us talked about that last season, but it was clear it would never happen.

Followed a little later by this...



IMO, this clearly puts Kapanen on notice and if the Pens have a chance to move him and bring in an upgrade that financially works, they'll do it.
- Rinosaur

I know he also squashed the LHD trade rumors and Zucker trade rumors for cap space. I think if Hextall gets an over payment offer from a team he will listen. I feel Vancouver is that team which may over pay for a player or 2.

Actually, many of us talked about that last season, but it was clear it would never happen.
- Rinosaur

Because Sullivan is a terrible coach and any success this team has had under him is inspite of him.

I know he also squashed the LHD trade rumors and Zucker trade rumors for cap space. I think if Hextall gets an over payment offer from a team he will listen. I feel Vancouver is that team which may over pay for a player or 2.
- 123Kid

I think it's unwise to put too much stock into the VAN/PIT connection because of Rutherford. Yeah, we've seen it before with GM's dealing with people they worked with, but everything I've read has stated JR is going to let the people he hired do their jobs without interference, so while yes, there's the Alvin connection, I wouldn't look too deep into that.

I think a new GM like Alvin will look to make his own stamp and not use his old team unless there's truly a deal that makes sense.

McCann's on ice numbers have regressed a little bit when you dive into it.

His goal differential at even strength is -9.

His xGF is slightly under 50% at 49, whereas the last 3 years his avg. xFG was 52%ish

He's also shooting at 16% at 5v5, whereas he's never had a season over 10%.

Raw output is his best season though but that's probably because he's getting solid PP time.
- j.boyd919

You have two guys about the same age, same contract, same production numbers, basically McCann and Kapanen had identical years last year. When Feds or anyone for that matter, make a statement like he did, you need to push back. If you truly expected Kap to crap out this season due to a high PDO then it only goes to show basic knowledge of PDO the expectation is McCann would crap out also. Clearly that isn't the case.

I think Kapanen is at the point in his career where he either figures it out to become a decent 2nd line/Middle six winger or Alex Galchenyuck.
- Rinosaur

I wished he used his size and speed to play a game similar to Hagelin instead of whatever he is trying to do.

Why does nobody ever suggest putting Guentzel with Malkin? I think it’s a better fit than Rust, plus Rust has a more willingness to play down low and work out of the cycle which is where Sid is still the best in the league.
- Grinder47

By nobody, you mean everybody? Every one in this blog has said that, especially at the beginning of the season when everyone wanted to see Zucker with Sid and Jake with Geno... it's just never going to happen with Sully at the helm.

I wished he used his size and speed to play a game similar to Hagelin instead of whatever he is trying to do.
- burgh4life87

I really think it's been a snowball effect. He looked amazing in the pre-season, had a rough start to the season and then mentally everything kept mounting for him.

I think the fix to his game is simple in theory. He's been doing too much, overthinking every step and deferring instead of shooting. This may sound like a regurgitated coach comment, but he needs to just simplify his game and take more shots.

I really think it's been a snowball effect. He looked amazing in the pre-season, had a rough start to the season and then mentally everything kept mounting for him.

I think the fix to his game is simple in theory. He's been doing too much, overthinking every step and deferring instead of shooting. This may sound like a regurgitated coach comment, but he needs to just simplify his game and take more shots.
- Rinosaur

I actually really liked his last 5 games, with one damn exception at the end of the Carolina game when he did the dumbest turnover possible and cost us a reg win. I still think there is hope. He has the talent and the abilities.

5x5m for McCann