I’m just not super confident from the small sample that Poulin would have been a sustainable solution in the long run. The 4th line looked better with him as 4C through two-ish games but that was him on BCE and he didn’t really do much of anything. Decent chance that he would have dropped to sub-replacement level as his adrenaline settled down. Or he would have gradually improved as he got developmental reps in. We don’t know because he didn’t get much of an evaluation period. I agree that was a miss
- Victoro311

You stated your points well. I do think Poulin's first game, without Jeff Carter, was one of the best I saw the fourth line all year. Unfortunately it was not given another chance despite Pulj scoring.

We have different opinions on Poulin, but we can agree he hasn't gotten much of a shot. I think we might be able to ice a slightly dangerous fourth line, but we're using most of the wrong players, or in Pulj's case using them on the wrong wing. And a lot of this is specifically to fit Carter in.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/penguins-prospect-making-noise-in-ncaa-tournament/ar-BB1lvu5T

Maybe the cupboard isn't so bare.
- Thunderbolt

Broz has had such a rough start his first 2 years of college that he dropped off a lot of top ten lists for Pens prospects, which is impressive in a bad way for a second round pick. He's dropped way worse than Poulin for comparison and many are skeptical of Poulin.

But he's come on strong this year, so I hope they can sign him. If not, and he plays his senior year at college, then good chance we could lose him as a UFA.

Do you like ever watch what he’s actually doing or do you just follow the puck around with your eyes? The passing lane to get through Carter is never there, and if it is it’s usually some broken (frank)ed up play. I think you should watch the tape. If Geno had Carters hockey brain dude would be unstoppable. Well that and if he worked out.
- Grinder47

Your shtick is so (frank)ing tiresome. You are not funny. I get that you are trolling because no sensible hockey fan can be so ignorant as you with these asinine comments. I'll be so glad when Carter is gone and retired. Maybe you can retire from here as well so we can have actual good discussions without reading such bullpoop from you all the time.

You stated your points well. I do think Poulin's first game, without Jeff Carter, was one of the best I saw the fourth line all year. Unfortunately it was not given another chance despite Pulj scoring.

We have different opinions on Poulin, but we can agree he hasn't gotten much of a shot. I think we might be able to ice a slightly dangerous fourth line, but we're using most of the wrong players, or in Pulj's case using them on the wrong wing. And a lot of this is specifically to fit Carter in.
- Tojo.

The weird thing is it’s not due to shoehorning Carter. Carter is playing C. Bemstrom is listed as a natural LW on basically every site you can find. Sullivan is just playing Puljujarvi on his off wing because he feels like it.

Your shtick is so (frank)ing tiresome. You are not funny. I get that you are trolling because no sensible hockey fan can be so ignorant as you with these asinine comments. I'll be so glad when Carter is gone and retired. Maybe you can retire from here as well so we can have actual good discussions without reading such bullpoop from you all the time.
- acdc1206

You have to know hockey to have real actual good discussions. There’s like 4 guys here other than myself capable. You’re not included.

Does anyone want to talk about Sid being on for 4 against last night and how he can improve that?

Does anyone want to talk about Sid being on for 4 against last night and how he can improve that?
- Grinder47

Yeah don't be on the ice the same time as EK or Letang

Yeah don't be on the ice the same time as EK or Letang
- BINGO!

Yeah they both had terrible games that were redeemed by scoring goals. They seemed to have really gotten together during this run but last night was a flashback to some of the worst blue line play of the season. I hope that this was just a one game lapse, but as J said, this team was forced into playing playoff hockey a month earlier than everyone else. They may just be physically and mentally gassed and that won't go away.

The weird thing is it’s not due to shoehorning Carter. Carter is playing C. Bemstrom is listed as a natural LW on basically every site you can find. Sullivan is just playing Puljujarvi on his off wing because he feels like it.
- Victoro311

I was referring to Pulj-Poulin-Carter specifically. But it's also true Sully has a bad habit of playing guys on their off-side for no reason.

And bad as Carter is, he's still better than Accairi at C or Harkins. I just feel we can do better, but didn't really try.

Does anyone want to talk about Sid being on for 4 against last night and how he can improve that?
- Grinder47

3 of those 4 goals were just Letang or EK doing something terrible ... and even with all of that Sid was still even.

Here's a crazy stat: Eller hasn't been on the ice for a 5-on-5 goal against in 11 straight games (despite how many goals we've been giving up overall).

The 4th line looked really, really good when Carter missed a few games. So, I think its possible the personnel is in the system to have a better 4th line sans BJC.
- MattStrat

Essentially he has the graves effect. This team wins in spite of coaching, not because of it. Would love to see what gallant could do. He always seemed to get the most out of teams.

I was referring to Pulj-Poulin-Carter specifically. But it's also true Sully has a bad habit of playing guys on their off-side for no reason.

And bad as Carter is, he's still better than Accairi at C or Harkins. I just feel we can do better, but didn't really try.
- Tojo.

That's the way I feel. Sullivan and Dubas didn't really try to improve it. Just defaulted to the preconceived rolls.

Yotes moving to Utah. Dang eh. Jake is also earning himself a nice contract there in Carolina. Dudes been killing it.

Yotes moving to Utah. Dang eh. Jake is also earning himself a nice contract there in Carolina. Dudes been killing it.
- 10inchTerror

- MattStrat

See what a good coach can do.

Essentially he has the graves effect. This team wins in spite of coaching, not because of it. Would love to see what gallant could do. He always seemed to get the most out of teams.
- 10inchTerror

Well the team won the game because Carter got his 15th good look at the goalie and scored his 10th goal. Dude has to play with hacks for the last two seasons and keeps on coming up with big goals. Legend.

I'll be so glad when Carter is gone and retired.

Attaining happiness means appreciating the things we already have.

Here's a crazy stat: Eller hasn't been on the ice for a 5-on-5 goal against in 11 straight games (despite how many goals we've been giving up overall).
- MickV

Isn’t Carter like a + 1 in his last 10 games? I still don’t see how he hurts the team. Dubas did a poop job of getting him some help on the 4th line. I’d go Gruden, and Harkins. They just have to eat up some time 5-5 and not get scored on, then Carter can do his thing on special teams and take faceoffs. The fourth line is what it is.

- MattStrat

Nothing without Crosby!

Nothing without Crosby!
- Tojo.

It’s not like he went to Columbus.

Yotes should become the Utah Vagabonds so the next time they move they can keep the name.

Yotes should become the Utah Vagabonds so the next time they move they can keep the name.
- MickV

Mormons ain’t got poop better to do than watch sports. I feel like that could be a solid market

Mormons ain’t got poop better to do than watch sports. I feel like that could be a solid market
- Victoro311

Yeah, I expect they'll work there, was just joking because that team has now moved twice.

Yotes should become the Utah Vagabonds so the next time they move they can keep the name.
- MickV

This made me laugh out loud. Then I thought Nomads rolled off the tongue better. Then I thought their theme song could be “Wherever I May Roam” …. My brain is weird