Ryan Wilson: Game 7 Puts Penguins Franchise At a Crossroads Game 7 puts Penguins franchise at a Crossroads

He has made some really nice saves (like the one on Kreider to keep it 2-0) but he can't give away goals like the 2nd Ranger goal last night. It needs to be stopped 100 times out of 100
- Ryan_Wilson

I said the same exact thing about the second goal as soon as it was scored.

Ryan, what magnitude (specific names) of changes do you think we could be seeing if the Penguins lose Game 7? Obviously, Crosby is staying. Letang and Malkin are 99% staying put (with the stroke and huge contract, they'd never get fair value for Letang). Seems like everyone else is fair game.

I said the same exact thing about the second goal as soon as it was scored.

Ryan, what magnitude (specific names) of changes do you think we could be seeing if the Penguins lose Game 7? Obviously, Crosby is staying. Letang and Malkin are 99% staying put (with the stroke and huge contract, they'd never get fair value for Letang). Seems like everyone else is fair game.
- jmatchett383

Gunner already said this... But James Neal is the guy most likely to be moved. Rumor has it ownership has grown tired of his discipline problems. Combine that with his inability to produce when it matters. "Soft spots" aren't easy to find in playoff hockey.

What else has changed? The addition of Chris Kreider to the Ranger lineup. Sometimes it takes only one more straw. Not unusual for any fan base to focus on their own players performance when things go wrong. Lord knows we did it after Game 4.

That's all she wrote for them. They don't have the battle in them to win right now. Crosby just isn't willing to take that next step right now. He is trying to get in front of the net but hardly handling himself there like he once was.

Kunitz and Neal have just become skating liabilities right now. Taking stupid penalties after the whistle and just playing an immature game.
Fleury has at least restored some trade value. Nealer should be gone IMO as well.

There just has to be significant changes if they fall tomorrow. Starting with the coaching staff and then some of the bigger players.

What else has changed? The addition of Chris Kreider to the Ranger lineup. Sometimes it takes only one more straw. Not unusual for any fan base to focus on their own players performance when things go wrong. Lord knows we did it after Game 4.
- TJ

It wasn't one straw. Kreider, Playing for Marty, Backs to the wall, McDonagh pulling his head out of his butt, a lot fell back into place in game five that got you guys rolling. Their effort went way up, they felt confident again. It truly took the entire team to turn this series around (with the exception of Girardi who I think has been really iffy in the playoffs so far)

As for the Penguins... your guess is as good as mine.

I said the same exact thing about the second goal as soon as it was scored.

Ryan, what magnitude (specific names) of changes do you think we could be seeing if the Penguins lose Game 7? Obviously, Crosby is staying. Letang and Malkin are 99% staying put (with the stroke and huge contract, they'd never get fair value for Letang). Seems like everyone else is fair game.
- jmatchett383

Odds of high profile individuals getting moved/fired if they lose game 7:

Shero: 15%
Bylsma: 95%
Sid: 0%
Malkin: 0%
Letang: 25% (I've said all along..Shero signed him to that deal to buy time for the young D to mature and to see what they have. If one of them looks to be a top 2, he moves Tanger. If not, he keeps him.)
Neal: 90%
Fleury: 10% (they have no one else)
Kunitz: 25% (his trade value will never be higher and its likely we've already seen the best of him. Perhaps time for a change?)
Sutter: 25% (only if that Kesler thing ignites again. His trade value would be high after a good playoff.)

As a fan and human being your heart goes out to Marty St Louis but all players and families have suffered hardships and heartaches and although this has turned game 5 and the first 5 minutes of game 6, I hope game 7 will be about hockey and both teams (and goalies) play their top athletic game.

clearly lemieux just needs to come out of retirement and play on sids wing, maybe get caufield or francoix leroux out there on their wing to just destroy anyone who even looks at them...

or maybe, just maybe, the pens will play an actual intense playoff hockey game tomorrow night?!?! now wouldnt that be something...

Odds of high profile individuals getting moved/fired if they lose game 7:

Fleury: 10% (they have no one else)

- 87_71_11_29

If you could, would you move him and give Miller $6.5M?

If you could, would you move him and give Miller $6.5M?
- jmatchett383

ehh I wouldnt, its not like he had the most stellar playoffs this year either...

New avatar. Time for being nice is at an end.

clearly lemieux just needs to come out of retirement and play on sids wing, maybe get caufield or francoix leroux out there on their wing to just destroy anyone who even looks at them...

or maybe, just maybe, the pens will play an actual intense playoff hockey game tomorrow night?!?! now wouldnt that be something...
- JLT168

I'd actually put money on Lemieux potting 1G/1A.

ehh I wouldnt, its not like he had the most stellar playoffs this year either...
- JLT168

True, but he'll be consistent if nothing else.

That's all she wrote for them. They don't have the battle in them to win right now. Crosby just isn't willing to take that next step right now. He is trying to get in front of the net but hardly handling himself there like he once was.

Kunitz and Neal have just become skating liabilities right now. Taking stupid penalties after the whistle and just playing an immature game.
Fleury has at least restored some trade value. Nealer should be gone IMO as well.

There just has to be significant changes if they fall tomorrow. Starting with the coaching staff and then some of the bigger players.
- usethe1-2-2

penguins, to me, have always been a team that can flip the switch and turn it on at any time. it would not surprise me in the least if they came out flying. somebody said they wouldn't be surprised if they won 5-0 or lost 5-0 and i couldn't agree more. rangers comeback isn't complete yet.

If you could, would you move him and give Miller $6.5M?
- jmatchett383

No I wouldn't. I didn't like what I saw from Miller with a much better St. Louis team in front of him. At least not at 6.5.

Now, if he said, "I wanna win a Cup so I'll some play for you for $5 mill". I'd think about it.

It wasn't one straw. Kreider, Playing for Marty, Backs to the wall, McDonagh pulling his head out of his butt, a lot fell back into place in game five that got you guys rolling. Their effort went way up, they felt confident again. It truly took the entire team to turn this series around (with the exception of Girardi who I think has been really iffy in the playoffs so far)

As for the Penguins... your guess is as good as mine.
- usethe1-2-2

Agree. Girardi not as effective against teams with outstanding offensive skills. Backs to the wall advantage goes away in game 7 but the fatigue thing has evened out as well. Should be a high drama game. Nothing like playoff hockey!

Its an absolute must for the Pens to score a PP goal tomorrow. They don't, I don't think they win.

If they get that PP goal, I think it loosens them up and gets their mojo going again. If they don't, the pressure would mount and they would begin to grip the sticks tighter. Not what you want vs a world-class goalie.

And preferably the scorer of that PP goal...87.

No I wouldn't. I didn't like what I saw from Miller with a much better St. Louis team in front of him. At least not at 6.5.

Now, if he said, "I wanna win a Cup so I'll some play for you for $5 mill". I'd think about it.
- 87_71_11_29

No 6 or 7 year deals either. 4 max. I'd actually be more comfortable with 3. Probably deal killers for him.

penguins, to me, have always been a team that can flip the switch and turn it on at any time. it would not surprise me in the least if they came out flying. somebody said they wouldn't be surprised if they won 5-0 or lost 5-0 and i couldn't agree more. rangers comeback isn't complete yet.
- Why So Serious

Yes, but unfortunately what does a series win mean to the Penguins? Back to back ECF appearances might save some personnel's jobs who don't deserve them anymore. It masks too much bad play and lack of a fit in the personnel they have in place.
I certainly don't see this team beating the Bruins in a best of seven and if I'm being truly honest, winning one two or even three series doesn't mean squat. This team is a cup or bust team.

Odds of high profile individuals getting moved/fired if they lose game 7:

Shero: 15%
Bylsma: 95%
Sid: 0%
Malkin: 0%
Letang: 25% (I've said all along..Shero signed him to that deal to buy time for the young D to mature and to see what they have. If one of them looks to be a top 2, he moves Tanger. If not, he keeps him.)
Neal: 90%
Fleury: 10% (they have no one else)
Kunitz: 25% (his trade value will never be higher and its likely we've already seen the best of him. Perhaps time for a change?)
Sutter: 25% (only if that Kesler thing ignites again. His trade value would be high after a good playoff.)
- 87_71_11_29

Same posts from you. I'm very curious to what do you think Neal gets in return. What is the going rate for a "one trick pony" as you refer him as. Just curious. I assume you will be asking for the moon, but a one trick pony with as many flaws as you seem to think really lands you 50 cents on the dollar.

We are not a match for Kesler. I wish people would understand that. We don't have the assets. If we did, Kesler would be on our roster right now.

You are all about trading everyone or letting them walk on the roster. Trades need to happen without question. Simple question again, trade Kunitz, Neal and everyone else you want, what do you get in return because your comments basically devalue their return.

No 6 or 7 year deals either. 4 max. I'd actually be more comfortable with 3. Probably deal killers for him.
- madmike71

I'm probably the wrong dude to ask questions to about Miller.

I've never been a big fan of his. Outside of the Olympics in 2010, his work under pressure never really impressed me.

The thing that's so maddening about this team is that they have it within them to be absolutely dominant. We've seen it for stretches in each series. Its like they are schizophrenic.

This Crosby slump is mindboggling....

I mean, he has a 2.8% shooting percentage in the playoffs. Chuck Kobasew's was twice that in the regular season

What else has changed? The addition of Chris Kreider to the Ranger lineup. Sometimes it takes only one more straw. Not unusual for any fan base to focus on their own players performance when things go wrong. Lord knows we did it after Game 4.
- TJ

Kreider has given you a boost. However, this is more to me a byproduct of Pittsburgh being disinterested in playing. Sorry, you don't go from dominating three games like they did in game 2,3,4 to this horrid play without suffering from a case of disinterest. The Rags have upped the urgency without question, but if the Pens were to match this intensity instead of showing a lack of interest, hand shakes would have occurred already. You are giving the Kris Kreider file too much credit.