Ryan Wilson: Time To Shuffle the Lines Time To Shuffle the Lines

Sutter will never be demoted or moved. He is a one man blackhole and he never has any consequences for his poor play.

Unfortunately sutter seems like he is here to stay. For some reason the pens management have a massive hard on for him. Sutters skillset is there, but for some reason he can't use it. Maybe Carolina wants him back

#BabcockWatch2015

I doubt there are any big deadline deals like we saw in 1991 or 1992 available, plus those are insanely difficult to get with a cap in play now.
The management should explore these in the summer, especially if it is as short a post season as it appears at this time.

RW, are there any advanced metrics yet that illustrate the affect penalties--and the lack there of-- have on players? I saw a curious stat yesterday indicating that Crosby and Malkin arent the only ones experiencing career highs in the number of games held without a point. Ovechkin and Kane were on that list with very high numbers as well, along with a couple other "elite" forwards. It is hard for me to imagine--given the NHL's allowing of interference to creep back in yet again--that the increase in hooking, holding, and interfering do not somehow come into play with this.

IF I were coach MJ, I'd play Greiss tonight and Flower at home against FLA, since that is a much more important head-to-head potential 4 point game.

#BabcockWatch2015
- RoloTahmasee

As much as I think many of us would like that, there are 2 issues I see.
1) Toronto will back up the Brinks truck and any other armored car company it can acquire to pay Babcock
2) Given the disarray and instability of the Pens' franchise, why would Babcock want to come here? He is looking at a team that could potentially be either blown up or substantially altered by the time he would take over.

I'd love to see it, but it is very hard for me to believe this would actually happen

I would love to see those lines, but from what we've seen from MJ, I don't know whats more improbable. Hornqvist going back to crosby's line, Bennet being moved up instead of down/scratched or Sutter being demoted to a fourth line.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it would instantly work, but I'd like to see at least our coach try it.

Against Chicago I was so envy their coach was juggling all lines the entire game trying to get things going. Meanwhile the Penguins are struggling real hard to score and they play the same lines everygame. Sad.

As much as I think many of us would like that, there are 2 issues I see.
1) Toronto will back up the Brinks truck and any other armored car company it can acquire to pay Babcock
2) Given the disarray and instability of the Pens' franchise, why would Babcock want to come here? He is looking at a team that could potentially be either blown up or substantially altered by the time he would take over.

I'd love to see it, but it is very hard for me to believe this would actually happen
- Amanion

Its not hard to believe. Pens can afford it too. Babcock's salary wont count against the cap if thats what your scared of. If its Babcock's asking price, that is completely irrelevant.

Ryan Wilson: Time To Shuffle the Lines
Time To Shuffle the Lines
- Ryan_Wilson

The bromance I have, for you putting Spaling as the 3rd center to try it out


Also, anywhere to find the numbers on scoring chances, comparing this season to the last 2?

As much as I think many of us would like that, there are 2 issues I see.
1) Toronto will back up the Brinks truck and any other armored car company it can acquire to pay Babcock
2) Given the disarray and instability of the Pens' franchise, why would Babcock want to come here? He is looking at a team that could potentially be either blown up or substantially altered by the time he would take over.

I'd love to see it, but it is very hard for me to believe this would actually happen
- Amanion

I think the talent level for the Pens is a little better than what he would have in Toronto.

If you were Babcock would you rather have a team that needed tweaked or a full rebuild like Toronto?

If this team doesn't look at new lines before making a potentially stupid trade, then I'm going to have a tough time supporting them going forward.

We know Kunitz can plan, we know he's not at his best this year. Maybe, just maybe try him with Geno to see if he play can be resurrected before trading him? Or is that crazy talk?

Didn't realize how well Backes has shut down 87. Yikes..

If this team doesn't look at new lines before making a potentially stupid trade, then I'm going to have a tough time supporting them going forward.

We know Kunitz can plan, we know he's not at his best this year. Maybe, just maybe try him with Geno to see if he play can be resurrected before trading him? Or is that crazy talk?
- shinoix66

I'd like to see Horqvist back with Crosby and to see Perron given a chance with Malkin
Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist
Perron Malkin Comeau
Spaling Sutter Downie
Sill/Bennett Lapierre Adams

If this team doesn't look at new lines before making a potentially stupid trade, then I'm going to have a tough time supporting them going forward.

We know Kunitz can plan, we know he's not at his best this year. Maybe, just maybe try him with Geno to see if he play can be resurrected before trading him? Or is that crazy talk?
- shinoix66

The kind of hard hitting, skating and in you face kind of play Kunitz used to display is minimal nowadays. We don't need him to "mantain" his offensive numbers by only snipping the puck. Crosby and Malkin miss the old Kunitz and it affects their games on the ice. Not hard to explain.

I Hope you guys understand what I'm saying. In no way Im saying Kunitz blows. I love his game as long as he skates hard and hit people in front of the net.

I'd like to see Horqvist back with Crosby and to see Perron given a chance with Malkin
Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist
Perron Malkin Comeau
Spaling Sutter Downie
Sill/Bennett Lapierre Adams
- willi

No more Kunitz/Crosby

and Bennett is a waste on the 4th line, might as well scratch him

The kind of hard hitting, skating and in you face kind of play Kunitz used to display is minimal nowadays. We don't need him to "mantain" his offensive numbers by only snipping the puck. Crosby and Malkin miss the old Kunitz and it affects their games on the ice. Not hard to explain.

I Hope you guys understand what I'm saying. In no way Im saying Kunitz blows. I love his game as long as he skates hard and hit people in front of the net.
- Barnaby36

^This

Is what the #fancystats don't show about Kunitz's game

If there are no changes today, either MJ has lost the team, or there are some major internal issues with 87 not wanting to move away from 14. Its pretty obvious to everyone that thats the move to make.

The kind of hard hitting, skating and in you face kind of play Kunitz used to display is minimal nowadays. We don't need him to "mantain" his offensive numbers by only snipping the puck. Crosby and Malkin miss the old Kunitz and it affects their games on the ice. Not hard to explain.

I Hope you guys understand what I'm saying. In no way Im saying Kunitz blows. I love his game as long as he skates hard and hit people in front of the net.
- Barnaby36

I agree with this. While he is still putting up his pts, he's not winning battles, not forcing plays, he's a bit slower. Still an effective player, he's just 35 now.

If there are no changes today, either MJ has lost the team, or there are some major internal issues with 87 not wanting to move away from 14. Its pretty obvious to everyone that thats the move to make.
- sammy87

Why not reunite what was Pitts best line before injuries...Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist ????

Geno says relax.

I agree with this. While he is still putting up his pts, he's not winning battles, not forcing plays, he's a bit slower. Still an effective player, he's just 35 now.
- sammy87

Yeah I don't think Kunitz body can still handle 82 games of balls out hockey. As long as he can still bring it in the playoffs I'll be happy

I think the talent level for the Pens is a little better than what he would have in Toronto.

If you were Babcock would you rather have a team that needed tweaked or a full rebuild like Toronto?
- acpappas

I think there is more of just a minor tweak here in Pittsburgh than you suggest.

my two 'major shake-up' trades from when I was delirious last night...

Kunitz and Bortuzzo to WPG for two of Burmistrov / Frolik / Peluso /Perreault
(love to have Lowry but we wont get him in that kind of deal)


or something based around Maatta and JvR...

Maatta + Sutter + Bennett + Scuderi for JVR + Bozak + Winnik or Polak

If there are no changes today, either MJ has lost the team, or there are some major internal issues with 87 not wanting to move away from 14. Its pretty obvious to everyone that thats the move to make.
- sammy87

It's obvious to the fans and to some of the media but apparently it's not obvious to the coaches and management who know the game 100x better than the fans and the media.

Why not reunite what was Pitts best line before injuries...Kunitz Crosby Hornqvist ????
- willi

Hörnqvist is Kunitz "yesterday" on this line that's why it worked so well. It would be wise to keep them together If they get along so well as a line.

I like the idea of Perron and Comeau (or Bennett) with Geno to see how it goes.