Ryan Wilson: Isle take the two points Isle take the two points

From the last thread...

It's funny, 'cause you always hear fans are stupid and they don't know what they're talking about. So Sullivan makes moves that most of us have been talking about over the last week and boom, they get a win while looking competent in all 3 zones.

I understand they're trying to help Hunwick find his game. What I don't understand is playing 3 lines because you don't have faith in the players on the 4th line. I especially don't understand this whenever Sullivan/JR's philosophy has been 4 scoring lines.
- madmike71

It's hard to fault them for not thinking what we do when we do. I mean, can you blame them? Have you seen the idiotic ideas that ALL OF US have spewed on here at one time or another? LOL These guys are pros and know things we don't. They need to let things play out to their satisfaction.

Hunwick is a player they've financially invested and a player they believe(d) in. Looking at this from the perspective of the coaching staff/management, they need to really give a player like Hunwick a good solid chance.

Clearly they're coming around now, but don't be shocked that even if Ruhwedel outperforms Hunwick that he won't be slotted back into the lineup to see how he's "responded" to being scratched.

If I'm a betting man, Hunwick gets bought out next year if they can't trade him unless a cap-floor team wants him.

From the last thread...



It's hard to fault them for not thinking what we do when we do. I mean, can you blame them? Have you seen the idiotic ideas that ALL OF US have spewed on here at one time or another? LOL These guys are pros and know things we don't. They need to let things play out to their satisfaction.

Hunwick is a player they've financially invested and a player they believe(d) in. Looking at this from the perspective of the coaching staff/management, they need to really give a player like Hunwick a good solid chance.

Clearly they're coming around now, but don't be shocked that even if Ruhwedel outperforms Hunwick that he won't be slotted back into the lineup to see how he's "responded" to being scratched.

If I'm a betting man, Hunwick gets bought out next year if they can't trade him unless a cap-floor team wants him.
- Rinosaur

Like I said, I understand what they were doing with Hunwick. They NEED him to right the ship. Especially now that we only have 7 D. His play since Cole left is beyond bad. I remember when Schultz was traded to Pittsburgh and some guy on Sportsnet called Schultz the worst player in the NHL. That's how bad Hunwick is playing. He literally looks like the worst player in the NHL.

Mostly my point was the 4th line. It never had a chance......and to those of us who regularly watch the game, we all knew it never had a chance. The confounding thing was when Sullivan gives them jersey's and then uses them for 4mins of TOI. He finally had the makings of solid 4 line team and chooses to make it a 3 line team. That seems kind of weird to me.

Buy outs are a significant cap decision that are almost never justifiable. Hunwick might be bad, but I don’t think he’s so bad and has such an albatross contract that GMJR would consider buying him out.

But hey, I’ve made some pretty bad (frank)ing calls about what the GM will/should do this year so what the hell do I know haha

Buy outs are a significant cap decision that are almost never justifiable. Hunwick might be bad, but I don’t think he’s so bad and has such an albatross contract that GMJR would consider buying him out.

But hey, I’ve made some pretty bad (frank)ing calls about what the GM will/should do this year so what the hell do I know haha
- Victoro311

My hope would be that they can flat out move him or at the very least retain 50% for two seasons. I'd rather pay $1M for him to not play here.

Kessel passing 400 career assists and Letang passing Coffey for all-time guins Dman assists. T'was a good night.

Jarry's tumble was pretty hilarious tbh.

Buy outs are a significant cap decision that are almost never justifiable. Hunwick might be bad, but I don’t think he’s so bad and has such an albatross contract that GMJR would consider buying him out.

But hey, I’ve made some pretty bad (frank)ing calls about what the GM will/should do this year so what the hell do I know haha
- Victoro311

"hornqvist is 90% not gonna get renewed"

"hornqvist is 90% not gonna get renewed"
- martox

And that idiot said you were phoning in the trolling LOL

"hornqvist is 90% not gonna get renewed"
- martox

Lol I got nothing to say.

"hornqvist is 90% not gonna get renewed"
- martox

"Pit and Cbus are a toss up that will go to 7 games."

He finally had the makings of solid 4 line team and chooses to make it a 3 line team. That seems kind of weird to me.
- madmike71

I don't think they have any intention of being a four line team. Those top three lines are going to play a lot, and rightfully so. There's just not enough game time to get the 4th line a bunch of minutes 5 on 5.

And it's also overstated that they were much of a 4 line team either of the past two years. They were a 3 line team plus Cullen, with his ability to play a shutdown, defensive zone start heavy 4th line role for 8 5 on 5 minutes a game or so no matter his linemates, whether Kuhnhackl, Rowney, Fehr whatever.

Exactly

The 4th line just needs to be able to tread water for 8-10 minutes a game situationally, usually after a Powerplay when the lines get screwed up with Malkin, Crosby and Kessel all on the ice at the same time - And not get punked in the process

If Sheahan can win draws, and the guys on with him can hustle, get the puck out, not get caught out of position and end the play with an offensive zone faceoff more times than not, they have done their job

Buy outs are a significant cap decision that are almost never justifiable. Hunwick might be bad, but I don’t think he’s so bad and has such an albatross contract that GMJR would consider buying him out.

But hey, I’ve made some pretty bad (frank)ing calls about what the GM will/should do this year so what the hell do I know haha
- Victoro311

Hunwick can be buried in the minors would count 1.25 against the cap. A buy out would still count 750k against the cap but for twice as long (4 years). Makes more sense to send him down for the cap relief if he doesn't fit in

Hunwick can be buried in the minors would count 1.25 against the cap. A buy out would still count 750k against the cap but for twice as long (4 years). Makes more sense to send him down for the cap relief if he doesn't fit in
- TheGame316

I feel like Hunwick would be better off with a true stay-at-home defenseman as his partner. His strengths are his ability to play with the puck and skate, and he can't do that with Oleksiak. I like Oleksiak, but his coverage in the zone is wanting from time to time. Put both of them out there with the same weakness and it's a recipe for trouble.

I don't think they have any intention of being a four line team. Those top three lines are going to play a lot, and rightfully so. There's just not enough game time to get the 4th line a bunch of minutes 5 on 5.

And it's also overstated that they were much of a 4 line team either of the past two years. They were a 3 line team plus Cullen, with his ability to play a shutdown, defensive zone start heavy 4th line role for 8 5 on 5 minutes a game or so no matter his linemates, whether Kuhnhackl, Rowney, Fehr whatever.
- hardnosed

We have three first line caliber lines. They should play a ton. You are correct. That's still no excuse for not icing your best lineup. Now that ZAR is hurt, one of Kuhnhackl or Rowney will be playing due to lack of options, but I do have a problem with Sully not playing Simon, who I believe is easily one of our 12 best forwards. I hope yesterday was a coming to God moment for the coaching staff as far as lineup decisions go.

Sheahan is at least just as good as Cullen was his first year in the Burgh and is an excellent defensive forward. He should be eating defensive zone starts the same way Cullen was deployed over the last two seasons. That should translate to about 10 minutes of ES ice time for that fourth unit.

Kessel passing 400 career assists and Letang passing Coffey for all-time guins Dman assists. T'was a good night.

Jarry's tumble was pretty hilarious tbh.
- DeflatedPucks

That was a classic play of it's funny since we won, but had we lost our fourth straight it would have been irritating.

Give Hunyswick to the Defence whisperer Gonchar for an intensive week of training & see if he can't right the wrongs. If he can his reputation will grow to God status, if he can't then it's popcorn & crackers in the press box.

If JR really wants out, put him on waivers. There's a team that will pick him up I'd imagine.

Give Hunyswick to the Defence whisperer Gonchar for an intensive week of training & see if he can't right the wrongs. If he can his reputation will grow to God status, if he can't then it's popcorn & crackers in the press box.

If JR really wants out, put him on waivers. There's a team that will pick him up I'd imagine.
- Aussiepenguin

Tough with cap hits post-trade deadline. He doesn’t have a MASSIVE cap hit but it’s large enough that makes fitting him in the middle of the season tough enough. This is an off season problem.

Tough with cap hits post-trade deadline. He doesn’t have a MASSIVE cap hit but it’s large enough that makes fitting him in the middle of the season tough enough. This is an off season problem.
- Victoro311

https://www.capfriendly.com

There's teams with plenty, it's if they want Hunyswick that's the question. As above in other comments, if he doesn't get picked up he can play WBS for a spell. I think it's important to keep him If the Pens are looking at a 3peat which we are. Is there another Dman that can replace him if injury hits the team.

Exactly

The 4th line just needs to be able to tread water for 8-10 minutes a game situationally, usually after a Powerplay when the lines get screwed up with Malkin, Crosby and Kessel all on the ice at the same time - And not get punked in the process

If Sheahan can win draws, and the guys on with him can hustle, get the puck out, not get caught out of position and end the play with an offensive zone faceoff more times than not, they have done their job
- TheGame316

Or you know, put Sheahan with ZAR and Simon on his wings and possibly get a goal out of them. Why tread water when you can have a line 8-10min actually bring a threat to score? Simon and ZAR for their age a pretty responsible players too. I know ZAR is hurt right now but if we happen to have a healthy roster.

Philly lost, so there's that.

Who would you guys rather face in the first round, Philly, NJ or Washington?

Me personally? I'm going with Philly. I don't know why, but I just think NJ has the Pens' number. I don't think NJ is better, but sometimes some teams just know how to play certain teams.

Philly lost, so there's that.

Who would you guys rather face in the first round, Philly, NJ or Washington?

Me personally? I'm going with Philly. I don't know why, but I just think NJ has the Pens' number. I don't think NJ is better, but sometimes some teams just know how to play certain teams.
- Rinosaur

Washington honestly for me

Or you know, put Sheahan with ZAR and Simon on his wings and possibly get a goal out of them. Why tread water when you can have a line 8-10min actually bring a threat to score? Simon and ZAR for their age a pretty responsible players too. I know ZAR is hurt right now but if we happen to have a healthy roster.
- 668710

Right. Ice the best possible roster. It was one thing at the beginning of the season when we legit didn’t have any good options for the 4th line before Simon and ZAR broke into the NHL, but now we have good options.

Washington honestly for me
- stayinthefnnet

My immediate response was this, after thinking a bit, the percentages have to be leaning twards the Caps stealing a series sooner or later. So I switched to Philly.

Washington honestly for me
- stayinthefnnet

In spite of their recent success, something about Philly just seems on the verge of falling apart.