Ryan Wilson: Penguins pick on the Blue Jackets, again Penguins pick on the Blue Jackets, again

Saw Jake crash into boards, leave and go down the tunnel, then return. I sure hope he is not injured; we can't afford to lose him. How many times over the years have we seen a Pens player get hurt, go to the locker room, and return in that game, only to have them miss extended time from that injury? Here's hoping last night was only a stinger and not one of those instances.

Saw Jake crash into boards, leave and go down the tunnel, then return. I sure hope he is not injured; we can't afford to lose him. How many times over the years have we seen a Pens player get hurt, go to the locker room, and return in that game, only to have them miss extended time from that injury? Here's hoping last night was only a stinger and not one of those instances.
- Amanion

They don't need him, they have Kapanenenenen

That crowd was asleep last night.

The new WC seaters look sweet!

Maybe Blueger can't play 3C on a championship team. He sure have been playing 3C on the Penguins though.

He needs to be traded, he's already too expensive for the way we use him. Plus we can get a decent haul for him around the TDL.

Maybe Blueger can't play 3C on a championship team. He sure have been playing 3C on the Penguins though.

He needs to be traded, he's already too expensive for the way we use him. Plus we can get a decent haul for him around the TDL.
- Thunderbolt

I cant get behind this one at all, Thunder. The bottom 6 and PK were immediately transformed upon his return. All of this winning and solid team play started the very first game he was back. I really dont think its a coincidence. I think he's far more important than some give credit for.

I cant get behind this one at all, Thunder. The bottom 6 and PK were immediately transformed upon his return. All of this winning and solid team play started the very first game he was back. I really dont think its a coincidence. I think he's far more important than some give credit for.
- MattStrat

Absolutely correct. Not supposed to work this way, but Blue adds about 10% or more to the PK when he plays and that's now been proven true 2 years in a row. He has also centered good 4th lines for years even though the wings have changed a lot. Only problem anyone has had with the 4th line for years is guys being overpaid, not their play.

Plus looking at the whole picture, one could argue that the savings in going from Tanev to Archi pays for Blue right there.

That crowd was asleep last night.

The new WC seaters look sweet!
- sammy87

The crowd has been pretty dead ever since we moved to PPG Paints Arena. The Mellon Arena crowd during the 2008 and 2009 runs were awesome.

Another season low in attendance last night. I'll have to check the TV ratings to see the overall impact.

Problem with this is Archie's contract is not replacing Tanev's contract... it 's McGinn's. Tanev was at $3.5MM hit to McGinn's $2.74. Not much of a savings....

I’ve actually been quite content with Archie. And although mcginn carried us for a few games I don’t like his, lap’s, or rutta’s salary. Nothing specific against them but they are all a luxury for their position. Except Kap, (frank) him. And having the corpse of dumo on the books compounds the multiple over pays.

Guentz is going to get a raise and take every spare penny as well as costing a casualty or two.

Problem with this is Archie's contract is not replacing Tanev's contract... it 's McGinn's. Tanev was at $3.5MM hit to McGinn's $2.74. Not much of a savings....
- Beatnic57

Fair enough. Was just saying that for what Blue adds to the team he isn't overpaid, money has been available for him(wasted on Rutta/Kappy since), and that we definitely shouldn't be looking to dump him for money reasons.

Guentz is going to get a raise and take every spare penny as well as costing a casualty or two.
- 10inchTerror

Don't forget Jarry as well. Wasn't a big deal heading into the season seeing as it looked for sure that Zuck/Dumo's hits would be gone to more than cover both. The way Zuck is playing, not certain what happens with him. Can't be brought back at his current 5.5, but if he would take something in the 3 range maybe he does stay.

And damn sorry I didn't stream the Buffalo game tonight...BJ's looking like the '74-'75 Caps so far lol

JMO, Bluegs is a good 4th line center. They shouldn't break their backs trying to sign him. Find another Blueger. Hopefully Poulin or Poehling can take that role. We need some of these kids to take these spots.

CF has the Pens with aprox 20m in cap space next year. Of that 20, they need to lock up Jarry and need to find a Zucker replacement. I'm not bringing Zucker back. He's a decent player when healthy, but I'd try to find someone with less miles.

As far as the D goes... They don't have to do anything. Let Dumo walk and add Smith to the queue.

Interestingly, our cap situation isn't that bad moving forward. We lose Kap and Carter in 23/24 and Guentz won't get his raise til 24/25.

I’ve actually been quite content with Archie. And although mcginn carried us for a few games I don’t like his, lap’s, or rutta’s salary. Nothing specific against them but they are all a luxury for their position. Except Kap, (frank) him. And having the corpse of dumo on the books compounds the multiple over pays.

Guentz is going to get a raise and take every spare penny as well as costing a casualty or two.
- 10inchTerror

From an underlying standpoint, since November 1st, Dumo has played pretty damn good. Compared to everyone's darling around here, John Marino, he has better stats 5 on 5.

Dumo at 5 on 5 since then: 53.63CF% (2nd best of all our D), 55.01 xGF% (4th best) and 61.40 HDCF% (3rd best)

Marino at 5 on 5 this season: 53.57CF%, 53.38 xGF% & 56.96 HDSC%

We all thought Dumo was sinking Letang this season but the opposite might of been true...or they were both just bad. Its also a deployment thing too. Dumo is not getting top mins now.

None of this is to say I think Dumo should be extended but he's not really a negative issue at all the last month or so....now watch this comment blow up in my face the next few games haha ...ugh

From an underlying standpoint, since November 1st, Dumo has played pretty damn good. Compared to everyone's darling around here, John Marino, he has better stats 5 on 5.

Dumo at 5 on 5 since then: 53.63CF% (2nd best of all our D), 55.01 xGF% (4th best) and 61.40 HDCF% (3rd best)

Marino at 5 on 5 this season: 53.57CF%, 53.38 xGF% & 56.96 HDSC%

We all thought Dumo was sinking Letang this season but the opposite might of been true...or they were both just bad. Its also a deployment thing too. Dumo is not getting top mins now.

None of this is to say I think Dumo should be extended but he's not really a negative issue at all the last month or so....now watch this comment blow up in my face the next few games haha ...ugh
- MattStrat

Improved play from the entire D corps has been a welcome site. Joseph is getting more minutes and the vast improvement of Pettersson has given Sullivan/Rierdon the opportunity to play Dumoulin in better situations.

On the earlier note, I get frustrated by the decisions of Sullivan, he continually pushes a four center line up to the point of screwing everything else things up. Heinen and McGinn are good wingers. They struggle on their off wing. Instead of leaving them on their strong wings he forces them into uncomfortable positions when the easy solution would be to move Carter to right wing. Fortunately Kapanen has had two good games, but we all know that isn't going to continue.