Ryan Wilson: Penguins continue to dig a deeper hole Penguins continue to dig a deeper hole

Fire Sullivan.

I enjoy watching EK but man, that guy seems to know how to lose a game. Its pretty early in the season but there's been multiple times already where his poor decisions directly lead to a loss. I'd be curious what his overall contributions are to wins/losses beyond just +/- at this point.

Maybe Thunder is right, maybe they are cooked. I'm not saying it's the reason why but there's been an overall down turn in play since Geno got sick. Since then they've also lost two top 6 forwards. Last night reminded me of some of the games in the first few weeks, blowing leads in the 3rd to lose.

They don't have any organizational depth, really. Probably gonna feel it when some guys go down. However, the PP choices last night were a bit of a head scratcher haha.

Still not so sure about this Karlson situation. Hes such an unnecessary luxury. I would take another Petterson any day. Or Trouba.

I enjoy watching EK but man, that guy seems to know how to lose a game. Its pretty early in the season but there's been multiple times already where his poor decisions directly lead to a loss. I'd be curious what his overall contributions are to wins/losses beyond just +/- at this point.
- lemieux_66

Karlson isn’t the guy you get at the trade deadline because you want to make a big push for the cup. He’s the guy you get because you want to show your old bosses in Toronto you’re savy.

Should have kept Tocchet and let Sullivan go.

Teddy Blueger (3C) with a goal and a fight.

Sam Bennett (4C) with his fifth of the season.

Should have kept Tocchet and let Sullivan go.

Teddy Blueger (3C) with a goal and a fight.

Sam Bennett (4C) with his fifth of the season.
- Thunderbolt

You guys would just female dog about Bennett’scontract.

Maybe Thunder is right, maybe they are cooked. I'm not saying it's the reason why but there's been an overall down turn in play since Geno got sick. Since then hey've also lost two top 6 forwards. Last night reminded me of some of the games in the first few weeks, blowing leads in the 3rd to lose.

They don't have any organizational depth, really. Probably gonna feel it when some guys go down. However, the PP choices last night were a bit of a head scratcher haha.
- MattStrat

What is the PP solution though? It’s not like it did any worse than putting the money guys back together.

What is the PP solution though? It’s not like it did any worse than putting the money guys back together.
- Grinder47

I think the PP solution is a trade for a true net front guy.

I think the PP solution is a trade for a true net front guy.
- 123Kid

I think getting the Money guys to just operate under a simple PP structure would do a lot. They outsmart themselves and not the PK they are facing.

This team seems to find new ways to lose Regardless of the personal on the ice Own goals bad decisions by experienced players You name it and they will find a way to do it different than you can ever imagine. I am done caring I have seen 5 Cups Time to turn over the reigns to the younger fans and let them go thru the sorrows of losing all the time and then finding a way to learn how to win These guys have their triumphs and let them bask in the glory of yesteryear I am done

What is the PP solution though? It’s not like it did any worse than putting the money guys back together.
- Grinder47

Carter net front on the first unit, obviously hahah... All jokes aside, I think they're up in their own heads a lot. I'm of the opinion that hockey players are at their best when they're not overthinking things, or even thinking much. More so reacting and going with flow. When there's over thinking there's dumb decisions and blunders. I also think there's no killer instinct with the PP. No sense of urgency.

Basically, the money guys (I like this new term/label) have to grab their fn nut sacks and find a way to battle through the other teams PK and their own heads alike.

Yes, some semblance of structure or a plan, wouldn't hurt either.

They're still in a playoff mix and it's still really early in season. There has been a lot of encouraging things about the game a lot of nights, even in loses. Consistency is a very hard thing in NHL and perhaps expecting it this early with 11 new players, pretty much a 50% roster turnover, might be asking too much.

This team seems to find new ways to lose Regardless of the personal on the ice Own goals bad decisions by experienced players You name it and they will find a way to do it different than you can ever imagine. I am done caring I have seen 5 Cups Time to turn over the reigns to the younger fans and let them go thru the sorrows of losing all the time and then finding a way to learn how to win These guys have their triumphs and let them bask in the glory of yesteryear I am done
- broncohorvath

Hahahah peace out!

Carter net front on the first unit, obviously hahah... All jokes aside, I think they're up in their own heads a lot. I'm of the opinion that hockey players are at their best when they're not overthinking things, or even thinking much. More so reacting and going with flow. When there's over thinking there's dumb decisions and blunders. I also think there's no killer instinct with the PP. No sense of urgency.

Basically, the money guys (I like this new term/label) have to grab their fn nut sacks and find a way to battle through the other teams PK and their own heads alike.

Yes, some semblance of structure or a plan, wouldn't hurt either.
- MattStrat

There’s some idea that because EK Sid and Malkin are on the ice together that the PP has to look different, it doesn’t. Just run a standard PP. Malkin never under any circumstances leaves his 1 timer position while the pens have possession of the puck, someone stays infront. This around the world BS just makes it easy to defend because the Pens never know where the pucks going next.

Missed this one, was coaching mites practice. Glad I did.

The PP is a mess and it's really the one thing they need to fix. At 5-on-5, they are +10 which is one of the best differentials in the NHL. The Rags are only +4 at 5-on-5. The Pens are doing good enough to make the playoffs at EV.

I took a look at the PP+PK for the top 4 teams in the NHL so far on points percentage (obviously 100 is the mean here):

* BOS: 22.2+89.0=111.1%
* NYR: 29.8+86.7=116.5%
* VGK: 23.2+85.5=108.7%
* LOS: 21.4+88.9=110.3%

No surprise, all 4 teams are elite at special teams, since that's what it takes to consistently win in the regular season (especially the way they're calling the games atm).

The Pens are 13.2+85.0=98.2%. The PK is 9th and would be discussed as a high point if the season wasn't going so poorly. They need to get the PP rate up 10 points.

Given the talent they have out there, you would think they could find a way to have a slightly above average PP. Step 1: find a way to have a mediocre one.

Missed this one, was coaching mites practice. Glad I did.

The PP is a mess and it's really the one thing they need to fix. At 5-on-5, they are +10 which is one of the best differentials in the NHL. The Rags are only +4 at 5-on-5. The Pens are doing good enough to make the playoffs at EV.

I took a look at the PP+PK for the top 4 teams in the NHL so far on points percentage (obviously 100 is the mean here):

* BOS: 22.2+89.0=111.1%
* NYR: 29.8+86.7=116.5%
* VGK: 23.2+85.5=108.7%
* LOS: 21.4+88.9=110.3%

No surprise, all 4 teams are elite at special teams, since that's what it takes to consistently win in the regular season (especially the way they're calling the games atm).

The Pens are 13.2+85.0=98.2%. The PK is 9th and would be discussed as a high point if the season wasn't going so poorly. They need to get the PP rate up 10 points.

Given the talent they have out there, you would think they could find a way to have a slightly above average PP. Step 1: find a way to have a mediocre one.
- MickV

Hahaha sad but true... And that makes it a bit funny.

Nice post btw.

There’s some idea that because EK Sid and Malkin are on the ice together that the PP has to look different, it doesn’t. Just run a standard PP. Malkin never under any circumstances leaves his 1 timer position while the pens have possession of the puck, someone stays infront. This around the world BS just makes it easy to defend because the Pens never know where the pucks going next.
- Grinder47

Yeah I agree with all of this. I will also add the PP looks lethargic (not urgent) ... The player movement, and even velocity of passes, are all slow and rec game'ish, not f'n NHL game we need points to make playoffs calibre haha. It's half a$$ed all around.

You gotta fire the coaching staff. I get last season’s roster construction was a debacle but at this point the results are the results and there has to be a level of accountability. Bring in BBQ Bruce and try to salvage the season.

Dubas needs to be looking for players/coaches. I think ek brings a lot more than he screws up. Fortunately parity seems to be at an all time high this year in the metro so there’s still a chance to make it.

You gotta fire the coaching staff. I get last season’s roster construction was a debacle but at this point the results are the results and there has to be a level of accountability. Bring in BBQ Bruce and try to salvage the season.
- Victoro311

I'm available. I'd just coach them the same way I do my peewee and mite teams, since they make all the same mistakes the kids do.

Whatever funk Geno is in he needs to snap out of it. He looks like he’s pouting.

Tanger has to play within himself. He as well as Geno are trying to do too much by themselves.

Doc is a waste on his off wing.

I can’t believe NHL coaches came up with that solution last night to fix the PP. laughable

I'm available. I'd just coach them the same way I do my peewee and mite teams, since they make all the same mistakes the kids do.
- MickV

Martin St. Louis went from peewee to nhl coaching. Granted he did have a fair bit of nhl experience as a player though.

You gotta fire the coaching staff. I get last season’s roster construction was a debacle but at this point the results are the results and there has to be a level of accountability. Bring in BBQ Bruce and try to salvage the season.
- Victoro311

Half the roster turns over and we’re still getting the exact same Pens. Can’t blame lack of familiarity after 20 games.

Splitting our top guns and adding 4th liners to the PP without changing strategy reeks of desperation on the coaches part.