Ryan Wilson: Progress? Progress?

Yeah, I could see that being interference on the Penguins player. But Forsberg scored, so it's a moot point.

Penguins are a good team that can't get on a sustained track for the second year in a row now

It's time for a coaching change

Ryan Wilson: Progress?
Progress?
- Ryan_Wilson

Honestly, it didn't look intentional. He was trying to hold the line without losing speed.

Honestly, it didn't look intentional. He was trying to hold the line without losing speed.
- jmatchett383

Shouldn't matter if it is intentional or not, I would think. If the player is moving, which I believe he was, then it is interference!

Shouldn't matter if it is intentional or not, I would think. If the player is moving, which I believe he was, then it is interference!
- stevens87

Here's the rule book definition as it pertains to the play (a "pick"):

A “pick” is the action of a player who checks an opponent who is not in possession of the puck and is unaware of the impending check/hit. A player who is aware of an impending hit, not deemed to be a legal “battle for the puck,” may not be interfered with by a player or goalkeeper delivering a “pick.” A player delivering a “pick” is one who moves into an opponent’s path without initially having body position, thereby taking him out of the play. When this is done,an interference penalty shall be assessed.

The first sentence says it has to be "a check" which I don't think it was. It then says "moves into an opponent's path." So I'm not sure. I always thought it had to be intentional otherwise it's considered incidental contact.

Ludwig is answering that he can play his off side. So far he's stabilized the third pairing that had been largely a disaster.

If everyone were healthy, I don't know that I'd keep Ruhwedel over a 13th forward.

Was it interference? Yes.

Are NHL refs going to call a penalty there when the home team scored in OT sending the high-paying fans home happy? No.

Not much else worth discussing on that play.

Here's the rule book definition as it pertains to the play (a "pick"):

A “pick” is the action of a player who checks an opponent who is not in possession of the puck and is unaware of the impending check/hit. A player who is aware of an impending hit, not deemed to be a legal “battle for the puck,” may not be interfered with by a player or goalkeeper delivering a “pick.” A player delivering a “pick” is one who moves into an opponent’s path without initially having body position, thereby taking him out of the play. When this is done,an interference penalty shall be assessed.

The first sentence says it has to be "a check" which I don't think it was. It then says "moves into an opponent's path." So I'm not sure. I always thought it had to be intentional otherwise it's considered incidental contact.
- jmatchett383

Incidental contact is always a judgement call by the refs, which is a dangerous place for a call. Either team was bound to be upset by how that went.

Ludwig is answering that he can play his off side. So far he's stabilized the third pairing that had been largely a disaster.

If everyone were healthy, I don't know that I'd keep Ruhwedel over a 13th forward.
- Tojo.

Ludvig is definitely showing well, no doubt about that.

The bigger question the Pens need to answer on D is what are they going to do with POJ? I doubt he'd clear waivers. Do they trade him if they don't see him as better than Shea or Ludvig, or do they keep him as the 7D to use in case of injuries?

If they keep POJ and everybody were to end up healthy, then I think they waive Ruh, but if they trade POJ do you risk Ruh getting claimed when all you have after that left is Ty Smith?

Shea has looked great to me. Lots of little plays behind his net to skate the puck out vs dumping and lots of little plays to keep the puck in the ozone. Has a decent outlet pass. I’d rather keep him and Ludvig than Poj and Ruhw

Didn’t watch the game but the highlights showed a lot of Harkins getting to pucks and making good offensive plays mostly to Z.

The first sentence says it has to be "a check" which I don't think it was. It then says "moves into an opponent's path."
- jmatchett383

These are the important bits. O'Reilly didn't move into Crosby's path. He was just holding the line. Crosby delivered the hit, not O'Reilly to Crosby. Given those two things, there's no way they could call interference.

At this point, if POJ isnt going to get minutes, and Im not saying if he does or doesnt, try to find a hockey trade for a young forward who needs a change of scenery. Guess the problem is the cap.

These are the important bits. O'Reilly didn't move into Crosby's path. He was just holding the line. Crosby delivered the hit, not O'Reilly to Crosby. Given those two things, there's no way they could call interference.
- scifi-man

I agree with your overall assessment, but ROR wasnt standing still while holding the line. The ice where they hit wasnt either one of there's.

All in all, it wasnt a penalty because ROR didnt "check" Crosby or try to slow him down/take him out. Sid wasnt even looking at ROR until it was too late. Just guys colliding into each other, nothing more.

Good no call IMO.

Didn’t watch the game but the highlights showed a lot of Harkins getting to pucks and making good offensive plays mostly to Z.
- Grinder47

I’d like to see more grit out of Harkins but I thought he played a decent game last night. Him and doc really get into the forecheck behind the defence to retrieve dump ins.

I’d like to see more grit out of Harkins but I thought he played a decent game last night. Him and doc really get into the forecheck behind the defence to retrieve dump ins.
- 10inchTerror

It's a young man's game.

Shea has looked great to me. Lots of little plays behind his net to skate the peck out bs dumping and lots of little plays to keep the puck in the ozone. Has a decent outlet pass. I’d rather keep him and Ludvig than Poj and Ruhw
- 10inchTerror

I couldn't agree more. The six D we have playing now are the guys who need to be playing.

I’d like to see more grit out of Harkins but I thought he played a decent game last night. Him and doc really get into the forecheck behind the defence to retrieve dump ins.
- 10inchTerror

Hawkins whole thing is he scores in the AHL. Why give a Schlub like O’Connor the bump up the lineup?

Ludvig is definitely showing well, no doubt about that.

The bigger question the Pens need to answer on D is what are they going to do with POJ? I doubt he'd clear waivers. Do they trade him if they don't see him as better than Shea or Ludvig, or do they keep him as the 7D to use in case of injuries?

If they keep POJ and everybody were to end up healthy, then I think they waive Ruh, but if they trade POJ do you risk Ruh getting claimed when all you have after that left is Ty Smith?
- MickV

Sully said they hoped to get POJ in last week but he had a setback. That's why I think he's at least ahead of Ruhwedel.

Boyd sometimes calls POJ black Pettersson and I think that's a good comparison. His analytics are great, best on the team. He has a really awful PDO. I think he's better than many think and will develop into a big minutes defenseman so I'd hate to move him feeling like we'd be selling low and I'd play him.

That said, this team is for now and if they can add a forward they'd have to look at it. It's probably not a big drop off right now without him.

For depth, WBS is pretty loaded. They've got seven guys who've played a little in the NHL including the kid whose been with them since Ruhwedel went out. Samurukov, Pysyk, Hajek, Smith, Butcher, Oullet. Not saying any are top 6, but they have enough depth they don't need 8 on the roster.

Hawkins whole thing is he scores in the AHL. Why give a Schlub like O’Connor the bump up the lineup?
- Grinder47

DOC also scores in the AHL. That and he's really good as first guy on the fore check. Does need to score more though.

Sully said they hoped to get POJ in last week but he had a setback. That's why I think he's at least ahead of Ruhwedel.

Boyd sometimes calls POJ black Pettersson and I think that's a good comparison. His analytics are great, best on the team. He has a really awful PDO. I think he's better than many think and will develop into a big minutes defenseman so I'd hate to move him feeling like we'd be selling low and I'd play him.

That said, this team is for now and if they can add a forward they'd have to look at it. It's probably not a big drop off right now without him.

For depth, WBS is pretty loaded. They've got seven guys who've played a little in the NHL including the kid whose been with them since Ruhwedel went out. Samurukov, Pysyk, Hajek, Smith, Butcher, Oullet. Not saying any are top 6, but they have enough depth they don't need 8 on the roster.
- Tojo.

Yeah, I think POJ has potential, but if they don't see him currently above Shea, then given their cap situation and where they are in the roster life cycle, have to consider trading him for help elsewhere.

Pysyk was released a few days ago, and Butcher has been hurt all year. Smith has not looked good when up here, and those other guys could maybe fill in for a few games, but not much more. Makes me think they'll carry 7D if they ever get healthy to avoid having to use one of those players in the event of an injury.

That said, when are the Penguins ever healthy?

The Pens will make Vas look like a Hall of Famer first game back We have a way of doing that Shoot high wide or into the logo WE have target shooters not snipers

Yeah, I think POJ has potential, but if they don't see him currently above Shea, then given their cap situation and where they are in the roster life cycle, have to consider trading him for help elsewhere.

Pysyk was released a few days ago, and Butcher has been hurt all year. Smith has not looked good when up here, and those other guys could maybe fill in for a few games, but not much more. Makes me think they'll carry 7D if they ever get healthy to avoid having to use one of those players in the event of an injury.

That said, when are the Penguins ever healthy?
- MickV

I hadn't seen about Pysyk. Butcher is back though. I thought Smith looked good when called upon last year But Samorukov seems to actually be next up since he's the guy now.

So do I think they need Ruhwedel as 8yh D over carrying 13 forwards? Not really, but they thus far have felt differently.

I personally would take POJ over Shea though he's been fine, but you are likely right they like Shea better at the moment. I think it would be a good continuing battle among the three and an injury could happen at anytime.

I'd be open to a forward if they found the right trade. Bit clearly I don't mind keeping him either if they can't get anything worth while.

The Pens will make Vas look like a Hall of Famer first game back We have a way of doing that Shoot high wide or into the logo WE have target shooters not snipers
- broncohorvath

I thought you were passing the torch. Do we have to go through the Sid -> Giroux situation all over again?