Just because Määttä has to sit next game doesn't mean he will get traded... keep in mind that top4 defenders have a pretty high price-tag; but to me its a good idea to spark competition and have a look at what we have in Riikola, and maybe we rotate then, or bump JJ to 3rd defense-pair (where he belongs, highest...).

San Jose disagrees

Murray's already back on the ice. I guess the concussion wasn't too serious, but you have to start worrying about the compound effects of all of these head injuries for him.

Murray's already back on the ice.
- Victoro311

Let's hope the best for him and his long-term health... as he will be not available today, obviously someone (Jarry) have to be called up as backup. https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050407612020350976?p=p

I personally think he’s good on the Pens, but yes, I think he’d be a better fit in a more defense-first system.
- Rinosaur

Exactly because this team isn't going to change it's mentality with Sid Geno and Phil here.

Murray's already back on the ice. I guess the concussion wasn't too serious, but you have to start worrying about the compound effects of all of these head injuries for him.
- Victoro311

That's nuts, I wouldn't rush him back. Has anyone heard of what it was? A puck to the helmet most likely.

Color vs white is an artifact of old B&W TV, though I can imagine some color combos having trouble with colorblindness.

That's nuts, I wouldn't rush him back. Has anyone heard of what it was? A puck to the helmet most likely.
- 668710

Not a good sign if it is. Goalie's get lotsa pucks in the helmet. In practice most players aren't leaning into their shots much. If he's getting concussed from weaker shots what's an in game blast from Ovi or Webber gonna do.

He's in a tough spot.

Where did all this Maatta doesnt fit sh!t I'm seeing lately come from? Because he might be scratched tonight?

He was a top 4 part of the 2 recent cups. The guy IS a puck mover and IS a 2-way defenceman. He has a great first pass. His stick work is top notch. His positioning is (usually)great. He makes so many little awesome plays that will never show up in a highlight reel, or noticed by a lot of people, that really are a factor in a lot of the Pens wins. He started the season sh!tty, so what. Take a look around the league, there are equals and superiors to him with equally, or even more so, sh!tty starts. Its 2 games in.

Yeah his foot speed is maybe a bit slower than we'd like but other aspects of his game (usually) make up for that.

The Pens have 8 dmen depth right now and I for one want to keep that.

Murray's already back on the ice. I guess the concussion wasn't too serious, but you have to start worrying about the compound effects of all of these head injuries for him.
- Victoro311

He’s a puss.

Where did all this Maatta doesnt fit sh!t I'm seeing lately come from? Because he might be scratched tonight?

He was a top 4 part of the 2 recent cups. The guy IS a puck mover and IS a 2-way defenceman. He has a great first pass. His stick work is top notch. His positioning is (usually)great. He makes so many little awesome plays that will never show up in a highlight reel, or noticed by a lot of people, that really are a factor in a lot of the Pens wins. He started the season sh!tty, so what. Take a look around the league, there are equals and superiors to him with equally, or even more so, sh!tty starts. Its 2 games in.

Yeah his foot speed is maybe a bit slower than we'd like but other aspects of his game (usually) make up for that.

The Pens have 8 dmen depth right now and I for one want to keep that.
- MattStrat

He's also playing with a new partner. He's always gonna be slow but he is a good defender. Getting caught flat footed will always be his Achilles.

He’s a puss.
- Grinder47

He's also playing with a new partner. He's always gonna be slow but he is a good defender. Getting caught flat footed will always be his Achilles.
- Thorny87

In my mind he might be the Pens best at actual defense haha...either him or Doums.

EDIT: and speaking of Doums...I think he was worse than Maatta in the 1st two games, especially the 1st. He was terrible.

He's also playing with a new partner. He's always gonna be slow but he is a good defender. Getting caught flat footed will always be his Achilles.
- Thorny87

Pensburg did a dive into the analytics that suggested that Maatta and Johnson could be a good pairing. I think it was blind hope but I was intrigued enough to start hoping that it could work. But really, if you think about it, while Pensburgh was right that Maatta and Johnson's strengths complement each other, their weakness exacerbate each other the same way that Maatta and Daley's did.

Maatta is good at guarding the neutral zone and positional defense but mediocre at pushing the play and zone exits. Johnson is bad at defense but great at pushing the play and zone exits. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Wrong. Because Johnson is also a reckless offensive defenseman who's going to give up breaks due to ill advised pinching from time to time and Maatta just doesn't have the foot speed to cover that. It didn't work with Daily and its not gonna work with JMFJ. That's why Dumoulin worked so well with Daily but Maatta was a disaster with Daily. A guy like Dumo has the physical speed to cover for a guy that takes risks like that but isn't physically freakish enough to cover his own mistakes like Letang.

I'd like to see them give these pairings a try before giving up on Maatta:

Maatta-Letang
Dumoulin-Johnson

In my mind he might be the Pens best at actual defense haha...either him or Doums.

EDIT: and speaking of Doums...I think he was worse than Maatta in the 1st two games, especially the 1st. He was terrible.
- MattStrat

I agree. Dumo made some really weak plays that just isn't like him.

I think JO has looked pretty bad in the first 2 games. Nothing really glaring, he just looked slow and his outlets were bad. I'd like to see some more toughness out of him to be honest.

Both of those games the Pens played D like it was Ringette. A lot of reaching and stick waving. More physicality out of everyone would be nice. They are way to easy to play against right now.

Coach Sullivan on Sprong: “It’s not always about goals and assists. It’s about playing the right way. We hope he continues to progress and we like where he’s at right now. He’s a good young player and we want to put him in positions to be successful." https://mobile.twitter.co...s/1050407612020350976?p=p

Pensburg did a dive into the analytics that suggested that Maatta and Johnson could be a good pairing. I think it was blind hope but I was intrigued enough to start hoping that it could work. But really, if you think about it, while Pensburgh was right that Maatta and Johnson's strengths complement each other, their weakness exacerbate each other the same way that Maatta and Daley's did.

Maatta is good at guarding the neutral zone and positional defense but mediocre at pushing the play and zone exits. Johnson is bad at defense but great at pushing the play and zone exits. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Wrong. Because Johnson is also a reckless offensive defenseman who's going to give up breaks due to ill advised pinching from time to time and Maatta just doesn't have the foot speed to cover that. It didn't work with Daily and its not gonna work with JMFJ. That's why Dumoulin worked so well with Daily but Maatta was a disaster with Daily. A guy like Dumo has the physical speed to cover for a guy that takes risks like that but isn't physically freakish enough to cover his own mistakes like Letang.

I'd like to see them give these pairings a try before giving up on Maatta:

Maatta-Letang
Dumoulin-Johnson
- Victoro311

In the end it is up to Maatta to make sure he has at least a step on the high forward. On that Byron breakaway goal Maatta abandoned that position thinking the play was moving up ice. It was turned over in the neutral zone and Byron was a step behind him. Most D men can cover a step or two but not Olli.

He absolutely has to be the last man back unless a forward is covering.

Pensburg did a dive into the analytics that suggested that Maatta and Johnson could be a good pairing. I think it was blind hope but I was intrigued enough to start hoping that it could work. But really, if you think about it, while Pensburgh was right that Maatta and Johnson's strengths complement each other, their weakness exacerbate each other the same way that Maatta and Daley's did.

Maatta is good at guarding the neutral zone and positional defense but mediocre at pushing the play and zone exits. Johnson is bad at defense but great at pushing the play and zone exits. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Wrong. Because Johnson is also a reckless offensive defenseman who's going to give up breaks due to ill advised pinching from time to time and Maatta just doesn't have the foot speed to cover that. It didn't work with Daily and its not gonna work with JMFJ. That's why Dumoulin worked so well with Daily but Maatta was a disaster with Daily. A guy like Dumo has the physical speed to cover for a guy that takes risks like that but isn't physically freakish enough to cover his own mistakes like Letang.

I'd like to see them give these pairings a try before giving up on Maatta:

Maatta-Letang
Dumoulin-Johnson
- Victoro311

You make some good points and I would be totally fine trying those suggested pairings too. Ive always liked Maatta and Letang together.

Fantasy 1st intermission report: Being down 5pts with 4 games less (opponent has 4 more Sharks) - but now hopefully a slightler better quality and quantity ahead, i have already the feeling that not adding E. Kane (besides the rat) may be a costly mistake this week... i wanted to score something in defense as well - adding a few PP quarterbacks, but those choices can barely break the zero point and investing the money in simple brute-force (E. Kane) seems to be a safer bet, especially with a game more.
- VeryModernMan

Kane has been good for me. So far so good, but I learned a lesson from last week and so far doing way better. I had way less player games last night than my opponent, but having both Kuz and Ovie was huge.

In my mind he might be the Pens best at actual defense haha...either him or Doums.

EDIT: and speaking of Doums...I think he was worse than Maatta in the 1st two games, especially the 1st. He was terrible.
- MattStrat

Agreed on both points, but perception is reality. If the coaching staff doesn't view him as a good fit it doesn't matter.

And yes, I said a few pages back I thought the worst Pens dmen thus far as Dumo and JO.

Can someone please direct me to the "Has Claude Giroux Scored A Goal Yet" site? I want to see the answer.

Murray's already back on the ice. I guess the concussion wasn't too serious, but you have to start worrying about the compound effects of all of these head injuries for him.
- Victoro311

I know TIOPS can be garbage sometimes, but they actually reported yesterday that Murray is expected to be back soon as the staff felt he was responding well.

On a side note, Jarry has been recalled.

Kinda disappointed Flower played yesterday. Hope he goes btb.

but having both Kuz and Ovie was huge.
- Rinosaur

Very nice choice, which else centers do you have? I thought about going with Courture or Hertl, but didn't... and it seems Pavelski would have been the better Shoice [sic!] anyways.