Ryan Wilson: Carlyle still helping the Penguins all these years later Carlyle still helping the Penguins all these years later

Great win last night. Both teams happy with trade. Randy C. looks to be a goner. Take tonight’s game and get out of SoCal with a smile.

Can we talk about the 4th line last night?

This is no longer an anomaly. The 4th line is far better with Grant and Wilson. If you had to guess, could you tell me which line had the best HDCF%? Well, it was the fourth line at 100%.

Grant, Wilson and Cullen for HDCF at 6,4, and 7 respectively. I promise I'm not using this to beat my Anti-ZAR drum. This is just to show how good that specific line is together.

Grant and Wilson were also both over 60% in CF% with Cullen under 60%, but over 50%.

KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.

The Pens are starting to get that scoring swagger that has been their MO for years. They are fun as hell to watch right now.

The Pens are starting to get that scoring swagger that has been their MO for years. They are fun as hell to watch right now.
- powerhouse

It sure is! It was nice to see them bail out Murray, too for a change. Can't fault Murray for two of those goals, so they really needed to get them back.

Haha I freaking passed out after the 2nd period. I missed the rest of the goods lol

Josh Gibson

Can we talk about the 4th line last night?

This is no longer an anomaly. The 4th line is far better with Grant and Wilson. If you had to guess, could you tell me which line had the best HDCF%? Well, it was the fourth line at 100%.

Grant, Wilson and Cullen for HDCF at 6,4, and 7 respectively. I promise I'm not using this to beat my Anti-ZAR drum. This is just to show how good that specific line is together.

Grant and Wilson were also both over 60% in CF% with Cullen under 60%, but over 50%.

KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.
- Rinosaur

Yea it's Grant and Wilson together that just works with possession. I wonder if Sheahan centered that line how it would shake out. But in all honesty I would move Brass, Sheahan and JO, bring in a new 3C. Sheahan isn't a must move but if we get a higher priced 3c maybe it's necessary.

Can we talk about the 4th line last night?

This is no longer an anomaly. The 4th line is far better with Grant and Wilson. If you had to guess, could you tell me which line had the best HDCF%? Well, it was the fourth line at 100%.

Grant, Wilson and Cullen for HDCF at 6,4, and 7 respectively. I promise I'm not using this to beat my Anti-ZAR drum. This is just to show how good that specific line is together.

Grant and Wilson were also both over 60% in CF% with Cullen under 60%, but over 50%.

KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.
- Rinosaur

ZAR would have gotten more HDCF, how dare you besmirch him.

But I think his game is better suited for the mid 6... he is Horny-lite with his net crashing attempts.

ZAR would have gotten more HDCF, how dare you besmirch him.

But I think his game is better suited for the mid 6... he is Horny-lite with his net crashing attempts.
- Guile

ZAR's game definitely takes a hit when he plays the fourth and I don't mean production. He just seems to have less of a jump in his step and his shot all of a sudden goes away.

I still like the trade for Spronger .. the puck jumps off his stick like a rocket. And him being only 21 there’s lots of room for improvement.

Once the Pens went to afterburners it was all over last night.

ZAR's game definitely takes a hit when he plays the fourth and I don't mean production. He just seems to have less of a jump in his step and his shot all of a sudden goes away.
- Rinosaur

Which is honestly very weird for his playstyle. He is a grinder and net front type in my opinion. Those players typically can bump down the lineup and do just as fine.

I still like the trade for Spronger .. the puck jumps off his stick like a rocket. And him being only 21 there’s lots of room for improvement.

Once the Pens went to afterburners it was all over last night.
- dozerD10

I liked sprong's celebration

Here's what a lot of "Hockey People" (LOL) like Ryan Wilson fail to understand

Sure, a guy like Sprong can get you 30 goals, (when you gift him the best linemates and PP time) but when he's on the ice for 40 against, he's a net negative as a player

This kind of player is useful if you find yourself down 5-2, or needing a goal late in a game because you have nothing to lose. Over a larger sample size (favorite RW expression), He will lose you more games than he will win you.

Replace him with a player who only scores 15, but for arguments sake, is on the ice for 15 against - This player is less flashy, probably cheaper (way cheaper) and you can trust a player like this in all situations

Sprong drags down his linemates, Sure he'll score some goals, but his linemates continue to have to make up for his defensive deficiencies

32 games in, 6 goals scored (2 goals on PP), -13 in 5v5 play with only 4 EV goals to his credit, 65% offensive zone starts

Bad Player

I still like the trade for Spronger .. the puck jumps off his stick like a rocket. And him being only 21 there’s lots of room for improvement.

Once the Pens went to afterburners it was all over last night.
- dozerD10

There's lots of room for improvement, but there's the rub.... He's had plenty of time to improve and just hasn't. Coaches have tried and the Penguins eventually just had to give up on him

Sprong is what he is. He'll be the type of player to float around the league from team to team. Think Grabner without the speed..... (And Speed is Grabners entire game)

Can we talk about the 4th line last night?

This is no longer an anomaly. The 4th line is far better with Grant and Wilson. If you had to guess, could you tell me which line had the best HDCF%? Well, it was the fourth line at 100%.

Grant, Wilson and Cullen for HDCF at 6,4, and 7 respectively. I promise I'm not using this to beat my Anti-ZAR drum. This is just to show how good that specific line is together.

Grant and Wilson were also both over 60% in CF% with Cullen under 60%, but over 50%.

KEEP THIS LINE TOGETHER.
- Rinosaur

That was the only game that that line played together and went positive via HDCF%.

Edit: games vs. the Ducks. they went 1 and 0 the first go around. lol

heck even beau 'glass' bennett got 129 games with the big boys before getting his ass dumped. Sprong didn't even make it to 43

heck even beau 'glass' bennett got 129 games with the big boys before getting his ass dumped. Sprong didn't even make it to 43
- DeflatedPucks

Disco Dan era..... Sully doesn't put up with prima donna players who aren't coachable

Disco thought if he kept saying "Get back to our game" enough times that counted as solid coaching.....

Disco Dan era..... Sully doesn't put up with prima donna players who aren't coachable

Disco thought if he kept saying "Get back to our game" enough times that counted as solid coaching.....
- RoloTahmasee

You mean Sully's "Play the right way" is THAT much different than "Get back to our game?" Because to me they sound exactly the same.

You mean Sully's "Play the right way" is THAT much different than "Get back to our game?" Because to me they sound exactly the same.
- j.boyd919

The results and Sully's willingness to sit a player on his a$$ when he's not performing seem tangibly different

Every coach has a tagline, but I can't figure out what Disco did here besides talk.... I never saw a guy who could evaluate talent or make an in game adjustment to save his life. He won his Cup with Therriens team

Sully came in here, took over Johnstons team, immediately infused the team with players he identified as coach in Willkes Barrie (Rust, Sheary, Guentzel, Murray, etc) got the team playing a 200' game and won back to back cups

So, they might "sound" the same, but I'll take Sully 100 times out of 100

I liked sprong's celebration
- DeflatedPucks

Ducks already have terrible possession stats and he's 3% worse relative to his teammates

People should remember, Goal Sucks score goals, most of us have played with these types of guys. They have the biggest celly's when they score but they are frustrating as hell to play with and the first guys slinking off the ice when you are fishing the puck out of the back of your own net

Here's what a lot of "Hockey People" (LOL) like Ryan Wilson fail to understand

Sure, a guy like Sprong can get you 30 goals, (when you gift him the best linemates and PP time) but when he's on the ice for 40 against, he's a net negative as a player

This kind of player is useful if you find yourself down 5-2, or needing a goal late in a game because you have nothing to lose. Over a larger sample size (favorite RW expression), He will lose you more games than he will win you.

Replace him with a player who only scores 15, but for arguments sake, is on the ice for 15 against - This player is less flashy, probably cheaper (way cheaper) and you can trust a player like this in all situations

Sprong drags down his linemates, Sure he'll score some goals, but his linemates continue to have to make up for his defensive deficiencies

32 games in, 6 goals scored (2 goals on PP), -13 in 5v5 play with only 4 EV goals to his credit, 65% offensive zone starts

Bad Player
- RoloTahmasee

Fine lets ignore the PP, and look at EVS.

Here is a player.
In 2014-2015, he was on the ice for 48 GF, 82 GA
In 2010-2011, he was on the ice for 51 GF, 71 GA
In 2006-2007, he was on the ice for 31 GF, 43 GA
In 2011-2012, he was on the ice for 74 GF, 84 GA

That player is Phil fatass kessel

The results and Sully's willingness to sit a player on his a$$ when he's not performing seem tangibly different

Every coach has a tagline, but I can't figure out what Disco did here besides talk.... I never saw a guy who could evaluate talent or make an in game adjustment to save his life. He won his Cup with Therriens team

Sully came in here, took over Johnstons team, immediately infused the team with players he identified as coach in Willkes Barrie (Rust, Sheary, Guentzel, Murray, etc) got the team playing a 200' game and won back to back cups

So, they might "sound" the same, but I'll take Sully 100 times out of 100
- RoloTahmasee

If that's the case why has he not ever sat JJ, Cullen, or Brassard? I'm not saying I wouldn't rather have Sully 100 times out of 100. I definitely agree there, but I also don't know if Sully should be given THAT much credit as this great coach. While he is definitely known for trying to make adjustments and throwing the lines in a blender. I believe he falls victim to chaining himself to certain players that don't really deserve it while reprimanding others that don't deserve it. He's definitely a good coach, but like all good coaches, they all make questionable decisions.

Fine lets ignore the PP, and look at EVS.

Here is a player.
In 2014-2015, he was on the ice for 48 GF, 82 GA
In 2010-2011, he was on the ice for 51 GF, 71 GA
In 2006-2007, he was on the ice for 31 GF, 43 GA
In 2011-2012, he was on the ice for 74 GF, 84 GA

That player is Phil fatass kessel
- DeflatedPucks

Well the difference here is that Phil is going to get 1PP time because he is an elite PP producer. Sprong would never get that PP time in Pittsburgh because Kessel is the right handed shot on that half wall.

While I definitely don't believe Sprong was put in a position to succeed here, I also don't think we can REALLY compare Kessel and Sprong as players even though they are/were given that same label (lazy defensively, liability in their own zone, etc. etc.) but I can see making those comparisons and understand why.

That was the only game that that line played together and went positive via HDCF%.

Edit: games vs. the Ducks. they went 1 and 0 the first go around. lol
- j.boyd919

I'm not sure what you're looking at 12/19 against the Caps. Cullen and Wilson went 100%.

12/17 against the ducks Wilson and Grant went 100%