Ryan Wilson: Sidney Crosby continues to carry hobbled Penguins Sidney Crosby continues to carry hobbled Penguins

The puck support, defensive pressure and effort levels in all 3 zones is just refreshing as fvck to see. These kids have confidence on their side now.

From the last blog. Björkvist hands were an issue. I think he was trying to hard to get a goal. After his first goal you can see he looks more relaxed and confident in his play. His goal was a nice garbage goal in front of the net. He almost had more 2 goals right after. That is why I think later in the season when he starts to put it together he may be called up.

The puck support, defensive pressure and effort levels in all 3 zones is just refreshing as fvck to see. These kids have confidence on their side now.
- MattStrat

Agreed. It's definitely nice to see

How about a well deserved shout out to JJ for the yeoman effort he exerted on that PK leading up to the winning goal? You spew nothing but hate at him, why not give credit when due? You can hate the contract, that isn’t on him, but you can embrace the player. Rewatch his efforts on the penalty, he boxed out, had an active stick, buried an AV in the corner, and actually started two breakouts, including Tanev’s game winner. Take off your hate glasses and give him a chance.

I actually thought the avalanche was a really good team(wishing i had a futures bet), but after looking up and down their line up, they dont seem to have that much skill. one of the best 1st lines in the game but Kadri, bura, and donskoi, just doesn't seem like that great of a 2nd. And their d without barrie looks extremely underwhelming.

From the last blog. Geno was the best player game 1 this season he's ready to go, he woke the team up calling them out. So this whole should have traded him thing is ridiculous. The people saying to get rid of him would be crying to have him back.

I was probably more impressed by Lafferty that game tan over the weekend. Looked pretty decent as a middle six center, better than wat McCann and Blueger have been doing. I know you want to give a young guy 10 games to see how they do when adrenaline fades, but he looks like he's taking someone's spot. Not Kahun's, he's losing his on his own, but someone who doesn't deserve to be scratched.

I actually thought the avalanche was a really good team(wishing i had a futures bet), but after looking up and down their line up, they dont seem to have that much skill. one of the best 1st lines in the game but Kadri, bura, and donskoi, just doesn't seem like that great of a 2nd. And their d without barrie looks extremely underwhelming.
- joecool2931

Yea a better player for Barrie would have been good. Or just keep him

I was probably more impressed by Lafferty that game tan over the weekend. Looked pretty decent as a middle six center, better than wat McCann and Blueger have been doing. I know you want to give a young guy 10 games to see how they do when adrenaline fades, but he looks like he's taking someone's spot. Not Kahun's, he's losing his on his own, but someone who doesn't deserve to be scratched.
- Tojo.

Kahun, while not standing out, isnt doing anyting at all to hurt though either. I kind of liked his game last night, lukewarm to it anyway. Its too bad he couldnt split those D, they were just faster.

Having said this, as of today, he should be the odd man out if everyone is healthy....but thats not the reality of the situation and wont be for a while...or ever.

I was probably more impressed by Lafferty that game tan over the weekend. Looked pretty decent as a middle six center, better than wat McCann and Blueger have been doing. I know you want to give a young guy 10 games to see how they do when adrenaline fades, but he looks like he's taking someone's spot. Not Kahun's, he's losing his on his own, but someone who doesn't deserve to be scratched.
- Tojo.

The easy 2 gone is Blandisi and A.Johnson. Once we get to the point where guys are coming back you make those decisions.

I actually thought the avalanche was a really good team(wishing i had a futures bet), but after looking up and down their line up, they dont seem to have that much skill. one of the best 1st lines in the game but Kadri, bura, and donskoi, just doesn't seem like that great of a 2nd. And their d without barrie looks extremely underwhelming.
- joecool2931

They're moving in the right direction, but I think people got a little over-zealous. That D core should be dominant eventually, but not there yet.

Still have some depth holes. I love their additions and think they got better, but it's not like Barrie, Kerfoot, and Soderberg weren't important players last year.

Kahun, while not standing out, isnt doing anyting at all to hurt though either. I kind of liked his game last night, lukewarm to it anyway. Its too bad he couldnt split those D, they were just faster.

Having said this, as of today, he should be the odd man out if everyone is healthy....but thats not the reality of the situation and wont be for a while...or ever.
- MattStrat

Kahun got bumped back for Blandisi at the end of the game, which isn't good. Still hoping he starts standing out more he needs to.

Kahun got bumped back for Blandisi at the end of the game, which isn't good. Still hoping he starts standing out more he needs to.
- Tojo.

I thought Blandisi was bad last night.

The easy 2 gone is Blandisi and A.Johnson. Once we get to the point where guys are coming back you make those decisions.
- 668710

Even if you take out Johnson, Blandisi, and Kahun, that still leaves 13 forwards. Great problem to have. We'll probably never actually be fully healthy though.

I also agree about Lafferty. I mentioned last night. He looked very solid at center and made things happen. I still want him at wing, but he’s impressive at center.

Even if you take out Johnson, Blandisi, and Kahun, that still leaves 13 forwards. Great problem to have. We'll probably never actually be fully healthy though.
- Tojo.

Johnson and Blandisi, according to Capfriendly, are up on emergency loans so I would assume they have to be sent down once the others come back?

Even if you take out Johnson, Blandisi, and Kahun, that still leaves 13 forwards. Great problem to have. We'll probably never actually be fully healthy though.
- Tojo.

Yea exactly that's why you worry about it when guys are healthy haha, never know what the situation is

From the last blog. Geno was the best player game 1 this season he's ready to go, he woke the team up calling them out. So this whole should have traded him thing is ridiculous. The people saying to get rid of him would be crying to have him back.
- 668710

Its obvious the team doesn't want him around. They are motivated by his departure to help expedite a trade.

Its obvious the team doesn't want him around. They are motivated by his departure to help expedite a trade.
- sammy87

Donkey alert.

Retard alert.
- j.boyd919

How's your HBSL going? I was way down and had a huge turnaround last night. I was down 65 points going into last night and now I'm up 259.5 to 246.

I'm putting together the lineup for next week just to have a base and next week is hard.

Just wait for the "Geno will screw up the chemistry" comments. Those will be great.

How's your HBSL going? I was way down and had a huge turnaround last night. I was down 65 points going into last night and now I'm up 259.5 to 246.

I'm putting together the lineup for next week just to have a base and next week is hard.
- Rinosaur

Up 260 to 209

McDavid and Carlson went off for me.

Up 260 to 209
- j.boyd919

Nice. Next week is a tough one. Trying not to load up on too many players from one team because of the four-game-players, but it's hard.

How much stock to you put in to selecting four game players over three game players

EDIT: Yeah, McD and Drais put me over the edge. I also had Olofsson, Eichel and Skinner so that helped.

I thought Blandisi was bad last night.
- MattStrat

Blandisi is nothing but an occasional call up. He doesn't stand out in anything really.