You lost me on that sentence...
- MattStrat

Yeah, I thought they had made it to the finals more recently than '93. Combined with Toronto's absence since '67 is pretty amazing. Competing in the salary cap era is HARD!

Is he really that much better in these aspects than, say, Kahun?
- Hockey66

Maybe marginally, maybe not. I did say "one of...". Kahun definitely seems to be a better finisher though... but is already in the top 6.

I think he's one of the best puck handlers on the team, one of the best zone entry guys and one of the best at keeping the puck...good passer too...if only he had a bit more scoring touch.
- MattStrat

Maybe he should learn some work ethic from Galch and come in early/late and work on his shot... but that could just be cuz he can’t sleep and needs to work off some extra anxious energy. Rust did all summer and look at him go.

I was 100% serious.
- Thunderbolt

From my perspective, I've never seen a player look so completely confused and overmatched on Crosby's line like Sprong did. Granted, it was brief.

Wrote by Mark Madden hahah....and if the Captain is being asked about one of his teammates do you think he's going to say bad crap about him?

I dont even see how this proves Sid liked playing with him haha
- MattStrat

True. I never talked him and Sid never says anything bad about anyone. Maybe he was just giving Sprong's strong point and ignoring everything else.

Crosby never says anything bad about Hornqvist either but you can tell it frustrates him to no end when Hornie gets into those after whistle scrums.

Maybe marginally, maybe not. I did say "one of...". Kahun definitely seems to be a better finisher though... but is already in the top 6.
- MattStrat

I'm still taking Horny and even Tanev over Simon in the top 6 every day of the week. What has Horny not done, other than scoring buckets of goals, to earn a spot there?

Simon is on pace for single-digit goals again and is somehow a -3 on one of the best teams in the league. And if Simon is such a good passer / facilitator, why does he only have 12 assists in 45 games? I call bullpoop on Simon.

Is he really that much better in these aspects than, say, Kahun?
- Hockey66

Kahun is presumably a permanent staple on the Malkin LW. Sullivan has shown he has no plans of breaking up that line.

I'm still taking Horny and even Tanev over Kahun in the top 6 every day of the week. What has Horny not done, other than scoring buckets of goals, to earn a spot there?

Simon is on pace for single-digit goals again and is somehow a -3 on one of the best teams in the league. And if Simon is such a good passer / facilitator, why does he only have 12 assists in 45 games? I call bullpoop on Simon.
- Hockey66

Crosby is -1

Crosby is -1
- MattStrat

17 game sample.

Simon on pace for 7 goals and 22 assists. No thanks for the top line in the last years of a generational center competing for a Cup. Just absurd.

At this point, I hope Simon gets traded so he can't torpedo the top 6 again. And I'm not even a Simon hater. I like him as a player. Just not ever in the top 6.

17 game sample.

Simon on pace for 7 goals and 22 assists. No thanks for the top line in the last years of a generational center competing for a Cup. Just absurd.

At this point, I hope Simon gets traded so he can't torpedo the top 6 again. And I'm not even a Simon hater. I like him as a player. Just not ever in the top 6.
- Hockey66

You're cursing on him hahaha

Yeah, I mean, I'm not dead set on him being there but really dont feel any negative feelings about him being there either haha. I feel he and Sid work well together.

From my perspective, I've never seen a player look so completely confused and overmatched on Crosby's line like Sprong did. Granted, it was brief.
- madmike71

Sprong's problem wasn't lack of ability. Apparently the reports that he didn't have the work ethic were true. I see he is getting another chance in Anaheim. Good for him. His time was up here.

The truth is, and I have heard this from professional athletes in various sports, the difference between making it big and not making it big is desire, not talent. Talent gets you to the "door", desire gets you inside.

I don’t love the lines tonight.

If Simon was truly the player people around here think he is I bet some other teams would be inquiring. Never once here his name brought up anywhere. Except stats hockey twitter.

I don’t love the lines tonight.
- Rinosaur

Simons terrible. Heard about his dui hit and run in Croatia.

Wrote by Mark Madden hahah....and if the Captain is being asked about one of his teammates do you think he's going to say bad crap about him?

I dont even see how this proves Sid liked playing with him haha
- MattStrat

I have to agree. It’s like Letang defending JJ a few weeks ago. What’s he gonna do? poop all over his d partner? Come on lol

You're cursing on him hahaha

Yeah, I mean, I'm not dead set on him being there but really dont feel any negative feelings about him being there either haha. I feel he and Sid work well together.
- MattStrat

I'm cursing on him being in the top 6 because he is a black hole on offense.

Yes, he and Sid work well together until it's time to put the puck in the net. If he had any kind of scoring touch he would have at least 10 goals right now and for as close as the Pens games have been this season, we can't give up points in the standings because one player can't put home a gimmie on the doorstep.

From my perspective, I've never seen a player look so completely confused and overmatched on Crosby's line like Sprong did. Granted, it was brief.
- madmike71

In reference to that season that line had:

67.42 CF%
71.43 GF%
79.59 SCF%
93.33 HDCF%

In 6 GP and 48:46 TOI.

I'm still taking Horny and even Tanev over Simon in the top 6 every day of the week. What has Horny not done, other than scoring buckets of goals, to earn a spot there?

Simon is on pace for single-digit goals again and is somehow a -3 on one of the best teams in the league. And if Simon is such a good passer / facilitator, why does he only have 12 assists in 45 games? I call bullpoop on Simon.
- Hockey66

You lose. You used +/-.

Kahun is presumably a permanent staple on the Malkin LW. Sullivan has shown he has no plans of breaking up that line.
- burgh4life87

Nor should he.

Simons terrible. Heard about his dui hit and run in Croatia.
- Grinder47

So he’s just like Kassian

You lose. You used +/-.
- j.boyd919

I don't need stats to tell me that Simon sucks at scoring. That's the main point that I didn't lose and will never lose with Simon.

Of the players who have played 20+ games, here are the only - players on the Pens:
Galch
Simon
Blandisi
Schultz

The top of the list:
Dumo
Rust
McCann
Malkin
Marino
Guentzel
Kahun
Horny

One of these lists is not like the other...

So he’s just like Kassian
- Feds91Stammer

Nah. Kassian puts up goals. Didn’t run just got a dui.

Nah. Kassian puts up goals. Didn’t run just got a dui.
- Grinder47

I hear Kassian likes underage girls. You support pedophilia eh?

I don't need stats to tell me that Simon sucks at scoring. That's the main point that I didn't lose and will never lose with Simon.

Of the players who have played 20+ games, here are the only - players on the Pens:
Galch
Simon
Blandisi
Schultz

The top of the list:
Dumo
Rust
McCann
Malkin
Marino
Guentzel
Kahun
Horny

One of these lists is not like the other...
- Hockey66

So you are doubling down with plus minus?

I hear Kassian likes underage girls. You support pedophilia eh?
- Feds91Stammer

Was she underage? Or not 21?