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Forums :: Blog World :: Ryan Wilson: Mike Sullivan trying to spread the wealth with the new combos
Author Message
Hockey66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 07.05.2019

Jan 25 @ 2:54 PM ET
I'd take a flyer on him, I'd have to check his cap hit first
- 668710

$1M. Easy. Send ERod packing.
668710
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: "Give him a chance" -Barnaby36, PA
Joined: 06.25.2011

Jan 25 @ 2:54 PM ET
$1M. Easy. Send ERod packing.
- Hockey66

Erod may end up on IR anyway
Rinosaur
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Somewhere, NJ
Joined: 01.21.2016

Jan 25 @ 3:03 PM ET
Ennis is such a weird player. He's kind of the new Dominic Moore if anyone remembers him. Solid cheap bottom player who's effective wherever he goes, but never seems to find a home.
Rinosaur
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Somewhere, NJ
Joined: 01.21.2016

Jan 25 @ 3:04 PM ET

Josh Yohe
@JoshYohe_PGH
·
1h
Through six games:

• Evan Rodrigues out long term
• Mike Matheson out long term
• Juuso Riikola out long term
• Marcus Pettersson out a few weeks


Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jan 25 @ 3:07 PM ET


Statistically they look fine. Once they start actually finishing their chances, they'll be fine.

- j.boyd919

That feels like it's on the low side offensively but extremely good defensively leading to a net gain. Like Geno's line is playing low event hockey but getting the better of the play.

But maybe I'm getting the averages wrong, just thought a top scoring line is closer to 3 xGF than 2, but under 2 defensively is outstanding. But that's more like what we got from the Blueger line last year, not what we want from Geno.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jan 25 @ 3:09 PM ET
Lines today:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Zucker-Malkin-Kapanen
McCann-Blueger-Tanev
O'Connor-Jankowski-Sceviour/Lafferty
(Sceviour took first rep on RW)

Dumoulin-Letang
Marino-Ceci
Joseph-Ruhwedel

So Marino still on off wing. Seems like a very simple fix to bump Poj up with him and put him back on his natural side. Erod out still. Hopefully O’Connor lands his first game. I think the top 9 is pretty solid although I’d still like to see G with geno. But at least hopefully Sid will light it up.

- 10inchTerror

Was wondering if O'Connor would get the look over Lafferty since they need a LW. Not sure if Sceviour can play left, I know Lafferty is much better on the right though.
Rinosaur
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Somewhere, NJ
Joined: 01.21.2016

Jan 25 @ 3:11 PM ET
Was wondering if O'Connor would get the look over Lafferty since they need a LW. Not sure if Sceviour can play left, I know Lafferty is much better on the right though.
- Tojo.


My guess is they're duking it out to see. I'd like to see what Lafferty can do, but I'm also very curious to see O'Conner in real action.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jan 25 @ 3:17 PM ET
The portions I watched he truly looks slow and struggling out there. How much of that is not having a real off season and how much of that is aging curve, I don’t know, but it’s concerning regardless.
- Victoro311

With regards to Geno, he had one of this best statistical seasons last season averaging 1.34 points per game. I just don't see it being a steep age curve only 10 months later, when he finished off last March with 11 points in 5 games. I see it in his face, his head (confidence) is a little shot, like it has been many times before.

We have to expect his production to start dropping...but not to 0.33 points per game this quick.

- MattStrat

Two years ago Malkin admitted he wasn't in his beat shape and didn't have the same burst to win puck races and such. He was still pretty good and I know some didn't see a problem, but he didn't have his A game that year.

Last year, he was highly motivated, got in outstanding shape, and played at an MVP level

This year, and even in the bubble, I worry that maybe he hasn't had the same commitment to fitness in the Covid world or maybe couldn't do what he wanted to. Because right now that's exactly what I'm seeing, a guy who looks like he's tiring quickly, conserving energy, and can't out race anyone to a loose puck.

Geno has always had two gears IMO and to be fair they are good on bad years and MVP level on good years. I'm just concerned that at he didn't prepare like he needed to at his age to get to that MVP level that we just saw last year is still there. I'm sure he'll start scoring more, but I am concerned we won't see last year's level of play.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jan 25 @ 3:19 PM ET
My guess is they're duking it out to see. I'd like to see what Lafferty can do, but I'm also very curious to see O'Conner in real action.
- Rinosaur

There is also the matter of Lafferty losing waiver eligibility if he plays 2 more games that they may want to avoid if they have another option.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Jan 25 @ 3:40 PM ET
Two years ago Malkin admitted he wasn't in his beat shape and didn't have the same burst to win puck races and such. He was still pretty good and I know some didn't see a problem, but he didn't have his A game that year.

Last year, he was highly motivated, got in outstanding shape, and played at an MVP level

This year, and even in the bubble, I worry that maybe he hasn't had the same commitment to fitness in the Covid world or maybe couldn't do what he wanted to. Because right now that's exactly what I'm seeing, a guy who looks like he's tiring quickly, conserving energy, and can't out race anyone to a loose puck.

Geno has always had two gears IMO and to be fair they are good on bad years and MVP level on good years. I'm just concerned that at he didn't prepare like he needed to at his age to get to that MVP level that we just saw last year is still there. I'm sure he'll start scoring more, but I am concerned we won't see last year's level of play.

- Tojo.

I think its really, really hard to get into and keep in game shape with truncated offseasons that have a bunch of restrictions on what kind of facilities you can use and when. I follow too many sports and have seen the exact same thing with lots of players across all leagues where they look super out of sorts to think its just a coincidence. The lock down has had an effect.

But I am saying that at 34 years old you need to at least consider that its an age thing. I doubt he would look this bad if he had a real offseason, but its possible that the decline has started. He's my favorite Penguin of this era and I really hope he has lots more seasons in him in a black and gold sweater, but the stuff that came out about his elbow this past offseason is scary as poop.
Rinosaur
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Somewhere, NJ
Joined: 01.21.2016

Jan 25 @ 4:22 PM ET
I think its really, really hard to get into and keep in game shape with truncated offseason that have a bunch of restrictions on what kind of facilities you can use and when. I follow too many sports and have seen the exact same thing with lots of players across all leagues where they look super out of sorts to think its just a coincidence. The lock down has had an effect.

But I am saying that at 34 years old you need to at least consider that its an age thing. I doubt he would look this bad if he had a real offseason, but its possible that the decline has started. He's my favorite Penguin of this era and I really hope he has lots of more seasons in him in a black and gold sweater, but the stuff that came out about his elbow this past offseason is scary as poop.

- Victoro311


Geno and Sid both traditionally start slow points-wise and I think that's something people overlook because of what their ending totals wind up being.

What sticks out to me with Geno is he's just been making bad decisions and just looking lost. Could that be due to what you're talking about? I'm sure. I'm really not concerned and have full confidence he will turn it around, but the concern is about when that will happen. The Pens can ill-afford for that process to take too long.
Rinosaur
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Somewhere, NJ
Joined: 01.21.2016

Jan 25 @ 4:50 PM ET
I am getting demolished in HBSL this year. I only had two losses last year and I already have two losses this year.
pens4life-66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: BC
Joined: 10.01.2013

Jan 25 @ 5:02 PM ET
Geno and Sid both traditionally start slow points-wise and I think that's something people overlook because of what their ending totals wind up being.

What sticks out to me with Geno is he's just been making bad decisions and just looking lost. Could that be due to what you're talking about? I'm sure. I'm really not concerned and have full confidence he will turn it around, but the concern is about when that will happen. The Pens can ill-afford for that process to take too long.

- Rinosaur


Looks like the same player from the 4 game playoff series against Montreal.... Just no JJ to blame it on currently
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jan 25 @ 5:07 PM ET
I think its really, really hard to get into and keep in game shape with truncated offseasons that have a bunch of restrictions on what kind of facilities you can use and when. I follow too many sports and have seen the exact same thing with lots of players across all leagues where they look super out of sorts to think its just a coincidence. The lock down has had an effect.

But I am saying that at 34 years old you need to at least consider that its an age thing. I doubt he would look this bad if he had a real offseason, but its possible that the decline has started. He's my favorite Penguin of this era and I really hope he has lots more seasons in him in a black and gold sweater, but the stuff that came out about his elbow this past offseason is scary as poop.

- Victoro311

Basically I think it's a combination of age and training. No way do I think he dropped off this much from where he was playing a year ago just because of age. But if his training was impacted, he probably can't recover to that level right now. And he looks like a player who hasn't trained properly. Whether that's his fault or Covid's, I wouldn't know.
ecugringo
Joined: 02.05.2010

Jan 25 @ 5:11 PM ET
The dude is 34 and has had injuries. He might have flashes here and there but he will never again be geno machino he once was for an extended period of time. He could put a good playoff run together, but unfortunately his time is done.
j.boyd919
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Tampa, FL
Joined: 06.14.2011

Jan 25 @ 5:19 PM ET
I am getting demolished in HBSL this year. I only had two losses last year and I already have two losses this year.
- Rinosaur


I lost last week too. Too much cocaine. Laine being traded effed me.
10inchTerror
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jan 25 @ 5:47 PM ET


Josh Yohe
@JoshYohe_PGH
·
1h
Through six games:

• Evan Rodrigues out long term
• Mike Matheson out long term
• Juuso Riikola out long term
• Marcus Pettersson out a few weeks


- Rinosaur



For once the pittsburgh curse helps the team.
Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Jan 25 @ 6:24 PM ET
For once the pittsburgh curse helps the team.
- 10inchTerror

Pettersson for a few weeks is a pretty big loss especially considering that he’ll probably be rusty and out of game shape when he does eventually come back. Sullivan needs to take the gamble and put POJ on Marino’s left. We can’t have Marino playing his off side with a poopty partner for multiple weeks.
668710
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: "Give him a chance" -Barnaby36, PA
Joined: 06.25.2011

Jan 25 @ 6:38 PM ET
Pettersson for a few weeks is a pretty big loss especially considering that he’ll probably be rusty and out of game shape when he does eventually come back. Sullivan needs to take the gamble and put POJ on Marino’s left. We can’t have Marino playing his off side with a poopty partner for multiple weeks.
- Victoro311

Pettersson is definitely the worst loss, and hopefully he'll be back soon.
10inchTerror
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jan 25 @ 6:44 PM ET
Pettersson is definitely the worst loss, and hopefully he'll be back soon.
- 668710


Yeah at least he is the shortest term. Poj def needs to be put on 2nd pair. If he can manage then that would allow petts be sheltered a few games and make someone expendable.
MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Jan 25 @ 7:05 PM ET
Two years ago Malkin admitted he wasn't in his beat shape and didn't have the same burst to win puck races and such. He was still pretty good and I know some didn't see a problem, but he didn't have his A game that year.

Last year, he was highly motivated, got in outstanding shape, and played at an MVP level

This year, and even in the bubble, I worry that maybe he hasn't had the same commitment to fitness in the Covid world or maybe couldn't do what he wanted to. Because right now that's exactly what I'm seeing, a guy who looks like he's tiring quickly, conserving energy, and can't out race anyone to a loose puck.

Geno has always had two gears IMO and to be fair they are good on bad years and MVP level on good years. I'm just concerned that at he didn't prepare like he needed to at his age to get to that MVP level that we just saw last year is still there. I'm sure he'll start scoring more, but I am concerned we won't see last year's level of play.

- Tojo.


Could very well be a case of this. If so, he can and will get better conditioning as the season goes... With no injuries, of course. To me he's looked a step slower at times but even more so not confident with puck. Losing it and battles a lot. Im going to pay extra attention to him next game. Watch body language behind the play and what not. I've felt its more so in his noggin from what I've watched . I mean, how many times have we had these convos about Geno's play over the years? it feels familiar.

He's my fav Pen too. I think he still has more to give than what we've seen... and will give it yet.
MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Jan 25 @ 7:08 PM ET
Geno and Sid both traditionally start slow points-wise and I think that's something people overlook because of what their ending totals wind up being.

What sticks out to me with Geno is he's just been making bad decisions and just looking lost. Could that be due to what you're talking about? I'm sure. I'm really not concerned and have full confidence he will turn it around, but the concern is about when that will happen. The Pens can ill-afford for that process to take too long.

- Rinosaur


We have a saying here if you lose your lungs you lose everything. Basically when youre gassed/outta breath you lose your hands, your brain/decision making and obviously speed. If it's his conditioning it can totally lead to boneheadedness/poor play .
668710
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: "Give him a chance" -Barnaby36, PA
Joined: 06.25.2011

Jan 25 @ 8:27 PM ET
We have a saying here if you lose your lungs you lose everything. Basically when youre gassed/outta breath you lose your hands, your brain/decision making and obviously speed. If it's his conditioning it can totally lead to boneheadedness/poor play .
- MattStrat

Yea that's true. I think he'll come around. Even if he's slowed down, which is inevitable, he still has the skill and mind to get poop done.
10inchTerror
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jan 25 @ 9:09 PM ET
We have a saying here if you lose your lungs you lose everything. Basically when youre gassed/outta breath you lose your hands, your brain/decision making and obviously speed. If it's his conditioning it can totally lead to boneheadedness/poor play .
- MattStrat


I compete in Muay Thai and bjj and have the exact same concept.
Barnaby36
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Former Orpik44
Joined: 02.22.2013

Jan 25 @ 9:41 PM ET
Hey guy good news:
Légaré and Poulin will be playing together for Val-d’or Foreurs. Just saw it on Sam’s Instagram. I’d seen Légaré went there a few days ago.
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