Don't sleep on Zohorna either here. It'll be a decently interesting camp. My eyes will be on Zohorna, Poulin and Legare. Defensively Maniscalco? Idk if we have anything else.
- 668710

Lee looked good for the first 20 games or so. Stopped watching after that. Unfortunately maniscalco was on the taxi squad for all but like 8 or so games so he didn’t really get much pro experience.

Lower part of the leg collided with a buffalo player, I don't remember who. Purely accidental and he barely played after that, but stayed on the bench looking not happy. The reports were that he was concerned he tweaked the knee injury, but then they later confirmed it had not and they were just be cautious.

Obviously this is a lower body of some sort, just no clue what it is as of yet.
- Rinosaur

I think they said he skated prior to practice. Since we have no clue when we actually play they are probably just taking it easy right now.

I think they said he skated prior to practice. Since we have no clue when we actually play they are probably just taking it easy right now.
- burgh4life87

He was a full participant in practice before the scrimmage.

Pens Inside Scoop
@PensInsideScoop
·
1h
Malkin is not taking part in the scrimmage, but he was a full participant in team practice beforehand - both during drills and special teams work.

If he's not a fluke and remains impactful through the playoff run I doubt he's that hard to sign, nor do I think he's going to cost the Pens much at all. I'd be shocked if he's paid more than $850K.

Agreed on the structure. There may not be room, but it also depends on what happens with expansion draft and any other moves they make. Pens could lose Tanev or ZAR, trade Zucker, etc...
- Rinosaur

I hope gadreau is back if he’s pretty consistent throughout the playoffs. I’d like to see everyone back that’s doing the rushes right now minus Seattle’s pick. Cut all the scrubs and just let the kids get shots next year. Zohorna, O’Connor, Poulin, Légaré, bellerive, and maniscalco, Reilly, Lee on defence. While there are no grade A can’t miss prospects I’d rather see them then more Sceviour’s or Jank’s

He was a full participant in practice before the scrimmage.
- Rinosaur

Yah, that was it. I was getting mixed up. I think he will be good to go for the first game though.

Yah, that was it. I was getting mixed up. I think he will be good to go for the first game though.
- burgh4life87

He's definitely playing. I'm just not sure what condition he will be in based on the fact he didn't play in the scrimmage. You'd think logically the scrimmages are the closest thing to an actual game he'll get to try and get his legs back, so this doesn't help.

EDIT: Just saw this...

Pens Inside Scoop
@PensInsideScoop
·
5m
Injury updates from Coach Sullivan: "Mike Matheson and Evan Rodrigues participated in a full capacity. Tans did as well. Casey DeSmith and Geno participated in the practice part. They did not take part in the scrimmage, and that was a coach's decision."

Favorable matchup? Don't underestimate Barry Trotz, There Is not a better hockey coach on earth plus the Pens have some very shaky goaltending.

I hope gadreau is back if he’s pretty consistent throughout the playoffs. I’d like to see everyone back that’s doing the rushes right now minus Seattle’s pick. Cut all the scrubs and just let the kids get shots next year. Zohorna, O’Connor, Poulin, Légaré, bellerive, and maniscalco, Reilly, Lee on defence. While there are no grade A can’t miss prospects I’d rather see them then more Sceviour’s or Jank’s
- 10inchTerror

The way Legare and Poulin are performing in their playoff games is really good to see. I thought Legare looked more impressive in his camps with the Pens, but Poulin is really coming on strong lately. I think both will legitimately challenge for a roster spot next year.

Favorable matchup? Don't underestimate Barry Trotz, There Is not a better hockey coach on earth plus the Pens have some very shaky goaltending.
- Shady1962

He means in contrast to Boston if you actually read what he wrote. Boston is a significantly better team than NYI, so yeah, the Islanders are a more favorable matchup.

EDIT: There's definitely consistency questions for the Pens' goaltending, but to call it "very shaky" is just well, dumb, and I get the sense that you're pretty dumb.

Favorable matchup? Don't underestimate Barry Trotz, There Is not a better hockey coach on earth plus the Pens have some very shaky goaltending.
- Shady1962

I don't know why "The Islanders are a favorable matchup compared to the Bruins" is such a hot take.

He means in contrast to Boston if you actually read what he wrote. Boston is a significantly better team than NYI, so yeah, the Islanders are a more favorable matchup.

EDIT: There's definitely consistency questions for the Pens' goaltending, but to call it "very shaky" is just well, dumb, and I get the sense that you're pretty dumb.
- Rinosaur

hahaha look at the Vitriolsuarus Rex

Pens goaltending has been very strong for long stretches this season, both of them, so shaky is a dumb comment, no question. However, I am worried about rookie starts in the playoffs. I do remind myself though that the Pens had a rookie goalie win 2 cups in his rookie season in recent history....

Favorable matchup? Don't underestimate Barry Trotz, There Is not a better hockey coach on earth plus the Pens have some very shaky goaltending.
- Shady1962

The isles were 12-10-3 down the stretch. It's not underestimating a team to see that they aren't the same without Lee. Plus, Boston is the better team and has given Pittsburgh troubles this year, were the Isles have not.

I don't know why "The Islanders are a favorable matchup compared to the Bruins" is such a hot take.
- Victoro311

It's because he's dumb and didn't read.

hahaha look at the Vitriolsuarus Rex

Pens goaltending has been very strong for long stretches this season, both of them, so shaky is a dumb comment, no question. However, I am worried about rookie starts in the playoffs. I do remind myself though that the Pens had a rookie goalie win 2 cups in his rookie season in recent history....
- MattStrat

There's totally question marks around a rookie making his first playoff run as well as Jarry not playing well on the road. Question marks. Shaky? Retarded.

He's definitely playing. I'm just not sure what condition he will be in based on the fact he didn't play in the scrimmage. You'd think logically the scrimmages are the closest thing to an actual game he'll get to try and get his legs back, so this doesn't help.

EDIT: Just saw this...
- Rinosaur

Thanks for sharing that. Looks like Sully is just being cautious.

Thanks for sharing that. Looks like Sully is just being cautious.
- 668710

Yeah, but it still doesn't make sense to me. If his leg is that fragile that he can't play in a scrimmage then why is he on the ice at all? Why not just let him rest?

Yeah, but it still doesn't make sense to me. If his leg is that fragile that he can't play in a scrimmage then why is he on the ice at all? Why not just let him rest?
- Rinosaur

Its also possible he was hurt or tweaked something in the practice before the scrimmage. I watched a vid of him before the practice started and his skating looked real strong.

Favorable matchup? Don't underestimate Barry Trotz, There Is not a better hockey coach on earth plus the Pens have some very shaky goaltending.
- Shady1962

I'll take Sullivan over Trotz any day.

Pens just need to keep Barzal under control and have Jarry play decent.

Its also possible he was hurt or tweaked something in the practice before the scrimmage. I watched a vid of him before the practice started and his skating looked real strong.
- MattStrat

Fingers crossed

I know Grinder couldn't give a flying (frank) about any of this, but while we're on the subject, here's how the Guentzel-Crosby duo has matched up against these lines in question at 5v5 since 2018-2019 when Trotz took over the Islanders.

VS. Marchand-Bergeron
GP: 10
TOI: 69:27
CF%: 39.84
GF: 0
GA: 6
xGF%: 40.53
HDCF%: 52.17

VS. Clutterbuck-Cizikas-Martin
GP: 9
TOI: 21:16
CF%: 57.14
GF: 2
GA: 0
xGF%: 55.92
HDCF%: 75

VS. Matt Barzal
GP: 13
TOI: 53:31
CF%: 48
GF:5
GA: 2
xGF%: 42.66
HDCF%: 53.85

So not only does Trotz not really deploy the Isles' checking unit against Sid, but they're not effective when he does. Trotz, a guy most of us agree is a pretty elite coach, instead elects to play best on best hockey and mostly deploys the Barzal unit against Sid. Pretty impressive underlying numbers against Sid and G by Barzal, except he still loses the high danger chances percentage and the tangible production is still very much in Crosby's favor. And even the pretty good possession and expected goals percentage by Barzal doesn't come close to the daddying that the Bergeron and Marchand duo have done against Sid. Completely controlling everything but high danger chances and out scoring Sid and Jake 6-0 in three years.

So yeah, pretty obvious to me which team I'd prefer to play. Give me the team where Sid actually scores against his regular assignment.

I know Grinder couldn't give a flying (frank) about any of this, but while we're on the subject, here's how the Guentzel-Crosby duo has matched up against these lines in question at 5v5 since 2018-2019 when Trotz took over the Islanders.

VS. Marchand-Bergeron
GP: 10
TOI: 69:27
CF%: 39.84
GF: 0
GA: 6
xGF%: 40.53
HDCF%: 52.17

VS. Clutterbuck-Cizikas-Martin
GP: 9
TOI: 21:16
CF%: 57.14
GF: 2
GA: 0
xGF%: 55.92
HDCF%: 75

VS. Matt Barzal
GP: 13
TOI: 53:31
CF%: 48
GF:5
GA: 2
xGF%: 42.66
HDCF%: 53.85

So not only does Trotz not really deploy the Isles' checking unit against Sid, but they're not effective when he does. Trotz, a guy most of us agree is a pretty elite coach, instead elects to play best on best hockey and mostly deploys the Barzal unit against Sid. Pretty impressive underlying numbers against Sid and G by Barzal, except he still loses the high danger chances percentage and the tangible production is still very much in Crosby's favor. And even the pretty good possession and expected goals percentage by Barzal doesn't come close to the daddying that the Bergeron and Marchand duo have done against Sid. Completely controlling everything but high danger chances and out scoring Sid and Jake 6-0 in three years.

So yeah, pretty obvious to me which team I'd prefer to play. Give me the team where Sid actually scores against his regular assignment.
- Victoro311

But wait, that's the "best fourth line in hockey"....

New blog....

I don't know why "The Islanders are a favorable matchup compared to the Bruins" is such a hot take.
- Victoro311

It’s more of Mike Sullivan vs Barry Trots. The rest of the possible matchups are basically up to the players to sort out. Besides Sullivan being smart and making the Bergeron line an assignment for the Blueger line.

But wait, that's the "best fourth line in hockey"....
- Beatnic57

The last time they played in an assignment based hockey series didn’t Martin have Two goals while Sids line scored none? While being matched up against each other the entire series? Something close to that. I don’t look poop up.