Agree. I voted for Adams, and Vitale would have been my 2nd pick. Love the kids work ethic and I think he will be a valuable 4th liner for a long time.
- kfinl170

Dupuis hands down. This shouldn't even be close. Speed, goals, PK. Yet most Penguin fans think he gets it done because of Crosby. Not to mention the value we got on his contract.

While I respect Adams, I can guarantee you that when he is on the ice, the Penguins will not even sniff a goal. I know its not his job, but you'd think every once in awhile he might get one.

Agree. I voted for Adams, and Vitale would have been my 2nd pick. Love the kids work ethic and I think he will be a valuable 4th liner for a long time.
- kfinl170

When Adams and Vitale score 25 goals a season and are still thought of as expendable while making 1.5 million I will consider voting for them.

That 4th line has cycled the puck better than the other 3 at times.

But back to the "winger for Malkin" thing. I'd say grab a proven scorer for the first line and drop Kunitz down to the 2nd with Neal and Malkin.

When Adams and Vitale score 25 goals a season and are still thought of as expendable while making 1.5 million I will consider voting for them.
- canadianpenfan

I love Dupuis, I think he brings a lot to the table every night and I shouldn't have neglected to mention him in my post. I just think he does get spoken about a lot while Adams nor Vitale get any love. They play a different role on this squad than Dupuis and I think they all 3 bring an underappreciated value to the rink on a daily basis.

That 4th line has cycled the puck better than the other 3 at times.

But back to the "winger for Malkin" thing. I'd say grab a proven scorer for the first line and drop Kunitz down to the 2nd with Neal and Malkin.
- drummer829

They need a Brendan Morrow or Jarome Iginla type for that line if they insist that Dupuis is gong to remain the RW. I think it's punishment for Malkin that they took from him his winger whom allowed he and Neal the freedom to be at their most dangerous.

If they add more skill guys, the rest of the line up will remain watered down and the team concept of retrieving those tipped-in fast up passes will be all the more resisted by the players. They need to choose one or the other and fast because what you fans are getting is a team that doesn't cycle and instead tries to make low% long passes.

Would you like to continue to pursue the current system (albeit with undersized, limited wingers)or overhaul the forwards with more well-defeined ones, that is to say, passer/shooter/screener where puck control/possession is the mainstay? The way the defense is going to look in the next 4-5 seasons, I would try to get as much puck skill and passing ability from the wing position as possible.

They need a Brendan Morrow or Jarome Iginla type for that line if they insist that Dupuis is gong to remain the RW. I think it's punishment for Malkin that they took from him his winger whom allowed he and Neal the freedom to be at their most dangerous.

If they add more skill guys, the rest of the line up will remain watered down and the team concept of retrieving those tipped-in fast up passes will be all the more resisted by the players. They need to choose one or the other and fast because what you fans are getting is a team that doesn't cycle and instead tries to make low% long passes.

Would you like to continue to pursue the current system (albeit with undersized, limited wingers)or overhaul the forwards with more well-defeined ones, that is to say, passer/shooter/screener where puck control/possession is the mainstay? The way the defense is going to look in the next 4-5 seasons, I would try to get as much puck skill and passing ability from the wing position as possible.
- Gian_Carlo

So...they should cycle in the defensive zone instead of trying long low % passes?

So...they should cycle in the defensive zone instead of trying long low % passes?
- canadianpenfan

From what I'm seeing they aren't turning the #1 breakout option of a quick-up long pass/tip into the zone into a sustained fore check, weather it be a cycle or a short pass possession-based strategy. They seem to be making zone-wide cross ice passes when they manage to get the puck back. My understanding is that they want to spend time in the offensive zone and they're not getting that at all.

In the case of the Devils, their D were waiting for the puck most of the time and breaking out of the zone by the time PITT's F2 was crossing the offensive blue line. That usually meant NJ had a free pass or 2 to make in the neutral zone as 2 wings are still in the offensive zone. It was really terrible the lack of strategic adjustment.

From what I'm seeing they aren't turning the #1 breakout option of a quick-up long pass/tip into the zone into a sustained fore check, weather it be a cycle or a short pass possession-based strategy. They seem to be making zone-wide cross ice passes when they manage to get the puck back. My understanding is that they want to spend time in the offensive zone and they're not getting that at all.

In the case of the Devils, their D were waiting for the puck most of the time and breaking out of the zone by the time PITT's F2 was crossing the offensive blue line. That usually meant NJ had a free pass or 2 to make in the neutral zone as 2 wings are still in the offensive zone. It was really terrible the lack of strategic adjustment.
- Gian_Carlo

They are definitely trying to skate the puck in the zone as opposed to dumping and retrieving, I'll give you that. But this is one of the best cycling teams in the league when they're playing well, so I can't agree with you there.

I don't think you'll find any shortage of people in here who will agree with you that they often show a lack of strategic adjustment.

I also think the team needs some senior-level leadership like Bill Guerin or Sergei Gonchar used to provide. I wouldn't bring Gonchar back as he's totally brutal, but you can't have Malkin, Sid, and Neal taking ridiculous minor penalties.

I also think the team needs some senior-level leadership like Bill Guerin or Sergei Gonchar used to provide. I wouldn't bring Gonchar back as he's totally brutal, but you can't have Malkin, Sid, and Neal taking ridiculous minor penalties.
- Gian_Carlo

Eh... These guys all have 6+ years under their belt. They know what to do by this point. Accountability for a 26 year old shouldn't be an issue, especially for the two that have already won a cup. They know what is expected, it's just a matter of execution and being held accountable.

Has Chicago clinched a playoff spot yet?

(frank) that team is rolling.

They are definitely trying to skate the puck in the zone as opposed to dumping and retrieving, I'll give you that. But this is one of the best cycling teams in the league when they're playing well, so I can't agree with you there.

I don't think you'll find any shortage of people in here who will agree with you that they often show a lack of strategic adjustment.
- canadianpenfan

Watch the Predators in the offensive zone, it's a scrap metal grinder. If they didn't have only the most limited offensive players they would win playoff rounds.

Eh... These guys all have 6+ years under their belt. They know what to do by this point. Accountability for a 26 year old shouldn't be an issue, especially for the two that have already won a cup. They know what is expected, it's just a matter of execution and being held accountable.
- brianb0422

My understanding is that Guerin was the only one who would give Crosby poop and that really helped in subtle ways. That can go a long way, like, a long, long way in the playoffs way.

My understanding is that Guerin was the only one who would give Crosby poop and that really helped in subtle ways. That can go a long way, like, a long, long way in the playoffs way.
- Gian_Carlo

i think the problem is that crosby should be past the point where he needs that. he is the captain, and he is not a kid anymore. although my problem with discipline is much more with malkin than crosby anyway

i think the problem is that crosby should be past the point where he needs that. he is the captain, and he is not a kid anymore. although my problem with discipline is much more with malkin than crosby anyway
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah it really shouldn't be but, as they say, the facts must be faced. You can't have team accountability when you don't have individual accountability. Even Super Joe needed some Wellington boot every here and again from the Mike Keanes and the Dave Reids of the world.

So nothing in the news...

So nothing in the news...
- nh4442

Pens trade a 1st, Tangradi, Kennedy, and Bortuzzo for Iginla. JK JK JK.

Pens trade a 1st, Tangradi, Kennedy, and Bortuzzo for Iginla. JK JK JK.
- drummer829

and thats way too much btw... iggy is a rental ufa so i would only do tk and tangradi maybe throw in dallas' 4th

Bigget mistake this team made was not getting Dustin brown at te deadline last year he's a leader he hits he scores and I think getting him out there with Crosby and dupuis would have been amazing not to mention the best line in hockey last year would t have been broken up

Bigget mistake this team made was not getting Dustin brown at te deadline last year he's a leader he hits he scores and I think getting him out there with Crosby and dupuis would have been amazing not to mention the best line in hockey last year would t have been broken up
- Genev21

but then LA would have not won the cup...

Bigget mistake this team made was not getting Dustin brown at te deadline last year he's a leader he hits he scores and I think getting him out there with Crosby and dupuis would have been amazing not to mention the best line in hockey last year would t have been broken up
- Genev21

i honestly dont even think that was a realistic option. wouldve absolutely loved him on this team though

nice servers ek

nice servers ek
- nh4442

nice servers ek
- nh4442

probably had something to do with his beloved Flyers getting railed by the Leafs and he didn't want to get ragged too much. By the way, JVR used Luke Schenn on his goal.

probably had something to do with his beloved Flyers getting railed by the Leafs and he didn't want to get ragged too much. By the way, JVR used Luke Schenn on his goal.
- Oneonta Penguin

haha

edit: so glad i started reimer and sat bryz