speaking of tk.. looks like he is back to practicing with neal and geno
- nh4442

That's what I am talking about. The same stupid a$$ mistake every year. If it only meant that Boychuk could find chemistry with Cooke/Sutter I'd be all for it. Let TK fail once again.

Is TK working for us this year? Anyway, as I said, Clutterbuck would be the main piece and Seto a throw in with a respectable history of scoring goals. That could happen again in Pitts. We'd have to trade salaries for salaries that's all. A bet.
- Orpik44

TK is terrible. That's my point. Setoguchi is not an upgrade. He may have a history of scoring goals, but his recent history is one of invisibility. Setoguchi would be a disaster on the ice and on the books. He has a year left on his deal at $3mil. He's not the droid you're looking for.

Only an idiot would give up a 1st for him. Hope you'd not do it.
- Orpik44

That's what Minny would be looking for him.

TK is terrible. That's my point. Setoguchi is not an upgrade. He may have a history of scoring goals, but his recent history is one of invisibility. Setoguchi would be a disaster on the ice and on the books. He has a year left on his deal at $3mil. He's not the droid you're looking for.
- akane13

Stil believe Clowe would be the best fit. Would slide in nice on Crosby's wing.

Clowe-Crosby-Dupuis
Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Sutter-Boychuk
Adams-Vitale-Glass

I would applaud the action personally, even if we lost. I stick up for Bylsma, I think he gets blamed when he shouldn't, but one thing I can't argue is that he doesn't discipline stars. He has no problem sitting Jeffrey down but Malkin can take 3 slashing penalties in a game after losing the puck and not miss a shift.

I think sending a message like that would be heard loud and clear in the room.
- canadianpenfan

I agree with that 100%. Those three slashing penalties not only hurt the team in that they have to kill the penalty, but one of the best players is sitting in the box sulking.

We've all ranted and raved about leadership, discipline and accountability. It has to start with the guys wearing 71, 87, 18 and 58. If sitting down for a few shifts gets them straightened out then do it for (frank)s sake.

Personally I know that anytime I got benched it pissed me off. Perhaps lighting a fire under Malkin or Crosby's ass by telling them that they aren't playing well enough is what is needed.

TK is terrible. That's my point. Setoguchi is not an upgrade. He may have a history of scoring goals, but his recent history is one of invisibility. Setoguchi would be a disaster on the ice and on the books. He has a year left on his deal at $3mil. He's not the droid you're looking for.
- akane13

ok I'll accept you point of view. At least I tried. If you asked me I'd be willing to trade for Clowe/Stewart/Iggy or Ryan (and many more) before Seto.
Anyway, I'd like to see TK out of the 3rd line. Hope he brings something good in return.

That's what Minny would be looking for him.
- cap1681

That's what I am talking about. The same stupid a$$ mistake every year. If it only meant that Boychuk could find chemistry with Cooke/Sutter I'd be all for it. Let TK fail once again.
- Orpik44

What made the Neal Malkin Kunitz line successful last year that is totally missing with Boychuk in that spot? Cycling the puck and corner play. Boychuk is very bad at it and will never be good at the NHL level in that skill set. One of Kennedy's main assets is playing in tight areas along the boards and cycling the puck. I fail to see why trying to mimic the same style of play that line had last year is a dumb move.

Quite frankly the Kennedy criticisms have jumped the shark into a territory where it has become a lazy way to criticize. "Oooooh Kennedy is mentioned, oh he sucks"

Almost all criticism of Kennedy stems from a self imposed ridiculous set of expectations from the critic.

If the worst thing he does is shoot the puck from bad angles at times then things aren't so bad. He's a simple player who is best suited for third line action. Nothing has worked so far in replacing Kunitz on the Malkin line, why shouldn't he be tried there at this point?

What made the Neal Malkin Kunitz line successful last year that is totally missing with Boychuk in that spot? Cycling the puck and corner play. Boychuk is very bad at it and will never be good at the NHL level in that skill set. One of Kennedy's main assets is playing in tight areas along the boards and cycling the puck. I fail to see why trying to mimic the same style of play that line had last year is a dumb move.

Quite frankly the Kennedy criticisms have jumped the shark into a territory where it has become a lazy way to criticize. "Oooooh Kennedy is mentioned, oh he sucks"

Almost all criticism of Kennedy stems from a self imposed ridiculous set of expectations from the critic.



If the worst thing he does is shoot the puck from bad angles at times then things aren't so bad. He's a simple player who is best suited for third line action. Nothing has worked so far in replacing Kunitz on the Malkin line, why shouldn't he be tried there at this point?
- Gunner Staal

I love the fact the Penguins are trying to replace a guy that is already on the team. I know Crosby needs wingers, but the Kunitz-Malkin-Neal line was the best line in the NHL last year. They need to bring it back.

What made the Neal Malkin Kunitz line successful last year that is totally missing with Boychuk in that spot? Cycling the puck and corner play. Boychuk is very bad at it and will never be good at the NHL level in that skill set. One of Kennedy's main assets is playing in tight areas along the boards and cycling the puck. I fail to see why trying to mimic the same style of play that line had last year is a dumb move.

Quite frankly the Kennedy criticisms have jumped the shark into a territory where it has become a lazy way to criticize. "Oooooh Kennedy is mentioned, oh he sucks"

Almost all criticism of Kennedy stems from a self imposed ridiculous set of expectations from the critic.

If the worst thing he does is shoot the puck from bad angles at times then things aren't so bad. He's a simple player who is best suited for third line action. Nothing has worked so far in replacing Kunitz on the Malkin line, why shouldn't he be tried there at this point?
- Gunner Staal

He had a chance on Malkin's line before and he didn't perform. TK won't do what Kunitz does. I get what you're saying but I don't think he'll be the answer.

I for one always said TK was a great 3rd line player but he's not getting it done with Sutter as his C. They just didn't gel "yet". If trading him as a piece meant getting an upgrade for the 2nd or 1st line, I'd do it. I trust in Jeffrey or Boychuk to be 3rd liners.

I love the fact the Penguins are trying to replace a guy that is already on the team. I know Crosby needs wingers, but the Kunitz-Malkin-Neal line was the best line in the NHL last year. They need to bring it back.
- cap1681

The problem with that is that during the season prior the Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis line was the best in hockey.

also why are they sitting vitale? he is a consistent player every game...

What made the Neal Malkin Kunitz line successful last year that is totally missing with Boychuk in that spot? Cycling the puck and corner play. Boychuk is very bad at it and will never be good at the NHL level in that skill set. One of Kennedy's main assets is playing in tight areas along the boards and cycling the puck. I fail to see why trying to mimic the same style of play that line had last year is a dumb move.

Quite frankly the Kennedy criticisms have jumped the shark into a territory where it has become a lazy way to criticize. "Oooooh Kennedy is mentioned, oh he sucks"

Almost all criticism of Kennedy stems from a self imposed ridiculous set of expectations from the critic.

If the worst thing he does is shoot the puck from bad angles at times then things aren't so bad. He's a simple player who is best suited for third line action. Nothing has worked so far in replacing Kunitz on the Malkin line, why shouldn't he be tried there at this point?
- Gunner Staal

Same thing happened to Paul Martin last year, though a bit more warranted.

Kennedy needs to play a top 6 role for us until at least the trade deadline. My only complaint of him is being demoted didnt jump start his game effortwise like I hoped it would.

also why are they sitting vitale? he is a consistent player every game...
- nh4442

I'd have to think just to keep his legs fresh. The guy has been great. Wish we could see a bit of Sill on that line too.

...

What made the Neal Malkin Kunitz line successful last year that is totally missing with Boychuk in that spot? Cycling the puck and corner play. Boychuk is very bad at it and will never be good at the NHL level in that skill set. One of Kennedy's main assets is playing in tight areas along the boards and cycling the puck. I fail to see why trying to mimic the same style of play that line had last year is a dumb move.

Quite frankly the Kennedy criticisms have jumped the shark into a territory where it has become a lazy way to criticize. "Oooooh Kennedy is mentioned, oh he sucks"

Almost all criticism of Kennedy stems from a self imposed ridiculous set of expectations from the critic.


If the worst thing he does is shoot the puck from bad angles at times then things aren't so bad. He's a simple player who is best suited for third line action. Nothing has worked so far in replacing Kunitz on the Malkin line, why shouldn't he be tried there at this point?
- Gunner Staal

Should be a good one tonight in Chicago.

He had a chance on Malkin's line before and he didn't perform. TK won't do what Kunitz does. I get what you're saying but I don't think he'll be the answer.

I for one always said TK was a great 3rd line player but he's not getting it done with Sutter as his C. They just didn't gel "yet". If trading him as a piece meant getting an upgrade for the 2nd or 1st line, I'd do it. I trust in Jeffrey or Boychuk to be 3rd liners.
- Orpik44

Kennedy played predominately with Staal for 5 years, it's no surprise he doesn't have chemistry with Sutter after 10 games.

That's what Minny would be looking for him.
- cap1681

Then they can keep him.

Kennedy played predominately with Staal for 5 years, it's no surprise he doesn't have chemistry with Sutter after 10 games.
- Gunner Staal

True. It's funny how a guy like Cooke does well with any kind of C. If we don't trade TK at least I hope his battle level gets where it were before. Not talking about goals, just playing physical and like he cares about returning to this team once free agent time comes.

True. It's funny how a guy like Cooke does well with any kind of C. If we don't trade TK at least I hope his battle level gets where it were before. Not talking about goals, just playing physical and like he cares about returning to this team once free agent time comes.
- Orpik44

Cooke has been no better than Kennedy this year.

Cooke has been no better than Kennedy this year.
- Gunner Staal

But he still has more goals than Setoguchi.

agreed. And I also agree it's a transition for those guys. During all the line changing for the last 5/6 years that has been the 1 constant. But it's no excuse they all play a pretty simple game hit, cycle, shoot. There shouldn't be any panic IMO this team still has some gelling to do. Let's talk once 58 is back in the line up. I'm assuming 17/25/15 will be on waivers (2 of the 3) once 2/58 are back. I love Bortuzzo and I don't want him out of the line up. Carter sealed it for me when he said he had done some things Saturday we didn't like so we needed to let him know. That's exactly what I want from him. He's clearly getting under peoples skin and when you come to make him pay you get all you can handle.

Cooke has been no better than Kennedy this year.
- Gunner Staal

Cooke has been good on the Pk however. I think both Cooke and Kennedy's numbers were inflated by playing with the best 3rd line center in the league. Now that Sutter is more the typical player in that role, it's no surprise that line is less of a scoring threat.

Cooke has been no better than Kennedy this year.
- Gunner Staal

I could swear he's been slightly better than TK. And miles ahead of him in building chemistry with Sutter.

agreed. And I also agree it's a transition for those guys. During all the line changing for the last 5/6 years that has been the 1 constant. But it's no excuse they all play a pretty simple game hit, cycle, shoot. There shouldn't be any panic IMO this team still has some gelling to do. Let's talk once 58 is back in the line up. I'm assuming 17/25/15 will be on waivers (2 of the 3) once 2/58 are back. I love Bortuzzo and I don't want him out of the line up. Carter sealed it for me when he said he had done some things Saturday we didn't like so we needed to let him know. That's exactly what I want from him. He's clearly getting under peoples skin and when you come to make him pay you get all you can handle.
- dbell646

Boychuk and Reese would be my guess.