Here's my argument to the Pens not playing a style that is conductive to winning in the playoffs... They haven't really given it a chance.

The first game of the Flyers' series is about as close as we came to seeing the system in a playoff situation, and they've played pretty well, but basically blew the game late.

The rest of the series was an emotional meltdown and a mess. There was pretty much no system in place after that point, or any players left with the emotional control to stick to it.

This year and playoffs is a big test, and barring major injuries, pretty much anything short of a conference final has got to be viewed as a disappointment.


There are some things about Bylsma that I don't like, but honestly with any coach that is going to be the case. Even as far as the personnel decisions that Byslma makes at times, we have to realize that there might be more to the decisions, or more things behind the scenes with a player, their contract, player evaluations, locker room dynamics, etc.

Blysma, Granato and Reirden have each played in, and seen more professional hockey games than all of us combined.

Ray Shero is a smart hockey guy, so is Tom Fitzgerald, and that one French-Canadien guy who sits in the owner's box.

I'm not saying that they don't make mistakes or bad decisions, but if we see something as obvious at Tyler Kennedy playing like he is, or that Simon Despres is better than Robert Bortuzzo, chances are those guys see it too.

We ask what is Despres doing wrong, but maybe it's a case of the team knows what they have in Despres, and want to get a better look at Bortuzzo to evaluate him before any future roster moves. Or maybe they just want to make Despres a little pissed off to see how he responds. I have no idea.

We tend to live and die game to game, and just by reading this blog or twitter, our emotions drastically go up and down game to game. But Shero and crew don't care about one game in February against Florida, they are worried about the big picture and the future.

Sorry, that rant was much longer that I planned lol..
- rival22

I agree with the part that they see what we see. In really think Bylsma and Shero have been playing Bortuzzo to either see what he has or maybe to show him off as trade bait. I really think TK will be traded and Jefferey takes his spot in the future.

I agree with the part that they see what we see. In really think Bylsma and Shero have been playing Bortuzzo to either see what he has or maybe to show him off as trade bait. I really think TK will be traded and Jefferey takes his spot in the future.
- drummer829

Keep in mind with guys like Bortuzzo, we didn't have a preseason either. So, there has to be some evaluation done in regular games that you might have been able to accomplish in the preseason in other years.


All things being equal, I like Jeffrey much better than TK, but Jeffrey just seems so soft on the puck.

For a 3rd line role, TK at his best (not like he's playing now) was good in the corners and used his speed to get on people fast on the forecheck. I don't know if Jeffrey can fit in that sort of traditional 3rd line role. With Cooke back on that line, it helps a bit, but you need to have a 3rd line that is hard to play against and makes opposing teams top lines exert a bunch of energy and take hits. I could be wrong, but can't see Jeffrey adding that.

I love how suter is just proving how over paid he is.

I love how suter is just proving how over paid he is.
- drummer829

I think people will see really how Suter is not that Weber can't bail him out from his mistakes.

to me, the penguins dont need a huge huge deadline deal. I would DIE for Iginla. He is my favorite non penguin and I know he would do well here. I want him to win a Cup someday. But people say he is hoping to stay in CGY... idk we will see. It also depends on the price. By no means am I willing to ship a ton for a guy like him. even though I think the penguins would have a good chance of resigning him, it isn't a given.

But this team could use a few minor moves and we would be a much better team.

1. Legit Bottom 4 Physical dman.
-Right now our 6 dmen are Letang, Oprik, Martin, Niskanen, Engelland, Despres. That looks like a soft d group to me. not the softest, but it needs to be more physical. If Shero would rather go looking for a puck moving dman that can QB a PP, I wouldn't like it as much.

2. Legit Bottom 6 Forwards
Right now, our bottom 6 is Cooke (assuming Bennett plays on 2nd line), Sutter, Kennedy, Glass, Vitale, Adams.
-It makes sense to me to upgrade the 3rd line RW (Kennedy). Kennedy has been useless, even a liability at times. We need a bigger presence and someone who is actually a true 3rd line grinder. Vitale is a solid center, but he is too undersized. The penguins really lack that Mike Rupp big body down low. Adams, Glass, and Vitale are all smaller guys. We need a big man who can pound the other team.

3. Top 6 Forward
-This is only if the right deal presents itself. Getting one would be great but not necessary if a deal isn't there. We have less than a month to deadline day. In this next week or two, we will see the real buyers and real sellers. Much easier to gauge the market with a clear picture.

And No, I don't want Jack Johnson.

I love how suter is just proving how over paid he is.
- drummer829

we dodged a bullet this past offseason. I like this offseason UFA class much better anyway. really happy we didn't overpay for Suter.

i dont agree with the despres for johnson trade rumor... i really want a tough 2nd pairing defensive dman... i think between letang and martin we have a good enough pp qb.. putting another D at the point and making a malkin pp and sid pp would spread the wealth... What I would like to see the pens get someone like bobby ryan... plays pp and pk.. isnt afraid to go into the corners and get dirty...

I would also like to see jeffrey get a shot playing top 6 mins with another club bc he aint getting it here, and tk and glass need to go...

we dodged a bullet this past offseason. I like this offseason UFA class much better anyway. really happy we didn't overpay for Suter.
- SuperHenderson13

Yes. No idea what Shero offered Suter, but that is going to be one loooooong ugly contract for Minny. No way he was worth that kind of money.

Would like to see Pens get a Derek Dorsett type player for the third line and get Kennedy outta here... Then maybe Adam Hall on the fourth. Glass can sit or be moved if he has any value that is

I can't imagine how it was going to be here in Pittsburgh had we signed Ryan Suter for $7M...he probably would be better here but I'd say he'd have that "Paul Martin tag" on him.

Would like to see Pens get a Derek Dorsett type player for the third line and get Kennedy outta here... Then maybe Adam Hall on the fourth. Glass can sit or be moved if he has any value that is
- nelson911

I like how Dorsett battles and can drop the gloves occasionally. He's underrated playing in CBS IMO. Good salary too $1.63M for the next 2 years.

Btw, we need guys like that on our roster.

Dorsett, Downie, Clutterbuck, Mitchell (Colorado)..

I like how Dorsett battles and can drop the gloves occasionally. He's underrated playing in CBS IMO. Good salary too $1.63M for the next 2 years.
- Orpik44

It's good to have one of our forwards do that too, Engelland has always got that job and being short on D isn't always great. I think the coach / gm love great skating on every line and position and it is good .... But pens need some nastiness back in the lineup. I would like to see glass, Kennedy and Adams gone by the offseason... Adams not that he's terrible or bad I just don't think they need to resign an aging grinder.

It's good to have one of our forwards do that too, Engelland has always got that job and being short on D isn't always great. I think the coach / gm love great skating on every line and position and it is good .... But pens need some nastiness back in the lineup. I would like to see glass, Kennedy and Adams gone by the offseason... Adams not that he's terrible or bad I just don't think they need to resign an aging grinder.
- nelson911

The bottom six of a hockey team should be hard to play against. Right now, the Pens' aren't.

It's good to have one of our forwards do that too, Engelland has always got that job and being short on D isn't always great. I think the coach / gm love great skating on every line and position and it is good .... But pens need some nastiness back in the lineup. I would like to see glass, Kennedy and Adams gone by the offseason... Adams not that he's terrible or bad I just don't think they need to resign an aging grinder.
- nelson911

If we could only ship Kennedy to CBS..he'd be a good it there.

Btw, we need guys like that on our roster.

Dorsett, Downie, Clutterbuck, Mitchell (Colorado)..
- Orpik44

You realize Downie is out for the year, right?

Seto scored a tough goal in front of the net last night. And Jack Johnson scored as well. We need these guys immediately!!!!

I figured I should edit this because I'm sure it's hard to sense my sarcasm

Seto scored a tough goal in front of the net last night. And Jack Johnson scored as well. We need these guys immediately!!!!
- dbell646

The most annoying thing about the JJ rumor is we can trace it to a "reporter" with a suspect reputation. The Pens hate Rossi. They're not telling him anything...

The most annoying thing about the JJ rumor is we can trace it to a "reporter" with a suspect reputation. The Pens hate Rossi. They're not telling him anything...
- madmike71

And he didn't even attribute it to a source, he just threw a name out there that he knew would get attention and drum up web hits. He's a media troll...

Beau Bennett on the Skates and Plates charity event last night:

"I thought they were going to bring our skates over and we were going to be skating on little aisles in between all the tables. So I was trying to get in the right mental state to do that tonight."

The vets told him to bring his skates to the event.

WOW did the Peg, Wsh, Fla, TB and the rangers winning last night just clog up the stndings lol. This S*#T is gonn get tight by the last week of the season. One night can make such a difference so fast with a short season and only playing vs the east.

WOW did the Peg, Wsh, Fla, TB and the rangers winning last night just clog up the stndings lol. This S*#T is gonn get tight by the last week of the season. One night can make such a difference so fast with a short season and only playing vs the east.
- StabMastaArson

So maybe shero should do something to help fill the gaps in the pens org....


Oh wait im sorry he is okay with everything...

Also Aaron portzline (sp) cbj columinst on 105.9 the X making fun oh hockeybuzz and the rumors on here by ek lol

WOW did the Peg, Wsh, Fla, TB and the rangers winning last night just clog up the stndings lol. This S*#T is gonn get tight by the last week of the season. One night can make such a difference so fast with a short season and only playing vs the east.
- StabMastaArson

The east won't be as clogged up as the west will be at the end. There will be separation. I'm not sure there will be much separation in the west.

I love Rossi saying the Pens need insurance in the form of a PP QB signed beyond next year. Paul Martin seems like a pretty good guy to bridge the gap to some of our younger players on the back end.

I love Rossi saying the Pens need insurance in the form of a PP QB signed beyond next year. Paul Martin seems like a pretty good guy to bridge the gap to some of our younger players on the back end.
- Deadstar

So, we need to go out and spend $$$ and trade assets for a power play specialist, regardless if he does anything else good. Does he not know we are third in the league and don't really have a prime PPQB. Martin is our best guy at this stage and I think he can certainly do the job.