Letang is a 7M/year guy, it just won't be in Pittsburgh, it doesn't make sense given the young depth coming up the ranks. Gonchar just got 5M/year, again.
- Gunner Staal

That doesn't make it right. At this rate, the league is headed for another strike.

Solid piece - no shame in losing to Boston, though the no-show performance in Game 2 is difficult to overlook. I think the bigger concern of the postseason might be that had the Isles had a little bit of luck (the luck the Pens lacked against Boston), the Pens might have been out of this in the 1st round and the decision on Bylsma would have been an easier one.
- MadCap2008

This is exactly true. The Isle series was an eye opener. They're a decent young team, but they shouldn't have looked like the better team in 4 of the 6 games.

Bottom line... It's a crap shoot for Disco's system when his team is faced with the trap.

Seriously. Would you take him back for $6M per, 8 year contract?
- Orpik44

No. What happens when his great physical skills diminish and he is left with leaning on the mental aspects of his game?

My opinion is predicated on the fact the Penguins have great depth coming up through the ranks. If the Penguins did not have that depth I would have to look the other way with Letang's shortcomings.

I guess the biggest issue I have isn't even the defensive zone, its the power play. The reason is soured on Whitney and Goligoski the way I did wasn't because I couldn't look the other way on some of the defensive zone mishaps, it was because their strength was supposed to be the offensive end but neither were worth a damn on the power play. I feel that same exact way about Letang.

Letang had a simple job, to handle the puck and distribute it to the studs on the PP, or take a shot when he had a lane. His shot isn't accurate and he doesn't smoothly handle the distributing part of being the PP QB.

If the area of his game, which is supposed to be a strength, is not really panning out, why invest? The power play should be the one thing in Letang's game that is a certainty, but its not.

That doesn't make it right. At this rate, the league is headed for another strike.
- bixll

Why? Team's have salary caps, salary cap is tied to revenue. If some teams want to manage their salary caps like morons that is their problem.

It was brought up yesterday but I do find it funny that Claude Julien was a miracle 4 minute 3rd period stretch away from being out on his ass too.
- Gunner Staal

True, Boston I believe has played 3 straight Game 7 OT's in the 1st round (Habs, Caps, Leafs) and might win a Cup in 2 of those seasons. Tough to believe, but my Caps might have prevented the Bruins from going for a 3rd straight Cup by winning a Game 7 OT in Boston last year. I guess if you are going to beat the Bruins, you'd better get them early.

No. What happens when his great physical skills diminish and he is left with leaning on the mental aspects of his game?

My opinion is predicated on the fact the Penguins have great depth coming up through the ranks. If the Penguins did not have that depth I would have to look the other way with Letang's shortcomings.

I guess the biggest issue I have isn't even the defensive zone, its the power play. The reason is soured on Whitney and Goligoski the way I did wasn't because I couldn't look the other way on some of the defensive zone mishaps, it was because their strength was supposed to be the offensive end but neither were worth a damn on the power play. I feel that same exact way about Letang.

Letang had a simple job, to handle the puck and distribute it to the studs on the PP, or take a shot when he had a lane. His shot isn't accurate and he doesn't smoothly handle the distributing part of being the PP QB.

If the area of his game, which is supposed to be a strength, is not really panning out, why invest? The power play should be the one thing in Letang's game that is a certainty, but its not.
- Gunner Staal

Paul Martin does a better job at distributing the puck, no doubt. To me, Letang's "forté" was never the PP but his 5 on 5 play, man to man coverage. He can skate with the best....but he just made so many mistakes/poor positioning at times this year that I have my doubts now.
He's definitely not worth $7M with us. He'd be a "perfect" fit with Paulie's money.

Why? Team's have salary caps, salary cap is tied to revenue. If some teams want to manage their salary caps like morons that is their problem.
- Gunner Staal

Teams had salary caps before this stike, did they not?

Teams had salary caps before this stike, did they not?
- bixll

I can't say I am in the mood to dissect the last lockout again. The league did a bad job of forecasting the amount of increased revenue they would earn. The players were getting 57% of HRR, the owners wanted to split it 50/50 once the CBA expired. It is now a 50/50 split and there is a CBA for the next 8 years at least.

Solid piece - no shame in losing to Boston, though the no-show performance in Game 2 is difficult to overlook. I think the bigger concern of the postseason might be that had the Isles had a little bit of luck (the luck the Pens lacked against Boston), the Pens might have been out of this in the 1st round and the decision on Bylsma would have been an easier one.
- MadCap2008

Every cup team has to have it at some point on their run.

Wouldn't it be a perfect time for a new blog? Clean out day for hockey buzz...'till June 30th.

for fun
to oilers
fluery
orpik
to pens
bernier
oil 2nd rounder
to kings
dubnyk
mps

for fun
to oilers
fluery
orpik
to pens
bernier
oil 2nd rounder
to kings
dubnyk
mps
- ChrisMS

I wouldn't want to give away Orpik

This is actually funny

It was brought up yesterday but I do find it funny that Claude Julien was a miracle 4 minute 3rd period stretch away from being out on his ass too.
- Gunner Staal

Funny that some people have wanted Joel Quenneville out as well, and if they didn't come back against Detroit, those voiced would have gotten much louder.

Funny that some people have wanted Joel Quenneville out as well, and if they didn't come back against Detroit, those voiced would have gotten much louder.
- rival22

People used to get on Bylsma for all the line combos throughout the games but Quenneville had like 5 different top 6 line combos heading into each game in the 2nd round this year.

No. What happens when his great physical skills diminish and he is left with leaning on the mental aspects of his game?

My opinion is predicated on the fact the Penguins have great depth coming up through the ranks. If the Penguins did not have that depth I would have to look the other way with Letang's shortcomings.

I guess the biggest issue I have isn't even the defensive zone, its the power play. The reason is soured on Whitney and Goligoski the way I did wasn't because I couldn't look the other way on some of the defensive zone mishaps, it was because their strength was supposed to be the offensive end but neither were worth a damn on the power play. I feel that same exact way about Letang.

Letang had a simple job, to handle the puck and distribute it to the studs on the PP, or take a shot when he had a lane. His shot isn't accurate and he doesn't smoothly handle the distributing part of being the PP QB.

If the area of his game, which is supposed to be a strength, is not really panning out, why invest? The power play should be the one thing in Letang's game that is a certainty, but its not.
- Gunner Staal

Would I pay Letang $6 million? I don't know... likely not.

However, the HUGE question mark for me, is how would he play under another coach/system? He has more skill than 95% of the defensemen in the league. The vast majority of his shortcomings (and things that make us want to throw things at the TV), are mental errors... often unforced.

If a new coach (here or elsewhere), can limit those mental mistakes, he would be a $7 million a year player. Not sure of the assistant coach candidates out there, but one name that popped into my head was Phil Housley. He coached the US world junior team, but if someone like him was an assistant coach for a NHL team, that could do wonders for Letang. Someone who understands that role, not a plug like Todd Reirdon.

Would I pay Letang $6 million? I don't know... likely not.

However, the HUGE question mark for me, is how would he play under another coach/system? He has more skill than 95% of the defensemen in the league. The vast majority of his shortcomings (and things that make us want to throw things at the TV), are mental errors... often unforced.

If a new coach (here or elsewhere), can limit those mental mistakes, he would be a $7 million a year player. Not sure of the assistant coach candidates out there, but one name that popped into my head was Phil Housley. He coached the US world junior team, but if someone like him was an assistant coach for a NHL team, that could do wonders for Letang. Someone who understands that role, not a plug like Todd Reirdon.
- rival22

Thats the alarming thing for me. You usually can't coach that kind of stuff.

funny penguins eulogy http://www.puckd.com/team/news/Pittsburgh-Penguins
- PuckdCom

I usually like the eulogies, I have no problem reading humor directed at the Penguins (like that beach ball gif w/ Fleury/Vokoun) but the Sid whining shtick to me is lazy. Been there done that territory.

I usually like the eulogies, I have no problem reading humor directed at the Penguins (like that beach ball gif w/ Fleury/Vokoun) but the Sid whining shtick to me is lazy. Been there done that territory.
- Gunner Staal

Instead, during the short season they made deals for....and glorified defensive pylon in San Jose’s Doug Murray.
A guy who can’t get even 20 minutes a game; you know, like that Brian Strait guy.

Really?This is just dumb writing. Murray was brought to address something w lacked: size.

I hate those people who pretend to know it all about hockey.

Instead, during the short season they made deals for....and glorified defensive pylon in San Jose’s Doug Murray.
A guy who can’t get even 20 minutes a game; you know, like that Brian Strait guy.

Really?This is just dumb writing. Murray was brought to address something w lacked: size.

I hate those people who pretend to know it all about hockey.
- Orpik44

I agree with their assessment, Murray did not provide much outside of PK duty. He was a pylon.

Good thing we addressed that need for size, it was need against the Bruins...

Would I pay Letang $6 million? I don't know... likely not.

However, the HUGE question mark for me, is how would he play under another coach/system? He has more skill than 95% of the defensemen in the league. The vast majority of his shortcomings (and things that make us want to throw things at the TV), are mental errors... often unforced.

If a new coach (here or elsewhere), can limit those mental mistakes, he would be a $7 million a year player. Not sure of the assistant coach candidates out there, but one name that popped into my head was Phil Housley. He coached the US world junior team, but if someone like him was an assistant coach for a NHL team, that could do wonders for Letang. Someone who understands that role, not a plug like Todd Reirdon.
- rival22

It would be foolish not to pay Letang $6m per year IMO. If Pens don't, someone easily will.

For fun, would anyone here trade Malkin straight up for Weber?

I wouldn't want to give away Orpik
- Orpik44

I believe Phil Sam might be ready to play next year and he could bring some of what orpik has... still would be a sad day though

I agree with their assessment, Murray did not provide much outside of PK duty. He was a pylon.

Good thing we addressed that need for size, it was need against the Bruins...
- Gunner Staal

All 3 guys we brought in at the deadline were. I don't want to see any of them back next year. Except Jussi.

Thats the alarming thing for me. You usually can't coach that kind of stuff.
- Gunner Staal

Couldn't that be limited though? At least from the outside, there doesn't seem to be any accountability for those mistakes. Maybe if there were consequences, he might make less.

However, maybe that's just how he's wired, maybe his panic threshold is just too low. Look at guys like Gonchar or Brian Campbell... their leg could be on fire, and they wouldn't panic.

http://thehockeywriters.com/penguins-black-swan-bruins/

he's a good writer
- Deadstar

Good read.