A couple quotes from this article about Bylsma that I think we can all agree on:

Colligan: Many of the breakdowns I saw were a result of missed assignments by the defense. There was too much shuffling of defensive pairs and not only changing personnel but also having players move from right defense to left defense and vice versa. At playoff pace, you can't afford to think. You have to react. Pittsburgh's defensemen were thinking too much. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Conboy: But what is this team supposed to be? I’m confused. What’s the identity? They got like six rebounds the entire Bruins series.
- Orpik44

I don't think it should be difficult for Byslma to figure out. Stop shaking up the line-up, keep Martin on the point on the PP. Make a simple system so that the skilled players have a chance to do their thing. We're an amazing team on paper, there's no need to over-complicate things.

Backcheck hard, pick up sticks like Boston and keep opposing players to the outside. Force the puck into the boards and squeeze off the puckholder. D man boxes out the net, someone picks up the rebound or turns it over. Everyone supports the puckholder. Make simple, quick plays (skills) and get the puck to someone open inside the blueline or someone with speed. Puckholder makes the play while someone crashes the net. Stay strong on the puck and cycle if there isn't a play. D only pinch on 100% plays or when the puck can be contained with certainty with a forward back.

The game of hockey. Simples.

In trading scenarios, I think the following conditions must be met:

1) A solid top 4 defenseman under 30. Someone who is not enigmatic, gets their defensive job done and can move the puck. Think Despres in 2 years kind of player.

We will have to adapt if Letang moves on, but I think that could be a good thing. It will force the forwards to open up simple plays and support the defenseman. There will be no choice but to play a no-nonsense system, and I think that will pay dividends come playoff time. Its also easier to make small adjustments in a simple system. If Letang played like that, no-one would be questioning whether or not to keep him, we would be saying HOW.


2) An NHL ready prospect on an ELC. Top 6 forward potential.

In a few years, we will have Kunitz and Dupuis coming up to the end of their effective careers and we need young top 6 wingers. If we need both Maatta and Pouliot, we cannot get them through trade.


3) A first round pick at minimum.
4) A total contract value of $6M or less.
(BONUS 5) A Shero Special throw-in bottom 6 with size so we can dump Glass)
- cygnus41

Call Montreal now. They have what we want and we can make it happen.

Gorges signed for $3.9M for 4 or 5 years I think.

A young forward: They have plenty that I'd love to see (Gallagher, Eller, Desharnais..)

It's really hard to call a trade nowadays.

A couple quotes from this article about Bylsma that I think we can all agree on:

Colligan: Many of the breakdowns I saw were a result of missed assignments by the defense. There was too much shuffling of defensive pairs and not only changing personnel but also having players move from right defense to left defense and vice versa. At playoff pace, you can't afford to think. You have to react. Pittsburgh's defensemen were thinking too much. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Conboy: But what is this team supposed to be? I’m confused. What’s the identity? They got like six rebounds the entire Bruins series.
- Orpik44

Interesting...

I heard an interview with Rossi and he said he was talking to one of the dmen. Rossi was asking about adjustments and the player said they constantly make adjustments but Disco's system is so complex that they often get caught thinking.

Also heard an interview with Taglianetti. He felt there wasn't good communication with the D. Said it looked like one guy didn't know what the other was going to do.

It's either stupidity or arrogance to make things that complex. Basically putting your players in a position to fail unless they execute perfectly every time.

Dude you do a great blog .......... hope E keeps you with the Pen's E-15

I liked this part of that roundtable about the trades:

Metzer: I had hoped that bringing in players such as Iginla and Morrow would bring that Bill Guerin vibe of accountability, but it didn't happen. What was dubbed as a collection of captains turned into a group of good old boys who were having a blast in a new environment with a whole lot less responsibility. Instead of stepping up and being the big bad guy, they seemed more like a big brother who lets you use his ID to buy beer.

Conboy: Yeah, both Iginla and Morrow seemed half-asleep. They overdid the good soldier routine. Yeah, we get it. It’s not your team. But don’t act like you’re just here to cut the crust off Sid’s pregame PB&J.

Rossi: I hated the Iginla trade before they made it, wrote that and was destroyed for it. The presence of Jordan Staal and Max Talbot is missed. The Penguins lack anybody willing to be the bad guy. Staal would, until his final season when he was not happy with his role. Talbot was not a bad guy so much as he was unafraid to tell any player to go [shove] himself. That is missing. That needs to return. Staal and Talbot also thrived when playoff games turned nasty. That is missing. That needs to return.

Conboy: I thought they brought in Morrow to be that hard ass. Then at the press conference, he’s getting semi-weepy about leaving his little girls in Dallas.

We were hoping Iginla and Morrow would be leaders in the room, but they were just glad to be here.

Unfortunately, I think that ship has sailed on bringing in the Bill Guerin/Gary Roberts type to break balls and be the bad guy when needed. That just plays better when guys are 22-23 who've never won, and look up to those players. At 27-28, they are just peers and equals.

And guys coming from perrenial losing teams aren't going to tell that lockerrom what it takes to win.

Interesting...

I heard an interview with Rossi and he said he was talking to one of the dmen. Rossi was asking about adjustments and the player said they constantly make adjustments but Disco's system is so complex that they often get caught thinking.

Also heard an interview with Taglianetti. He felt there wasn't good communication with the D. Said it looked like one guy didn't know what the other was going to do.

It's either stupidity or arrogance to make things that complex. Basically putting your players in a position to fail unless they execute perfectly every time.
- madmike71

Look at the best pairing.... Orpik and Martin were consistently together. The other guys were constantly jumbled, and all struggled at times.

Look at the best pairing.... Orpik and Martin were consistently together. The other guys were constantly jumbled, and all struggled at times.
- rival22

You have to really wonder how good Despres and Letang would have been in the post season if they were allowed to play the whole regular season together. Of all the things that bothered me about Disco, this is tops on the list.

Look at the best pairing.... Orpik and Martin were consistently together. The other guys were constantly jumbled, and all struggled at times.
- rival22

Whatever happened to Niskanen, I'd love to know. The guy seemed to be the perfect 5th d-man for this team but looked shaky this year Hopefully we'll re-sign Murray. He was a warrior while playing for us. Stop juggling lines Daaann!

I liked this part of that roundtable about the trades:



We were hoping Iginla and Morrow would be leaders in the room, but they were just glad to be here.

Unfortunately, I think that ship has sailed on bringing in the Bill Guerin/Gary Roberts type to break balls and be the bad guy when needed. That just plays better when guys are 22-23 who've never won, and look up to those players. At 27-28, they are just peers and equals.

And guys coming from perrenial losing teams aren't going to tell that lockerrom what it takes to win.
- rival22

IMO Iginla and Morrow aren't leaders to bring in at the TD but in the offseason. neither are vocal leaders. each lead by example and earn respect through credibility and off ice examples. Billy G is a vocal guy who walked in the locker room and took control of it.

I think Shero and his scouts didn't evaluate these guys well enough. I honestly think we got Iginla only because we didn't want Boston to have him. I think Shero was trying to drive up the price on him and then Feaster said Iginla wanted to play in Pitt which caused a deal to be made.

I think getting both guys hurt this team. one guy and it helps, both was overkill.

If you bring either of them back, I think you see better results.

If you guys got a few minutes, here's a really good read on the state of the Pens.

It's in a round table format and features a good variety of local hockey minds.

http://www.pittsburghmaga...Penguins-Mega-Roundtable/
- rival22

I very much enjoyed the round table.

Look at the best pairing.... Orpik and Martin were consistently together. The other guys were constantly jumbled, and all struggled at times.
- rival22

if and when we trade letang, we don't need huge names anchoring our defense.

would love to see Scuds back to fill a pairing with a guy like Niskanen or Despres. If the price is right, wouldn't mind seeing Murray back either. Guy wont eat a ton of minutes, but still a good defender to have around.

as for Letang, trade him. not only because it would be unsustainable in the long run, but because he is a valuable asset who could reshape this team.

I think he brings in more than Staal did for a couple reasons.

1) More teams. Only 2-3 teams were in on Staal. I expect 20+ to be in on Letang.
2) Puck moving dmen are more sought after than defensive #2 centers. Letang is a much better player than staal. simple as that.

what do I expect? 1st round pick, good nhl ready young forward, nhl ready young dman, good roster play. maybe different positions and makeups, but similar value, maybe even more. remember, it only takes one GM to make a stupid deal.

I very much enjoyed the round table.
- Ryan_Wilson

Are you ready to give up on the Gunner account?

Are you ready to give up on the Gunner account?
- Orpik44

He deserves a rest

Whatever happened to Niskanen, I'd love to know. The guy seemed to be the perfect 5th d-man for this team but looked shaky this year Hopefully we'll re-sign Murray. He was a warrior while playing for us. Stop juggling lines Daaann!
- Orpik44

Just send him for a 3rd/4th round pick. Drop his salary

Whatever happened to Niskanen, I'd love to know. The guy seemed to be the perfect 5th d-man for this team but looked shaky this year Hopefully we'll re-sign Murray. He was a warrior while playing for us. Stop juggling lines Daaann!
- Orpik44

He was fine without the puck for the most part. The issues were when he took a pass in the D zone, and then he had someone in his face. He wasn't making decisions quickly enough and wasn't playing simple. He was forcing himself to make one-on-one plays and beat the forechecker at the blueline every time he made an outlet, and hence turned it over. My guess is a lack of confidence and being in two minds too often.

Just send him for a 3rd/4th round pick. Drop his salary
- drummer829

Bottom 6 veteran or this.

He was fine without the puck for the most part. The issues were when he took a pass in the D zone, and then he had someone in his face. He wasn't making decisions quickly enough and wasn't playing simple. He was forcing himself to make one-on-one plays and beat the forechecker at the blueline every time he made an outlet, and hence turned it over. My guess is a lack of confidence and being in two minds too often.
- cygnus41

Anytime Niskanen was put in a situation of a go to guy as a top 4 d-man, he failed. I thought that was the case this year..but then he started to play poorly even at his comfortable position, as a bottom pairing d. Maybe it's time to move him..but if Letang is traded, I doubt he gets moved at the same time.

Anytime Niskanen was put in a situation of a go to guy as a top 4 d-man, he failed. I thought that was the case this year..but then he started to play poorly even at his comfortable position, as a bottom pairing d. Maybe it's time to move him..but if Letang is traded, I doubt he gets moved at the same time.
- Orpik44

problem was him and letang together. that was just pure idiocy.

if you put niskanen with a more responsible dman, he'll be fine.

Anytime Niskanen was put in a situation of a go to guy as a top 4 d-man, he failed. I thought that was the case this year..but then he started to play poorly even at his comfortable position, as a bottom pairing d. Maybe it's time to move him..but if Letang is traded, I doubt he gets moved at the same time.
- Orpik44

Yeah, he's affordable, knows the system, and will likely be needed on the second PP unit. I think he'll be back and rebound a bit.

Yeah, he's affordable, knows the system, and will likely be needed on the second PP unit. I think he'll be back and rebound a bit.
- rival22

The coaches seem to like him a lot. He never sits, even when he has his worst games. I thought Murray matched OK with him, nothing special, but good enough for a 3rd pairing. Maybe we won't see Crankshaft back with us(which I think is a mistake i he's affordable money wise) but Bortuzzo and Dumoulin are waiting for a chance.

problem was him and letang together. that was just pure idiocy.

if you put niskanen with a more responsible dman, he'll be fine.
- SuperHenderson13

If we want to win, we need 6 D that we don't have to protect. That's what leads to the Bylsmagic line shuffling.

If we want to win, we need 6 D that we don't have to protect. That's what leads to the Bylsmagic line shuffling.
- cygnus41

its not protecting, it's matching guys up together that will maximize their effectiveness.

we heard this same discussion with martin last year and looked what happened. it's not like niskanen forgot how to play hockey, he was just put in an awful situation that caused him to fail. if you put him with a d partner that will allow him to pinch and make offensive gambles, you will find him more effective.

if you put him with a similar style player who is just as, if not more reckless than him, both players will suffer.

it's basic coaching. something our coach hasn't mastered yet.

Ryan Wilson: What should the Penguins do with Kris Letang?
Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will be entering the final season of his current contract. Should the Penguins extend him or trade him?
- Ryan_Wilson

Buy Out, need room for Iggy/Morrow/Murray

I don't know how you could not sign him...
He's the best defenseman u have, and he's still so young...
Even if at some point the guys Pitt has coming up play well enough to make him expendable, you'll have no problem trading him then
And it's not like the cap is ever gonna go down,
I'm sure u can find a way to keep him

It's the mid-level guys like Orpik that I could see the Pens not being able to afford
He's a guy they should think about moving if he can't be extended
There's plenty of vets that will take discounts to play in Pitt and hav a shot at the cup

If someone can just remind Fleury how to stop a puck in the playoffs, then you'll have a shot at the cup every year for a long time

At first, I was on the resign Letang bandwagon at all costs. As time goes on, I am starting to turn towards the trade Letang one. If he wants the reported 7 mil and NMC, then you need to trade him at the draft. I think a team will overpay at the draft, compared to the middle of summer. I would love to see a first, a young nhl ready player and a prospect. I don't think that is asking for too much. Letang has high value, is young and will have a bidding war I hope.

I think you take whatever you can get Nisk. I just don't believe in him anymore, if you can get a 4th...take it and put it towards keeping Duper or Douglas. I am not against trading Neal at all either. I think he has good value too, and would have plenty of suitors for him. I know him and Malkin mesh really well, but I think Malkin can make anyone look really good too.