I'd say the difference between Chicago and Pittsburgh against the Bruins was defense. Keith and Seabrook were absolute monsters at both ends of the rink. Keith played his best hockey in 2 years. Letang was a wreck that series for the first 2 games.

It goes far beyond the defense for defensemen. Against a team as disciplined in the dzone and good at collapsing as Boston, your defensemen need to contribute along the offensive blue line.

Both are very smooth but Letang in my book is faster. And he's also better defensively and one on one. Karlsson is much better on the PP though. Not close.
- Orpik44

Letang has the edge in physical play and defensive instincts in my opinion. Karlsson is faster, more offensively gifted, and probably the better overall athlete of the two. Again, just my opinion. No numbers to back this up.

Letang is one of the top 3 best skaters in the league in my opinion.

Gaborik and Grabner
- nbartley9

It's safe to say he's an awesome skater.

Watching the finals, I noticed Chicago wouldn't stop crashing the net and skating fast. We never got close to Rask. We need to crash it. They had Bickell, Shaw, Saad doing it everytime. We need that.
- Orpik44

The Pens system seems to rely on quick puck movement and letting the puck do most of the work. When those passing lanes are taken away, they seem to have no idea what to do, except to keep trying harder.

Chicago forwards did a better of holding the puck longer while allowing teammates to drive to the net.

I'd say the difference between Chicago and Pittsburgh against the Bruins was defense. Keith and Seabrook were absolute monsters at both ends of the rink. Keith played his best hockey in 2 years. Letang was a wreck that series for the first 2 games.

It goes far beyond the defense for defensemen. Against a team as disciplined in the dzone and good at collapsing as Boston, your defensemen need to contribute along the offensive blue line.
- Deadstar

Deadstar, we were OK on D. Not the best but just OK to let us win games.

Our offense sucked. We couldn't score. We didn't get dirty enough in front of the net. It's safe to say our problem was scoring and not preventing.

I think the point is that the Penguins don't have a regular season problem, and along with Letang had a great regular season...but in the playoffs they have gotten away from doing the things that were helping the team win in the regular season and that can't continue.
- Emperor Filonius

sure, i get that... but it would be arrogant to assume we will make the playoffs... lots can happen. we are in arguably the best division next year and if Letang helps us get to the playoffs than I find that relevant

The Pens system seems to rely on quick puck movement and letting the puck do most of the work. When those passing lanes are taken away, they seem to have no idea what to do, except to keep trying harder.

Chicago forwards did a better of holding the puck longer while allowing teammates to drive to the net.
- rival22

I like your assessment. We can work from there.

So many great little scenes in that movie.
- Emperor Filonius

Reporter: So, Chris, why don't you shoot more on the PP?

Letang: "I will fire when I am God damn good and ready."

cutaway to Letang clutching an old jersey...."talk to me Gonch..."

Deadstar, we were OK on D. Not the best but just OK to let us win games.

Our offense sucked. We couldn't score. We didn't get dirty enough in front of the net. It's safe to say our problem was scoring and not preventing.
- Orpik44

Good offense starts from the dmen.

Good offense starts from the dmen.
- Deadstar

As long as your coach can make adjustments when things are not going well.

I don't think our problem was our D. We had a lot of shots way far from the net. I liked what Rival22 just said in his previous post.

Reporter: So, Chris, why don't you shoot more on the PP?

Letang: "I will fire when I am God damn good and ready."

cutaway to Letang clutching an old jersey...."talk to me Gonch..."
- akane13

That made me laugh...

Reporter: So, Chris, why don't you shoot more on the PP?

Letang: "I will fire when I am God damn good and ready."

cutaway to Letang clutching an old jersey...."talk to me Gonch..."
- akane13

he doesnt shoot more because when he does the only options are either four feet high and wide if he decides to blast, or the person in front of him's shinpads if he tries to place it

As long as your coach can make adjustments when things are not going well.

I don't think our problem was our D. We had a lot of shots way far from the net. I liked what Rival22 just said in his previous post.
- Orpik44

i just think they were kind of like ovechkin on offense in a way. they have one point of attack, driven by their pure skill, that typically works. when it doesnt, they do not have either the ability or mental determination to figure out another way. they are like a GPS with no alternative route buttons

As long as your coach can make adjustments when things are not going well.

I don't think our problem was our D. We had a lot of shots way far from the net. I liked what Rival22 just said in his previous post.
- Orpik44

Part of the problem was offense from D. It didnt help out forwards.

and to contribute something that isnt just more repetitive female doging, i do LOVE the kuni extension.

Reporter: So, Chris, why don't you shoot more on the PP?

Letang: "I will fire when I am God damn good and ready."

cutaway to Letang clutching an old jersey...."talk to me Gonch..."
- akane13

i just think they were kind of like ovechkin on offense in a way. they have one point of attack, driven by their pure skill, that typically works. when it doesnt, they do not have either the ability or mental determination to figure out another way. they are like a GPS with no alternative route buttons
- stayinthefnnet

Part of the problem was offense from D. It didnt help out forwards.
- Deadstar

Makes it damn near impossible to penetrate through the neutral zone while maintaining possession against a team like Boston with the D not helping out.

Part of the problem was offense from D. It didnt help out forwards.
- Deadstar

Paul Martin
Playoffs 15G 2 9 11Pts

Kris Letang
Playoffs 15G 3 13 16Pts

Matt Niskanen (Sucked!)
Playoffs 15G 0 2 2Pts

We didn't adjust in the Boston series and couldn't get it going. Bylsma has to do a better job in this regard.

Now that you know he's gonna get traded, he's terrible defensively. But while you had him, he is a top 3 d-man? Much like pens fans who are scared he's gonna get traded, they start making themselves feel better by saying Letang is bad defensively. I don't think he's bad. He's average defensively with elite offensive skills. And you can't compare playoff series when your goaltender was Marc Andre Fluery. How is that Letang's fault in the Philly series? Fluery couldn't stop a beach ball. So Letang's numbers don't look as good. Let's just say if Letang was in Boston, his D would be considered excellent because his goalie is great. You don't get nominated for the Norris without being at least decent defensively.

Now that you know he's gonna get traded, he's terrible defensively. But while you had him, he is a top 3 d-man? Much like pens fans who are scared he's gonna get traded, they start making themselves feel better by saying Letang is bad defensively. I don't think he's bad. He's average defensively with elite offensive skills. And you can't compare playoff series when your goaltender was Marc Andre Fluery. How is that Letang's fault in the Philly series? Fluery couldn't stop a beach ball. So Letang's numbers don't look as good. Let's just say if Letang was in Boston, his D would be considered excellent because his goalie is great. You don't get nominated for the Norris without being at least decent defensively.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

Speaking for myself, I think Letang is a very good player who will be impossible to replace in the short term. They have lots of prospects that could fill his role, but none are a sure thing. I don't think anyone here WANTS to see Letang go, but the issue is whether the Penguins can afford to give him $7mm+ given the deficiencies in his game. Its not so much about what Letang deserves, but rather what the Penguins can afford and what they get for that investment. Its also obviously about return. If Shero can't get good return, the best course might just be to let him play out the contract and let him walk after next year when Pouliot, Maata et all have gained another year of experience.

Pens offer big deal, I'm hearing:

8 years $50mil, without nmc OR 6 years at $36 with NMC.

Pens offer big deal, I'm hearing:

8 years $50mil, without nmc OR 6 years at $36 with NMC.
- mventres

source?

Pens offer big deal, I'm hearing:

8 years $50mil, without nmc OR 6 years at $36 with NMC.
- mventres

I like both offers, if true. Ball is in Letang's court.

Pens offer big deal, I'm hearing:

8 years $50mil, without nmc OR 6 years at $36 with NMC.
- mventres

Really?

8 years @ $6.25M per without a NMC is a good offer. I could see Shero pushing it a little higher.

or

6 years @ $6M per with a NMC is good too. He'll be 33 when his deal is over. Could cash in on another 4 year deal.

I'd take the 2nd deal if I was him.