I don't want a POS like Marchand on the Pens, no way no how. If someone were to accidentally "Clint Malarchuk" him, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

As for cap casualties... Shero is cool as a cucumber he never makes a rash decision or will compromise the team spirit. No way does he let Fleury go and let Vokoun/whoever grace the net, although I have to admit with Khudobin at that price that would've allowed pens to spread some more dollars around. They have to get real smart with their dollars over the next 2 seasons and perhaps take some risks...
It's too bad Canucks don't need a D, Nisk for Hansen swap would've been nice. Jussi has some decent value now that the numbers and leftover players are settling, his 2.1 cap hit is obviously more attractive. Nisk and Jussi are two pieces that will be dangled... Orpik and Glass are two pieces that I want removed if I were fantasy GM... Reality says they're in starting lineup.

Wow do we need to start holding onto some picks... 1 forward worth mentioning?

I really don't care if we don't get the 1 seed if we get a look at some of these guys that can help us for years. A couple years ago Joe Morrow almost made the team out of camp. Hoping for someone to force Bylsma and Shero's hand- (Harrington) I just say him because when I read about him it sounds like Scuderi.

Also I remember when we use to bash Scuderi when he first came up. Meanwhile him Rosival, and Ference all had pretty nice careers.

Go Pens

im just going to say it now... I for one do not like the direction that this team is headed...

and I know the answers im going to get back...

1) we locked our best players up
2) we are still one of the best teams
3) who cares what you think
the definition of insanity is trying something the same way as before yet expect different results.

what has changed on this team? what should make me believe that this same thing wont happen again? the fact of the matter is, the penguins should have lost in Round 1. Had NYI had an average goalie, we would have lost.

when you lose to a team in 4 straight games while only scoring 2 goals and never holding a lead... it wasn't the bounces. you blame the bounces when you lose in OT in game 7. you don't blame the bounces when you lose in 4 straight games.

I am just tired of seeing guys like bylsma, letang, etc. get free passes and are simply told to come back next year and try again. there has to be some accountability eventually. if I went out and lost my firm 100million dollars, do you think they'd come to me and say it's alright, you'll get it next quarter.

I don't know, i'll probably get some hate for it, but im tired of seeing this organization become what it's becoming... i was thinking about when Torts said that we were the most arrogant organization... and now i realize that he couldn't have been more right.
- SuperHenderson13

Blowing everything up is less likely to succeed than repeating something which got us to the conference final last year. Letang didn't get a free pass. He's now very tradeable and will have to live up to his contract if he wants to stay here. Everyone has some work to do, especially Bylsma and Fleury, but I think its reasonable to give a team that came close and had some unfortunate injuries with Martin and Morrow another chance.

There aren't infinite options out there regardless. Other teams aren't going to give up solid players with good contracts and all the consistent coaches are locked up already.

I'll be happy if Letang and Fleury calm down, the special teams stay strong and Bylsma gives Bennett and Despres their due.

im just going to say it now... I for one do not like the direction that this team is headed...

and I know the answers im going to get back...

1) we locked our best players up
2) we are still one of the best teams
3) who cares what you think
the definition of insanity is trying something the same way as before yet expect different results.

what has changed on this team? what should make me believe that this same thing wont happen again? the fact of the matter is, the penguins should have lost in Round 1. Had NYI had an average goalie, we would have lost.

when you lose to a team in 4 straight games while only scoring 2 goals and never holding a lead... it wasn't the bounces. you blame the bounces when you lose in OT in game 7. you don't blame the bounces when you lose in 4 straight games.

I am just tired of seeing guys like bylsma, letang, etc. get free passes and are simply told to come back next year and try again. there has to be some accountability eventually. if I went out and lost my firm 100million dollars, do you think they'd come to me and say it's alright, you'll get it next quarter.

I don't know, i'll probably get some hate for it, but im tired of seeing this organization become what it's becoming... i was thinking about when Torts said that we were the most arrogant organization... and now i realize that he couldn't have been more right.
- SuperHenderson13

What is funny is that you call the Pens arrogant but you make it sound like it's easy to win the Cup. That's arrogance.

I also didn't read one solution in your entire rant besides to basically "change direction” whatever the hell that means.

im just going to say it now... I for one do not like the direction that this team is headed...

and I know the answers im going to get back...

1) we locked our best players up
2) we are still one of the best teams
3) who cares what you think
the definition of insanity is trying something the same way as before yet expect different results.

what has changed on this team? what should make me believe that this same thing wont happen again? the fact of the matter is, the penguins should have lost in Round 1. Had NYI had an average goalie, we would have lost.

when you lose to a team in 4 straight games while only scoring 2 goals and never holding a lead... it wasn't the bounces. you blame the bounces when you lose in OT in game 7. you don't blame the bounces when you lose in 4 straight games.

I am just tired of seeing guys like bylsma, letang, etc. get free passes and are simply told to come back next year and try again. there has to be some accountability eventually. if I went out and lost my firm 100million dollars, do you think they'd come to me and say it's alright, you'll get it next quarter.

I don't know, i'll probably get some hate for it, but im tired of seeing this organization become what it's becoming... i was thinking about when Torts said that we were the most arrogant organization... and now i realize that he couldn't have been more right.
- SuperHenderson13

No hate from me...

But I don't have a problem with the players as much as the coach. I can't deny I've lost enthusiasm for the Pens going into next year knowing that Bylsma is returning. It's hard for anyone to deny in 3 of the last 4 playoff series, Disco has had his ass handed to him in the strategy department. I challenge anyone to go back and watch some games from 2009 and tell me that this team plays with the same amount of discipline and structure.

Tomorrow I will highlight some of the good that Kris Letang brings to the table. You will be surprised at who he helps out the most, as well as who he helps out the least.

I don't want a POS like Marchand on the Pens, no way no how. If someone were to accidentally "Clint Malarchuk" him, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

As for cap casualties... Shero is cool as a cucumber he never makes a rash decision or will compromise the team spirit. No way does he let Fleury go and let Vokoun/whoever grace the net, although I have to admit with Khudobin at that price that would've allowed pens to spread some more dollars around. They have to get real smart with their dollars over the next 2 seasons and perhaps take some risks...
It's too bad Canucks don't need a D, Nisk for Hansen swap would've been nice. Jussi has some decent value now that the numbers and leftover players are settling, his 2.1 cap hit is obviously more attractive. Nisk and Jussi are two pieces that will be dangled... Orpik and Glass are two pieces that I want removed if I were fantasy GM... Reality says they're in starting lineup.
- nelson911

You and I are on the same page regarding Marchand. Why do people think he is available to begin with? If he were traded to the pens I'd still root for an injury to him. Can't stand him

Tomorrow I will highlight some of the good that Kris Letang brings to the table. You will be surprised at who he helps out the most, as well as who he helps out the least.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'm intrigued now :-)

If I have time tomorrow, I might go back and watch some of his glaring giveaways from the playoffs to see who was on the ice, and even where they were.

As good as he usually is with good, quick breakout passes, some of the blame has to be directed at the forwards for either not being where they should be, or not giving him a good passing lane.

No hate from me...

But I don't have a problem with the players as much as the coach. I can't deny I've lost enthusiasm for the Pens going into next year knowing that Bylsma is returning. It's hard for anyone to deny in 3 of the last 4 playoff series, Disco has had his ass handed to him in the strategy department. I challenge anyone to go back and watch some games from 2009 and tell me that this team plays with the same amount of discipline and structure.
- madmike71

see that's it.

I feel like if you get rid of the coach, we become the team that we are supposed to be.

how can you have the best two players on two different lines and not line match them?

I just don't get why we changed so much after 2009, you'd think we keep it as similar as possible. we lost our structure, discipline, identity... everything.

and I agree, it's going to be a shame that we'll have to waste another year in the playoffs until we can finally drive him out.

im just going to say it now... I for one do not like the direction that this team is headed...

and I know the answers im going to get back...

1) we locked our best players up
2) we are still one of the best teams
3) who cares what you think
the definition of insanity is trying something the same way as before yet expect different results.

what has changed on this team? what should make me believe that this same thing wont happen again? the fact of the matter is, the penguins should have lost in Round 1. Had NYI had an average goalie, we would have lost.

when you lose to a team in 4 straight games while only scoring 2 goals and never holding a lead... it wasn't the bounces. you blame the bounces when you lose in OT in game 7. you don't blame the bounces when you lose in 4 straight games.

I am just tired of seeing guys like bylsma, letang, etc. get free passes and are simply told to come back next year and try again. there has to be some accountability eventually. if I went out and lost my firm 100million dollars, do you think they'd come to me and say it's alright, you'll get it next quarter.

I don't know, i'll probably get some hate for it, but im tired of seeing this organization become what it's becoming... i was thinking about when Torts said that we were the most arrogant organization... and now i realize that he couldn't have been more right.
- SuperHenderson13

I agree there should be changes to the team but if you look at a team like Boston who won the cup they really kept most of the same guys, except this offseason, Chicago had a lot of changes since their last cup but their core guys like Kane toews hossa sharp seabrook Keith Crawford were all still there. I think thee just needs to be simple changes and the penguins did bring scuds back to help them on defense which is huge now that letang finally has a stable partner. Really the only thing I see that still needs to e adressed this offseason is a third line winger which would have to come through a niskanen trade with the cap situation. It would also help of glad was moved to free up cap space but of course we would need a winger fist to make sure we aren't making another gap in the lineup. I think goaltending will be fine during the regular season but nowadays you don't know with fleury in the playoffs an it would help if the pens would hire a goalie coach. Also I believe the defense will be much better with scuds back in the top 4.

see that's it.

I feel like if you get rid of the coach, we become the team that we are supposed to be.

how can you have the best two players on two different lines and not line match them?

I just don't get why we changed so much after 2009, you'd think we keep it as similar as possible. we lost our structure, discipline, identity... everything.

and I agree, it's going to be a shame that we'll have to waste another year in the playoffs until we can finally drive him out.
- SuperHenderson13

Exactly the way I feel. I was reading on Tiops that Pens management feel they were derailed by a couple of bad periods. That's it. No changes necessary. It's like that Isle series didn't receive any critical analysis at all.

I'll guarantee this... Next playoffs... The first team that traps the Pens will make them look just as ordinary and ill prepared as the Isle did.

Do know if this has been discussed but, Ry, do you have press clearance? If so, next chance at a PC... Raise your hand, get called, and say, "thanks, how (Brendan Morrow) are you (Brendan Morrow) doing today (morrow)?

Some folks are pretty negative. But if we wanted to keep our best players and not lose them or deal with the stress of not signing them it took a lot of money.

I think we still have a competitive team but need some muscle on the third line. Managing a team is a process. It evolves and changes over time. At the deadline some other changes may be made.

For the record, I am no longer a Dan fan but I know there is no coach I am going to agree with all the time. I would give the team a B grade for this period of change and hope for a B+ by the time the season starts.

What is funny is that you call the Pens arrogant but you make it sound like it's easy to win the Cup. That's arrogance.

I also didn't read one solution in your entire rant besides to basically "change direction” whatever the hell that means.
- rival22

It's the same mentality that makes people root for the backup QB in football. The unknown/unproven is somehow always better than what is in place. While I'm concerned about the Pens 3rd/4th line depth this year, there is no reason to blow up a very talented core. If Letang and/or Flower have mediocre regular/post seasons again, they will be shipped out opening a ton of cap space. I really like what Scuderi brings to this team. On top of stabilizing our D, he should help Despres, Bortuzzo, and Harrington (probably not this year) develop immensely.

October can't come soon enough.

Some folks are pretty negative. But if we wanted to keep our best players and not lose them or deal with the stress of not signing them it took a lot of money.

I think we still have a competitive team but need some muscle on the third line. Managing a team is a process. It evolves and changes over time. At the deadline some other changes may be made.

For the record, I am no longer a Dan fan but I know there is no coach I am going to agree with all the time. I would give the team a B grade for this period of change and hope for a B+ by the time the season starts.
- powerhouse

The kind of players we are going to be looking for will become more available as time goes on. The shrinking cap is going to cost a few teams a couple of guys they didn't want to part with right around training camp time.

The things that would have been near impossible to find? Top 6 forwards or top 4 defense. Things that are locked in for the Pens.

I think the Penguins have had a pretty good off season so far. Supposedly the Penguins "went for it all" last year, but usually when you go for it all it costs you your long term sustainability. i don't think that has been compromised at all.

The guys that matter are all locked up long term and everybody on the roster besides Crosby and Malkin can be traded if need be. Good spot to be in.

Do know if this has been discussed but, Ry, do you have press clearance? If so, next chance at a PC... Raise your hand, get called, and say, "thanks, how (Brendan Morrow) are you (Brendan Morrow) doing today (morrow)?
- Doogs

Not that I am aware of.

http://www.hockeyprospect...rticle.php?articleid=1553

Probably already been posted but if not here is a brief overview of all the teams in the NHL prospect outlook.

It's the same mentality that makes people root for the backup QB in football. The unknown/unproven is somehow always better than what is in place. While I'm concerned about the Pens 3rd/4th line depth this year, there is no reason to blow up a very talented core. If Letang and/or Flower have mediocre regular/post seasons again, they will be shipped out opening a ton of cap space. I really like what Scuderi brings to this team. On top of stabilizing our D, he should help Despres, Bortuzzo, and Harrington (probably not this year) develop immensely.

October can't come soon enough.
- mw630

This just isn't accurate.

The Pens are 3 and 4 in the post season since 2009. 3 of the 4 losses were pretty embarrassing. One of the wins (Isle this year) was just as embarrassing. They would have lost if the Isle had at least a mediocre tender.

So the Pens have looked competent in 2 of 7 series since winning the cup. I'm sorry, for the coach to escape a heaping dose of criticism and responsibility with this roster is crazy.

Let me add this... They keep looking to shore up the defense after disappointing failures. One year they felt the need to add Z and Martin. This year bringing back Scuds. What will be the excuse if they can't play D in the playoffs next year?

Not that I am aware of.
- Ryan_Wilson

Ek can't help you with that?

You and I are on the same page regarding Marchand. Why do people think he is available to begin with? If he were traded to the pens I'd still root for an injury to him. Can't stand him
- Oneonta Penguin

Bruins have no reason to trade him, he does exactly what he gets paid to do.

What is funny is that you call the Pens arrogant but you make it sound like it's easy to win the Cup. That's arrogance.

I also didn't read one solution in your entire rant besides to basically "change direction” whatever the hell that means.
- rival22

I never once mentioned anything about winning the cup, not sure where I made it sound like I thought winning the cup is easy.

it is the hardest trophy to win in sports, and you know what, my gripe isn't about the fact that we've lost in the playoffs... it's how we've lost.

when you lose to lower seeds for 4 straight years, that's no accident. had we lost to boston in 7 close games, you wouldn't hear me whining. boston is a hell of a team, there would be no shame in losing to them in a hard fought series. yet losing to them in 4 games where you cant even have a lead? if that doesn't tell you that something's wrong, what will.

solutions?

1. play playoff hockey all year round, not just when the playoffs come. you noticed how during the regular season the penguins simply skate by everyone and put up a ton of goals? yet when the playoffs roll around, we try that and we turn it over? that's because we try to play our regular season hockey during the playoffs. it will work against some teams that don't have the skill to match it (Ottawa), but when you play a team that might not have the offensive talent as you, but they have the depth and team defense, you will get killed.

2. make adjustments. no coach or system is perfect. when you see something fail, fix it. whether it's during the game or inbetween games. have you noticed how the penguins typically get off to a good start in the series? usually they win game 1, sometimes they even win game 2. yet when games 3 and 4 roll around, they are usually fighting for their lives? it's because teams learn how to beat them. and when you get a good enough team, they will beat us. its because they make adjustments when they lose, our coaches do nothing.

3.stop playing musical chairs with our defensive pairings. I understand bylsma moving guys around on forward looking for the right fit... but you cant keep changing defensive partnetrs. niskanen and letang would be out for one shift... then here comes letang and eaton... next shift... niskanen and murray... guys need to play with their defensive partners over time to develop that chemistry. when you give someone like letang a defensive partner and then throw an offensive dman like him out there, mistakes will happen.

4. use guys in roles that they will succeed in. malkin on the point of the PP? you mean after he said he doesn't like the point? even after the fact that he is arguably our biggest defensive liability and you put him as our last defense? jarome iginla? the guy who has made a hall of fame career on the right wing? so why not put him on the left side? im sure it will be fine. iginla leading our team in PP points? clearly he needs to be taken off the PP. it's things like that that'll drive me crazy. when twitter is exploding over a coach's poor decisions... something's wrong.

5. know your opponents. I swear, we go into series like we are about to play a high school team. our defense seems shocked when their guys actually try to score against us. our players like flabbergasted when the other team tries to hit us... I mean seriously, we looked like we had never played hockey before in that boston series.

6. have some guys that are actually the heart and soul of a team. losing bottom 6 guys never seem like a big deal, yet when you lose them, you usually end up feeling it. sometimes you need to overpay to keep those character guys that are so respected in the locker room. losing guys like Talbot and cooke... their loss will go beyond the ice. I respect the difficulty that shero's in... but i'd take a team full of 1 or 2 stars surrounded by a bunch of character guys over a team with 3 stars surrounded by guys well past their prime or guys who are in roles that they cant play in.

7. stop competing for the paper championship. if the Stanley cup was awarded based on the best team on paper, we'd have a lot of cups by now. shero needs to build a team, not a bunch of nice names on paper

8. have some accountability and discipline. letting the patients take over the mental hospital is an easy way to lose. bylsma is a coach.. not a player and not the player's friend. he is supposed to lead and direct them... not laugh and hang out with them. I know a lot of people weren't therrein fans... but if you asked oprik, he'd be the first to tell you that therrein made him the player that he is. letting guys off the hook and not holding them responsible leads to bad habits and to poor decisions. sometimes you need to sit an emotional letang down on the bench for a while or sit malkin after he takes a stupid penalty. telling them isnt going to do it... action will.

I could probably go on, but im tired.

I never expect the penguins to be a perfect organization, no organization is. but im sick of this white collared mentality that these players and front office members have. blue collared teams win. teams that can dig deep and get dirty... the penguins couldn't get dirty if they wanted to...

rant part II. over.

I never once mentioned anything about winning the cup, not sure where I made it sound like I thought winning the cup is easy.

it is the hardest trophy to win in sports, and you know what, my gripe isn't about the fact that we've lost in the playoffs... it's how we've lost.

when you lose to lower seeds for 4 straight years, that's no accident. had we lost to boston in 7 close games, you wouldn't hear me whining. boston is a hell of a team, there would be no shame in losing to them in a hard fought series. yet losing to them in 4 games where you cant even have a lead? if that doesn't tell you that something's wrong, what will.

solutions?

1. play playoff hockey all year round, not just when the playoffs come. you noticed how during the regular season the penguins simply skate by everyone and put up a ton of goals? yet when the playoffs roll around, we try that and we turn it over? that's because we try to play our regular season hockey during the playoffs. it will work against some teams that don't have the skill to match it (Ottawa), but when you play a team that might not have the offensive talent as you, but they have the depth and team defense, you will get killed.

2. make adjustments. no coach or system is perfect. when you see something fail, fix it. whether it's during the game or inbetween games. have you noticed how the penguins typically get off to a good start in the series? usually they win game 1, sometimes they even win game 2. yet when games 3 and 4 roll around, they are usually fighting for their lives? it's because teams learn how to beat them. and when you get a good enough team, they will beat us. its because they make adjustments when they lose, our coaches do nothing.

3.stop playing musical chairs with our defensive pairings. I understand bylsma moving guys around on forward looking for the right fit... but you cant keep changing defensive partnetrs. niskanen and letang would be out for one shift... then here comes letang and eaton... next shift... niskanen and murray... guys need to play with their defensive partners over time to develop that chemistry. when you give someone like letang a defensive partner and then throw an offensive dman like him out there, mistakes will happen.

4. use guys in roles that they will succeed in. malkin on the point of the PP? you mean after he said he doesn't like the point? even after the fact that he is arguably our biggest defensive liability and you put him as our last defense? jarome iginla? the guy who has made a hall of fame career on the right wing? so why not put him on the left side? im sure it will be fine. iginla leading our team in PP points? clearly he needs to be taken off the PP. it's things like that that'll drive me crazy. when twitter is exploding over a coach's poor decisions... something's wrong.

5. know your opponents. I swear, we go into series like we are about to play a high school team. our defense seems shocked when their guys actually try to score against us. our players like flabbergasted when the other team tries to hit us... I mean seriously, we looked like we had never played hockey before in that boston series.

6. have some guys that are actually the heart and soul of a team. losing bottom 6 guys never seem like a big deal, yet when you lose them, you usually end up feeling it. sometimes you need to overpay to keep those character guys that are so respected in the locker room. losing guys like Talbot and cooke... their loss will go beyond the ice. I respect the difficulty that shero's in... but i'd take a team full of 1 or 2 stars surrounded by a bunch of character guys over a team with 3 stars surrounded by guys well past their prime or guys who are in roles that they cant play in.

7. stop competing for the paper championship. if the Stanley cup was awarded based on the best team on paper, we'd have a lot of cups by now. shero needs to build a team, not a bunch of nice names on paper

8. have some accountability and discipline. letting the patients take over the mental hospital is an easy way to lose. bylsma is a coach.. not a player and not the player's friend. he is supposed to lead and direct them... not laugh and hang out with them. I know a lot of people weren't therrein fans... but if you asked oprik, he'd be the first to tell you that therrein made him the player that he is. letting guys off the hook and not holding them responsible leads to bad habits and to poor decisions. sometimes you need to sit an emotional letang down on the bench for a while or sit malkin after he takes a stupid penalty. telling them isnt going to do it... action will.

I could probably go on, but im tired.

I never expect the penguins to be a perfect organization, no organization is. but im sick of this white collared mentality that these players and front office members have. blue collared teams win. teams that can dig deep and get dirty... the penguins couldn't get dirty if they wanted to...

rant part II. over.
- SuperHenderson13

To criticize shero for getting good players in good deals (minus the morrow trade) is stupid. Shero got good players not just names I don't think anybody considers Morrow or Murray as sexy names around the league. It's on the coach once the gm gets the players to make them play as a unit.

To criticize shero for getting good players in good deals (minus the morrow trade) is stupid. Shero got good players not just names I don't think anybody considers Morrow or Murray as sexy names around the league. It's on the coach once the gm gets the players to make them play as a unit.
- Genev21

It's on Shero to analyze that possible acquisition and make sure he can be dressed to make the team better, this includes fitting the teams system and logical lineup spot. I do really like Shero a lot but instead of being innovative... He is kind've chasing previous success ideals/magic, it's sort of a pattern I don't like but know he can easily change it. One things for sure, he has to build and replenish the team through the draft/offseason moves from now on. Drafted players have to start contributing in order to get that cup again.... Here's to Bennett and Despres!

It's on Shero to analyze that possible acquisition and make sure he can be dressed to make the team better, this includes fitting the teams system and logical lineup spot. I do really like Shero a lot but instead of being innovative... He is kind've chasing previous success ideals/magic, it's sort of a pattern I don't like but know he can easily change it. One things for sure, he has to build and replenish the team through the draft/offseason moves from now on. Drafted players have to start contributing in order to get that cup again.... Here's to Bennett and Despres!
- nelson911

I doubt we will be in the market for any marquee players this deadline regardless. The only way I could see a blockbuster going down is if Fleury is traded and we bring in a goalie who can stay long term. It wasn't a mistake to bring in Iginla and Morrow. They are players known for their grit, determination and leadership which was exactly what we needed. There's no way that Shero could have known they would fall flat in the playoffs (or get injured).

I like the makeup of this team better than the start of last year. For once we have a set top 6 and top 4(5) and some players who can fit into those roles in the case of an injury or two. Unlike last season no-one is saying 'winger for Crosby' or 'trade Martin for a bag of pucks'. It will be much easier to find depth and grit as the season opens and also when it ends, and we know that Vokoun is capable of being the guy for us in the playoffs if Fleury can't get his head straight.

First Calgary and now Toronto, incredible rain!

http://worldnews.nbcnews....nto?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=6