Given the cap space problems, you'll see alot more of players like Bennett and Despres in the lineup.

Another great blog, but for every Mr. Wilson there must be a Dennis.
To me Bylsma's success and failures are not totally defined on the stat sheet and no way should it be put all on MAF, the guys roster moves are totally insane. Playing Tanner Glass ever, not playing frail little Despres, clearly 100% misuse of a future Hall of Famer, huge blunders. I will not accept the fact that Bylsma played Iggy were he did because it was a better fit for the team, he played him there because in the very first interview Jarome did in a Pens uniform he said we was looking forward to playing on Crosby's line. Bylsma sure showed him didn't he. Then no Kennedy when we were playing a team that speed was their number one asset, its mind boggling.

We will not win with this guy.

Another great blog, but for every Mr. Wilson there must be a Dennis.
To me Bylsma's success and failures are not totally defined on the stat sheet and no way should it be put all on MAF, the guys roster moves are totally insane. Playing Tanner Glass ever, not playing frail little Despres, clearly 100% misuse of a future Hall of Famer, huge blunders. I will not accept the fact that Bylsma played Iggy were he did because it was a better fit for the team, he played him there because in the very first interview Jarome did in a Pens uniform he said we was looking forward to playing on Crosby's line. Bylsma sure showed him didn't he. Then no Kennedy when we were playing a team that speed was their number one asset, its mind boggling.
- nbartley9

Full disclosure. I did live next door to a family with the last name Mitchell for about 13 years. Their son's name was Eric however.

Full disclosure. I did live next door to a family with the last name Mitchell for about 13 years. Their son's name was Eric however.
- Ryan_Wilson

HA now that's funny stuff.
Was the other family aware of the coincidence?

It's a rodeo and 10 days of looking at this at every bar you go to.



- canadianpenfan

seems incredible

little chubbie
- nh4442

But...it's free.

I haven't looked at the stats and all. But I've watched the games and I know hockey. Pittsburgh's defensive system sucks. Put that in your stat machine. I'm not saying Fleury is a great goalie. But help the guy out a little, eh?

Why is everyone in Pittsburgh afraid to criticize the stars? Sure Fleury is a huge issue, but a big part of it is that the stars do not back check or forecheck. The Pens have the most talent in the league and they prove that in the regular season when there is less interference, but it does not work in the playoffs.
Something else the writer forgot to mention is look how good the numbers were for a 3 year period when a certain player missed the majority of the games. Oh wait, I forgot we cant criticize him.
The Pens made the finals because of the cup cakes they had in the first two rounds then got embarrassed by a team that played a superior playoff style. A style that makes the stars sacrifice both offense and their bodies to win the game, something the Pens stars will not do. How can someone write an article blaming the goal tender when a team that is built on offensive fire power scores two goals in 4 games? Its a simple formula, don't give Crosby and Malkin room on the ice and the entire team shuts down. The Bruin forwards focused on those two players instead of offense and everything fell right into place.

You can blame fleury for some, but not all of it. The pens played terribly at times and left fleury out to dry. I'm sorry but to claim fleury is the reason the pens lost previous playoff series is just ridiculous. When you make that many turnovers, some are bound to go in. It's a little bit of everything; Bylsma not adjusting, fleury losing confidence, defense with dumb turnovers, and the offense not burying their chances.

Why is everyone in Pittsburgh afraid to criticize the stars? Sure Fleury is a huge issue, but a big part of it is that the stars do not back check or forecheck. The Pens have the most talent in the league and they prove that in the regular season when there is less interference, but it does not work in the playoffs.
Something else the writer forgot to mention is look how good the numbers were for a 3 year period when a certain player missed the majority of the games. Oh wait, I forgot we cant criticize him.
The Pens made the finals because of the cup cakes they had in the first two rounds then got embarrassed by a team that played a superior playoff style. A style that makes the stars sacrifice both offense and their bodies to win the game, something the Pens stars will not do. How can someone write an article blaming the goal tender when a team that is built on offensive fire power scores two goals in 4 games? Its a simple formula, don't give Crosby and Malkin room on the ice and the entire team shuts down. The Bruin forwards focused on those two players instead of offense and everything fell right into place.
- wintergolf

Well mr. Flyers fan, I have to agree with you.

I haven't looked at the stats and all. But I've watched the games and I know hockey. Pittsburgh's defensive system sucks. Put that in your stat machine. I'm not saying Fleury is a great goalie. But help the guy out a little, eh?
- yzermaneely

Same system was in place for Vokoun.

Same system was in place for Vokoun.
- Ryan_Wilson

And they still got swept, which means it's more than just a goalie issue

I am willing to agree that the Flyers round and the his last two games against the Islanders weren't Fleury's undoing. But I am not willing to blame him for the losses to the Lightning, Habs and Bruins.

Against the Lighting they basically let guys like Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos run wild. Only on the opening shift of Game 1 did someone get physical against the Lightning skill and it didn't help that the Penguins skill players were all in the M.A.S.H unit. Against the Habs, they just came up with the perfect scheme to stop the Penguins offense and the skill players got frustrated and stop producing. Much like what happened against the Bruins this season. You'll never win a series if you can't even score a goal/game.

Perhaps Fleury does need a new start and the Penguins need a new goalie. Especially for the playoffs.

As for Bylsma, his system is effective but he lacks the ability or the attentiveness to make the proper adjustments at the right times.

I haven't looked at the stats and all. But I've watched the games and I know hockey. Pittsburgh's defensive system sucks. Put that in your stat machine. I'm not saying Fleury is a great goalie. But help the guy out a little, eh?
- yzermaneely

Has a team ever won a series when they score 2 goals in four games? If you know hockey so well, you would be able recognize that outside of the debacle of game 2, it wasn't the Penguins defense that was the problem.

Here's the shakeup we've been waiting for:

@penguins: The #Pens are pleased to announce the addition of Teddy Richards as assistant equipment manager. He joins Pittsburgh from @WBSPenguins.

Here's the shakeup we've been waiting for:

@penguins: The #Pens are pleased to announce the addition of Teddy Richards as assistant equipment manager. He joins Pittsburgh from @WBSPenguins.
- drummer829

Here's the shakeup we've been waiting for:

@penguins: The #Pens are pleased to announce the addition of Teddy Richards as assistant equipment manager. He joins Pittsburgh from @WBSPenguins.
- drummer829

Still pretty cool. That is such a thankless job when you compare it to others in the NHL.

But yeah...they have to do something eventually.

It's a rodeo and 10 days of looking at this at every bar you go to.



- canadianpenfan

Gross! And the one in the middle is pregnant. I'd still hit that

Why is everyone in Pittsburgh afraid to criticize the stars? Sure Fleury is a huge issue, but a big part of it is that the stars do not back check or forecheck. The Pens have the most talent in the league and they prove that in the regular season when there is less interference, but it does not work in the playoffs.
Something else the writer forgot to mention is look how good the numbers were for a 3 year period when a certain player missed the majority of the games. Oh wait, I forgot we cant criticize him.
The Pens made the finals because of the cup cakes they had in the first two rounds then got embarrassed by a team that played a superior playoff style. A style that makes the stars sacrifice both offense and their bodies to win the game, something the Pens stars will not do. How can someone write an article blaming the goal tender when a team that is built on offensive fire power scores two goals in 4 games? Its a simple formula, don't give Crosby and Malkin room on the ice and the entire team shuts down. The Bruin forwards focused on those two players instead of offense and everything fell right into place.
- wintergolf

I called out 87/71 when everyone was bashing Letang. Yea he was bad but those 2 make 9 mil a piece. 0 pts between them is unacceptable. And your assesment is incorrect. Geno and Sid both are more than willing to do what it takes to win games. I saw Geno laying out to block shots and back checking like a dog. A lot of offense started behind our net with crosby winning a battle moving the puck quickly and skating back into the play. Boston played their game perfectly and Pens were as it seemd unwilling to do what was necessary but that is not the norm

Still pretty cool. That is such a thankless job when you compare it to others in the NHL.

But yeah...they have to do something eventually.
- HopintheCordoba

Those equipment guys put in like 18 days on home game days, and even more time when on the road.

I can't imagine doing that gig while you have a family.

Those equipment guys put in like 18 days on home game days, and even more time when on the road.

I can't imagine doing that gig while you have a family.
- rival22

I have a friend who was a former teammate of mine that is the equipment trainer for a team in the AHL, he works extremely hard. Its a thankless job but provides such a service to the players so that they can just focus on the hockey part of things.

Here's the shakeup we've been waiting for:

@penguins: The #Pens are pleased to announce the addition of Teddy Richards as assistant equipment manager. He joins Pittsburgh from @WBSPenguins.
- drummer829

oh snap

Just watching youtube clips of Harry Z. Plays with an edge is fast and if you're on his line be ready for some scrums. He did get beat up by Vitale and TK. Vitale beat him down. I think I'm going to like him if they let him play every day.

We still haven't signed a goal tending coach have we?

We still haven't signed a goal tending coach have we?
- dbell646

No one wants to deal with the headcase that they have in pitt...