I guess seeing him come to camp in this shape makes me wonder if he was mismanaged or not. Maybe the coaching staff saw something in him that they didn't like and this camp highlights that? just speculating. the despres situation could be like transformers
- ChrisMS

It's obviously early, but I believe the coaches had a problem with him before at camp. Still, he was damn good when he got a chance last year and clearly deserved to be starting over lesser players.

It's obviously early, but I believe the coaches had a problem with him before at camp. Still, he was damn good when he got a chance last year and clearly deserved to be starting over lesser players.
- madmike71

I felt the same exact way. and really I still do. But the out of shape thing does make me wonder about potential attitude problems that didn't come to light. If all the fans could see Despres needed more time, how did the coaches miss it unless there was something else we were not privy to

I felt the same exact way. and really I still do. But the out of shape thing does make me wonder about potential attitude problems that didn't come to light. If all the fans could see Despres needed more time, how did the coaches miss it unless there was something else we were not privy to
- ChrisMS

They missed a crapton of other roster issues too. Glass? Iginla on Malkin's line? Letang's lack of decision making conscience? The ever changing powerplay, even when its working? And every good decision they've made they reversed for no reason. Maybe they're just stubborn fools.

They missed a crapton of other roster issues too. Glass? Iginla on Malkin's line? Letang's lack of decision making conscience? The ever changing powerplay, even when its working? And every good decision they've made they reversed for no reason. Maybe they're just stubborn fools.
- cygnus41

glass played poorly but he a role player that they kept hoping would play like he did in peg. Iginla was the worst decision of the playoffs last year no arguing that. What are you gonna do, bench the best d-man on the team? You have to play Letang, no fault of the coaches there. Powerplays have to change based on the team you are playing. They arn't completely innocent but most, repeat most, of the moves and calls they made were right and can only be questioned on retrospect.

The only part of this that worries me is the whole MAF situation, the rest of it will work itself out , we don't HAVE another goalie we can look to , if vokoun has to take a majority of the starts he may get rundown ( he's no spring chicken) , and even if they did put him first is fluery good enough to be a solid #2 ? Hearing that Glass scored on him to start is REAL scary !! I'm trying to keep in mind it's only training camp

glass played poorly but he a role player that they kept hoping would play like he did in peg. Iginla was the worst decision of the playoffs last year no arguing that. What are you gonna do, bench the best d-man on the team? You have to play Letang, no fault of the coaches there. Powerplays have to change based on the team you are playing. They arn't completely innocent but most, repeat most, of the moves and calls they made were right and can only be questioned on retrospect.
- ChrisMS

How long do you play someone who is playing poorly? Would you let Fleury play for 15 games in a row if he was letting in 4 a night? They were willing to bench Despres when he was playing well but they won't bench a player who can't win a fight or a board battle? If Letang is playing like he's unaccountable it reflects horribly on coaches, its PRECISELY their fault if they don't punish him for not playing like a professional. He had great games playing with Despres, so I don't think he necessarily should have been benched but they can't take that off the table completely or there's no reason for him to do the hard work!

I'm actually less worried about Fleury. At least we KNOW that he is capable of playing well once he sorts his mind out and sticks to the fundamentals for a while.

How long do you play someone who is playing poorly? Would you let Fleury play for 15 games in a row if he was letting in 4 a night? They were willing to bench Despres when he was playing well but they won't bench a player who can't win a fight or a board battle? If Letang is playing like he's unaccountable it reflects horribly on coaches, its PRECISELY their fault if they don't punish him for not playing like a professional. He had great games playing with Despres, so I don't think he necessarily should have been benched but they can't take that off the table completely or there's no reason for him to do the hard work!

I'm actually less worried about Fleury. At least we KNOW that he is capable of playing well once he sorts his mind out and sticks to the fundamentals for a while.
- cygnus41

Letang had one bad series vs Boston and that series was lost because crosby and geno stunk it up. Glass is my comeback player of the year canidate

Letang had one bad series vs Boston and that series was lost because crosby and geno stunk it up. Glass is my comeback player of the year canidate
- ChrisMS

He wasn't great in the regular season either. I don't doubt his defensive abilities or his offensive abilities, he just makes some idiotic decisions in the neutral and o-zone. Glass couldn't possibly get any worse so maybe!

He wasn't great in the regular season either. I don't doubt his defensive abilities or his offensive abilities, he just makes some idiotic decisions in the neutral and o-zone. Glass couldn't possibly get any worse so maybe!
- cygnus41

He was a finalist for the Norris for Christ sake.

He was a finalist for the Norris for Christ sake.
- Ryan_Wilson

I know you don't think he's perfect. I know you don't like him getting caught below the hash marks either. Every game.

He was a finalist for the Norris for Christ sake.
- Ryan_Wilson

They should have benched him and gave his minutes to Niskanen.



Oh, wait...

I know you don't think he's perfect. I know you don't like him getting caught below the hash marks either. Every game.
- cygnus41

I'm actually fine with him getting in deep, with his speed, he makes it back 95% of the time. He forces passes too often, but overall the good outweighs the bad by a decent margin.

WTF is he doing? STAY ON THE BLUE LINE

I'm actually fine with him getting in deep, with his speed, he makes it back 95% of the time. He forces passes too often, but overall the good outweighs the bad by a decent margin.
- rival22

Letang is a beast! He'll be our best dman this year paired wings Scuds to cover for him occasionally. Despres made me mad..we all expect him to at Least be a top 6 player on this team this year. As for Flower, I've lost all my trust on him...Hope he gets better fast though.

WTF is he doing? STAY ON THE BLUE LINE


- Deadstar

He's just that good. A beast on skates. He'll be a Norris winner some day.

I know we tend to trust management, but could they be floating out that Despres is out of a shape, as an excuse to ship him to Wilks? I mean, how do you say he is a top 4 dman after the playoffs....to him starting the season in the minors? The whole situation with him has been handled very very poorly by the Pens. I just don't see how he isnt the 5th dman on this roster right now, that is what baffles me.

I know we tend to trust management, but could they be floating out that Despres is out of a shape, as an excuse to ship him to Wilks? I mean, how do you say he is a top 4 dman after the playoffs....to him starting the season in the minors? The whole situation with him has been handled very very poorly by the Pens. I just don't see how he isnt the 5th dman on this roster right now, that is what baffles me.
- Thorny

If he's shown up out of shape, then its his fault and he has to take the fall. I agree with your assessment as he should have been paired with Letang for most of the year and playoffs, what I wish is that they were as willing to punish all of the other players too.

Who knows though, its one day, maybe he has the flu or something.

If he's shown up out of shape, then its his fault and he has to take the fall. I agree with your assessment as he should have been paired with Letang for most of the year and playoffs, what I wish is that they were as willing to punish all of the other players too.

Who knows though, its one day, maybe he has the flu or something.
- cygnus41

I just don't understand after one day, he goes from a top 4 pairing to starting in Wilks...That is what I don't get. Could they be trying to motivate him? Possibly, are they trying to let other teams know, hey we dont have to trade Nisky...to make his value a bit higher...also possible, but I just don't see how keeping Nisky and having Despres start in the minors...is best for this team. If that is going to be the case, trade Despres for a winger and end the situation.

I know we tend to trust management, but could they be floating out that Despres is out of a shape, as an excuse to ship him to Wilks? I mean, how do you say he is a top 4 dman after the playoffs....to him starting the season in the minors? The whole situation with him has been handled very very poorly by the Pens. I just don't see how he isnt the 5th dman on this roster right now, that is what baffles me.
- Thorny

It's not the team floating that Despres is out of shape. On Twitter yesterday, more than one reporter/blogger made a comment about him looking out of shape as he was skating in the on ice tests.

This isn't the first time he's come to camp a little out of shape. He did a couple years ago, but you kinda chalk that up to a young player learning. To do it again isn't good.

You hear a lot about the Pens wanting guys with a high compete level, maybe Despres just doesn't fit this team. I mean if coming into camp fighting for a full time spot in a contract year doesn't get you motivated to bust your ass in the summer, I'm not sure what would.

I hate all of you. You can't truly be putting any stock in to 2 days of camp.

To lighten the mood a bit, I just wanted to pass along that Tyler Kennedy started camp on San Jose's first line with Joe Thornton and Brent Burns.

I know we tend to trust management, but could they be floating out that Despres is out of a shape, as an excuse to ship him to Wilks? I mean, how do you say he is a top 4 dman after the playoffs....to him starting the season in the minors? The whole situation with him has been handled very very poorly by the Pens. I just don't see how he isnt the 5th dman on this roster right now, that is what baffles me.
- Thorny

They dont need an excuse to send him. If after evaluating their situation and feel that the AHL is where he belongs then that's what they'll do.

They aren't going to besmirch somebody intentionally to create excuses. That would create a poor culture and every player says just the opposite about the culture.

Wow, the way it sounds in here, you would think the Penguins barely made the playoffs last year and got swept in the first round........

Hate the Flyers, but Steve Mason's new mask is sweet:

Wow, the way it sounds in here, you would think the Penguins barely made the playoffs last year and got swept in the first round........
- cap1681

I know it's a shame. We haven even played and exhibition game yet. I was going to the practice but I'm taking my son to his 1st Pitt game. He's a huge Pitt fan at the age of 5 so I'm excited. Got 2 tickets on the 50 for $4