Additionally there will be a time where Bennett takes Dupuis' spot full time and Dupuis then becomes a very solid 3rd line player.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'd agree that is very likely. But I do like the idea of Bennett spending some time of the 3rd-line with Sutter. He could could certainly use some time to hone his defensive skills and forecheck against 3/4 or 5/6 Dmen before having to play against the 1/2 Dmen that Crosby's line faces every shift.

@JoshYohe_Trib
Forgot to mention earlier because of the Malkin news, but there is some good injury news. Scuderi, Glass are skating, close to practicing.

Congratulations on being post #48 on Tyler Kennedy day.
- Ryan_Wilson

He wins a makeover to look like him!

He wins a makeover to look like him!
- canadianpenfan

Somebody call Al Gore. Manbearpig is on the loose!

IDK, I think the Sharks 3rd line is better than the old Pens 3rd line. Didn't realize they were that stacked.

I'll admit I was a Kennedy basher. Not that I thought that he sucked, but he was not worth $2mil and some thought he was a top 6 player. No way! He did take way too many bad angle shots though.

Fenclose% 2010-2013 54.7%

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ick&sort=PCT&sortdir=DESC
- Ryan_Wilson

For some reason when I worked through the stats year by year at that link, it didnt show Kennedy for every year.
If you look at the charts here: http://stats.hockeyanalys...wplayercharts.php?pid=714
Interesting to note that he got slightly more offensive zone starts his last 2 years(2011/2012 and 2012/2013) in Pitt, and yet his stats went down from their highs in the 2010/11 season. Seems counter intuitive, but I admittedly dont have a great handle on advanced metrics.

I'll be interested to see how MEV does at defending Crosby tonight. Should be a good game, especially since Malkin is out

I'll be interested to see how MEV does at defending Crosby tonight. Should be a good game, especially since Malkin is out
- FinAddict

Makes my proline an easy choice now

Makes my proline an easy choice now
- keithward

Mine too.

Makes my proline an easy choice now
- keithward

IDK if we bring the effort level we brought against Toronto the other night I think Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins could kick our ass

IDK, I think the Sharks 3rd line is better than the old Pens 3rd line. Didn't realize they were that stacked.

I'll admit I was a Kennedy basher. Not that I thought that he sucked, but he was not worth $2mil and some thought he was a top 6 player. No way! He did take way too many bad angle shots though.
- sammy87

It's weird how often I've heard either that, or he shoots only at the crest of the goalies' jersey. I think he passes way more then shoots always.
And the sharks third is good only because the top two sit with a rookie on the sides.
Hertl - Thornton - Burns
Marleau - Couture - Wingles
Kennedy - Pavelski - Havlat
Brown - Desjardins - Sheppard

Any IDEa what happend to malkin and how long he's gone?

Any IDEa what happend to malkin and how long he's gone?
- Snagglepuss

Day to Day in Penspeak... so I would say two months

Day to Day in Penspeak... so I would say two months
- Tiogadog

And it's a "lower body injury" which means probably a concussion.

So you're not coming to the parade? Just wait until you see the festivities when Cooke comes home.
- canadianpenfan

Bartley is probably already ironing his Sunday underwear for the occasion.

Sooooo.... Basically a one line team tonight. Might as well go all out and put Neal with Sid. Drop Dupper with Sutter.

Damn. Was really looking forward to this.

Too bad we dont still have Jeffrey

@JoshYohe_Trib
Forgot to mention earlier because of the Malkin news, but there is some good injury news. Scuderi, Glass are skating, close to practicing.
- Ryan_Wilson

that is great news. would love to get scuderi back and pair him with letang. ill admit ive been really anti letang lately, but in fairness i would like to see him get a good extended stretch with scuderi. although at the same time, ive been pretty pleased with despres. he is showing everyone what was known all along. he absolutely belongs.

and even glass to an extent will help for sure. i was extremely lukewarm on him last year, but he has definitely been a decent 4th line guy this year.

Don't forget what Jussi was able to do last year in the 2C role. I'd load up Sid's line and play Neal with Crosby and Kuni and move Duper with Jussi.

Don't forget what Jussi was able to do last year in the 2C role. I'd load up Sid's line and play Neal with Crosby and Kuni and move Duper with Jussi.
- dbell646

Yeah, forgot that Jussi is a pretty decent center. I think I remember 'canes fan's saying he's a better center than wing.

Yeah, forgot that Jussi is a pretty decent center. I think I remember 'canes fan's saying he's a better center than wing.
- madmike71

Yea I remember hearing that as well. I know he can't replace Geno but I think he will be serviceable. Either way I'm excited. Great team to measure up against in December.

Not sure how anyone could consider this game a measuring stick of anything. SJ is healthy missing only a pair of 4th liners/healthy scratches. The Pens will be without 30% of their top 20 including arguably their best 2 D-men and 3 top 9 forwards, one of which is the 2nd leading scorer in the league.

As for Letang, we now have a 20 game sample to base things on and the stats are almost as ugly as the decision making we see on the ice. 10 points and a -4 are pretty bad considering his icetime, his skillset, the offensive talent on the team, and his salary. Even worse, only 3 of those points are at even strength...projecting to 12 for a full season and placing him last on the Pens for d-men that have played 20 games. Add in the deer in headlights defense he's playing and he's just a nightmare right now.

Congratulations on being post #48 on Tyler Kennedy day.
- Ryan_Wilson

WOOT! What did I win???!?!

Perhaps a date with mattress world girl? (maybe not, the wife would likely veto that idea)

Perhaps a piece of puck marked glass from behind the goal from all those missed TK shot attempts?

Not sure how anyone could consider this game a measuring stick of anything. SJ is healthy missing only a pair of 4th liners/healthy scratches. The Pens will be without 30% of their top 20 including arguably their best 2 D-men and 3 top 9 forwards, one of which is the 2nd leading scorer in the league.

As for Letang, we now have a 20 game sample to base things on and the stats are almost as ugly as the decision making we see on the ice. 10 points and a -4 are pretty bad considering his icetime, his skillset, the offensive talent on the team, and his salary. Even worse, only 3 of those points are at even strength...projecting to 12 for a full season and placing him last on the Pens for d-men that have played 20 games. Add in the deer in headlights defense he's playing and he's just a nightmare right now.
- Pags

I'm not. Minus Malkin, Suds and Martin I expect a 5-2 Sharks win.