The nice thing for the Penguins is that they will get the opportunity to see Niskanen in the playoffs again before making a decision.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yep, pretty much.

This is why I question just how willingly the Pens are to trade Despres. There is a pretty good chance they are without Nisky, Orpik and Engo at the end of this year. And Martin is done after next. There's no certainty that any of these guys are playing here in two years and I know we have depth, but I'm not sure they can just count on all those young guys coming up and being competent. From what I saw, Dumoulin didn't look all that great....certainly Despres was the better of those two.

Good timing on this... Jesse Marshall has contributed some Niskanen stats on Rossi's latest blog:

http://blog.triblive.com/...n-niskanen/#axzz2r3P62gCq
- rival22

Pretty impressive season he's having. Certainly can be a discussion on retaining him and dealing others.

There really is no reason for their power play to be as poor as it is with such a competent quarterback in Campbell.
- Ryan_Wilson

It has been HORRIBLE. You'd think with Campbell it wouldn't be, but he is part of the problem. Too many passes. When we do shoot, there is no one in front of the net to create a screen. We shoot ourselves in the foot.

It has been HORRIBLE. You'd think with Campbell it wouldn't be, but he is part of the problem. Too many passes. When we do shoot, there is no one in front of the net to create a screen. We shoot ourselves in the foot.
- Panthers88

Panthers need a trigger man flanking Campbell on either side (or both). Campbell is a distributor first and always will be. Bergenheim and Boyes are underwhelming personnel to be on the 1st power play.

It has been HORRIBLE. You'd think with Campbell it wouldn't be, but he is part of the problem. Too many passes. When we do shoot, there is no one in front of the net to create a screen. We shoot ourselves in the foot.
- Panthers88

Bjustad looks like a keeper. Lots of young talent on that squad. Could be a sick PP in a couple more years.

Panthers need a trigger man flanking Campbell on either side (or both). Campbell is a distributor first and always will be. Bergenheim and Boyes are underwhelming personnel to be on the 1st power play.
- Ryan_Wilson

I thought Kulikov would have been that guy.

I thought Kulikov would have been that guy.
- canadianpenfan

He does have a bomb.

He does have a bomb.
- Ryan_Wilson

He does.. but he only shows up 50% of the season. His mind is already over in Russia where he will probably be playing next season. I like Dylan Olsen; whom we got from the Hawks. That kid can SHOOT. Gilbert isn't bad, either. But we will bring some people in Have a lot in the wings still like Petrovic, Racine, Matheson, McCoshen..

Don't get too high on Nisky, I have heard from a very reliable source that he is on his way back to Dallas for Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

Pointing out that he s inherited superstars regardless of their age does not favor your arguement in the slightest way...

- Brianandr1

Sure it does. You said he doesn't handle young players well, no qualifiers. I gave you a bunch of examples that prove otherwise.

You can't just ignore the comments of 2 vital players on this team because their inconvient .. They play like an Allstar team and win on talent more often then not... Some of us having been saying this all season .. Win or lose ... It will be tough to win a cup if what nisk and scuds are saying is correct.

- Brianandr1

You've been saying it all season, when they were holding teams to 2.20 goals per game? They play like an All-Star team because they are an All-Star team. Niskanen didn't say a peep about Bylsma. He was talking to the players, who didn't do the things Bylsma wants them to do last night.

Scuderi? I don't know about Scuderi. I think he called them the Globetrotters because he's playing Washington Generals hockey right now. The Kings and their defense-first style have had far less regular season success as the Penguins, and the same amount of post-season success. There's no one formula, it's matchups. Sometimes you get a favorable matchup, sometimes you don't. The Penguins were a couple of seconds away from getting to face Toronto and not Boston. It's the playoffs, it's what happens.

The Penguins' stripes aren't going to change because of a coach, unless that coach seriously limits the offensive creativity of his superstars, which is an asinine idea. If you're going to employ Malkin, you have to take the good with the bad. Same with Neal. Same with Letang. Same even with Crosby sometimes.

And for everyone that wants to point out tangradi ... Letestu and Lovejoy have gone on to be key contributors to their new teams... I don't care if they win yen straight or lose ten straight ..
- Brianandr1

Letestu and Lovejoy were continuously dogged by Penguins fans while they were here. There were not spots available for either of them. Missing either of them will not make or break this franchise.

Some people on this these think its sac religious to point out that bylsma makes bad choices at times ...
- Brianandr1

I have no problem with criticism except when it's factually inaccurate, like the idea that Bylsma's give up too many third period comebacks.

Don't get too high on Nisky, I have heard from a very reliable source that he is on his way back to Dallas for Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
- nbartley9

Sure it does. You said he doesn't handle young players well, no qualifiers. I gave you a bunch of examples that prove otherwise.



You've been saying it all season, when they were holding teams to 2.20 goals per game? They play like an All-Star team because they are an All-Star team. Niskanen didn't say a peep about Bylsma. He was talking to the players, who didn't do the things Bylsma wants them to do last night.

Scuderi? I don't know about Scuderi. I think he called them the Globetrotters because he's playing Washington Generals hockey right now. The Kings and their defense-first style have had far less regular season success as the Penguins, and the same amount of post-season success. There's no one formula, it's matchups. Sometimes you get a favorable matchup, sometimes you don't. The Penguins were a couple of seconds away from getting to face Toronto and not Boston. It's the playoffs, it's what happens.

The Penguins' stripes aren't going to change because of a coach, unless that coach seriously limits the offensive creativity of his superstars, which is an asinine idea. If you're going to employ Malkin, you have to take the good with the bad. Same with Neal. Same with Letang. Same even with Crosby sometimes.



Letestu and Lovejoy were continuously dogged by Penguins fans while they were here. There were not spots available for either of them. Missing either of them will not make or break this franchise.



I have no problem with criticism except when it's factually inaccurate, like the idea that Bylsma's give up too many third period comebacks.
- hardnosed

Bjustad looks like a keeper. Lots of young talent on that squad. Could be a sick PP in a couple more years.
- canadianpenfan

Yeah for a kid that is 6'6" and only 21 years old who will still add weight and isn't afraid to hit the kid has some sick skill. I know many fans don't see Panthers highlights but almost all the goals he's scored are highlight reel goals. Drives to the net, shields the puck, and has a wicked shot. With him and Barkov this team is set at C for many years to come on the top 2 lines.

He does.. but he only shows up 50% of the season. His mind is already over in Russia where he will probably be playing next season. I like Dylan Olsen; whom we got from the Hawks. That kid can SHOOT. Gilbert isn't bad, either. But we will bring some people in Have a lot in the wings still like Petrovic, Racine, Matheson, McCoshen..
- Panthers88

I really hope that isn't true and he flips the switch in his head because the last handful of games he has been playing really well. It's obvious he has a ton of skill when he shows up. I hope he realizes the Panthers could have a top team pretty soon and he could be a big part of it.

Sure it does. You said he doesn't handle young players well, no qualifiers. I gave you a bunch of examples that prove otherwise.



You've been saying it all season, when they were holding teams to 2.20 goals per game? They play like an All-Star team because they are an All-Star team. Niskanen didn't say a peep about Bylsma. He was talking to the players, who didn't do the things Bylsma wants them to do last night.

Scuderi? I don't know about Scuderi. I think he called them the Globetrotters because he's playing Washington Generals hockey right now. The Kings and their defense-first style have had far less regular season success as the Penguins, and the same amount of post-season success. There's no one formula, it's matchups. Sometimes you get a favorable matchup, sometimes you don't. The Penguins were a couple of seconds away from getting to face Toronto and not Boston. It's the playoffs, it's what happens.

The Penguins' stripes aren't going to change because of a coach, unless that coach seriously limits the offensive creativity of his superstars, which is an asinine idea. If you're going to employ Malkin, you have to take the good with the bad. Same with Neal. Same with Letang. Same even with Crosby sometimes.



Letestu and Lovejoy were continuously dogged by Penguins fans while they were here. There were not spots available for either of them. Missing either of them will not make or break this franchise.



I have no problem with criticism except when it's factually inaccurate, like the idea that Bylsma's give up too many third period comebacks.
- hardnosed

I dont disagree with this, nor am I flying off the handle because the pens lost a game at home to Florida. Im concerned that this style may not win in the playoffs. Florida's first goal last night was a result of Malkin playing the point on the PP and getting caught in deep... Why is he playing the point when they have Martin, Letang and Nisk? How does Bylsma not get some of the blame? Again its one regular season game, we wont be saying that in game 5 of the playoffs?

Well since we have some Penguins and Panthers fans talking hockey I feel as though it is fitting to announce the following:

@JoshYohe_Trib
Vokoun is off blood thinners. Is skating tomorrow in Pittsburgh.

Is that two games in row that the Penguins have given up a shorty?

Careless and sloppy....

Well since we have some Penguins and Panthers fans talking hockey I feel as though it is fitting to announce the following:

@JoshYohe_Trib
Vokoun is off blood thinners. Is skating tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
- Ryan_Wilson

Glad to hear his recovery is going well. Of course, I'm jealous he gets to start skating.

Well since we have some Penguins and Panthers fans talking hockey I feel as though it is fitting to announce the following:

@JoshYohe_Trib
Vokoun is off blood thinners. Is skating tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
- Ryan_Wilson

Holy crap that's awesome news, I was hoping that the Koun would be back this year.

Well since we have some Penguins and Panthers fans talking hockey I feel as though it is fitting to announce the following:

@JoshYohe_Trib
Vokoun is off blood thinners. Is skating tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
- Ryan_Wilson

Wow that is great news. Guess we won't know for a few weeks weather he intends to play or retire. How would that impact us cap wise if he is to return?

Wow that is great news. Guess we won't know for a few weeks weather he intends to play or retire. How would that impact us cap wise if he is to return?
- dbell646

I think Dupuis' LTIR can offset any issues we'd have with Vokoun back on the books.

I think Dupuis' LTIR can offset any issues we'd have with Vokoun back on the books.
- rival22

Yeah, with Dupuis on LTIR, we will still have space for Vokoun, but that will greatly diminish our cap space for any potential trades. The other interesting factor here, is it seems Pyatt is starting to play his way onto staying on this team. I thought for sure after his first couple games he would be waived for the cap space, but between Vokoun and Pyatt, that almost entirely takes up Dupuis' LTIR cap relief. I would have to look at it some more, but guessing we would have less than $1 Million in available cap space come deadline time if we are expecting Vokoun back.

I think Dupuis' LTIR can offset any issues we'd have with Vokoun back on the books.
- rival22

Is there a "drop dead" date for when players have to be activated off LTIR or lost for season? Im wondering if they could get him practicing with the team and bring him back close to season's end when the cap goes away for the playoffs--I seem to remember in years past where they were over the cap in the postseason because of call-ups and guys coming back from injury.

Well since we have some Penguins and Panthers fans talking hockey I feel as though it is fitting to announce the following:

@JoshYohe_Trib
Vokoun is off blood thinners. Is skating tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
- Ryan_Wilson

great news indeed, if only as a sign for his own long term health and for him personally.

Is there a "drop dead" date for when players have to be activated off LTIR or lost for season? Im wondering if they could get him practicing with the team and bring him back close to season's end when the cap goes away for the playoffs--I seem to remember in years past where they were over the cap in the postseason because of call-ups and guys coming back from injury.
- Rawdog9755

players on LTIR can come back at anytime because they are already on the roster. lingering free agents must be signed by the trade deadline.