Exactly. Which is why I think we're going to have to sacrifice Neal, Sutter, and/or Despres to acquire anything of value.
- 87_71_11_29

You sacrifice contracts that aren't helping you that others would value. Neal is a 30-40 goal scorer making a good wage. Letang is making 7.25 million which is four million too much based on his gaffes and fragileness.

Why on earth do you want to add a third line center making 5 million? That is what Kesler would be on this roster. I love him to death. He plays hard. That said, he is an injury waiting to happen. We don't have the assets to trade for Kesler. As I said before, if we did, he would be a Penguin right now. It's obvious he isn't.

You screw up everything more with that deal.

Kesler fills in at third center for Sutter. So, now instead of having to look for only one forward for Geno's line - having a feeling Jokinen won't be back, you now need two.

So, you have improved the third line ... Stempy-Kesler-Kassian, but ruined the second line. Geno can't do it all by himself.

There's no Malin. Do you mean Martin?
- drummer829

No, for Wayne Simmons, I want Eveni Malin or Siney Cosby.

No, for Wayne Simmons, I want Eveni Malin or Siney Cosby.
- jmatchett383

Richard Simmons for Bill Cosby

Richard Simmons for Bill Cosby
- drummer829

+17 internets to you today.

Richard Simmons for Bill Cosby
- drummer829

That is a god awful trade.

The Pens Nation hosted a roundtable today that included Brian Metzer, Andy Hughes, Annie Shean, and myself.

This will have to serve as the blog today. Enjoy.

http://network.yardbarker...yb_original_head_16344431
- Ryan_Wilson

Totally agree with what you said about the pens PK. Having one forward chasing the puck with one guy standing still in the slot makes no sense to me, even if we have Konstantin Koltsov doing the chasing. Say what you want about Adams and Glass but they have balls, and will block anything they can. I say play the box, let the forwards stay in there quadrant, which pretty much cuts they're ice coverage in half, and take away shots.

Game #5 will tell us so much about this team and their future this spring.

Bylsma has called them out to the media, and according to their comments, they have called each other out in the lockerroom.

I'm predicting that these guys come out with guns blazing Saturday and bury the Blue Jackets. Nothing gives me hope that they will be able to keep that intensity level up full time, but if they can do it for 60 minutes, it will at least show us that they can (and that they care).

They need a Mario, "Play without fear" message...

That is a god awful trade.
- PensFan1103

Bill stays. No negotiating that.

Game #5 will tell us so much about this team and their future this spring.

Bylsma has called them out to the media, and according to their comments, they have called each other out in the lockerroom.

I'm predicting that these guys come out with guns blazing Saturday and bury the Blue Jackets. Nothing gives me hope that they will be able to keep that intensity level up full time, but if they can do it for 60 minutes, it will at least show us that they can (and that they care).

They need a Mario, "Play without fear" message...
- rival22

Couldn't agree more. I hope people realize how much is riding on this game/series. Should be entertaining. When you have superstars that can't score and a goalie letting in incomprehensible goals, I honestly have no idea what to expect.

Couldn't agree more. I hope people realize how much is riding on this game/series. Should be entertaining. When you have superstars that can't score and a goalie letting in incomprehensible goals, I honestly have no idea what to expect.
- madmike71

Alot os riding on the line regarding that game. Lose and I have a good feeling we lose game 6 in Columbus, even though the clsing game is the roughest to get. Jobs are on the line (Bylsma and maybe Shero) and players could be playing their final games in Pittsburgh.

Megna out and adams still in with goc in the lineup is bullpoop. Bylsma is a horrible coach and needs to go!!

This type of coaching is absolutely (frank)ed up.

Megna sutter bennett has been the best line the last 2 games...so let's (frank) with it. Try messing with the top 2 lines who aren't doing poop or the (frank)ed up horrible power play. I honestly hope pens lose just because I want bylsma to go so bad... Adams glass scuds etc can all be placed on waivers traded sold whatever just get them off the bench!!!!!

Megna out and adams still in with goc in the lineup is bullpoop. Bylsma is a horrible coach and needs to go!!

This type of coaching is absolutely (frank)ed up.

Megna sutter bennett has been the best line the last 2 games...so let's (frank) with it. Try messing with the top 2 lines who aren't doing poop or the (frank)ed up horrible power play. I honestly hope pens lose just because I want bylsma to go so bad... Adams glass scuds etc can all be placed on waivers traded sold whatever just get them off the bench!!!!!
- nh4442

Megna is a no impact player, Brian Gibbons plays a bigger game than him.

Megna out and adams still in with goc in the lineup is bullpoop. Bylsma is a horrible coach and needs to go!!

This type of coaching is absolutely (frank)ed up.

Megna sutter bennett has been the best line the last 2 games...so let's (frank) with it. Try messing with the top 2 lines who aren't doing poop or the (frank)ed up horrible power play. I honestly hope pens lose just because I want bylsma to go so bad... Adams glass scuds etc can all be placed on waivers traded sold whatever just get them off the bench!!!!!
- nh4442

Those three players have a combined 2 shots on goal in the last 2 games. If that's the best line, then we are in trouble.

Don't let you hatred of Bylsma cloud your common sense.

the one thing i will say about neal, is it is ridiculously hard to replace the production you get out of him for the money he costs. the fact he is cost controlled at a very reasonable rate for 4 more years, makes him a pretty valuable asset.
- stayinthefnnet

Agreed Neal is not the problem ... Neither is Orpik by the way if he plays like he does the last 10 games... You consider moving Neal if the guy comng back is named wheeler or Kane... Sutter is a tough call... Depends on his cap ... 3 - 3.25 max ... He s a bottom 6 player ... Jokes at 3 to 3.25 with Malkin and Neal solid ... Regardless the bottom 6 wings must be upgraded
As far as d maata is the only untouchable with Martin close to it ( would have to be blown away), letang is next to impossible to move, scuderi (not taking junk back like Leino) and depres should both be available at the right price ... I like borts as the 6-7

Those three players have a combined 2 shots on goal in the last 2 games. If that's the best line, then we are in trouble.

Don't let you hatred of Bylsma cloud your common sense.
- rival22

Megna has been an inconsequential player but Sutter with 2 g, 1 a and Bennett with 1 g and 3 a have been some of their best players IMO.

I don't like Dan and I want him gone too, but I actually think he's doing much better than the last couple of years. He's at least making quick adjustments to lines and strategy as the game dictates. I'm still not a fan of Glass and Adams getting jersey's but I at least understand it.

Megna has been an inconsequential player but Sutter with 2 g, 1 a and Bennett with 1 g and 3 a have been some of their best players IMO.

I don't like Dan and I want him gone too, but I actually think he's doing much better than the last couple of years. He's at least making quick adjustments to lines and strategy as the game dictates. I'm still not a fan of Glass and Adams getting jersey's but I at least understand it.
- madmike71

Sutter has been very good this series overall, and Bennett has been ok. I actually thought that top line had it's most offensive chances with Bennett on it in the first half of game #1.

But Megna, who I like, has been invisible.

Sutter has been very good this series overall, and Bennett has been ok. I actually thought that top line had it's most offensive chances with Bennett on it in the first half of game #1.

But Megna, who I like, has been invisible.
- rival22

Which for our bottom 6 isn't a bad thing. The alternative is probably being worked over for a goal against.

Which for our bottom 6 isn't a bad thing. The alternative is probably being worked over for a goal against.
- Ryan_Wilson

Well, he's no Taylor Pyatt...

Which for our bottom 6 isn't a bad thing. The alternative is probably being worked over for a goal against.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yet Glass is even and Adams is a plus one on a shorty he scored himself. I would choose better players over either if they were available, Megna just isn't that player.

Pierre Mcguire just said "smiling like a butchers dog" to describe Alain Vigneault. I need another beer.

Which for our bottom 6 isn't a bad thing. The alternative is probably being worked over for a goal against.
- Ryan_Wilson

Yup. I literally hold my breath when Adams and Glass are out there. I'm so used to seeing them being hemmed in for long stretches. I'll admit, last game wasn't their worst game, but I have no faith that will continue.

My Dad has been a season ticket holder for a long time, he just got a call saying tomorrow's game is still not yet sold out. That's pretty hard to believe. Fans are turning already!

My Dad has been a season ticket holder for a long time, he just got a call saying tomorrow's game is still not yet sold out. That's pretty hard to believe. Fans are turning already!
- sammy87

Not sure if it's fans turning, but this team is in danger of what happened to teams like the Atlanta Braves, or even the Red Wings in recent years. So many years of really good teams, people are content waiting until later rounds of the playoffs to buy tickets. $100 minimum for a seat, a lot of people can't afford to go to multiple games.

My Dad has been a season ticket holder for a long time, he just got a call saying tomorrow's game is still not yet sold out. That's pretty hard to believe. Fans are turning already!
- sammy87

been that way for a while. they have been getting around that "straight sell out" thing by giving extra tickets away to corporations and sponsors and such.

people are tired of the same thing year after year. im still surprised by this, but not blown away. people are sick of the corporate attitude at the arena, the continuing ticket price hikes, and just a lack of atmosphere at Consol.

I think it speaks volumes, but I think the big screen outside is more popular than going to the game.

for those that don't live here, trust me, I don't think I have ever seen a pedestrian view of these playoffs from the fans end. you could walk throughout the city and have no idea that this team is in the playoffs.

just crazy the difference between this year and last year.

been that way for a while. they have been getting around that "straight sell out" thing by giving extra tickets away to corporations and sponsors and such.

people are tired of the same thing year after year. im still surprised by this, but not blown away. people are sick of the corporate attitude at the arena, the continuing ticket price hikes, and just a lack of atmosphere at Consol.

I think it speaks volumes, but I think the big screen outside is more popular than going to the game.

for those that don't live here, trust me, I don't think I have ever seen a pedestrian view of these playoffs from the fans end. you could walk throughout the city and have no idea that this team is in the playoffs.

just crazy the difference between this year and last year.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah in all his years he has never had a call like that in the playoffs. Wings fans are pretty boring and have a certain expectation. THey use to have a lot of traveling fans, and with the economy in Detroit, sales have just been down. I have family there its been pretty sad. Now my dad came to visit a few weeks ago and we saw the Pens vs Avs and totally different atmosphere. He was pretty impressed by the Pepsi Center and how the fans were. He said CONSOL never gets that roudy.

But my experiences at CONSOL were rather boring, nobody into it, very corporate. The Dbag behind my Dads tiks does nothing but talk about his membership to Oakmont.