I think your critique of Rossi's article was off base. Focusing on the "playtime" narrative was just as irresponsible on your part. That wasn't the point of his article.

The gist of the Rossi article was the Pens need Malkin to get back to his dominating, kick-ass ways, even beyond statistics. HCMJ is attempting to figure out how to initiate that effort. Hence his trip over there.

Rossi references Therrien's approach that worked in the past and uses that as a point of reference for what HCMJ should be shooting for.

Looking beyond statistics, which you focus on, more is expected of him from the team concept.

Rossi isn't blaming Malkin for the team failures. He is merely pointing out that Malkin can be viewed as THE critical piece of a turnaround. That's the narrative of the article. Not "playtime" as you focused on. Not "look at Malkin's stats..see...he's doing more than his fair share". Rossi never said Malkin needs to score more. So, I don't understand why you are putting up charts and graphs. The article went beyond statistical production. Rossi specifically says "cultural change" is the emphasis, not points, goals, etc..

Finally, the "playtime is over" comment in Rossi's article was simply a play on words. Nothing more. Nowhere else in the article does he reference anything to the effect of "Malkin plays around too much" or "Malkin needs to be more serious". Tying that comment to Rossi's belief that the locker room culture could use a makeover and Malkin could help, if not lead, in that regard is either missing the point or having an agenda yourself.

Most media are Donkeys....the local radio media types in Edmonton are not bad, but after hearing how out of touch the National guys are about my team, it's hard to take any of their comments on the remaining teams serious at all. Are their any really good local guys in Pittsburgh MSM?

Most media are Donkeys....the local radio media types in Edmonton are not bad, but after hearing how out of touch the National guys are about my team, it's hard to take any of their comments on the remaining teams serious at all. Are their any really good local guys in Pittsburgh MSM?
- Jeropotato

There are a few. Dejan is decent, Gene Collier is decent as well for the Gazette. I think Mark Madden believe it or not is probably the most accurate and responsible of those in the "know".

Shelly Anderson is pure garbage.

There are a few. Dejan is decent, Gene Collier is decent as well for the Gazette. I think Mark Madden believe it or not is probably the most accurate and responsible of those in the "know".

Shelly Anderson is pure garbage.
- sammy87

Sounds about right....Jason Strudwick is my favorite Edmonton Radio guy...great humor and has a candid,but down to earth analysis based on his playing experience on a dozen teams.

There are a few. Dejan is decent, Gene Collier is decent as well for the Gazette. I think Mark Madden believe it or not is probably the most accurate and responsible of those in the "know".

Shelly Anderson is pure garbage.
- sammy87

Madden is entertaining if you can filter out all the "shock jock" crap that he spews. He's obviously knowledgeable, but on the other hand, I always find reason to doubt the insider credibility of a guy who is always preaching to me how much more knowledgeable and credible he is than everyone else. He's the fat kid who always got picked on in high school and now wants to make sure you know that the cool kids let him hang with them from time to time now. I actually think Joe Starkey has more insight on the radio side.

I prefer Yohe over Rossi, and Dejan over either of them. Molinari is still solid, if not terribly interesting. Collier is the best of the bunch, but he's more of a humorist/satirist who also happens to be a sportswriter.

Madden is entertaining if you can filter out all the "shock jock" crap that he spews. He's obviously knowledgeable, but on the other hand, I always find reason to doubt the insider credibility of a guy who is always preaching to me how much more knowledgeable and credible he is than everyone else. He's the fat kid who always got picked on in high school and now wants to make sure you know that the cool kids let him hang with them from time to time now. I actually think Joe Starkey has more insight on the radio side.

I prefer Yohe over Rossi, and Dejan over either of them. Molinari is still solid, if not terribly interesting. Collier is the best of the bunch, but he's more of a humorist/satirist who also happens to be a sportswriter.
- Emperor Filonius

Molinari may not be flashy but I compare him more to a local "Bob McKenzie", in that he waits until rumors are confirmed and doesn't hype his articles or himself. Can't stand Madden. He undoubtedly knows hockey but the man's a swine and appears proud of it. To each his own.

EDIT - My apologies to the actual swine of this world.

Madden is entertaining if you can filter out all the "shock jock" crap that he spews. He's obviously knowledgeable, but on the other hand, I always find reason to doubt the insider credibility of a guy who is always preaching to me how much more knowledgeable and credible he is than everyone else. He's the fat kid who always got picked on in high school and now wants to make sure you know that the cool kids let him hang with them from time to time now. I actually think Joe Starkey has more insight on the radio side.

I prefer Yohe over Rossi, and Dejan over either of them. Molinari is still solid, if not terribly interesting. Collier is the best of the bunch, but he's more of a humorist/satirist who also happens to be a sportswriter.
- Emperor Filonius

Forgot about Molinari, he is very solid.

Ryan, I know it's slow and all in late July...but to "Spice" things up how about a blog on Ice Girls auditions?

I think your critique of Rossi's article was off base. Focusing on the "playtime" narrative was just as irresponsible on your part. That wasn't the point of his article.

The gist of the Rossi article was the Pens need Malkin to get back to his dominating, kick-ass ways, even beyond statistics. HCMJ is attempting to figure out how to initiate that effort. Hence his trip over there.

Rossi references Therrien's approach that worked in the past and uses that as a point of reference for what HCMJ should be shooting for.

Looking beyond statistics, which you focus on, more is expected of him from the team concept.

Rossi isn't blaming Malkin for the team failures. He is merely pointing out that Malkin can be viewed as THE critical piece of a turnaround. That's the narrative of the article. Not "playtime" as you focused on. Not "look at Malkin's stats..see...he's doing more than his fair share". Rossi never said Malkin needs to score more. So, I don't understand why you are putting up charts and graphs. The article went beyond statistical production. Rossi specifically says "cultural change" is the emphasis, not points, goals, etc..

Finally, the "playtime is over" comment in Rossi's article was simply a play on words. Nothing more. Nowhere else in the article does he reference anything to the effect of "Malkin plays around too much" or "Malkin needs to be more serious". Tying that comment to Rossi's belief that the locker room culture could use a makeover and Malkin could help, if not lead, in that regard is either missing the point or having an agenda yourself.
- 87_71_11_29

I agree with your take on Rossi's point.

I'm not sure I agree with the idea that it's Malkin who needs to do more in the room.

My take would be that it's Crosby who needs to do less for the NHL...and more for the Penguins...as their captain...and not in scoring so much as leading by example. Not really ever a question for me until the last two post seasons.

I don't agree with Rossi's take on how critical the trip is to visit Malkin. I don't think he needs to sell himself to Malkin or the idea of a culture change.

Players and coaches create that culture when they are together as a team.

I really started to like Dejan, now he's charging for it. Not sure one opinion is that important.

- cap1681

I'm surprised Neal didn't elbow him in the back of the head as he walked away.

WATCH OUT ROSSI! WILSONS COMMIN' AFTER YOU WITH GRAPHS!!!!!

ps.

I agree. wickedly stupid article by him.

Madden is entertaining if you can filter out all the "shock jock" crap that he spews. He's obviously knowledgeable, but on the other hand, I always find reason to doubt the insider credibility of a guy who is always preaching to me how much more knowledgeable and credible he is than everyone else. He's the fat kid who always got picked on in high school and now wants to make sure you know that the cool kids let him hang with them from time to time now. I actually think Joe Starkey has more insight on the radio side.

I prefer Yohe over Rossi, and Dejan over either of them. Molinari is still solid, if not terribly interesting. Collier is the best of the bunch, but he's more of a humorist/satirist who also happens to be a sportswriter.
- Emperor Filonius

I can't sand hearing him breathe through the radiowaves... like sprewing, as you call it, "shock jock crap" leaves him out of O2.

The Penguins are my pick to make it to the SCF out of the East.

Since 08/09, they've been the preseason "favorite" to make it to the SCF if not to outright win. And every year, they've failed to win a game past the second round. I think some of the luster is wearing off, and now writers are looking at teams like Boston, NYR, and even Montreal as the teams to make it out of the East. While I wouldn't say they'd be a "surprise" team to make it, I think that some people have started to write them off in favor of others.

However, I think this current Pens' team is quite possibly the best, on paper, since the 08/09 squad. I think the D has been significantly upgraded, the bottom-6 consist of NHL-level players, and Sid and Geno are healthy. Fleury was, at the very least, a non-factor in the latest playoffs (minus Game 4 vs CBJ), and that might be all that he has to be.

Now, while I'll hope that they lose if (and only if) they come up against the Flyers, they'd be my current pick to make it out of the East.
- jmatchett383

Wow, there is one Flyers fan in the world who is respectful haha. I think the bottom 6 is the only significant improvement from last year. The defense may be slightly improved. But the top 6 was lateral at best in my opinion. If Sid had another good winger, and Dupuis is on the third line, I think we'd look a lot more like a cup team.

I am actually excited to see all of the guys on 1 year contracts. Contract years are when guys have career years.

And as much as we talk about grit, or lackthereof, I think we are fine in that category. The defense is fairly soft.... but Downie, Kunitz, Dupuis, Spaling, Comeau,and Goc all have at least a little sandpaper to their game. I'm encouraged to see guys with a blend of skill and grit as opposed to plugging in pure grit guys with no skills.

I'm surprised Neal didn't elbow him in the back of the head as he walked away.
- 87_71_11_29

As much as the article by Rossi may or may not have been off-point. I think it's reasonable to wonder how Geno is feeling after losing both his linemates. He lost Gonchar before. He doesn't get to play with his buddy Kulemin.

I know hockey involves a lot of player turnover, and they get payed a lot of money to play hockey, but they are humans. If anything important does come of this meeting (premise of Rossi's article)....its that Johnston needs to make sure Malkin is happy with the direction of the team. That he's ok with losing Neal. Maybe get his opinion on who he wants to play with, etc. We don't have to let the players run the team so to speak...but we don't want them unhappy either.

If anyone read Bob McKenzie's story about analytics..what did you guys think? He basically said that no team uses Corsi and that all teams have their own flavor of more useful analytics.

Wow, there is one Flyers fan in the world who is respectful haha. I think the bottom 6 is the only significant improvement from last year. The defense may be slightly improved. But the top 6 was lateral at best in my opinion. If Sid had another good winger, and Dupuis is on the third line, I think we'd look a lot more like a cup team.

I am actually excited to see all of the guys on 1 year contracts. Contract years are when guys have career years.

And as much as we talk about grit, or lackthereof, I think we are fine in that category. The defense is fairly soft.... but Downie, Kunitz, Dupuis, Spaling, Comeau,and Goc all have at least a little sandpaper to their game. I'm encouraged to see guys with a blend of skill and grit as opposed to plugging in pure grit guys with no skills.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

There are actually a bunch of us, especially on here. It's the mass of Eagles fans (whom I hate) that masquerade as Flyers fans that are the issue. However, I think you'll find that it goes both ways, with both Flyers and Pens fans both acting like brats towards each other about the same.

Yes, the top 6 is lateral, but you'll have Bennett another year older and hopefully healthy. Dupuis can play either in the top 6 or bottom 6, that's a nice little piece to have. The bottom-6 is a HUGE improvement, although if you're expecting "grit" from Downie I think you'll be let down. He looked lost for 4 months straight last year.

If they aren't ravaged by injuries like they were last year, this team may catch a few people a but off-guard.

If anyone read Bob McKenzie's story about analytics..what did you guys think? He basically said that no team uses Corsi and that all teams have their own flavor of more useful analytics.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

As they should. No GM should be looking at a stat sheet to determine who is good and who isn't. It's irresponsible.

If anyone read Bob McKenzie's story about analytics..what did you guys think? He basically said that no team uses Corsi and that all teams have their own flavor of more useful analytics.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Link?

I think your critique of Rossi's article was off base. Focusing on the "playtime" narrative was just as irresponsible on your part. That wasn't the point of his article.

The gist of the Rossi article was the Pens need Malkin to get back to his dominating, kick-ass ways, even beyond statistics. HCMJ is attempting to figure out how to initiate that effort. Hence his trip over there.

Rossi references Therrien's approach that worked in the past and uses that as a point of reference for what HCMJ should be shooting for.

Looking beyond statistics, which you focus on, more is expected of him from the team concept.

Rossi isn't blaming Malkin for the team failures. He is merely pointing out that Malkin can be viewed as THE critical piece of a turnaround. That's the narrative of the article. Not "playtime" as you focused on. Not "look at Malkin's stats..see...he's doing more than his fair share". Rossi never said Malkin needs to score more. So, I don't understand why you are putting up charts and graphs. The article went beyond statistical production. Rossi specifically says "cultural change" is the emphasis, not points, goals, etc..

Finally, the "playtime is over" comment in Rossi's article was simply a play on words. Nothing more. Nowhere else in the article does he reference anything to the effect of "Malkin plays around too much" or "Malkin needs to be more serious". Tying that comment to Rossi's belief that the locker room culture could use a makeover and Malkin could help, if not lead, in that regard is either missing the point or having an agenda yourself.
- 87_71_11_29

Glad I am not the only one who came away with a completely different perspective of the point Rossi was trying to deliver. I really didn't get Ryan's article at all because Rossi's article had very little to do with point production, it was more about Geno stepping up more in leadership role and that it could be huge for the Pens if he did that, which I agree with, if Geno were to act as though this was his team and speak up more, I think that would benefit the Pens greatly. Obviously none of us are in that room and know for sure who does and who doesn't speak up, but by all accounts from the media, the two most likely guys to speak up were Orpik and Niskanen. Those guys are now gone. Imagine if Crosby or Malkin became more vocal. It isn't going to happen with Crosby, he just isn't that type of person. And maybe Malkin isn't either, but what if he could do it. You don't think that will help drive home some passion and motivation to the other guys on the team? Should that responsibility have to fall on Malkin, no maybe it shouldn't but I think it would do wonders if it did come from him.

There are actually a bunch of us, especially on here. It's the mass of Eagles fans (whom I hate) that masquerade as Flyers fans that are the issue. However, I think you'll find that it goes both ways, with both Flyers and Pens fans both acting like brats towards each other about the same.
Yes, the top 6 is lateral, but you'll have Bennett another year older and hopefully healthy. Dupuis can play either in the top 6 or bottom 6, that's a nice little piece to have. The bottom-6 is a HUGE improvement, although if you're expecting "grit" from Downie I think you'll be let down. He looked lost for 4 months straight last year.

If they aren't ravaged by injuries like they were last year, this team may catch a few people a but off-guard.
- jmatchett383

Amen! The only Flyers fans I have ever really had trouble with are the ones who claim to be Flyers fans but never seem to watch and or care about Flyers games unless it is against the Pens and then they disappear if they lose and just repeat "Cindy Sucks" and "Cindy Whines" comments and then if they win they are all in your face about how much better they are. But the same thing can be said for the Yinzer Steelers fans who only care about hockey once football season is over and they don't have something else to pay attention to.

There are actually a bunch of us, especially on here. It's the mass of Eagles fans (whom I hate) that masquerade as Flyers fans that are the issue. However, I think you'll find that it goes both ways, with both Flyers and Pens fans both acting like brats towards each other about the same.

Yes, the top 6 is lateral, but you'll have Bennett another year older and hopefully healthy. Dupuis can play either in the top 6 or bottom 6, that's a nice little piece to have. The bottom-6 is a HUGE improvement, although if you're expecting "grit" from Downie I think you'll be let down. He looked lost for 4 months straight last year.

If they aren't ravaged by injuries like they were last year, this team may catch a few people a but off-guard.
- jmatchett383

GET OFF AND GO BACK TO YOUR OWN BOARD. NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE.

GET OFF AND GO BACK TO YOUR OWN BOARD. NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE.
- stayinthefnnet

You have to wait for him to broadly paint most Pens fans with the same brush repeatedly, bro. learn the lore

Link?
- jmatchett383

http://mremis.ca/bob-mcke...-nhl-teams-use-analytics/