It isn't an ideal situation, however, having one piece of dead weight in Adams at $700K is better than having three in Adams, Pyatt, and Glass at a combined $3M.

Additionally, I think the Penguins can gain an additional $900K in Cap Space to start the season if Maatta isn't ready by assigning him to WBS. I do not believe he is waiver eligible so he can be called up or down at will.
- s0rcerer1984

Absolutely the bottom 6 is in a better spot than last year, with only potentially having to play Adams where as last year Adams was a lock in a position and potentially had to play other scrubs like you mentioned. I just don't know what they are going to do if 1 or 2 guys have a small issue where they can't go on LTIR, but need to miss 2 or 3 games. It is going to be interesting to see how they work around that for sure.

If Maatta goes down, then they call someone else up though so it really isn't much of a gain. You figure the most likely call-up is Dumoulin so difference of Maatta at $894,167 to Dumoulin at $831,667 isn't a lot.

I'm too young to analyze the team make ups of Lemieux's Penguisn or Gretzky's Oilers/Kings/Rangers, but perhaps those teams didn't have the same caliber PKers that this Pens team has making it necessary to play their stars on the PK. Crosby would be a good PKer, but we have a roster that affords us the luxury of not having to use him in that way and avoid the risks that come with it.


- Victoro311

I can tell you the Oilers had plugs. They had guys like Esa Tikkanen and MacT who were good defensive forwards who could kill penalties. But they had a coach who believed "I don't care if they score 15 goals, as long as we score 16". So he would use Gretzky, Kurri, Anderson, Messier, Coffey and so on to kill penalties, just on they chance that they might score.

As for the Corsi argument we all saw the Advanced stat numbers that Crosby was putting up in the playoffs. Some might say they were good. But he scored 1 goal. What would you rather have? I watched a Lightning vs Toronto game where Stamkos touched the puck 4 times and he had 3 goals and 1 assist. His advanced stats might have sucked that night, but his team was winning 5-2.

Why would they be laying out to block shots? Is that a requirement. And are 87/71 more important then the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Messier, and Yzerman? Has there been some type of study done showing more players get hurt during a penalty kill then 5 vs 5?
- dbell646

I feel like this era involves shot blocking much more than in the past. Anything can happen at any time in hockey but my common sense meter tells me standing in the lane of 95mph slapshots would lend itself to injury...

Better players will do a better job of reading the play. Better players are also better skaters.

Diving around to block shots is a last resort that is usually the result of either a bad read or physical inability to keep up.

Being able to read the play and physically accomplish the tasks at hand won't lead to shot blocks, they will already be in the shooting lane leaving the offensive player to defer to the perimeter.
- Ryan_Wilson

Sure thing, but just by the nature of the PK the chances of having to block a shot like that increase, wouldn't you say? Crosby has the skills and cerebral tools to play an aware defensive game that leads to lessened need to lay out in comparison to another player. However, that does not eliminate the fact that on the PK the offense has a better chance of spreading you out and getting you out of position which leads to desperation moves. It won't happen often because its Crosby, but the chances of it happening on the PK are greater than it happening at even strength.

What I'm saying is Crosby won't normally have to block shots due to his skill set, but the chances of him having to block a shot on a PK is greater than that of him having to block a shot on 5 vs 5.

Like I said, using Crosby on the PK isn't a bad idea, and may even be a good idea, but it comes with risks that may be unnecessary and not using him on the PK may be an even better idea than sending him out there.

When injuries occured he got to play with Robbie Brown
- dbell646

When ever anyone mentions Robbie Brown I feel compelled to tell this story:

As many probably remember Robbie Brown always had a long hair when he was with the Penguins from 1987-1991. My Dad use to say that he could always pick out Brown on the ice because you could see his hair flying behind him as he skated around the ice.

I was at a game with my Dad when Brown had his second stint with the Penguins in 1997-1999. It was one of those games where the score was low & you could hear a pin drop from the tension. The loudest sound was the puck snapping off a stick or the boards. Very quite game.

At one point in the game Brown's helmet got knocked off & you could just see that all that hair he had in the late 80's had slowly fallen out. The man was just plain bald, with the thinnest comb-over imaginable. After about 5 seconds of silence, a guy yelled out loud enough for the entire igloo to hear "Robbie! Hey Robbie...What happened to your hair?" My Dad laughed so hard he nearly spilled his beer.

Don't you think you can be a good PK guy by being positioned well and using your speed vs laying out to block shots? I mean 87/71 get the puck on their stick its instant offense and kills time as opposed to Glass/Adams laying out to block a shot and hoping it exits the zone.
- dbell646

I think they would both be good pkers, but the fact is being positioned means being in front of the shooting lane as well and those Dmen would love to just blast a slapshot with Sid standing in front of them. I wouldn't mind seeing Sid on the PK but you just need to know an injury is even more likely than before. Sid also plays 20-25 mins per night, and if he plays on the PK, then he could come close to 30 a night which is just too much. Maybe throw him out there occasionally, but I'm not find of him getting consistent PK minutes. I don't want Malkin out there at all because I feel him on the bench for 2 mins, getting a rest, and sending him out right after a PK makes for a great scoring chance.

I like advanced stats. They're meaningful; they have value. Fighting this usefulness is rather like the war on drugs; there is a market for AS and certain journalists are preparing to die on the hill of what they think is hockey cultural tradition being distorted by some fad that Moneyball fan boys came up with. Perhaps this is part of the reason why print media is no longer authoritative; they are waiting for Corsi to blow over as though it were the latest boy band and are waiting around to grandstand about how very right they were. The market for that perspective is scheduled to be left behind.

Don't give into that pang of sympathy you may feel; these people will have plenty to talk about with the anti-salary-cap crowd and the pro-enforcer-crew.

'Advanced statistics' as a label bothers me. If one can use Greek letters, the calculations aren't relatively advanced. They are a natural extension of an analytic tool kit. In this way it grants the naysayers half their point. Hockey journalists should take heed and work on how this tool kit is framed instead of pointing out the virtues of mathematics being used to analyze stats beyond "He has a good goals against average, so he's good." That should already be apparent.

Corsi and Fenwick aren't meant to compare Nick Spaling to Sid Crosby. They're meant to compare Nick Spaling to the line he was playing on and the competition he was placed onto the ice against. It's a tool not unlike a shovel. It should be used to rate coaches as well. Think about how the Penguins' bottom six represents Dan Bylsma's decision making the next time you look at those very brutal charts.

The problems are that the standard of statistical record keeping aren't consistent throughout the NHL, and that some journalists have extended far too much to advanced stats by way of credit. The earlier scrub vs. God comment nicely defines the false dichotomy still very present in the hockey community.

The print journalists who insist that advanced statistics are a farce frankly probably do not understand what to make of advanced stats. They likely think that stats are for baseball and that it should stay that way. "I saw Bobby Orr play. I know how Mike Bossy taped his stick. Who you gonna believe? Me or some spreadsheet?" They are free to think that; it's just that they should understand that applied analysis is in no way presenting these people with the opportunity to be some kind of gatekeeper.

I feel like this era involves shot blocking much more than in the past. Anything can happen at any time in hockey but my common sense meter tells me standing in the lane of 95mph slapshots would lend itself to injury...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This is an interesting topic to me.

I think the NHL should ban flopping to the ice shot blocks. This includes body on ice, going down to one knee. etc..

It will reduce injuries and allow for more goals to be scored.

Win win in my book.

I think the NHL is having too many players being injured every season. Turn on a game on Canter Ice and you'll invariably see the laundry list of players out each game. That's why I always try and go to games early in the season. By Nov 1, 1/3 of the lineup is out injured.

Sure thing, but just by the nature of the PK the chances of having to block a shot like that increase, wouldn't you say? Crosby has the skills and cerebral tools to play an aware defensive game that leads to lessened need to lay out in comparison to another player. However, that does not eliminate the fact that on the PK the offense has a better chance of spreading you out and getting you out of position which leads to desperation moves. It won't happen often because its Crosby, but the chances of it happening on the PK are greater than it happening at even strength.

What I'm saying is Crosby won't normally have to block shots due to his skill set, but the chances of him having to block a shot on a PK is greater than that of him having to block a shot on 5 vs 5.

Like I said, using Crosby on the PK isn't a bad idea, and may even be a good idea, but it comes with risks that may be unnecessary and not using him on the PK may be an even better idea than sending him out there.
- Victoro311

Right...the simple facts of penalty killing lead to this:

They have at least 1 more skater
The puck moves faster than a player can

Absolutely the bottom 6 is in a better spot than last year, with only potentially having to play Adams where as last year Adams was a lock in a position and potentially had to play other scrubs like you mentioned. I just don't know what they are going to do if 1 or 2 guys have a small issue where they can't go on LTIR, but need to miss 2 or 3 games. It is going to be interesting to see how they work around that for sure.

If Maatta goes down, then they call someone else up though so it really isn't much of a gain. You figure the most likely call-up is Dumoulin so difference of Maatta at $894,167 to Dumoulin at $831,667 isn't a lot.
- PensFan1103

Every little bit helps. Plus, in that scenario the Penguins orginal $900K of Cap Space is preserved & added to by the difference between Dumoulin and Maata.

In any case, its not like $900K is a huge amount, but there are quite a few teams worse off according to CapGeek. A few teams (Chicago, Boston, and maybe Tampa) will have to unload players prior to the start of the season.

Plus (and I always find solace in this) last season was the low point in terms of Cap Space. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Hornquvist, Kunitz, & Dupuis are all signed for the next 3 years, several longer than that. With likely over $25M next off season to fill mostly 3rd and 4th line roles, the Penguins are in a great Cap situation compared to most other teams.

Better players will do a better job of reading the play. Better players are also better skaters.

Diving around to block shots is a last resort that is usually the result of either a bad read or physical inability to keep up.

Being able to read the play and physically accomplish the tasks at hand won't lead to shot blocks, they will already be in the shooting lane leaving the offensive player to defer to the perimeter.
- Ryan_Wilson

Agreed. SID is one of the best face off guys in the league which drives possession. I don't think he needs to be out there always on the kill. Im good with sutter/dupes or goc/spaling. Sometimes Bylsma was so set on having adams out there we would take a few penalties and Sid n geno Just sat there getting cold

Agreed. SID is one of the best face off guys in the league which drives possession. I don't think he needs to be out there always on the kill. Im good with sutter/dupes or goc/spaling. Sometimes Bylsma was so set on having adams out there we would take a few penalties and Sid n geno Just sat there getting cold
- Jordy8

Sid isn't going to have the puck the whole time he's out there killing a PK. Good positioning on the PK is being in front of the shooting lanes. I'm not saying he will be diving around blocking shots, but he will have shots coming at him much more often during the PK.

Every little bit helps. Plus, in that scenario the Penguins orginal $900K of Cap Space is preserved & added to by the difference between Dumoulin and Maata.

In any case, its not like $900K is a huge amount, but there are quite a few teams worse off according to CapGeek. A few teams (Chicago, Boston, and maybe Tampa) will have to unload players prior to the start of the season.

Plus (and I always find solace in this) last season was the low point in terms of Cap Space. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Hornquvist, Kunitz, & Dupuis are all signed for the next 3 years, several longer than that. With likely over $25M next off season to fill mostly 3rd and 4th line roles, the Penguins are in a great Cap situation compared to most other teams.
- s0rcerer1984

Well they still have to sign or recall at least one more forward, so that original $900K is going to be minus whatever the last forward signed/recalled is making. Which like I said earlier is most likely going to be Megna ($874K) or Kapanen ($925K) so really that $900K is all but whiped out by their call-up.

Pens are in a good position going forward, but this year is going to be tight unless they can unload Scuderi, or Pouliot proves enough to make Paul Martin moveable.

Well they still have to sign or recall at least one more forward, so that original $900K is going to be minus whatever the last forward signed/recalled is making. Which like I said earlier is most likely going to be Megna ($874K) or Kapanen ($925K) so really that $900K is all but whiped out by their call-up.

Pens are in a good position going forward, but this year is going to be tight unless they can unload Scuderi, or Pouliot proves enough to make Paul Martin moveable.
- PensFan1103

They operated with less Cap space last year and worse depth. Just saying that it can be done and the situation only improved going forward.

reading through the first page of replies, I don't really feel this blog was a bash on spaling like some of the other ones were. If anything, Ryan seemed to be stepping into the cross our fingers and see what happens camp. he just analyzed the numbers.

A lot of things going for our bottom 6 this year... more depth. for those players with bad numbers on other teams, those teams didn't have crosby and malkin to throw out there prior to sending the 3rd lines out. quality of competition for our 3rd lines might be poorer than some other teams. There is the fact that there is some competition for the 3rd line center role. spaling/sutter/goc all competing might make them step up their games. better wingers also will help.

Better players will do a better job of reading the play. Better players are also better skaters.

Diving around to block shots is a last resort that is usually the result of either a bad read or physical inability to keep up.

Being able to read the play and physically accomplish the tasks at hand won't lead to shot blocks, they will already be in the shooting lane leaving the offensive player to defer to the perimeter.
- Ryan_Wilson

yes and no. even the best pk'ers get hurt by the fact they are dfown a man and the other team has more room to make plays. blocking shots is required even of the best pk'ers. also the simple fact that when a lane can't be found sometimes the points blast it in there anyway to try to make something happen. want chara blasting it at crosby just because he is in the way? not me. (I am not opposed to the idea of crosby pk, but it does come with risks)

This is an interesting topic to me.

I think the NHL should ban flopping to the ice shot blocks. This includes body on ice, going down to one knee. etc..

It will reduce injuries and allow for more goals to be scored.

Win win in my book.

I think the NHL is having too many players being injured every season. Turn on a game on Canter Ice and you'll invariably see the laundry list of players out each game. That's why I always try and go to games early in the season. By Nov 1, 1/3 of the lineup is out injured.
- 87_71_11_29

but
but
then tanner glass doesnt get a three year deal! what about all those future tanner glasses!?!?! heartless bastard

but
but
then tanner glass doesnt get a three year deal! what about all those future tanner glasses!?!?! heartless bastard
- ChrisMS

He's got a BA in History from Dartmouth. Tanner will be just fine, insomuch as he can parlay that into something useful.

He's got a BA in History from Dartmouth. Tanner will be just fine, insomuch as he can parlay that into something useful.
- Johnny Wrath

Author of the hit novel: "Tanner Glass: Man or Myth- A history"

Let's say Crosby finishes a shift then geno finishes a shift 3rd line is out for 45 seconds now the 4th line is out at the end of their 30 second shift a penalty occurs. Commercial break then 2 minute power play. Now geno and Sid have been on the bench nearly 6 minutes (Sid actually over 6 minutes he went before Geno). Players get into the flow of a game sitting that long is not helpful for any player let alone 2 as important as them. I'm not saying they need to take regular shifts but they should be included.

Author of the hit novel: "Tanner Glass: Man or Myth- A history"
- ChrisMS

I would have to - have to - be a Jets fan in order to write a biography of Tanner Glass.


The Penguins have the best two power-play disruptions in the NHL. If you're worried about blocked shots, remember that you don't automatically have to block a shot in order to do your job as a PKer. Tanner Glass jumping in front of three consecutive Shea Weber bombs was a good story but ultimately Tanner Glass is best used as a human shield as an ice hockey player. Sid and I believe especially Malkin can make a far greater difference.

If Chara is winding up, I'm sure only a few snotty media-types will care if Sid flamingoes. If it goes in or the rebound is knocked home, that means the other team made a good play- not that some expendable spare part should have been out there instead.

As for Malkin, I think giving him a clear purpose such as checking another center or being the PK anchor will serve to distract him from his all-too-frequent meltdowns. Just my opinion.

Author of the hit novel: "Tanner Glass: Man or Myth- A history"
- ChrisMS

I would read the poop out of this book.

I would read the poop out of this book.
- Victoro311

"Taping his shin guard with the intense precision of Oyama Iwao on one of his finer days, Tanner Glass prepared for battle much the same was as the Imperialist Marshall, of whom he had studied, did..."

I guess the wild card in all of this speculating is the new coach. How he utilizes players will affect the possession numbers. And what strategies he prefers to use. I'm hoping he and the players can be more fluid in their adjustments. I love a good fore check to generate opportunities and I prefer to get it on net through traffic. Pretty goals are nice but I'll take dirty any day of the week.

I guess the wild card in all of this speculating is the new coach. How he utilizes players will affect the possession numbers. And what strategies he prefers to use. I'm hoping he and the players can be more fluid in their adjustments. I love a good fore check to generate opportunities and I prefer to get it on net through traffic. Pretty goals are nice but I'll take dirty any day of the week.
- powerhouse

Amen. I want the Penguins to be a machine engineered to let the puck do most of the work. Cycling doesn't have to be a Calgary-style nothing-but-heart endeavor. I rather like the way Nashville used to do it. There's a road map for what Pittsburgh can achieve.

Chicago has the best breakouts I've ever seen. Their spacing is perfect always and they command the neutral zone. I really don't think their D is much more puck-capable than Pittsburgh's, with a lot of room under the potential ceiling.

Detroit from a few years back did nothing aside from possessing the puck and using that possession to set up a screen and shoot through it. A replacement-level player can set a screen. Hell, Tanner Glass could have set a screen.

I don't know what the defense is strategically going to look like, but frankly I think it's going to be better by virtue that some consideration will be paid to it.