Wow man, thanks for the analysis.

No more Sens blogs Ryan ?

Listening to this game in the third it sounds like Gries is the only solid player for the Pens. Very little offense generated in the third.

Kap started to get involved late, even threw a couple checks. He showed nifty hands once or twice and blasted a bad angle rebound wide. Still didn't look that confident out there, he was gliding around with his stick in the air a lot. I'd like to see him skating hard and showing that he wants the puck. Unless he does a total 180 in the next game or two, I don't think we'll be seeing him anywhere near the NHL this year.

Kap started to get involved late, even threw a couple checks. He showed nifty hands once or twice and blasted a bad angle rebound wide. Still didn't look that confident out there, he was gliding around with his stick in the air a lot. I'd like to see him skating hard and showing that he wants the puck. Unless he does a total 180 in the next game or two, I don't think we'll be seeing him anywhere near the NHL this year.
- cygnus41

Solid cyg, thanks.

Considering the roster that the Penguins rolled out (especially among forwards, where Downie was their most talented veteran player), it wasn't a bad night. The Penguins carried play but weren't getting great chances.

It's going to take Kapanen some time. He's not only young and feeling his way, he's just coming back from injury. He also wasn't playing with guys who were going to maximize his skillset.

Letang had 9 shots, and he appeared to have more freedom and more coverage behind him while enjoying that freedom. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a huge year.

Kap started to get involved late, even threw a couple checks. He showed nifty hands once or twice and blasted a bad angle rebound wide. Still didn't look that confident out there, he was gliding around with his stick in the air a lot. I'd like to see him skating hard and showing that he wants the puck. Unless he does a total 180 in the next game or two, I don't think we'll be seeing him anywhere near the NHL this year.
- cygnus41

I had the same evaluation regarding Kap. Seemed quite tentative other than a few hits. Definitely didn't stick out like a potential 1st line NHL winger should.

Considering the roster that the Penguins rolled out (especially among forwards, where Downie was their most talented veteran player), it wasn't a bad night. The Penguins carried play but weren't getting great chances.

It's going to take Kapanen some time. He's not only young and feeling his way, he's just coming back from injury. He also wasn't playing with guys who were going to maximize his skillset.

Letang had 9 shots, and he appeared to have more freedom and more coverage behind him while enjoying that freedom. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a huge year.
- hardnosed

Yeah Letang was doing whatever he wanted out there. He looked faster, stronger and more skilled than everyone else on the ice. Good reads too. I think he's looking at another PPG top 5 Norris candidate kind of year.

On a completely different note, Atkinson was absolutely lapping all our forwards. He had 20-20ish last year, he might be poised for a breakout.

No more Sens blogs Ryan ?
- Erik6Karlsson5

I just threw something quick together, it is up now.

I had the same evaluation regarding Kap. Seemed quite tentative other than a few hits. Definitely didn't stick out like a potential 1st line NHL winger should.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah no way in hell he gets close unless he is completely different in the next couple games. I was hoping for the sort of game which Atkinson showed going the other way, winning races and making plays in the neutral and offensive zone.

He had good positioning in the D zone and genuinely looks 6'0 which is a good sign for the future.

Insidepghsports ‏@Insidepghsports 57m
NHL Sources: Islanders tried multiple times to acquire Paul Martin this off-season http://bit.ly/1prsQmi

Interesting...they have a lot of nice young forward talent but few NHL ready and they are in-division. (also its TIOPS so take it for what its worth)

Little worried that Geno hasn't been on ice at all ...