Maybe Zetterberg is viewed as better than Bergeron by people, I just never hear that. Bergeron gets so much love (and rightly so, he's great), but it seems like you hardly hear much about Zetterberg. Maybe I'm wrong.
- rival22

Maybe it's an age thing but there were times Zetterberg was better than Datsyuk playing for Detroit. They are like their Crosby/Malkin.

If I had to compare Zetterberg to any other C in the league, that guy would be Toews.

I would love to be a fly on the wall in a GM's office on the deadline. Really interested to see how conversations go down.
- sammy87

That video from draft day gave us a cool inside look. Iwould guess that the predators offered up Hornqvist for Neal with the expectation that we would ask for another piece, then Rutherford calmly asks for Spaling as well. But who knows, amazing the amount of mind games and negotiation that go on.

It sure looked that way too, but I went back and paused it at the line and took a crappy pic. He stayed onside... that left foot is still on the blue.


(Gotta love the Joe Louis camera positions where you can see heads and cotton candy vendors on tv all night lol)
- rival22

lol

I feel like if Martin and Minn come to an understanding during the trade process that he will resign, the Pens should be getting more than Nino in return for Martin. Would like to see Coyle, but that won't happen. I think it should be Martin for Nino and a second. Or better yet, a guy that was drafted with the second to last pick of a past second round who will be NHL ready in one or two years.

Martin and a 6th for Nino Niederreiter and Mario Lucia.
- Victoro311

Regardless whether Martin could somehow agree to re-sign, Nino and Lucia for a pending UFA defenseman would be highway robbery for us. I'd take that anyday of the week.

I thought Scuderi was having a solid game. I even got excited during a play that he took the puck to the offensive zone, just to get there, stop and dump the puck back directly to their D.
It's like he doenst know what to do hahaha.

Also think Despres has improved. The vision on his pass to kunitz's goal was good and he also did a good job clearing the puck on that mad scramble that happened on our crease right before dupuis and comeau went on a 2 on 1.

Also loved Greiss. Every time Fleury is playing I flinch when the opposing team shoots on goal because I never know what Fleury will do. Greiss reminded me of Vokoun. And how much I miss him. I'd be glad if we could see more of Greiss, but like you said, not likely.

Maybe it's an age thing but there were times Zetterberg was better than Datsyuk playing for Detroit. They are like their Crosby/Malkin.

If I had to compare Zetterberg to any other C in the league, that guy would be Toews.
- Barnaby36

Yeah, maybe it's just the European thing, but I always thought of Kopitar as a younger Zetterberg.

Martin to Minn for Nino, Martin resigns in his hometown, Pens get more talent up front and the trickle down effect takes place. Win win.
- sammy87

Martin would have to take a big-time home discount with Suter and Parise on the books. That would be a lot of $ for 3 players. I think he commands $7 or so on his next deal.

He would totally fit in there though.

Love the Neal zinger from Ryan. Also, Neal's response in the article says everything about the guy and the reason why I hated him. He's just a d*ck. He's a coward on the ice. Has no testicular fortitude. Dude can shoot a puck. That's it. And this aint no Chris Carter "All He Does Is Score Touchdowns" kinda thing. This is a "literally, the only thing the guy brings to the table is a wicked wrister" kind of thing.

Glad he took his greasy hair to Nashville.

I saw that he is wearing an "A" down there too. Truly comical.

Maybe it's an age thing but there were times Zetterberg was better than Datsyuk playing for Detroit. They are like their Crosby/Malkin.

If I had to compare Zetterberg to any other C in the league, that guy would be Toews.
- Barnaby36

I'd go for that. I'd put Zetterberg as more offensively gifted than Toews, though, but not by that much.

One more thing...when Duper took a stab at the empty net, I literally started swearing at him. Selfish thing to do.

Anything other than a totally clear path to the yawning cage, you dump that puck in the corner.

Unacceptable to me.

If you watched the first three games versus the last three, one major thing was different. Johnstons system doesnt rely on the stretch pass, but moving as a group. It also is about options.

In the first three games, it looked like everyone was all in and were doing everything Johnston wanted, shooting first, thinking later. now, it seems that half the team went back to Bylsmas way and have stayed in Johnstons... unfortunately they seem to be mixed when on the ice. Some Dmen are using Bylsmas style while the offense is using Johnstons and visa versa.

Johnston said in an interview during the Philly game that he noticed the players taking an extra second to pass the puck one more time instead of just shooting it. Unfortunately, he had no chance to fix it apparently.

The good news is that our coach is finally aware that the Pens have issues sometimes with playing too fancy. That is something we never heard from while in the Bylsma era.

I thought Scuderi was having a solid game. I even got excited during a play that he took the puck to the offensive zone, just to get there, stop and dump the puck back directly to their D.
It's like he doenst know what to do hahaha.

Also think Despres has improved. The vision on his pass to kunitz's goal was good and he also did a good job clearing the puck on that mad scramble that happened on our crease right before dupuis and comeau went on a 2 on 1.

Also loved Greiss. Every time Fleury is playing I flinch when the opposing team shoots on goal because I never know what Fleury will do. Greiss reminded me of Vokoun. And how much I miss him. I'd be glad if we could see more of Greiss, but like you said, not likely.
- Conse

If my memory serves, he was the direct cause of the mad scramble.

I watched you guys your last two games.
Maatta is the real thing.
Would not be surprised if he is a Norris candidate in a couple of years.

Comeau and Spaling look like upgrades for the bottom six.
Think Comeau will be easy to hate for Flyers fans, a real pain in the ass.

Ok back to your regular programming.
"Crosby Sucks"

cheers

Martin would have to take a big-time home discount with Suter and Parise on the books. That would be a lot of $ for 3 players. I think he commands $7 or so on his next deal.

He would totally fit in there though.
- 87_71_11_29

Minn has 7.7 mil free this year, drop the 2.6 for Nino, add 5 for Martin, then maybe give him 4 yrs at 6 to resign him. They have plenty of room for that. Most of their young F's are on ELC's too.

One more thing...when Duper took a stab at the empty net, I literally started swearing at him. Selfish thing to do.

Anything other than a totally clear path to the yawning cage, you dump that puck in the corner.

Unacceptable to me.
- 87_71_11_29

It wasn't selfish, it was misguided. He was trying to win his team the game on one shot. His heart was in the right place. It just wasn't a good play.

I watched you guys your last two games.
Maatta is the real thing.
Would not be surprised if he is a Norris candidate in a couple of years.

Comeau and Spaling look like upgrades for the bottom six.
Think Comeau will be easy to hate for Flyers fans, a real pain in the ass.

Ok back to your regular programming.
"Crosby Sucks"

cheers
- Marc D

A contest winner would be an upgrade on last year's top six

One thing I noticed was less offensive zone puck support compared to earlier games. Also, an increase in the tendency to make that one extra 'fancy' pass instead of getting pucks to the net.

love the neal shot! also know that you would find a way to make greiss sound better than MAF. oh well. to each his own.

Its days like this I miss J.S. Aubin, he was the best backup ever, I love backups. They are so much better than starters, starters start too much. When it comes to starting I prefer a backup, backups start way better than starters. If I could start a back up every game I would, but wait; then he would be a starter, well in that case I would like to start his backup.



F Starters

F Sutter

Its days like this I miss J.S. Aubin, he was the best backup ever, I love backups. They are so much better than starters, starters start too much. When it comes to starting I prefer a backup, backups start way better than starters. If I could start a back up every game I would, but wait; then he would be a starter, well in that case I would like to start his backup.



F Starters

F Sutter
- nbartley9

that was a good way to start the day. thnk you

love the neal shot! also know that you would find a way to make greiss sound better than MAF. oh well. to each his own.
- ChrisMS

He is better. He gave you an identical performance for 4M less.

A contest winner would be an upgrade on last year's top six
- Ryan_Wilson

Wait, Gibbons was a contest winner?

Wow, Coburn and MacDonald out 4 weeks in Philly. Tough breaks in the early going for teams. Makes you realize some growing pains learnging a new system aint all too bad.

Wait, Gibbons was a contest winner?
- usethe1-2-2

Gibbons >>>>> Adams

He is better. He gave you an identical performance for 4M less.
- Ryan_Wilson

I get the idea of getting value for mid level goaltending, which is what both greiss and MAF have given us. but MAF ceiling is higher than greiss. I am not gonna advocate resigning him long term, though I do believe that will happen. despite the attitude in blogisphere, MAF is still a fan fav. especially with the ladies. lots of MAF gear out there. He has the support of his teammates, especially the stars. greiss didnt play any better in his one chance so far than MAF has. He collapsed at the end of the game with his team. if the pens go with greiss and, for poops sake, markstrom next couple years until jarry/murray are ready, fine with me. if the pens, after losing martins salary and with the cap going up, sign MAF for 2-3 years to fill the gap, also fine with me. the pens are not spending an exorbitant percent on their goaltending