Hope Johnston doesn't put Scuderi back with Letang..it would be a normal move since Despres/Bortuzzo know each other well.
- Barnaby36

The amount of cringing, facepalming, anger... all that jazz... I would have if Scuds gets put with Letang. That ruins the top pairing, just to strengthen the bottom.

To change my initial idea, it makes a lot more sense to put Ehrhoff with Letang, to see if they got the ability to play together as well... testing out more on Ehrhoff for the likely extension here in a few months.

The amount of cringing, facepalming, anger... all that jazz... I would have if Scuds gets put with Letang. That ruins the top pairing, just to strengthen the bottom.

To change my initial idea, it makes a lot more sense to put Ehrhoff with Letang, to see if they got the ability to play together as well... testing out more on Ehrhoff for the likely extension here in a few months.
- Guile

If we try out Harrington or Dumo at top 4 (huge if), I would feel most comfortable pairing them with Martin. He's a stoic veteran presence that could be a great mentor for them. If that's the rout we go, I agree with you. Ehrhoff gets bumped up back with Letang, Martin and a yungin', and then Despres and whoever else they decide to play out of Scuderi and Bortuzzo. I think Harrington and Dumo have earned the right to an extended look in the show. Would be a real shame to bump up Scuderi to anchor Letang and play Bortuzzo with Despres as the bottom pairing. The regular season, especially the beginning of it, is the perfect time to run experiments.

If we try out Harrington or Dumo at top 4 (huge if), I would feel most comfortable pairing them with Martin. He's a stoic veteran presence that could be a great mentor for them. If that's the rout we go, I agree with you. Ehrhoff gets bumped up back with Letang, Martin and a yungin', and then Despres and whoever else they decide to play out of Scuderi and Bortuzzo. I think Harrington and Dumo have earned the right to an extended look in the show. Would be a real shame to bump up Scuderi to anchor Letang and play Bortuzzo with Despres as the bottom pairing. The regular season, especially the beginning of it, is the perfect time to run experiments.
- Victoro311

Give Harrington or Dumoulin a legitimate shot. You never know what you really have with these kids until you throw them in the fire. Give him top 4 minutes, with a solid partner, like you said. The worst that can happen is that they aren't ready for big minutes and now you know you may need to hang onto Martin. Would be a nice change of pace from the previous mgmt.

edit: i seem to remember some 19 year old bad-ass beat the odds when given his shot. Young players are better prepared these days for the NHL. These guys are high draft picks. Take advantage of any ELC you can.

This is why every time we all discuss trading our defensemen, I kind of feel dirty knowing that at most points during the season, 4 or so of them will be hurt at any point in time. You really need 8-10 guys who can play. Its like pitching...cant have too many I guess.

Best of luck to the kid. He has grown into one of my favorite players already in such a short period of time.

I think its natural to plug Borts right in there.

I am sure in another 1-2 weeks, we'll be discussing the next injured defenseman and whether to plug in Doum or Harr.

And to think how far Matta dropped in the draft , into our laps ... Even with the best scouts on earth it's still a crapshoot in the draft !

I think its natural to plug Borts right in there.

I am sure in another 1-2 weeks, we'll be discussing the next injured defenseman and whether to plug in Doum or Harr.
- 87_71_11_29

It isn't going to really matter who you plug in because no one will play exclusively with Letang during this time period. You will see Bortuzzo more in the D zone play with him, while Despres will likely get more offensive zone starts with him, and Scuds on the PK.

Frankly, this is a great time to bump up Despres to 19 minutes a night and see whether or not he is worth the investment for this season. BUT he has to flat out succeed, he just can't be ok. If he is going to play with one of our best, he better look great.

So... in the last 5 years, are we #1 in the most missed games due to injuries in the NHL?

I know two years ago we were #1 by a landslide, forget where I checked since its not exactly a proper stat "man games missed". Anyone know of that or where that would be a bit easily checked?
Reason being, I want to shut up a friend who thinks the Penguins are one of the healthier teams in the NHL last 5 years, and "we" are just acting like victims.
- Guile

Search around on mangameslost.com/category/nhl ...... i would put the actual link but it doesn't work hear in the office.

#Jagrwatch

It isn't going to really matter who you plug in because no one will play exclusively with Letang during this time period. You will see Bortuzzo more in the D zone play with him, while Despres will likely get more offensive zone starts with him, and Scuds on the PK.

Frankly, this is a great time to bump up Despres to 19 minutes a night and see whether or not he is worth the investment for this season. BUT he has to flat out succeed, he just can't be ok. If he is going to play with one of our best, he better look great.
- usethe1-2-2

Some of his best hockey has been played next to Letang. I doubt that's the plan, but just a thought. As far as looking great... I think he just needs to be competent. Asking a 23 year old playing above his role to be "great" is not reasonable IMO.

Not all of these guys are going to develop at the same rate. Maatta's development was freakish for a young D in the NHL. I think Despres has been pretty good so far in his role considering he's playing with a boat anchor AND he's playing on the wrong side.

I personally would let Despres stay in the third pairing with Bortz. Lefty/Righty while Scuds goes to the second pairing and either Ehroff or Martin jump up with Letang. Lets see how a more experience D handles being handcuffed to Scuderi.

Might be a good time to dress 7 D (Harrington and relegate Sill or Adams to the pine)

Some of his best hockey has been played next to Letang. I doubt that's the plan, but just a thought. As far as looking great... I think he just needs to be competent. Asking a 23 year old playing above his role to be "great" is not reasonable IMO.

Not all of these guys are going to develop at the same rate. Maatta's development was freakish for a young D in the NHL. I think Despres has been pretty good so far in his role considering he's playing with a boat anchor AND he's playing on the wrong side.

I personally would let Despres stay in the third pairing with Bortz. Lefty/Righty while Scuds goes to the second pairing and either Ehroff or Martin jump up with Letang. Lets see how a more experience D handles being handcuffed to Scuderi.

Might be a good time to dress 7 D (Harrington and relegate Sill or Adams to the pine)
- madmike71

He can play his best hockey and he'll still be viewed as trash @ 37 yoa

#Jagrwatch
- usethe1-2-2

wish he could be a Penguin for another season at least. Pretty sure he'd make us better

How long is Maata out? My Mom had the same procedure, it wasn't too invasive.

Rags scored 5 in the 3rd last night against Minn......Looks like they need D help.

How long is Maata out? My Mom had the same procedure, it wasn't too invasive.

Rags scored 5 in the 3rd last night against Minn......Looks like they need D help.
- sammy87

Said 4 weeks recovery time.

Some of his best hockey has been played next to Letang. I doubt that's the plan, but just a thought. As far as looking great... I think he just needs to be competent. Asking a 23 year old playing above his role to be "great" is not reasonable IMO.

Not all of these guys are going to develop at the same rate. Maatta's development was freakish for a young D in the NHL. I think Despres has been pretty good so far in his role considering he's playing with a boat anchor AND he's playing on the wrong side.

I personally would let Despres stay in the third pairing with Bortz. Lefty/Righty while Scuds goes to the second pairing and either Ehroff or Martin jump up with Letang. Lets see how a more experience D handles being handcuffed to Scuderi.

Might be a good time to dress 7 D (Harrington and relegate Sill or Adams to the pine)
- madmike71

He has had success with Letang, which is why I say he needs to really step up. He isn't going to be anchored down anymore and he needs to show that.

I agree that he has been good, which is why he needs to just do great with Letang. If he does so, then the Pens have an easy choice between Bortz and Scuds.

Also, Harrington if bortz can't go with Despres for me. Challenge them as well. Games lost in October while learning how to play right and see what your team has are ok in my book.

Can't make it to tonight's pens game. Selling tix face value. Let me know. Only thing you have to send me one of the Letang bobbleheads lol

I'm in Bismarck ND for work, think they have the feed here? LOL Wife is recording it though.

Can't make it to tonight's pens game. Selling tix face value. Let me know. Only thing you have to send me one of the Letang bobbleheads lol
- nh4442

This is the second time this season * you have offered on here and the second time I already got tickets. I haven't been to a game in over a year and somehow this season tickets are falling in my lap to get.

Strange

He has had success with Letang, which is why I say he needs to really step up. He isn't going to be anchored down anymore and he needs to show that.

I agree that he has been good, which is why he needs to just do great with Letang. If he does so, then the Pens have an easy choice between Bortz and Scuds.

Also, Harrington if bortz can't go with Despres for me. Challenge them as well. Games lost in October while learning how to play right and see what your team has are ok in my book.
- usethe1-2-2

I understand what you're saying, but for me I think it's prudent to give him his 12 to 15 mins a night. Let him switch sides and continue build his confidence.

I couldn't agree more with the last statement. They should have been doing that the last couple of years. If one of the young guys had proven to be competent, maybe they wouldn't now be hamstrung with Scuderi.

I understand what you're saying, but for me I think it's prudent to give him his 12 to 15 mins a night. Let him switch sides and continue build his confidence.

I couldn't agree more with the last statement. They should have been doing that the last couple of years. If one of the young guys had proven to be competent, maybe they wouldn't now be hamstrung with Scuderi.
- madmike71

X2, it's not like doing that makes them a playoff bubble team.

This is the second time this season * you have offered on here and the second time I already got tickets. I haven't been to a game in over a year and somehow this season tickets are falling in my lap to get.

Strange
- usethe1-2-2

Lol. As a season ticket holder I sell most of my tickets to family and friends... The last couple of years it has been hard with prices going up each yr by 3% and the economy going down. These tickets were suppose to be my buddies but he can't go. Unfortunately he never paid for them yet so now it's on me to find someone to go instead of him trying to sell them.

Lol. As a season ticket holder I sell most of my tickets to family and friends... The last couple of years it has been hard with prices going up each yr by 3% and the economy going down. These tickets were suppose to be my buddies but he can't go. Unfortunately he never paid for them yet so now it's on me to find someone to go instead of him trying to sell them.
- nh4442

Not sure how far you are from CEC, but my Dad often would just sell to a scalper at like $15 below face value.

Not sure how far you are from CEC, but my Dad often would just sell to a scalper at like $15 below face value.
- sammy87

I'm past the airport so if I drive down there I'm going to the game haha