Can't. He blocked me.
- PensFan1103

Can't. He blocked me.
- PensFan1103

Scratch BB but keep Sill in the lineup? Brilliant.
- acdc1206

Exactly....I guess that once that lone goal was scored, the monkey is off Sills back.

- SuperHenderson13

- Topshelf Mountain

A few points:

The Penguins PP is vitally important to their success because they aren't a very good even strength hockey team. Scoring on the PP allows them to win games that otherwise they would be struggling to stay in.

The power play has dropped off for a number of reasons, but the main issue is that PH was injured and nobody else feels like setting a screen. Kunitz racked up a bunch of PP goals early shooting through the screen that he had formerly supposed to have been setting. What a lucky guy.

The PP otherwise isn't well run. Letang is a poor qb. Malkin and Crosby really still haven't figured out how to be on the ice together yet, which is really saying something. We all know what the feeling in one's stomach is when it is suggested that Malkin play RW on Crosby's line. It doesn't work.

Could it be that the Penguins' divisional record indicates something more obvious than looking for trends? Familiarity and folding. The Penguins' record against the West and teams who have limited scouting opportunities is great because the repetitive plays the Pens rely on aren't detected.

The Division knows all about those 3 plays. Does the PP ever look as bad as it does against Philadelphia? They know Malkin always shoots low stick. They know exactly what buttons to push on each of the core guys. They know how to interrupt the breakout and how to get to Flower early. They also know that when the Pens' perimeter shot rush game isn't going to work, they give up.

The Penguins haven't developed any kind of strategy to be competitive against teams that know what to expect, regular season and especially playoffs. The Penguins lose their composure and surrender. This is certainly a core players issue, a leadership issue, and a culture issue.

Iron price and all that.

- SuperHenderson13

A few points:

The Penguins PP is vitally important to their success because they aren't a very good even strength hockey team. Scoring on the PP allows them to win games that otherwise they would be struggling to stay in.

The power play has dropped off for a number of reasons, but the main issue is that PH was injured and nobody else feels like setting a screen. Kunitz racked up a bunch of PP goals early shooting through the screen that he had formerly supposed to have been setting. What a lucky guy.

The PP otherwise isn't well run. Letang is a poor qb. Malkin and Crosby really still haven't figured out how to be on the ice together yet, which is really saying something. We all know what the feeling in one's stomach is when it is suggested that Malkin play RW on Crosby's line. It doesn't work.

Could it be that the Penguins' divisional record indicates something more obvious than looking for trends? Familiarity and folding. The Penguins' record against the West and teams who have limited scouting opportunities is great because the repetitive plays the Pens rely on aren't detected.

The Division knows all about those 3 plays. Does the PP ever look as bad as it does against Philadelphia? They know Malkin always shoots low stick. They know exactly what buttons to push on each of the core guys. They know how to interrupt the breakout and how to get to Flower early. They also know that when the Pens' perimeter shot rush game isn't going to work, they give up.

The Penguins haven't developed any kind of strategy to be competitive against teams that know what to expect, regular season and especially playoffs. The Penguins lose their composure and surrender. This is certainly a core players issue, a leadership issue, and a culture issue.

Iron price and all that.
- Johnny Wrath

Not enough big words. You should really rewrite this.

Kunitz - 30 points in 40 games playing a portion of the season on a broken foot is done???????? OK... (he looks slow so he must suck)... amazing how the team is not playing well but Kunitz gets blamed.... WOW!!!! Let the overreactions continue... SORRY im so entertained reading this thread...

JAGR is not coming to the Pens... Their not moving a top prospect, dont have a first round pick or the cap room...
- Brianandr1

I agree on u about Jagr. Don't care about the 60 pt pace Kunitz is on. He's slowing. In fact, if you just want to purely look at numbers, technically a 60 pt pace is indeed a bit off what he put up the past few seasons. So, you're actually helping my argument by referencing stats only.

I'm not blaming him for our failures. Overreaction/dramatization on your part. Just saying he's slowing. Cant keep expecting him to even put up 60pts. No longer a physical force.

Am I saying dump him immediately? No. Can you have 2 35+ guys signed to long term deals? Prob not a good idea.

Personally,

#1 Pouliot, he should be playing over Bortz and paired with Scuderi

#2 Bortz, NHL experience, big guy just makes dumb decisions at times. Definitely a 5-6 dman

#3 Brian Dumoulin, I would actually play him over Bortz. There would be a few kinks to iron out with him, but I believe he can play full time right now. 6'4 and skates like Letang, good hockey IQ. Needs to work a little on D and being more physical. Top 4 potential next year or two.

#4 Harrington, at times he looks good and at times he looks like a deer in headlights. Maybe next year on him
- znagle

pouliot should be in the ahl... unless dumo and harrington are already in use.

bortz is at best a number 6

Okay, here's where I don't get on the same level as you guys: How would you rank Dumolin, Harrington, and Bortuzzo? Because I honestly don't see them enough and sometimes confuse them with each other (although I know they're very different players). I don't really think any of the 3 of them are surefire top-4 defenders, at least not as much as guys like Pouliot and/or Matta shold be.
- jmatchett383

Martin 2
Ehrhoff 2
Maatta 2

Letang 3
Dumoulin 3
Pouliot 3

Harrington 4
Despres 4

Bortuzzo 5

That's the slotting I think is appropriate for the individuals. Lots of overlap and redundancy in the case of the Penguins. They really do need to choose between DP, BD, and KL with the end of the 87-71 prime in mind.

- SuperHenderson13

DUH

Maybe we'll get lucky and Borts will end Jagr's career tonight, so we can stop hearing these silly rumors and stop seeing the even sillier hashtag.

Dying alive. What a loser.

A few points:

The Penguins PP is vitally important to their success because they aren't a very good even strength hockey team. Scoring on the PP allows them to win games that otherwise they would be struggling to stay in.

The power play has dropped off for a number of reasons, but the main issue is that PH was injured and nobody else feels like setting a screen. Kunitz racked up a bunch of PP goals early shooting through the screen that he had formerly supposed to have been setting. What a lucky guy.

The PP otherwise isn't well run. Letang is a poor qb. Malkin and Crosby really still haven't figured out how to be on the ice together yet, which is really saying something. We all know what the feeling in one's stomach is when it is suggested that Malkin play RW on Crosby's line. It doesn't work.

Could it be that the Penguins' divisional record indicates something more obvious than looking for trends? Familiarity and folding. The Penguins' record against the West and teams who have limited scouting opportunities is great because the repetitive plays the Pens rely on aren't detected.

The Division knows all about those 3 plays. Does the PP ever look as bad as it does against Philadelphia? They know Malkin always shoots low stick. They know exactly what buttons to push on each of the core guys. They know how to interrupt the breakout and how to get to Flower early. They also know that when the Pens' perimeter shot rush game isn't going to work, they give up.

The Penguins haven't developed any kind of strategy to be competitive against teams that know what to expect, regular season and especially playoffs. The Penguins lose their composure and surrender. This is certainly a core players issue, a leadership issue, and a culture issue.

Iron price and all that.
- Johnny Wrath

hate to agree. but yeah. this pretty much sums it up.

Martin 2
Ehrhoff 2
Maatta 2

Letang 3
Dumoulin 3
Pouliot 3

Harrington 4
Despres 4

Bortuzzo 5

That's the slotting I think is appropriate for the individuals. Lots of overlap and redundancy in the case of the Penguins. They really do need to choose between DP, BD, and KL with the end of the 87-71 prime in mind.
- Johnny Wrath

I don't understand how you think Letang is not a #1 dman

I don't understand how you think Letang is not a #1 dman
- znagle

I've hashed this out dozens of times. I'll blog it so I can just post a link.

It has to do with diminishing returns when it counts, payroll, D slotting, and team psyche. It's well reasoned and featured defensible points of interest.

It does not have to do with me 'hating him' or some other attempt to undercut the argument without making a point. That's generally the resort that is taken by the opposition.

I agree on u about Jagr. Don't care about the 60 pt pace Kunitz is on. He's slowing. In fact, if you just want to purely look at numbers, technically a 60 pt pace is indeed a bit off what he put up the past few seasons. So, you're actually helping my argument by referencing stats only.

I'm not blaming him for our failures. Overreaction/dramatization on your part. Just saying he's slowing. Cant keep expecting him to even put up 60pts. No longer a physical force.

Am I saying dump him immediately? No. Can you have 2 35+ guys signed to long term deals? Prob not a good idea.
- 87_71_11_29

The one thing nobody has brought up about Kunitz is: when is the last time you can remember him dumping the puck and then going in to paste a dman? That used to be one of the things he was very good at(think the hit on Timonen from the playoffs years ago). I cant honestly remember the last time he punished a Dman like that.
When Neal was traded, one of the interesting charts/graphs/whatever that was posted showed where Neal vs PH typically score/shoot from. PH in front and tight to the net, while Neal was further out in the slot and more to the perimeter. Id be curious to see those charts on Kunitz year over year. Maybe there is something there, maybe not. Im not in the trade him camp, but the ones saying his game hasnt changed based on point production staying close to prior seasons are being a bit disingenuous in how he is getting those points now imo.

Maybe we'll get lucky and Borts will end Jagr's career tonight, so we can stop hearing these silly rumors and stop seeing the even sillier hashtag.

Dying alive. What a loser.
- hardnosed

I both love and despise that post. hate the hashtag... hate the idea of the man I Mario getting down on his knees and begging the female dog back... but also love the idea of the female dog being back. #mariokneepads=CUP!

I don't understand how you think Letang is not a #1 dman
- znagle

potential norris (pre nominee) d-men arnt good enough for spoiled pens fans?

walk that back. not spoiled. wrong word. over-expectant?

BB has played 19 games so far this year. The most he ever played was 26. He is having a career year with 3 goals! At this point he needs to be sat for "motivational" reasons, i think he should re think his career or go back to roller hockey.

potential norris (pre nominee) d-men arnt good enough for spoiled pens fans?

walk that back. not spoiled. wrong word. over-expectant?
- ChrisMS

Yes, I expected more than 2 series wins against the Ottawa Thenators, a tight win against Columbus, and a lucky win against the Islanders during the Letang-as-the-guy era. Is that more than I should have been expecting?

The one thing nobody has brought up about Kunitz is: when is the last time you can remember him dumping the puck and then going in to paste a dman? That used to be one of the things he was very good at(think the hit on Timonen from the playoffs years ago). I cant honestly remember the last time he punished a Dman like that.
When Neal was traded, one of the interesting charts/graphs/whatever that was posted showed where Neal vs PH typically score/shoot from. PH in front and tight to the net, while Neal was further out in the slot and more to the perimeter. Id be curious to see those charts on Kunitz year over year. Maybe there is something there, maybe not. Im not in the trade him camp, but the ones saying his game hasnt changed based on point production staying close to prior seasons are being a bit disingenuous in how he is getting those points now imo.
- Rawdog9755

Me. Last year, all summer, and all the while since. I would rather he stay healthy at this point rather than running around to nail defenders. I still would have traded him for team culture reasons.

Ummm... so at more points this season, that is implying Crosby is having a beyond better season than in the past, to hoist up Kunitz's numbers. That is what you just said... and this is not Crosby's best season.

So... yeah, try again mate.
- Guile

Not saying Crosby is having a better season at all. I am saying that if Kunitz is not paired with 87 or 71, he would be looking at a 40pt season. He is not generating opportunities on his own like he use to.

Yes, I expected more than 2 series wins against the Ottawa Thenators, a tight win against Columbus, and a lucky win against the Islanders during the Letang-as-the-guy era. Is that more than I should have been expecting?
- Johnny Wrath

yes actually... this is a league of puck-luck... pens hit the cap early due to timing... shero kept the core together though the transition thank god. chitown about to find out what thats like. letang is a potential norris guy at best... a top 10 d-man in the league... no trade return would get that back. ever. pens lost not because letang... but due to goalie meltdowns, star injuries (including himself) and at times poor coaching. letang is the guy... keep railing against it and miss out. your loss

I agree on u about Jagr. Don't care about the 60 pt pace Kunitz is on. He's slowing. In fact, if you just want to purely look at numbers, technically a 60 pt pace is indeed a bit off what he put up the past few seasons. So, you're actually helping my argument by referencing stats only.

I'm not blaming him for our failures. Overreaction/dramatization on your part. Just saying he's slowing. Cant keep expecting him to even put up 60pts. No longer a physical force.

Am I saying dump him immediately? No. Can you have 2 35+ guys signed to long term deals? Prob not a good idea.
- 87_71_11_29

You're right hes played a little differently since his injury but you're so wrong about his point totals that it tells me you didn't even look.

09/10 32 pts in 50 gp
10/11 48 pts in 66 gp
11/12 61 pts in 82 gp
12/13 52 pts in 48 gp
13/14 68 pts in 78 gp

Right now hes scoring on pace for around 60 points so by the logic of some just because hes playing a little differently hes lost a step? I agree with being weary of his and Dupuis age but why delegate him to the third line, or trade him for far inferior pieces (I know, not your words, but this thinking is silly and leading to stupid trade proposals).

I'm sorry I havn't seen enough to write him off yet just because hes playing a little differently but still being effective.

Going to what others were saying on Kunitz, I agree that the top line should be Perron Crosby Hornqvist, I was one of the first calling for that line. But someone I can't recall who was just wondering where Kunitz would go. Really? Hes always played great with both Sid and Geno so I shouldn't need to spell this out, move him down to LW with Malkin, hell he even seemed to have more jump in his step when he was first moved to the second line this season.