I have no faith that the Pens will actually sit Scuds come playoff time, which is whatever, because he has been better this season, so it won't be a total buzzkill, but I really hope for F's sake that they give him a few games off down the stretch so he can at least go into the playoffs slightly refreshed.
- PensFan1103

If he is the worst dman available, then he should sit. He isn't a good fit for this system, or Bylsma's, so Shero's signing of him was foolish to begin with. Johnston and Rutherford have no obligation to play him. He doesn't do anything more redeemable than any other dman (including PK which he is very weak at).

- nbartley9

No way his moustache doesnt have a + Corsi. Or is it fenwick?

If he is the worst dman available, then he should sit. He isn't a good fit for this system, or Bylsma's, so Shero's signing of him was foolish to begin with. Johnston and Rutherford have no obligation to play him. He doesn't do anything more redeemable than any other dman (including PK which he is very weak at).
- jfkst1

I think Pouliot killed penalties on the road trip and did it well. I'm sure Cole is very capable. Erhoff isn't going to click with someone who can't skate or help move the puck IMO. I haven't seen enough of Cole to say he's head and shoulders above Scuds at this point but he certainly skates and shoots better

No way his moustache doesnt have a + Corsi. Or is it fenwick?
- thickman1178

His brother Gummo was an expert of the science of Corsi and Fenwick, that's why they didn't let him in the act. Too obnoxious.

I think Pouliot killed penalties on the road trip and did it well. I'm sure Cole is very capable. Erhoff isn't going to click with someone who can't skate or help move the puck IMO. I haven't seen enough of Cole to say he's head and shoulders above Scuds at this point but he certainly skates and shoots better
- dbell646

Scuderi and Sutter are the worst dman and forward respectively on the PK (based on shot suppression). Lapierre and Spaling are actually very good forwards and Martin is the best dman. The most common unit is Sutter Spaling Scuderi Martin so usage is the same. Just further reinforces how overpaid those two are.

Yeah, so anyone thinking Ehrhoff or Martin are gonna go for a team-friendly deal can forget that idea.
- jfkst1

Well Boychuk has almost double the points as Martin this season and is 3 years younger. All factors against Martin demanding the money. Pens can offer 4 years at 5.5 mil. Doesn't mean another team won't offer more.

If he is the worst dman available, then he should sit. He isn't a good fit for this system, or Bylsma's, so Shero's signing of him was foolish to begin with. Johnston and Rutherford have no obligation to play him. He doesn't do anything more redeemable than any other dman (including PK which he is very weak at).
- jfkst1

I completely agree, other than the PK, which I think he is overrated at, but I wouldn't say he is very weak at it. But what has Johnston shown that makes you believe he will be sat over Lovejoy or Cole? I really hope they do sit him, because I would rather have the younger, higher skilled guys playing and him in the press box ready in case of an injury. But I just can't see that happening.

Well Boychuk has almost double the points as Martin this season and is 3 years younger. All factors against Martin demanding the money. Pens can offer 4 years at 5.5 mil. Doesn't mean another team won't offer more.
- nelson911

Yeah, but Boychuk has the benefit of getting 7 years, so he was willing to come down in yearly price a little on those last few years I imagine, which helps the cap hit. Martin isn't going to be signing that long of a deal so he won't have the longer years to help the cap hit. And if he does sign a longer deal to lower the cap number, do you want to be the team that gives it to him and has him at $5-6 million at the age of 39/40?

I think Martin either signs a 3/4 year deal between 6-7 million or he signs a 5/6 year deal for around that $5.5 number. No thanks to either. Maybe I am wrong and he would take $5.5-6 for 3 years, but I doubt it.

I completely agree, other than the PK, which I think he is overrated at, but I wouldn't say he is very weak at it. But what has Johnston shown that makes you believe he will be sat over Lovejoy or Cole? I really hope they do sit him, because I would rather have the younger, higher skilled guys playing and him in the press box ready in case of an injury. But I just can't see that happening.
- PensFan1103

Rutherford deliberately went out and acquired those two to play in this system. Scuderi is the leftover trash from a previous regime.

Yeah, but Boychuk has the benefit of getting 7 years, so he was willing to come down in yearly price a little on those last few years I imagine, which helps the cap hit. Martin isn't going to be signing that long of a deal so he won't have the longer years to help the cap hit. And if he does sign a longer deal to lower the cap number, do you want to be the team that gives it to him and has him at $5-6 million at the age of 39/40?

I think Martin either signs a 3/4 year deal between 6-7 million or he signs a 5/6 year deal for around that $5.5 number. No thanks to either. Maybe I am wrong and he would take $5.5-6 for 3 years, but I doubt it.
- PensFan1103

That's how I view it as well. Expecting a #2 or #3 dmen at their ages to resign for cheap seems very unlikely. At their ages I'd guess that both want this to be their last deal until retirement. I also feel like this happens every year. Pens fans throw out some outrageously low ball contract and then the player signs elsewhere and the general consensus is that is way more than they deserved.

I'm not seeing Perron "driving possession" at all. In fact, the puck is almost never on his stick. He's noticeably absent on almost every shift these days. Last guy in the zone, floats around waiting for something to happen.

Not to be picky but results are more important than any analytical result.

If we were going to play the Preds, Blue Jackets, Dallas or Florida would there be this air of confidence that seems to ooze out of this blog? I ask as the past 10 games 'results' are similar for the teams above & that of the Oilers. The Oilers have also beaten the Hawks who we have not, the Islanders & the Rags amongst others - given that it isn't this version of the Oilers but still?

Complacency is the detriment of a lot of good teams, let's hope that that isn't the case today.

Go Pens!

Edit: it is good to see the advanced stats going in the right direction for the team as it's not the be all & end all, but it's better to have good numbers than bad. now just to get the most important stat a little higher (goals for), & we will be on our way hi ho hi ho (just like the 7 dwarfs!!!).

I'm not seeing Perron "driving possession" at all. In fact, the puck is almost never on his stick. He's noticeably absent on almost every shift these days. Last guy in the zone, floats around waiting for something to happen.
- hardnosed

He must just be on the ice when others do the heavy lifting - that's Corsi for you.

He must just be on the ice when others do the heavy lifting - that's Corsi for you.
- Aussiepenguin

That's why I prefer the term "short differential +/-", because all the obvious problems with +/- are present with all every "advanced" stat.

So when Erhoff is back do you sit Scuds or Cole? I'd rotate them personally until we get a better look at Cole.
- dbell646

It is going to be Ian Cole. He has, by far, been used the least of any of the defensemen. Love it or hate it, Rob Scuderi is not going anywhere for two more years. He is going to play on the bottom pair and get extra time on the PK until his contract runs out. I really don't think it matters who else the Pens bring in, his position is set in stone.

No sign, getting in a bit late due to traffic

But I will have excessive pics

But I will have excessive pics
- Guile

Booooooo

Booooooo
- nbartley9

+1

Sutter is on fire tonight.

Man Sutter is second to none....short handed breakaway

Sutter is on fire tonight.
- Sell My Monkey

Bahaha! Sutter says F Bartley!

Sutturd says F you all

Bahaha! Sutter says F Bartley!
- hipcheck_goalie

Bahaha! Sutter says F Bartley!
- hipcheck_goalie

Oh man if Guile has that sign, now is the time.