Adams and his $700k cap and 6min TOI isn't killing the Pens as much as the combo of that with BB, Sutter, vanilla performance from Spaling and Winnik are killing the Pens. Throw in Kunitz and his lack of scoring and its just a bad recipe. I dont think blame can fall on a single player, just a combo of the above and injuries are sinking the ship. Not 1 big hole, just a bunch of small ones.
- sammy87

We probably overpaid to get Winnik....but I would not lump him in with the others. He's been less physical than I thought he'd be, but he's one of a few players on the team that can win board battles.

Anyway, my point was not that Sundqvist or an AHL call up would be the savior or the missing ingredient to put us over the top. But I think in a vaccuum, there are players internally that could bring more to the table than Adams....so why not play them? Even if its only a minor overall improvement to the team, it still doesnt make sense to play worse players.

Did you just blame Winnik? Go back to watching the Mighty Ducks bud
- Guile

Has he been the bottom 6 savior? So far the bottom 6 still seems like crap to me. Not sure why they paid a 2nd for him.

Last 10 games 7 losses, many to non playoff teams. Only 3 wins were to PHX, EDM and LA. Non playoff teams.

We probably overpaid to get Winnik....but I would not lump him in with the others. He's been less physical than I thought he'd be, but he's one of a few players on the team that can win board battles.

Anyway, my point was not that Sundqvist or an AHL call up would be the savior or the missing ingredient to put us over the top. But I think in a vaccuum, there are players internally that could bring more to the table than Adams....so why not play them? Even if its only a minor overall improvement to the team, it still doesnt make sense to play worse players.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I just dont think that MJ or JR are not putting the best product on the ice because of legacy (Adams). I just can't imagine 66 allowing that to happen (again). I would love it if some of these guys could step up, but given the chance, none of them do. (BB). Its just sad to think that the likely truth is that Adams is better than the WB options.

I just dont think that MJ or JR are not putting the best product on the ice because of legacy (Adams). I just can't imagine 66 allowing that to happen (again). I would love it if some of these guys could step up, but given the chance, none of them do. (BB). Its just sad to think that the likely truth is that Adams is better than the WB options.
- sammy87

Adams was a scratch when we were healthy. He's playing now because of that.

Adams was a scratch when we were healthy. He's playing now because of that.
- znagle

Does it even matter though? Will it be a night and day difference? Probably not.

Does it even matter though? Will it be a night and day difference? Probably not.
- sammy87

Yes, Downie/Bennett and Spaling will be back down to the 4th line. That's a huge boost to it. The 4th lines job isn't to score 15 goals each a season. It's to play minutes while the top lines rest, chip in a goal every once in a while and not get scored on.

Has he been the bottom 6 savior? So far the bottom 6 still seems like crap to me. Not sure why they paid a 2nd for him.

Last 10 games 7 losses, many to non playoff teams. Only 3 wins were to PHX, EDM and LA. Non playoff teams.
- sammy87

Some of those losses were very close while being without Horney and Malkin. Best winger and best center this year. That's hard to overcome. One line teams are easy to beat in today's NHL.

Bottom 6 is crap, but the only one I'd keep is Winnik. They over-paid for Winnik certainly, but that's what happens these days at the deadline. If Downie can control himself, I'd keep him too.

And scuderi.....continues to suck!

Has he been the bottom 6 savior? So far the bottom 6 still seems like crap to me. Not sure why they paid a 2nd for him.

Last 10 games 7 losses, many to non playoff teams. Only 3 wins were to PHX, EDM and LA. Non playoff teams.
- sammy87

Winnie has been playing on the first line recently so blaming him for the lack of scoring depth is tantamount to blaming Crosby.