Ryan did that as a blog just a week or so ago man
- Guile

my bad...must have missed that one

were in the top 4 for quality man games lost in nearly every category.

my bad...must have missed that one

were in the top 4 for quality man games lost in nearly every category.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If my memory is correct, we were 5th in total games lost in 2nd in the quality games lost at the time of his blog. I'd assume those to be the near same a week or so later.

my bad...must have missed that one

were in the top 4 for quality man games lost in nearly every category.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I would like to see how the Penguins TMITT stacks up against the most injured teams in other sports. If someone can make a good comparison, they could possibly have the distinction as being the most injured professional sports team in North America this decade. Now that is a real achievement for the strength & conditioning and medical staff.

I would like to see how the Penguins TMITT stacks up against the most injured teams in other sports. If someone can make a good comparison, they could possibly have the distinction as being the most injured professional sports team in North America this decade. Now that is a real achievement for the strength & conditioning and medical staff.
- jfkst1

Wow... we'd might the most injured team overall in a long stretch, and the Pirates, with the most losing seasons in a row.

And then Steelers, with the most Superbowl wins.

Hit just about every end of the spectrum there.

Wow... we'd might the most injured team overall in a long stretch, and the Pirates, with the most losing seasons in a row.

And then Steelers, with the most Superbowl wins.

Hit just about every end of the spectrum there.
- Guile

Man, I work with a bunch of Ravens fans. It was tough during the playoffs this past year.

Not horrible for picking near last every year (when we do have a 1st round pick that is). But yea, I would have liked to see some players get traded for young forwards after realizing how short we are up front. Dumoulin for Rattie, Kunitz for a young top 9, sign forwards in UFA rather than Ehrhoff, etc.

On another note, I was very happy to see Malkin get pissed at Comeau for blowing multiple perfect set ups. I said it before the deadline, we have to trade for top 6, not bottom 6. I realize its easier said than done with the cap, but I knew Malkin's linemates werent good enough. Winnik just shouldnt be in the top 6 on a contender.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Kuni isn't getting you a young good top nine forward. He nets you a pick. Why would STL send Rattie for Dumo? If I were them, I wouldn't.

Have you seen the list of UFA forwards? It's a weak pool. Very little interests me.

Man, I work with a bunch of Ravens fans. It was tough during the playoffs this past year.
- jmatchett383

Yeah... most NFL fans get really obnoxious, but Ravens might be in the bottom 5 for douchebaggyness.

I would like to see how the Penguins TMITT stacks up against the most injured teams in other sports. If someone can make a good comparison, they could possibly have the distinction as being the most injured professional sports team in North America this decade. Now that is a real achievement for the strength & conditioning and medical staff.
- jfkst1

I've said for about 2 years now, the Pens should be looking into whey they are suffering so many injuries the past 5 years or so. It can no longer be attributed to coincidence or bad luck.

1. Are their training principles being reviewed?

2. Is it something at Console? Ice? Boards? Something else? This all started right about when they moved into that place.

3. What about their trainers and medical staff? Obviously Maatta was mishandled this year. What about other players?

4. They've had 2 players have stroke/clot issues. Should they be looking at that more closely?

5. I know they can do this one...they need to attempt to acquire more durable, larger players that can withstand the grind of a season and playoff run.

6. If a player shows signs of being injury prone over, say, a 2-3 year period, move on from the guy. No extended contracts. Move him to another team.

7. No long term (>= 3yrs) deals for players over 31/32. Playing with fire....

Let's go Bucs!!

I've said for about 2 years now, the Pens should be looking into whey they are suffering so many injuries the past 5 years or so. It can no longer be attributed to coincidence or bad luck.

1. Are their training principles being reviewed?

2. Is it something at Console? Ice? Boards? Something else? This all started right about when they moved into that place.

3. What about their trainers and medical staff? Obviously Maatta was mishandled this year. What about other players?

4. They've had 2 players have stroke/clot issues. Should they be looking at that more closely?

5. I know they can do this one...they need to attempt to acquire more durable, larger players that can withstand the grind of a season and playoff run.

6. If a player shows signs of being injury prone over, say, a 2-3 year period, move on from the guy. No extended contracts. Move him to another team.

7. No long term (>= 3yrs) deals for players over 31/32. Playing with fire....
- 87_71_11_29

Gonna try to take a stab at each of your questions in my opinion.

1. I don't think its training or practices, that is something that HAD to have been caught if so by now under 3 different regimes.

2. Legit reasoning, but nothing they can do if so.

3. Wasn't near all of the staff fired after the Crosby mishandling? Wouldnt care if all get fired again.

4. Both were up in age, I really want to call that pure coincidence until it occurs in someone under 30.

5. Yep, yep, yep.

6. Yep, maybe 1 year deals if they are a good talent and a bit cheaper than other options.

7. Again, yep for the most part.. I'd give Martin 2-3 years if he'd want it here for the right price. Another one with a few exceptions to the rule. Kunitz and Duper got 1 more year than I wanted, but I don't think any other team would have done 2 years less had they had them, only 1 year less.

Would you rather have two A+ centers, a C- center, and one D center, or one A+ center, 2 B centers, and a C+ center?
- jmatchett383

For my tastes I prefer an A+, 2 centers in the B range (+/-) (as long as one can produce points), and a C+ 4th line C. The A+ center ideally would be like a Toews, Bergeron, or, my ideal C, Joe Nieuwendyk model. The 2C ideally would be a player like Krejci or

Let's review Johnny's formula for winning in the playoffs;
#1C
#1D
#1G

It's been proven that if those items are in place that it's certainly possible to win the Stanley Cup with a pretty mediocre, non-premium #2C (Michal Handzus). The 3C on the 2011 Bruins was Chris Kelly. Jarret Stoll is the 3C these days in LA.

LA certainly has 2 A+ centers. Anaheim has an A- and a B+. Big head is streaky. Detroit has something like an A- and a B. Chicago has an A+ and a C+, C+ kind of situation.

Pittsburgh has 2 A+, one D+, and two right-handed rats who play 4th line C.

This isn't a salary cap spread argument in any way; I'm not saying that having a non-premium #2 means that there is likely depth elsewhere. Just what the situation needs to be at minimum to compete in playoff games.

I've said for about 2 years now, the Pens should be looking into whey they are suffering so many injuries the past 5 years or so. It can no longer be attributed to coincidence or bad luck.

1. Are their training principles being reviewed?

2. Is it something at Console? Ice? Boards? Something else? This all started right about when they moved into that place.

3. What about their trainers and medical staff? Obviously Maatta was mishandled this year. What about other players?

4. They've had 2 players have stroke/clot issues. Should they be looking at that more closely?

5. I know they can do this one...they need to attempt to acquire more durable, larger players that can withstand the grind of a season and playoff run.

6. If a player shows signs of being injury prone over, say, a 2-3 year period, move on from the guy. No extended contracts. Move him to another team.

7. No long term (>= 3yrs) deals for players over 31/32. Playing with fire....
- 87_71_11_29

This year alone they have messed up Crosby's mumps diagnosis and exposed the rest of the team to him when he was contagious because his blood wasn't testing positive even with mumps symptoms (even though the precise same circumstances had already played out with other teams). I'd also say they might have rushed Maatta and Ehrhoff back from injuries so at the very least, they deserve criticism for that since I rarely see so many issues with other teams' medical staffs. There have been a lot of freak incidents too, but the mishandling of Crosby by the past medical team warranted seeking out a new staff. Just not sure why they can't find one that doesn't suck.

For my tastes I prefer an A+, 2 centers in the B range (+/-) (as long as one can produce points), and a C+ 4th line C. The A+ center ideally would be like a Toews, Bergeron, or, my ideal C, Joe Nieuwendyk model. The 2C ideally would be a player like Krejci or

Let's review Johnny's formula for winning in the playoffs;
#1C
#1D
#1G

It's been proven that if those items are in place that it's certainly possible to win the Stanley Cup with a pretty mediocre, non-premium #2C (Michal Handzus). The 3C on the 2011 Bruins was Chris Kelly. Jarret Stoll is the 3C these days in LA.

LA certainly has 2 A+ centers. Anaheim has an A- and a B+. Big head is streaky. Detroit has something like an A- and a B. Chicago has an A+ and a C+, C+ kind of situation.

Pittsburgh has 2 A+, one D+, and two right-handed rats who play 4th line C.

This isn't a salary cap spread argument in any way; I'm not saying that having a non-premium #2 means that there is likely depth elsewhere. Just what the situation needs to be at minimum to compete in playoff games.
- Johnny Wrath

Who would you like to see the Pens target for the depth center positions this offseason? I personally think that is the weakest point on the team right now as well (EDIT: if the team were healthy).

I'd also say they might have rushed Maatta and Ehrhoff back from injuries so at the very least, they deserve criticism for that since I rarely see so many issues with other teams' medical staffs.
- jfkst1

A lot of that is on the players. All it takes two "I'm goods" and an "I feel great," and you're in.

And there's even more pressure to get back quickly when your team has a rash of injuries, because then you're not just coming back, you're filling a huge void.

A lot of that is on the players. All it takes two "I'm goods" and an "I feel great," and you're in.

And there's even more pressure to get back quickly when your team has a rash of injuries, because then you're not just coming back, you're filling a huge void.
- hardnosed

It might be, but still the medical staff has to tell them to shut up, keep them off the ice and worry about playing through injuries at the end of the year/in the postseason.

Who would you like to see the Pens target for the depth center positions this offseason? I personally think that is the weakest point on the team right now as well.
- jfkst1

There are literally no good UFAs/RFAs this summer with an exception. The Penguins aren't signing Derek Stepan to an offer sheet nor are the Rangers trading him to Pittsburgh.

A lot of that is on the players. All it takes two "I'm goods" and an "I feel great," and you're in.

And there's even more pressure to get back quickly when your team has a rash of injuries, because then you're not just coming back, you're filling a huge void.
- hardnosed

I agree. And in Dupuis write up he said basically the same thing with his blood clots. He knew something wasn't right but he didn't want to admit it

There are literally no good UFAs/RFAs this summer with an exception. The Penguins aren't signing Derek Stepan to an offer sheet nor are the Rangers trading him to Pittsburgh.
- Johnny Wrath

I like Soderberg as a 3C, but it'll depend on his price tag. Anyone would be better than Lapierre so upgrading from him wouldn't be hard. I really wanted Pittsburgh to go after Perreault last year. He's solid for $3m/yr. I do agree that overall the class isn't as strong as other years.

So let's assume that Pittsburgh trades Sutter for whatever, whatever the better of the two options. The Penguins still have Spaling and potentially Winnik. For the transitioning Penguins, that's fine for depth at C. Oskar isn't ready for the NHL.

What the Penguins should be doing with their time right now is fielding offers for the negotiation rights to Hoff, Martin, & all and looking into every imaginable trade possibility aside from 87 and 71.

Kuni isn't getting you a young good top nine forward. He nets you a pick. Why would STL send Rattie for Dumo? If I were them, I wouldn't.

Have you seen the list of UFA forwards? It's a weak pool. Very little interests me.
- Oneonta Penguin

You don't think Kunitz could have netted a good young top 9 forward before or at the beginning of this season?

Rattie for Dumo...just an example...STL has little need for defenseman but I just mean a defense prospect for an equal forward prospect.

We should have signed guys like Winnik as UFAs as opposed to the luxury defenseman in Ehrhoff.

My point is we needed to identify the group of forwards we have as a weakness long ago and done more than patchwork to fix it.

You don't think Kunitz could have netted a good young top 9 forward before or at the beginning of this season?

Rattie for Dumo...just an example...STL has little need for defenseman but I just mean a defense prospect for an equal forward prospect.

We should have signed guys like Winnik as UFAs as opposed to the luxury defenseman in Ehrhoff.

My point is we needed to identify the group of forwards we have as a weakness long ago and done more than patchwork to fix it.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

In the off season I don't think we could've got much for Kunitz. All a still productive Hartnell got the Flyers was a injured Umberger. I think Bennett being injured and ineffective hurt the teams plan of him being a top 6 this year. Erhoff may not have worked out as planned but it was better than what the rumours were leading up to July 1st, and that was Kulemin

You don't think Kunitz could have netted a good young top 9 forward before or at the beginning of this season?

Rattie for Dumo...just an example...STL has little need for defenseman but I just mean a defense prospect for an equal forward prospect.

We should have signed guys like Winnik as UFAs as opposed to the luxury defenseman in Ehrhoff.

My point is we needed to identify the group of forwards we have as a weakness long ago and done more than patchwork to fix it.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I think Kunitz could have gotten a player like Palmieri out of Anaheim or Radek Faksa from Dallas, plus maybe a 3rd. Kunitz has been productive, has an undeserved reputation for going to the net, and was on that last Team Canada. That's good for a team like Anaheim who is in win-now mode and has a bunch of forward prospects.

In the off season I don't think we could've got much for Kunitz. All a still productive Hartnell got the Flyers was a injured Umberger. I think Bennett being injured and ineffective hurt the teams plan of him being a top 6 this year. Erhoff may not have worked out as planned but it was better than what the rumours were leading up to July 1st, and that was Kulemin
- willi

Nobody I have ever talked to has understood that Hartnell trade, cap purposes aside. Philly probably could have gotten a cheaper, younger player? Its sad that Pittsburgh still blows a fuse when they play the Flyers even after their #1 antagonist is gone. He's going to be a favorite Blue Jacket for a while.

Point is, the Hartnell/Umberger trade doesn't mirror what Kunitz' value would have been over the summer; it's as big a mystery as the Forsberg/Erat trade.

In the off season I don't think we could've got much for Kunitz. All a still productive Hartnell got the Flyers was a injured Umberger. I think Bennett being injured and ineffective hurt the teams plan of him being a top 6 this year. Erhoff may not have worked out as planned but it was better than what the rumours were leading up to July 1st, and that was Kulemin
- willi

As far as Kulemin, he's been extremely important for us and has earned every bit of his salary. He's been, IMO, far more important than grabovski although grabovski hasn't had a good year with the two major concussions he's suffered. Kulemin is the hardest working player we have at both ends of the ice and would be missed in a big way if he was hurt

As far as Kulemin, he's been extremely important for us and has earned every bit of his salary. He's been, IMO, far more important than grabovski although grabovski hasn't had a good year with the two major concussions he's suffered. Kulemin is the hardest working player we have at both ends of the ice and would be missed in a big way if he was hurt
- Isles_since_6

That sounds about right. He would have been a good Penguin although I'm sure he would be doomed to play with Sutter and Downie.

Realistically speaking, the problem with adding players to the Penguins is the existing players who play for the Penguins. It seems like there's a feeling of "Okay, this one player will fix these two players". This off-season is really the most vitally important time in the franchise since the Malkin defection.