wow just wow.
The NHL scoring leader is in decline!
pens can breathe a lot easier after the sens loss. twice in 8 days to the leafs gotta hurt!
- GardinerExpress

According to that same guy, Bobby Ryan isn't on the decline at 28.

I hope the ownership seriously considers moving on from Rutherford if the Pens don't make the playoffs. It might only be one season mired in injuries, but Shero got fired for not making the conference finals with a team that was injured and not very good either. It's a little different if Rutherford wasn't making short-term trades, but he was and deserves losing his head if they don't work out.
- jfkst1

Cant see them booting him just yet. I feel like its obvious he is just keeping the seat warm for Botteril, although i cant figure that out. If you have enough confidence in him to keep him after Shero is gone why not make the move and let him start building "his" team, not sitting back while GMJR goes draft pick trading crazy.

I always liked Klinkhammer. Fairly good bottom-6 player and an awesome name. But really, Tlusty and Jagr were the "big" names at the TDL, and the Pens didn't have the pieces to get them unless they were willing to overpay.
- jmatchett383

I want to say we were in the top of the running for Tlusty, when we didn't get him we paid the same price for Winnik, both would have been great. I REALLY did not want Jagr, just too high priced on this cap hindered team.

Berg also would have been solid here I think, but keeping Arco and or Klink would have made our D for D swaps a LOT more fan favored.

Aside from those 3, I don't see what else we could have went for... probably could have kept a draft pick by trading Despres for one, but then no Lovejoy.... really the Maatta and Ehrhoff injuries crippled our trading hand.

The Pens are the underdogs and now have to fight for the lives to get in. I like it. It's different than the last seasons where they knew they were going to make the playoffs the beginning of middle of March. Another loss to Philly stings I know, but they played pretty damn well yesterday. When the 4th shot of the game (when the Pens already had around 20) goes in, it's going to be one of them days. "Them days" though are happening quite frequently the last month or so. Never the less, I still believe if this team makes it in they can do damage.

Also, I'm not sure if you guys can remember or not but Sutter was arguably our best player last post season. Now that the games have a real meaning I think he's been looking real good.

To be fair, getting Perron was a good move, unlike trading literally anything for Lapierre.
- BulliesPhan87

Lapierre's breakway on the penalty kill yesterday was embarassing. I realize he isnt a scorer or the fastest guy but a half slap shot from above the circles?
- did109

I have no defense for Lap, I didn't want him, and hes not even being an enforcer here. (frank) Lap

He doesn't do anything offensively and has been poor defensively. The trade of him for Goc has been a failure. At least Goc was good defensively. But Lapierre has "grit" so it was worth it.
- jfkst1

As a fan, one has to hope that Lapierre has "playoff mode" left in him. He has a pointy little face and that little poop-eating grin that make you hate him. But he needs to stop acting like a figure skater and start playing the type of hockey he has for the bulk of his career.

As a fan, one has to hope that Lapierre has "playoff mode" left in him. He has a pointy little face and that little poop-eating grin that make you hate him. But he needs to stop acting like a figure skater and start playing the type of hockey he has for the bulk of his career.
- jmatchett383

We had Farnham for the poop eating grin and making people hate him though on the 4th line ~_~

He doesn't do anything offensively and has been poor defensively. The trade of him for Goc has been a failure. At least Goc was good defensively. But Lapierre has "grit" so it was worth it.
- jfkst1

The most overrated buzzword in hockey. Literally gave up a 2nd rounder for Winnik...another grit player. Granted he is light years ahead of Lap and its the deadline so people overpay but a second round pick for a guy with a career high of what i think 11 goals? Lapierre has no place in the league IMO, he is a matt cooke wanna be with that breed of player dying off. If you are going to be a pest you better bring something else to the table like an Andrew Shaw or Brad Marchand.

I have no defense for Lap, I didn't want him, and hes not even being an enforcer here. (frank) Lap
- Guile

He's more of a rat/yapper than an enforcer. He's the type of guy to give you a jab and a face wash when the refs are a few feet away as opposed to a knuckle thrower. That's the kind of guy who can give (or cost) you a few PPs over a long series.

I have no defense for Lap, I didn't want him, and hes not even being an enforcer here. (frank) Lap
- Guile

Yeah there is no defending him and i am not knocking the penguins at all on this. I am knocking his decision on that breakaway. I literally laughed out loud when he took that shot.

Yeah there is no defending him and i am not knocking the penguins at all on this. I am knocking his decision on that breakaway. I literally laughed out loud when he took that shot.
- did109

Goc has played fairly well for StL. My only reasoning is they think Lapierre can bring something in the playoffs.

I mean, um.. YOU ARE SUCH A FLYERS TROLL ARRRRRGHHHH!

The most overrated buzzword in hockey. Literally gave up a 2nd rounder for Winnik...another grit player. Granted he is light years ahead of Lap and its the deadline so people overpay but a second round pick for a guy with a career high of what i think 11 goals? Lapierre has no place in the league IMO, he is a matt cooke wanna be with that breed of player dying off. If you are going to be a pest you better bring something else to the table like an Andrew Shaw or Brad Marchand.
- did109

I thought it was a 2nd and a 3rd for Winnik?

He's more of a rat/yapper than an enforcer. He's the type of guy to give you a jab and a face wash when the refs are a few feet away as opposed to a knuckle thrower. That's the kind of guy who can give (or cost) you a few PPs over a long series.
- jmatchett383

Sounds like you are knocking him even more.. so yeah, pretty much -_-

I thought it was a 2nd and a 3rd for Winnik?
- rangerdanger94

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=738676

2nd and a 4th... and Zach Sill, which was so nice to get rid of.

If it comes down to ottwa-vs-flyers, i am all for the Flyers just randomly falling and letting Ottawa score over and over.

Cant see them booting him just yet. I feel like its obvious he is just keeping the seat warm for Botteril, although i cant figure that out. If you have enough confidence in him to keep him after Shero is gone why not make the move and let him start building "his" team, not sitting back while GMJR goes draft pick trading crazy.
- did109

I don't think Rutherford has been bad. But I didn't think Shero was necessarily bad either. They need someone that is definably good though. All they've been doing is treading water for 6 years now with this roster. Time for a different approach and I'm not sure how Botterill is going to provide that. After all, he was supposedly providing input on the drafting and scouting since 2007. He does have the business background that I'd like more of, but who knows if he would actually change anything.

Sounds like you are knocking him even more.. so yeah, pretty much -_-
- Guile

I am, but it has nothing do to with him being a Penguins. I actually hated him much more as a Hab.

If it comes down to ottwa-vs-flyers, i am all for the Flyers just randomly falling and letting Ottawa score over and over.
- idiotsallofu

I see the troll is strong in this one.

If it comes down to ottwa-vs-flyers, i am all for the Flyers just randomly falling and letting Ottawa score over and over.
- idiotsallofu

That's probably gonna happen anyway

He's more of a rat/yapper than an enforcer. He's the type of guy to give you a jab and a face wash when the refs are a few feet away as opposed to a knuckle thrower. That's the kind of guy who can give (or cost) you a few PPs over a long series.
- jmatchett383

tbh this is the kind of thing the Pens should be avoiding, when the cheap poop starts it always seems to turn out badly for them

I don't think Rutherford has been bad. But I didn't think Shero was necessarily bad either. They need someone that is definably good though. All they've been doing is treading water for 6 years now with this roster. Time for a different approach and I'm not sure how Botterill is going to provide that. After all, he was supposedly providing input on the drafting and scouting since 2007. He does have the business background that I'd like more of, but who knows if he would actually change anything.
- jfkst1

Aside from making bold, sweeping changes (i.e. trading members of the core such as Crosby, Malkin, Letang) I'm not so sure what any GM can do with the team. Really, those are your key pieces and you try to build around them. Going into the season, I thought they were a strong team.

If it comes down to ottwa-vs-flyers, i am all for the Flyers just randomly falling and letting Ottawa score over and over.
- idiotsallofu

it will be the one time I advocate losing a game on purpose

I don't think Rutherford has been bad. But I didn't think Shero was necessarily bad either. They need someone that is definably good though. All they've been doing is treading water for 6 years now with this roster. Time for a different approach and I'm not sure how Botterill is going to provide that. After all, he was supposedly providing input on the drafting and scouting since 2007. He does have the business background that I'd like more of, but who knows if he would actually change anything.
- jfkst1

I could be wrong but I thought i remember hearing that Botteril is their answer to cap management and analytics. No offense but for having someone that high up being a cap manager he has failed miserably with this team. It blows my mind that a professional sports team that operates in a cap league can ever be put in the position to have to play shorthanded bc of the cap number.....dont worry you are not alone, the Flyers rushed Mason back from injury and dumbass Berube actually made him play due to the fact that they couldnt afford to recall a goalie.

I see the troll is strong in this one.
- jmatchett383

If it was the other way around, pens fans would be saying the same.

Aside from making bold, sweeping changes (i.e. trading members of the core such as Crosby, Malkin, Letang) I'm not so sure what any GM can do with the team. Really, those are your key pieces and you try to build around them. Going into the season, I thought they were a strong team.
- jmatchett383

If I'm Pitt's GM I try recouping as many draft picks as possible. Not sure they have any assets to do that anymore and the rights to pending free agents are useless with the 5 day window to negotiate before free agency.