There's no doubt that Pittsburgh has some of the worst organizational forward depth. And that is directly attributable to Shero's decisions, and some of Rutherford's as well. Conversely, they have some of the strongest young defensive depth in the league (arguably had the best before the Despres trade that I still don't like). Goaltending is hardest to predict, but that is also looking like a strength relative to other teams.
- jfkst1

I'd find it hard to believe we aren't top 3 in Goalie prospects in the NHL. Don't think we planned for it like our young D drafting, but its turned out that way for goalies.

You are a typical flyers fan AKA a moron. Please go sniff markers or inhale gas fumes, AKA a normal day in Philadelphia. Or find out where the flyers are golfing next week and troll their message board.
- Dcoms

the way he acted yesterday after Read hit him looked like he should be playing soccer with that acting!!!

the way he acted yesterday after Read hit him looked like he should be playing soccer with that acting!!!
- BernieKorch

Because Claude Giroux has never once dove/accentuated.

Because Claude Giroux has never once dove/accentuated.
- jmatchett383

He obviously was in total panic stricken mode by Giroux coming up from behind

He obviously was in total panic stricken mode by Giroux coming up from behind
- Guile

He was "acting" like he was panic stricken while muttering to himself, "Come on and get it you dirty, dirty boy..."

Okay, I just creeped myself out.

There's no doubt that Pittsburgh has some of the worst organizational forward depth. And that is directly attributable to Shero's decisions, and some of Rutherford's as well. Conversely, they have some of the strongest young defensive depth in the league (arguably had the best before the Despres trade that I still don't like). Goaltending is hardest to predict, but that is also looking like a strength relative to other teams.
- jfkst1

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.

He was "acting" like he was panic stricken while muttering to himself, "Come on and get it you dirty, dirty boy..."

Okay, I just creeped myself out.
- jmatchett383

I feel like that might be the most legitimately reportable post I've ever seen on here... but I won't click the button...

I'd find it hard to believe we aren't top 3 in Goalie prospects in the NHL. Don't think we planned for it like our young D drafting, but its turned out that way for goalies.
- Guile

It's definitely looking a lot stronger this year. Goalies just take so long to develop I don't want to rush to judgement on it. But that just goes to show how a few players developing at unexpected rates (both positive and negative) can dramatically alter a team's prospect pool value. Pittsburgh overall is generally considered average which makes it seem untrue that they have the "worst" asset management in the league.

It'd look pretty bad if the Pens win the draft lottery and don't have their pick

It'd look pretty bad if the Pens win the draft lottery and don't have their pick
- Oil_Addict

I never got why teams should care what happens with their pick after they've traded it. The value of the trade should be addressed at the time of the trade, not in hindsight.

I for one came in here to read about how those nasty, bad-for-the-game Flyers acted like a bunch of thugs and hooligans in dispatching of the Pens yesterday. I am leaving disappointed.
- TheRat14

I think we got over losing to the Flyers when it became like...6 in row. We are up to 9 now? They have our number. Probably will for a while too. Oh well.

It'd look pretty bad if the Pens win the draft lottery and don't have their pick
- Oil_Addict

Pfft, obviously the NHL would fix it so we somehow got back our draft pick too.

I never got why teams should care what happens with their pick after they've traded it. The value of the trade should be addressed at the time of the trade, not in hindsight.
- jmatchett383

I think it looks bad that they didn't lottery protect it, the Pens were top 5 in league standings at the time of the trade though

Damnit you bastards!!!

Pens have owned Ottawa the last couple years. Really hope the Sens still have some magic left and can pull off the W.

Regardless should be a Game 7 like atmosphere. Hopefully the refs just let them play and the game isn't decided by a bad/no call or questionable goal.

Go Sens Go!

Damnit you bastards!!!

Pens have owned Ottawa the last couple years. Really hope the Sens still have some magic left and can pull off the W.

Regardless should be a Game 7 like atmosphere. Hopefully the refs just let them play and the game isn't decided by a bad/no call or questionable goal.

Go Sens Go!
- SENS 613

pls do The Thing, Sens

No comments about Steve Downie? Guy is a cancer...stupid penalties and now even if he bumps a guy he gets a penalty because of his reputation..I love my pens but this season is over even if they make it...just don't have a team for the playoffs...it's sad for pittsburgh fans but they need an even bigger overhaul of the roster, may be time to spend some big name and young assets for somewhat of a rebuild.

the way he acted yesterday after Read hit him looked like he should be playing soccer with that acting!!!
- BernieKorch

Seriously? It looked to me like Read might have gotten him with a crosscheck right between where the elbow pad comes down to and the glove. That is a pretty vulnerable spot, especially given Sid's wrist injury last year. Not saying there should have been a penalty or anything, but I certainly can see how Sid could have been legitimately hurt there.

There's a lot of bad trends the 2nd half of the season....but props for pointing out the things that are going well. I agree with mostly everything here. Many of us said we wanted the Pens to face adversity and not coast into the playoffs, country club, yada yada yada...well here it is. And as RW's last blog pointed out...it may actually benefit us from a matchup standpoint being lower in the standings. (still scared of Price with current scoring woes).

One guy who deserves an A next year...Hornqvist. He is exactly what the Pens need. And for all of you that hated Neal, I'm sorry but I really liked him. He took bad penalties but I was afraid we didnt get enough in return for him. Hornqvist is a beauty of a hockey player right now. I find it funny how he gets pushed into the goalie and then they try to fight him. There's no real answer defensively to contain a guy like him wreaking havoc in front of the net.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Love me some Horny too. My only issue with him is durability. He's kind of a smallish dude and takes a beating.

But, dude's got a major set. If you transplanted Horny's balls into Neal's toolbag, you'd have a 50 goal scorer.

Not gonna disagree with you there. I think that respect for other players has gone out the window in the "new" NHL.
- jmatchett383

Stupid enforcer rule!

I think it looks bad that they didn't lottery protect it, the Pens were top 5 in league standings at the time of the trade though
- Oil_Addict

Yes, it should have been lottery protected, I'll give you that. So in this specific case, I guess I'd agree.

Damnit you bastards!!!

Pens have owned Ottawa the last couple years. Really hope the Sens still have some magic left and can pull off the W.

Regardless should be a Game 7 like atmosphere. Hopefully the refs just let them play and the game isn't decided by a bad/no call or questionable goal.

Go Sens Go!
- SENS 613

Yeah, the NHL is ruining the game with too many penalties. Downie should be able to take the ice carrying a metal folding chair instead of a stick and bash in Karlsson's achilles without a penalty.

Seriously? It looked to me like Read might have gotten him with a crosscheck right between where the elbow pad comes down to and the glove. That is a pretty vulnerable spot, especially given Sid's wrist injury last year. Not saying there should have been a penalty or anything, but I certainly can see how Sid could have been legitimately hurt there.
- PensFan1103

Yeah, having a guy whose upper body strength is most likely stronger than 95% of people on this web site forcefully shoving a hockey stick at your wrist is probably not too enjoyable.

Yeah, the NHL is ruining the game with too many penalties. Downie should be able to take the ice carrying a metal folding chair instead of a stick and bash in Karlsson's achilles without a penalty.
- jfkst1

Isn't that more or less what he does?

Isn't that more or less what he does?
- jmatchett383

On his good days. He's actually calmed down recently and he is productive when on the ice.

The Penguins lost.... and yet its there. And he has data after nearly every game. So, what are you talking about bud?
- Guile

Agreed... its like rating a pitcher based on how many strikes he throws... clearly means very little on the 2014-15 penguins