i'm a paulmart fan, but the current situation right now is just simply too much for him to bear on his own.

he is logging nearly 30 mins of icetime a night anymore. that is just simply too much for him to be expected to contribute at a high level.

its really a situation he cant win.
- stayinthefnnet

You won't have to be a fan of Martini much longer. Someone is going to overpay him just like Orpik. Maybe the Caps will give him 6 mill and he can take his rubber stick along with him to Washington

We will Make the playoffs. We'll earn at least a point against the Islanders.

Someone has to call up a few guys on this team. Perron, Lapierre, Spaling, Comeau, Kunitz all have to be a lot better.

We will Make the playoffs. We'll earn at least a point against the Islanders.

Someone has to call up a few guys on this team. Perron, Lapierre, Spaling, Comeau, Kunitz all have to be a lot better.
- Barnaby36

1 point does not secure a playoff spot.

Rangers just locked up the President's Trophy, nothing to play for.

I still think you get the 2-points needed over the remaining 4 games, but it should not have come to this.

We will Make the playoffs. We'll earn at least a point against the Islanders.

Someone has to call up a few guys on this team. Perron, Lapierre, Spaling, Comeau, Kunitz all have to be a lot better.
- Barnaby36

Personally I don't think we will beat the Isles. I think we will beat the Sabers. So if two points gets us in we are good, otherwise............have a nice summer.

I truly believe that IF the Pens don't make the Playoffs (and I think most will agree that they don't deserve to be in the Playoffs at this junction), it will be the best thing for them in the long run. I am not sure how and what will exactly transpire, but I think it will be for the best. I think a lot of Pens fans need something new to get excited about.
- chimpira

I'm half in your boat.

What a joke last night. Unbelievable.

I'm half in your boat.
- brienstel

Is that like sitting on the fence only getting your feet wet?

1 point does not secure a playoff spot.

Rangers just locked up the President's Trophy, nothing to play for.

I still think you get the 2-points needed over the remaining 4 games, but it should not have come to this.
- jmatchett383

I know we have a game against the Sabres left. I just said we should be able to get 1 point against the Islanders.

We should be able to beat Buffalo without much trouble.

I'm Counting on 3 points.

I know we have a game against the Sabres left. I just said we should be able to get 1 point against the Islanders.

We should be able to beat Buffalo without much trouble.

I'm Counting on 3 points.
- Barnaby36

That's what I think should happen. But think about it this way:

If you're the Buffalo Sabres, you've been the worst team in the NHL all year long. You've been beaten up all season, and even your own fans cheered against you. However, you have a chance to beat one of the "premier teams" of the NHL. Regardless of their playoff chances, you can play your own Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 in the last game of the season.

Basically, if they need 1 point as of that Buffalo game (Ottawa/Philly will be over by then), they're going to need to play Game 7 playoff-style hockey to win. If they do, they'll make it. If not, Buffalo may play with nothing to lose.

I know we have a game against the Sabres left. I just said we should be able to get 1 point against the Islanders.

We should be able to beat Buffalo without much trouble.

I'm Counting on 3 points.
- Barnaby36

Well be lucky to beat Buffalo in my opinion. They have locked in last place or 2nd last & have shown fight in the last couple of games. I believe that the 1 point will be enough as long as we get another point or 2 from the last 2 games. If we can win both good chance Isles finish wild card or out.

The Pens got this. Ever see the animal that acts wounded until the prey is within striking distance then they pounce and catch the prey off-guard? That is all they are doing, people...

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.
- madmike71

Very harsh if they do. What they may do is bring in an 'advisor' to help. Love if it is Torts!

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.
- madmike71

The Fan and Rob Rossi are not reliable sources... however yes, seems like if he can't pull a SC Final appearance hes getting the boot.

Very harsh if they do. What they may do is bring in an 'advisor' to help. Love if it is Torts!
- Aussiepenguin

Yeah... Unless he can poop healthy dmen, I don't completely blame him. However, last night he made some ATROCIOUS decisions.

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.
- madmike71

As in this morning? After last night nothing would totally shock me.

Well if his play before last night hasnt proved that he is NOT a top 2 pairing guy, last nights blunder certainly should change the mind of those who were saying how great Lovejoy is. Playing along side Cam Fowler can certainly mask some major concerns in his game. This team still makes the playoffs but wow, without a cup this offseason could be another circus offseason. On a positive note Berube should be available to coach them next year, hes use to not having players listen to his directive already.

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.
- madmike71

If the team doesn't make the postseason Rutherford and Johnston deserve to be fired. I understand the timing of the injuries not making it likely that they'll win in the postseason. However, Shero/Bylsma had equally injured teams and had no issue qualifying for the postseason and ownership said they expect their teams to compete for SCs. I don't see how they can't fire them unless not applying an uneven standard. BTW, Bylsma will probably be getting a job this summer so they won't be paying 3 different coaches either.

Yeah... Unless he can poop healthy dmen, I don't completely blame him. However, last night he made some ATROCIOUS decisions.
- madmike71

There is certainly room for criticism on not playing certain players more (Bennett) and having that lineup out there on the final faceoff (Sutter had a weak overall game before those faceoffs BTW).

So, many wanted...

1. Bylsma fired. You got it.
2. Tocchet hired to "light a fire", "fix the PP", and "keep Downie under wraps". You got it.
3. No meaningless Metro titles and regular season coasting. You got it.
4. David Perron. You got him.
5. Bortuzzo gone as a 6th d-man. You got it.
6. Daniel Winnik. You got him.
7. DP given a regular shift to work out the kinks and allow him to make mistakes. You got it.
8. Kunitz to remain on the team 'cause he can still produce. Worst case, he could be a 3rd liner. You got it.
9. Draft picks traded because you cant count on picks and we're in win-now mode because Sid and Geno "aint getting any younger". You definitely got that.

The only players right now playing worth a poop are 87, 72, 29.

David Perron played one of the worst games in his own end I've seen a forward play. Still don't understand why so many were clamoring for this guy. All you had to do was watch him in Stl and Edm. He's a 3rd liner. We gave up a 1st for him. These are the kinda deals you're forced to make when you cant grow your own players in-house.

Does anybody think they're going to fire HCMJ? Hearing on the radio that it's a possibility.
- madmike71

I think it's not entirely out of the question.

I think it's obvious that there's some sort of disconnect going on. The team isn't listening, or they're listening but not following thru, or they're following thru but it's the wrong message. None of which are good signs. Because something is very very wrong & it isn't entirely just on the players having the mental fortitude of a scared child when confronted with adversity.

my wife cant stand watching games with me, hell I dont even enjoy it anymore I think...at 3-0 I go ya know they are going to tie it up and she says stop no they wont, as soon as they scored that 2nd goal right at the start of the 3rd I go this games over...of course I still wasted my time watching this lousy half assed team lose it to a couple rookies...

malkin must be hurt still because he is playing like he just stepped out of one of coloardos finest shops and doesnt know where he is or how to do anything, he was just a body last night nothing more

So, many wanted...

1. Bylsma fired. You got it.
2. Tocchet hired to "light a fire", "fix the PP", and "keep Downie under wraps". You got it.
3. No meaningless Metro titles and regular season coasting. You got it.
4. David Perron. You got him.
5. Bortuzzo gone as a 6th d-man. You got it.
6. Daniel Winnik. You got him.
7. DP given a regular shift to work out the kinks and allow him to make mistakes. You got it.
8. Kunitz to remain on the team 'cause he can still produce. Worst case, he could be a 3rd liner. You got it.
9. Draft picks traded because you cant count on picks and we're in win-now mode because Sid and Geno "aint getting any younger". You definitely got that.

The only players right now playing worth a poop are 87, 72, 29.

David Perron played one of the worst games in his own end I've seen a forward play. Still don't understand why so many were clamoring for this guy. All you had to do was watch him in Stl and Edm. He's a 3rd liner. We gave up a 1st for him. These are the kinda deals you're forced to make when you cant grow your own players in-house.
- 87_71_11_29

OK. off the top of my head many wanted:
1. Scuderi gone anyway possible- Didn't get it and he was terrible last night.
2. Despres not traded- He was and Lovejoy was awful last night.
3. Letang traded instead of extended because he has always been injury prone- didn't get it and he still has yet to play a full season which is killing the Penguins.
4. Not trading for Lapierre- also worthless last night.
5. Trading Sutter- didn't play well last night and his "shutdown" abilities were on full display when it mattered most.

Make those changes and this team is almost certainly better off right now too so let's not act like the common opinion is worse than what Shero/Rutherford have been doing. Most NHL GMs don't know anymore than average fans. Just like most stockbrokers don't pick stocks any better than random.

Only players playing well 87, 72, 29? Fleury definitely has been hung out to dry more times than not and played decent for few periods but pretty sure past 10-11 games he has poor numbers. Obviously not all on him because they don't have 2 top defense men that he had the first 3/4 the season but looking around the league goalies are standing on their heads for their teams. Jets, Sens, Wild all spring to mind. Steal a game here and there would warrant being in the convo for playing well.

OK. off the top of my head many wanted:
1. Scuderi gone anyway possible- Didn't get it and he was terrible last night.
2. Despres not traded- He was and Lovejoy was awful last night.
3. Letang traded instead of extended because he has always been injury prone- didn't get it and he still has yet to play a full season which is killing the Penguins.
4. Not trading for Lapierre- also worthless last night.
5. Trading Sutter- didn't play well last night and his "shutdown" abilities were on full display when it mattered most.

Make those changes and this team is almost certainly better off right now too so let's not act like the common opinion is worse than what Shero/Rutherford have been doing. Most NHL GMs don't know anymore than average fans. Just like most stockbrokers don't pick stocks any better than random.
- jfkst1

1.How would you get rid of Scuderi? This team is up against it with the cap as is, let alone buying out a player. There is NO trade market for him. Unrealistic.
2.After the trade the majority of posts i read on here stated that Despres was going nowhere, that two regimes had given up on him and that Lovejoy had become a stud in Anaheim.
3.Ill give you this one although i didnt hear much of it at the time. People love fan favorites and thats what Letang is, but i agree his contract was risky and a mistake.
4. Gotta add that "grit".
5. For all the complaining and absolute disregard for him and his play, what trade market is out there? They need a third line center and unlike many pipe dreams ive read on here you cant trade trash for gold.