Why would we trust the young players we have? We have to WIN NOW! That means we trade them away for "experience" and "grit". We don't have time for that "Developing talent" nonsense.
- thickman1178

Sensing some sarcasm...

Bennett is supposed to be top 6 so I will exclude him. What shocks me the most is we dont have 1 young, homegrown player capable of playing in our bottom 6.

Sure, we haven't drafted well, and top 6 talent is hard to find, but BOTTOM 6? How is it even possible to no have one full time, solid 4th liner from the farm system?

I've been watching hockey for 30 years, and your right refs to sometimes manage to the score. What does that have to do with managing to the timeframe of the game, the 3rd period? (what the original conversation was about)
- xcheckmajor

In the 3rd period, particularly of a close game and absolutely in the final minutes, the refs are less likely to make calls. They want the players to decide the game.

Even though the first 3 PP's they called at the start of the game have already made an impact, they are going to be less likely to "interfere" with the outcome of the game by calling a penalty as the close of the game draws near.

I think expecting these Pens fans to fellate our scouting staff is unrealistic.
- rangerdanger94

Though I think we are more likely to fellate yours than ours.

I wouldn't worry about Kunitz. He likes to rile people up. Lappy I think is more talk than action, but I know his past has some "Cook-esque" moments. Downie doesn't even know a line exists. That guy is just a flat out idiot. The sad part is he has actual talent that's wasted in the box.
- thickman1178

Did you see the latest "In The Room"? There's a clip of Tocchet treating Downie like a 5 year old...its kind of funny...but you realize that you will never get through to that guy the right way to agitate and to DRAW penalties, not TAKE penalties.

Imagine going through two years of that.

That's about how long you've been posting on the isles board, right?
- Isles_since_6

Yea and I never resorted to personal attacks or stalking islanders fans on other boards to try and piss them off.

The only reason you guys hate me so much is because while everything I say is douchey it's also true.

downie crosby hornqvist
Perron Malkin Comeau
Kunitz Sutter Bennett
Winnik lap spaling

Biggest change that has to happen before game two.
- Grinder47

I agree with this. IF Downie can quit being an idiot and taking those stupid ass penalties. Im also all for Perron sitting for a few shifts if he continues to take dumb penalties.

Though I think we are more likely to fellate yours than ours.
- thickman1178

Fellate is actually a word. Looks like I learned something new today.

edit: and might get fired for looking it up

Question: Why are people calling for Adams or an AHL call up to play in place of Bennett? I understand he didn't have a great game last night and his season left much to be desired, but we got absolutely out shot last night and Bennett was tied for third most SOG on the team. We will not beat the Rangers if our only game plan is having MAF out play Hank. I like Flower and I think he is an excellent tender, but Hank is the best. In this particular series, when we're going up against such an excellent team, I am willing to overlook some lack luster play if he's getting shots on goal. Adams/Wilson/Rust/Farnham won't be able to reproduce that kind of shot volume. Regardless of regular season or playoffs, you score goals by getting pucks towards the net. When we're being outshot as badly as we are, I don't see how scratching our third most shot producer is going to help.

Truth be told, I though our forwards played well last night and MAF was great. Makes me sad that we're missing three out of our top four defensemen plus Pouliot. We would have had a legitimate shot this year with a healthy Tanger and Hoff. Add Maatta to the equation and we may have crushed the Rangers last night.

Imagine going through two years of that.

That's about how long you've been posting on the isles board, right?
- Isles_since_6

I think its funny that after 10 pages of comments, the only real female dog fighting Ive seen is between a Rangers fan and an Isles fan.

Come to think of it, I want more vitriol. (frank) THE RANGERS! I HOPE THEY ALL HAVE A REALLY HORRIBLE NIGHTS SLEEP AND THEIR BREAKFAST IS COLD!

Sensing some sarcasm...

Bennett is supposed to be top 6 so I will exclude him. What shocks me the most is we dont have 1 young, homegrown player capable of playing in our bottom 6.

Sure, we haven't drafted well, and top 6 talent is hard to find, but BOTTOM 6? How is it even possible to no have one full time, solid 4th liner from the farm system?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Im with ya. But this franchises Win Now mentality has cost us the current now (aka the past's future). We are getting to the point where we don't have draft picks because we have mortgaged them all for UFA's who came and went, and we have nothing to show for it. And then when we do have some talent that needs developing (see Despres and Bennett*), they aren't afforded the chance to do it. And then they ride the bench or are traded.

*I will say Bennett hasn't been fantastic and his injuries have limited his own potential. Hes getting playing time now, but a 3rd line checking role is not where he belongs.

I think its funny that after 10 pages of comments, the only real female dog fighting Ive seen is between a Rangers fan and an Isles fan.

Come to think of it, I want more vitriol. (frank) THE RANGERS! I HOPE THEY ALL HAVE A REALLY HORRIBLE NIGHTS SLEEP AND THEIR BREAKFAST IS COLD!
- thickman1178

Hey watch it! Could have a holtby situation don't even joke!

Question: Why are people calling for Adams or an AHL call up to play in place of Bennett? I understand he didn't have a great game last night and his season left much to be desired, but we got absolutely out shot last night and Bennett was tied for third most SOG on the team. We will not beat the Rangers if our only game plan is having MAF out play Hank. I like Flower and I think he is an excellent tender, but Hank is the best. In this particular series, when we're going up against such an excellent team, I am willing to overlook some lack luster play if he's getting shots on goal. Adams/Wilson/Rust/Farnham won't be able to reproduce that kind of shot volume. Regardless of regular season or playoffs, you score goals by getting pucks towards the net. When we're being outshot as badly as we are, I don't see how scratching our third most shot producer is going to help.

Truth be told, I though our forwards played well last night and MAF was great. Makes me sad that we're missing three out of our top four defensemen plus Pouliot. We would have had a legitimate shot this year with a healthy Tanger and Hoff. Add Maatta to the equation and we may have crushed the Rangers last night.
- Victoro311

Well, personally, I said replace Bennett because, realistically, this coaching staff wont bench a Spaling or Lapierre or Kunitz or (name ineffective player here).

Secondly my rationale was to get a player that can score. So Kapanen/Wilson are at the top of the list.

Fellate is actually a word. Looks like I learned something new today.

edit: and might get fired for looking it up
- YouMeAndDupuis9

And I never beg for a response but for the love of god I'm dying to see your reactions to that article.

Well, personally, I said replace Bennett because, realistically, this coaching staff wont bench a Spaling or Lapierre or Kunitz or (name ineffective player here).

Secondly my rationale was to get a player that can score. So Kapanen/Wilson are at the top of the list.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

We don't know that Kapanen or Wilson will be any better though. I'm sure they cant be much worse, but my concern is just that ELC. I don't think we are going far this post season (though id be happy to be proved wrong), so Id rather save it for next year when we can have all our guys back and really develop the team as a whole.

Well, personally, I said replace Bennett because, realistically, this coaching staff wont bench a Spaling or Lapierre or Kunitz or (name ineffective player here).

Secondly my rationale was to get a player that can score. So Kapanen/Wilson are at the top of the list.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I know that no one is going to agree with me here, but....

Honestly, Perron and Kunitz are playing themselves into a demotion. Down the stretch, Perron has been playing frustrated, undisciplined hockey and is in a major scoring slump. Kunitz has been flat out ineffective. Why not demote one of those guys and see if Bennett can find some inspiration in the top 6? If we continue to be out shot like we have been, what is there realistically to lose?

And I never beg for a response but for the love of god I'm dying to see your reactions to that article.
- mrhattrick27

I don't think its the worst idea I've heard. I certainly prefer it to the "trade Malkin for Buff" conversations. But at the same time, there are two problems with letting Crosby go.

1) Crosby is quantifiable. McDavid isn't. Sure, hes supposed to be the next Crosby, but at one point, Lindros was supposed to be the next Gretzky or something ridiculous like that. You don't give up what you know for the thing you don't. The funny part is the author acknowledges that every team would want Crosby over the #1 pick for just that reason, but somehow it means the Pens should trade him? Durrrrrr

2) Malkin has said repeatedly he doesn't want to be in the limelight. If Crosby is gone, how long is it until Malkin has enough of being the go to superstar (assuming it takes McDavid a bit to flourish) and wants out of town?

And then this whole paragraph made me want to die/vomit/kill things.

"Then there’s that other Pennsylvania team. Now, this would be like Derek Jeter playing for the Boston Red Sox, but Crosby in a Flyers uniform could end the franchise’s four-decades-long championship drought as early as next season. There’s no other hair-trigger owner in the NHL like Philly’s Ed Snider, and just imagine the Stanley Cup scenarios that would be swirling in his white-haired head at the thought of a Crosby-Claude Giroux 1-2 punch down the middle. Even if GM Ron Hextall weren’t onboard, Snider gets what Snider wants."

I know that no one is going to agree with me here, but....

Honestly, Perron and Kunitz are playing themselves into a demotion. Down the stretch, Perron has been playing frustrated, undisciplined hockey and is in a major scoring slump. Kunitz has been flat out ineffective. Why not demote one of those guys and see if Bennett can find some inspiration in the top 6? If we continue to be out shot like we have been, what is there realistically to lose?
- Victoro311

I agree with you 100%. I also think it could provide us more balance.

Downie - Crosby - Horny
Comeau - Malkin - Bennett
Kunitz - Sutter - Perron
Winnik - Lappy - Who cares

I'm late to the thread and I won't read everything.

But some things I noted:

Winnik can't be playing alongside Crosby. He does not have good hands, more than once Crosby gave him the puck and he just fumbled it. He was good with Sutter, put him back there.

Agree with Ryan, our D right now just isn't suited to play MJ system. Rewind back to when we had a full roster and Letang, Ehrhoff and Pouliot would do good skating the puck up ice and creating offense. This D Corp just can't do it.

Ultimately we have to stop taking penalties, I mean, Crosby played 3 mins in the first period. Thats every opponent's dream. If you gonna be shorthanded half a period at least put Crosby or Geno out there. I don't know why we don't do it. Big mistery for me. Maybe fear of injuries blocking shots but I have some memories of Geno killing penalties and he was very good with his reach.

I know that no one is going to agree with me here, but....

Honestly, Perron and Kunitz are playing themselves into a demotion. Down the stretch, Perron has been playing frustrated, undisciplined hockey and is in a major scoring slump. Kunitz has been flat out ineffective. Why not demote one of those guys and see if Bennett can find some inspiration in the top 6? If we continue to be out shot like we have been, what is there realistically to lose?
- Victoro311

the ineptitude of perron and kunitz is a very, very large reason for the suffocation of the pens offense.

combine that with the inability of the defense to provide absolutely anything right now, be it a rush, something resembling a shot from the point, or even a crisp outlet pass in stride, its just too much right now.

I hate to side with the Rangers fans, but how can you make those statements when you didn't even see the game? The Rangers are capable of better... And us, yes, our 1st period was a disaster, but our 2nd and 3rd, with our current roster (depleted D) is probably about as good as it gets, and we could only muster 1 goal and maybe 3 more quality chances. As much as I hate to say it, this series is over quickly.
- Willaged

So listening to Mike Lange makes it against anyone's rules to be able to comment?

Just FYI, looking at everyone's comments both Rags & Pens fans, sounds like there were about 3 games played last night.

How dare I join conversation based on only listening to the the game, looking at highlights & reading the review???

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib · 1h 1 hour ago

An officials supervisor told the Penguins before Game 1 that interference would be strictly enforced.


Haha the refs are trolling the Pens this year Seriously, how can you even say that, then come out and call 4 against the Pens in the 1st. I agree 2 of them should be called, but 2 of them were brutal. If you are going to tell me the Pens committed 4 more than the Rags last night, we didn't watch the same game. The refs were the reason the Pens lost, but they sure as hell didn't do the Pens any favors one bit.

So listening to Mike Lange makes it against anyone's rules to be able to comment?

Just FYI, looking at everyone's comments both Rags & Pens fans, sounds like there were about 3 games played last night.

How dare I join conversation based on only listening to the the game, looking at highlights & reading the review???
- Aussiepenguin

Yes, how dare you.

If I ever hear another announcer say the phrase "firing on all cylinders" again it'll be too soon.


oh yeah I forgot,
F Doan

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib · 1h 1 hour ago

An officials supervisor told the Penguins before Game 1 that interference would be strictly enforced.


Haha the refs are trolling the Pens this year Seriously, how can you even say that, then come out and call 4 against the Pens in the 1st. I agree 2 of them should be called, but 2 of them were brutal. If you are going to tell me the Pens committed 4 more than the Rags last night, we didn't watch the same game. The refs were the reason the Pens lost, but they sure as hell didn't do the Pens any favors one bit.
- Thorny

According to some around here... You need to dominate the first period because that's the only period where penalties are relevant. Interference/obstruction doesn't apparently count later in the game because the other team has a reputation for being good positionally.