Not enough cap room in that deal... that would have been contingent on whatever the supposed Martin deal was going to be.
- Guile

I thought Perron was acquired because of dupuis going on IR long term

Also, this team needs a spark from guys like Rust & especially Farnham. Some guys that are willing to go balls-out from start to finish. Can't be any more useless than Wilson was last night.
- ScienceJesus

The one guy on the team that has been doing this is Hornqvist. If the entire team gave the effort and hustle that he has, they're probably up 2-1 in the series. Dude has been better than advertised.

The core of the team, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and with the exeception of Fleury, are all injury prone. Maatta and Pouliot are also not looking like Ironmen so far. And you're right, doesn't matter how good a roster is if the lineup is never healthy. 6 years is either outrageously bad luck or something is wrong with their process.
- jfkst1

Or, as I also postulated, could it be a case of running a system with personnel not conducive to that system? If you're playing with a small-ish roster, putting them in the position of absorbing hits regularly by a league of larger people, they're more likely to get injured. Small things getting hit by bigger things tend to lose that fight eventually. Maybe it's a system issue as well?

The one guy on the team that has been doing this is Hornqvist. If the entire team gave the effort and hustle that he has, they're probably up 2-1 in the series. Dude has been better than advertised.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely. He is the kind of character and leading-by-example guy this team was missing. If only people would start to follow his lead.

You'll be tuning in opening night next season. We've all said the same thing to some extent at one time or another.
- jmatchett383

I will be watching reruns of Gilligan's Island or the Rifleman to pass my time away. I have not contributed to the Pens cause in over 10 years and now Center Ice Package is history. Need more fans to protest but that won't happen because people a basically STUPID

I will be watching reruns of Gilligan's Island or the Rifleman to pass my time away. I have not contributed to the Pens cause in over 10 years and now Center Ice Package is history. Need more fans to protest but that won't happen because people a basically STUPID
- holeinone

I will bet you real-life money that, assuming you are in a region that receives local Pittsburgh sports broadcasts, you will be tuning in for opening night next year.

I thought Perron was acquired because of dupuis going on IR long term
- drummer829

That and because there was a serious need for a wing for Sid.

I wish like hell that MJ would sit him. Perron is playing like absolute poop. It will never happen, but he needs a wake up call.

I bet Martin will take a hometown discount, like Duper did. I am not sure what that discount will be, but it's definitely not 50%
- chimpira

I dont think Dupes took a discount. A career 4th line player getting 5 yrs in his mid 30's was not a bad deal on his end.

I will be watching reruns of Gilligan's Island or the Rifleman to pass my time away. I have not contributed to the Pens cause in over 10 years and now Center Ice Package is history. Need more fans to protest but that won't happen because people a basically STUPID
- holeinone

For the last 2+ months you've been saying you're done with the Pens but yet here you are still talking about them. And I'm stupid for watching a game I love ?

I dont think Dupes took a discount. A career 4th line player getting 5 yrs in his mid 30's was not a bad deal on his end.
- sammy87

He could have become a journey man, like Iggy and gotten much more per year.

I thought Perron was acquired because of dupuis going on IR long term
- drummer829

Yes, but I was on the "trades with no injuries" idea train?

However, that would have been a really interesting change in our team... Pouliot would have been up a lot sooner, or Dumoulin staying up longer.

I do hope we still get Cole for Bortuzzo as well in that timeline.

Or, as I also postulated, could it be a case of running a system with personnel not conducive to that system? If you're playing with a small-ish roster, putting them in the position of absorbing hits regularly by a league of larger people, they're more likely to get injured. Small things getting hit by bigger things tend to lose that fight eventually. Maybe it's a system issue as well?
- ScienceJesus

They've had multiple systems in this time. Some of it can probably be attributed to the injury prone core. Another factor might be in having an older team. Chicago has had smaller teams and have been quite healthy. I don't really notice any correlation between size and injury propensity.

http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...by-height-weight-and.html

That and because there was a serious need for a wing for Sid.

I wish like hell that MJ would sit him. Perron is playing like absolute poop. It will never happen, but he needs a wake up call.
- simethos

Now isn't the time for a wakeup call.

They've had multiple systems in this time. Some of it can probably be attributed to the injury prone core. Another factor might be in having an older team. Chicago has had smaller teams and have been quite healthy. I don't really notice any correlation between size and injury propensity.

http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...by-height-weight-and.html
- jfkst1

Wow, NJ is the oldest team by quite a bit.

And Winnipeg is 4th in weight. I guess most of that can be attributed to Byfuglien.

Now isn't the time for a wakeup call.
- jmatchett383

NO poop! I don't get why he's playing so poorly. You'd think he'd be amped up to play in the playoffs.

Jesus this site's bad loading times...

The one guy on the team that has been doing this is Hornqvist. If the entire team gave the effort and hustle that he has, they're probably up 2-1 in the series. Dude has been better than advertised.
- jmatchett383

Completely agree with this, I love everything Horny has brought to the Pens. If only some other players would take note of how hard the dude plays

Realistically speaking, I expected the Pens to be down 3-0 now. And with every game scores in the range of 5-1. I am definitely on cloud 9 right now because the Pens are not laying down like many expected them to do. Each game has been so close and we could have been up 3-0 if it weren't for a few "if's" - why don't they play the whole game like it's the final 10 minutes, why doesn't Geno, Perron, ANYONE shoot the puck, why can't Lovejoy clear the zone, etc. I still fully expect Rags to win the series, but they sure aren't looking like SC contenders and are very beatable. I think the Pens exposed their mediocrity, and suddenly their depth is not that ... deep.

In any case, I am quite excited about our Defensive future - just think of how many NHL-capable blue liners we have after this season? Maatta, Pouliot, Dumo, Chorney. I think that should make guys like Scuderi and Erhoff obsolete, and Lovejoy become 6th or 7th Dman. I just hope the management keeps Martin so that Martin and Tanger can be the veteran D-men to take the young kids under their wings, then cuts ties with Scuds and Erhoff, especially after this season's showing.

Wingers. What the hell are we going to do with Wingers?

Completely agree with this, I love everything Horny has brought to the Pens. If only some other players would take note of how hard the dude plays
- j.boyd919

100% every shift, love the guy. Scores dirty goals, can't ask for much more from the dude.

Wow, NJ is the oldest team by quite a bit.

And Winnipeg is 4th in weight. I guess most of that can be attributed to Byfuglien.
- jmatchett383

Speaking of Burgerboy, I really hope someone seriously injures him with a cheap shot. I'm tired on his antics. He can be added to the list of players like Rinaldo that I want injured.

100% every shift, love the guy. Scores dirty goals, can't ask for much more from the dude.
- sammy87

Just imagine Neal crashing the net

NO poop! I don't get why he's playing so poorly. You'd think he'd be amped up to play in the playoffs.
- simethos

Just a hunch here, but I think his confidence is shot. He came over and had 6G/3A in 11 games in January. Then in both February and March, he has 3G/3A (12 and 14 games, respectively). He had 1A in 6 April games. I don't think he has any confidence in himself with numbers like those.

Just imagine Neal crashing the net
- chimpira

Only way would be if it's a flying knee to the goalies head

Just a hunch here, but I think his confidence is shot. He came over and had 6G/3A in 11 games in January. Then in both February and March, he has 3G/3A (12 and 14 games, respectively). He had 1A in 6 April games. I don't think he has any confidence in himself with numbers like those.
- jmatchett383

Colligan thinks he re-injured his hip. Which would be fitting since of course now he is a Penguin and being healthy isn't allowed.

Just a hunch here, but I think his confidence is shot. He came over and had 6G/3A in 11 games in January. Then in both February and March, he has 3G/3A (12 and 14 games, respectively). He had 1A in 6 April games. I don't think he has any confidence in himself with numbers like those.
- jmatchett383

Then get him a few sessions with Fleury's sports shrink!