The Rags are a finesse team. They like open hockey. That doesn't usually work well in the postseason. I don't expect them beating the winner of the Isles/Caps series.
- jfkst1

I have them out in the next round ... if not in the ECF.

I agree with all of this blog except for the Hayes bit. Yes, he was a UFA, but had to be signed to an ELC, limiting his cap hit. Every single team in the NHL wanted to acquire him, and he simply chose NYR since he saw it as the best fit for him. Whatever team got him was going to pay him the same. That is not the case with most UFA's, so it's not exactly and apples-to-apples comparison.

Here is an example of why the Penguins are where they are. They drafted Dmen so that they could have good assets to use as bargaining chips. They did not use them wisely to restock the empty tool box at the forward position. Instead they did this.
Got rid of Brian Strait (Islanders) for nothing. Got rid of Lovejoy for almost nothing and then traded Despres (1st round pick to get him back) Traded Bortuzzo for Cole which turned out to be Ok but did not receive anything to help the forward position. Brought back Scuderi when there were young Dmen waiting in the wings to move up. Instead they burdened themselves with a bad contract. Also got nothing for Orpik, got nothing for Nisky, got nothing for Engelland, and will get nothing for Martin. Not to mention signing Erhoff who has been nothing but injured. Mismanagement of defensemen will get you nowhere. Nothing in the above mentioned guys produced a FORWARD to help the weakness of the team. Just a real bad sequence of moves

I have them out in the next round ... if not in the ECF.
- Oneonta Penguin

It better be the next round. Especially if Detroit wins, I don't see one of Montreal/Detroit taking them out.

I honestly believe it comes down to size. It's a smallish team. I've been saying it for 3 years now. The NHL has morphed from speed and skill to size and power.

Not saying there are players that couldn't use some additional strength training, but it can be tough to add bulk and strength to somebody with Brandon Sutters body type.
- madmike71

for all the brandon sutter hate, and maybe he isnt the typical 3rd line center body type, but I honestly think he has been between average and above average. its not brandon sutters fault that we score 1 goal every game....he def needs to bulk up and becoem stronger, and that may never happen, but as far as 3rd line centers go I think he may be one of the better oens out there, at least stats wise

Our defense is fine. The Rags aren't that good of a team. Our problem is offense. Even when healthy we have scored 1-2 goals a game going back months.
- znagle

There was a lot of timing involved. When the D was healthy, Malkin and Hornie were hurt. Malkin is still not close to 100%.

I'm not saying that we don't need some better forwards (far from it), but when Letang and his 54 points went down, that basically sealed our fate. He was significant catalyst for our offense this year.

That is something people forget. Even when Letang was in there ... Ehrhoff and Pouliott, we couldn't score.

As for the Rags and I made mention of this last night. They have won three 2-1 games; fought for their life with a non talented, injured, Pittsburgh team that held on for dear life to get into the play-offs (had to beat Buffalo to get in on the last day). This doesn't bode well at all for them moving forward. Good thing they are playing Pittsburgh this series and not someone else ... otherwise, they would be out.
- Oneonta Penguin

So Pittsburgh playing a slow down trapping style of hockey has nothing to do with how this series is being played out?

Take a look around the league, aaside from maybe one or two blowout games in the postseason, every game has been decided by one or two goals.

Joel Ward is the best UFA. He will make more than 3 for long term to be a depth guy. There is nothing available this offseason. We have nothing to trade to fill our holes without creating more. Sutter/Kunitz won't get us anything either so don't say them. That will just create more holes.
- znagle

I get the feeling the vast majority think trading Kunitz, Bennett, Scuds can get you enough assets to improve. Fact is, they can't. Not one guy gets you a top six forward, or a third-line impact player. Sutter probably goes for a second round pick and a prospect. They don't understand that we have little to trade that isn't named 87-71-72-29 that nets you a good return. There is a limited amount of forwards that are worth a poop on the free agent pool. Ward, I like. Frolik, Soderbergh ... very few others. There is zero given we get anyone. Get one, it helps, but doesn't have great impact.

People are so into this make trades with second rate talent and let free agency handle the rest. Guess what? Neither one is a good help here.

I agree with all of this blog except for the Hayes bit. Yes, he was a UFA, but had to be signed to an ELC, limiting his cap hit. Every single team in the NHL wanted to acquire him, and he simply chose NYR since he saw it as the best fit for him. Whatever team got him was going to pay him the same. That is not the case with most UFA's, so it's not exactly and apples-to-apples comparison.
- jmatchett383

And Hayes' s base salary is $900k but his bonuses push his contract to $3.75 mil, the rookie max.

So Pittsburgh playing a slow down trapping style of hockey has nothing to do with how this series is being played out?

Take a look around the league, aaside from maybe one or two blowout games in the postseason, every game has been decided by one or two goals.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm not impressed with the Rags whatsoever. Many others agree. There is nothing there that leads me to say you survive the next round.

And Hayes' s base salary is $900k but his bonuses push his contract to $3.75 mil, the rookie max.
- willi

Yes. But my point was that he didn't have the leverage that most UFA's do since he's basically treated like a draft pick (just like Justin Schultz).

Joel Ward is the best UFA. He will make more than 3 for long term to be a depth guy. There is nothing available this offseason. We have nothing to trade to fill our holes without creating more. Sutter/Kunitz won't get us anything either so don't say them. That will just create more holes.
- znagle

Frolik is a better player, though he will cost more. Parenteau is a trade target that could be valuable. Sutter is absolutely a valuable trading piece. He'll project as a 2C for some GM and that is going to get at least a 2nd rounder back. I'd rather replace him with an actual shutdown 3C. He's gonna be too expensive to re-sign anyway.

There was a lot of timing involved. When the D was healthy, Malkin and Hornie were hurt. Malkin is still not close to 100%.

I'm not saying that we don't need some better forwards (far from it), but when Letang and his 54 points went down, that basically sealed our fate. He was significant catalyst for our offense this year.
- madmike71

Letting can't be counted on moving forward. He is an injury waiting to happen year in and year out. People continue to put him in there as a core player. Core players are supposed to be reliable. 58 isn't.

I'm not impressed with the Rags whatsoever. Many others agree. There is nothing there that leads me to say you survive the next round.
- Oneonta Penguin

Ok, not here to change your opinion. Notice how the Islander-Capital series is going, more wide open and plenty of scoring chances?

What makes you think the Rangers will have a hard time in that environment?

I agree with all of this blog except for the Hayes bit. Yes, he was a UFA, but had to be signed to an ELC, limiting his cap hit. Every single team in the NHL wanted to acquire him, and he simply chose NYR since he saw it as the best fit for him. Whatever team got him was going to pay him the same. That is not the case with most UFA's, so it's not exactly and apples-to-apples comparison.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, Hayes wanted to go to the Rags and there was nothing that could be done. It sucks for Chicago who drafted him and is definitely a loophole that should be closed, but not sure how that is Pittsburgh's fault.

Frolik is a better player, though he will cost more. Parenteau is a trade target that could be valuable. Sutter is absolutely a valuable trading piece. He'll project as a 2C for some GM and that is going to get at least a 2nd rounder back. I'd rather replace him with an actual shutdown 3C. He's gonna be too expensive to re-sign anyway.
- jfkst1

Sutter is. Especially with his last 6 weeks of play.

Frolik is a better player, though he will cost more. Parenteau is a trade target that could be valuable. Sutter is absolutely a valuable trading piece. He'll project as a 2C for some GM and that is going to get at least a 2nd rounder back. I'd rather replace him with an actual shutdown 3C. He's gonna be too expensive to re-sign anyway.
- jfkst1

So ... since people are so hellbent on the notion of trading Malkin, Sutter becomes out biggest offseason trade bait and his return is a second round pick. That is all I need to see that proves my point. Sutter scored 21 goals ... some pretty important ones too. Trade him for a second round pick, and bring in a shutdown 3C for a team that can't score and are on the cusp of losing Martin ... you do the math.

Ok, not here to change your opinion. Notice how the Islander-Capital series is going, more wide open and plenty of scoring chances?

What makes you think the Rangers will have a hard time in that environment?
- MidnightMarauder

Because the Caps or Isles are much better teams than this Penguins team.

Frolik is a better player, though he will cost more. Parenteau is a trade target that could be valuable. Sutter is absolutely a valuable trading piece. He'll project as a 2C for some GM and that is going to get at least a 2nd rounder back. I'd rather replace him with an actual shutdown 3C. He's gonna be too expensive to re-sign anyway.
- jfkst1

We'll end up losing him for nothing like we do with everyone else with expiring contracts.

As an outsider who doesn't care who wins the series, the bottom line is the rangers are simply a better team, i know being short 3 starting defenseman is hurting the pens, but in the end it doesn't really matter. Rangers have been the better team for long parts of every game, only thing keeping these games close has been the play of fluery. The pens need to file a missing persons report for malkin, the only time i see kunitz is when he is trying to fall on top of lundqvist. The window of championship play has closed on the pens, time for mario to file bankrupcy, threaten to move the team to kansas city and have bettman rig the lottery AGAIN!!

And Hayes' s base salary is $900k but his bonuses push his contract to $3.75 mil, the rookie max.
- willi

And he didn't reach any of his bonuses.

Ok, not here to change your opinion. Notice how the Islander-Capital series is going, more wide open and plenty of scoring chances?

What makes you think the Rangers will have a hard time in that environment?
- MidnightMarauder

As I have said, you have struggled against a team with depth issues and not a talented defense. Your power play has been embarrassingly bad too boot. If you were playing a better team this series, you would be down 3-1. I have yet to see any evidence you are winning anything after this round.

As an outsider who doesn't care who wins the series, the bottom line is the rangers are simply a better team, i know being short 3 starting defenseman is hurting the pens, but in the end it doesn't really matter. Rangers have been the better team for long parts of every game, only thing keeping these games close has been the play of fluery. The pens need to file a missing persons report for malkin, the only time i see kunitz is when he is trying to fall on top of lundqvist. The window of championship play has closed on the pens, time for mario to file bankrupcy, threaten to move the team to kansas city and have bettman rig the lottery AGAIN!!
- devfan30

Go troll in your devils blog. How does it feel to watch the playoffs from the couch?

Letting can't be counted on moving forward. He is an injury waiting to happen year in and year out. People continue to put him in there as a core player. Core players are supposed to be reliable. 58 isn't.
- Oneonta Penguin

Can't argue with that. That's the reason they can't trade Pouliot. Still, it's a different team if he's playing.

So ... since people are so hellbent on the notion of trading Malkin, Sutter becomes out biggest offseason trade bait and his return is a second round pick. That is all I need to see that proves my point. Sutter scored 21 goals ... some pretty important ones too. Trade him for a second round pick, and bring in a shutdown 3C for a team that can't score and are on the cusp of losing Martin ... you do the math.
- Oneonta Penguin

What you fail to acknowledge is that ownership will NOT trade Malkin. I'm not arguing the merits of trading him because I do think it would be possible to improve the team, but it isn't going to happen so it's pointless to consider.