Anytime that you have two of the Top 5 players in the world on your roster, you have a solid base to build on, and you're always going to be a contender. But, when those same guys take up 25% percent of your salary cap, you need to either grow young players that can play effective hockey on entry level contracts, or do well on the free agency scrapheap. I don't think the Pens are going anywhere even if this series ends badly for them (which it looks like it will). I think they will get healthy and be right back in the mix next year. I think the question is whether management can skillfully fill in the roster with competent players on bargain deals or an entry level deals.

The Pens don't have much in the system right now, so they should be looking heavily at the college free agency route to get younger. Zach Hyman from Michigan would be a good add for the Pens/
- Pete V

Which is why the Erhoff signing and the Despres trade seem so puzzling.

Anytime that you have two of the Top 5 players in the world on your roster, you have a solid base to build on, and you're always going to be a contender. But, when those same guys take up 25% percent of your salary cap, you need to either grow young players that can play effective hockey on entry level contracts, or do well on the free agency scrapheap. I don't think the Pens are going anywhere even if this series ends badly for them (which it looks like it will). I think they will get healthy and be right back in the mix next year. I think the question is whether management can skillfully fill in the roster with competent players on bargain deals or an entry level deals.

The Pens don't have much in the system right now, so they should be looking heavily at the college free agency route to get younger. Zach Hyman from Michigan would be a good add for the Pens/
- Pete V

It's never a bad starting point when your team has the best player in the league still in his prime.

They aren't completely bare of talent around him either. They traded away a talented pure goal scorer, in Neal, for some more grit and some depth in Hornqvist and Spaling.

Can't say that was a bad trade but, in the end, a little top end talent was lost there.

Still think Pittsburgh won the Sutter plus for Staal deal.

But somewhere along the way the team stopped drafting well, aside from Maata and Pouliot and have mortgaged prospects and picks for quick fixes.

As insane as it may seem trading Malkin seems like the only option this summer. Frees up a ton of cap space and will bring back a truckload of needed assets.

He'll be 27 years old and just hit 20 goals for the first time. Steer clear.
- BINGO!

I thought the same thing about him.yeah it's great he hit the 20 goal mark... but he did it with perry and getzlaf, and he only had 10 assists on top of that. He has yet to play a full 82 game season, and like you said.. he's accomplishing all this after his 27th bday (in june). I'm all with ya on that brother, I would steer waaaaaay clear of him.

Formula isnt working? they were the best team in the league until the injuries. Highest winning %. The injuries are not the GM or couches fault. This non winning formula could be up 3 games to 1 or none on the Rags despite the injuries. The games have been that close.

I do agree with your first paragraph though.
- MattStrat

Formula isn't working meaning they have boasted the two best players in the world, for the last eight seasons, yet only one title to show for it.

They don't need to blow it up, by any means, but something needs to change. They keep running into the same problems offensively, come playoff time, not enough depth at forward.

This year they are decimated by blueline injuires so they get a pass; especially considering how close these games have been despite this fact.

Wasn't there a report that JR didn't want a tenured coach and rather would have found the "next Jon Cooper"?
- j.boyd919

Part of it is a lot of first time coaches don't want the pressure that goes along with being Coach of the Penguins.

If you have Crosby/Malkin/Letang and don't have success, there's a stigma around it and people point fingers at you that can prevent you from getting hired in the future. "How can he have success anywhere if he didn't have success with THOSE guys?!"

Conversely, as in Bill Peters' case in Raleigh, he can screw up a couple times and not feel a ton of heat over it because the team doesn't have all that much talent. If he has success with them, he's a genius. If he doesn't, well, nobody expected them to win anyway.

- benjichronic

Nice username

Part of it is a lot of first time coaches don't want the pressure that goes along with being Coach of the Penguins.

If you have Crosby/Malkin/Letang and don't have success, there's a stigma around it and people point fingers at you that can prevent you from getting hired in the future. "How can he have success anywhere if he didn't have success with THOSE guys?!"

Conversely, as in Bill Peters' case in Raleigh, he can screw up a couple times and not feel a ton of heat over it because the team doesn't have all that much talent. If he has success with them, he's a genius. If he doesn't, well, nobody expected them to win anyway.
- BINGO!

Right, I understand that, but I was pointing towards more finding a veteran coach ala Trotz/Laviolette/Tortorella or another tenured NHL coach.. I was under the impression that GMJR didn't want an NHL coach with experience and more so wanted to find a, not necessarily junior, but newer coach. If that was the case, I can understand new coaches not wanting the pressure, but veteran coaches I think would salivate at the idea of coming to coach 2 of the best players in the world. Personally I was hoping the Pens would go after Trotz or Laviolette after last season...

The saltiness is real with this one
- rangerdanger94

Oneonta doesn't have positive things to say about anyone or anything. The Pens suck, every team sucks, every player in the NHL sucks. Every player suggested as a trade target sucks, every player suggested as a free agent sucks. I am glad the world I live in doesn't suck as bad as Oneonta's world. That's for sure.

you lose credibility with this post when you say the Rangers have been the better team for long portions of every game. Your hockey IQ is lacking.

Maybe you should be more concerned with the train wreck in NJ than this series.

Is it not NJ that is in financial trouble. Maybe they should move to KC. Then again, KC fans would';t be excited because there is zero relevance in the Devils right now. Old team with little talent.
- Oneonta Penguin

The Devils are in financial trouble? Oh man that's right we have a new owner that is a billionair. My mistake.

But you're not wrong about that guy, he doesn't know poop about hockey.

I think the Pens' biggest problem this season is being severely depleted in offensive-defensemen. Last season their top offensive-defensemen were Letang, Maatta, and Niskanen. They lost Niskanen due to FA (although Wash. way overpaid for him), Maatta was out for almost the entire season, and Letang was out when it mattered most. Although Letang has a history of concussion issues his problems this season seemed to start when he took that headshot from Rinaldo in the second Flyers game. That was very deliberate and very targeted. Taking out Letang basically cripples this team, as it is currently structured - even more so than taking out Crosby or Malkin.

I really think the most successful teams are ones where the offense and defense are mutually supportive. The defense has to support the offense better by being more involved in the transition game and being good at keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The more the offense has to be involved in these things the less effective it will be deep in the offensive zone and in putting the puck in the net. Crosby and Malkin may be two of the best players in the world but when they are spread out all over the ice with lots of ice time their effectiveness is going to drop no matter how good they are. Slugs like Scuderi and Lovejoy simply can't transition the puck well and players like Pouliot show promise but are really in development. The offense likewise has to support the defense better by avoid high-risk passes and being willing to "grind it out" along the boards more to keep the puck in the offensive zone longer and thus take some of the workload off of the defense (the defense is constantly working when the puck only stays in the offensive zone a few seconds).

Hopefully Letang and Maatta will be healthy next season. That combined with Pouliot having more experience hopefully means that next year's team will be more promising as long as Rutherford doesn't screw it up. I wish we could keep Martin but that probably won't happen.

Formula isn't working meaning they have boasted the two best players in the world, for the last eight seasons, yet only one title to show for it.

They don't need to blow it up, by any means, but something needs to change. They keep running into the same problems offensively, come playoff time, not enough depth at forward.

This year they are decimated by blueline injuires so they get a pass; especially considering how close these games have been despite this fact.
- MidnightMarauder

They had plenty of depth at forward when they were swept by the B's (which for long stretches in that series they seriously outplayed the B's). They have a cup and another finals appearance in the last 8 years. Have been to playoffs 9 straight years (2nd highest streak in league), have won the division and won a few Art Ross's and Hart's along the way. This league is way too even with the cap to think this all could be looked at as failure. Especially when you factor in the insane amount of injuries they have endured over these years.

Right, I understand that, but I was pointing towards more finding a veteran coach ala Trotz/Laviolette/Tortorella or another tenured NHL coach.. I was under the impression that GMJR didn't want an NHL coach with experience and more so wanted to find a, not necessarily junior, but newer coach. If that was the case, I can understand new coaches not wanting the pressure, but veteran coaches I think would salivate at the idea of coming to coach 2 of the best players in the world. Personally I was hoping the Pens would go after Trotz or Laviolette after last season...
- j.boyd919

Trotz i could have seen there, but I don't know that Laviolette would work with Rutherford again.

If you want a coach that can keep a team competitive for more than two seasons, you stay away from Lavi. He doesn't really adapt year over year.

They had plenty of depth at forward when they were swept by the B's (which for long stretches in that series they seriously outplayed the B's). They have a cup and another finals appearance in the last 8 years. Have been to playoffs 9 straight years (2nd highest streak in league), have won the division and won a few Art Ross's and Hart's along the way. This league is way too even with the cap to think this all could be looked at as failure. Especially when you factor in the insane amount of injuries they have endured over these years.
- MattStrat

This is all true. However, when you realize that this team hasn't won a single game past the second round of the playoff in 5 seasons (going on 6 unless things turn around quickly), it has to be a bit worrisome. Granted, key injuries are a valid excuse for several of those years, but at some point, the general core makeup and cap expenses have to be evaluated without bias.

I think the Pens' biggest problem this season is being severely depleted in offensive-defensemen. Last season their top offensive-defensemen were Letang, Maatta, and Niskanen. They lost Niskanen due to FA (although Wash. way overpaid for him), Maatta was out for almost the entire season, and Letang was out when it mattered most. Although Letang has a history of concussion issues his problems this season seemed to start when he took that headshot from Rinaldo in the second Flyers game. That was very deliberate and very targeted. Taking out Letang basically cripples this team, as it is currently structured - even more so than taking out Crosby or Malkin.

I really think the most successful teams are ones where the offense and defense are mutually supportive. The defense has to support the offense better by being more involved in the transition game and being good at keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The more the offense has to be involved in these things the less effective it will be deep in the offensive zone and in putting the puck in the net. Crosby and Malkin may be two of the best players in the world but when they are spread out all over the ice with lots of ice time their effectiveness is going to drop no matter how good they are. Slugs like Scuderi and Lovejoy simply can't transition the puck well and players like Pouliot show promise but are really in development. The offense likewise has to support the defense better by avoid high-risk passes and being willing to "grind it out" along the boards more to keep the puck in the offensive zone longer and thus take some of the workload off of the defense (the defense is constantly working when the puck only stays in the offensive zone a few seconds).

Hopefully Letang and Maatta will be healthy next season. That combined with Pouliot having more experience hopefully means that next year's team will be more promising as long as Rutherford doesn't screw it up. I wish we could keep Martin but that probably won't happen.
- PghPens668771

sucha huge IF...letang just needs to get checked or pushed over and hes going to be the next lindros it is seeming...maata, can hopefully recover from shoulder surgery. I had the same shoulder surgery, twice, on the same shoulder. I just reinjured about a month ago and need the surgery again and am not going to even bother unless it become a bigger problem and obstacle.

I know maata will be much more motivated to stay healthy(than I was, I would rehab it until it was strong and I could be comfortable playing hockey, but then not work out and it just becomes weak over time) and maintain stregth in his shoulder, but once you have that surgery once, it becomes much much more sucebtible to being reinjured. the labrum is like not even an inch wide and one that goes the first time it just gets easier and easier

They had plenty of depth at forward when they were swept by the B's (which for long stretches in that series they seriously outplayed the B's). They have a cup and another finals appearance in the last 8 years. Have been to playoffs 9 straight years (2nd highest streak in league), have won the division and won a few Art Ross's and Hart's along the way. This league is way too even with the cap to think this all could be looked at as failure. Especially when you factor in the insane amount of injuries they have endured over these years.
- MattStrat

Didn't claim they failed just saying it looks like the team needs a refresh.

I know the league has changed, but Steve Yzerman, widely considered on the best winners, leaders and captains, did not win his first Cup until age 32. There were series criticisms of him and talk of trading him before the Red Wings won.

This talk of Crosby and Malkin being past their prime is ridiculous. This team needs to surround them with youth. Bring in players who are hungry and willing to prove themselves.

I know the league has changed, but Steve Yzerman, widely considered on the best winners, leaders and captains, did not win his first Cup until age 32. There were series criticisms of him and talk of trading him before the Red Wings won.

This talk of Crosby and Malkin being past their prime is ridiculous. This team needs to surround them with youth. Bring in players who are hungry and willing to prove themselves.
- Tiogadog

also labelled by Paul Stewart as one of the biggest whiners in the NHL during his tenure.

Ryan Wilson: Rangers Overtime Goal A Microcosm of Why Penguins Are Where They Are
Rangers Overtime Goal A Microcosm of Why Penguins Are Where They Are
- Ryan_Wilson

I think this is one of RW's best blogs in a while. Not only did he hit everything on the head, but there were no charts or graphs.

I know the league has changed, but Steve Yzerman, widely considered on the best winners, leaders and captains, did not win his first Cup until age 32. There were series criticisms of him and talk of trading him before the Red Wings won.

This talk of Crosby and Malkin being past their prime is ridiculous. This team needs to surround them with youth. Bring in players who are hungry and willing to prove themselves.
- Tiogadog

There is no youth talent available. We've traded all possible assets. None are available in the UFA list.

I think this is one of RW's best blogs in a while. Not only did he hit everything on the head, but there were no charts or graphs.
- thickman1178

hahah totally agree, but not because of the charts and graphs, but because of the accuracy.

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

Our defense is fine? What games have you been watching?

As soon as Lappy pulled his classless, fake injury stunt, I knew the Pens were in trouble. You don't spit in the face of the hockey gods.

So we've seen the Pens can clog everything up to slow the Rangers down. I would be tempted to play game 5 wide open and see what happens. They would probably get blown out but the other way isn't working either.

Yeah, let's trade/not sign the dead weight this off season. That'll free up a lot of cap space to we can sign Joel Ward for 3+ a year.

The upcoming UFA's are a joke, we have holes to fill out throughout our lineup. Not a chance they all get filled. We have zero assets to deal without further destroying our farm system.

We are in a tough space, either stay the course with minimal moves and pray, or move Malkin for pieces to fill the lineup. When Malkin/Crosby aren't scoring, who's gonna pick it up? Sutter? Yeah right. I would much rather have 2 top 6 guys and a third liner than a top player when you already have another top player. Those three players you can have in return have a 3x more chance to score. And when one is injured, the other two aren't. There's not just 9.5mil sitting on the shelf or floating around the ice.

I know everyone would hate to do it, but it has to be time. No picks, bare offensive prospects, terrible UFA list, no assets to trade.

Congrats Shero, thank you for ruining this team.


- znagle

Im so over hearing people saying we need to trade Malkin. I would like for anyone who keeps bringing this bullpoop up to find a team that can provide us equitable trade value for a similar cap hit, with a similar length of term to Malkins contract, where Malkin would waive his NTC to go to, and a GM who would agree to said deal.

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

You mean when Malkin, Perron and Horny were all hurt? And we had our bout of mumps?