That is really pushing what all we can do...

If you have the top two lines as

Boedker - Crosby - Horny
Perron - Malkin - Semin

Beglund is just overkill, and maybe not cap possible. I'd be fine with riding a 3rd line of Downie, Winnik, and whoever as a grinding shutdown line. And the 4th line doing whatever.
- Guile

I really dont care for Semin and i think he would be counterproductive.

I like Boedker and STL has plenty of C's and he seems to be the odd man out even being scratched. He might be had for cheap.

I dont care for Winnik, and he would probably look for over 2.5. I like Lap as a 4C. I think they should bring him back.

Don't forget Dupuis somewhere. Unless he actually retires, he should be well off blood thinners at that point. He'd be a good fit on that third line. I'm really hoping Comeau is back on the other wing. Loved the physical presence he brought and looked good as a guy jumping up the lineup with injuries. I'd expect a couple young guys on that 4th line trying to earn more ice time, likely some combo of Sundqvist, Wilson, or Rust. A versatile pk guy like Winnik or Spaling finishes things off. Personally, I don't see Winnik as more than a good 4th liner who can move up, not a 3rd line center.
- Tojo.

You're right, Dupuis should be taking a spot on the 3rd line, and most likely eliminating the need for Comeau's return in my scenario. Luckily, the site doing the cap space had Dupuis including for us, so I don't need to change the numbers.

He could also be a healthy scratch in te playoffs 3 yrs straight.
- sammy87

I can see it both ways, just don't want to give up on a kid that hasn't gotten it going yet....the Bautista effect maybe. I'm also not crazy about Semin. I don't trust him to bring anything to this team.

I really dont care for Semin and i think he would be counterproductive.

I like Boedker and STL has plenty of C's and he seems to be the odd man out even being scratched. He might be had for cheap.

I dont care for Winnik, and he would probably look for over 2.5. I like Lap as a 4C. I think they should bring him back.
- sammy87

Winnik in the right spot is a good player. I want him back. Lap elevates his game in thw playoffs but was invisible during the reg season.If he brought it all the time I'd be on board.

Don't forget Dupuis somewhere. Unless he actually retires, he should be well off blood thinners at that point. He'd be a good fit on that third line. I'm really hoping Comeau is back on the other wing. Loved the physical presence he brought and looked good as a guy jumping up the lineup with injuries. I'd expect a couple young guys on that 4th line trying to earn more ice time, likely some combo of Sundqvist, Wilson, or Rust. A versatile pk guy like Winnik or Spaling finishes things off.
- Tojo.

As for bottom six players, do we think that their individual skill sets (gritty, able to PK, &c.) are more important than playing a specific system, like a forecheck press? The overwhelming thought is that the players themselves simply need to play better as individuals for the Penguins to succeed. Further, the opinion among Penguin fans seems to be that really well defined systems play is in some way stifling to creativity or potential point production.

Oh... and a HUGE HUGE HUGE change I want for next season...

our extra player who sits in the box... MAKE IT A GOD DAMN DEFENSEMAN! No more having a 13th forward, (frank) that forward, have a 7th defenseman. You can play so much better with 11 forwards and 7 D than 13 forwards and 5 D if someone got hurt in the warmups or whatever.

Oh... and a HUGE HUGE HUGE change I want for next season...

our extra player who sits in the box... MAKE IT A GOD DAMN DEFENSEMAN! No more having a 13th forward, (frank) that forward, have a 7th defenseman. You can play so much better with 11 forwards and 7 D than 13 forwards and 5 D if someone got hurt in the warmups or whatever.
- Guile

I hope so, too. The lesson has to have been learned after skating with 5 D all of those times. Then again I expect to see 14/87/9 come crashing out of the gate at season's beginning so I don't expect tactical dressing of 7 D to happen.

It will be so upsetting that I'll forget that McDonaugh turned around and handed the Cup to Tanner Glass.

Perron-Crosby-PH
Boedker-71-Sheary (that blog said he would make it)
Kunitz-Berglund-Comeau
Wilson-Lap-Spaling

Earlier in this blog... I am going to take that as a reason to not be set on Kap taking the top 6 right away. Plus we can't risk making him rush and be another Bennett.

Dupuis is also risky to hope for top 6 as well off this injury.

I have nothing against Soderberg, but stop pretending that 31 years old is "too old" for Semin. His last year at 34 might be too old, but you don't get everything your way.

Downie/Winnik/Comeau sounds like just as good of a deadly 3rd line IMO too.
- Guile

You know, during the Calder Cup run I was gonna ask about that Sheary kid and what the skeez on him was because I felt like he found twine every game, but his size just yells Brian Gibbons to me and I'm not one of the people that says that as a compliment.

[quote=Topshelf Mountain]
So you have an entire team that disappears in the playoffs, but don't want one of the handful of guys who stepped his game up for them.

So you have an entire team that disappears in the playoffs, but don't want one of the handful of guys who stepped his game up for them.
- jchst22

Nobody quit this year. They played really well but lost to a better team. I don't like guys that decide when they want to play up to their abilities and Lap appeared to do that. Crosby took some grief these last couple of years for not performing, but he was one of the best this year. Malkin didn't produce but the effort was there. The same with Kuni...and really everyone else. I expect the effort when I'm paying money and time towards these guys and Lap appeared to have an off switch after the trade. Between Winnik and Lap, my preference is Winnik.

Nobody quit this year. They played really well but lost to a better team. I don't like guys that decide when they want to play up to their abilities and Lap appeared to do that. Crosby took some grief these last couple of years for not performing, but he was one of the best this year. Malkin didn't produce but the effort was there. The same with Kuni...and really everyone else. I expect the effort when I'm paying money and time towards these guys and Lap appeared to have an off switch after the trade. Between Winnik and Lap, my preference is Winnik.
- Topshelf Mountain

Skill wise Lapierre is an AHL call up who only has a job because he is an above average chirper. I'll take the bottom six guy with skill over the bottom six guy with "intangibles" any day of the weak. (frank) Lapierre. Three good plays in the playoffs doesn't make him not a bad player.

Skill wise Lapierre is an AHL call up who only has a job because he is an above average chirper. I'll take the bottom six guy with skill over the bottom six guy with "intangibles" any day of the weak. (frank) Lapierre. Three good plays in the playoffs doesn't make him not a bad player.
- Victoro311

Thank you. I agree 100%. He was complete trash in the regular season and slightly better trash in 5 playoff games. No idea how that makes him a good candidate for retention.

Perron-Crosby-PH
Boedker-71-Sheary (that blog said he would make it)
Kunitz-Berglund-Comeau
Wilson-Lap-Spaling
- sammy87

That's asking for a lot from Sheary

I think part of Laps better play was he had more suitable 4th line wings then Adams and Bennett. I'd probably have him back as my 13th forward, which means I really don't care much one way or the other.

Perron - Crosby - Hornqvist
?-Malkin-?
Comeau - Soderberg- Dupuis
Wilson-Sundqvist-Winnik/Spaling
Laps

Is probably my roster. Like to find a pure sniper and a gritty 2 way guy for Malkin. That's the tough part.

I think part of Laps better play was he had more suitable 4th line wings then Adams and Bennett. I'd probably have him back as my 13th forward, which means I really don't care much one way or the other.

Perron - Crosby - Hornqvist
?-Malkin-?
Comeau - Soderberg- Dupuis
Wilson-Sundqvist-Winnik/Spaling
Laps

Is probably my roster. Like to find a pure sniper and a gritty 2 way guy for Malkin. That's the tough part.
- Tojo.

Farnham is better than Lap, and cheaper. He can slot in when the Pens realize Dupuis won't be back.

Farnham is better than Lap, and cheaper. He can slot in when the Pens realize Dupuis won't be back.
- Topshelf Mountain

Can either he or Wilson play rw? If not, it would be hard to bring him in. Think he'd need to beat out Wilson for his spot. 3 prospects feels like too much from our group especially needing some injury replacements. I'd rather have a vet guy in the pressbox and probably a pker since that group feels thin. And since Sundqvist or Winnik likely are who I think I'd bump up, a center or rw us preferable.