The thing that people forget from last year is that Sutter spent a decent amount of time on Malkin's wing. His "20 goals scored as a 3rd line center" is a little skewed....
- cap1681

4 were SH too. He was top 5 in that cat.

I think he stays, finishes out his contract. If Sund looks good then he gets promoted.

Finding a good return and being able to find a good replacement will be too difficult.

How many of his goals did he score with Geno?
- Pens_Burgh

If I was to bet I would say none. He was C Geno while Geno was getting back from injury & some fitness, or Sid was out. So it wasn't predominant time with Geno. The biggest impact on Sutter was his TOI. That was increased considerably to reduce Sid & Geno's time. I don't think Sutter was as prepared as he will be next season if MJ does that again. Dare I say he played 2C minutes for most of the season (or very close to)??

I'm really tired of people accusing those of us who don't like Sutter as being blind Ryan Wilson followers...........................
- Victoro311

That is why I put "some" follow like puppies, I didn't want to lump everyone under that assumption because I know alot of people have good reason and rights to their own opinion. Just the day in age were alot of people can't form their own opinion and follow media blindly. I don't know how many times I have asked someone why they had a certain opinion on a subject and their only reason is because they read it on tsn, foxnews, a blog, etc. . .

Paul Martin is a possession God compared to Brandon Sutter. Also, Sutter is very good at goal suppression. HOWEVER, he is abysmal at goal generation. So whatever benefit conferred from his goal suppression is more than offset by the lack of scoring when he is on the ice. Which is producing negative goal differentials overall. Pens can get the same kind of end results out of a cheaper player. That is what everyone is saying.
- jfkst1

The blame for the Pens failures seem to repeatedly fall on guys like Sutter, Scuderi and Spaling (before he left). Guys whose contracts are/were viewed as inflated.

Yes...Sutter and Scuderi should be making about half (a little more maybe) of what they make (combined). I'd say Sutter is a 2.5M guy and Scuderi a 2M guy (so instead of 6.7M they'd be making 4.5M).

So since the team is always so close to the cap...this 2.2M becomes a bigger deal and people legitimize making it a bigger deal because of things like possession stats.

I always say...if you are going to scrutinize those guys like that...you need to do the same with the guys who make the big money.

It seems around here the vibe is that they deserve the big money and can't be blamed if the supporting cast doesn't "allow" them to make the big plays.

To me...that's a crock!

Can anyone put up our 4th line for day 1 game 1 of next season? Who gets the guernseys?

The blame for the Pens failures seems to repeatedly fall on guys like Sutter, Scuderi and Spaling (before he left). Guys whose contracts are/were viewed as inflated.

Yes...Sutter and Scuderi should be making about half (a little more maybe) of what they make (combined). I'd say Sutter is a 2.5M guy and Scuderi a 2M guy (so instead of 6.7M they'd be making 4.5M).

So since the team is always so close to the cap...this 2.2M becomes a bigger deal and people legitimize making it a bigger deal because of things like possession stats.

I always say...if you are going to scrutinize those guys like that...you need to do the same with the guys who make the big money.

It seems around here the vibe is that they deserve the big money and can't be blamed if the supporting cast doesn't allow them to make the big plays.

To me...that's a crock!
- icedog97

ding ding ding. The big contract guys have been just as quiet if not more invisible in the playoffs as the guys who "make to much". If anything guys that make more should be the ones stepping up and dragging their team through a few post season games.

The blame for the Pens failures seems to repeatedly fall on guys like Sutter, Scuderi and Spaling (before he left). Guys whose contracts are/were viewed as inflated.

Yes...Sutter and Scuderi should be making about half (a little more maybe) of what they make (combined). I'd say Sutter is a 2.5M guy and Scuderi a 2M guy (so instead of 6.7M they'd be making 4.5M).

So since the team is always so close to the cap...this 2.2M becomes a bigger deal and people legitimize making it a bigger deal because of things like possession stats.

I always say...if you are going to scrutinize those guys like that...you need to do the same with the guys who make the big money.

It seems around here the vibe is that they deserve the big money and can't be blamed if the supporting cast doesn't allow them to make the big plays.

To me...that's a crock!
- icedog97

Blame Bartley - it's all his fault..............plus he's not here to defend himself so off with his head!

F HB eradications & alts.

Can anyone put up our 4th line for day 1 game 1 of next season? Who gets the guernseys?
- Aussiepenguin

Who knows but hopefully Adams is centering it.

From pensburgh.com


One thing about Pitt fans is if someone with a little clout says a player isn't good some people follow like puppies.

Sutter without wingers put up 21, with wingers maybe he touches 27-30....which would be damn good for 3C.
- kgrpitt

hahahahahaha

Can anyone put up our 4th line for day 1 game 1 of next season? Who gets the guernseys?
- Aussiepenguin

From Rutherford's comments he sounded very high on Sundqvist and cited him as a reason as to why it's not imperative to bring someone in from day one although he would like to. I think if we don't bring anyone in we're looking at something like Plotnikov/Bennett-Sundqvist-Rust/Wilson. In my mind, Plotnikov and Bennett will be fighting for the last top 9 spot unless Dupuis has really slowed down. One of them will be on the fourth line. Honestly I would love to see Plotnikov and Sundqvist play together. That line would be a female dog.

From Rutherford's comments he sounded very high on Sundqvist and cited him as a reason as to why it's not imperative to bring someone in from day one although he would like to. I think if we don't bring anyone in we're looking at something like Plotnikov/Bennett-Sundqvist-Rust/Wilson. In my mind, Plotnikov and Bennett will be fighting for the last top 9 spot unless Dupuis has really slowed down. One of them will be on the fourth line. Honestly I would love to see Plotnikov and Sundqvist play together. That line would be a female dog.
- Victoro311

What was Rust last year in his brief appearance? Had a few top 6 shifts didn't he?

Who knows but hopefully Adams is centering it.
- kgrpitt

I might throw 'Adams' on the banned list!!

Seriously though they would bring Lappy back before Adams.

What was Rust last year in his brief appearance? Had a few top 6 shifts didn't he?
- Aussiepenguin

If you remember during the injury time Rust looked very good on the fourth line. Then more injuries hit and he was forced to play top 6 with Geno where he didn't look all that great. Out of four years at ND I was able to watch Rust play for three of them. He's a very good utility player. His iq is off the charts. He always knows where to be whether that's positioning in his own zone or getting to the open areas in the offensive zone. He doesn't have silky smooth hands but his hockey sense as he calls it will make him an excellent cheap fourth liner, maybe even a capable third liner

Just think boys only like 2 more months of arguing about who sucks on our roster

The blame for the Pens failures seem to repeatedly fall on guys like Sutter, Scuderi and Spaling (before he left). Guys whose contracts are/were viewed as inflated.

Yes...Sutter and Scuderi should be making about half (a little more maybe) of what they make (combined). I'd say Sutter is a 2.5M guy and Scuderi a 2M guy (so instead of 6.7M they'd be making 4.5M).

So since the team is always so close to the cap...this 2.2M becomes a bigger deal and people legitimize making it a bigger deal because of things like possession stats.

I always say...if you are going to scrutinize those guys like that...you need to do the same with the guys who make the big money.

It seems around here the vibe is that they deserve the big money and can't be blamed if the supporting cast doesn't "allow" them to make the big plays.

To me...that's a crock!
- icedog97

Crosby was fine in the postseason and Letang and Malkin were injured (along with everyone else). I've been one of the first to criticize the inability of the big three (87, 71, 58) to stay healthy. But when they play, they are among the best players at their positions. What else should the team do? They all have full NMC so they can't be traded.

If you remember during the injury time Rust looked very good on the fourth line. Then more injuries hit and he was forced to play top 6 with Geno where he didn't look all that great. Out of four years at ND I was able to watch Rust play for three of them. He's a very good utility player. His iq is off the charts. He always knows where to be whether that's positioning in his own zone or getting to the open areas in the offensive zone. He doesn't have silky smooth hands but his hockey sense as he calls it will make him an excellent cheap fourth liner, maybe even a capable third liner
- Victoro311

Only 23 but will he get any heavier do you think. 87kg whatever that is in your language, & not overly tall at 5'10. Smart hockey players should be able to get through most things but playoffs are a different beast - are you worried about that at all?

Only 23 but will he get any heavier do you think. 87kg whatever that is in your language, & not overly tall at 5'10. Smart hockey players should be able to get through most things but playoffs are a different beast - are you worried about that at all?
- Aussiepenguin

Hey if you're going to comment here you better use pounds not Kilo's

Hey if you're going to comment here you better use pounds not Kilo's
- dbell646

192lb. My sincerest & deepest apologies.

Things I heard about Erixon, from Leafs fans:

He definitely Can be a good #6 d-man for the Penguins.

Smart player.

Will Fit In well.

I'm glad we got a young d-man like him on the deal. Has the potential to be another Ian Cole/Matt Niskanen.

Only 23 but will he get any heavier do you think. 87kg whatever that is in your language, & not overly tall at 5'10. Smart hockey players should be able to get through most things but playoffs are a different beast - are you worried about that at all?
- Aussiepenguin

Obviously the NHL has the best of the best so durability isn't a given when you're going up against physical freaks, but Rust was an Iron man at ND. I don't think he missed a single game while playing there even as a freshman starter. Beyond that, he has phenomenal work ethic so if he sees his size as a problem you can bet he'll work on it. I don't know what the rules are on this site so I won't link it, but if you google "Bryan Rust Victor Diaz" my article I wrote called "Growing and Maturing On The Ice" should come up. His high expectations of himself and his work ethic really come out. I have no doubt he will do anything in his power to succeed at the NHL level.

Hey if you're going to comment here you better use pounds not Kilo's
- dbell646

In Brazil we also use Kgs lol

5'10" = 1.78-1.80m
192pounds = 87Kgs

He's got my size but I weigh 5kgs more than him.

In Brazil we also use Kgs lol

5'10" = 1.78-1.80m
192pounds = 87Kgs

He's got my size but I weigh 5kgs more than him.
- Barnaby36

Yeah but he's an athlete and you're a forum nerd. I'm thinking muscle vs fat

Crosby was fine in the postseason and Letang and Malkin were injured (along with everyone else). I've been one of the first to criticize the inability of the big three (87, 71, 58) to stay healthy. But when they play, they are among the best players at their positions. What else should the team do? They all have full NMC so they can't be traded.
- jfkst1

Malkin played in the worlds...so his injury could not have been that bad, could it?

The Penguins have been built around the idea that the stars they have are better than other teams stars. They haven't been.

MAF played well this year and last...but for 2-3 years before he crapped the bed bigtime.

Crosby has been producing at a significantly lower rate (points) in his last 4 playoff seasons than in his first 4 playoff seasons

1st 4
GP=62 G=30 A=52 Pts=82

last 4
GP=38 G=13 A=23 Pts=36

Malkin's stats show a similar type of drop.

Two guys...18.2M cap hit

ding ding ding. The big contract guys have been just as quiet if not more invisible in the playoffs as the guys who "make to much". If anything guys that make more should be the ones stepping up and dragging their team through a few post season games.
- kgrpitt

To be fair players like Stamkos and Toews and Kane were shut down at times in the playoffs. Difference is those teams have much better supporting players, Pens do not. Just aren't a well constructed team.

hahahahahaha
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Ah yes very good argument. You have convinced me and now I agree with you...trade our depth center now JR so we all can continue to complain about lack of depth!