poop dude, impressive. I was thinking I'm getting to the point I should just start displaying them rather than wearing them.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I wear them too and I hung them in my living room. I promised my wife I would move them to the bar when we remodel that room.

I remember the trades made in the '12-'13 season and thinking, wow! all-in! Then to see how those players were used was amazingly sad. At least now there seems to be a continuity and direction to a team identity. Johnston proved to me last year that he can deal with the NHL. Sid bought into a new structure and thats good enough for me.

I remember the trades made in the '12-'13 season and thinking, wow! all-in! Then to see how those players were used was amazingly sad. At least now there seems to be a continuity and direction to a team identity. Johnston proved to me last year that he can deal with the NHL. Sid bought into a new structure and thats good enough for me.
- mikey55

The biggest thing Johnston proved to me is he has the ability and willingness to adjust his game plan and system. Even in the middle of games. That's AMAZING compared to what we've witnessed in the past.

Unfortunately I think they will have to put all 3 of those guys on waivers at the beginning of the season to be able to send them to the minors. It would really suck to lose Clendenning that way when he was a former 1st round pick(?).
- Dcoms

Is that the process?

With this latest signing (M. Cullen), I would float the idea of a package deal sending C. Kunitz and R. Scuderi to anyone that will take them for a pick or two, just to clear some cap space, then sign J. Tlusty at what seems now to be a low rate as well as C. Franson or another defenseman, possibly M. Zidlicky to another minimum deal, so as to not get ourselves tied up in any more long term silly deals.

I'll let you know the quality of my Kessel jersey when it comes :-)

I debated Kessel vs. Maatta for a while...but at $25, I might get both haha.

Anyway to your point here...I think its a philospohical question, are big hits and net front clearing still a required ingredient. I almost look at it as a plus if a defenseman can be physical without taking himself out of the play Puck moving and two way play are more important imo.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Lol awesome, yeah I'm about to be buying probably 3-4 jerseys at least this year from Ali. Someone's gonna be supporting slave labor one way or another...

I agree on the D, I don't think it's necessary, especially with our system. We aren't supposed to clear the net anymore. This allows MAF a better chance at a save. Also it helps take away more passing lanes as we won't have a guy with his stick off the ice going to war in front of MAF with him peaking around them. I mean there still is contact, just not the old time hockey stuff. We aren't letting them set up a picnic there either.

Bortz and Despres were guys who took themselves out of play for big hits to try and impress the coaches and management, often at the expense of MAF and the team. I would rather have the solid 2 way play with good positioning who can also move the puck smartly, over the caveman hit everything NHL 15 Dman.

Team system matters a lot in this too. With Johnston's system, dmen that can't skate the puck up the ice and provide close puck support are in major trouble. In Bylsma's heavily regimented system, winning one on one battles in space and having a good first vertical pass seemed more important than mobility. Other teams have their own emphasis. An example of a good dman in a bad system fit was Michalek in Bylsma's system.
- jfkst1

Agreed. Michalek would look solid in our system now.

The opposite of this would be Scuds in our system. Pretty good 1 on 1 player, just doesn't have the skating and puck handling ability which is why we see plenty of chips off the glass.

Yeah they are great jerseys, you cannot tell that they didn't come from the NHL store. I have 14 Penguins jerseys and at least 1 from almost every team in the West and 5 teams in the east. I even have a McDavid jersey that I got a out a week after Edmonton won the NHL draft but way before they actually drafted him. I got a Lemieux one like the one from the snoop dog video(I hate rap but I thought he was kind of cool for wearing that) the jersey that spells out Pittsburgh going down diagonally. It's good stuff as long as you find the right vendors on there and you can't beat the price.
- Dcoms

Yeah I want one of those Lemieux jerseys too. I actually might get a McDavid one as well. I only have a St. Patty's day Kane jersey and a throwback Lemieux jersey from Ali so far. There are some strings coming loose on them, but for an 8th of the price I don't really care, still look good and you can just burn/cut those loose strings off. I bought mine based off good reviews and the number of orders.

These are my penguins ones https://m.facebook.com/ph...72507.544662834&source=44
- Dcoms

Your reminded me, I need a Jagr one too... But that custom 69 jersey

The biggest thing Johnston proved to me is he has the ability and willingness to adjust his game plan and system. Even in the middle of games. That's AMAZING compared to what we've witnessed in the past.
- madmike71

Yep, amazing how a real coach can make the difference.

The biggest thing Johnston proved to me is he has the ability and willingness to adjust his game plan and system. Even in the middle of games. That's AMAZING compared to what we've witnessed in the past.
- madmike71

That was a big point of emphasis in hiring him in the first place. I liked Johnston. Not happy with the PP and it needs to be better this season with the ridiculous personnel the Pens have.

Agreed. Michalek would look solid in our system now.

The opposite of this would be Scuds in our system. Pretty good 1 on 1 player, just doesn't have the skating and puck handling ability which is why we see plenty of chips off the glass.
- Pens_Burgh

I noticed a big difference in the gap control on the backcheck this season compared to Bylsma's years. Which is expected when the forwards are trying to push up the ice and stretch the other team.

With this latest signing (M. Cullen), I would float the idea of a package deal sending C. Kunitz and R. Scuderi to anyone that will take them for a pick or two, just to clear some cap space, then sign J. Tlusty at what seems now to be a low rate as well as C. Franson or another defenseman, possibly M. Zidlicky to another minimum deal, so as to not get ourselves tied up in any more long term silly deals.
- Weisenheimer

That would be a good idea. Get both of the term off the books while replacing Kunitz with a slightly less skilled player, but upgrading Scuderi with Franson could be worht moving both. I just don't see a team taking on that much salary for that term unless we give up a lot of picks.

Scuds would be packaged to a team like NJ, Kunitz to a contender. We could move ANA 2nd with Scuds, then get a 2nd-3rd back from the Kunitz deal.

I noticed a big difference in the gap control on the backcheck this season compared to Bylsma's years. Which is expected when the forwards are trying to push up the ice and stretch the other team.
- jfkst1

Agreed.

With your last post about the PP I blame most on Tocchet. MJ wrote a damn book on hockey for Christ's sake! I would love for MJ to run the PP as well instead of Tocchet.

Agreed.

With your last post about the PP I blame most on Tocchet. MJ wrote a damn book on hockey for Christ's sake! I would love for MJ to run the PP as well instead of Tocchet.
- Pens_Burgh

Honestly... I blame the players. Like Errey said last season, "I guarantee you Tocchet isn't telling them to pass and not shoot". They killed it early because they emphasized getting the puck on net. Then, for whatever reason, they went right back into the "perfect play" mentality.

Two other things... Sid insists on playing the half wall where he's not at his best. And, Letang for all of his gifts, is not the greatest PP quarterback.

Edit: You have to imagine a sniper like Kessel will fix this. He certainly isn't shy about shooting.

Honestly... I blame the players. Like Errey said last season, "I guarantee you Tocchet isn't telling them to pass and not shoot". They killed it early because they emphasized getting the puck on net. Then, for whatever reason, they went right back into the "perfect play" mentality.

Two other things... Sid insists on playing the half wall where he's not at his best. And, Letang for all of his gifts, is not the greatest PP quarterback.
- madmike71

Yeah I agree on the players, but it's Tocchet's job to fix it and make them go back to the puck on net mentality. It was beautiful at the start of the season. We were over 40% a ways into the season..

Letang is an all right PP QB. I think the main reason he plays it is because we run 4 forwards and we need a guy back there that is solid defensively and can chip in offensively. He needs to shoot the puck. Every time he touched the puck the defenders knew he wouldn't shoot. That goes back to the perfect play over shooting mentality as well. When Letang and gang were firing the puck early on we were firing on all cylinders.

I believe later on in the season we will see Letang and DP split time on the first PP. Depends on the situation, losing we go with DP for more offense as he isn't scared to fire the puck and he is brilliant on the PP. If we have the lead we'll run with Letang for more stability on the back end. That would be my strategy at least.

EDIT: Yeah Kessel should really help a lot. Hopefully we keep Horny in front of the net with Geno slot/point/floater, Kessel on the left side for one timers and a better shot angle, Sid wherever and Letang or DP on the point.

Honestly... I blame the players. Like Errey said last season, "I guarantee you Tocchet isn't telling them to pass and not shoot". They killed it early because they emphasized getting the puck on net. Then, for whatever reason, they went right back into the "perfect play" mentality.

Two other things... Sid insists on playing the half wall where he's not at his best. And, Letang for all of his gifts, is not the greatest PP quarterback.

Edit: You have to imagine a sniper like Kessel will fix this. He certainly isn't shy about shooting.
- madmike71

Maybe I'm mistaken, but it seemed like there was a lot more movement earlier on in the season than there was as the season progressed. Regardless, any lineup having Kessel, Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, Pouliot, Letang, Maatta, Perron, and Hornqvist should be effective on the PP. There's just no excuse to not being among the top 5 in the league.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but it seemed like there was a lot more movement earlier on in the season than there was as the season progressed. Regardless, any lineup having Kessel, Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, Pouliot, Letang, Maatta, Perron, and Hornqvist should be effective on the PP. There's just no excuse to not being among the top 5 in the league.
- jfkst1

Can't argue with that.

I remember them getting a ton of pucks on net and Hornqvist was doing his thing early in the season. Maybe I'm wrong, but later in the season it looked entirely predictable with guys constantly deferring.

Now the Pens PP has a shoot first threat.

This is going to be a fun year watch.

First Cullen and now talk of Zidlicky, turning the Pens into an old folks home!
- flyerdude17

enjoy 3 more years of Lecavalier.

With this latest signing (M. Cullen), I would float the idea of a package deal sending C. Kunitz and R. Scuderi to anyone that will take them for a pick or two, just to clear some cap space, then sign J. Tlusty at what seems now to be a low rate as well as C. Franson or another defenseman, possibly M. Zidlicky to another minimum deal, so as to not get ourselves tied up in any more long term silly deals.
- Weisenheimer

First question would be...does that make us a better team? You shouldnt make moves unless it ultimately makes your team better.

I keep wondering why no one has signed Tlusty...I guess his career may be going the Blake Comeau route...

First question would be...does that make us a better team? You shouldnt make moves unless it ultimately makes your team better.

I keep wondering why no one has signed Tlusty...I guess his career may be going the Blake Comeau route...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I mean, Tlusty isn't as good as Kunitz, but it's not a huge drop off. He would be playing a depth role and he also can slot up into the top 6.

Getting rid of Scuds and getting Franson without a doubt makes us better.

I mean, Tlusty isn't as good as Kunitz, but it's not a huge drop off. He would be playing a depth role and he also can slot up into the top 6.

Getting rid of Scuds and getting Franson without a doubt makes us better.
- Pens_Burgh

I'm just saying if we have to commit term to either of those guys, I'm not sure it makes us that much better. I dont want $4M tied up in Franson for a couple years. It will be Scuderi situation all over even if Franson is better.

And I think Tlusty is too inconsistent to tie up for any term

I'm just saying if we have to commit term to either of those guys, I'm not sure it makes us that much better. I dont want $4M tied up in Franson for a couple years. It will be Scuderi situation all over even if Franson is better.

And I think Tlusty is too inconsistent to tie up for any term
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Most I would give either is 2 years. Hopefully they'd both be on 1 year deals, so that cap space can go towards our guys we have now.

There will always be more Franson/Tlusty/Comeau/Fehr etc. to sign next year with whatever cap room we would have after we get our guys taken care of.

Yeah I agree on the players, but it's Tocchet's job to fix it and make them go back to the puck on net mentality. It was beautiful at the start of the season. We were over 40% a ways into the season..

Letang is an all right PP QB. I think the main reason he plays it is because we run 4 forwards and we need a guy back there that is solid defensively and can chip in offensively. He needs to shoot the puck. Every time he touched the puck the defenders knew he wouldn't shoot. That goes back to the perfect play over shooting mentality as well. When Letang and gang were firing the puck early on we were firing on all cylinders.

I believe later on in the season we will see Letang and DP split time on the first PP. Depends on the situation, losing we go with DP for more offense as he isn't scared to fire the puck and he is brilliant on the PP. If we have the lead we'll run with Letang for more stability on the back end. That would be my strategy at least.

EDIT: Yeah Kessel should really help a lot. Hopefully we keep Horny in front of the net with Geno slot/point/floater, Kessel on the left side for one timers and a better shot angle, Sid wherever and Letang or DP on the point.
- Pens_Burgh

Letang ran the PP the last couple years because he was head and shoulders above the other defensemen at carrying the puck out of the d-zone and through the neutral zone. He will be on the first unit until someone comes along who is better. Maybe Pouliott is that guy, I am sure he will get his opportunity.

I see Matt Cullen as a low risk low reward player. In each of his last four years he has had steadily decreased playing time along with steadily decreased production. He was a good player in his prime and I am sure he still knows the game well enough to be good positionally. I have to question why his playing time has decreased if there is not a problem somewhere. I have to think his speed and reaction times are slowing down, things that just happen as you age and you can't really get back.