Was mark eaton in our top 4 when we won the cup? Lovejoy could play that role.

I don't think our defense was special that year. Letang was 22. Gonchar was Gonchar. Orpik was a lot better. I see goligoski that year too. Scuderi and gill third pairing.

Outside of not having prime orpik the defense doesn't look that much worse than the cup year. Gogo and letang were young like Maata Pouliot and Dumoulin. Eaton I don't think was much better than lovejoy.

Feel like we are one vet dman from being equal or better than that year

I can't deny I'm worried about our D. I think DP is a future star, but his play in the D zone was pretty sketchy.

For the first time we saw Dumo look like an NHL player in the playoffs. Let's hope he keeps it up. I think our long term success this years falls on some of these unproven players. Wish we had a guy like Martin to ease the transition this year.

Was mark eaton in our top 4 when we won the cup? Lovejoy could play that role.

I don't think our defense was special that year. Letang was 22. Gonchar was Gonchar. Orpik was a lot better. I see goligoski that year too. Scuderi and gill third pairing.

Outside of not having prime orpik the defense doesn't look that much worse than the cup year. Gogo and letang were young like Maata Pouliot and Dumoulin. Eaton I don't think was much better than lovejoy.

Feel like we are one vet dman from being equal or better than that year
- sditulli

Defense was great that playoff. Gonchar and orpik were an above average top pair. Gill and scuderi were put into the shut down role and great on the pk. Letang was able to run around and not have to worry because eaton player safe and was his safety valve

I'd actually take Depres over Martin next year. I think Depres is starting to take a significant step forward.

The defense is a huge concern. I'm not sold that its drastically worse than the cup teams defense especially if Pouliot/Dumoulin become much better players by year end. As of right now they are both 3rd pairing guys ideally, but Pouliot especially I believe can turn into a 2nd pairing guy by the playoffs.

I love/hate the pens defense heading into this season. I love the HUGE potential but hate the lack of experience. They could be putting to much into young guys to fast. I wouldn't mind if Pouliot spent another year developing and only have Dumoulin as a young guy without much experience at the NHL level. Some would argue Cole would fit that category as well but i think he is decently experienced. I am bias because I have always like the more big defensive type defenseman that can hit hard (orpik). Nothing wrong with a d-man helping on offense but i prefer if they focus on defense.
my preferred lines for defense would be (if scuderi isn't traded)
Maatta-Letang
Lovejoy-Cole
Dumoulin-Scuderi
Erixon
Even this seems like a gamble with how young they are. But if scuds stays he can hopefully be a strong veteran teacher for the young guys. Despres did say scuds was a great mentor. Even though Despres wasn't doing very well in my opinion.
- Zac_O

welcome Zac-O

your dumb

great idea

this

f sutter

insert hero chart here

bathrooms on the left


orientation complete

as a fan I too am concerned about our defense compared to Cup winners. win now? build for the future? can't have it both ways, eh. do you need the reliable, minute eating stud or will it be a d-team effort? #8 is the ace in the hole among so many question marks

If we use the regular season to develop him he could be top 4 by the time the playoffs roll around. Wasted last year not developing these guys.

Hockey isn't Baseball. I hate that there is a push to make it so. The game isn't played on a graph. Lapierre sucks in the regular season but put him in a series and he is useful. These charts take tangibles out of hockey. Besides your numbers are going to be better depending on who you are paired with, Goalie, lines etc....

as a fan I too am concerned about our defense compared to Cup winners. win now? build for the future? can't have it both ways, eh. do you need the reliable, minute eating stud or will it be a d-team effort? #8 is the ace in the hole among so many question marks
- mikey55

The Pens D will hinge on Letang's health. If he stays well and Maata continues to progress they will be pretty decent. The Pens will need to out score opponents and they should with the players they have.

Neither DP or Dumo looked amazing for any stretch, I hope they surprise me.

I'd actually take Depres over Martin next year. I think Depres is starting to take a significant step forward.

The defense is a huge concern. I'm not sold that its drastically worse than the cup teams defense especially if Pouliot/Dumoulin become much better players by year end. As of right now they are both 3rd pairing guys ideally, but Pouliot especially I believe can turn into a 2nd pairing guy by the playoffs.
- sditulli

The Hawks won Stanley with 4 D.

No surprise but the Pens have the worst prospect pool in the league according to this guy.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...cid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...prospects-penguins-worst/

Anyone else see this? Kinda obvious, but we do have Blueger, Sheary, and Sprong as our potential top 6 guys. Also have guys like Rust, Simon and Sundqvist who can fill out the bottom 6. We don't really need top 6 prospects, but it would be nice. With how our team is built, I think we'll be fine. Getting Clendening was a good move to help restock. Now we can stock up on draft picks and replenish the farm instead of trading them at the deadline. Hopefully nothing happens at the deadline this year, but who knows. Also Kunitz is basically a given to be dealt after the season before the draft. I think he pulls a second easily.

It also doesn't help us that our "prospects" will be in the NHL next year.

No surprise but the Pens have the worst prospect pool in the league according to this guy.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...cid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs
- sammy87

I win because I explained it

If we use the regular season to develop him he could be top 4 by the time the playoffs roll around. Wasted last year not developing these guys.

Hockey isn't Baseball. I hate that there is a push to make it so. The game isn't played on a graph. Lapierre sucks in the regular season but put him in a series and he is useful. These charts take tangibles out of hockey. Besides your numbers are going to be better depending on who you are paired with, Goalie, lines etc....
- lloyd095

Guys like Ryan are Analytics dependant but there are a couple on here that say Analytics are just a tool to help other aspects - I've only ever seen that comment come to fruition (ie that those individuals taking into consideration 'other' aspects of a players ability other than those in a stat), once or twice in the past year. Analytics is pushing very hard (as are the users), to become 'the' only thing that matters.

Everyone agrees that there are many unknowns & variables in a hockey game but then talk about a stat born from Corsi & ramble on about their importance - Corsi is formulated the same way +- is - get it?????

Someone said the hero chart of Lovejoy was better Pouliot - don't stats gurus love good hero charts? Let's hope Lovejoy is written about soon .

No one can analyse which players will play well with others - that is impossible at the moment. History & Analytics will tell us if they did or didn't. Good luck building a team with hero charts & wowy stats - someone order a vanilla milkshake?

2020 Stanley awarded to the Minnesota Wild whose hero charts were the poop!

Im excited about our young d and think that if everyone is healthy they will be fine. Although I stil want Despres over lovejoy

Im excited about our young d and think that if everyone is healthy they will be fine. Although I stil want Despres over lovejoy
- nh4442

Have you got a hero chart to back up your desire?

Yes I'm looking forward to seeing this seasons D - excitement machines that will have us on the edge of our seats! I think there's going to be plenty of goals scored - which will be a good (& bad) thing.

Have you got a hero chart to back up your desire?

Yes I'm looking forward to seeing this seasons D - excitement machines that will have us on the edge of our seats! I think there's going to be plenty of goals scored - which will be a good (& bad) thing.
- Aussiepenguin

ummmm yess...

Im excited about our young d and think that if everyone is healthy they will be fine. Although I stil want Despres over lovejoy
- nh4442

The despriot pairing had so much potential

The despriot pairing had so much potential
- Victoro311

Both play the left side.

No surprise but the Pens have the worst prospect pool in the league according to this guy.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...cid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs
- sammy87

The Pens definitely have one of the worst prospect pools, but the guy is using some pretty inconsistent standards for "prospects." Pouliot isn't a prospect. Eichel and MacDavid are even though all three will be on NHL rosters this season. He also puts a lot more value on prospect pools with a select few high end prospects versus quantity which is I think will be misleading.

Both play the left side.
- jfkst1

Both are left handed. Despres can play the right. And he did so last season.

Our defense is a gamble but I'm willing to roll those dice.

I mean it could pay off. And our forwards are better than many others in years.

Players of Pouliot's ilk are questioned even after they make it to top four minutes because they don't have the physical edge of others. In my mind, Pouliot is not ready for top four minutes right away, but he will be come seasons end.

What it boils down to is whether or not Pouliot can continue to drive play without hampering his team in his own zone. Last season he wasn't strong against the boards, but an offseason of training can be huge for a young players development. Strength builds quick on a young body.

I am looking forward to this D for one reason, they can skate well. A good skating D is worth their weight in gold in this league.

Ryan Wilson: Can Derrick Pouliot Handle a Top Four Defense Role in 2015-16?
Can Derrick Pouliot Handle a Top Four Defense Role in 2015-16?
- Ryan_Wilson

I hope not.

Both are left handed. Despres can play the right. And he did so last season.
- Victoro311

Pouliot can play the right side some too, but Rutherford sounded pretty convinced in his justification of the Despres trade that they needed a RH shot there and Despres wasn't that. I think Despres was getting traded, I just wish it was in a better deal.

Pouliot can play the right side some too, but Rutherford sounded pretty convinced in his justification of the Despres trade that they needed a RH shot there and Despres wasn't that. I think Despres was getting traded, I just wish it was in a better deal.
- jfkst1

Yeah and it was a stupid decision. Despre payed on Fowler's right and did great.