Perron has looked good, he set up Kessel at least 3 times. Kessel has missed at least 3 sure things tonight. It's almost like he's surprised at how easy a goal would have been for him
- Dcoms

Perron is another Sniper type... more rounded than Neal, bit less of a shot... I don't think you need that style of player with Crosby and Kessel though.

I agree. My feed is not very good so it's been a little tough to follow but Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel have been very dominate for stretches in games they have played and have produced well, I've found myself very underwhelmed by the Perron-Crosby-Kessel line tonight and think longer term that unit will struggle without the constant forecheck and net front presence Kunitz gives Crosby/Kessel. I've also liked the way Perron & Dupuis looked with Bonino in the limited action they've seen together. At this point I think Kunitz-Crosby-Kessel, Plotnikov-Malkin-Hornqvist, Dupuis-Bonino-Perron gives them the best depth and balance possible and starting the season any other way would be a mistake.
- jaydogg1974

I like those line too.

Poorly timed post is poorly time

Jokes aside, great play by Bennett. He's in for a break out if healthy. This will be my favorite I told you so of all time, not because I want to be condescending, but because I am really happy for 19. Kid deserves a break.
- Victoro311

That always seems to happen to me but still 1 or 2 good plays and even 1 game entire game isn't enough to prove he is ready for full time NHL action let alone a top 4 role, just way to much bad to easily overcome at this point.

I'd pump the breaks before saying we're doomed if Dinger takes the #4 spot. He's been stalwart this preseason and is a perfect fit for our system. He could really grow into the role as the season goes on.
- Victoro311

LOL, OK. I guess one of us is thrilled having a borderline NHL'er slide into the 4th spot because the rest have been awful.

Anyone else curious what Sprong could do on Malkins wing?

Anyone else curious what Sprong could do on Malkins wing?
- stackthepads

Yep... and everytime I think about that, I remember our battered and damaged Bennett

LOL, OK. I guess one of us is thrilled having a borderline NHL'er slide into the 4th spot because the rest have been awful.
- Sell My Monkey

Obviously not thrilled but trying to reserve judgement as we all should. We had the best offseason in recent memory and everyone is ready to admit defeat before seeing the entire unit together.

Perron is another Sniper type... more rounded than Neal, bit less of a shot... I don't think you need that style of player with Crosby and Kessel though.
- Guile

That's kind of where my thinking is as well, Sid & Kessel are both more than capable of being the sniper for eachother so adding another sniper to that line is redundant especially when those 2 are at their best when they aren't forced to do the "dirty" work in the corners and in front of the net, Perron doesn't really bring that which is why I think having Kunitz there to forecheck and crash the net is a better compliment than another shooter.

Yep... and everytime I think about that, I remember our battered and damaged Bennett
- Guile

Who's having himself a hell of a preseason and game. I'd love to see a Plotnikov-Malkin-Sprong line. And in doing so see how Hornqvist does on Sid's left. If those two lines work, I think Bennett has proven himself worthy of the third line enough that we can truly move Kunitz or Perron for d help.

Anyone else curious what Sprong could do on Malkins wing?
- stackthepads

I'm really intrigues about what could happen if they give Sprong a true shot during his 9 game window, if they give him the opportunity like the gave Maata I can honestly see him putting the organization in the same situation Maata did where they have no choice but to keep him in the NHL.

Who's having himself a hell of a preseason and game. I'd love to see a Plotnikov-Malkin-Sprong line. And in doing so see how Hornqvist does on Sid's left. If those two lines work, I think Bennett has proven himself worthy of the third line enough that we can truly move Kunitz or Perron for d help.
- Victoro311

Hey, I'm not saying Sprong AND Bennett aren't having good preseasons, they are. But like with Sundqvist, I am near petrified of pushing a rookie up early when they are ~19 and sometimes not fully grown.

Hey, I'm not saying Sprong AND Bennett aren't having good preseasons, they are. But like with Sundqvist, I am near petrified of pushing a rookie up early when they are ~19 and sometimes not fully grown.
- Guile

Lots of 18/19 year olds are playing the NHL these days, many of them alot smaller than Sprong. He looks good enough to make the transition.

If there is one thing this game reminded me of more than anything else is how doom and gloom you people are. Ah the sky is falling! It's the preseason and the sky is already falling! I don't get why you do this to yourselves when slitting your wrist is so much quicker. It's really not that bad at all.

If there is one thing this game reminded me of more than anything else is how doom and gloom you people are. Ah the sky is falling! It's the preseason and the sky is already falling! I don't get why you do this to yourselves when slitting your wrist is so much quicker. It's really not that bad at all.
- Dcoms

I dont want blood all over my keyboard when Im trying to complain about this pre season game.

Well... At least we got a safety

Only was able to watch the third... If Gonchar makes this team it will be a flat out sham. All he's done is prove he's ready for the glue factory.

Just retire Sarge, nobody wants to remember you like this.

Only was able to watch the third... If Gonchar makes this team it will be a flat out sham. All he's done is prove he's ready for the glue factory.

Just retire Sarge, nobody wants to remember you like this.
- madmike71

brutal on that Mantha goal.

If there is one thing this game reminded me of more than anything else is how doom and gloom you people are. Ah the sky is falling! It's the preseason and the sky is already falling! I don't get why you do this to yourselves when slitting your wrist is so much quicker. It's really not that bad at all.
- Dcoms

https://youtu.be/VLR_TDO0FTg?t=31

Lots of 18/19 year olds are playing the NHL these days, many of them alot smaller than Sprong. He looks good enough to make the transition.
- stackthepads

Very true, but what is our past luck with young players on this team? Bennett, still possibly crippled... Maatta, shoulder, Pouliot, shoulder, Sundqvist (forget what it was) in WBS...

I just hope we field (or is it ice) the whole regular season roster on Friday. Until then, I am going to reserve all the judgement. Ol' Man Ben Nickerson Lovejoy was a -3 tonight but he played last night.

I just hope we field (or is it ice) the whole regular season roster on Friday. Until then, I am going to reserve all the judgement. Ol' Man Ben Nickerson Lovejoy was a -3 tonight but he played last night.
- chimpira

Agree. I just try to watch how individuals perform. From what Bourque said, they will probably have all of the cuts done before the last game. If that's the case they will be icing the real roster.

Lovejob is a concern regardless of playing last night.

Poorly timed post is poorly time

Jokes aside, great play by Bennett. He's in for a break out if healthy. This will be my favorite I told you so of all time, not because I want to be condescending, but because I am really happy for 19. Kid deserves a break.
- Victoro311

Interesting ... you use the word break twice in this comment about Bennett. He is bound to get a break.

Interesting ... you use the word break twice in this comment about Bennett. He is bound to get a break.
- Oneonta Penguin

Boo

Interesting ... you use the word break twice in this comment about Bennett. He is bound to get a break.
- Oneonta Penguin

Did that wrist injury look bad? Is he out for 4-6 months?

I just hope we field (or is it ice) the whole regular season roster on Friday. Until then, I am going to reserve all the judgement. Ol' Man Ben Nickerson Lovejoy was a -3 tonight but he played last night.
- chimpira

I just hope they put the best roster on the ice which would mean no Scuderi or Gonchar.