You don't watch Top Gear?

The penalties are a huge worry at the moment pour moi. That was a pre season objective that is just as consistent or even worse than before.
- Aussiepenguin

Preseason. No worries. I watched a few episodes of top gear but not a big fan. My hobbies are the stock market and hiking. I love a good comedy though.

You have to be very careful talking about the PK around here. Some say it's a skill that can't be taught, some say it's a skill anyone can be taught, some, well they say it's all the goalie no matter if it's traffic cones in front of him, others say it's all the Stig!!
- Aussiepenguin

Penalty killing is a skill that most defensively competent players can perform. Crosby is excellent at it. Malkin didn't look very good at it to me. I'd rather keep those two off of the unit if possible because I don't want them getting injured. Fleury has the second highest save percentage on the PK this decade (behind Schneider) so clearly he has an aptitude for it. He's also good on breakaways and penalty shots.
BTW, the Stig would be a forechecking monster but his aggressiveness would be a liability on the PK

Penalty killing is a skill that most defensively competent players can perform. Crosby is excellent at it. Malkin didn't look very good at it to me. I'd rather keep those two off of the unit if possible because I don't want them getting injured. Fleury has the second highest save percentage on the PK this decade (behind Schneider) so clearly he has an aptitude for it. He's also good on breakaways and penalty shots.
BTW, the Stig would be a forechecking monster but his aggressiveness would be a liability on the PK
- jfkst1

Stig = SHG everyday of the week (he's drunk of a weekend).

The debate wasn't completely settled here recently with Gunner saying it wasn't a skill & anyone could do it, others saying like yourself it is a skill & not everyone can do it. Hence my initial comment even though I just wanted to quote Clarkson!

Stig = SHG everyday of the week (he's drunk of a weekend).

The debate wasn't completely settled here recently with Gunner saying it wasn't a skill & anyone could do it, others saying like yourself it is a skill & not everyone can do it. Hence my initial comment even though I just wanted to quote Clarkson!
- Aussiepenguin

While I respect RW's opinion and he certainly has more knowledge of the game, I disagree on that. I didn't think Malkin looked good on the PK at all. He tried to do too much instead of just clearing the puck down the ice. It's probably unnatural for someone so gifted like him to get into the mindset of just clearing the puck. Which usually benefits the Pens in ES/PP situations. Shot blocking is also a repeatable skill (which is why Fenwick instead of just Corsi is used). And having defensive awareness/positioning/anticipation are more intuitive things IMO that cannot necessarily be taught but that any solid defensive player should possess (NOTE: Kessel and Malkin are very mediocre defensively).

Preseason. No worries. I watched a few episodes of top gear but not a big fan. My hobbies are the stock market and hiking. I love a good comedy though.
- powerhouse

Preseason or not I was hoping that they could refrain from taking penalties although now as I write this we do need to sort out the PK. So we may have been taking deliberate penalties??

Stock market? I remember when Gold was $1750 an ounce thinking I should have bought when it was under 1k Currency is also a pretty good investment I think although I don't dabble. I remember watching the market closely when I was selling Euros to AUD, if was quite fun but I just don't have the time - to busy on HB!

I've always thought Fleury is below average at mental focus as a goalie with elite athleticism.

PK, Penalty shots Fleury knows shots are coming over a short time period. Which lets him focus for that amount of time while letting his athleticism take over.

While I respect RW's opinion and he certainly has more knowledge of the game, I disagree on that. I didn't think Malkin looked good on the PK at all. He tried to do too much instead of just clearing the puck down the ice. It's probably unnatural for someone so gifted like him to get into the mindset of just clearing the puck. Which usually benefits the Pens in ES/PP situations. Shot blocking is also a repeatable skill (which is why Fenwick instead of just Corsi is used). And having defensive awareness/positioning/anticipation are more intuitive things IMO that cannot necessarily be taught but that any solid defensive player should possess (NOTE: Kessel and Malkin are very mediocre defensively).
- jfkst1

Malkin defensively may just not care too much. I've seen game highlights of him back checking very well so he can do it when he wants to but thats the question I suppose.

I haver no idea about Philbo Baggins, only that he was electric at the Olympics in attack.

Malkin defensively may just not care too much. I've seen game highlights of him back checking very well so he can do it when he wants to but thats the question I suppose.

I haver no idea about Philbo Baggins, only that he was electric at the Olympics in attack.
- Aussiepenguin

Malkin is a great forechecker and he'll definitely steal some pucks away in the neutral zone too. But he wanders a good amount in the defensive zone which is why I don't like him at wing very much. And obviously the PK is largely played in the defensive zone.

are you insane? who in their right mind would trade a top 4 dman for an old washed up Kunitz..... you would lucky and grateful to get a 3rd rounder at the deadline for him... the secret is out he scores because crosby banks the puck of his stick

Is our NHL roster playing today? If so, this is what I'd like to see out of our d pairings just to see if it works:

Maatta-Letang
Cole-Clendening
Dumoulin/Pouliot-Lovejoy

The first pairing is obviously good so no further thought requires there but I'd like to see how the presence of the first pairing affects the others. We can see how Clendening looks beside Cole in a second line support role and we can see one of the two struggling guys look in a sheltered role next to a vet.

are you insane? who in their right mind would trade a top 4 dman for an old washed up Kunitz..... you would lucky and grateful to get a 3rd rounder at the deadline for him... the secret is out he scores because crosby banks the puck of his stick
- jmoney4080

Not saying Kunitz is worth much, but with garbage like Vermette getting firsts at the deadline, I'm under the impression that anything can happen

are you insane? who in their right mind would trade a top 4 dman for an old washed up Kunitz..... you would lucky and grateful to get a 3rd rounder at the deadline for him... the secret is out he scores because crosby banks the puck of his stick
- jmoney4080

Kunitz isn't great, but he wasn't out of place in the top 6 until the 2nd half of last season when returning from injury. Kunitz is strong defensively and is an above average shooter and passer. Obviously his production skills are probably waning due to age but I doubt there is a team in the league where he wouldn't at least be in the top 9 and if he has a good season with the Pens I could see him getting a 2nd rounder quite easily.

Penalty killing is a skill that most defensively competent players can perform. Crosby is excellent at it. Malkin didn't look very good at it to me. I'd rather keep those two off of the unit if possible because I don't want them getting injured. Fleury has the second highest save percentage on the PK this decade (behind Schneider) so clearly he has an aptitude for it. He's also good on breakaways and penalty shots.
BTW, the Stig would be a forechecking monster but his aggressiveness would be a liability on the PK
- jfkst1

I'm with you. One of the few things I liked about Disco was he didn't have Geno or Sid PK. Personally, I don't believe Geno will be good in that roll, but yes, Sid would be fantastic. Regardless, I don't want him blocking shots and furthermore, I'd rather have his 23/25 mins of TOI be spent solely trying to score or create goals. Risk/reward type of thing. I don't think a handful of shorties is worth the possibility of a broken foot. JMO.

Is our NHL roster playing today? If so, this is what I'd like to see out of our d pairings just to see if it works:

Maatta-Letang
Cole-Clendening
Dumoulin/Pouliot-Lovejoy

The first pairing is obviously good so no further thought requires there but I'd like to see how the presence of the first pairing affects the others. We can see how Clendening looks beside Cole in a second line support role and we can see one of the two struggling guys look in a sheltered role next to a vet.
- Victoro311

That super pairing of Scudsmiffin & Gontoofar will be gracing your screen. Denger isn't playing. Worsofsky (s) will be though so there may be interest there.

Is our NHL roster playing today? If so, this is what I'd like to see out of our d pairings just to see if it works:

Maatta-Letang
Cole-Clendening
Dumoulin/Pouliot-Lovejoy

The first pairing is obviously good so no further thought requires there but I'd like to see how the presence of the first pairing affects the others. We can see how Clendening looks beside Cole in a second line support role and we can see one of the two struggling guys look in a sheltered role next to a vet.
- Victoro311

I really dont think Clendening has been as good as he's getting talked about.,,

are you insane? who in their right mind would trade a top 4 dman for an old washed up Kunitz..... you would lucky and grateful to get a 3rd rounder at the deadline for him... the secret is out he scores because crosby banks the puck of his stick
- jmoney4080

Is that the reason he had 3 additional 20g 45-50 pt seasons ... 2 with Anaheim and the year Crosby was out? He still a solid top 9 if healthy .... Someone will need a scoring winger at the deadline

I really dont think Clendening has been as good as he's getting talked about.,,
- YouMeAndDupuis9

So what your saying is scuds, gonchar, dumo and pouliot have just looked that bad? Interesting ... I still think a trade before the season begins is possible

I really dont think Clendening has been as good as he's getting talked about.,,
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't think he has been good enough to be a top 4 dman either. However, he's looked better than Gonchar, Scuderi, Pouliot, and Dumoulin so if he gets waived I'll be very disappointed in the FO.

I really dont think Clendening has been as good as he's getting talked about.,,
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not billing him as a stud but I think he's our best option to pair with Cole. I don't think he's any worse than Lovejoy and he has upside to grow. Lovejoy does not.

I really dont think Clendening has been as good as he's getting talked about.,,
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I really don't think Lovejoy is as bad as he's been/being talked about. People forget he was a very capable top 4 in Anaheim, paired very well with Fowler.

I really don't think Lovejoy is as bad as he's been/being talked about. People forget he was a very capable top 4 in Anaheim, paired very well with Fowler.
- MattStrat

If Lovejoy were acquired for a mid round pick most would like him a lot more. Not his fault the FO screwed up that trade but it gets held against him.

I really don't think Lovejoy is as bad as he's been/being talked about. People forget he was a very capable top 4 in Anaheim, paired very well with Fowler.
- MattStrat

Fowler is a 1D playing in a 3D role. I think Lovejoy was a decent compliment to him but I think Fowler also propped him up a good bit. I think it's evident that Anaheim was unimpressed with Lovejoy last season, at least enough to scratch him and eventually trade him for an upgrade at 4D. I think Lovejoy is a pretty good bottom pairing defenseman and is cost effective, but I think he is a very mediocre second pairing guy. He needs to be sheltered.

EDIT: think of Lovejoy in this light: in the Met, who has better bottom pairing D than Lovejoy? For the most part, they're all on par or worse. Even the vaunted NYR D core. I'd certainly take Lovejoy ove Boyle. For now, I would take Yandle over Rev because Yandle would be a great fit in our system but after he gets whatever insane new contract he gets, I'd probably take Lovejoy.

Fowler is a 1D playing in a 3D role. I think Lovejoy was a decent compliment to him but I think Fowler also propped him up a good bit. I think it's evident that Anaheim was unimpressed with Lovejoy last season, at least enough to scratch him and eventually trade him for an upgrade at 4D. I think Lovejoy is a pretty good bottom pairing defenseman and is cost effective, but I think he is a very mediocre second pairing guy. He needs to be sheltered.
- Victoro311

In a bigger role (top 4 in the playoffs against the presidents trophy winners) the Pens lost all 4 games by one goal and not allowing more than 2 in each. Of the 8 goals the Rags scored in in those 4 wins a 1/4 of them (2) were power play goals. He's a good player, just not an all star and at 1.1 million that's totally fine. He's much better than Scuds who makes 3 times as much.

I don't think he has been good enough to be a top 4 dman either. However, he's looked better than Gonchar, Scuderi, Pouliot, and Dumoulin so if he gets waived I'll be very disappointed in the FO.
- jfkst1

I think it's hilarious that Dump and DP still aren't living up to expectations and playing worse than Scuds at this point. Lovejoy is the 3rd best Dman the Pens have..Yikes!

Lets say neither DP or Dumo make the team, that would make Maata and Staal as Shero's only NHL regulars?

Fowler is a 1D playing in a 3D role. I think Lovejoy was a decent compliment to him but I think Fowler also propped him up a good bit. I think it's evident that Anaheim was unimpressed with Lovejoy last season, at least enough to scratch him and eventually trade him for an upgrade at 4D. I think Lovejoy is a pretty good bottom pairing defenseman and is cost effective, but I think he is a very mediocre second pairing guy. He needs to be sheltered.

EDIT: think of Lovejoy in this light: in the Met, who has better bottom pairing D than Lovejoy? For the most part, they're all on par or worse. Even the vaunted NYR D core. I'd certainly take Lovejoy ove Boyle. For now, I would take Yandle over Rev because Yandle would be a great fit in our system but after he gets whatever insane new contract he gets, I'd probably take Lovejoy.
- Victoro311

I'm not as big on Fowler as others. I'd much rather have Lindholm or Vatanen than Fowler. Rags defense IMO isn't as good as ANA, NSH, MIN, or LAK. Lundqvist covers up a lot of failures too.