'Compete' & 'celebrate' are 2 completely different words.

So Tampa, Habs, Detroit, Caps & the Pens of course should also be expecting to compete for the cup???

There can be only 1 highlander! (& the Rags aren't it!)
- Aussiepenguin

No, I think SCF or bust should be the focus for Tampa and Rangers....the other teams should set their sights on a playoff spot for sure, but it would be surprising if any of them make the finals, McLeod.

I think there are like 6/7 new guys in this line up. I'd give it about 10 games for this team to gel a little more. I don't think our defense will be great but our offense should improve greatly.

I think there are like 6/7 new guys in this line up. I'd give it about 10 games for this team to gel a little more. I don't think our defense will be great but our offense should improve greatly.
- dbell646

I've been saying the same thing. Anytime you have that much roster turnover in two years, it's going to be a little rough for a while. I'll reiterate, there's not one line or one D pairing that has played together before.

My biggest criticism of the coach is he spent waaaaay too much time looking at scrubs that had no chance of making the team in the preseason. Furthermore, he comes out with D pairs that didn't play 1 minute together before opening night. I understand you don't want to play the regulars in every game, but they really needed to work on chemistry and they didn't.

I've been saying the same thing. Anytime you have that much roster turnover in two years, it's going to be a little rough for a while. I'll reiterate, there's not one line or one D pairing that has played together before.

My biggest criticism of the coach is he spent waaaaay too much time looking at scrubs that had no chance of making the team in the preseason. Furthermore, he comes out with D pairs that didn't play 1 minute together before opening night. I understand you don't want to play the regulars in every game, but they really needed to work on chemistry and they didn't.
- madmike71

I agree, it's not a freaking beauty pageant. Other than, that was a beauty of a goal, eh?

I've been saying the same thing. Anytime you have that much roster turnover in two years, it's going to be a little rough for a while. I'll reiterate, there's not one line or one D pairing that has played together before.

My biggest criticism of the coach is he spent waaaaay too much time looking at scrubs that had no chance of making the team in the preseason. Furthermore, he comes out with D pairs that didn't play 1 minute together before opening night. I understand you don't want to play the regulars in every game, but they really needed to work on chemistry and they didn't.
- madmike71

Can't disagree with any of that. Scuds needs to be sat down immediately

I think there are like 6/7 new guys in this line up. I'd give it about 10 games for this team to gel a little more. I don't think our defense will be great but our offense should improve greatly.
- dbell646

I think our defense will be better than people expect once Johnston finds the right combos.

I think our defense will be better than people expect once Johnston finds the right combos.
- Victoro311

The defense has already been better than people expected it would be. Outside the obviously bad scuds most guys are only making a few mistakes. A few mistakes early isn't a big deal. To many people on this site will only ever point out the bad things. Especially when its a player they don't like already.

Can't disagree with any of that. Scuds needs to be sat down immediately
- dbell646

Agree. I think Clendening would be a nice replacement with Dumo. I just hate when coaches stick with the cagey vet because of experience when it's clear he's washed up. This is not exclusive to the NHL either.

I predict Sid will get a shot tonight.

I predict Sid will get a shot tonight.
- powerhouse

Before or after the whistle?

Agree. I think Clendening would be a nice replacement with Dumo. I just hate when coaches stick with the cagey vet because of experience when it's clear he's washed up. This is not exclusive to the NHL either.
- madmike71

I would like to see Clendening play tonight. I didn't get to see much of him in the preseason. Anyone is an upgrade over scuds. I saw him fire the puck a few times off the glass with little pressure on him. It was disappointing.

So pens are 0-2 but have an optional skate this morning ??

Um... how bout practicing some drills guys..

So pens are 0-2 but have an optional skate this morning ??

Um... how bout practicing some drills guys..
- nh4442

Emmm mike got mad yesterdays practice for lack of effort in the games so he did a herb brocks on them so I think it is optional cuz he gassed them yesterday

Emmm mike got mad yesterdays practice for lack of effort in the games so he did a herb brocks on them so I think it is optional cuz he gassed them yesterday
- martox

Good. Magic Mike doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would do that. Glad he whipped his Richard out at the team. It's something that I felt Bylsma never did and was a huge issue that added to the country club mentality.

Agree. I think Clendening would be a nice replacement with Dumo. I just hate when coaches stick with the cagey vet because of experience when it's clear he's washed up. This is not exclusive to the NHL either.
- madmike71

I'd like to see Clendening play with Cole. I think Cole would do better with a more cerebral guy than the impulsive Letang who I feel he's been struggling to keep up with. Cole can also help stabilize Clendening's rookie mistakes with his consistent play. I apologize to the Cole haters in advance, I think Ian Cole has been very solid, just don't think he and Letang are a good fit.

Then you can put Lovejoy with Dumo and shelter them.

I'd like to see Clendening play with Cole. I think Cole would do better with a more cerebral guy than the impulsive Letang who I feel he's been struggling to keep up with. Cole can also help stabilize Clendening's rookie mistakes with his consistent play. I apologize to the Cole haters in advance, I think Ian Cole has been very solid, just don't think he and Letang are a good fit.

Then you can put Lovejoy with Dumo and shelter them.
- Victoro311

Cole's been fine. He's not a top pairing guy but right now Pens don't have a better option. Lovejoy hasn't bothered me either. Maatta needs to play a lot better because he looks awful right now. Scuderi shouldn't be playing at all, and certainly not the 3rd most minutes on the blue line.

Cole's been fine. He's not a top pairing guy but right now Pens don't have a better option. Lovejoy hasn't bothered me either. Maatta needs to play a lot better because he looks awful right now. Scuderi shouldn't be playing at all, and certainly not the 3rd most minutes on the blue line.
- jfkst1

Didn't watch the second game but I agree that Lovejoy looked serviceable the first game. But as long as he's in the top 4, we're in trouble. I want to give Clendening a chance to prove himself as Cole's partner, put Maatta where he belongs alongside Letang and see if that turns things around for him, and play Lovejoy with Dunoulin in sheltered minutes to see if he can stabilize Dumo while he builds confidence.

Penguins have a .431 winning percentage over their last 72 games

Anemic PP since a month into last year

Averaging 2.2 Goals per game

HCMJ must go. His house league system doesn't cut it in the NHL

I've been saying the same thing. Anytime you have that much roster turnover in two years, it's going to be a little rough for a while. I'll reiterate, there's not one line or one D pairing that has played together before.

My biggest criticism of the coach is he spent waaaaay too much time looking at scrubs that had no chance of making the team in the preseason. Furthermore, he comes out with D pairs that didn't play 1 minute together before opening night. I understand you don't want to play the regulars in every game, but they really needed to work on chemistry and they didn't.
- madmike71

If I'm not mistaken they had a very similar roster turnover last offseason and started the year with 5-6 new guys in the lineup and it didn't seem to take them any time to gel and that group was far less talented than this year's group. I completely agree that overreacting to 2 games is a bit absurd but this notion that they should need time to gel is even more absurd, they are frickin professionals and have been on the ice together for the last 2+ months easily logging over 100 hours together. Olympic teams get half that time and they don't seem to struggle gelling, neither do the WC teams.

If I'm not mistaken they had a very similar roster turnover last offseason and started the year with 5-6 new guys in the lineup and it didn't seem to take them any time to gel and that group was far less talented than this year's group. I completely agree that overreacting to 2 games is a bit absurd but this notion that they should need time to gel is even more absurd, they are frickin professionals and have been on the ice together for the last 2+ months easily logging over 100 hours together. Olympic teams get half that time and they don't seem to struggle gelling, neither do the WC teams.
- jaydogg1974

I agree with this. The core is still the same. Plenty of other teams had lots of turnover and don't look like they haven't practiced together before (CHI). I still believe poor lineup decisions is fueling a lot of these issues. The team does need to collect some points though. Metro is a tough division and starting out slow can be enough to ruin the season. Just like starting out well last year safe-guarded the Pens from their decline in the 2nd half of the season.

If I'm not mistaken they had a very similar roster turnover last offseason and started the year with 5-6 new guys in the lineup and it didn't seem to take them any time to gel and that group was far less talented than this year's group. I completely agree that overreacting to 2 games is a bit absurd but this notion that they should need time to gel is even more absurd, they are frickin professionals and have been on the ice together for the last 2+ months easily logging over 100 hours together. Olympic teams get half that time and they don't seem to struggle gelling, neither do the WC teams.
- jaydogg1974

So in other words.... "familiarity with team mates, plays and systems means nothing".....said no coach ever.

I agree with this. The core is still the same. Plenty of other teams had lots of turnover and don't look like they haven't practiced together before (CHI). I still believe poor lineup decisions is fueling a lot of these issues. The team does need to collect some points though. Metro is a tough division and starting out slow can be enough to ruin the season. Just like starting out well last year safe-guarded the Pens from their decline in the 2nd half of the season.
- jfkst1

The core isn't the same though. They added to it. It hasn't changed much but still has changed. But I guess that depends who you consider the core. I'd argue that Martin was a part of the core. Most people would disagree with that.

Penguins have a .431 winning percentage over their last 72 games

Anemic PP since a month into last year

Averaging 2.2 Goals per game

HCMJ must go. His house league system doesn't cut it in the NHL
- TheGame316

What is their defensive game like? How about man games lost? Is the power play MJ's fault if Tochett is the pp coach? What is their even strength goals per game in comparison to the rest of the league?

Head for the bridges!!!!!!

Chill out people. This team has the ability to experiment a bit early on and see what they have and what they don't. They will be fine.

In my experiences in the US economy salaried just means employers can work you extra hours without paying you.
- jfkst1

That is exactly what it is.