I think its time to mix up the top six. Kessel and Crosby are just not clicking. Our top six makes or breaks this team and as of right now it isnt working. Hornqvist and Crosby looked better than Crosby and Kessel.

Scuderi should be ashamed of that second goal, if you are going to just stand their and take up space you need to at least take the shot away, especially when its the opponents best shooter. Terrible.

Fleury should have had the third goal, but also someone should have picked the guy up and it also should have been a hooking call but whatever.

The third line looked great, fourth looked good too... Defense is looking fairly decent. I'd like to see Maata to the top unit and Cole with Dumo on the second pairing.
- stackthepads

If Sid and Geno play like this, no other problems are relevant. I'm really starting to wonder if they're trying to get the coach fired because I've seen that happen before and this is what it looks like.

If Sid and Geno play like this, no other problems are relevant. I'm really starting to wonder if they're trying to get the coach fired because I've seen that happen before and this is what it looks like.
- madmike71

That's exactly right. 87/71 have to be elite players because if they aren't, the team is dead in the water. No team can have their two best, and highest paid, players be this mediocre in the cap era. Kessel is the only top 6 forward that has shown a consistent effort. Everyone else has been subpar at best.

That's exactly right. 87/71 have to be elite players because if they aren't, the team is dead in the water. No team can have their two best players be this unproductive in the cap era. Kessel is the only top 6 forward that has shown a consistent effort. Everyone else has been subpar at best.
- jfkst1

It's because Kessel came here to win. Crosby and Malkin... I don't know what the (frank) is going through their heads. You'd think Perron would give it a bigger go of it on a contract year. I hold judgement on Hornqvist. His game is useless without playmaking compliments. Kunitz is invisible.

Your sample size is grossly inadequate and WOWY/Impact on line mates eliminate your claims of deficiencies in outcome independence. Not to mention, being a good possession player is merely one of many metrics to assess a player on.
- jfkst1

we'll try it this way... (shots) are on-ice events (w/ co-dependence on team-mates + competition) rather than a slugger standing in the batter's box 4 times a night. the latter, is a discrete event, while the other is a chained sequence (of related) events. the game is played in a continuous state of simultaneous offense + defense. that's the breakdown; its fair to compare say mcclutchens and alvarezs hitting percentages, but not accurate to compare crosby and toews possession #s.

I'll advocate possession at the team level or game level, but at the individual level, it's damn near meaningless. do players drive possession? sure. however, traditional stat methods are not the proper means of analysis at this level.

It's because Kessel came here to win. Crosby and Malkin... I don't know what the (frank) is going through their heads. You'd think Perron would give it a bigger go of it on a contract year. I hold judgement on Hornqvist. His game is useless without playmaking compliments. Kunitz is invisible.
- Victoro311

Yeah, I'm so done with Kunitz on the top line. Wish Duper were healthy 'cause I'd give him a look there. Hornqvist needs a letter on his jersey. He's one of the few that actually shows a little emotion.

Yeah, I'm so done with Kunitz on the top line. Wish Duper were healthy 'cause I'd give him a look there. Hornqvist needs a letter on his jersey. He's one of the few that actually shows a little emotion.
- madmike71

In a battle, you need to be able to sacrifice everything you've got to get the victory. Who besides Horny is sacrificing anything out there?

we'll try it this way... (shots) are on-ice events (w/ co-dependence on team-mates + competition) rather than a slugger standing in the batter's box 4 times a night. the latter, is a discrete event, while the other is a chained sequence (of related) events. the game is played in a continuous state of simultaneous offense + defense. that's the breakdown; its fair to compare say mcclutchens and alvarezs hitting percentages, but not accurate to compare crosby and toews possession #s.

I'll advocate possession at the team level or game level, but at the individual level, it's damn near meaningless. do players drive possession? sure. however, traditional stat methods are not the proper means of analysis at this level.
- out_of_market

Relative numbers are still valuable. Just like you might not be able to compare two people's salaries from different cities, but you could relative to their peers of the same city.

Time to swap Phil and Horny.

Time to swap Phil and Horny.
- chimpira

Thing is, they're the only two in the top 6 who care. Maybe taking Sid's new toy away will reignite him and maybe something with Malkin and Kessel will click. It's honestly worth a shot and shows that at least Johnston is trying to do something.

Thing is, they're the only two in the top 6 who care. Maybe taking Sid's new toy away will reignite him and maybe something with Malkin and Kessel will click. It's honestly worth a shot and shows that at least Johnston is trying to do something.
- Victoro311

I feel like Horny is the type of a player to rile our Sleeping Beauty and breathe some life into him. I will also bet that Johnston will not do it because in his mind the top two lines are pretty much set. At this point I can't even call the Penguins a team. Bunch of individual skating around and trying to do something. No support, no vision, no guts.

Also, what the hell is a Bonino? I thought he was supposed to have something to show?!

I feel like Horny is the type of a player to rile our Sleeping Beauty and breathe some life into him. I will also bet that Johnston will not do it because in his mind the top two lines are pretty much set. At this point I can't even call the Penguins a team. Bunch of individual skating around and trying to do something. No support, no vision, no guts.

Also, what the hell is a Bonino? I thought he was supposed to have something to show?!
- chimpira

Bonino is in no way a meaningful upgrade over Brandon Sutter, but he was never supposed to be. He was a cap move that made way Fehr, who I think people forget will be coming back soon. I think Fehr and Dupuis will be huge for this team.

Bonino is in no way a meaningful upgrade over Brandon Sutter, but he was never supposed to be. He was a cap move that made way Fehr, who I think people forget will be coming back soon. I think Fehr and Dupuis will be huge for this team.
- Victoro311

By the time Fehr or Duper come back, we might be so deep in the pooper, that it might be a little too late to salvage the season. Also, I, for one, am not banking on Duper pulling any meaningful minutes, so besides his locker room presence, I am not sure what else he can bring. This team is so confused right now. No identity whatsoever.

BTW, Bortuzzo has been a healthy scratch and Erhoff has had a poopy start so far as well.

... went to the SJ-Caps game tonight. Caps without Ovie, and of course, Backstrom. Got destroyed by the Sharks. Even though the SOG were almost even, some of the Caps shots were zone clearances that just happened to roll towards the goal. Martin was kind of invisible the entire game. I don't even think he was paired with Burns this game. Orpik looked old and beaten, Niskanen sucked a ton.

So every team is going through some motions. I hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Pens. I just don't see it while MJ is at the helm and Tocchet is running the PP.

I feel like Horny is the type of a player to rile our Sleeping Beauty and breathe some life into him. I will also bet that Johnston will not do it because in his mind the top two lines are pretty much set. At this point I can't even call the Penguins a team. Bunch of individual skating around and trying to do something. No support, no vision, no guts.

Also, what the hell is a Bonino? I thought he was supposed to have something to show?!
- chimpira

So far –

#29 has played well in 2 of 3 games; gave them a chance to win (even tonight). Nothing more you can ask of your net-minder. Sprong should get a shot at top 6 + extended ice time (→ youth + speed + skill). The results couldn't be any worse than keeping #14 in his entitled spot.

Defense is a dumpster fire. They struggle to clear the front of the net. #58 is wanna be elite; he's playing for norris candidacy and does/tries too much (i.e. overplays). #3 looks SLOW & challenged w/ additional role and could use a steroid regiment or something. #8 is learning on the fly and looking more comfortable. #28 is bottom pairing. #12 is worthless and clueless. #4 is meeting expectations.

Offense from the perimeter isn’t going to yield many positive results. No NFP, no fore-check, a lot of one and done. #14 should not be on the roster; he needs to go ASAP. I'm thinking cash-in the 401K. #61 hasn't done anything yet. #57 is an enigma. #87 now apparently models his game after Joe Thorton. #71 plays his own game. #19 is not an NHL player.

These are my opinions, and all of this however, could change overnight. Believe there are certain players that are not happy that certain players are part of the roster and they're forcing MJ into making line-up changes. We'll see (especially if the spin-cycle is about D).

If I was HCMJ, I'd hand this group of pansies over to Gary Roberts. #F practice.

So far –

#29 has played well in 2 of 3 games; gave them a chance to win (even tonight). Nothing more you can ask of your net-minder. Sprong should get a shot at top 6 + extended ice time (→ youth + speed + skill). The results couldn't be any worse than keeping #14 in his entitled spot.

Defense is a dumpster fire. They struggle to clear the front of the net. #58 is wanna be elite; he's playing for norris candidacy and does/tries too much (i.e. overplays). #3 looks SLOW & challenged w/ additional role and could use a steroid regiment or something. #8 is learning on the fly and looking more comfortable. #28 is bottom pairing. #12 is worthless and clueless. #4 is meeting expectations.

Offense from the perimeter isn’t going to yield many positive results. No NFP, no fore-check, a lot of one and done. #14 should not be on the roster; he needs to go ASAP. I'm thinking cash-in the 401K. #61 hasn't done anything yet. #57 is an enigma. #87 now apparently models his game after Joe Thorton. #71 plays his own game. #19 is not an NHL player.

These are my opinions, and all of this however, could change overnight. Believe there are certain players that are not happy that certain players are part of the roster and they're forcing MJ into making line-up changes. We'll see (especially if the spin-cycle is about D).

If I was HCMJ, I'd hand this group of pansies over to Gary Roberts. #F practice.
- out_of_market

Gary Roberts might be an improvement over Johnston right now. This team looks like it doesn't even practice and his insistence on keeping Scuderi in the lineup is costing the team about a goal against per game.

I feel like Horny is the type of a player to rile our Sleeping Beauty and breathe some life into him. I will also bet that Johnston will not do it because in his mind the top two lines are pretty much set. At this point I can't even call the Penguins a team. Bunch of individual skating around and trying to do something. No support, no vision, no guts.

Also, what the hell is a Bonino? I thought he was supposed to have something to show?!
- chimpira

Sid is a grinder, he plays better with other grinder type players. His time with Team Canada has shown that he doesnt play better nor positively impact higher end players like he does with 2/3 line tweeners.

Malkin is more the type of player that will excel with Kessel. Malkin is selfish, he wants the puck, he takes his time, draws attention and will generate space for Kessel to sneak into which he is temendous at. Sid just pushes the play too hard for higher end talent, he plays balls to the wall and thats just not how elite scorers play.

I dont know who is the best fit for the left side on a Sid and Hornqvist line, Kunitz was good and I would kepp him there at first but he has slowed down. Id like to see Sprong tried but he may be too much of a finess player for Sid as well.

Gary Roberts might be an improvement over Johnston right now. This team looks like it doesn't even practice and his insistence on keeping Scuderi in the lineup is costing the team about a goal against per game.
- jfkst1

I'm beginning to think Barry Melrose would be an upgrade

Nope ... we are in the Austin Matthews sweepstakes right now. Leaf fans will be pissed.
- Oneonta Penguin

well Leaf fans have their own shot at Mathews.

Yeah, I'm so done with Kunitz on the top line. Wish Duper were healthy 'cause I'd give him a look there. Hornqvist needs a letter on his jersey. He's one of the few that actually shows a little emotion.
- madmike71

Yeah Im sure a 35 yr old that had knee surgury and blood clots and hasnt played a full season in over 3 years is the answer! To think that the teams problems are missing Dupes is a bit naive.

Playing to get MJ fired is interesting cuz they played the same under DB...Yet nobody wanted to coach here. Cant wait to see how they would play under Tortz.

There is a cancer with this team, maybe its 71 maybe 87 but this is a joke.

Honestly I don't see that much problem with the team. Malkin and especially Crosby play are unacceptable and pathetic.

F Crosby not even trying

They're outhitting Montreal all game...
- Victoro311

I watched a bit on the YouTube stream & all I saw was no one playing physical no pressure with any forceful forechecking, no physical intimidation just playing that 'skill' game but the only problem is the Habs played better than us. We can't win the skill game when the opposition plays that game better. The Habs came into the Pens zone too easy, too many times without pressure.

I'm probably wrong so just tell me to blow it out my arse & keep walking. Don't care about numbers with what I saw, goals count & we didn't get as many as them therefore we lost!

Your sample size is grossly inadequate and WOWY/Impact on line mates eliminate your claims of deficiencies in outcome independence. Not to mention, being a good possession player is merely one of many metrics to assess a player on.
- jfkst1

Where are they all born from? What is the statistic that evolves the other stats?

Whine again. So how are things going for anaheim huh? Still winless as we are and they are the ones that gave the champs the fight of their life. Should they fire everyone.

that's just it...im not sure that's the case. thorton, seguin, and a few other big time players have been traded for decent hockey trades. what would the pens be asking for malkin?
- munky123

Galchenyuk (however you spell it), Petry, Hudon 2 firsts. Actually that's not enough. You have nothing we want.

And at least Leaf fans support the team win or lose. The penguins would have been in Quebec city by now if the NHL didn't gift you Crosby because of all your fake bandwagon fans
- cesareborgia

Win or lose what a joke. The Leafs have played in my one playoff series since the salary cap was implemented. That's 13 years. You're proud to support a loser that's never ever going to win but happy to take your money? Maybe if Leafs fans weren't such blind idiots the team would get its act together.