I thought the Mt. Rushmore of bad contracts was an interesting proposal. Probably only for teams that don't have candidates in the running though...
- jfkst1

The graphs in that article are manipulated to exaggerate the difference in Corsi on% and Corsi off%. The difference would look a lot less if the scale on the y-axis was 0-60%.

But regardless, a Mt. Rushmore or bad contracts would be interesting. AMac and Clarkson clearly top the list as the article states. Zajac is a good contender. As is Dubinsky. Dave Bolland. Luongo. Phaneuf. Niskanen. A lot of candidates.

I don't like you rangerdanger

The graphs in that article are manipulated to exaggerate the difference in Corsi on% and Corsi off%. The difference would look a lot less if the scale on the y-axis was 0-60%.

But regardless, a Mt. Rushmore or bad contracts would be interesting. AMac and Clarkson clearly top the list as the article states. Zajac is a good contender. As is Dubinsky. Dave Bolland. Luongo. Phaneuf. Niskanen. A lot of candidates.
- rangerdanger94

I thought using the 2015-16 data is pretty misleading given it's such a small sample. My four would be Clarkson, Phaneuf, AMac, and Girardi.

I thought using the 2015-16 data is pretty misleading given it's such a small sample. My four would be Clarkson, Phaneuf, AMac, and Girardi.
- jfkst1

Bollands gotta be on there

I said before and I think the Kessel experiment prove it, Crosby doesnt elevate or even work well with elite/all star players. Playing with Team Canada has shown this time after time.
He's been called the best grinder ever and that is starting to look more true everyday. Hornqvist IMO is the exact type of player Sid needs, if we could find another copy of Kunitz we would be golden and the best part is those players are cheap.

We had to have a look, everyone in the league and every fan wanted to see Crosby and Kessel. Now we know and we can move on.
I think this turns us into a much harder team to play against, who do you line your top pairing against?
- stackthepads

Crosby tore it up with Marian Hossa....

The graphs in that article are manipulated to exaggerate the difference in Corsi on% and Corsi off%. The difference would look a lot less if the scale on the y-axis was 0-60%.

But regardless, a Mt. Rushmore or bad contracts would be interesting. AMac and Clarkson clearly top the list as the article states. Zajac is a good contender. As is Dubinsky. Dave Bolland. Luongo. Phaneuf. Niskanen. A lot of candidates.
- rangerdanger94

Not gonna lie, as douchey as you can be sometimes, you are one of my favorite non-pens fan posters. I enjoy reading the banter between you and some of the other guys.

Interesting article from DK. Pretty much shreds HCMJ. Especially his personnel choices. A couple of nuggets...

And if the Penguins’ next two games — at Nashville (6-1) and at Washington (5-1) — go the way that the NHL standings suggest they should, it might be case closed. I can’t imagine how Johnston survives that, not with all that’s preceded it, not with how precious every point will be in the playoff race and — don’t forget this — not with the franchise up for sale and Mario Lemieux watching his payday of a lifetime shrivel up before his eyes.

People above Johnston are displeased. I can tell you that unequivocally.

Oh, and before I continue, let’s clear this up: Crosby doesn’t choose his wingers. I’ve had that confirmed by so many people I’ve lost count over the years. And again after this game, Crosby told me he’s never had any such conversation.

“Not once,” he said. “Not once in my life.”

About Kunitz...

There’s a very real possibility he’s done in the NHL at age 36, even if Johnston can’t or won’t accept it. The legs have been long gone. The hands are following.

But there he was again Thursday, logging 19:37 of ice time. Most of that was on the first line. Some of it was on the top power-play unit. On one second-period power play, he stayed on the ice for 1:38 and left Patric Hornqvist, a superior player and competitor in every way, sitting on the bench.

In a game in which Dallas struck twice early, Kunitz had more ice time through two periods than Malkin. That’s indefensible. That’s insane.

Johnson's got a helluva bad "Just for Men" job going on with that hair... thats all I took out of last nights game.
- brienstel

Thats the only adjustment he is capable of making

Trades trades and more trades. Always the same thing in Pitt.
- rangerdanger94

Some big time trades have led us to stanley cups. Speaking of which were u alive when on the rags won there last one?

Interesting article from DK. Pretty much shreds HCMJ. Especially his personnel choices. A couple of nuggets...

And if the Penguins’ next two games — at Nashville (6-1) and at Washington (5-1) — go the way that the NHL standings suggest they should, it might be case closed. I can’t imagine how Johnston survives that, not with all that’s preceded it, not with how precious every point will be in the playoff race and — don’t forget this — not with the franchise up for sale and Mario Lemieux watching his payday of a lifetime shrivel up before his eyes.

People above Johnston are displeased. I can tell you that unequivocally.

Oh, and before I continue, let’s clear this up: Crosby doesn’t choose his wingers. I’ve had that confirmed by so many people I’ve lost count over the years. And again after this game, Crosby told me he’s never had any such conversation.

“Not once,” he said. “Not once in my life.”

About Kunitz...

There’s a very real possibility he’s done in the NHL at age 36, even if Johnston can’t or won’t accept it. The legs have been long gone. The hands are following.

But there he was again Thursday, logging 19:37 of ice time. Most of that was on the first line. Some of it was on the top power-play unit. On one second-period power play, he stayed on the ice for 1:38 and left Patric Hornqvist, a superior player and competitor in every way, sitting on the bench.

In a game in which Dallas struck twice early, Kunitz had more ice time through two periods than Malkin. That’s indefensible. That’s insane.
- madmike71

I'm as critical as anyone over Johnston's lineup choices, but I don't think he is gone if they lose the next two.
Also, Hornqvist has been as disappointing as anyone. Maatta and Hornqvist are at a 0/10 in meeting expectations this season. And no one wants to dump on them even though they deserve it.

EDIT: thanks for posting this too

I'm as critical as anyone over Johnston's lineup choices, but I don't think he is gone if they lose the next two.
Also, Hornqvist has been as disappointing as anyone. Maatta and Hornqvist are at a 0/10 in meeting expectations this season. And no one wants to dump on them even though they deserve it.

EDIT: thanks for posting this too
- jfkst1

If they look like poop against these next two contenders, I could see it. It's hard to imagine the top 6 looking this disjointed. It's baffling.

I agree Maatta and Hornie haven't been good. But almost nobody looks good. Crosby has points in 1 game. Like I said last night, the team never plays a full game under MJ.....that can't go unnoticed by the powers that be.

If they look like poop against these next two contenders, I could see it. It's hard to imagine the top 6 looking this disjointed. It's baffling.

I agree Maatta and Hornie haven't been good. But almost nobody looks good. Crosby has points in 1 game. Like I said last night, the team never plays a full game under MJ.....that can't go unnoticed by the powers that be.
- madmike71

I think they would really have to get blown out with very inept offensive output. The defense has been better than most expected too so I do believe Johnston deserves credit for that. Though Fleury has played well which also helps.
Dumoulin and Sprong are the only two I'm pleasantly surprised about. Fleury and Letang are playing up to expectations. But yeah, pretty much the entire rest of the roster has been disappointing. I just dislike how Hornqvist and Maatta are in a protected class for some reason. They've sucked.

If they look like poop against these next two contenders, I could see it. It's hard to imagine the top 6 looking this disjointed. It's baffling.

I agree Maatta and Hornie haven't been good. But almost nobody looks good. Crosby has points in 1 game. Like I said last night, the team never plays a full game under MJ.....that can't go unnoticed by the powers that be.
- madmike71

Who do you replace MJ with? Nobody wanted to coach here thats why we got stuck with him. MT, DB, MJ 3 coaches this core ahs quit on.

If they look like poop against these next two contenders, I could see it. It's hard to imagine the top 6 looking this disjointed. It's baffling.

I agree Maatta and Hornie haven't been good. But almost nobody looks good. Crosby has points in 1 game. Like I said last night, the team never plays a full game under MJ.....that can't go unnoticed by the powers that be.
- madmike71

Who do you replace MJ with? Nobody wanted to coach here thats why we got stuck with him. MT, DB, MJ 3 coaches this core ahs quit on.

I think they would really have to get blown out with very inept offensive output. The defense has been better than most expected too so I do believe Johnston deserves credit for that. Though Fleury has played well which also helps.
Dumoulin and Sprong are the only two I'm pleasantly surprised about. Fleury and Letang are playing up to expectations. But yeah, pretty much the entire rest of the roster has been disappointing. I just dislike how Hornqvist and Maatta are in a protected class for some reason. They've sucked.
- jfkst1

PH was never that good with 71 last season. He should be with 87. Dumb to take himm off that line. 25 goals in 64 games last season.

Sid plays better with Grinders

I really wish we'd get it in our head that Malkin should be the "1st line center" and he should be looked at for scoring, team him up with Kessel and find the best compliment for the two of them for the other wing

Put Sid on the "Second line" with a guy like Hornqvist in a 2C shutdown role that can score - Dupuis fits perfectly on the other side, where he matches up with the other teams top line. Think Patrice Bergeron in Boston, Toews in Chicago = Less points scored but more Wins

PH was never that good with 71 last season. He should be with 87. Dumb to take himm off that line. 25 goals in 64 games last season.
- sammy87

And if 87/81 were producing a bunch together no one would care. But they aren't, so switching them up makes sense.

Sid plays better with Grinders

I really wish we'd get it in our head that Malkin should be the "1st line center" and he should be looked at for scoring, team him up with Kessel and find the best compliment for the two of them for the other wing

Put Sid on the "Second line" with a guy like Hornqvist in a 2C shutdown role that can score - Dupuis fits perfectly on the other side, where he matches up with the other teams top line. Think Patrice Bergeron in Boston, Toews in Chicago = Less points scored but more Wins
- TheGame316

Im thinking the same thing. Crosby idolized Yzerman, I have no doubts that he would love the challenge of shutdown line.

Im pretty excited for tomorrows game, I really do think the main problem has been incompatable wingers. Kessel and Malkin will work, and we all know that Hornqvist and Crosby work.

And if 87/81 were producing a bunch together no one would care. But they aren't, so switching them up makes sense.
- jfkst1

My point is they never should have been together.

My point is they never should have been together.
- sammy87

And most of us agreed, Kessel's skillset better suited Malkin, as with Neal. But how do you, not try him with Crosby first regardless? They've tried them together, it looked good in the preseason, not great, and now its just okay. Not like we wasted 20 games to learn this, just a handful.

It is inexcusable that HCMJ still has a job. The only reason I can think of is management trying to save face and they've got their fingers and toes crossed hoping it turns around. Pittsburgh is about effort and toughness and none of those qualities are present.

Parayko is an absolute stud. His emergence reminds me of Maatta's emergence when Maatta was a rookie. Hopefuly Parayko's development doesn't slow/regress like Maatta's has.
- rangerdanger94

Every day I hope you get hit by a bus and every day you have another stupid comment that has nothing to do with you or your stupid team. Maatta has not regressed. He's stuck carrying Scuderi around the whole game and it's wearing him out. If only McDonaugh would call him and tell him how he does it since Scuderi is an older but more talented version of Girardi.

No, not likely. Just because I never post doesn't mean I'm not laughing at the high praise of the Almighty Perron. When he was with the Blues, I just knew he was gonna be a superstar. I even went so far as to buy his jersey & get it autographed. Not long after, though, i began to notice he never learned anything. Same mistakes. Same lack of attention to detail. Same offensive play killer. When he was traded, it was for the better. St. Louis ended up with a better player in Barbashev. Once he got traded to the Pens though, boy, Mr. Wilson here on Hockeybuzz sure lauded it as a steal, even going so far as to condemn Doug Armstrong for trading him previously. Well, as I originally pointed out, he has certainly changed his tune. You will too, in time, once you've actually paid attention to how he plays.
So, I laugh to myself, but when I read this blog saying Perron is just "blah", I couldn't resist pointing out the flip-flop.
- usmcaaron

I'm not looking it up but didn't the Blues get Paijarvi for Perron? I'm pretty sure that was the trade and if so you didn't win that one.

Fire JR N hire Keenan as GM.
If Johnson gets axed Iron Mike does double duty or hires his man
Why this u might ask cuz Keenan knows trade values
n JR i give no credit.

Some big time trades have led us to stanley cups. Speaking of which were u alive when on the rags won there last one?
- Grinder47

Yeah and the Rangers need to avoid trades at all costs because they get destroyed every time. Who would trade Duclair and a first for Yandle today? Not even Yandle put his hand up.