The problem is they weren't exaactly great in any of the wins. Florida game was the best, but just a 40 minute effort.
- madmike71

I know, I'm just pointing out how the general feel swings wildly based upon the most recent game outcome. There are issues for sure, but the season is only 6 games old. If we get to around 15-20 games and those same issues still exist, then maybe it's worth a little bit more panic.

Hes definatley more capable of a hockey player than Craig Addams and Tanner Glass.
- Grinder47

Some random guy who played less than a handful of games for some backwoods junior college is a more capable hockey player than a pair of guys who actually made it to the NHL? Or did I miss the sarcasm font somewhere?

Lose 3 in a row - sky is falling
Win 3 in a row - all is well
Lose 1 in a row - sky is falling
- jmatchett383

This and a 36 yr old Dupes comes back and all the problems are solved.

Lose 3 in a row - sky is falling
Win 3 in a row - all is well
Lose 1 in a row - sky is falling
- jmatchett383

It's a mixed bag so far.

Solid shot suppression and goaltending (10th in SA/G and 5th in GA/G).

Mediocre underlying numbers and PK.

Terrible offense (29th in GF/G) and PP.

2 situations that have been cause by coaching decisions.

Malkin and Hornqvist just don't seem to mesh well together, and Maatta has had an anchor around his waist most of the time.
- cap1681

No RW had a fancy stat that said PH and 71 are actually good together despite teh eye test.

That's hockey buzz for you.
- j.boyd919

The wins to me were not very convincing. So to me the sky is falling still. The g-d damn plane has crashed into the mountain.

That won't be possible. Keeping Stamkos means losing at least one/two other quality players.
- jfkst1

But they wont be keeping Stamkos so they will be fine to sign Drouin, Hedmen etc..to worth while contracts

The wins to me were not very convincing. So to me the sky is falling still. The g-d damn plane has crashed into the mountain.
- chimpira

Time to start picking out which weakling you're going to feast on first.

Time to start picking out which weakling you're going to feast on first.
- jmatchett383

Too bad Palmer isn't around anymore...

With that can of worms open, hypothetically speaking now, what would it take from MTL to get Malkin? Plekanec, Scherbak, Andrighetto and a 1st?
- habfanforever

This is a pass. I want at least one consistent and good player coming back in a package. I don't see one here. Plekanec isn't one that I would have any interest in. He is too enigmatic.

2 situations that have been cause by coaching decisions.

Malkin and Hornqvist just don't seem to mesh well together, and Maatta has had an anchor around his waist most of the time.
- cap1681

Maatta hasn't been good with anyone as his partner. Last season Maatta was a good #3 dman. This year he looks like a #5 dman. He must get better for the Pens to succeed.

Time to start picking out which weakling you're going to feast on first.
- jmatchett383

That's easy. Sid the Kid. He needs to go. Team cancer.

Maatta hasn't been good with anyone as his partner. Last season Maatta was a good #3 dman. This year he looks like a #5 dman. He must get better for the Pens to succeed.
- jfkst1

Everyone on the Pens looks like a 2nd-3rd pairing DMAN.

I would never trade Hornqvist. My changes would start by putting a letter on his jersey. Followed by finding a couch capable of motivating these players.
- madmike71

A couch could probably do a better job of motivating this team than clueless MJ. lol

So the effort is lacking and we trade a guy that gives 100% 24/7!?! Seems legit.

I would never trade Hornqvist. My changes would start by putting a letter on his jersey. Followed by finding a couch capable of motivating these players.
- madmike71

I think we might have better luck getting a couch to motivate these guys

Everyone on the Pens looks like a 2nd-3rd pairing DMAN.
- chimpira

Letang-Cole has been fine. Not great but capable of matching up against top lines. Dumoulin has looked better than I expected. Scuderi has been worse than I expected. Maatta much worse than I expected.

A couch could probably do a better job of motivating this team than clueless MJ. lol
- acdc1206

Lol. Typing on an iPad which I hate. But yes I'm all for putting a couch in charge.

Want to also note something that helped in the loss last night and thats how terrible Letang looked. His first pass was horrible and he made a lot of mistakes. Didnt even seem to have the same speed. This isnt the usual for him. It was an off night.

It's a mixed bag so far.

Solid shot suppression and goaltending (10th in SA/G and 5th in GA/G).

Mediocre underlying numbers and PK.

Terrible offense (29th in GF/G) and PP.
- jfkst1

Mixed bag is better than a total shat bag. Lots of time to work out the kinks.

Mixed bag is better than a total shat bag. Lots of time to work out the kinks.
- MattStrat

Very true. I said as much last night. Pens are far from the disaster defensive team many expected (and also very far from the offensive juggernaut). Overall the team is very mediocre but things could be worse. CBJ, CGY, ANA are all in dire condition right now. Then again, the rest of the Metro is looking tough so Pens can't get complacent with "it's early" talk too much. They are relatively healthy and need to be collecting some points in the standings to avoid getting too far behind.

The problem with Pittsburgh is that their D just doesn't have a transition game. All the onus is on the forwards which is a recipe for disaster

Letang-Cole has been fine. Not great but capable of matching up against top lines. Dumoulin has looked better than I expected. Scuderi has been worse than I expected. Maatta much worse than I expected.
- jfkst1

I have been very impressed with Dumoulin. Does a great job controlling flow, jumping in the play. He is in the mold of a Paul Martin, needs to work on the shot a bit more though. I'd like to see him get some increased minutes.

I have to wonder why every comment that comes from another team states that our defense is weak, yet nearly 100% of our fan base believes that our problem is the forwards. We have one legitimate top four d'man-Letang- who is top two on any team. We then have Cole, Lovejoy, Scuderi, Maatta and Dumoulin-all of which should be in much more limited roles than they are playing.

As RW said the forwards are being compromised due to the lack of abilities on the back end. This our biggest concern.

Typically dummys from other fan bases on here today. "I dun never heard of none of your young defensemen so they must suck." The way Dumoulin is playing right now should make the coaching staff at least tray him with Letang and move MORE young guys into the lineup! At the very least play Dumo with Maatta and Clendening with Lovejoy in a lower impact role. I realize that pairs two lefties and two righties but come on. Or bring Pouliot up and play him with Clendening in a very sheltered, very offensive role. These fans from other teams on here that say we need to trade for puck moving dmen have no idea what they are talking about. We need a coach who trusts the ones we have and let's them Work the kinks out now. It's by no means a dire situation right now but it's time to experiment since they squandered the off season giving guys they knew never had a chance of making the team too many opportunities. Get crazy for the first time in your life Mike, untuck your shirt and don't comb your hair. Time to get uncomfortable outside of the little box you live in or you'll be looking for a job soon.