Here's some reading material that I think you guys will really enjoy for a slew of reasons:

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ad-nhl-contracts-1.380823

It's practice but they might be shaking things up:

The Pittsburgh Penguins rolled out all new forward lines at practice Friday after failing to produce more than two goals in regulation for the seventh straight game to begin the season in Thursday's loss to the Dallas Stars.

Phil Kessel was dropped from Sidney Crosby's wing, skating with Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Plotnikov, while Patric Hornqvist and Pascal Dupuis shot up to the first unit.

Chris Kunitz wound up on the third unit with Nick Bonino (healthy enough to skate despite taking a vicious elbow from Jason Demers) and Daniel Sprong, while David Perron returned to the fourth line.

Pittsburgh sits second-to-last, producing just 1.57 goals per game - a full goal below the league mean.

Not sifting through the posts, but anyone point out the line combos for today?

Dupuis-Crosby-Hornqvist
Plotnikov-Malkin-Kessel
Kunitz-Bonino-Sprong
Farnham, Rust, Porter, Perron, and Cullen rotating


1st and 2nd line getting the looks we thought might have been better from the get go. Not sure if Duper can take 1st line minutes, but he deserves a shot. Perron on the 4th line just hurts... So damn good when he got here, then he and everyone was hurt, and hes still slumping. Personally, I'd be shipping Kunitz to the 4th and having Perron on the 3rd.

about 30 diffrent people did so pretty much everyone

Oh, and of course, break Scud's knees, get Clendening up here!
- Guile

None of the top 6 players have looked nearly good enough. I think the effort has been there the last couple games. Just not sure playing styles are conducive. EDM tried McDavid with Hall and it wasn't working. They changed and McDavid looks great with Yakupov. Maybe that's all the top 6 needs.
Now when it comes to the defense, Scuderi cannot be suiting up. Maatta must play better. Those are two absolutes for the team to be successful and Scuderi falls entirely on Johnston.
- jfkst1

Completely agree with that. It's crazy that the top 6 players haven't been producing.. Has Perron played with Sid much this season? Perron-Sid-Hornqvist played well last year until Perron broke his Ribs, no? That'd leave Kunitz-Geno-Kessel? or Plotnikov-Geno-Kessel? Who knows...

January 2, 2015




June 23, 2015



October 1, 2015



October 23, 2015



Man, talk about a change in perspective. How's that heavy dose of reality workin out for ya on the David Perron front?
- usmcaaron

Another after the fact hockey expert alert! Didn't show up at all before now! Get out if you don't have the balls to make the claims before they happen

- martox

Just wondering which part has ya grinning... No way someone likes an entire post of mine, I'm too much an bumhole for that.

Can't we all just get along?? I think he is trying to provide an outsider's point of view, especially to those who wear the horse blinders, that this team is not just "getting bad bounces". This team is lacking something more than that - will, heart, guts, whatever.
- chimpira

I think he just watched the highlights and is a dbag. It's not heart, they were all playing hard, thats not the issue. It's them getting down on themselves when things are not going their way. It's Crosby and Kessel being to nice to eachother, both keep passing like they are worried the other is not going to like them any more. That's why Kessel is better with Geno because Geno doesn't care. There is chemistry issues and lineup changes that need to be addressed and injured players that need to come back into the fold. Right now it should be about putting the best players on the ice in the roles best suited for those players and maybe the pouters (Kunitz, Scuderi) need to play for another team if they can't get what the want. Ferrence in Edmonton gave up the C because he knew he would not be playing every game and he did so with dignity. I'd rather have Ferrence than Scuderi any day, but they both need to do what is best for the team. One did and one won't. It should be the coaches decision but Johnston is being to respectful of Scuderi. It's just a bad situation with him and now I am rambling.

Another thing, our shooting percent is 4.33% (29th). The Ducks are at 3.37% (30th). BOS, WSH, TB are all over 12%.

One problem with your not wanting age in the top 6 for Left Wing... That makes Perron the 1st line, and Plot the 2nd line by default. Not that they were any worse than Kunitz, but you locked in those two with that reasoning man.
- Guile

Perron would be fine on the top line if he could break this slump. You could also try Bonino, Bennet and Fehr there on the 2nd line. Dupuis is ok for right now but he's not a long term solution.

Here's some reading material that I think you guys will really enjoy for a slew of reasons:

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ad-nhl-contracts-1.380823
- jmatchett383

Didn't read it, but that headline

Perron would be fine on the top line if he could break this slump. You could also try Bonino, Bennet and Fehr there on the 2nd line. Dupuis is ok for right now but he's not a long term solution.
- Dcoms

Dupuis unless proving us wrong, is not what we want in the top 6. Bennett has shown the skill for top six, until hes hurt again... Fehr I don't really expect to have an amazing season, or at least a start once hes back from the injury. Just my opinion assuming a slow start for him.


We have options, but I'd really like Sprong converted since Kessel and Horny should be locked for our top 6 without a doubt on RW.

Didn't read it, but that headline
- Pens_Burgh

It poops on the Flyers, Rags, and Girardi. Thought it would work on multiple levels.

Completely agree with that. It's crazy that the top 6 players haven't been producing.. Has Perron played with Sid much this season? Perron-Sid-Hornqvist played well last year until Perron broke his Ribs, no? That'd leave Kunitz-Geno-Kessel? or Plotnikov-Geno-Kessel? Who knows...
- j.boyd919

I'm fine with giving any combination of LWs. I definitely want to see 87/72 and 71/81 for a change though. My ideal lines based on my own subjective observations if everyone miraculously were healthy:

Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist
Dupuis-Malkin-Kessel
Kunitz-Bonino-Bennett
Plotnikov-Cullen-Fehr

Dupuis unless proving us wrong, is not what we want in the top 6. Bennett has shown the skill for top six, until hes hurt again... Fehr I don't really expect to have an amazing season, or at least a start once hes back from the injury. Just my opinion assuming a slow start for him.


We have options, but I'd really like Sprong converted since Kessel and Horny should be locked for our top 6 without a doubt on RW.
- Guile

I feel like it's all for none. This team is too small, too slow, can't pass, can't forecheck. It also has mediocre defense and a goalie who can't be counted on when it really matters. Recipe for disaster. But hey, GO PENS!!

Dupuis unless proving us wrong, is not what we want in the top 6. Bennett has shown the skill for top six, until hes hurt again... Fehr I don't really expect to have an amazing season, or at least a start once hes back from the injury. Just my opinion assuming a slow start for him.


We have options, but I'd really like Sprong converted since Kessel and Horny should be locked for our top 6 without a doubt on RW.
- Guile

Your logic has no place here.

Well, I've been following this blog and the comment section for over a year, but this is my first comment. The conversation you guys put together is fun for a hockey fan to follow especially when there wasn't much happening during the summer.

I think the idea of trading away any of our forward depth right now is ridiculous. It has been 7 games. Hornqvist is a great player. Perron had 57 points 2 years ago. These guys did not suddenly forget how to play hockey.

When a team with this much offensive talent isn't scoring, is it more likely each individual player is to blame or is the coaching and leadership to blame.

Isn't it a major concern that the Penguins have never come from behind to win a game after 2 periods in a single game of Mike Johnston's 89 regular season game tenure as the Penguin's coach? Not one!

The players are not responding to him. Couple that with his horrible personnel decisions every has pointed out and it becomes pretty clear that he's not getting the job done. The Penguins roster has gotten better while their results are getting worse.

Here's some reading material that I think you guys will really enjoy for a slew of reasons:

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ad-nhl-contracts-1.380823
- jmatchett383

You should post this in the NYR thread.

I think he just watched the highlights and is a dbag. It's not heart, they were all playing hard, thats not the issue. It's them getting down on themselves when things are not going their way. It's Crosby and Kessel being to nice to eachother, both keep passing like they are worried the other is not going to like them any more. That's why Kessel is better with Geno because Geno doesn't care. There is chemistry issues and lineup changes that need to be addressed and injured players that need to come back into the fold. Right now it should be about putting the best players on the ice in the roles best suited for those players and maybe the pouters (Kunitz, Scuderi) need to play for another team if they can't get what the want. Ferrence in Edmonton gave up the C because he knew he would not be playing every game and he did so with dignity. I'd rather have Ferrence than Scuderi any day, but they both need to do what is best for the team. One did and one won't. It should be the coaches decision but Johnston is being to respectful of Scuderi. It's just a bad situation with him and now I am rambling.
- Dcoms

I may be a douchebag but I have Center Ice. Seriously, I have no love for the Pens, but I have been rooting for them in the early going of this season for monetary reasons and they look like they are picking up right where they left off at the end of last season despite adding Kessel and getting healthier. They also remind of the John McLean Devils who had Kovalchuk, Parise, Elias and some other "names" up front and Brodeur in net but could not beat anybody until Lemaire finally pulled the plug on McLean after it was too late. I honestly was expecting a "Johnston Fired" headline this morning. That is all.

Well, I've been following this blog and the comment section for over a year, but this is my first comment. The conversation you guys put together is fun for a hockey fan to follow especially when there wasn't much happening during the summer.

I think the idea of trading away any of our forward depth right now is ridiculous. It has been 7 games. Hornqvist is a great player. Perron had 57 points 2 years ago. These guys did not suddenly forget how to play hockey.

When a team with this much offensive talent isn't scoring, is it more likely each individual player is to blame or is the coaching and leadership to blame.

Isn't it a major concern that the Penguins have never come from behind to win a game after 2 periods in a single game of Mike Johnston's 89 regular season game tenure as the Penguin's coach? Not one!

The players are not responding to him. Couple that with his horrible personnel decisions every has pointed out and it becomes pretty clear that he's not getting the job done. The Penguins roster has gotten better while their results are getting worse.
- jrmjames67

I don't know if it's really Johnston's fault. I'm not saying he's a Jack Adams candidate, but he may (may) not be a bad coach.

The roster, on paper, is likely the best and deepest one since the 08/09 season (although I thought the 07/08 playoff roster was better). However, on paper and the #fancystats world don't always translate to success on the ice. This isn't NHL16 where you just get the best players and get handed the Stanley Cup (see: early 00's Rangers).

All of that said, it is only 7 games into the season. I do believe that Johnston has to look to shake things up, but I wouldn't say he's a bad coach at this point.

You should post this in the NYR thread.
- jfkst1

You mean the "Either say the same thing as everyone else or we'll attack you personally" thread? No thanks.

I may be a douchebag but I have Center Ice. Seriously, I have no love for the Pens, but I have been rooting for them in the early going of this season for monetary reasons and they look like they are picking up right where they left off at the end of last season despite adding Kessel and getting healthier. They also remind of the John McLean Devils who had Kovalchuk, Parise, Elias and some other "names" up front and Brodeur in net but could not beat anybody until Lemaire finally pulled the plug on McLean after it was too late. I honestly was expecting a "Johnston Fired" headline this morning. That is all.
- Snowblind

FO doesn't give a rat's arse. As long as the CEC seats get filled (even though with fans who come there to catch up with friends) and Sid' jerseys get sold - they are fine with poop product on the ice. Johnston had no business getting this job to begin with. The Pens settled on the only one who didn't turn them down. Tocchet has no business coaching either. And it's evident that the players don't give a flying phuck either.

You should post this in the NYR thread.
- jfkst1

Insta-ban.

I don't know if it's really Johnston's fault. I'm not saying he's a Jack Adams candidate, but he may (may) not be a bad coach.

The roster, on paper, is likely the best and deepest one since the 08/09 season (although I thought the 07/08 playoff roster was better). However, on paper and the #fancystats world don't always translate to success on the ice. This isn't NHL16 where you just get the best players and get handed the Stanley Cup (see: early 00's Rangers).

All of that said, it is only 7 games into the season. I do believe that Johnston has to look to shake things up, but I wouldn't say he's a bad coach at this point.
- jmatchett383

I agree that is has only been 7 games, and I flip back and forth on if its time to make a coaching decision for that reason. But, they limped into the playoffs last year, granted partly due to injuries. However, they really stopped playing well last December.

This is a deeper lineup than any lineup Byisma had to work with in a full year and we at least played a solid regular season every year under him.

Well, I've been following this blog and the comment section for over a year, but this is my first comment. The conversation you guys put together is fun for a hockey fan to follow especially when there wasn't much happening during the summer.

I think the idea of trading away any of our forward depth right now is ridiculous. It has been 7 games. Hornqvist is a great player. Perron had 57 points 2 years ago. These guys did not suddenly forget how to play hockey.

When a team with this much offensive talent isn't scoring, is it more likely each individual player is to blame or is the coaching and leadership to blame.

Isn't it a major concern that the Penguins have never come from behind to win a game after 2 periods in a single game of Mike Johnston's 89 regular season game tenure as the Penguin's coach? Not one!

The players are not responding to him. Couple that with his horrible personnel decisions every has pointed out and it becomes pretty clear that he's not getting the job done. The Penguins roster has gotten better while their results are getting worse.
- jrmjames67

Welcome aboard James

I think admitting defeat on the split PP was a start. This pretty monumental line shuffle is another step in the right direction. However, MJ still leaves more questions unanswered than answered about him. Unlike most, I'm not gonna crucify him for not playing Sprong last night after missing practice that week. He's an 18 year old who needs all the preparation he can get before games and I don't want to waste a game of his precious 9 if he's not 100%. However, why does Scuderi keep playing? Why was the PP split in the first place? Why did it take him this long to shuffle lines? Why do we seem incapable of playing from behind? Why does are PP look like garbage for long stretches even when its not split? These are all huge red flags. I'm not fully onboard the fire Johnston train yet, but I have my ticket and I'm considering getting on.

You mean the "Either say the same thing as everyone else or we'll attack you personally" thread? No thanks.
- jmatchett383

Yep, the great echo chamber of HB. I told them a repeatedly how big of a mistake that contract was for Girardi and all they did was claim I was ignorant. Now they are talking about potentially buying him out next season to afford re-signing Yandle