Which pundits would you be speaking of? I wouldn't consider the Pittsburgh media, RW or the posters on here pundits and I can't say I've seen any of the pundits like Dreger, Bobby Mac or even LeBrun talking about it.
- jaydogg1974

Maybe "pundits" is not the correct nomenclature here but I think I saw jabs about this from Dk/Yohe, Brian Metzer, Seth Rorabaugh, Meesh (@hockeymeesh). I don't live in Pittsburgh so I don't know who the "trustworthy" opinion givers are.

How many of those 9 games have you actually watched? If the answer is zero as I expect it will be then how do you know he's playing well or that he would perform better than anyone currently on the roster when he has to play against real competition. Most if not all reports from those covering the Baby Pens and actually watching him play have said that he's been very up and down and even though he has put a few solid games together he's been extremely inconsistent. When there are a plethora of options that don't include interrupting the development of a young player trying to find his game I'd prefer they exhaust all of those options before potentially screwing Pouliot up even farther.
- jaydogg1974

I remember RW posted some DP highlights and this board blew up last year. Trade Letang immediately! AHL games are terrible. I was stationed in San Antonio and watched a few of the local games there, even WB. I think I had the same feeling watching those games as my wife did watching my beer league games. And just because someone blows up the AHL does not mean it will translate to NHL success.

Which pundits would you be speaking of? I wouldn't consider the Pittsburgh media, RW or the posters on here pundits and I can't say I've seen any of the pundits like Dreger, Bobby Mac or even LeBrun talking about it.
- jaydogg1974

Also from what I have seen, Dreger, Mckenzie and other cats on TSN rarely make suggestions like "swap Cole and Maatta". They usually just say something along the lines "things don't seem to be working" and leave it at that.

Also from what I have seen, Dreger, Mckenzie and other cats on TSN rarely make suggestions like "swap Cole and Maatta". They usually just say something along the lines "things don't seem to be working" and leave it at that.
- chimpira

I dont think those guys have the knowledge of every player in the system and who would be a better partner on every team. For suggestions for a 3rd pairing guy like Cole, Id take a local opinion.

I dont think those guys have the knowledge of every player in the system and who would be a better partner on every team. For suggestions for a 3rd pairing guy like Cole, Id take a local opinion.
- sammy87

Correct. Hence my mention of Yohe/DK, Metzer, Meesh, Rorabaugh ... but the other guy doesn't think those are trustworthy. Can't please everyone on here ... like ever.

How many of those 9 games have you actually watched? If the answer is zero as I expect it will be then how do you know he's playing well or that he would perform better than anyone currently on the roster when he has to play against real competition. Most if not all reports from those covering the Baby Pens and actually watching him play have said that he's been very up and down and even though he has put a few solid games together he's been extremely inconsistent. When there are a plethora of options that don't include interrupting the development of a young player trying to find his game I'd prefer they exhaust all of those options before potentially screwing Pouliot up even farther.
- jaydogg1974

No, I have not watched any of them. And I do not know if he is playing well, or if he would perform better, but I do know that what is going on in Pittsburgh is not working and bringing Pouliot up is one of the options. Like you said, exhaust other options before Pouliot. But try DP before making a trade and trading off the few assets that they have.

No, I have not watched any of them. And I do not know if he is playing well, or if he would perform better, but I do know that what is going on in Pittsburgh is not working and bringing Pouliot up is one of the options. Like you said, exhaust other options before Pouliot. But try DP before making a trade and trading off the few assets that they have.
- j.boyd919

DP might be an asset they are willing to part with though. Exposing him to the NHL might damage his value. That's just 1 scenario to consider. It not always as simple as sit Scuds throw that guy out there for 2-3 games and see. Or DP could be an alcoholic and POS. Again, Ill leave those decisions to those who know him and are around him all the time and see what he can do.

Correct. Hence my mention of Yohe/DK, Metzer, Meesh, Rorabaugh ... but the other guy doesn't think those are trustworthy. Can't please everyone on here ... like ever.
- chimpira

I think DK kinda sucks. I know MM uses some shock value, but he knows the game better than most. When DK fills in for him, he just comes off as an arrogant journalist above everyone else. Im not sure but I think he ran a story criticizing Parisie's leadership abilities because he missed some games for his fathers funeral.

I think DK kinda sucks. I know MM uses some shock value, but he knows the game better than most. When DK fills in for him, he just comes off as an arrogant journalist above everyone else. Im not sure but I think he ran a story criticizing Parisie's leadership abilities because he missed some games for his fathers funeral.
- sammy87

Again, I don't live in Pittsburgh and I don't subscribe to DK's site or listen to MM. Everyone has a different opinion on who's to be trusted and who's not.

All I said was that there have been a lot of articles/tweets out there suggesting that Letang-Cole pairing is not working. The frustration of both is obvious and the coaching staff/FO is not doing anything about it.

Again, I don't live in Pittsburgh and I don't subscribe to DK's site or listen to MM. Everyone has a different opinion on who's to be trusted and who's not.

All I said was that there have been a lot of articles/tweets out there suggesting that Letang-Cole pairing is not working. The frustration of both is obvious and the coaching staff/FO is not doing anything about it.
- chimpira

I dont live in Pitt anymore. I occasionally listen to MM and read the Post Gazette. There are a lot of bloggers out there that seem to regurgitate the same argument a lot. RW, Pensburg, Hockeywriters to name a few. But anyone can be a blogger so I take there opinion pretty lightly.

I dont live in Pitt anymore. I occasionally listen to MM and read the Post Gazette. There are a lot of bloggers out there that seem to regurgitate the same argument a lot. RW, Pensburg, Hockeywriters to name a few. But anyone can be a blogger so I take there opinion pretty lightly.
- sammy87

Anyone can be a professional writer for a newspaper, too. There's nothing that says you have to know the sport to write about the sport.

ok question! if you could choose any ONE player to play with sid as wing who would you choose and then I mean who you would think best fit Sid so you don't go around choosing super stars just cuz to have one with sid. (that goes for you too ryan though I doubt you read this )? Can ofc be from another team. a top 3 would be awesome

Anyone can be a professional writer for a newspaper, too. There's nothing that says you have to know the sport to write about the sport.
- BINGO!

Have you said your goodbyes to E. Staal yet? better hurry ...

Anyone can be a professional writer for a newspaper, too. There's nothing that says you have to know the sport to write about the sport.
- BINGO!

I never said you needed to know the sport, but you do need some credentials and develop a reputation to get hired. You also need personality and communication skills to earn the trust of the teams you are covering. Not everyone can wake up one morning and do that. Anyone can start a blog though.

ok question! if you could choose any ONE player to play with sid as wing who would you choose and then I mean who you would best fit Sid so you don't go around choosing super stars just cuz to have one with sid. (that goes for you too ryan though I doubt you read this )? Can ofc be from another team. a top 3 would be awesome
- martox

1. Gibbons
2. TK
3. Semin

Have you said your goodbyes to E. Staal yet? better hurry ...
- chimpira

He'll be back.

I dont live in Pitt anymore. I occasionally listen to MM and read the Post Gazette. There are a lot of bloggers out there that seem to regurgitate the same argument a lot. RW, Pensburg, Hockeywriters to name a few. But anyone can be a blogger so I take there opinion pretty lightly.
- sammy87

IDK how much he knows about the game, but generally MM is a complete moron based on what he says. Most of which is probably an act.
HB, SBN, and THW all have some good hockey writers and some bad ones just like any site.

I dont live in Pitt anymore. I occasionally listen to MM and read the Post Gazette. There are a lot of bloggers out there that seem to regurgitate the same argument a lot. RW, Pensburg, Hockeywriters to name a few. But anyone can be a blogger so I take there opinion pretty lightly.
- sammy87

It depends on what the opinion is, if the opinion is on how a team/player is performing, and it is something that anyone with a TV or access to the game can see, I don't think their opinion is any less credible than a reporter, or writer, or tv analyst. Now if they are passing their opinion on leadership, team chemistry behind closed doors, and all of that nonsense... then yes, their opinion should be taken lightly compared to someone who is "in" with the team. But when bloggers develop solid arguments/opinions based on the hockey that they are viewing I tend to see value in their opinions.

ok question! if you could choose any ONE player to play with sid as wing who would you choose and then I mean who you would think best fit Sid so you don't go around choosing super stars just cuz to have one with sid. (that goes for you too ryan though I doubt you read this )? Can ofc be from another team. a top 3 would be awesome
- martox

Radim Vrbata. He's at his best on give-and-go plays.

It depends on what the opinion is, if the opinion is on how a team/player is performing, and it is something that anyone with a TV or access to the game can see, I don't think their opinion is any less credible than a reporter, or writer, or tv analyst. Now if they are passing their opinion on leadership, team chemistry behind closed doors, and all of that nonsense... then yes, their opinion should be taken lightly compared to someone who is "in" with the team. But when bloggers develop solid arguments/opinions based on the hockey that they are viewing I tend to see value in their opinions.
- j.boyd919

Yeah but you or I can watch a game and develop our own opinions on it. They may differ, but as long as you can present your case theres nothing to say anyone is wrong. So you, I or anyone else can be a blogger. For someone to get inside the locker and draw a salary, thats a different story. I dont have the time to watch every game, or follow prospects so Ill read a few articles and take them with a grain of salt. I will take the opinion of a writer that actually talks to the players and can see a level of frustration on their face, or hear in their voice vs someone removed from the scene trying to come up with the same conclusion.

I never said you needed to know the sport, but you do need some credentials and develop a reputation to get hired. You also need personality and communication skills to earn the trust of the teams you are covering. Not everyone can wake up one morning and do that. Anyone can start a blog though.
- sammy87

And that's why you can take performance based evaluations from bloggers (based on a solid factual basis) and appreciate its value as it's less likely to be influenced by said interpersonal relationships with the players and staff.

Conversely, commentary on team chemistry and the off-ice happenings around the team should definitely be taken with a huge grain of salt when coming from a blog rather than someone with known ties to the organization. That works both ways, of course, as beat writers have been used to plant stories before, but it's still more trustworthy than what you'll get from someone wholly disconnected.

And that's why you can take performance based evaluations from bloggers (based on a solid factual basis) and appreciate its value as it's less likely to be influenced by said interpersonal relationships with the players and staff.

Conversely, commentary on team chemistry and the off-ice happenings around the team should definitely be taken with a huge grain of salt when coming from a blog rather than someone with known ties to the organization. That works both ways, of course, as beat writers have been used to plant stories before, but it's still more trustworthy than what you'll get from someone wholly disconnected.
- BINGO!

OK, then the writer can cut and paste fancy stats and throw it in with their post game review and come up with the same conclusion as a blogger. Not sure if any do or not, but that would effectively make the blogger pretty useless. You get both stories in the same spot.

And that's why you can take performance based evaluations from bloggers (based on a solid factual basis) and appreciate its value as it's less likely to be influenced by said interpersonal relationships with the players and staff.

Conversely, commentary on team chemistry and the off-ice happenings around the team should definitely be taken with a huge grain of salt when coming from a blog rather than someone with known ties to the organization. That works both ways, of course, as beat writers have been used to plant stories before, but it's still more trustworthy than what you'll get from someone wholly disconnected.
- BINGO!

Well played BINGO!

And that's why you can take performance based evaluations from bloggers (based on a solid factual basis) and appreciate its value as it's less likely to be influenced by said interpersonal relationships with the players and staff.

Conversely, commentary on team chemistry and the off-ice happenings around the team should definitely be taken with a huge grain of salt when coming from a blog rather than someone with known ties to the organization. That works both ways, of course, as beat writers have been used to plant stories before, but it's still more trustworthy than what you'll get from someone wholly disconnected.
- BINGO!

And to add to that, i dont think Fancy stats are solid factual based evaluations. A fancy can say Letang is playing bad, but does it take into consideration that he's playing 25+mins a night with a 3rd pairing journeyman that has often been a healthy scratch?

And to add to that, i dont think Fancy stats are solid factual based evaluations. A fancy can say Letang is playing bad, but does it take into consideration that he's playing 25+mins a night with a 3rd pairing journeyman that has often been a healthy scratch?
- sammy87

Yes, yes it does.

You can't just look at one or two numbers and point at them as the end-all argument. Everything is contextual and the value in them is that facts are facts. If they don't match what you are seeing with your eyes, then figuring out WHY they don't match is where you'll get the benefit.

Teams don't employ advance stats guys to tell them which guys have good corsi and which don't. Any idiot with a computer can figure that out. They employ advanced stats guys to figure out why these numbers look the way they look. If you can do a better job of that than the other guy, it gives you an edge.