Unfortunately not much. Wier is having a down year (still way better than Cowen or Boro) but management has soured on him. I bet he can be had for a mid round pick. I'd rather keep Wier than a 3rd or 4th but he's a whipping boy for the D fairly or unfairly.
- riceroni

How about whipping boy for whipping boy ... both were Denver U products ... Wiercioch for Beau Bennett?

From Friedman's 30 thoughts:

28. Mentioned last week that the overwhelming belief is Russian free agent Nikita Zaitsev will sign in Toronto. One very good source warned not to discount Pittsburgh, if Gary Roberts remains in the organization. Zaitsev started training with him three years ago.

Jason Mackey Tweeted that Clendening and Plotnikov stayed on the ice longer than most so they are most likely the scratches for tonight.

When does Clendening get a fair chance? Before or after a coaching change? Taking bets now.

Jaques Martin is a vanilla coach, imo. He has success in the past, but I just dont think hes what we need. He's a trappier version of Johnston.

I will continue to toot the Sullivan horn because he's exactly what we need and wont cost us any picks. He's got a good resume and the perfect demeanor to hold folks accountable.

And on the sale of the Penguins affecting a potential coach firing, F that. If I were an investor, I'd rather invest in a team that can diagnose a problem and fix it than one that is too stubborn to admit they were wrong.

From Friedman's 30 thoughts:

28. Mentioned last week that the overwhelming belief is Russian free agent Nikita Zaitsev will sign in Toronto. One very good source warned not to discount Pittsburgh, if Gary Roberts remains in the organization. Zaitsev started training with him three years ago.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He also talked about Wiercioch possibly being traded somewhere and Pittsburgh coaching Geno on how to talk to the media.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ets-in-the-all-star-game/

Jason Mackey Tweeted that Clendening and Plotnikov stayed on the ice longer than most so they are most likely the scratches for tonight.

When does Clendening get a fair chance? Before or after a coaching change? Taking bets now.
- Zac_O

After. And that is one major reason I won't be sympathetic to Johnston if he is fired.

Coaching and defence are the problems. Johnson has taken one of the most talented offensive teams in the league and neutered them. Fire him.

Every one of your defencemen needs to either be able to hit or shoot. It is a handicap to the rest of the team having guys like Scuderi and Lovejoy taking up ice time when they can do neither. They are absolutely no threat when out there, which allows opposing teams to smother the forwards or bury them in the D zone.

The Pens have a good top pairing and good bottom pairing in Maata-Letang & Cole-Dumolin. But they need 2 mid pair D badly.

The Pens have a good top pairing and good bottom pairing in Maata-Letang & Cole-Dumolin. But they need 2 mid pair D badly.
- MacPatty

Maybe it's the system more than the players as I find it hard to believe almost every single player forgot how to play hockey in one offseason, but the Pens right now DO NOT have a good top pairing or bottom pairing. In fact, it is the 2nd pairing of Dumoulin-Lovejoy that is playing the best.

Jaques Martin is a vanilla coach, imo. He has success in the past, but I just dont think hes what we need. He's a trappier version of Johnston.

I will continue to toot the Sullivan horn because he's exactly what we need and wont cost us any picks. He's got a good resume and the perfect demeanor to hold folks accountable.

And on the sale of the Penguins affecting a potential coach firing, F that. If I were an investor, I'd rather invest in a team that can diagnose a problem and fix it than one that is too stubborn to admit they were wrong.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

You want a full-press offense go, go , go coach? Call up Laviolette.

One point that Ryan did not touch on could be most important:
The version of hockey that the Penguins are playing is a snoozefest of the highest order to watch, and they aren't very good at it to boot. Combine that with the fact that this is the brand of hockey that the NHL essentially endorses, and it will eventually start to hurt them in ticket sales. I have been a STH holder for over a decade, and had been going to as many games as I could afford before that way back to the mid 80's. I used to sponge up all the hockey I could get, and regularly watched out of market games on nights when the Penguins weren't playing. Sadly, the NHL no longer offers a game that is worth watching, in most cases. Herb Brooks must be rolling over in his grave, but I suspect a dead guy has better things to do! I haven't watched a game that hasn't involved the Penguins all year, and I'm really questioning whether or not I should renew my season tickets next year.

There is no passion, no aggression, no attack in this system. Anyone who watches this team with regularity can see it's process is broken and doomed to fail. The players team know it too.

One point that Ryan did not touch on could be most important:
The version of hockey that the Penguins are playing is a snoozefest of the highest order to watch, and they aren't very good at it to boot. Combine that with the fact that this is the brand of hockey that the NHL essentially endorses, and it will eventually start to hurt them in ticket sales. I have been a STH holder for over a decade, and had been going to as many games as I could afford before that way back to the mid 80's. I used to sponge up all the hockey I could get, and regularly watched out of market games on nights when the Penguins weren't playing. Sadly, the NHL no longer offers a game that is worth watching, in most cases. Herb Brooks must be rolling over in his grave, but I suspect a dead guy has better things to do! I haven't watched a game that hasn't involved the Penguins all year, and I'm really questioning whether or not I should renew my season tickets next year.

There is no passion, no aggression, no attack in this system. Anyone who watches this team with regularity can see it's process is broken and doomed to fail. The players team know it too.
- Emperor Filonius

There's plenty of obstruction in the league, but that doesn't justify the Pens ineptitude at moving the puck. My god, they can't make 4 consecutive passes without an offsides, icing, or losing puck possession. Even teams with relatively few high end offensive talents like Carolina, Arizona, Toronto, etc. can move the puck better than Pittsburgh.

There's plenty of obstruction in the league, but that doesn't justify the Pens ineptitude at moving the puck. My god, they can't make 4 consecutive passes without an offsides, icing, or losing puck possession. Even teams with relatively few high end offensive talents like Carolina, Arizona, Toronto, etc. can move the puck better than Pittsburgh.
- jfkst1

Still better than the Flyers transition game. Hard to be worse than nonexistent.

Kessel is only used to skating blue line to goal line....

Kessel is only used to skating blue line to goal line....
- BALUCHA

If Kessel was the Pens ONLY problem at this point, I would be thrilled!

Still better than the Flyers transition game. Hard to be worse than nonexistent.
- jmatchett383

Maybe, but not by much.

Still better than the Flyers transition game. Hard to be worse than nonexistent.
- jmatchett383

I'm starting to worry about the Flyers. They might have a good chance for Matthews. I've only watched a few games of them but they look really bad.

Kessel is only used to skating blue line to goal line....
- BALUCHA

funny... considering he has been our best forward and great defensivly but sure keep hating on a great player that played for a discusting franshise.

I'm starting to worry about the Flyers. They might have a good chance for Matthews. I've only watched a few games of them but they look really bad.
- jfkst1

As bad as they are, they will probably handle us regardless.

As bad as they are, they will probably handle us regardless.
- Oneonta Penguin

preventing them from getting matthews will be the one saving grace from watching that offensively inept squad poop out 5 goals, while the pens ineptitude continues on.

preventing them from getting matthews will be the one saving grace from watching that offensively inept squad poop out 5 goals, while the pens ineptitude continues on.
- stayinthefnnet

Naw, 2-1 or 1-0 loss. This will be the year Fleury *redeems* himself. By that, I mean he'll play well enough to keep the Pens in a WC spot and also prevent Johnston from getting fired. The perfect storm for another 1st round playoff exit.

Its not time to "open things up" as some people believe. We will get crushed. Run and gun has worked 3 times in this organizations history, thats it. During those times we had decent defensive depth. Johnston is handcuffed by the weak D and has no choice but to play a defensive system. JR is hanging MJ who's still squeaking with a 10-7 record. MJ is damned between a rock and hard place until he gets D help.

Naw, 2-1 or 1-0 loss. This will be the year Fleury *redeems* himself. By that, I mean he'll play well enough to keep the Pens in a WC spot and also prevent Johnston from getting fired. The perfect storm for another 1st round playoff exit.
- jfkst1

i can see that too.

while it sucks, and ill definitely admit that ive cursed him more than my fair share of times, its impossible not to like the guy personally. so im glad hes at least kicking ass this year. just deserves better.

You want a full-press offense go, go , go coach? Call up Laviolette.
- jmatchett383

Would be my #1 choice

Would be my #1 choice




- TheGame316

From what I understand, the Preds are very happy with him. Looks like they're having a fun time too ... especially during that that 7-0 drubbing of WPG.

I'm starting to worry about the Flyers. They might have a good chance for Matthews. I've only watched a few games of them but they look really bad.
- jfkst1

They are really bad. The only good thing is getting to watch Shayne Gostisbehere now that Streit is out. But yeah, they're a really, REALLY bad team. Somehow they'll go 3-1 or 4-0 against the Penguins, which makes no sense.

Edit: Another Neuvirth is out, so if Mason is out for any reason, last place is assured.