To Pittsburgh: Andrew Ladd and Mark Stuart

To Winnipeg: Kris Letang
- TheUltimateJet

Why would we do this? A forward we don't need that is soon to be a UFA and a below average, older defenseman for an elite, Norris caliber dman. Not in a million years.

Pens dont need a winger unless they move one too. Especially a rental winger.

Letang and perron for Myers and Ladd.

I'm mostly just dumping Letang becuase Myers is good but not that good. But thatd give you room to sign Buff. Plus Ladd and Perron are both rentals if traded so it only works if pens go full push for the SC this season.
- Zac_O

What? That's a downgrade to both our players. Why would we care if they can have room to sign Buff? Why are we helping them and hurting ourselves in the process?
I

Letang and Kunitz for Buff, Ladd, Lowry
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That's better as long as we resign Buff otherwise we are f'd

30/30 GMs would trade Pouliot for Barrie. IF Pouliot becomes the dman Barrie is it would be considered a good draft pick.
- jfkst1

Barrie has had 1 good year and has struggled most of this year. I think 30/30 gms would take that into consideration. Barrie is hardly a stud at this point.

12-8 record after 20 w/ .600 winning percentage (which is better than 14/15 reg. season .537). System working. Thank you #29. A .600 WP isn't too bad, given the PEns have the 5th ranked strength of schedule. They're actually ranked 5th in Z-rating (behind Dal, Mtl, NYR, WSH) as well.

http://mattcarberry.com/ZRatings/Z-NHL.HTM

If the Pens maintain status-quo for the remaining 61 games, they'll go 37-24. So, 37 more wins + 12 existing ones ='s 49 W's (98 pts). Assuming they get 8 OTL losses from the 24, the loser point increases the total to 106. Lately, 96 pts seems to be the watermark.

Lot of hockey yet to be played!!

Barrie has had 1 good year and has struggled most of this year. I think 30/30 gms would take that into consideration. Barrie is hardly a stud at this point.
- dcoms77

I don't love Barrie as much as others do, but Pouliot is an unproven asset at this point. If it were up to me Pouliot would be playing on the team, but I'm confident Barrie has more value in the league right now than Pouliot.

I'm starting to think you're having a lend of us???
- Aussiepenguin

I had to look that phrase up, I had no idea what it meant (being from Pittsburgh n'at). You got me though I have to admit I make me laugh.

What? That's a downgrade to both our players. Why would we care if they can have room to sign Buff? Why are we helping them and hurting ourselves in the process?
I
- dcoms77

Well if you think Letang is "elite" then we dont see eye to eye enough to talk about this reasonably.

Well if you think Letang is "elite" then we dont see eye to eye enough to talk about this reasonably.
- Zac_O

He was elite last year. So was Crosby. At 28, you wouldn't think their play would fall off a cliff.

At least in the other years the Pens were generally getting good play out of their best players.
For an education analogy, Johnston has turned a classroom of special ed and accelerated kids into a classroom that only appeals to the special ed kids at the accelerated kids' expense. Now I understand the frustration of American educators and parents.
- jfkst1

But sometimes when you have a room full of nothing but accelerated kids, the classroom dynamic is off. Those kids all are trying to be the best, trying to not just win but to do statistically dominant things. They all have the weight of the world on their back, whether it's because of their previous results, their potential, or their status as youthful prodigies a couple years ahead of the class.

So often they don't have the confidence necessary to try hard and fail. They're so busy pressing on towards being measured (tests or playoffs) that they're not living in the moment, and they're not engaging deeply in the day to day process of growing and evolving.

That's what I'm seeing. Sometimes the most talented kids have to see their less talented peers push and work to keep up. They need to act as mentors and learn by teaching, like the AIG kids I have who are split up among classes full of students with varied abilities.

It's the diversity that gives it depth and meaning. Same with the Penguins. They don't have that guy who changes the momentum with a non-scoring play. Literally the only momentum boost for this team is scoring goals. Every guy on the team is measuring himself in this way only, formative assessment. That's pressure. That creates unease and tight sticks. Johnston's focus on playing it safe isn't helping.

Like the high flyers in the classroom, these guys need to have the opportunity to express their creativity and have some fun in order to maximize their potential. While it may not work in the playoffs, neither will the current conservative mentality.

He was elite last year. So was Crosby. At 28, you wouldn't think their play would fall off a cliff.
- jfkst1

Its hard for me to call him elite still. Just hasn't done enough to keep that title. Hes definitely still good. But if we had to trade a "core" I'd pick him 12 times out of 10. Probably the most inconsistent core member of this team.

Johnston's focus on playing it safe isn't helping.

Like the high flyers in the classroom, these guys need to have the opportunity to express their creativity and have some fun in order to maximize their potential. While it may not work in the playoffs, neither will the current conservative mentality.
- hardnosed

Its hard for me to call him elite still. Just hasn't done enough to keep that title. Hes definitely still good. But if we had to trade a "core" I'd pick him 12 times out of 10. Probably the most inconsistent core member of this team.
- Zac_O

Letang is the most inconsistent because so much rides on him, carrying the puck, passing the puck, jumping into plays and generally making things happen. Letang is the catalyst for this team when he looks good the Pens look good and when he looks bad the team looks bad. This is more true for him than either Crosby or Malkin.

Letang needs a little bit of help and until Maatta returns and gets his game up to speed, or until Pouliott gets his head on straight, I am afraid he is going to remain inconsistent. He just doesn't have much help.

It's the diversity that gives it depth and meaning. Same with the Penguins. They don't have that guy who changes the momentum with a non-scoring play. Literally the only momentum boost for this team is scoring goals. Every guy on the team is measuring himself in this way only, formative assessment. That's pressure. That creates unease and tight sticks. Johnston's focus on playing it safe isn't helping.

Like the high flyers in the classroom, these guys need to have the opportunity to express their creativity and have some fun in order to maximize their potential. While it may not work in the playoffs, neither will the current conservative mentality.
- hardnosed

I remember the 92 Pens cup team was able to play whatever type of game they needed. The finals against the Blackhawks was a perfect example. A couple of high flying games and a couple of defensive games.

In an ideal world the Pens should be competent in both styles and be able make those adjustments period to period and/or game to game.

We've basically gone from Disco (all offense, all the time) to MJ (risk adverse, No fun). It's quite remarkable actually.

Letang is the most inconsistent because so much rides on him, carrying the puck, passing the puck, jumping into plays and generally making things happen. Letang is the catalyst for this team when he looks good the Pens look good and when he looks bad the team looks bad. He just doesn't have much help.
- Thunderbolt

What? There's 540 other skaters in the league that are expected to carry the puck, make passes, and generally make things happen. Let me get this straight though - a guy that is expected to be the catalyst (in doing these activities) needs help doing so. I kind of get it/ but really don't.

IMO, he's inconsistent because he continually "over plays" game situations, makes egregious puck management decisions, and has a history of health concerns. At this point in his career, I think his role needs to be simplified and his ice-time needs to be scaled back - especially if its suggested that he's been propped-up (historically) by his partner.

What? There's 540 other skaters in the league that are expected to carry the puck, make passes, and generally make things happen. Let me get this straight though - a guy that is expected to be the catalyst (in doing these activities) needs help doing so. I kind of get it/ but really don't.

IMO, he's inconsistent because he continually "over plays" game situations, makes egregious puck management decisions, and has a history of health concerns. At this point in his career, I think his role needs to be simplified and his ice-time needs to be scaled back - especially if its suggested that he's been propped-up (historically) by his partner.
- out_of_market

So Crosby and Malkin need wingers to be their best but Letang is supposed to play perfect hockey with Cole and Scuderi as partners. I don't think he needs to be paired with the second best defenseman, but him and the team need to have a someone else capable of making offensive plays.

We've basically gone from Disco (all offense, all the time) to MJ (risk adverse, No fun). It's quite remarkable actually.
- madmike71

It's like when Haley took over for Arians and immediately took the ball out of Ben's hands to protect him and to work on the running game. It took getting in a hole last season for Haley to finally open up.

Johnston was brought in to change things, so he did. But the team didn't need to do a 180°.

Every year till Sid and Geno are both 35 the Pens will be called contenders. Regardless of how incredibly average the team plays.
- Zac_O

I don't think anyone thinks we are actual contenders this year - competitive yes but contenders no. We won't be until our young D is proven which may just be next year.

Not even close. Outside of goaltending, this team has nothing better than average. Way below average right now in a number of categories.
- jfkst1

I think that's exactly what we need & to persist with trying this D first game as the offensive systems haven't worked. Maybe a tweak to allow more offence but that might come - just look at the Leafs with Babcock. Has a below average team that he made play a certain way & lost a lot of games, now they are playing his way & are competitive in most games.

Step backwards to go 2 steps forward.

I had to look that phrase up, I had no idea what it meant (being from Pittsburgh n'at). You got me though I have to admit I make me laugh.
- Thunderbolt

Yes I bet you do!

Letang is the most inconsistent because so much rides on him, carrying the puck, passing the puck, jumping into plays and generally making things happen. Letang is the catalyst for this team when he looks good the Pens look good and when he looks bad the team looks bad. This is more true for him than either Crosby or Malkin.

Letang needs a little bit of help and until Maatta returns and gets his game up to speed, or until Pouliott gets his head on straight, I am afraid he is going to remain inconsistent. He just doesn't have much help.
- Thunderbolt

Don't be so ridiculous & extreme he has ALL that anyone would need - his safety valve, his security, his rock (read that as anchor), ladies & gentlemen he has Rob Scudsmiffin Scuderi!

I remember the 92 Pens cup team was able to play whatever type of game they needed. The finals against the Blackhawks was a perfect example. A couple of high flying games and a couple of defensive games.

In an ideal world the Pens should be competent in both styles and be able make those adjustments period to period and/or game to game.

We've basically gone from Disco (all offense, all the time) to MJ (risk adverse, No fun). It's quite remarkable actually.
- madmike71

Is it possible? Am I really thinking this? Do I actually miss Disco right now? Yes, yes I think I do. Atleast it was fun to watch.

F MJ

meanwhile john hynes is front runner for jack adams award

Scouting the blues:

Fans; After disappointing against the Sharks expect nothing but a little more while the team tries to find cohesion. Expect nothing & don't be disappointed.

If the Sid & Geno cannons get dusted off & given a little spray with some WD40, load up & get ready to block your ears cause when they fire sparks fly!

Team; Unlucky but still not good enough last start. (frank) Corsi & (frank) Fenwick guys, get out there & put the puck in the net - (frank)in real simple. If you guys didn't realise Analytics don't win games so get back to puck support, forechecking & cover each other's arses cause the Blues are a bunch of arseholes! . D cover your man & Tarasenko can't skate without a head so..........

Scouting the blues:

Fans; After disappointing against the Sharks expect nothing but a little more while the team tries to find cohesion. Expect nothing & don't be disappointed.

If the Sid & Geno cannons get dusted off & given a little spray with some WD40, load up & get ready to block your ears cause when they fire sparks fly!

Team; Unlucky but still not good enough last start. (frank) Corsi & (frank) Fenwick guys, get out there & put the puck in the net - (frank)in real simple. If you guys didn't realise Analytics don't win games so get back to puck support, forechecking & cover each other's arses cause the Blues are a bunch of arseholes! . D cover your man & Tarasenko can't skate without a head so..........
- Aussiepenguin

So we should just cut Tarasenko's head off? (frank) it I'm in