I'd say Halak in the playoffs last year was pretty damn solid, it certainly wasn't his fault we lost to the caps. Greiss is an unknown and I really wouldn't feel great about going into the playoffs without Halak.

either is a massive upgrade over the steaming turd Nabby gave us against you guys in 2013 though.
- Isles_since_6

Fleury was laying turds that series too then Vokoun came in and stayed in*

*besides the 3rd period of game 2 vs the Bruins when he was pulled and Fleury played that one and only period of the series.

Besides Halak's miraculous run with the Habs in 2010, he's not known to be a stellar playoff performer really. Of course in saying this I'm not even sure Greiss has played a playoff game before. Has he?
- MattStrat

He was lights out for us in that 7 game series last year against the Caps. If you look at his career postseason stats they are pretty good

Neal had a lethal one timer. Kessel has NEVER been able to consistently one time the puck. Ask Leaf fans. That's a huge problem.
- jfkst1

Exactly my point, it's the skill set causing the issue not the flex of Kessel's stick.

Also, when he was with the Leafs he was the guy. Hence, the puck was on his stick more often and had to receive the puck in traffic less. Also, I don't think Neal used a flex that low. He's a big guy. His could be in the 90's and still bend like that when he shot.
- cranktheradio

I'll look again but I'm pretty sure the broken stick he gave my son after a game was a 75 flex, that wouldn't account for any alterations he may have made to the stick though.

He was lights out for us in that 7 game series last year against the Caps. If you look at his career postseason stats they are pretty good
- Vukota

If he was lights out the games before it might not of made it to game 7...

If he was lights out the games before it might not of made it to game 7...
- MattStrat

you could argue that, but if the offense only gives him 1 goal to work with for a few games it's tough to lay that on the goaltender.

either way, it was a series lost. I'd feel a whole lot better about this year's playoffs knowing Halak would be healthy in time...we'll see I guess.

I'll look again but I'm pretty sure the broken stick he gave my son after a game was a 75 flex, that wouldn't account for any alterations he may have made to the stick though.
- jaydogg1974

Here's an article Neal did for the Players Tribune where he gives soome insight to being a sniper in the NHL, he doesn't directly say what flex he uses but he does talk about using a "whipper" stick and why shooters need to use "whipper" sticks. He also talks about how crucial the feel of the stick is for him being a shooter and how it throws him off if it isn't just right. Probably a good testimonial for why Kessel shouldn't even consider changing sticks.

http://www.theplayerstrib...es-neal-predators-sniper/

If he was lights out the games before it might not of made it to game 7...
- MattStrat

Sure if there was no such thing as offense

Sure if there was no such thing as offense
- Vukota

We know what that's like all to well.

I don't buy that, even though I do think people grossly overrate Oshie, a guy who's career highs are 21 goals and 60 points.

So, you could get that for a suspect, which Harrington is/was; a second tiered prospect in Kap and a first?

The more and more I see of Harrington, the less and less I think he would be an impact player here.
- Oneonta Penguin

Its debatable but the point is I'd rather have a 20+ goal scorer and a better 3C than Kessel and Bonino.

Fleury was laying turds that series too then Vokoun came in and stayed in*

*besides the 3rd period of game 2 vs the Bruins when he was pulled and Fleury played that one and only period of the series.
- MattStrat

That was the difference, at least you had plan b. We had nothing.

Sure if there was no such thing as offense
- Vukota

Yeah, I know. Goalies need goal support. You have to outscore the opponent to win. The Pens, every since that Boston series, have been snake bitten a lot of nights (and days). Can be quite frustrating. Much more frustrating in the playoffs, obviously.

Exactly my point, it's the skill set causing the issue not the flex of Kessel's stick.
- jaydogg1974

I am speculating but I'll bet that Kessel could one time the puck with a different stick.

I am speculating but I'll bet that Kessel could one time the puck with a different stick.
- jfkst1

Maybe, but its definitely not easy to adjust to. I'm obviously just a beer league player and not super consistent with shooting to begin with, but I imagine someone like Phil who shot 10,000 shots in his life with that stick would have difficulty adjusting to a different stick.

Maybe, but its definitely not easy to adjust to. I'm obviously just a beer league player and not super consistent with shooting to begin with, but I imagine someone like Phil who shot 10,000 shots in his life with that stick would have difficulty adjusting to a different stick.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Iginla couldn't play on his off wing, why would a different stick help Kessel.

Maybe, but its definitely not easy to adjust to. I'm obviously just a beer league player and not super consistent with shooting to begin with, but I imagine someone like Phil who shot 10,000 shots in his life with that stick would have difficulty adjusting to a different stick.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

At this point I would happily sacrifice his snap shot that He isn't scoring with anyway for a stick where he can finish a one timer.

Iginla couldn't play on his off wing, why would a different stick help Kessel.
- sammy87

Youre actually comparing a piece of equipment to a position a veteran player has (or hasn't) played since he like 5 years old?

It clearly would have went in.
- acdc1206

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-279468900?tid=277350296

Ok optical illusion with how they stopped the frame, but when you look at the photo where does the puck look like going?

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-edge-pittsburgh-penguins/c-279468900?tid=277350296

Ok optical illusion with how they stopped the frame, but when you look at the photo where does the puck look like going?
- Aussiepenguin

I thought for sure when he received the puck it was going to be a tied game and go into overtime.

Youre actually comparing a piece of equipment to a position a veteran player has (or hasn't) played since he like 5 years old?
- MattStrat

Yes, Iginla grew comfortable on 1 side of the ice. Likewise Kessel is comfortable with a wet noodle stick. You think he and everyone dont realize he sucks at 1-timers?

I am speculating but I'll bet that Kessel could one time the puck with a different stick.
- jfkst1

I know you are not saying this...but the discussion makes it sound like Kessel is playing with a rubber hose.

Some players can one time the puck consistently and some can't.

Bret Hull obviously could. His stick flex was said to be anywhere from 65-85.

Yes, Iginla grew comfortable on 1 side of the ice. Likewise Kessel is comfortable with a wet noodle stick. You think he and everyone dont realize he sucks at 1-timers?
- sammy87

When Kessel was young you couldn't even get sticks like that. Iginla played the same position his whole life most likely. I think changing a stick would take less time to adjust to than playing a different position than you have your whole life. Crosby has changed his stick a few times, especially the curve. Players try new sticks more often than you might think. Sometimes they stick with the change....pardon the pun.

I know you are not saying this...but the discussion makes it sound like Kessel is playing with a rubber hose.

Some players can one time the puck consistently and some can't.

Bret Hull obviously could. His stick flex was said to be anywhere from 65-85.
- icedog97

If it's not in his skill set at all then he needs to be taken off the top PP immediately.

It's a 70 but it gets cut down so it goes lower than that.
- jfkst1

Tell me you are kidding with that comment.... PLEASE!

When Kessel was young you couldn't even get sticks like that. Iginla played the same position his whole life most likely. I think changing a stick would take less time to adjust to than playing a different position than you have your whole life. Crosby has changed his stick a few times, especially the curve. Players try new sticks more often than you might think. Sometimes they stick with the change....pardon the pun.
- MattStrat

Yeah, I never had any of these composite sticks when playing growing up and I'm in my 30s. I'm ignorant as sh!t about them but an NHL top 6 F in the modern game that can't one time is completely bewildering to me. It's like a dman that can't skate backwards to me. Not saying he has to be great but he has to be able to at least execute it fairly adequately.