It sucks they lost, but it doesn't change my desire to see a playoff run. No matter how long or short it may be.
- funmaster18

Then I request your team break Ovi's clavicle if you end up in the 2nd wild card spot.

Saturday was an accident.
- GudasNew

so was penguininnevada

Extreme bitterness over dropping games to two of the worst teams. Was moreso gauging your guy's mindset since a chunk of the Pens wanted to straight up tank when Malkin went down recently.

I'd have considered a loss to Phoenix and the Jets a really hard pill to swallow while pushing to make the playoffs.
- Guile

Why? While they didn't gain ground, they didn't lose any, and they still have a game against Detroit that right now still very much matters.

Then I request your team break Ovi's clavicle if you end up in the 2nd wild card spot.
- Guile

noted. I'm excited to get in, because if they do, they will be playing pressure free playoff hockey. Any team that has to face them will be considered the favorite, so they have nothing to lose.

so was penguininnevada
- funmaster18

honestly can't tell if this is sarcasm or not
- funmaster18

thank you

Well, we likely will not see Gagner back, same goes for Medvedev, so there are 2 spots open. They may buy RJ out (I'm not for it) and guys like Read/Streit/Schultz may be traded. So going forward, that gives us (lines not exact, just general roster):

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Straka-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Konency-Laughton
Leier-Bellemare-Cousins
VdV-Weal

Ghost-AMac
Streit/Schultz-MDZ
Gudas-Provorov
Alt-Manning

Personally, I'm not sold on Straka, I don't like VdV, and would ship off both of Streit/Schultz if I could. So anyway, like I said, just a general roster layout.
- jmatchett383

How dare you dismantle our precious 4th line!

But seriously, what team is gonna be the one to overpay Ryan White after potting 11 goals this year? You know someone out there is gonna pay him more than a 4th liner should get.

Why? While they didn't gain ground, they didn't lose any, and they still have a game against Detroit that right now still very much matters.
- Scoob

last year, no matter how close they got, I always felt the hockey gods were against them and they weren't going to make it. I have the opposite feeling this season. Not sure why, but it has that feeling that some how they will get in by the skin of their teeth.

Why? While they didn't gain ground, they didn't lose any, and they still have a game against Detroit that right now still very much matters.
- Scoob

Someone already posted the assumed mindset I was seeing if you guys had or not... If you're losing to Pheonix and the Jets, are you guys even capable of making a postseason push?

It wasn't a troll, it was a legit question.


Same would go if the Pens lose to Buffalo, and then Ottawa... After that NJ shutout, we'd have (in this scenario) dropped to what should have been the two easiest games left in the schedule. To me, that inconsistency each night says you aren't ready for a deep run.

thank you
- YuenglingJagr

your posting skills are improving each day

last year, no matter how close they got, I always felt the hockey gods were against them and they weren't going to make it. I have the opposite feeling this season. Not sure why, but it has that feeling that some how they will get in by the skin of their teeth.
- funmaster18

No such thing

You may feel that way because making the playoffs this year is completely in their own hands and thus far they are responding well to that opportunity.

Someone already posted the assumed mindset I was seeing if you guys had or not... If you're losing to Pheonix and the Jets, are you guys even capable of making a postseason push?

It wasn't a troll, it was a legit question.


Same would go if the Pens lose to Buffalo, and then Ottawa... After that NJ shutout, we'd have (in this scenario) dropped to what should have been the two easiest games left in the schedule. To me, that inconsistency each night says you aren't ready for a deep run.
- Guile

We all know they're not ready for a deep playoff run. Making the playoffs is a completely different situation and a stumble here and there lately hasn't changed their chances.

We all know they're not ready for a deep playoff run. Making the playoffs is a completely different situation and a stumble here and there lately hasn't changed their chances.
- Scoob

I don't understand a mindset that isn't SCF or bust. I've been a Pens fan too long.

Someone already posted the assumed mindset I was seeing if you guys had or not... If you're losing to Pheonix and the Jets, are you guys even capable of making a postseason push?

It wasn't a troll, it was a legit question.


Same would go if the Pens lose to Buffalo, and then Ottawa... After that NJ shutout, we'd have (in this scenario) dropped to what should have been the two easiest games left in the schedule. To me, that inconsistency each night says you aren't ready for a deep run.
- Guile

The lost to AZ on a fluke goal in a game in which they largely dominated play. It wasn't like the 4-0 Edmonton game a few weeks ago. Not to mention, they were still in a playoff spot after the game. I don't see them losing to WPG tonight either.

Totally agree.

I can see Read/Streit/Schultz possibly moved in the offseason. Leier can fill a bottom 6 roll like Read's. I think Bardreau can fill a Vandevelde role. I am also not sold on Straka.

As for roster I think Konecny will probably be a wing. I wonder if you could slide him onto a line with Couturier.

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Konecny - Couturier - Schenn


I would love to get a playmaker type to go with Couturier line.
- J35Bacher

I know the hype surrounding konecny, but tbh, I haven't watched him play hardly at all. Is it safe to say he's more of a play maker?

The lost to AZ on a fluke goal in a game in which they largely dominated play. It wasn't like the 4-0 Edmonton game a few weeks ago. Not to mention, they were still in a playoff spot after the game. I don't see them losing to WPG tonight either.
- TobyFlenderson

I did start the question with the if you guys lose to the Jets...

I don't understand a mindset that isn't SCF or bust. I've been a Pens fan too long.
- Guile

I think you are being unrealistic. Of course the goal is to win a SCF each year....but there are times where you can be realistic and see what else is important for a team. Flyers traded no future assets away in order to compete this spring and the most important thing is that each player progresses so they are the most competitive in their primes.

No one expected them to be good...so watching them play well is more rewarding (especially when it is several young players doing so)

I don't understand a mindset that isn't SCF or bust. I've been a Pens fan too long.
- Guile

I agree that winning the Cup is the ultimate goal. I'm also very realistic. I'll root for them but I also know it's not realistic to expect a deep playoff run for at least another season or two beyond this one.

I think you are being unrealistic. Of course the goal is to win a SCF each year....but there are times where you can be realistic and see what else is important for a team. Flyers traded no future assets away in order to compete this spring and the most important thing is that each player progresses so they are the most competitive in their primes.

No one expected them to be good...so watching them play well is more rewarding (especially when it is several young players doing so)
- YuenglingJagr

Penguins fan

I did start the question with the if you guys lose to the Jets...
- Guile

And even if they do they'll still be in decent shape

I don't understand a mindset that isn't SCF or bust. I've been a Pens fan too long.
- Guile

I don't think you've been a pens fan long enough if you can't remember the years when not finishing last was an accomplishment.

I think if Straka is up with the Flyers he doesnt have a regular place in the lineup (i.e. the weal and/or gagner treatment)
- YuenglingJagr

I actually agree, was just trying to find a place for him. From what I've read, he needs top-6 minutes.

I don't think you've been a pens fan long enough if you can't remember the years when not finishing last was an accomplishment.
- twotoekenn

Nah, was just too young to care about not winning all the time back then.

Hell, I had fun during the Steelers bad years as a kid.

I don't think you've been a pens fan long enough if you can't remember the years when not finishing last was an accomplishment.
- twotoekenn

Maybe he's a fan from the era of when finishing last was the accomplishment.

I actually agree, was just trying to find a place for him. From what I've read, he needs top-6 minutes.
- jmatchett383

Saw something interesting recently that the Flyers have interest in Drake Caggiula as a FA and Mark Jankowski if he makes it to Aug 15.

Both can play LW. Caggiula can fly and Jankoswki has good size. Could be nice low risk moves.