Just saw that Drake Caggiula had an interview with Pens as well as about 8 other teams.. This would be a huge boost in our prospect pool if we could get him...

Here's hoping!
- nh4442

Remember where his former coach at North Dakota is the head coach. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up there.

I dont believe any player on a non playoff contending team deserves a major award...mvp vez norris are awards given to elite performers and if they play on a team that is not even sniffing the pressure of making the playoffs their stats mean jack in my opinion. The pressure of playing meaningful games matters. The ability to outperform all players in the league while playing meaningful games is a very important part of winning an elite award. Couple this with the fact that EK is absolutely terrible defensively(always has been) you just cannot award him the norris.
- taleisyreXIII

Anyone who awards EK the Norris is awarding him because of his offensive numbers, certainly not anything to do with defense. He isn't in the top five in the league as far as playing quality defense. Not even close.

...he's ok though, right?
- MattStrat

They joked that, the staff hid his equipment so he couldnt skate.

I think that if it wasn't for Karlsson, they would be pretty damn close to Toronto's level.
- j.boyd919

Fair point. I guess beyond that, whenever I watch Karlsson against the Pens, I never come away impressed with his play in his own zone. It seems like he is on the ice for a lot of our goals against and plays a high risk, high reward kind of game. Again, I think he's a great player, I just think others are more deserving of the award this year.

Fair point. I guess beyond that, whenever I watch Karlsson against the Pens, I never come away impressed. It seems like he is on the ice for a lot of our goals against. Again, I think he's a great player, I just think others are more deserving of the award this year.
- Emperor Filonius

He isn't a good Dman. He is improving, but not elite at all. Ignore the people who want to give it solely to him based on his offensive numbers. He is far from steller defensively.

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it

Anyone who awards EK the Norris is awarding him because of his offensive numbers, certainly not anything to do with defense. He isn't in the top five in the league as far as playing quality defense. Not even close.
- Oneonta Penguin

Exactly he never should have won before...subban either for that matter. This award has been destroyed by the lack of an offensive stat dmen award...with all the advanced stats now it would be easier to determine the real best dman in the league. Its just a matter of what metrics matter more. Things like even strength shots against scoring chances against goals against quality of opponent etc etc etc. Nothing should be pp or pk and scoring points should be very far down the list. Possession should matter plus minus to a degree...there is a lot out there to really establish what a true best dman is

Being reported that DP may get the call tonight, over Schultz...said DP was the first off the ice and JS was the last off the ice with MAF, and the other scratches. They also said it looks like MAF is getting more healthy, that JZ shifted to the 3rd goalie slot on the ice.

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it
- nh4442

Sullivan is the coach. He's the one around these guys daily. Perhaps he knows/feels something we don't.

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it
- nh4442

1st trumps a 3rd brother

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it
- nh4442

I'm only worried about one thing: winning tonight's game.

I'm only worried about one thing: winning tonight's game.
- Emperor Filonius

+1

Oh I now that +/- can be a bit of a farce but that year Visnovsky was better in every single way and Lidstrom still won. Even though I know +/- can be a misleading stat it does however mean that he was on the ice for 2 more goals against,than for, at even strength. I dont like a Norris winner being a negative.
- MattStrat

But who's to say those 2 goals weren't with an empty net, or coming off of a change where someone made a bad pass? Karlsson's all situations goal diff. was around +15.. Doughty's was +20, Karlssoon had 31 more points than Doughty. 35 more points than Hedman, 15 more points than Letang. I'm taking Karlsson all day over all of them. Win hockey games by putting up more points than the other team, and Karlsson does that.
Personally my Norris candidates would be 1.Karlsson 2.Burns 3.Letang, but there isn't a better defenseman in the league than Karlsson IMO.

I'm only worried about one thing: winning tonight's game.
- Emperor Filonius

That sounded so bad @ss

Sullivan is the coach. He's the one around these guys daily. Perhaps he knows/feels something we don't.
- MattStrat

I liked JS on the pp...id perfer him in over DP but we dont lose this game on the backs of either of these players honestly

So... who is able to hit the big screen fun outside the arena tonight?

I should be going tonight, and yes, I will likely be an obnoxious wiener there :D

I'm only worried about one thing: winning tonight's game.
- Emperor Filonius

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it
- nh4442

3rd means nothing, having Schultz as insurance for a sustained playoff run with one of the better teams in recent Penguins history is way more important than developing a 3rd round pick over the next 5 years.

DP off the ice before Schultz suggesting DP in over him tonight

Why did we waste a 3rd if we aren't going to play the guy? He warranted no reason to sit, slim chance of resigning him getting slimmer.. I don't like it
- nh4442

Should also add that Schultz helped out big time down the stretch..so its not all that much of a waste even if he doesnt dress again this season. I think we'll see him again though.

I know this is the least shocking news of the day, but Maatta is now "officially" ruled out for tonight. Prior to this, it was just assumed.

I'm sure consideration went into dp having playoff experience and Schultz having 0

But who's to say those 2 goals weren't with an empty net, or coming off of a change where someone made a bad pass? Karlsson's all situations goal diff. was around +15.. Doughty's was +20, Karlssoon had 31 more points than Doughty. 35 more points than Hedman, 15 more points than Letang. I'm taking Karlsson all day over all of them. Win hockey games by putting up more points than the other team, and Karlsson does that.
Personally my Norris candidates would be 1.Karlsson 2.Burns 3.Letang, but there isn't a better defenseman in the league than Karlsson IMO.
- j.boyd919

I think that's debatable because you can just as easily say "Win games by giving up fewer points than the other team". Ottawa was the 9th highest scoring team in the league but missed the playoffs because they were 26th in goals against. Certainly not all Karlsson's fault at all but had they spent a little more time focusing on keeping the puck out of the own net they probably would have won a few more games and being that they were only 8pts from making the playoffs those extra games could have gotten them into the playoffs. Winning by focusing on scoring is only effective if you're also capable of keeping pucks out of your own net.

I'm sure consideration went into dp having playoff experience and Schultz having 0
- dbell646

DP was hurt last season and we got knocked out before he could return. Regardless, I'm sure Sullivan is making the right decision. Inserting DP for Maatta keeps everyone on their strong side potentially.