if we had Martin, Dumoulin wouldn't have gotten the chance to establish himself in Martin's old role.
- hardnosed

Yeah, more so than some of the forwards, Dumo's progression has really impressed me

Yeah that's true. I think that we're finally growing the right culture in Pittsburgh. Out with the you play because you're a veteran attitude. In with the your hard work pays off attitude. I hope Sundqvist and Pouliot take note and work their asses off this offseason and put their best foot forward to force the coaching staff to give them spots. If Sundqvist can be a full timer next season, that's 800k+ that we don't have to spend in free agency. If DP finally starts realizing his potential, well I don't think I really need to finish that statement...
- Victoro311

And quite honestly those are two guys who need to learn how to work. Pouliot could be more explosive on the ice if he emulated Letang's commitment to becoming a better athlete, and Sundqvist's poor conditioning was evident during his stints with the Penguins, sucking wind after run of the mill 40 second shifts.

And quite honestly those are two guys who need to learn how to work. Pouliot could be more explosive on the ice if he emulated Letang's commitment to becoming a better athlete, and Sundqvist's poor conditioning was evident during his stints with the Penguins, sucking wind after run of the mill 40 second shifts.
- hardnosed

And Sundqvist definitely has some underrated wheels. I'm thinking of a specific shift here, though I can't remember the game, where he bolted down the ice and I had to do a double take to make sure it was him because he had never looked that fast before. If he could find that gear consistently with how sound he is defensively, he could be a legit shut down guy.

Yeah that's true. I think that we're finally growing the right culture in Pittsburgh. Out with the you play because you're a veteran attitude. In with the your hard work pays off attitude. I hope Sundqvist and Pouliot take note and work their asses off this offseason and put their best foot forward to force the coaching staff to give them spots. If Sundqvist can be a full timer next season, that's 800k+ that we don't have to spend in free agency. If DP finally starts realizing his potential, well I don't think I really need to finish that statement...
- Victoro311

We have to spend money some where. I have no idea how we are with where they put the cap but if sundqvist and Pouliot have roster spots then we have a ton of cheap guys on the team. And no key areas we need to spend money.

Remember last year's winner was a goalie who's sucked on bad teams, got traded to the first decent team of his career, and got hot. This guy beat out Kris Letang who had come back from a (frank)ing stroke. I can 100% see Jagr winning it because he's still productive as a geezer over Dupuis who's struggled with blood clots. That award is a joke.
- Victoro311

Its the NHL awards.....they mostly are a joke.

if we had Martin, Dumoulin wouldn't have gotten the chance to establish himself in Martin's old role.
- hardnosed

Martin was not that good. Just an aging average level Dman getting way overpaid. He had good position most of the time, but he was terrible in front of his own net, he started to suck on the PP, and he always gave opponents too much time and space...then again most Pens Dmen were guilty of that during that time. Martin was good in a defensive scheme in NJ. He was way overexposed in Pitt.

We have to spend money some where. I have no idea how we are with where they put the cap but if sundqvist and Pouliot have roster spots then we have a ton of cheap guys on the team. And no key areas we need to spend money.
- sditulli

Cap space is absolutely never a bad thing. If we can get through this coming offseason without having to sign a single UFA that's a win. A lot of our cap space is gonna go to the Maatta extension. Anything extra can be used as a buffer in case a can't miss trade opportunity comes up or roll over into next year when we have to tender extensions to Dumoulin, Murray, and whoever else.

So did Orpik get that hearing yet?

They have to do it today, doing it tomorrow it kinda stupid and unfair to Washington's team/staff.

So did Orpik get that hearing yet?

They have to do it today, doing it tomorrow it kinda stupid and unfair to Washington's team/staff.
- Guile

Nothing yet from player safety.

But I did watch the hit laid by Schenn on Oshie that got 3 games next year. .. this puts them in a really weird position if you ask me..... it was a hit in a playoff game but since they lost the suspension runs into next year.

Orpik's hit was much worse and probably would get 5 games in the regular season so I'd think 2 games at least is what we should expect.

75% 2 games
20% 1 game
5% 3 or more

So did Orpik get that hearing yet?

They have to do it today, doing it tomorrow it kinda stupid and unfair to Washington's team/staff.
- Guile

Washington might already know. They're likely timing it strategically. Either they did the right thing and actually punished him and they'll announce it during the prime time game tonight, or they did nothing and they'll announce it tomorrow morning when the echo chamber is limited to the Internet.

Washington might already know. They're likely timing it strategically. Either they did the right thing and actually punished him and they'll announce it during the prime time game tonight, or they did nothing and they'll announce it tomorrow morning when the echo chamber is limited to the Internet.
- hardnosed

Meh... not like them withholding that info hurts our gameplan. "Oh, we did extra prep for Orpik... and now its a much lesser person getting 2nd pair minutes? Sweet".

Meh... not like them withholding that info hurts our gameplan. "Oh, we did extra prep for Orpik... and now its a much lesser person getting 2nd pair minutes? Sweet".
- Guile

It's more about PR than denying the Penguins prep time.

It's more about PR than denying the Penguins prep time.
- hardnosed

It must be me when I think sometimes the teams should just say "yeah, he shouldn't have made that hit... hes not that kind of player, but he accepts the punishment".

Just admit ya (frank)ed up, say you aren't that type (whether or not its true) and move on.

Washington might already know. They're likely timing it strategically. Either they did the right thing and actually punished him and they'll announce it during the prime time game tonight, or they did nothing and they'll announce it tomorrow morning when the echo chamber is limited to the Internet.
- hardnosed

I'm sure we'll hear about it tonight. I'm betting one game. Should be two minimum....well frankly it should be 5 minimum but we all know the NHL doesn't really want to deter this stuff.

You know the NHL is failing badly in player safety when it was obvious there wasn't an ounce of doubt in Orpik's mind as he clobbered Maatta's head.

I'm sure we'll hear about it tonight. I'm betting one game. Should be two minimum....well frankly it should be 5 minimum but we all know the NHL doesn't really want to deter this stuff.

You know the NHL is failing badly in player safety when it was obvious there wasn't an ounce of doubt in Orpik's mind as he clobbered Maatta's head.
- madmike71

He knocked our 2d out for atleast 2 games. A suspension of less than 2 games encourages head shots. Your guy gets suspended less than the other guy got knocked out.

Question for you champions.

The physical game the Caps play, have they lost anything in the first 2 games as yet? Did it look like they reduced their hits & type of hits from the first game?

Does anyone think that the war of attrition will end up in favour of speed over force? Or will the Caps be hitting just as hard in games 5, 6, & 7 if they get that far?

In saying that, did we still have our speed through the 2nd game?

Hers the real hard one - which Caps scumbag will be the next cheap shot artist to offend?

Wilson (again) 5/2
OV 4/1
Backstrom 7/1
Carlson 10/1
Others 2/1

Washington might already know. They're likely timing it strategically. Either they did the right thing and actually punished him and they'll announce it during the prime time game tonight, or they did nothing and they'll announce it tomorrow morning when the echo chamber is limited to the Internet.
- hardnosed

youre probably right about Wash knowing. Checkout the 1st intermission tonight.

He knocked our 2d out for atleast 2 games. A suspension of less than 2 games encourages head shots. Your guy gets suspended less than the other guy got knocked out.
- sditulli

I've been saying that for a couple of years. Light suspensions and those absurd fines is nothing more than encouragement.

Just like Douchebinsky hitting Crosby in the head and then again when he was down. One game for that. One meaningless game.

3 games! Washington's Brooks Orpik suspended three games for interference on Pittsburgh's Olli Maatta.
may every person know I was first.
https://www.nhl.com/video...es/t-277350912/c-43811603

3 games
Washington's Brooks Orpik suspended three games for interference on Pittsburgh's Olli Maatta
may every person know I was first
- martox

Shocked he got the rest of the series

Orpik gets 3

Shocked he got the rest of the series
- dbell646

Go knock on wood...

I watched the Sharks power play and here's what I notice... Quick and accurate passes to create shooting lanes... This is what the Pens need to do...

Orpik gets 3
- Victoro311

you so slow

Go knock on wood...
- Victoro311