When I look at the Sharks stars this post season and the Penguins stars this post season I get really sad. If you had Crosby, Malkin, and Letang clicking at how Jumbo, Pavelski, and Burns are clicking at I'd honestly believe we'd be unstoppable. I make this comparison because I know our stars are capable of it. At least Kessel is going.
- Victoro311

Big difference is their power play. They're crushing it

Big difference is their power play. They're crushing it
- Thorny87

Our PP will always boggle me not matter what. And it's not just Letang. Crosby and Malkin have terrible mind sets on the PP. Crosby parks himself on the half wall and for whatever reason doesn't adopt a killer mentality there while taking up space that's better suited for Geno. Then Geno looks completely lost unless he's on the half wall and then just float around. How do such great players actively sabotage themeselves like they do?

E4.6
To Philly: Malkin and a 5th (always gotta add a 5th)
To Pittsburgh: Sanheim, Simmonds, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd

E5
To Edmonton: MAF
To Pittsburgh: Yakupov 2016 3rd

E5
To Pittsburgh: Stamkos
To Stamkos: $9.5M/7 years
- jmatchett383

Would love Simmonds here. Think he is a turd/punk in Philly, but becomes a hero here.

Pass on the Edmonton deal. Have zero desire to have Yukupov here

Our PP will always boggle me not matter what. And it's not just Letang. Crosby and Malkin have terrible mind sets on the PP. Crosby parks himself on the half wall and for whatever reason doesn't adopt a killer mentality there while taking up space that's better suited for Geno. Then Geno looks completely lost unless he's on the half wall and then just float around. How do such great players actively sabotage themeselves like they do?
- Victoro311

That's where coaching comes in. Players will always drift to where they feel most comfortable. It's Sully's job to say Sid, stay down low or I'll (frank)ing shoot you. Geno, shoot the puck and hit the (frank)ing net! Letang, take a break, We need you elsewhere.

Another thing that baffles me about the power play. They've been bad for a while, how come they're not spending entire practices on it? And after practice and on Sunday's.

I would have let Fleury in. Like i said before he made one more save than murray would have but its all on the core tonight. Its hard to take an entire regular season shift by shift, its actually impossible because humans are extremely over evovled. It is however very easy to take one game, the most important game of many of this teams entire careers thus far shift by shift. Every time any pens player steps onto the ice tonight they just have to be the bet version of themselves. I

I would have let Fleury in. Like i said before he made one more save than murray would have but its all on the core tonight. Its hard to take an entire regular season shift by shift, its actually impossible because humans are extremely over evovled. It is however very easy to take one game, the most important game of many of this teams entire careers thus far shift by shift. Every time any pens player steps onto the ice tonight they just have to be the bet version of themselves. I
- Grinder47

Nope. Murray is the right call.

@Brienstel, I mean it's a valid point. If we lose tonight there's gonna be a large contingency of people that come and talk about trading Malkin/Letang, how big of a bust the Kessel trade was (insert new rationalization now that he's been our best forward in the postseason), how we have no assets, and the Crosby/Malkin era is done, all after playing some pretty amazing hockey and making it to the ECF. Even if we lose tonight we should be confident heading into the next three/four years at least. Probability speaking, some of us will be dead in that span, so really the Pens are set for a lifetime.
- Victoro311

i have mixed feelings about a lot of this. i just cant get on board with some oh gee golly well they were just lucky to be here so this is still a good season guys! mother (frank) that.

however, i dont think it automatically equates to some calamity issue about team construction. fact is, playoffs are hard. they have the horses to compete. guys just are playing at varying levels of disappointing effort/performance for specific reasons.

i do agree the window is still open. there are reasons to be excited about the future. but bottom line, this season presented a precious opportunity. and for the past 2 games to transpire the way they have has been nothing short of sickening.

Maybe that idiot Rob Rossi will shut his pie hole about MAF. He has been yapping for quite some time. We he got his wish How did that work for you ROBBB

Would love Simmonds here. Think he is a turd/punk in Philly, but becomes a hero here.

Pass on the Edmonton deal. Have zero desire to have Yukupov here
- Oneonta Penguin

At this point maybe all you can get for MAF is a used bag of pucks

I'm not that bored... but we could start a Malkin and Fleury trade rumors with Philly and or the Oilers, and claim we are getting Stamkos.

I'm sure the EK5 level of authenticity should liven this up.


Malkin for Ghost, 2016 1st round and 2017 2nd and 4th rounder.

Flower to Edmonton for Yakupov and 2016 3rd (the one we traded them) and 2017 2nd.


EK5 powers, awayyyyyyyyyy


edit: actually, guess I was that bored.

- Guile

It's hard to get to the conference finals. Sure the Pens may have a nice window, but when you throw in the injury variable, I'm not counting on anything in the future. If the Pens lose tonight and Sid and Geno don't produce, they'll deserve the bulk of the criticism. I love these players, but the questions will come about "under achieving" and it will be fair.

This is their best team since 09 and they'd be wise to take advantage of it.
- madmike71

thatta boy

i have mixed feelings about a lot of this. i just cant get on board with some oh gee golly well they were just lucky to be here so this is still a good season guys! mother (frank) that.

however, i dont think it automatically equates to some calamity issue about team construction. fact is, playoffs are hard. they have the horses to compete. guys just are playing at varying levels of disappointing effort/performance for specific reasons.

i do agree the window is still open. there are reasons to be excited about the future. but bottom line, this season presented a precious opportunity. and for the past 2 games to transpire the way they have has been nothing short of sickening.
- stayinthefnnet

To your first point by no means should anyone look at it like we overachieved and we're lucky to be here. We are a very good team and we got ourselves here by our boot straps.

And that's the point. I'm not saying don't be disappointed. Of course we should be disappointed if we go out like this. But I'm saying this is a well constructed team that deserves to be in the ECF. And it will look very similar next year in make up. You don't blow that up due to an unfortunate turn of events in the ECF as some will inevitably suggest we do. Hell we may not even lose yet.

i have mixed feelings about a lot of this. i just cant get on board with some oh gee golly well they were just lucky to be here so this is still a good season guys! mother (frank) that.

however, i dont think it automatically equates to some calamity issue about team construction. fact is, playoffs are hard. they have the horses to compete. guys just are playing at varying levels of disappointing effort/performance for specific reasons.

i do agree the window is still open. there are reasons to be excited about the future. but bottom line, this season presented a precious opportunity. and for the past 2 games to transpire the way they have has been nothing short of sickening.
- stayinthefnnet

They gotta win. Lets quit pretending to justify failure.

If they lose tonight, trade malkin. if they win, this team is the greatest

If they lose tonight, trade malkin. if they win, this team is the greatest
- drummer829

and if they lose in game 7?

Well, I know one thing for sure. I expect a storm to come into Amalie Arena tonight. I expect Pittsburgh is going to throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Bolts. This is going to be, by far, the most difficult game of the playoffs so far. Eliminating Detroit and the Islanders will look like a cake-walk in comparison.

I am nervous about this game. Not gonna lie. I expect all hell to break loose. I just hope it stays clean. No cheap shots from either side. No injuries. No terrible officiating (not holding my breath on that one), and no goal controversies. Just 60 minutes (or 60+) of damn good hockey. May the best team win, and may I enjoy a happy drunk tonight.

and if they lose in game 7?
- brienstel

Trade malkin, Letang, and Hornqvist and fire Sullivan

Well, I know one thing for sure. I expect a storm to come into Amalie Arena tonight. I expect Pittsburgh is going to throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Bolts. This is going to be, by far, the most difficult game of the playoffs so far. Eliminating Detroit and the Islanders will look like a cake-walk in comparison.

I am nervous about this game. Not gonna lie. I expect all hell to break loose. I just hope it stays clean. No cheap shots from either side. No injuries. No terrible officiating (not holding my breath on that one), and no goal controversies. Just 60 minutes (or 60+) of damn good hockey. May the best team win, and may I enjoy a happy drunk tonight.
- GalacticStone

+1 especially on the nervous part. not gonna watch this game so I will wake up a happy kid or a really angry and sad kid tomorrow.

I guess Sully lost his Beauner.

I hate openly agreeing with the blog because some turds can't handle RW....but Sid and Geno need to play together. We have the center depth. And I really think Hornqvist has been awful lately. Sometimes I wonder how he scored 30 goals that one season because his hands are just so bad. Like Bobby Farnham bad. I love the guy, I love the effort and passion.... and he has some great moments...but he's a primarily a powerplay specialist. He's a decent 3rd wheel on a top 6 line as well. I just hate seeing constantly dumping the puck in when Sid is on the ice.

We all know the Pens will come out like a house on fire, but in true Pens fashion, and its a style I hope they can buck tonight, will they have some epic lul after 10 minutes and blow any momentum or dare I say lead that they built in the first 10 (or 1 period or whatever). They seem to predictably have major lapses after incredible period of energy and momentum that nearly costs or does cost them the lead.

What is so hare about putting together a full 60? I'm no pro athlete so pardon my ignorance, but it would seem like 60 minutes of concentrated effort shouldn't be too hard to come by when all they've done their entire lives is play 60 minute hockey games.

If they lose tonight, trade malkin. if they win, this team is the greatest
- drummer829

I won't rush to judgement one way or the other, but I think it's fair to question the value of a player if he doesn't produce on the biggest stage. Madden is doing a pretty good indictment of the stars on the radio today, and as much as I hate that piece of sh!t, I have to say it's pretty damn accurate.

Neither Sid or Geno have had a multi-point game since the first round. That's not good enough.

To your first point by no means should anyone look at it like we overachieved and we're lucky to be here. We are a very good team and we got ourselves here by our boot straps.

And that's the point. I'm not saying don't be disappointed. Of course we should be disappointed if we go out like this. But I'm saying this is a well constructed team that deserves to be in the ECF. And it will look very similar next year in make up. You don't blow that up due to an unfortunate turn of events in the ECF as some will inevitably suggest we do. Hell we may not even lose yet.
- Victoro311

i agree with all that. honestly, my issues with malkin right now just appears to be quite simply that he doesnt look like he wants to be there. and if that is the case, or he simply can no longer get himself up for big games, then i dont want him around. i know that sounds petty, but i just want players that i love to care about the moment.

in no way do i suggest running crosby/letang/ hell even malkin, if he actually shows effort, out of town if they do end up losing. you know im right there with you on thinking that at the time the kessel deal was something you couldnt pass up, and hes turned out splendidly.

the daley loss really sucks. but team wide, to a man, game 4 and 5 were largely embarrassing. just stinks of not taking a team seriously.

i do think they have the right man behind the bench going forward.

I won't rush to judgement one way or the other, but I think it's fair to question the value of a player if he doesn't produce on the biggest stage. Madden is doing a pretty good indictment of the stars on the radio today, and as much as I hate that piece of sh!t, I have to say it's pretty damn accurate.

Neither Sid or Geno have had a multi-point game since the first round. That's not good enough.
- madmike71

I don't buy the whole multi point thing. I don't think that is a big deal. Sid has 2 GWGs this series, with his 1st OT playoff winner.. Letang has been bad the last 2 games whether it be temper tantrums or just turnovers galore. I will agree that Malkin has not been good. And it definitely sucks that his line mates are not the kind of players that compliment him. Is Sheary hurt? I feel like I've read somewhere that he's hurt. Not that most guys in the playoffs aren't. Also.. I was back in Pitt this week, and word on the streets is Malkin's arm isn't 100%? I dunno. Rust works his ass off still, but him alongside Malkin just doesn't work. I'd like to see them load up Sid and Geno on the same line, all game. Not just 5 minutes, and not just the PP. Give Cullen the 3C spot and Fehr the 4C. Load up Sid and Geno on the 1st line.

Would love Simmonds here. Think he is a turd/punk in Philly, but becomes a hero here.

Pass on the Edmonton deal. Have zero desire to have Yukupov here
- Oneonta Penguin

Obviously, Yak for Fleury is a cap dump type of move with a high risk reward