There seems to be quite a bit of pessimism with pretty much the whole penguins core being one concussion away from retirement. lol relax.

Pens are in pretty good shape. I really think Crosby can age gracefully with his game. Malkin not so sure about.

And Pens do have some decent top nine options waiting in Wilson, Guentzel and Sprong. I think a few average to good drafts and more progression in Poliout's case will be the best we can hope for going forward. And that's pretty good
- DeflatedPucks

Agreed. The good thing about Crosby is he hasn't had another concussion since that bad one. I'm by no means an expert, but I think I remember reading the longer you go after a concussion the less prone you become. There certainly have been some instances with shots to the head and he came out ok.

I think Letang will always be the guy we need to worry about. He seems to get into vulnerable positions a little too often.

Your paragraph makes little sense.

10-50 times higher risk of what? getting a concussion? or 10-50 times higher risk of getting career ending symptoms?
- MattStrat

Both. Letang has had what 4 concussions. His concussion risks is magnitudes higher than average player. Especially for the effects of multiple concussions adding up to a serious problem. Any guy can get one big hit that causes long-term problems, but letang is already in the camp of having multiple concussions and the problems from that can multiple.

Some of this is his style of play. He exposes himself to a lot of bad hits. Would be a really good thing if he toned down some of his antics.

Agreed. The good thing about Crosby is he hasn't had another concussion since that bad one. I'm by no means an expert, but I think I remember reading the longer you go after a concussion the less prone you become. There certainly have been some instances with shots to the head and he came out ok.

I think Letang will always be the guy we need to worry about. He seems to get into vulnerable positions a little too often.
- madmike71

I agree with that. Letang is the one I grimace every time he takes a hit.

I am curious if the correlations between one concussion = increased risks of mulitple concussions is due to player style or the brain becomes more prone to concussions. My guess is its a bit of both. Letang's style exposes himself to a lot of unnecessary hits in bad positions.

I agree with that. Letang is the one I grimace every time he takes a hit.

I am curious if the correlations between one concussion = increased risks of mulitple concussions is due to player style or the brain becomes more prone to concussions. My guess is its a bit of both. Letang's style exposes himself to a lot of unnecessary hits in bad positions.
- sditulli

sid changed they way he played dramaticly after he got the concussions. if there ever was a person that obviously will get a concussion cuz of the way he plays it is sadly mc david

I agree with that. Letang is the one I grimace every time he takes a hit.

I am curious if the correlations between one concussion = increased risks of mulitple concussions is due to player style or the brain becomes more prone to concussions. My guess is its a bit of both. Letang's style exposes himself to a lot of unnecessary hits in bad positions.
- sditulli

It's pretty much proven that you become prone to more concussions after the first one. I also think it's proven you become less prone if you go a long time without one after the first one.

I think Ruth came out and said he thought Letang needed to be a little more cautious....which Letang didn't seem to like or agree with.

No doubt Letangs style leaves him vulnerable. He takes risks.

You have to worry about decline or long term injury. Letang is still one concussion away from game over. Malkin been hurt a bunch. Window is open but risks remain.

And I'm a little concerned with our pipeline in the minors now. How many guys do we have that look like potential impact top 6/top 4? I'm only counting Sprong maybe Guetzel. We've had a lot of people graduating lately.
- sditulli

Expecting a team like the Pens who are perennial contenders to have potential impact top 6 prospects in the pipeline is a little unrealistic and isn't really necessary,routinely picking at the end of the draft really restricts teams in that aspect. The key for a team like the Pens is going to be finding players like Kunitz, Neal & Hornqvist who can be acquired via trade without requiring huge packages to acquire them, then the farm system only needs to be able to replenish the depth on the 3rd & 4th lines which is much more realistic when they're picking at the end of the draft on a yearly basis.

I agree with that. Letang is the one I grimace every time he takes a hit.

I am curious if the correlations between one concussion = increased risks of mulitple concussions is due to player style or the brain becomes more prone to concussions. My guess is its a bit of both. Letang's style exposes himself to a lot of unnecessary hits in bad positions.
- sditulli

I'm by no means an expert but with being involved in coaching youth hockey I've had a great deal of training in dealing with concussions and have gone through the protocols and treatment many times both personally and with several of my players(including my son who almost had to quit playing at 13 because of concussions).

To answer your question, yes there is definitely an increased risk of sustaining additional concussions after the first concussion than there is in people that have never had a concussion. Unfortunately concussion research is still in its infancy so much about what truly causes the long term effects and the risks involved with sustaining multiple concussions is still truly unknown but it's widely excepted that the biggest risk for long term issues is sustaining additional concussions before being full recovered from previous concussions, I've never seen or been told that the more time that elapses between concussions the less likely someone is to suffer another concussion like another poster suggested but as I said there's so many different opinions out there right now because nothing can or will be proven for the next 20-30 years that's it's possible.

It's pretty much proven that you become prone to more concussions after the first one. I also think it's proven you become less prone if you go a long time without one after the first one.

I think Ruth came out and said he thought Letang needed to be a little more cautious....which Letang didn't seem to like or agree with.

No doubt Letangs style leaves him vulnerable. He takes risks.
- madmike71

I think its likely but threat is also proving my point that it could be style of play. Crosby changed his game so it makes sense he hasn't had more concussions because he's actively removing himself from taking as many shots. Letang has had a lot more concussions and continues to expose himself. Same thing with Lindros who I think his style of play exposed himself to concussions. Point is we don't know if the brain becomes more exposed to concussions after having one or if its more related to style of play.

FWIW its probably like a broken bone. Longer you've gone without one the bone strengthens and is less likely to rebreak. But I do think some of the causation is style of play too.

Expecting a team like the Pens who are perennial contenders to have potential impact top 6 prospects in the pipeline is a little unrealistic and isn't really necessary,routinely picking at the end of the draft really restricts teams in that aspect. The key for a team like the Pens is going to be finding players like Kunitz, Neal & Hornqvist who can be acquired via trade without requiring huge packages to acquire them, then the farm system only needs to be able to replenish the depth on the 3rd & 4th lines which is much more realistic when they're picking at the end of the draft on a yearly basis.
- jaydogg1974

i don't expect it but it is very useful. I think we need 1 top 4 D or one top 6 or a goalie on elc to give us a good shot at a cup. Having one big contributor playing for 800k fills out the lineup very well. Dumo was essentially that guy this year. You could say Murray too but we were paying Fleury at the same time.

Kunitz, Neal, Horn, bonino all required trading a significant asset. In neals case a elc defender.

i don't expect it but it is very useful. I think we need 1 top 4 D or one top 6 or a goalie on elc to give us a good shot at a cup. Having one big contributor playing for 800k fills out the lineup very well. Dumo was essentially that guy this year. You could say Murray too but we were paying Fleury at the same time.

Kunitz, Neal, Horn, bonino all required trading a significant asset. In neals case a elc defender.
- sditulli

Goligoski was traded during the 2010-2011 season which was the 2nd year of the 3y-5.5M(1.83M AAV) he signed after his elc expired in 2008-2009, so not only was he not on his elc, he was 1 season away from being due a another significant raise. Even though it wasn't really the point of my original post. I would argue that is the exact point they should be looking to move their non-core players especially when it nets you a return of a top 6 wing & top 4 defenseman.

In all of those trades(except for the Neal for Hornqvist deal) they moved a non-core asset that was or would soon be due for a pay increase and filled a much needed hole which in my opinion is a great approach for a team like the Pens, bring the young kids in to fill the depth on the 3rd & 4th lines then when the young depth progresses to the point of being due significant pay increase move the young assets to fill voids in the top 6/top 4 and replace them on the 3rd & 4th lines with the next group of young players.

Goligoski was traded during the 2010-2011 season which was the 2nd year of the 3y-5.5M(1.83M AAV) he signed after his elc expired in 2008-2009, so not only was he not on his elc, he was 1 season away from being due a another significant raise. Even though it wasn't really the point of my original post. I would argue that is the exact point they should be looking to move their non-core players especially when it nets you a return of a top 6 wing & top 4 defenseman.

In all of those trades(except for the Neal for Hornqvist deal) they moved a non-core asset that was or would soon be due for a pay increase and filled a much needed hole which in my opinion is a great approach for a team like the Pens, bring the young kids in to fill the depth on the 3rd & 4th lines then when the young depth progresses to the point of being due significant pay increase move the young assets to fill voids in the top 6/top 4 and replace them on the 3rd & 4th lines with the next group of young players.
- jaydogg1974

Gogo was still trading a close to top 4 dman at I believe cheaper salary for neal. Bottom line to do that you need guys with top 4/top 6 potential to make it happen. Still gogo was pretty cheap and looking like top 4 if he wasn't already. Not sure I see extra secondary role potential guys on the roster...unless a bunch of pouliot, sprong, rust, wilson all turn into top 4/top6

Gogo was still trading a close to top 4 dman at I believe cheaper salary for neal. Bottom line to do that you need guys with top 4/top 6 potential to make it happen. Still gogo was pretty cheap and looking like top 4 if he wasn't already. Not sure I see extra secondary role potential guys on the roster...unless a bunch of pouliot, sprong, rust, wilson all turn into top 4/top6
- sditulli

@sditulli:

I think you're over thinking. You don't need top end contributors to be on ELC for cup contention. What you need is top to bottom depth. Yes, one way of achieving that is to have youngsters like Saad, Ekblad, Ristolanen, Kuznetsov, Kucherov, or some other young stud like that contributing at an extremely high end where you're basically getting a 6 mil + contract level of production at 800k. Another way is to pay all of your top end guys but have the aggregate of your role players equal something very cheap. That's what we did last season.

And that's why I'm against throwing big money at Bones. It messes up our cap situation because we don't have anyone in the pipeline that can put up 25+ goals or 50+ points in the near future besides Sprong depending on how ready he is. We need to keep our aggregate cost for supporting staff down.

Malkin is not irreplaceable. The best hockey this roster played was without him. The biggest turning point of the season might have been the HBK line which could not have been done without him. He certainly did not dominate in the playoffs. At some point in his career Malkin will play for another hockey club. Most likely in Russia cause its easier.

Malkin is not irreplaceable. The best hockey this roster played was without him. The biggest turning point of the season might have been the HBK line which could not have been done without him. He certainly did not dominate in the playoffs. At some point in his career Malkin will play for another hockey club. Most likely in Russia cause its easier.
- Grinder47

Kreiky! And here we have the troll in has natural habitat! The behavior is very peculiar on this one. He baits his natural prey, the Penguins fans, by posing as one of them and then snatches them up while they're unsuspecting. During mating season, you can hear his typical calls of "Butthurt" and "Eurotrash" as he attempts to lure in his mate, Sammy87.

All around fascinating specimen.

Malkin is not irreplaceable. The best hockey this roster played was without him. The biggest turning point of the season might have been the HBK line which could not have been done without him. He certainly did not dominate in the playoffs. At some point in his career Malkin will play for another hockey club. Most likely in Russia cause its easier.
- Grinder47

If I recall, Malkin did just as well with the HK unit as did Bonino. I would definitely argue even Crosby did not "dominate" according to his past standards. Even so, I would be much more confident having a guy like Malkin in the lineup than not.

Both. Letang has had what 4 concussions. His concussion risks is magnitudes higher than average player. Especially for the effects of multiple concussions adding up to a serious problem. Any guy can get one big hit that causes long-term problems, but letang is already in the camp of having multiple concussions and the problems from that can multiple.

Some of this is his style of play. He exposes himself to a lot of bad hits. Would be a really good thing if he toned down some of his antics.
- sditulli

Asking Kris Letang to tone down is like asking a busty women to cover up. Its just stupid.

Kreiky! And here we have the troll in has natural habitat! The behavior is very peculiar on this one. He baits his natural prey, the Penguins fans, by posing as one of them and then snatches them up while they're unsuspecting. During mating season, you can hear his typical calls of "Butthurt" and "Eurotrash" as he attempts to lure in his mate, Sammy87.

All around fascinating specimen.
- Victoro311

Its makes you mad because its absolutely true and goes against the false reality you all have created about everyones favorite Russian GENO! Sitting around holding hands agreeing with each other in a big lovefest is not how to be a hockey fan.

If I recall, Malkin did just as well with the HK unit as did Bonino. I would definitely argue even Crosby did not "dominate" according to his past standards. Even so, I would be much more confident having a guy like Malkin in the lineup than not.
- DeflatedPucks

If you know how to watch hockey you need no statistical proof to know Crosby dominated.

If you know how to watch hockey you need no statistical proof to know Crosby dominated.
- Grinder47

he did dominate. but not dominate like sid USUALLY dominates

If you know how to watch hockey you need no statistical proof to know Crosby dominated.
- Grinder47

Def not compared to playoffs past. He played great defensively but in the WAS and SJ series, he was mostly kept off the scoreboard.

Asking Kris Letang to tone down is like asking a busty women to cover up. Its just stupid.
- Grinder47

This is the most ridiculous thing I've read today

Its makes you mad because its absolutely true and goes against the false reality you all have created about everyones favorite Russian GENO! Sitting around holding hands agreeing with each other in a big lovefest is not how to be a hockey fan.
- Grinder47

Hey man that's on you if you don't know that the hippies won and love is the only way.

Kreiky! And here we have the troll in has natural habitat! The behavior is very peculiar on this one. He baits his natural prey, the Penguins fans, by posing as one of them and then snatches them up while they're unsuspecting. During mating season, you can hear his typical calls of "Butthurt" and "Eurotrash" as he attempts to lure in his mate, Sammy87.

All around fascinating specimen.
- Victoro311

Malkin is not irreplaceable. The best hockey this roster played was without him. The biggest turning point of the season might have been the HBK line which could not have been done without him. He certainly did not dominate in the playoffs. At some point in his career Malkin will play for another hockey club. Most likely in Russia cause its easier.
- Grinder47

So embarassing lol you are (frank)in great for comical relief.