Forsberg I'll give you but Saad wasn't considered a slam dunk. He was passed on by every team....three times by Chicago
- willi

Pens scouts were literally pounding on the draft table telling Shero to take Saad. Ray apparently was the only guy who wanted Morrow.

Pens playing a much better defensive game so far tonight.....thankfully.

Based on pedigree and position in the draft
Probably you've watched them a lot more than I did so I believe in you.

Gaunce played for Vancouver right?
- Barnaby36

Colorado actually. I haven't actually had a chance to see WBS play this year, I was just basing that off of different reports I've read and the stats from WBS. I actually asked because I thought maybe you had seen something that I didn't see.

Couple things. First, Malkin busted his ass up ice to get that puck to Cole. Second, we are going to the net with aggressiveness. Last, the D has to be sure that someone stays near the slot.

Shero didn't have to see into the future. All he had to see was that Forsberg was available, that pretty much every outlet had Forsberg as BPA, that we had a huge organizational need at forward, and pick Forsberg. It was borderline a bigger no brainer than picking Saad over Morrow.

Shero wasn't perfect and he did a lot of dumb things, but passing on Forsberg and Saad will forever be two of his biggest blunders.
- Victoro311

Taking Saad was far from a no-brainer, I know the reports came out that everyone wanted Saad but there were definitely question marks around him at the time which is why he fell from a projected lottery pick before the season started to 2nd round pick when the draft finally happened. It's easy to look back in hindsight and say it was a huge mistake(especially when others wanted Saad) but he was anything but a slamdunk pick at the time.l

Taking Saad was far from a no-brainer, I know the reports came out that everyone wanted Saad but there were definitely question marks around him at the time which is why he fell from a projected lottery pick before the season started to 2nd round pick when the draft finally happened. It's easy to look back in hindsight and say it was a huge mistake(especially when others wanted Saad) but he was anything but a slamdunk pick at the time.l
- jaydogg1974

HINDSIGHT makes anyone a genius. Not.

Couple things. First, Malkin busted his ass up ice to get that puck to Cole. Second, we are going to the net with aggressiveness. Last, the D has to be sure that someone stays near the slot.
- powerhouse

They definitely look like a different team tonight but don't leave out that Murray faced 7 shots and didn't let in a goal, that's something that hasn't happened very often for the last month or so.

That was some great offensive zone movement leading to that 2nd goal.

That was some great offensive zone movement leading to that 2nd goal.
- MattStrat

2 big saves by murray before each of our goals.

Callahan is a good player but his contract is probably a couple million dollars too much.
- Barnaby36

Callahan was a good player. He's garbage now.

Did you guys stop icing Slater Koekoek? I thought he played really well last year.
- Victoro311

Yeah that's who he was talking about. For some reason cooper scratches him but he's better than 2 maybe 3 guys on their defense.

Taking Saad was far from a no-brainer, I know the reports came out that everyone wanted Saad but there were definitely question marks around him at the time which is why he fell from a projected lottery pick before the season started to 2nd round pick when the draft finally happened. It's easy to look back in hindsight and say it was a huge mistake(especially when others wanted Saad) but he was anything but a slamdunk pick at the time.l
- jaydogg1974

I disagree. When you hire people to do a job then disregard the results of their efforts, that's the epitome of poor management. Ray wasn't good at many aspects of his job and it's really good that he's gone.

After the other night, this game is a snoozer.

Glass of Jameson is still full.

Jakey!!! The kid is a point per game player in the NHL too. Keep him here.

Eleventy goal Murray

F Fleury

Sid's line has looked lost in their own end tonight.

I disagree. When you hire people to do a job then disregard the results of their efforts, that's the epitome of poor management. Ray wasn't good at many aspects of his job and it's really good that he's gone.
- madmike71

I agree that him going against his scouts was poor management, I was just pointing out that even though it looks like a huge mistake now because Saad has turned out to be a stud, that it wasn't a slam dunk pick at the time and there were concerns about Saad's abilities.

One thing that has really surprised me through 2 periods is that I don't recall Murray having to make many(if any) glove saves. Granted MTL only has 12 total shots through 2 periods but I honestly expected that after the Washington game and Murray struggling with some shots to the glove hand side that they would have put an emphasis on challenging Murray by attacking him with shots to the glove side.

Sid's line has looked lost in their own end tonight.
- Thorny87

Sid is getting abused away from the puck.

One thing that has really surprised me through 2 periods is that I don't recall Murray having to make many(if any) glove saves. Granted MTL only has 12 total shots through 2 periods but I honestly expected that after the Washington game and Murray struggling with some shots to the glove hand side that they would have put an emphasis on challenging Murray by attacking him with shots to the glove side.
- jaydogg1974

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh!

One thing that has really surprised me through 2 periods is that I don't recall Murray having to make many(if any) glove saves. Granted MTL only has 12 total shots through 2 periods but I honestly expected that after the Washington game and Murray struggling with some shots to the glove hand side that they would have put an emphasis on challenging Murray by attacking him with shots to the glove side.
- jaydogg1974

The 12 SoG is the key component. The Habs aren't taking it to the Pens like their last few opponents have. Hopefully it builds everyone's confidence back up especially Murray's.

Sid and Geno both need one point to tie McDavid for scoring lead. Both have played less games too. The problem is McDavid plays tonight so they need to litter patter right now.

Rust is getting worse. He seems like he's always tired right now.

Is this the same team? Just sayin".......

Taking Saad was far from a no-brainer, I know the reports came out that everyone wanted Saad but there were definitely question marks around him at the time which is why he fell from a projected lottery pick before the season started to 2nd round pick when the draft finally happened. It's easy to look back in hindsight and say it was a huge mistake(especially when others wanted Saad) but he was anything but a slamdunk pick at the time.l
- jaydogg1974

You're completely right about the hindsight comment. The one difference about Saad though is he was easily the most hyped Pittsburgh draft prospect so when people say they would have taken him, it really isn't hindsight, that's the guy many of us wanted at the time even if it wasn't the draft board consensus.

I'd be lying if I said I'd knew for certain he'd be this good. But it is 100% true I'd have picked him if it were my choice, and I'm sure many other can say the same. He looked like a guy who fell just because his point totals didn't jump enough, but the size skill combo was there and was definitely worth the gamble where the Pens picked.