Agree. The Pens looked really off in that second game. With the D-men, the drop-off after Letang is steep. If Sid and Geno are firing on all cylinders, they can live with a shallow defense (as last year proved), but when Sid and Geno dry up, things can get dicey fast if your goalie doesn't play lights out.
- GalacticStone

The drop off after Letang is steep? Shultz, Dumoulin and Maatta are all legit top 4 NHL dmen. It's not like they are a bunch of scrubs. Cole is a legit 4-5 NHL guy. After that maybe but that's 5 NHL dmen. There is definitely better d corps but there are a lot worse ones too.

The drop off after Letang is steep? Shultz, Dumoulin and Maatta are all legit top 4 NHL dmen. It's not like they are a bunch of scrubs. Cole is a legit 4-5 NHL guy. After that maybe but that's 5 NHL dmen. There is definitely better d corps but there are a lot worse ones too.
- Dcoms

I can't blame him if he's getting his impression from the two Bolts games. They sucked top to bottom in those games. Especially the 2nd game.

I can't blame him if he's getting his impression from the two Bolts games. They sucked top to bottom in those games. Especially the 2nd game.
- madmike71

I didn't hear too many of these excuses for Flower when he had a bad result. I would put this years D corp on par or better than last seasons with Letang in now & what's the Maatta playing better this season. Average goalies don't go meltdown mode against teams when the D goes missing, good goalies hold their own & shyte goalies do what Niemi did.

I hate hate hate the Rust Malkin Kessel line. You have Malkin and Kessel taking puck time away from the other, and when neither have it Rust has just been sprinting the puck down the wall and charging the goalie.

Trade Martavis Bryant to the Broncos for Duchene.

I can't help but think that the Lightning drove a stake through the heart of Niemi's career. I almost feel bad for the guy.
- GalacticStone

Thank you Lightning.

I hate hate hate the Rust Malkin Kessel line. You have Malkin and Kessel taking puck time away from the other, and when neither have it Rust has just been sprinting the puck down the wall and charging the goalie.

Trade Martavis Bryant to the Broncos for Duchene.
- eNDSo

its hard to feel bad for any has-been that sticks around longer than their performance suggests they should when a foolish gm throws $700K at them.

Peace out Niemi...as some have pointed out the players in front of him did him no favours, neither did the scheduling and when HCMS decided to use him...but on the other hand he didnt do himself or the team any favours either. We'll chalk it up as a failed GMJR experiment.

Sheahan should be in the lineup tonight, right?

Make the 3rd line the Kessel line with Sheahan the C and call up Sprong to ride shotgun with Geno. Do it.

its hard to feel bad for any has-been that sticks around longer than their performance suggests they should when a foolish gm throws $700K at them.
- HiSticking

haha well when you put it that way...

Agree. The Pens looked really off in that second game. With the D-men, the drop-off after Letang is steep. If Sid and Geno are firing on all cylinders, they can live with a shallow defense (as last year proved), but when Sid and Geno dry up, things can get dicey fast if your goalie doesn't play lights out.
- GalacticStone

Well...they all (Schultz, Dumouloin, Cole, Maatta and even Rhudy) just won a cup without Letang and while it wasn't the prettiest of cup runs the fact of the matter is they got the job done.

Its kinda crazy that Maatta is looking like an Allstar and now its Schultz and Dumoulin that look a bit subpar. I think they will come around though.

Tampa's top 4 are lovely and that Sergachev kid is looking like he's going to be special. You guys had quite the luxury of forwards to be able to obtain such a highly touted D prospect that can come right into the lineup like that. Good on yas.

I called it before the season started....Tampa in the ECF. Long road yet though.

The way how the Pens play, and how they have played for years, often puts goalies in the position where they pretty much have to stand on their heads to win games - a lethal offense combined with a porous defense that seems to give up breakaways and numerous odd man chances every game. This is true with both Murray and Niemi as well as the past starter (Fleury) and past backups like Zatkoff, Greiss, Johnston, and Vokoun. It doesn't matter who is in net they will get shelled. A young top-notch goalie like Murray can still win games but a washed up veteran like Niemi doesn't have a chance.

While it is hard to argue with success I have to wonder how much longer the Pens can keep doing this. Even with Murray at the top of his game it greatly increases the chances of him getting injured (like late last season) and no doubt had a hand in Fleury's concussions the past several years. The team really has to play better defense in front of its goalies.

I hate hate hate the Rust Malkin Kessel line. You have Malkin and Kessel taking puck time away from the other, and when neither have it Rust has just been sprinting the puck down the wall and charging the goalie.

Trade Martavis Bryant to the Broncos for Duchene.
- eNDSo

Holy poop, Panthers claimed Niemi.

Holy poop, Panthers claimed Niemi.
- jmatchett383

I think Luongo is out, so I guess that makes some sense.

I think Luongo is out, so I guess that makes some sense.
- Rinosaur

Short of tanking, it makes no sense. The following make more sense:

1) Play with 6 skaters all game. Just attempt to win every game 26-24.
2) The shooter tutor.
3) Whatever ECHL goalie you have.
4) The guy in section 102, row 5, seats 7.
5) Luongo's pads

Short of tanking, it makes no sense. The following make more sense:

1) Play with 6 skaters all game. Just attempt to win every game 26-24.
2) The shooter tutor.
3) Whatever ECHL goalie you have.
4) The guy in section 102, row 5, seats 7.
5) Luongo's pads
- jmatchett383

So on the real, do you think your boys are for real this year or are just they going to fizzle out?

EDIT: Luongo injured his finger against the Pens and looks like he could miss significant time.

So on the real, do you think your boys are for real this year or are just they going to fizzle out?

EDIT: Luongo injured his finger against the Pens and looks like he could miss significant time.
- Rinosaur

If they can stay relatively healthy and get league average goaltending, they'll battle for a wild card spot or a top 3 division finish. The only worry I have is the coach/GMs use of the defensemen. They have 2 rookies (Hagg/Sanheim) along with 2 other young players (Ghost and Provorov) and seem reluctant to add Morin into the lineup despite the fact that he's better than Gudas and much better than Manning. Since MacDonald (who's played well) is injured, we're getting a steady dose of Brandon Manning.

Holy poop, Panthers claimed Niemi.
- jmatchett383

Wow that's awful lol

Wow that's awful lol
- 668710

you guys need a back-up ahl goalie?

sparks for a 7th

you guys need a back-up ahl goalie?

sparks for a 7th
- Tumbleweed

Dude's actually a decent AHL goalie. I'd do that in a second.

If they can stay relatively healthy and get league average goaltending, they'll battle for a wild card spot or a top 3 division finish. The only worry I have is the coach/GMs use of the defensemen. They have 2 rookies (Hagg/Sanheim) along with 2 other young players (Ghost and Provorov) and seem reluctant to add Morin into the lineup despite the fact that he's better than Gudas and much better than Manning. Since MacDonald (who's played well) is injured, we're getting a steady dose of Brandon Manning.
- jmatchett383

It's gonna be interesting to see how the Metro pans out. It's off to a whacky start.

Dude's actually a decent AHL goalie. I'd do that in a second.
- jmatchett383

we've got a log jam of goalies and overall contracts.

would help us out to basically give him away for the contract spot and get down to 2 ahl goalies.

It's gonna be interesting to see how the Metro pans out. It's off to a whacky start.
- Rinosaur

Penguins will live and die by the sword this year. I think the defense will improve, but I'm not sure by how much.
The Caps will feel the crunch and likely won't finish in the top-3.
Columbus looks strong, they'll go as far as Bob can take them,
Flyers, Islanders, and Carolina will likely battle for 2 spots.
Rangers look like poop. Weak forward depth is killing them.
New Jersey will realize they're New Jersey.

I'd give the Flyers a 60% chance to make the playoffs. Penguins will battle Columbus for the #1 spot.

we've got a log jam of goalies and overall contracts.

would help us out to basically give him away for the contract spot and get down to 2 ahl goalies.
- Tumbleweed

In that case, Sparks and TML 7th for Pit 7th.

Coreau for our 5th back. Thanks.