Bottom 6 is dog poop. I thought you were a super fan and all knowing?

Reality is the bottom 9 is dog poop….but at least they will retire pens?

Highlight of the year was watching maf pull saves out of his ass.
- sammy87

We get it, you're a miserable cvnt and you like to spread your misery here. You have the worst takes of anyone around here, pretty much all time. When you get really sh!t on for the super horrible takes, with many calling you out, you just tuck your tail between your legs and disappear like the little b!tch you are until there's another blog to spread your miserable self and horrible takes in the comment section.

How can the Pens, as a team, be around a top 10 5 on 5 play, top 10 Pk with top 10 goaltending most of the season if what you're saying is true? Sure, there's been some dips in it all here and there, same as for every other single team in the league, but for the better part of the season they are top 10 or better. In fact, if you totally remove all of the October games, they are in every metric....except the PP.

Anyone who's actually watching the games, and understands what they're watching, know that it's the PP (no one from bottom 6 on it, usually...they are on a top 10 PK though) that has been their Achilles heal in almost all the loses this season. If they had at least a league average PP they are 2nd in the division right now.

I’m glad the bottom six guys work hard but not a single one of them has a skill set that could possible translate to the top 6. DOC doesn’t either. The guy in the bottom six that might be the most probable to have some sort of success in the top 6 might legitimately be Jeff Carter, which, come on. JP getting a shot up there says less about him and more about how poorly constructed this roster is.
- Victoro311

I can remember when the same things were said of thought to be career 4th liner "toss in, in Hossa trade" Pascal Dupuis. Not a single f'n soul on this planet thought he would become a part of one of the best forwards lines of the cap era haha.

Just saying you try different poop and sometimes things stick and you're surprised. It happens sometimes.

Not even two weeks ago a lot of people here were talking about how this team was good and could even win a playoff round or two...then a few loses in a row and everyone is back in the gutter hahaha

Also, there is a 4 time 25+ (2 times 30+) goal scorer, who's had a lot of success in the top 6, being used in bottom 6. His career shooting% is 11.0...this season its 5.7%. He could get closer to career average. He has shown to work with Geno and Sid, large enough samples. He, Geno and Smith had arguably the best line on the team a lot of nights earlier in the season.

Harkens (frank)ing sucks. The dude is beyond useless lol I don’t want him anywhere near the top 6.
- j.boyd919

He'd most likely not get it done....but how do you know unless you give it a go? Part of my attitude about PJ there right off the bat is the treatment of younger players by Sully over the years. After he took over as coach he thrived with his young WBS guys they called up. After those two cups he just seemingly stubbornly doesn't favour young guys at all, rarely gives chances like he is PJ right off the bat. Guys like Sprong, who are doing great elsewhere, come to mind.

So yeah, for a 25 year old, who only played 17 games all last season, coming off double hip surgery, and rehab, who has never scored more than 15 in a season, added to the fact of how Sully has been with younger players, to just get injected into top 6 was weird for me.

He'd most likely not get it done....but how do you know unless you give it a go? Part of my attitude about PJ there right off the bat is the treatment of younger players by Sully over the years. After he took over as coach he thrived with his young WBS guys they called up. After those two cups he just seemingly stubbornly doesn't favour young guys at all, rarely gives chances like he is PJ right off the bat. Guys like Sprong, who are doing great elsewhere, come to mind.

So yeah, for a 25 year old, who only played 17 games all last season, coming off double hip surgery, and rehab, who has never scored more than 15 in a season, added to the fact of how Sully has been with younger players, to just get injected into top 6 was weird for me.
- MattStrat

I assume it is because in WBS he has been driving to the net and has become a pretty good net front presence which many players couldn't move him from in front of the net once he got there. He would play good defense on the forecheck, and also could score from the dot or in front of the net. I think they believe he brings something that is lacking in the top 6. That's just my opinion though.

I assume it is because in WBS he has been driving to the net and has become a pretty good net front presence which many players couldn't move him from in front of the net once he got there. He would play good defense on the forecheck, and also could score from the dot or in front of the net. I think they believe he brings something that is lacking in the top 6. That's just my opinion though.
- 123Kid

I wasn't really following him in WBS at all, so you're probably right. For the record I'm not against PJ there I just found it strange from a Sully standpoint. I'm actually in favour of him staying there for some games in a row to try and see if some gelling and chemistry can be found, to give Geno some consistency. PJ has actually had arguably the best overall underlying numbers of all forwards the last 3 games since entering the lineup haha

Last game vs Jets: 83.33HDSC% (1st on team), 62.87 xGF% (5th on team) and 60.71 CF% (4th on team)

Last 3 games: 61.86xGF% (4th on team), 55.56 HDSC% (7th on team) and 61.54 CF% (2nd on team)

You get nothing for effort in the league It is all about the W Not close calls
They have no snipers any more They hit the target not the net Out shooting the opponent does not count WINS count Cannot even get a loser point They have no clue what to do on the PP I watch other games and teams make it look so easy Pens make it look so hard I know they are getting old but senile might be more realistic They all need glasses The point is to hit the net not the Goalie
- broncohorvath

Scoring goals doesn't matter any more, it's about how many you're expected to score. As long as you're expected to score more and ignore irrelevant things like goalies, only expected goals for shares truly matter.

Scoring goals doesn't matter any more, it's about how many you're expected to score. As long as you're expected to score more and ignore irrelevant things like goalies, only expected goals for shares truly matter.
- jmatchett383

Zzzzzz

I can remember when the same things were said of thought to be career 4th liner "toss in, in Hossa trade" Pascal Dupuis. Not a single f'n soul on this planet thought he would become a part of one of the best forwards lines of the cap era haha.

Just saying you try different poop and sometimes things stick and you're surprised. It happens sometimes.

Not even two weeks ago a lot of people here were talking about how this team was good and could even win a playoff round or two...then a few loses in a row and everyone is back in the gutter hahaha

Also, there is a 4 time 25+ (2 times 30+) goal scorer, who's had a lot of success in the top 6, being used in bottom 6. His career shooting% is 11.0...this season its 5.7%. He could get closer to career average. He has shown to work with Geno and Sid, large enough samples. He, Geno and Smith had arguably the best line on the team a lot of nights earlier in the season.
- MattStrat

So you're suggesting the Penguins resign Kevin Powder Nose Stevens?

He'd most likely not get it done....but how do you know unless you give it a go? Part of my attitude about PJ there right off the bat is the treatment of younger players by Sully over the years. After he took over as coach he thrived with his young WBS guys they called up. After those two cups he just seemingly stubbornly doesn't favour young guys at all, rarely gives chances like he is PJ right off the bat. Guys like Sprong, who are doing great elsewhere, come to mind.

So yeah, for a 25 year old, who only played 17 games all last season, coming off double hip surgery, and rehab, who has never scored more than 15 in a season, added to the fact of how Sully has been with younger players, to just get injected into top 6 was weird for me.
- MattStrat

Dupuis had a 20 goal 48 point season prior to coming to the Pens though, totally different pedigree.

I like Harkins on the 4th line on that contract, but he's scored 13 goals in 188 NHL games, and none in 34 games this year. He's not shown any reason to think he'd work in the top 6.

Rak for whatever reason just looks lost out there this year.

Dupuis had a 20 goal 48 point season prior to coming to the Pens though, totally different pedigree.

I like Harkins on the 4th line on that contract, but he's scored 13 goals in 188 NHL games, and none in 34 games this year. He's not shown any reason to think he'd work in the top 6.

Rak for whatever reason just looks lost out there this year.
- MickV

Yeah, the season after that he scored 11 and never had more than 11 for like 8 years. He was a 4th liner for years and years...and on a horrible Thrashers team, at that for some of those years.

Obviously had shown more scoring touch in career than Harkins ever did though, no doubt, and as far as I know always heralded for his two way play. Like I said in response to Boyd "He (Harkins) would most likely not get it done" haha but I still think everyone should be tried up there at least for a bit....even Carter.

I wasn't really following him in WBS at all, so you're probably right. For the record I'm not against PJ there I just found it strange from a Sully standpoint. I'm actually in favour of him staying there for some games in a row to try and see if some gelling and chemistry can be found, to give Geno some consistency. PJ has actually had arguably the best overall underlying numbers of all forwards the last 3 games since entering the lineup haha

Last game vs Jets: 83.33HDSC% (1st on team), 62.87 xGF% (5th on team) and 60.71 CF% (4th on team)

Last 3 games: 61.86xGF% (4th on team), 55.56 HDSC% (7th on team) and 61.54 CF% (2nd on team)
- MattStrat

I agree with your thinking, the difference is Puljujarvi has quite a bit of NHL experience elsewhere. That's the one and only reason Sullivan is giving him the opportunity.

I read a story yesterday or the day before, either Hooks Orpik (Pensburgh) or Nick Horwat (Hockey News) saying Puljujarvi was thought of a solid player with no finish.

He looks good to me, the finishing part hasn't happened yet. But it's too soon for me to come to that conclusion.

In the hardest league in the world he always gets the puck in the corner and does something useful with it. He’s 7 times the player if DOC.
- Grinder47

Evidenced by his 4 points in 34 games, you are wrong.

Zzzzzz
- MattStrat

I can't understand this without a good/bad/exciting/boring chart

Yeah, the season after that he scored 11 and never had more than 11 for like 8 years. He was a 4th liner for years and years...and on a horrible Thrashers team, at that for some of those years.

Obviously had shown more scoring touch in career than Harkins ever did though, no doubt, and as far as I know always heralded for his two way play. Like I said in response to Boyd "He (Harkins) would most likely not get it done" haha but I still think everyone should be tried up there at least for a bit....even Carter.
- MattStrat

Dupuis averaged about 16 goals per 82 games prior to coming to the Penguins. He scored 14 the year prior to his trade to us, and was only 4 seasons removed from that 20 goal year. He missed a lot of games in the 2 years between those seasons. (He never even played a full season with Atlanta.)

Pens play 3 games this week, Florida, Chicago and LA. With the schedule getting more compact and difficult down the stretch, if they can't pull out 2/3 after a well rested stretch, I think they are pretty much cooked.

Two things I would do regardless are:

1. Give Jake your best offer and give him a week to consider it. Of course still negotiate through if there is a deal to be made but let him know that after a week he may get traded.

2. Change the mix a bit and/or free up a contract for next season. Rackell is still a good player but Id like to trade him even if we are still going for it. Ive said it since his panthers days, but I would love to get Lawson Crouse and think he would be Kunitz 2.0 for Crosby. A good power forward who goes to the net and can finish. Would be cool if we could do a straight up trade but I would even add something to sweeten it a bit. Zona has no defence under contract for next season, so maybe they would take Graves and give us Zucker too?

I'd also be interested in a Rackell for Eberle swap (with Seattle adding). I think Eberle can do everything Rackell can for the remainder of this season and then in the offseason you can either re-sign him cheaper or use that cap space toward one of the plethora of really good players that will be available. Maybe we go Rackell & Accari for Eberle (1/2 ret) and Tanev? I'd love to try and buy low on Shayne Wright somehow (He is going to be a really good 2/3C long term) but not sure how that happens.

Dupuis averaged about 16 goals per 82 games prior to coming to the Penguins. He scored 14 the year prior to his trade to us, and was only 4 seasons removed from that 20 goal year. He missed a lot of games in the 2 years between those seasons. (He never even played a full season with Atlanta.)
- MickV

I can't believe we are trying to compare Dupuis to Harkins.... lol. Dupuis was considered a throw in only because HOSSA was the main piece. Dupuis was a solid 3rd liner when we acquired him. Did anyone think he would turn into a really solid 1st liner with Sid? No. But Harkins hasn't even proven himself as a 4th liner yet.

Dupuis averaged about 16 goals per 82 games prior to coming to the Penguins. He scored 14 the year prior to his trade to us, and was only 4 seasons removed from that 20 goal year. He missed a lot of games in the 2 years between those seasons. (He never even played a full season with Atlanta.)
- MickV

Weird, Hockey DB tells me in the year before he was traded to Pens it was 10 goals and the year before that, after being traded two times and playing for 3 different teams in one season, it was 14. I missed that when I glanced earlier....that three of the lines on his stat sheet were all one season hahah

Seems for 3 seasons with Pens he had good injury for first time in career since first few seasons with Wild....then it wore off again

I can't believe we are trying to compare Dupuis to Harkins.... lol. Dupuis was considered a throw in only because HOSSA was the main piece. Dupuis was a solid 3rd liner when we acquired him. Did anyone think he would turn into a really solid 1st liner with Sid? No. But Harkins hasn't even proven himself as a 4th liner yet.
- MacPatty

No one is comparing them as players. I compared it as a 4th liner...as he was for a handful of seasons before going to the Pens and a few while with the Pens.... getting a chance and surprising EVERYONE.

Weird, Hockey DB tells me in the year before he was traded to Pens it was 10 goals and the year before that, after being traded two times and playing for 3 different teams in one season, it was 14. I missed that when I glanced earlier....that three of the lines on his stat sheet were all one season hahah
- MattStrat

He had scored 10 already that season of the trade to us with Atlanta, then scored 2 more with us.

The thing with Dupuis is that he had some high-end skill (great shot) and had decent NHL production prior to coming to the Pens. His play had fallen off as he got close to 30 (and he was scratched some games in the 09 Cup run), so yes his resurgence was a surprise, but the skill was always there and when he rededicated himself to off-ice conditioning and came into that 2009 season in great shape, he worked his way up into the top 6.

Just a totally different situation to Harkins, who is a true grinder lacking in any high-end skillset that I can see. The coaches also will see him in practice every day. They certainly know if there's a world-class shot that hasn't been unlocked in game situations. (Doesn't seem like it to me.)

He had scored 10 already that season of the trade to us with Atlanta, then scored 2 more with us.

The thing with Dupuis is that he had some high-end skill (great shot) and had decent NHL production prior to coming to the Pens. His play had fallen off as he got close to 30 (and he was scratched some games in the 09 Cup run), so yes his resurgence was a surprise, but the skill was always there and when he rededicated himself to off-ice conditioning and came into that 2009 season in great shape, he worked his way up into the top 6.

Just a totally different situation to Harkins, who is a true grinder lacking in any high-end skillset that I can see. The coaches also will see him in practice every day. They certainly know if there's a world-class shot that hasn't been unlocked in game situations. (Doesn't seem like it to me.)
- MickV

I made an edit haha


Yeah, he was either a healthy scratch or 4th liner in the 2009 cup run. He was actually dressed more in the 2008 run to lose in finals....all on 4th line.

I agree with everything you're saying about Dupuis vs Hawkins. I'm not quite there with the coaches seeing things all the time and/or make the best decisions, though haha. There's better ideas tossed around here than what the coaches roll with sometimes. Still believe everyone should be tried everywhere when a team isn't winning consistently and that sometimes you get surprises from experimentation.

Pens play 3 games this week, Florida, Chicago and LA. With the schedule getting more compact and difficult down the stretch, if they can't pull out 2/3 after a well rested stretch, I think they are pretty much cooked.

Two things I would do regardless are:

1. Give Jake your best offer and give him a week to consider it. Of course still negotiate through if there is a deal to be made but let him know that after a week he may get traded.

2. Change the mix a bit and/or free up a contract for next season. Rackell is still a good player but Id like to trade him even if we are still going for it. Ive said it since his panthers days, but I would love to get Lawson Crouse and think he would be Kunitz 2.0 for Crosby. A good power forward who goes to the net and can finish. Would be cool if we could do a straight up trade but I would even add something to sweeten it a bit. Zona has no defence under contract for next season, so maybe they would take Graves and give us Zucker too?

I'd also be interested in a Rackell for Eberle swap (with Seattle adding). I think Eberle can do everything Rackell can for the remainder of this season and then in the offseason you can either re-sign him cheaper or use that cap space toward one of the plethora of really good players that will be available. Maybe we go Rackell & Accari for Eberle (1/2 ret) and Tanev? I'd love to try and buy low on Shayne Wright somehow (He is going to be a really good 2/3C long term) but not sure how that happens.
- MacPatty

They absolutely have to start putting some streaks together very soon or they are indeed cooked for this season, no doubt.

They absolutely have to start putting some streaks together very soon or they are indeed cooked for this season, no doubt.
- MattStrat

Losing streaks are streaks, too! They are not making the playoffs as I see it.

They absolutely have to start putting some streaks together very soon or they are indeed cooked for this season, no doubt.
- MattStrat

I’m starting to put this season, if they do miss the playoffs, on dubas. He has had plenty of time to evaluate. October was bad and fair enough that there was a lot of new players. But since they win some they lose some. That is who they are as a team. He should have started to tinker after Christmas. They are continuing to play … exactly the same. Inconsistently. Replace reirden/velucci if nothing else other than a wake up call. He’s going to wait till the deadline, and if that tinkering doesn’t work then there’s nothing that can be done.

Evidenced by his 4 points in 34 games, you are wrong.
- j.boyd919

He could be getting the pick then getting it to EK who gets it to Malkin and pick up those participation points you guys are so found of.

I’m starting to put this season, if they do miss the playoffs, on dubas. He has had plenty of time to evaluate. October was bad and fair enough that there was a lot of new players. But since they win some they lose some. That is who they are as a team. He should have started to tinker after Christmas. They are continuing to play … exactly the same. Inconsistently. Replace reirden/velucci if nothing else other than a wake up call. He’s going to wait till the deadline, and if that tinkering doesn’t work then there’s nothing that can be done.
- 10inchTerror

Agreed 100%. Everyone was out with pitchforks for Hextall because he was asleep at the wheel and not doing anything. He wasted cap space. Had a bottom 6 that couldnt score.

Dubas is doing the exact same thing, but he isn't an ex-Flyer so I guess he gets a pass.