Tomorrow night's game is a big one. Can set the tone for the series. When the road team can break through and win game 1, it puts a ton of pressure on the home team for game 2, and is almost a house money game.

Should be a fantastic series, while it sucks the Flyers have to play the Penguins in round 1, they would likely have to play them at some point to reach the goal anyway, might as well get it out of the way early.
- PLindbergh31

Indeed. However I think we have enough playoff experience on the team that the pens wouldn't panic. Not saying this only because its about my team but we have alot of guys that have gone far in the playoffs. They understand what it is all about.

I think the situation in Toronto contributed to Schenn's struggles. That was(maybe still is) an awful place for a kid. Tons of pressure and every mistake got him benched.
- Jsaquella

His situation reminds me a lot of Subban. Every little mistake is taken to the extreme. Their young players who need to continue to develop and the only way for them to learn and gain experience is to let them play, mistakes are going to happen.

Those players are top notch. It should make it easier cant argue that. Those players were still very young when they won their first stanley cup. Even with all that talent it still went 7 games in the finals. I totally understand what your saying I just seen it too many times in sports even with all those great players you can go without winning a title. I also agree that Bylsma is a hell of a coach. Even when he lost Malkin and Crosby last year the team still was fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the year. Most teams who lose their two best scoring players struggle.
- stveshdy

Of course it went 7 games. Detroit was not exactly a weak sister that lucked it's way to the Final. They had/have guys like Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Zetterberg & Franzen.

And yes, some teams have extremely talented players that never win anything. The difference is a guy like Crosby takes personal offense when people point out weak spots.

And even in losing Crosby and Malkin, the Pens still had Staal and Fleury.

Hell, Schenn, when he struggled people ripped him-still do. He's every bit as highly regarded by most scouts as Couturier...maybe even more highly regarded.
- Jsaquella

He's still on the scapegoat list with Carle, Bryz, JVR, Briere, Lilja, and Shelley. Somehow, Coburn and Hartnell have escaped the list.

His situation reminds me a lot of Subban. Every little mistake is taken to the extreme. Their young players who need to continue to develop and the only way for them to learn and gain experience is to let them play, mistakes are going to happen.
- stveshdy

His is worse than Subban. Luke Schenn is not going to be a dynamic offensive defenseman like Subban can be. Subban can blow a coverage and get turned inside out, but then rush from one end to the other and score a highlight reel goal on the next shift.

A guy like Schenn can't do that. He's a defensive defenseman.

He's still on the scapegoat list with Carle, Bryz, JVR, Briere, Lilja, and Shelley. Somehow, Coburn and Hartnell have escaped the list.
- Flyskippy

Hartnell makes people laugh now.

I think Mario gets far too much credit. He took over because it protected him from losing the money the team still owed him as a player, not just because he wanted to be owner.
- Flyskippy

I wouldn't disagree with that being his initial motivation.

I think the situation in Toronto contributed to Schenn's struggles. That was(maybe still is) an awful place for a kid. Tons of pressure and every mistake got him benched.
- Jsaquella

Still wouldn't move JvR for him. I wouldn't move him unless a deal wows me.

A kid that big, that fast, that powerful, that talented, has to only get better once he figures it all out. The trick is to figure it out while playing here.

Hartnell makes people laugh now.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't disagree with that being his initial motivation.
- canadianpenfan

If he had gotten the team moved to KC, I wonder if he'd be the demigod he is in Pitt now.

Still wouldn't move JvR for him. I wouldn't move him unless a deal wows me.

A kid that big, that fast, that powerful, that talented, has to only get better once he figures it all out. The trick is to figure it out while playing here.
- 77rams

I'd want Schenn, plus a pick.

Of course it went 7 games. Detroit was not exactly a weak sister that lucked it's way to the Final. They had/have guys like Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Zetterberg & Franzen.

And yes, some teams have extremely talented players that never win anything. The difference is a guy like Crosby takes personal offense when people point out weak spots.

And even in losing Crosby and Malkin, the Pens still had Staal and Fleury.
- Jsaquella

I don't know about you but I personally see Jordan Staal more as a shutdown centerman than a guy who can lead a team with his scoring. Im not all that impressed with his offensive game so far in his career. I still think hes a heck of a player but I guess I see his brother as the stud offensively.

His is worse than Subban. Luke Schenn is not going to be a dynamic offensive defenseman like Subban can be. Subban can blow a coverage and get turned inside out, but then rush from one end to the other and score a highlight reel goal on the next shift.

A guy like Schenn can't do that. He's a defensive defenseman.
- Jsaquella

True. However Schenn can be much more physical than Subban imo. He may not score like Subban but I think their in the same situation as far as making mistakes and being benched for it.

Look how close the Penguins were to having Ovechkin and Crosby. Though at the moment Malkin is better. Still, can you imagine those two on a line together?
- MBFlyerfan

The main argument has always been that crosby needs a true winger, i.e. the hossa trade in '08. The wingers he has had have been marginal at best, but playing with him makes them 10x better.
A line of Crosby and Ovechkin would probably be unmatched by any duo of the past 20 years, probably ever.

I'd want Schenn, plus a pick.
- Jsaquella

That wouldn't wow me enough.

I don't know about you but I personally see Jordan Staal more as a shutdown centerman than a guy who can lead a team with his scoring. Im not all that impressed with his offensive game so far in his career. I still think hes a heck of a player but I guess I see his brother as the stud offensively.
- stveshdy

He has look ALOT better this year. He is coming into his own when it comes to his offensive ability. He was always used as a shutdown guy but now that it comes as second nature he is beginning to fine tune his offensive skills.

I don't know about you but I personally see Jordan Staal more as a shutdown centerman than a guy who can lead a team with his scoring. Im not all that impressed with his offensive game so far in his career. I still think hes a heck of a player but I guess I see his brother as the stud offensively.
- stveshdy

Jordan Staal isn't a top line offensive talent, but he is pretty much a safe bet to score 20 or more goals a year, in addition to being one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

He's also a good faceoff guy and has great size and is willing to be physical. Last I checked, having a Selke caliber center who can still score 20 goals is a pretty damned good thing to have.

That wouldn't wow me enough.
- 77rams

Right now, I wouldn't do it. Not with Grossmann and Coburn re-signed for four years. They need a Carle replacement(or to re-sign Carle). No need for a defensive defenseman anymore.

True. However Schenn can be much more physical than Subban imo. He may not score like Subban but I think their in the same situation as far as making mistakes and being benched for it.
- stveshdy

True. But fans see Subban make an end to end rush and in the flash they forget the bad play.

Schenn doesn't have that flash to his game. He's like Braydon Coburn. People are less forgiving because of the lack of a Wow Factor. Nature of the beast.

Jordan Staal isn't a top line offensive talent, but he is pretty much a safe bet to score 20 or more goals a year, in addition to being one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

He's also a good faceoff guy and has great size and is willing to be physical. Last I checked, having a Selke caliber center who can still score 20 goals is a pretty damned good thing to have.
- Jsaquella

Isnt he suppose to be? He was a top pick. All I'm saying is I'm not impressed with his offensive game. When the Pens lose Crosby or Malkin your not making up those points with Staal being your number one guy. I dont know if you could build around him like you would with his brother (Carolina spends nothing). He is a very good player but I dont see Staal carrying the Pens if Malkin and Crosby were gone.

True. But fans see Subban make an end to end rush and in the flash they forget the bad play.

Schenn doesn't have that flash to his game. He's like Braydon Coburn. People are less forgiving because of the lack of a Wow Factor. Nature of the beast.
- Jsaquella

I would take either on the Flyers today.

If he had gotten the team moved to KC, I wonder if he'd be the demigod he is in Pitt now.
- Flyskippy

Obviously not, but at the same time you can't say without a doubt he ever seriously planned to. It was alot of posturing on all sides back then. All that matters is that he kept them in Pit, got them a beautiful arena and puts an exceptional prioduct on the ice.

In regards to Malkin/OV, I'm not backreading so I apologize if this was said...

I would take Malkin 10 times out of 10. The real scary thing to think about would of been if we took Toews instead of Staal in '06.

Crosby
Malkin
Toews

You would have to trade someone simply because there wouldn't be enough ice time.

He has look ALOT better this year. He is coming into his own when it comes to his offensive ability. He was always used as a shutdown guy but now that it comes as second nature he is beginning to fine tune his offensive skills.
- kgrpitt

I think Staal is a very good player but his offensive game seems limited and average at best. I dont watch him every single game like Pens fans do so I have to take your word for it.

Edit: I guess 20 goals a year is better than average

Right now, I wouldn't do it. Not with Grossmann and Coburn re-signed for four years. They need a Carle replacement(or to re-sign Carle). No need for a defensive defenseman anymore.
- Jsaquella

I think Carle prices himself off this team.
Kubina has looked lost over the past 10 games, I don't know if he makes it back next year either.

Coburn-Grossmann
Kimmo-Meszaros
MAB-Lilja

If Schenn could be had for a reasonable price, I'd like him on the third pairing and make lilja a 7th defensemen

Isnt he suppose to be? He was a top pick. All I'm saying is I'm not impressed with his offensive game. When the Pens lose Crosby or Malkin your not making up those points with Staal being your number one guy. I dont know if you could build around him like you would with his brother (Carolina spends nothing). He is a very good player but I dont see Staal carrying the Pens if Malkin and Crosby were gone.
- stveshdy

Uh, look at last year. He was their top center and they finished just behind the Flyers in the divisional race. He's not going to score at the Crosby or Malkin levels. When those guys are fully healthy, there's maybe 3 or 4 guys in the world that score at their levels.

He's also never been asked to play the role his brother plays. Perhaps if he hadn't been behind Malkin and Crosby, his game would be further along offensively. But I have no doubt that Staaal is a vital cog in their team-and would be welcomed with open arms by 29 other teams.