Ryan Wilson: Gutsy win to start road trip Gutsy win to start road trip

I think the best thing about Puus on Geno's line is the speed he adds. It's very noticeable with DOC on the other side.

The last 2 assists for Puus were from him winning a race to a lose puck. When he got it he didn't just Harkens it into a corner, he made a heads up play to an open man.

He also has an under utilized one timer that I've only seen a couple times but it was hard and on net which is sorely lacking from this team.

When you least expect it...........EXPECT IT I know why they won. The betting Gods would not allow me to complete a 3 team parlay Detroit Fla and Vanc

But I outsmarted the Gods When the Pens got down 2 I bet the Pens at +500

for $20 So I won and the betting Gods thought they got me but they DID NOT

Who would have thought for the Pens to win they'd need some speed and youth in the wings....

Its amazing how he has kept it up. Not that anyone was ever going to question his commitment to excellence, but the 2026 Olympics is going to keep a fire under his ass! He loves that poop.

Agreed on Puust. Sullivan has always been so quick to yank young players from the lineup. I am hopeful that now that we don't have a choice but to play them, some of these guys can get comfortable and build some confidence getting more ice time without having to look over their shoulders. Too bad Poulin has been hurt again because this would have been a nice time to get a look at him. I know it isnt the right thing to do, but I am itching to get a look at Yager in the lineup. He is doing about everything he can in Jr's, I want to finally take a chance that a guy can jump in early and contribute. 7 game look or so would be nice.
- MacPatty

Right! I hate that dinosaur sh!t from Sullivan. Puust had a bad play a couple of games ago and he sat for a few shifts. Why do that when he's giving 100% effort every shift? Young players are going to make mistakes as they adjust to the speed of the NHL. Meanwhile, JC is out there for a casual skate every game and he never misses a shift.

golden goal!

Right! I hate that dinosaur sh!t from Sullivan. Puust had a bad play a couple of games ago and he sat for a few shifts. Why do that when he's giving 100% effort every shift? Young players are going to make mistakes as they adjust to the speed of the NHL. Meanwhile, JC is out there for a casual skate every game and he never misses a shift.
- madmike71

It's not Sullivan, it's every coach. You don't need to agree with it, but every NHL head coach will try to enforce things on young players while, with veterans, there's not as much to impress upon them because they are what they are. Yes, there are rare exceptions (like if your last name is Bedard), but this is what 99% of coaches will do.

As long as the coach doesn't do a prolonged benching/healthy scratching of the player (see: Tortarella, John), it's not a horrible thing.

Nobody asked me but that never stopped me from giving my opinion.

The time is now for Sullivan to practice what he preaches (long overdue IMO, but that's for later). Play these youngsters. He wants quick to the puck forechecking. He has five young guys who can do what he's been wanting and lacking for a couple years.

When I say play these guys, I mean play them 12 minutes or more. Roll the lines, don't bury them in the d-zone and wonder why they aren't scoring. Do whatever it takes, mix them into the PP, change the lines.

If Sullivan doesn't do these types of things, he's just talking out his arse. He doesn't really want guys to play fast.

Nobody asked me but that never stopped me from giving my opinion.

The time is now for Sullivan to practice what he preaches (long overdue IMO, but that's for later). Play these youngsters. He wants quick to the puck forechecking. He has five young guys who can do what he's been wanting and lacking for a couple years.

When I say play these guys, I mean play them 12 minutes or more. Roll the lines, don't bury them in the d-zone and wonder why they aren't scoring. Do whatever it takes, mix them into the PP, change the lines.

If Sullivan doesn't do these types of things, he's just talking out his arse. He doesn't really want guys to play fast.
- Thunderbolt

Why would he not "really want guys to play fast?" I'm sure he does, but I'm also sure that he them to play fast without being a liability. Similar to what I said earlier, there's a trust and learning curve aspect with young players, and he's going to manage them just like any other NHL head coach would. He's going to lean on his veteran core until these guys earn his trust. Yes, it's a bit of a Catch-22, but I doubt he's sabotaging himself.

golden goal!
- i'mjustafan

One of my favorite sativas! Pretty clear headed and energetic.

One of my favorite sativas! Pretty clear headed and energetic.
- MattStrat

Golden Goal, Golden Goat ... same same

Golden Goal, Golden Goat ... same same
- chimpira

hahahah oh sh!t...I misread his post, obviously. Nice catch.

EDIT: also....the Golden GOAT (human form), has to be Sid, right?

Why would he not "really want guys to play fast?" I'm sure he does, but I'm also sure that he them to play fast without being a liability. Similar to what I said earlier, there's a trust and learning curve aspect with young players, and he's going to manage them just like any other NHL head coach would. He's going to lean on his veteran core until these guys earn his trust. Yes, it's a bit of a Catch-22, but I doubt he's sabotaging himself.
- jmatchett383

To paraphrase Branch Rickey, 'We missed the playoffs with them last year, we can miss the playoffs this year without them.'

'Them' being older veterans. Branch Rickey, of course was talking about Ralph Kiner.

I get you have to earn your stripes. What I don't get is when you say we need to get faster and then play guys who have proven they can't play fast. I don't know if any of these youngsters are good enough to get the Pens in the playoffs. I do know the guys they were using aren't.

Nobody asked me but that never stopped me from giving my opinion.

The time is now for Sullivan to practice what he preaches (long overdue IMO, but that's for later). Play these youngsters. He wants quick to the puck forechecking. He has five young guys who can do what he's been wanting and lacking for a couple years.

When I say play these guys, I mean play them 12 minutes or more. Roll the lines, don't bury them in the d-zone and wonder why they aren't scoring. Do whatever it takes, mix them into the PP, change the lines.

If Sullivan doesn't do these types of things, he's just talking out his arse. He doesn't really want guys to play fast.
- Thunderbolt

So don’t treat them like Harkins ATCh and Carter?

It's not Sullivan, it's every coach. You don't need to agree with it, but every NHL head coach will try to enforce things on young players while, with veterans, there's not as much to impress upon them because they are what they are. Yes, there are rare exceptions (like if your last name is Bedard), but this is what 99% of coaches will do.

As long as the coach doesn't do a prolonged benching/healthy scratching of the player (see: Tortarella, John), it's not a horrible thing.
- jmatchett383

Torts is the man. You’re lucky to have him in Philly.

Reports that van is really pushing for guentzal. “Return would be huge” 1st, 2nd, prospect +

- some guy named dali

Torts is the man. You’re lucky to have him in Philly.
- Grinder47

He is what the Flyers needed to get back to being competitive again. His childish tactics can wear thin though.

So don’t treat them like Harkins ATCh and Carter?
- Grinder47

They need to serve some purpose, and it isn't playing offense.

Reports that van is really pushing for guentzal. “Return would be huge” 1st, 2nd, prospect +

- some guy named dali
- 10inchTerror

If true, God bless Jim Rutherford's obsession to overpay for the players he wants. Would be nice to be on the other side of one of those deals. Been a long time since the Staal trade.

He is what the Flyers needed to get back to being competitive again. His childish tactics can wear thin though.
- jmatchett383

He's good for 2 or 3 years. Should be coach of the year if he gets that team into the playoffs.

If true, God bless Jim Rutherford's obsession to overpay for the players he wants. Would be nice to be on the other side of one of those deals. Been a long time since the Staal trade.
- Tojo.

I would think for starters van would need to add the 2nd rounder just because of how potentially high that 1st rounder could be. But that and a prospect, and a player would be a haul.

Maybe they still want graves too. Swap him for zadarov. Then we offer Poj + for xekaj and operation beast defence is almost complete.

Reports that van is really pushing for guentzal. “Return would be huge” 1st, 2nd, prospect +

- some guy named dali
- 10inchTerror

I want Hoglander in any deal with Van. Podkolzin, Raty, and Aman are others I would be talking about. Truthfully if we can get Hoglander I would call that a win. Him and Podkolzin both don't get their fair share in the line up, but I think they could excel. Aman and Raty are centers and could potentially fit in if we traded someone like Acciari or Eller. So it all depends on what Dubas is thinking for the vision of the team. I would definitely shoot for prospects over picks if I were him

I want Hoglander in any deal with Van. Podkolzin, Raty, and Aman are others I would be talking about. Truthfully if we can get Hoglander I would call that a win. Him and Podkolzin both don't get their fair share in the line up, but I think they could excel. Aman and Raty are centers and could potentially fit in if we traded someone like Acciari or Eller. So it all depends on what Dubas is thinking for the vision of the team. I would definitely shoot for prospects over picks if I were him
- 123Kid

I really don’t want another undersized winger in hoglander. I see them dumping garland for cap reasons and that they’ve tried to get rid of him before but I don’t want him either.

Aman and raty would be ok prospects. Nils aman. I honestly don’t like what van has all that much. I like how cbus drafts. Big and physical. Watch us get the crappy Elias Petterson from Van. Everyone will be stoked when they get the notification till they read the article and find out it’s the other one haha.

I remember getting a notification a decade ago saying Pitt traded for boychuk. I was stoked till I read the article and found out it was Zack not Johnny haha

I really don’t want another undersized winger in hoglander. I see them dumping garland for cap reasons and that they’ve tried to get rid of him before but I don’t want him either.

Aman and raty would be ok prospects. Nils aman. I honestly don’t like what van has all that much. I like how cbus drafts. Big and physical. Watch us get the crappy Elias Petterson from Van. Everyone will be stoked when they get the notification till they read the article and find out it’s the other one haha.

I remember getting a notification a decade ago saying Pitt traded for boychuk. I was stoked till I read the article and found out it was Zack not Johnny haha
- 10inchTerror

I just think Hoglander is going to be a sniper and would easily be a cheap young sniper for the team. Plus if we trade off Rakell he could potentially fill in right away.

Saw an article where they had a mock trade with Vegas Golden Knights for Brendan Brisson, Daniil Miromanov, Mathieu Cataford and a 2024 first-round pick....I really hope there is a bidding war going on behind the scenes