John Toperzer: News & Numbers: Pens 2nd in race for President's Trophy Pittsburgh has 22 points on President's Day, second behind the Chicago Blackhawks' 27

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?
KHL- Its just going to take some time to get back in the swing of real hockey. Geno will light it up very very soon.
2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?
Yes, it would greatly benefit him to play in the AHL for a while. He is going to be a good NHLer just not yet. I hope Shero doesnt screw him over Pittsburgh Pirates style.
3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?
Martin is the better QB, Letang is the better shooter, really hard question. But you got to go with Martin currently.
4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?
Eric Tangradi...crap, Good point.
5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?
Geno Sid and Letang are going to take a handful of dump penalties, sadly its just expected. We have to just cross our fingers it doesnt hurt us too badly.

4) megna, zlobin, marcantuoni, blueger

edit: kolarik was tearing it up until he came to wb/s

Both Geno and Sid need to shoot more. It is maddening to see how much those two pass away golden opportunities to put the puck on net. I know both of those guys have the pass first mentality but there comes a point where someone has to say "goddamn you, shoot the f**king thing!!!". Hell, I scream it from my couch often enough. I still can't believe Sid won the Richard Trophy because some times he's incapable of actually shooting the puck.

I actually wish they could tell Geno that Sid wasn't there. Like some kind of psychological experiment. "Sid isn't real, Geno. We need you, now more than ever. Go get us the win." And then watch him go apepoop, getting four points a night and winning the scoring title again.

What's wrong with the team ? Matt Cooke !

What's wrong with the team ? Matt Cooke !
- HALhabs

Coming from a guy that has P.K. "stomp on everyone"Subban on his team hahah.

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?

Possibly the KHL style and ice surface. He is still playing well, he's just not hitting the back of the net. It's coming.

2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?

No. He needs to stay, in my opinion and play a top 6 role. He needs that time to develop chemistry with the top tier players on this team. He has the makings of being one himself.

3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?

Right now, Martin. Hard to miss the calmness he has brought. He looks like Gonchar in some ways. The shot is different between he and Gonch. Heck his shot is different than Letang's but he is keeping the puck in and working it well. Letang needs to focus a bit better.

4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?

Zlobin, Marcantuoni, Teddy Blueger and Megna. There are some other college players with promise but those are the guys right now.

5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?

At times, yes. There is a considerable lack of composure at times. Just because this team has a solid penalty kill doesn't mean they need to employ it 3-5 times a game. Glass has stepped in on mischief and so has Bortuzzo and Engelland but I think there's a bit of an edge missing.

i think bleuger is the next top forward prospect. He was just named rookie of the week in the WCHA, and i thought i remember hearing good things about him in training camp.

Both Geno and Sid need to shoot more. It is maddening to see how much those two pass away golden opportunities to put the puck on net. I know both of those guys have the pass first mentality but there comes a point where someone has to say "goddamn you, shoot the f**king thing!!!". Hell, I scream it from my couch often enough. I still can't believe Sid won the Richard Trophy because some times he's incapable of actually shooting the puck.

I actually wish they could tell Geno that Sid wasn't there. Like some kind of psychological experiment. "Sid isn't real, Geno. We need you, now more than ever. Go get us the win." And then watch him go apepoop, getting four points a night and winning the scoring title again.
- simethos

they both have one of the best shots on the team, and possibly the league.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yeqRNSXtMo

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?
The transistion from KHL to NHL is a factor, but also teams are gameplanning against him and Neal. This line needs a Kunitz type player to throw around his body and free up the puck

2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?
No, let this kid develop at the NHL level. He isn't a liability. I do agree he needs to get sustained time on a top 2 line.

3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?
It should be Letang and Martin together at the point. This gives Letang the ability to be more free flowing and takes away the risk of allowing a 2 on 1 against a forward.

4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?
Blueger, Uher, Agostino, maybe Sundqvist

5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?
Depends on the player. Malkin really seems to get away from his game when this happens. Making Crosby mad seems to have the opposite effect.

1. I'm not sure there is anything wrong with geno. He isn't piling up the points but I would have to say mabye that is due to the endless carousel of wingers.

2. I would like to see Bennett play with geno for a game or two first.

3. I like the way Martin breaks down the d and moves the puck around. The pp also looks much more in control when Martin is back there, Letang is more of a threat on the left wall though.

4. Honestly I can't name many of our forward prospects and that is the scary part.

5. No I'm more concerned with them using speed to get the puck deep and our inability to stop that, then letting them beat us at our own game.

4. Oscar Sundqvist

1. The KHL is what is wrong with Malkin. He needs to get his head out of his ass and just play.

2. Bringing up Bennett and playing him on the third line is worthless. We need to see how he can do with high end talent. He is the only internal candidate left that possibly could resolve this hole. Play him on the top two lines, or send him down.

3. Paul Martin right now looks to be the guy. He is steady and a calming influence on the power play. I never thought I'd ever say that based on the last two years.

4. Blueger, Archibald, Sundqvist, Marcantuoni

5. Concerned, yes. Malkin and Neal especially need to play smarter. They should know by now the guy who retaliates gets called.

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?

Geno getting on track should scare the crap out of the rest of the NHL.

2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?

No. He's thinking a little too much right now, but how was that not to be expected? Physically, I've seen no reason to believe he's not ready. And he's not going to learn much at WBS playing with a bunch of lugs at this point (not to put WBS down, but this year they're chock full of career AHL players, not exciting prospects - going to change once all the top-end defensive prospects get there in a year or two).

3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?

Can't argue with results. Martin slows things down, which works considering the guys he's playing with. Remains to be seen if PK's will start preparing for Martin better.

4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?

Blueger, Sundqvist and Kuhnhackl.

5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?

Yes, it's a concern. I wonder if this is due in part to the team lacking a proper deterrent.

Since I'm a numbers OCD freak, better make them 3rd behind Chicago and Anaheim. And we won't mention the difference in games played...yet!

Nice effort by the Isles today at home. Stick a fork in them.

Nice effort by the Isles today at home. Stick a fork in them.
- Oneonta Penguin

2 weeks ago, according to Isles fans, they were playoff contenders and they would be in the running for Iginlia because of their 3rd ranked PP and high ranked PK

Lots of interesting comments ... keep 'em coming. I'm going to use a couple of them in Tuesday's story.

Thanks to our Nashville commenter, too, for his pointing out the Ducks have more points than the Pens -- must be the Ben Lovejoy effect ...

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?

Nothing, good things come in good time....

2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?

Yes, I'm taking the barry melrose approach let him play and develope where he is the man.

3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?

Martin, for now, he looks more settled and isn't rushed to make a play but I think by the end of the year letang will be more in control.

4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?

Zlobin.... Yea

5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?

Yes, this team is way too undisciplined and has been for too long

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?
The transistion from KHL to NHL is a factor, but also teams are gameplanning against him and Neal. This line needs a Kunitz type player to throw around his body and free up the puck
- cap1681

I think this is the most accurate point that anybody has made. James Neal is a great sniper, but he's not exactly great at winning puck battles along the boards. What makes Kunitz and his ilk so valuable is he makes life miserable for the opponent on the boards. He's a bowling ball that works his ass off to win puck battles. Basically, the "left wing of the night club" are not those kind of players. Matt Cooke brings some of that which is why he has looked pretty good so far......not as gifted as Kunitz though.

2 weeks ago, according to Isles fans, they were playoff contenders and they would be in the running for Iginlia because of their 3rd ranked PP and high ranked PK
- cap1681

So, for the fifth year in a row, we will see them flounder with all this perceived talent. Glad to know they are loaded in the minors.

1. What’s wrong with Evgeni Malkin, who has one even-strength goal?
He needs some home cooked meals... pens should buy the senior Malkins a home in p-burgh and import them over.

2. Should the Pens send Beau Bennett, playing on the third line, back to Wilkes-Barre?
No, promote to 1st or 2nd line for 5 games first

3. Who do you like better on the point for power plays, Kris Letang or Paul Martin? Why?
Paul Martin... he's on my fantasy team

4. Can you name the Pens’ top three forward prospects after Bennett?
No, but I think most are in college hockey, Kenny D? taht minnosota high school alltime leader kid, um.... tom kostopolous?

5. Are you concerned with the penchant of opponents having success knocking the Pens’ top players off their games with retaliatory penalties?
crosby no, malkin yes

So, for the fifth year in a row, we will see them flounder with all this perceived talent. Glad to know they are loaded in the minors.

- Oneonta Penguin

C'mon, the Pens were horrible forever, so the NHL GAVE them Crosby so they could win the Cup.

Wish there was a sarcastic font.............

I think this is the most accurate point that anybody has made. James Neal is a great sniper, but he's not exactly great at winning puck battles along the boards. What makes Kunitz and his ilk so valuable is he makes life miserable for the opponent on the boards. He's a bowling ball that works his ass off to win puck battles. Basically, the "left wing of the night club" are not those kind of players. Matt Cooke brings some of that which is why he has looked pretty good so far......not as gifted as Kunitz though.
- madmike71

I still think Kunitz is best suited for Malkin's line, even though he has great chemistry with Crosby. What Crosby does better than anybody in the NHL, in my opinion, is out work them. This is why Dupuis is such a good fit with Crosby.....he is a high motor guy that never stops moving. I dont think he always needs that guy digging in the corners, because he does it so well himself. What i want to see on Crosbys line, which he hasn't seen since Hossa was here, is a pure sniper. This is why i suggested weeks ago that Kessel would be a perfect match for Crosby's wing.......the speed to keep up with Sid and the finishing ability. It will never happen, but its fun to speculate.

I still think Kunitz is best suited for Malkin's line, even though he has great chemistry with Crosby. What Crosby does better than anybody in the NHL, in my opinion, is out work them. This is why Dupuis is such a good fit with Crosby.....he is a high motor guy that never stops moving. I dont think he always needs that guy digging in the corners, because he does it so well himself. What i want to see on Crosbys line, which he hasn't seen since Hossa was here, is a pure sniper. This is why i suggested weeks ago that Kessel would be a perfect match for Crosby's wing.......the speed to keep up with Sid and the finishing ability. It will never happen, but its fun to speculate.
- cap1681

I wish we could have the Hoss back