John Toperzer: Game Night: Penguins Hope Lightning Strikes Twice

I have a feeling tonight is the night TK gets back on the board. Let's go Pens!!!!

I have a feeling tonight is the night TK gets back on the board. Let's go Pens!!!!
- Killian

If by on the board you mean sitting in the press box I hope you correct.

If by on the board you mean sitting in the press box I hope you correct.
- nbartley9

If by on the board you mean sitting in the press box I hope you correct.
- nbartley9

I think he means all of TK's shots will hit the board(s) or the glass behind the TB netminder.....or a spectator

It seems Malone has had a slew of injuries throughout his career.

TK has been awful offensively this season. However, his defense really hasn't been that bad. I don't think he deserves to watch the game from the press box tonight, but he does need to start chipping in offensively.

Malkin off ir means roster move or martin on ir right??

Bc he is playing tonight...

Malkin off ir means roster move or martin on ir right??

Bc he is playing tonight...
- nh4442

Martin probably goes on retroactively.

Martin probably goes on retroactively.
- Deadstar

Or bylsma send despres and bennett down lol

Wasting bennett on 3rd line but whatever bylsma plays favorites... Stupid coaching imo

I just posted this novel on Saturday's blog *face palm* so I am posting it again here. Haha.

I definitely understand why acquiring a Top 6 winger would be exciting and ultimately a good thing, but a Top 4 D-man is something that we need much more. My case essentially boils down to these two statistics-

We are currently #2 goals per game at 3.46 (just .02 behind #1 Tampa Bay). Scoring is something that we do very well. We did it 7 times in our last game against the 6th stingiest team in the league despite missing one of the 3 or 4 most offensively talented players in the world.

We are 20th for goals against per game at 2.91. The 10 teams lower than us are Philly, Washington, Colorado, Columbus, Winnipeg, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Calgary, NYI, and Florida. None of these teams are serious contenders for the cup (in fact, this list is disturbingly close to the trade deadline "sellers" list), and yet they are our defensive peers. I realize that D-men aren't the only skaters on the ice who play defensively, but anybody who has watched our last few games will be able to tell you that we have looked like trash in our own end, especially when it comes to keeping players out of the slot.

Three players that might be worthwhile (yet realistic) acquisitions-

Jan Hejda quality defensive minded stay at home d-man. I feel like he could be had at a reasonable price, maybe one of our 6,000 D prospects and one of our depth guys. Who knows, maybe we could get him for a bag of 2009 Stanley Cup Champ gear. Colorado's GM is apparently incompetent.

Eric Brewer a little less likely considering that Tampa Bay are in our conference, and their current needs are fairly similar to ours. I'm not sure of the specifics of Vokoun's "modified" NTC, but perhaps we could throw him in as part of a deal. I would personally consider him an upgrade over Lindback.

Barret Jackman if the Blues were sitting in a better situation I'd say that there is no way that they'd part with him...and they probably still wouldn't, but if they would Jackman would be a wonderful addition to our team. I am friends with several die-hard Blues fans who are very sick of Elliot. So sick of him that adding Vokoun to some sort of prospects/picks package might be enough to land him if the Blues lose another 5 or 6 games before the deadline.

I haven't even heard murmurs of any of these three players being available, but I don't think any of them are outside of the realm of possibility.

I just posted this novel on Saturday's blog *face palm* so I am posting it again here. Haha.

I definitely understand why acquiring a Top 6 winger would be exciting and ultimately a good thing, but a Top 4 D-man is something that we need much more. My case essentially boils down to these two statistics-

We are currently #2 goals per game at 3.46 (just .02 behind #1 Tampa Bay). Scoring is something that we do very well. We did it 7 times in our last game against the 6th stingiest team in the league despite missing one of the 3 or 4 most offensively talented players in the world.

We are 20th for goals against per game at 2.91. The 10 teams lower than us are Philly, Washington, Colorado, Columbus, Winnipeg, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Calgary, NYI, and Florida. None of these teams are serious contenders for the cup (in fact, this list is disturbingly close to the trade deadline "sellers" list), and yet they are our defensive peers. I realize that D-men aren't the only skaters on the ice who play defensively, but anybody who has watched our last few games will be able to tell you that we have looked like trash in our own end, especially when it comes to keeping players out of the slot.

Three players that might be worthwhile (yet realistic) acquisitions-

Jan Hejda quality defensive minded stay at home d-man. I feel like he could be had at a reasonable price, maybe one of our 6,000 D prospects and one of our depth guys. Who knows, maybe we could get him for a bag of 2009 Stanley Cup Champ gear. Colorado's GM is apparently incompetent.

Eric Brewer a little less likely considering that Tampa Bay are in our conference, and their current needs are fairly similar to ours. I'm not sure of the specifics of Vokoun's "modified" NTC, but perhaps we could throw him in as part of a deal. I would personally consider him an upgrade over Lindback.

Barret Jackman if the Blues were sitting in a better situation I'd say that there is no way that they'd part with him...and they probably still wouldn't, but if they would Jackman would be a wonderful addition to our team. I am friends with several die-hard Blues fans who are very sick of Elliot. So sick of him that adding Vokoun to some sort of prospects/picks package might be enough to land him if the Blues lose another 5 or 6 games before the deadline.

I haven't even heard murmurs of any of these three players being available, but I don't think any of them are outside of the realm of possibility.
- kill.monsters

Agree... agree and agree some more... would like a more physical guy than Hejda or Brewer though....not sure who that would be

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

How can a reasonable person think Tyler Kennedy deserves to play tonight ? Shocking lack of awareness by coaching staff, IMO

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

All can say what you want. Country club back in Pittsburgh locker room. Certain players rewarded for being veterans


After thinking about these two twitter posts, I am inclined to agree with them. There is no punishment, more than a missed shift or two (and they usually are not veterans, but young players) that are getting punished. I hope this isn't the case though

Agree... agree and agree some more... would like a more physical guy than Hejda or Brewer though....not sure who that would be
- Tiogadog

Hejda has 46 hits, and Brewer has 33. As a point of reference, Orpik has 35. Pretty physical guys.

Edmonton has a few guys like Ladislav Smid, Mark Fistric, and and Jeff Petry who all have 50+ hits. Not sure what we have that Edmonton would want for any of these guys, but any of those three would be nice.

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

How can a reasonable person think Tyler Kennedy deserves to play tonight ? Shocking lack of awareness by coaching staff, IMO

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

All can say what you want. Country club back in Pittsburgh locker room. Certain players rewarded for being veterans


After thinking about these two twitter posts, I am inclined to agree with them. There is no punishment, more than a missed shift or two (and they usually are not veterans, but young players) that are getting punished. I hope this isn't the case though
- ryman1566

Agreed. There needs to be more accountability, especially for guys that aren't making things happen. Kennedy has been counterproductive. He's not alone.

TPBDerek is a solid follow on twitter too. Don't mind my shameless plug.

Hejda has 46 hits, and Brewer has 33. As a point of reference, Orpik has 35. Pretty physical guys.

Edmonton has a few guys like Ladislav Smid, Mark Fistric, and and Jeff Petry who all have 50+ hits. Not sure what we have that Edmonton would want for any of these guys, but any of those three would be nice.
- kill.monsters

Defense. Lots of defense. None that I want to see go there though, unless it's for a forward we know won't be dealt.

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

How can a reasonable person think Tyler Kennedy deserves to play tonight ? Shocking lack of awareness by coaching staff, IMO

TPB Derek‏@TPBderek

All can say what you want. Country club back in Pittsburgh locker room. Certain players rewarded for being veterans


After thinking about these two twitter posts, I am inclined to agree with them. There is no punishment, more than a missed shift or two (and they usually are not veterans, but young players) that are getting punished. I hope this isn't the case though
- ryman1566

100% agree.

Defense. Lots of defense. None that I want to see go there though, unless it's for a forward we know won't be dealt.
- HopintheCordoba

What about Matt Niskanen? They could probably use another D-man with some offensive upside, and we could use one with more grit. Smid for Niskanen might be a fairly even swap.

What about Matt Niskanen? They could probably use another D-man with some offensive upside, and we could use one with more grit. Smid for Niskanen might be a fairly even swap.
- kill.monsters

I don't have a problem with Smid, but I really like the way Niskanen has played. Also, Smid is a UFA after this season. He could be had for a pick or a lesser prospect depending on how Edmonton wants to approach it.
Niskanen has more upside to me and has a decent price for this season and next.

What about Matt Niskanen? They could probably use another D-man with some offensive upside, and we could use one with more grit. Smid for Niskanen might be a fairly even swap.
- kill.monsters

I was going to propose this trade as well....but maybe Niskanen is a keeper until next season....you never know if Letang's re-signing goes bad...

TK has been awful offensively this season. However, his defense really hasn't been that bad. I don't think he deserves to watch the game from the press box tonight, but he does need to start chipping in offensively.
- Killian

After the game against the Canadiens he definitely desereves to be sitting in the press box tonight and more nights to follow.

Hejda has 46 hits, and Brewer has 33. As a point of reference, Orpik has 35. Pretty physical guys.

Edmonton has a few guys like Ladislav Smid, Mark Fistric, and and Jeff Petry who all have 50+ hits. Not sure what we have that Edmonton would want for any of these guys, but any of those three would be nice.
- kill.monsters

Hit numbers are not always accuarte or reliable but those are interesting numbers. I just dont see Brewer being that physical. Then again, Tampa's announcers are dreadful so I tend not to tune in to their games much on Center Ice.

I really like John Erskine from Washington... but that is not ever happening.

Maybe the Pens can trade Brooks Orpik 2013 for Brooks Orpik 2010.

I was going to propose this trade as well....but maybe Niskanen is a keeper until next season....you never know if Letang's re-signing goes bad...
- Orpik44

That's a part of things for sure. There are other clubs that could be sellers besides Edmonton too. I think Shero will be a bit hesistant because the defensive core isn't bad when they are paired properly.

Letang-Niskanen
Orpik-Martin
Despres-Engelland/Bortuzzo/Eaton

Things change with injury. I'm sure Shero will keep that in mind before going after defense. A 3rd or 4th line forward seems like it could be coming soon though.

I just posted this novel on Saturday's blog *face palm* so I am posting it again here. Haha.

I definitely understand why acquiring a Top 6 winger would be exciting and ultimately a good thing, but a Top 4 D-man is something that we need much more. My case essentially boils down to these two statistics-


- kill.monsters

I like to see them improve their defense as well. It would be nice to get both but if I had to choose it would be to get a physical defenseman first. They need to tighten up defensively.

Hit numbers are not always accuarte or reliable but those are interesting numbers. I just dont see Brewer being that physical. Then again, Tampa's announcers are dreadful so I tend not to tune in to their games much on Center Ice.

I really like John Erskine from Washington... but that is not ever happening.

Maybe the Pens can trade Brooks Orpik 2013 for Brooks Orpik 2010.
- Tiogadog

Erskine?Really? Might as well go after Carkner or Regehr if you want physicality.