Ryan Wilson: Penguin Training Camp Report: Bylsma Speaks, Shero Gives PTO to Kobasew Penguins have reported for camp, Dan Bylsma speaks to media, Ray Shero offers PTO to Chuck Kobasew

Kobasew could be a good addition to the third line. He plays with speed, a little bit of grit, and is sound defensively. This team doesn't need him to score 20, but it would be an added bonus. If he makes the team, officially say goodbye to Glass.

I bet I have your attention now. Honestly, I do believe that the Penguins have one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL, whether or not it is actually the best is a subjective argument, and one that I don't think is necessary. The only thing that matters is that the Penguins receive quality goaltending, and they will in the regular season.

I understand why they would want to give Fleury the workload, but I would probably go into the season with Vokoun as my #1 guy. Clearly the decision makers in Pittsburgh have a different perception than I do. For the regular season it should work out fine regardless of who gets the lion’s share of the starts. The playoffs? well...



I can't agree with you here my friend. If they couldn't decide who to start because they were both off the charts good then I would agree they have one of the best tandems in the league. That's not the case here.

Goaltending is a huge issue, whether they admit it or not.

Kobasew could be a good addition to the third line. He plays with speed, a little bit of grit, and is sound defensively. This team doesn't need him to score 20, but it would be an added bonus. If he makes the team, officially say goodbye to Glass.
- cap1681

Kobasew is trash. Now he's older trash. Pass. I'd rather have Glass, and I (frank)ing hate Glass.

I bet I have your attention now. Honestly, I do believe that the Penguins have one of the best goalie tandems in the NHL, whether or not it is actually the best is a subjective argument, and one that I don't think is necessary. The only thing that matters is that the Penguins receive quality goaltending, and they will in the regular season.

I understand why they would want to give Fleury the workload, but I would probably go into the season with Vokoun as my #1 guy. Clearly the decision makers in Pittsburgh have a different perception than I do. For the regular season it should work out fine regardless of who gets the lion’s share of the starts. The playoffs? well...



I can't agree with you here my friend. If they couldn't decide who to start because they were both off the charts good then I would agree they have one of the best tandems in the league. That's not the case here.

Goaltending is a huge issue, whether they admit it or not.
- canadianpenfan

Vokoun 4th overall in EVSV%, Fleury 11th. Only other team with 2 goalies in the top 15 was Chicago

http://stats.hockeyanalys...s&sort=ShPctA&sortdir=ASC

I understand why they would want to give Fleury the workload, but I would probably go into the season with Vokoun as my #1 guy. Clearly the decision makers in Pittsburgh have a different perception than I do. For the regular season it should work out fine regardless of who gets the lion’s share of the starts. The playoffs? well...
- Ryan_Wilson

I think it makes sense for Fleury to get the majority of regular season starts. He needs to play to maybe he his head on straight, and he has been good in the regular season. With Vokoun's age, and realistic possibility of him playing as a #1 deep into the playoffs, pacing him in the regular season makes sense.

There is no harm in bringing in Kobasew for a PTO but I don’t see how he could help a Stanley Cup contender like the Penguins.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'm not sure if he could be much of a help as a regular 3rd/4th line player for a Cup contender, but if he sticks around in the organization, he'd be a great 13th forward/first AHL call-up depth guy if he is good with that role. Not only to contribute, but to help motivate the bottom six guys ahead of him on the depth chart to keep fighting for their jobs.

Look at some of the names of the depth callups the last few years... Brett Sterling, Trevor Smith, Jason Williams, Tim Wallace, Cal O'Reilly, etc.... I like the options a lot more this year, with guys like possibly Kobasew, Andrew Ebbett, Harry Zolnierczyk and Tom Kostopoulos as guys who you can trust to come in an play a stretch of games in case of injuries/poor play.

I'm not sure if he could be much of a help as a regular 3rd/4th line player for a Cup contender, but if he sticks around in the organization, he'd be a great 13th forward/first AHL call-up depth guy if he is good with that role. Not only to contribute, but to help motivate the bottom six guys ahead of him on the depth chart to keep fighting for their jobs.

Look at some of the names of the depth callups the last few years... Brett Sterling, Trevor Smith, Jason Williams, Tim Wallace, Cal O'Reilly, etc.... I like the options a lot more this year, with guys like possibly Kobasew, Andrew Ebbett, Harry Zolnierczyk and Tom Kostopoulos as guys who you can trust to come in an play a stretch of games in case of injuries/poor play.
- rival22

As a call up I agree, but will he accept that role? That is the question.

Vokoun 4th overall in EVSV%, Fleury 11th. Only other team with 2 goalies in the top 15 was Chicago

http://stats.hockeyanalys...s&sort=ShPctA&sortdir=ASC
- Ryan_Wilson

I don't care. Win when it matters. This team is about competing for and winning cups. You don't have one of, or the best goaltending tandem in the league when you routinely give up more than 4 goals a game in the playoffs.

Save Percentage is a useless stat when you consider goals going in from behind the goaline. The other team doesn't even have to shoot to get goals against us.

Kobasew is trash. Now he's older trash. Pass. I'd rather have Glass, and I (frank)ing hate Glass.
- canadianpenfan

In the past year Kobasew has won more fights than Glass has. I dont hate Kobasew he atleast has some what of a scoring touch, not much; but with what we have going right now bottom six he maybe an ok fit.

I don't care. Win when it matters. This team is about competing for and winning cups. You don't have one of, or the best goaltending tandem in the league when you routinely give up more than 4 goals a game in the playoffs.

Save Percentage is a useless stat when you consider goals going in from behind the goaline. The other team doesn't even have to shoot to get goals against us.
- canadianpenfan

1st step to that is winning in the regular season. Which this team and their goalies has done regularly.

As a call up I agree, but will he accept that role? That is the question.
- Ryan_Wilson

I found this column this morning...

http://www.denverpost.com...g-well-colorado-avalanche

About being a healthy scratch at times last season:

"When I was younger, I would have read into that too much," said Kobasew, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. "But I've been around long enough now where you just want to be in the lineup and do what you can to help the team win. When you get your number called to be out there, you give it everything you can."

And:

"I know I can score goals and have confidence in myself. I've done it before," he said. "But when you're in the NHL, you want to do anything to stay in the NHL. It's the best league in the world."

Who knows... he seems to have a good attitude, maybe it will motivate him to have a good season, or hopefully to be positive and accept the role he has and keep working.

In the past year Kobasew has won more fights than Glass has. I dont hate Kobasew he atleast has some what of a scoring touch, not much; but with what we have going right now bottom six he maybe an ok fit.
- nbartley9

It literally has no positive impact on a team's success. Now I will grant you having people that are wiling to fight is useful. It doesn't matter one bit if they actually win the fight or not though.

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...impact-on-future-outcomes

It literally has no positive impact on a team's success. Now I will grant you having people that are wiling to fight is useful. It doesn't matter one bit if they actually win the fight or not though.

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...impact-on-future-outcomes
- Ryan_Wilson

Your right, it was just an observation.
Big thing is Glass IS supposed to win fights, he cant really do much else.
That really is a pretty cool write up.

Your right, it was just an observation.
Big thing is Glass IS supposed to win fights, he cant really do much else.
That really is a pretty cool write up.
- nbartley9

He scored in the playoffs

1st step to that is winning in the regular season. Which this team and their goalies has done regularly.
- dbell646

Awesome, then they are one of the best regular season tandems. That gets you nothing.

I'd rather have one really good goalie that could be trusted when the chips are down than two decent goalies that play good when nothing is on the line.

Call me crazy.

Awesome, then they are one of the best regular season tandems. That gets you nothing.

I'd rather have one really good goalie that could be trusted when the chips are down than two decent goalies that play good when nothing is on the line.

Call me crazy.
- canadianpenfan

Crazy

Kobasew is trash. Now he's older trash. Pass. I'd rather have Glass, and I (frank)ing hate Glass.
- canadianpenfan

Tell us how you really feel. Don't hold anything back.

It literally has no positive impact on a team's success. Now I will grant you having people that are wiling to fight is useful. It doesn't matter one bit if they actually win the fight or not though.

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...impact-on-future-outcomes
- Ryan_Wilson

Craig Adams agrees with this 100%

Awesome, then they are one of the best regular season tandems. That gets you nothing.

I'd rather have one really good goalie that could be trusted when the chips are down than two decent goalies that play good when nothing is on the line.

Call me crazy.
- canadianpenfan

To be fair, crazy, Vokoun didn't seem like the problem this past offseason. Still, I agree it's a stretch to go around calling these guys (one of) the best tandems. That is, unless you specifically qualify it with 'in the regular season'.

And yes, before it's said, I would know a thing or two about tandems that aren't the best, wouldn't I?

To be fair, crazy, Vokoun didn't seem like the problem this past offseason. Still, I agree it's a stretch to go around calling these guys (one of) the best tandems. That is, unless you specifically qualify it with 'in the regular season'.

And yes, before it's said, I would know a thing or two about tandems that aren't the best, wouldn't I?
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly. Sometimes all it takes is a clear thinking Flyers fan.

Speaking of fighting:

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 8m
Expect EDM to be on lookout for a heavyweight fighter. Currently without that element but GM MacTavish and HC Eakins believe it's required.

They have any interest in Tanner Glass?

I'd offer up Derek Engelland, but moving him and his $560k salary would do more harm to the cap than keeping him as the 7th d-man.

Crazy
- dbell646

Speaking of crazy, still think the Steelers are a playoff team?

Speaking of crazy, still think the Steelers are a playoff team?
- canadianpenfan

Doesn't matter, didn't you hear? The Eagles just won the Super Bowl.

Speaking of crazy, still think the Steelers are a playoff team?
- canadianpenfan

Nope especially not without Pouncey and Foote. Line could gel and surprise us but Haley's offense is just disgusting. I also still dont think the Dolphins are!! Steel up Fins Down

Doesn't matter, didn't you hear? The Eagles just won the Super Bowl.
- BulliesPhan87

They looked like they wore themselves down a bit and Redskins made adjustments to slow them. I don't think it will have that same kind of success now that it's on tape.