Ryan Wilson: Penguins Bottom 6 Forward Group Stinks, No Panic Necessary Penguins drop 3-0 decision to a better Stars team. Bottom 6 struggles continue

I don't understand the backlash against the outdoor games... Where ever they are, they are incredibly well received by the fans, the players, the teams and the local youth/junior/college teams that get to play there. And they bring attention to the sport.

But you end up with the ever negative online idiots, and crotchety media members bashing it that aren't going there anyway. I love when they criticize them for being a "money grab". What do they think all the other games are? It's a business to make money.

And besides, they make a ton of money and attract some people to the sport that they wouldn't normally have.

http://bleacherreport.com...s-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934619-10-potential-nhl-trades-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?
- Reveen

The Penguins need to find support for Sutter, not trade him away. The deal does not address anything for the Penguins.

If you're a US born hockey fan and this Joe Starkey column about US Olympics and Herb Brooks doesn't get to you a little bit, then I don't know what will...

http://triblive.com/sport...bylsma-herb#axzz2rR5z7At0

I want to see the Pens make a move, but I do not want them to move their 1st or Despres...unless its a top 6 winger with more than 2 years left. I am not a fan of trading 1st round picks in back to back years....

Fleurys numbers seem a little up and down these past few games. Is that a fair analysis? Is this more the defense, or is it part of his own play, (if anything at all). He's been quite stellar so far this season.

Fleurys numbers seem a little up and down these past few games. Is that a fair analysis? Is this more the defense, or is it part of his own play, (if anything at all). He's been quite stellar so far this season.
- david22

He has been stellar at home and crumby on the road.

Home: 18-3 2.06 GAA .929%

Road: 10-9-1 2.58 GAA .899%


Also the Penguins only have 2 lines giving a competent level of play right now

Fleurys numbers seem a little up and down these past few games. Is that a fair analysis? Is this more the defense, or is it part of his own play, (if anything at all). He's been quite stellar so far this season.
- david22

I saw a stat that said since Malkin and Letang have been back, the Pens have allowed 30 goals...probably not good

I saw a stat that said since Malkin and Letang have been back, the Pens have allowed 30 goals...probably not good
- Thorny

It is true but I'm not putting the blame at their doorstep. Letang has been better.

I just don't see Shero making a trade until the offseason. If Letang or even Sutter for that matter, are dealt, a deal like that will take place at the draft. If Shero is going to trade before the deadline, i think his only assets are Draft picks, Depres and Pouliot.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934619-10-potential-nhl-trades-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?
- Reveen

That's horrible. I know it's not your suggestion, but that guy should submit to a drug test ASAP.

Just on the surface.... Gagner will be paid 5mil for two more years and doesn't have a 20 goal season or 50pt season under his belt. Lunacy.

AND our first.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934619-10-potential-nhl-trades-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?
- Reveen

Why the hell is Pittsburgh giving a first and Sutter to get someone who has underachieved; has no consistency to his game and is basically a guy that scores all his points in a seven-game stretch? That would be a bad deal for Pittsburgh without question. Gagner brings nothing really.

I just don't see Shero making a trade until the offseason. If Letang or even Sutter for that matter, are dealt, a deal like that will take place at the draft. If Shero is going to trade before the deadline, i think his only assets are Draft picks, Depres and Pouliot.
- joescullz

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bortuzzo offered up for a decent UFA third liner. Shero HAS to correct the bottom 6 or he can kiss any chance for a cup goodby.

Games like last night shouldn't create panic, but it certainly illustrates this teams flaws. They need depth scoring when the stars are shut down. Dallas really did a nice job of tightly checking our best players. Virtually gave them no room to create. When the competition gets better in the spring, you'll see other teams duplicate that approach.

The Penguins need to find support for Sutter, not trade him away. The deal does not address anything for the Penguins.
- Ryan_Wilson

It doesn't address any issue for either team.

I saw a stat that said since Malkin and Letang have been back, the Pens have allowed 30 goals...probably not good
- Thorny

I just looked at the last 9 games (since both came back). Not taking PP/PK into consideration, the Pens have allowed 30 goals and scored 32.

Letang has been on the ice for-
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 10

Malkin has been on the ice for-
Goals For: 19
Goals Against: 7

So, Letang has been about average, and Malkin has been outstanding.

Just a couple of guys for comparison:

Crosby has been on the ice for-
Goals For: 14
Goals Against: 13

Orpik has been on the ice for-
Goals For: 5
Goals Against: 14

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bortuzzo offered up for a decent UFA third liner. Shero HAS to correct the bottom 6 or he can kiss any chance for a cup goodby.

Games like last night shouldn't create panic, but it certainly illustrates this teams flaws. They need depth scoring when the stars are shut down. Dallas really did a nice job of tightly checking our best players. Virtually gave them no room to create. When the competition gets better in the spring, you'll see other teams duplicate that approach.
- madmike71

Agreed, but the problem is value. Every team knows how valuable 3rd line players are to a team, and as a result; you have to pay a premium for those guys. This deadline is either going to create a buzz for us pens fans or be a dud.

Apparently Avs are shopping Jon Mitchell. If you need a bottom 6 utility man, he can play every position on the 3rd or 4th line effectively.

Agreed, but the problem is value. Every team knows how valuable 3rd line players are to a team, and as a result; you have to pay a premium for those guys. This deadline is either going to create a buzz for us pens fans or be a dud.
- joescullz

I agree to a point. Not every team needs the same things. If you go down the list, most teams need defense or front line scoring. I think Ray will probably go after two third liners and pray Bennett can stay healthy enough to produce a little on Sids wing. The salary cap will really be a problem this year......not just for the Pens, for all the top teams.

I also agree with your earlier point that any big moves will happen after the season....if at all.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934619-10-potential-nhl-trades-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?
- Reveen

too much for gags...

I would like to see DB give Sill a decent chance on 3rd/4th line over glass.

I just don't see Shero making a trade until the offseason. If Letang or even Sutter for that matter, are dealt, a deal like that will take place at the draft. If Shero is going to trade before the deadline, i think his only assets are Draft picks, Depres and Pouliot.
- joescullz

You can keep bringing it up all you want but how much more needs to be said and by how many more people before the trade letang bandwagon finally quiets down? If someone comes to you with a package too good to pass up then yeah sure but it's unlikely to be the case and there is no reason to shop they guy after one so so season and it's not even a terrible one at that especially since he's been out for like what half of it.

I don't understand the backlash against the outdoor games... Where ever they are, they are incredibly well received by the fans, the players, the teams and the local youth/junior/college teams that get to play there. And they bring attention to the sport.

But you end up with the ever negative online idiots, and crotchety media members bashing it that aren't going there anyway. I love when they criticize them for being a "money grab". What do they think all the other games are? It's a business to make money.

And besides, they make a ton of money and attract some people to the sport that they wouldn't normally have.
- rival22

My problem with the outdoor games are the lame performances that come along. KISS, and this Jersey Boys? performance and what I mean.

And then the games aren't the greatest.

I don't understand the backlash against the outdoor games... Where ever they are, they are incredibly well received by the fans, the players, the teams and the local youth/junior/college teams that get to play there. And they bring attention to the sport.

But you end up with the ever negative online idiots, and crotchety media members bashing it that aren't going there anyway. I love when they criticize them for being a "money grab". What do they think all the other games are? It's a business to make money.

And besides, they make a ton of money and attract some people to the sport that they wouldn't normally have.
- rival22

People always need something to female dog about. I don't see how more outdoor games, more hockey national events, etc can be a bad thing for the sport.

People always need something to female dog about. I don't see how more outdoor games, more hockey national events, etc can be a bad thing for the sport.
- Blackstrom2

i agree, I think it's more about the local market than the national market for games like this.

I mean last night's LA-ANA game was probably pretty meaningless for guys like us, but for the local markets and southern CA, it probably was a huge event.

the winter classic is a step above the rest, it is about a national spotlight given the teams and the date. these games are about smaller markets and I have no problem with that.

and I gotten give credit to the ice people that made that ice surface in LA, I didn't think it would work well but it seemed like it was pretty good ice.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934619-10-potential-nhl-trades-that-make-perfect-sense

Taken from the article above....

Edmonton - B.Sutter and Pit 1st

Pittsburgh - S.Gagner

thoughts ?
- Reveen

And a first? - I wouldn't do the deal if it was straight up = Gagner=overrated (by Oilers fans-the rest of the league knows exactly who he is)