Ryan Wilson: Sunday Morning Thoughts Sunday Morning Thoughts

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Ryan do you think Johnston's system could be more forgiving for a guy like Letang? If he makes a Letang like decision, will there be more support to lessen the blow?

As opposed to Bylsma's system where it was so rigid and robotic, a miscue or bad decision could be much more disastrous.

Just curious to your thoughts.

Ryan do you think Johnston's system could be more forgiving for a guy like Letang? If he makes a Letang like decision, will there be more support to lessen the blow?

As opposed to Bylsma's system where it was so rigid and robotic, a miscue or bad decision could be much more disastrous.

Just curious to your thoughts.
- shinoix66

I think so, in theory he should have closer outlets who will be in a better spot to come back and help, furthermore there should be less "Letang moments" because of that support.

Letang is a free wheeler who was forced into operating in binary code.

I believe his 7.25M cap hit will be a bargain as time moves on.

Interesting theory on injuries. I always thought there had to be some underlying reason, beyond bad luck, as to why the Penguins had more injuries than other teams. Maybe heavier conditioning/practicing will help a bit as well with some of the minor tweaks and pulls.

Speaking of injuries, I'm not worried about Sid or Geno. I think maybe there is a little gamesmanship going on with them. Maybe HCMJ is recognizing that they don't need training camp. (Aka...Troy Polamalu missing voluntary training camp every year.). Then again, maybe its truly just being very cautious.

Okay, enough conspiracy theories.

"Who knows though, perhaps it is a genius plan to raise Scuderi's value for a trade, we know the Penguins need to move somebody via trade from that position. We all have our own pipe dreams."

For all the good feelings I have on Johnston (and I truly believe he is incredibly smart).....pairing Letang with Scuds ever, even in practice, just makes no sense. However, I didn't think of the trade value route. That would be the best move the organization has made in a long time.

If the plan is for Scuderi or Martin to be moved at some point this season, is it smart to wait until the deadline? You never know when either of them will get injured and become non-trade-able. Or is that just a risk you have to take?

Random tidbit: Pens are not doing "In the Room" anymore. I'm a little bummed, I really enjoyed those shows.

Okay, I'm posting like a madman but last thing for now...

How is Kapanen looking? Passing the eye test? Any quotes from coaches or management? I haven't heard from anyone regarding him yet

My thoughts. If we are spread thin on the top six put the the talent with Malkin. Its not fair to Crosby but Crosby doesn't need the help. Watching the practices/controlled scrimmage yesterday I still believe this system is actually beneficial to a guy like Scuderi. During the scrimmage all three forwards were coming back and there was a lot of support when regrouping and breaking the puck out. Scuderi was making a lot of easy 10 ft passes instead of banking it out or giving it to Letang. It couldn't be any farther from actual NHL games but it is encouraging, especially because Scuderi will be playing. I hate Megna, Payerl and Carcillo are both better options for our fourth line.

It also looked to me like Duper was giving a little more of an effort during the drills than other guys. Or it could have just been the difference between a bonafide NHL workhorse/ hustle machine and AHL players.

I'm excited to see how well Hornqvist does in Pittsburgh (living in Nashville these days), especially playing beside two of the best centers in the NHL.

On Bennett, what kind of point production do you guys feel he'll hit this year?

And looking forward to the preseason game, this offseason seems like its been the longest in a long time. Hoping that the Wings and Pens meet in the playoffs a few times soon to create a good cross-divisional rivalry.

My thoughts. If we are spread thin on the top six put the the talent with Malkin. Its not fair to Crosby but Crosby doesn't need the help.
- Grinder47

So something like this?

Dupuis-Sid-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett

On Bennett, what kind of point production do you guys feel he'll hit this year?


- YzermanIsTheMan

He'll get hurt 6 games into the season and miss all but 15 games and end up with 7 points. Which seems to be his trend.

I'd be happy if he cracked 30 points, happier if he played 70+ games.

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- BulliesPhan87

So something like this?

Dupuis-Sid-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Id say
Dupuis-Sid-Downie
Kunitz-Malkin-Hornqvist
but I feel it will be
Dupuis-Sid-Kunitz
Spaling-Malkin-Hornqvist
Atleast to start.

Id say
Dupuis-Sid-Downie
Kunitz-Malkin-Hornqvist
but I feel it will be
Dupuis-Sid-Kunitz
Spaling-Malkin-Hornqvist
Atleast to start.
- Grinder47

Putting Kunitz and Hornqvist on the same line makes no sense. The two do not complement each other at all due to the fact that they have the same game. The net would be too crowded in front of Crosby if you put them on the ice together.

As far as Downie on the first line, that's a highly questionable decision.

any thoughts on bobby ryan to pittsburgh? Pens still looking for that talent at wing, and ryan seems unhappy in ottawa (he just turned down a 7 year deal if I'm not mistaken).

Okay, I'm posting like a madman but last thing for now...

How is Kapanen looking? Passing the eye test? Any quotes from coaches or management? I haven't heard from anyone regarding him yet
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Didn't really stand out in the scrimmage yesterday. Some people labelled him boom or bust, I hope that is not why he fell lower in the draft. I thought he looked more confident with the puck and skated harder at the prospects camp earlier this summer.

any thoughts on bobby ryan to pittsburgh? Pens still looking for that talent at wing, and ryan seems unhappy in ottawa (he just turned down a 7 year deal if I'm not mistaken).
- neilsonnn18

We couldn't afford him now or next year.

We couldn't afford him now or next year.
- Topshelf Mountain

well i'd say that depends on what you're giving up. Paul martin's making 5 mil, i can't imagine Ryan would take too much more than that. but i could be wrong, I'm assuming that with no research done prior to that statement

well i'd say that depends on what you're giving up. Paul martin's making 5 mil, i can't imagine Ryan would take too much more than that. but i could be wrong, I'm assuming that with no research done prior to that statement
- neilsonnn18

The last time we visited this, he wouldn't take 7 from Ottawa. Would he from Pitt? Maybe. But even with subtracting Martin you're adding 2 mill to the cap for next year. Having two very good lines doesn't cut the cake these days, hence the push for all of the depth players over the summer.

And welcome! Don't think I've come across you yet sober before.

Edit: For this year yes, I thought his cap was higher. Martin makes some sense depending on whether he has a NMC. If the Pens are playing good at TDD, I'd hold on to Martin through the playoffs.

The last time we visited this, he wouldn't take 7 from Ottawa. Would he from Pitt? Maybe. But even with subtracting Martin you're adding 2 mill to the cap for next year. Having two very good lines doesn't cut the cake these days, hence the push for all of the depth players over the summer.

And welcome! Don't think I've come across you yet sober before.

Edit: For this year yes, I thought his cap was higher. Martin makes some sense depending on whether he has a NMC. If the Pens are playing good at TDD, I'd hold on to Martin through the playoffs.
- Topshelf Mountain

Don't see Martin waving for Ottawa. Even if he would, 7mil with a rising cap for Ryan sees reasonable, but I don't think its what we need right now. We had a 30 goal scorer that was cheaper that we just got rid of. Why add a new one for even more money? We need to go after cheap youth that can be raised up by Crosby and Malkin's play, not more super stars that will cost a premium.

Sens Blog ?

We couldn't afford him now or next year.
- Topshelf Mountain

after martins and possibly fluery off the books, 7 for ryan wouldnt be to hard to swallow

Putting Kunitz and Hornqvist on the same line makes no sense. The two do not complement each other at all due to the fact that they have the same game. The net would be too crowded in front of Crosby if you put them on the ice together.

As far as Downie on the first line, that's a highly questionable decision.
- Victoro311

If you say so.