Ryan Wilson: Player Evaluations From Preseason Game 1 Player Evaluations From Preseason Game 1

Spaling had much better puck control in tight areas than I originally thought. He did well along the walls and close by the net. Not much in terms of generating his own offense, but we knew that coming in. He also played with Comeau who isn't known for his offense.

My biggest take from the game was the flow. Defenders look more comfortable skating the puck out and pushing back the D rather than forcing a pass. I know Detroit caught on a bit there and left some stretch lanes open, which Despres took advantage of twice I believe.

Scuderi played hot potato again, needs to go.

Finally, Sundqvist has a man's body, not a boy's body. Once he learns to use it he will be a great bottom six center on this team.

Nice write-up; thanks for the recap. I tried to stream it from one of the sites mentioned yesterday, but finally decided to watch the replay tonight. Now I have a few things to focus on. Do you expect that we will see a truer representation of the final lines as pre-season draws to a close?

I was reading yesterday that Johnston was employing the 1-3-1 in some of his drills, blecchhh. Although, he did comment that he hopes their style of play will "push the pace" and only warrant the use of 1-3-1 two or three times a game.

Nice write-up; thanks for the recap. I tried to stream it from one of the sites mentioned yesterday, but finally decided to watch the replay tonight. Now I have a few things to focus on. Do you expect that we will see a truer representation of the final lines as pre-season draws to a close?

I was reading yesterday that Johnston was employing the 1-3-1 in some of his drills, blecchhh. Although, he did comment that he hopes their style of play will "push the pace" and only warrant the use of 1-3-1 two or three times a game.
- Brayn

If you can't get the first Forechecker in hard, whether it is because of a line change or whatever you have to sit back at times. It doesn't have to be a go to approach but you do need to be able to utilize it in specific situations. NHL players are too good to chase the puck on a late forecheck.

I have the same thought about Oskar Sunqvist. I think he's our 3C of the future, and we're either going to trade Sutter next year or let him walk if he asks for too much money. This season it seems to me that our third line is going to be primarily for triciary scoring with Flats and Beau being the main stays. They'll have a scoring punch, but I don't see them being a very strong shut down line a la Staal and Cooke. A third line centered by nasty Oskar has the potential to bring that back.

Here's to Rust having a good game to night. In Rust we trust.

Good game, good energy and the team worked hard. Hornqvist did not disappoint. Will be interesting to see how Letang takes advantage of this new system. I liked the way the team's puck support was evident in both zones last night. Great to see that!

Agree on Hornqvist. Neal was a nice addition and played well on the PP, but Hornqvist will be a better overall fit.

Agree on Hornqvist. Neal was a nice addition and played well on the PP, but Hornqvist will be a better overall fit.
- jmatchett383

It was just the first preseason game and his compete level was phenomenal. Can't wait to have a character guy like that playing with Geno or Crosby on a day to day basis.

It was just the first preseason game and his compete level was phenominal. Can't wait to have a character guy like that playing with Geno or Crosby on a day to day basis.
- usethe1-2-2

+1 Indeed.

I know he's a long shot but you forgot about Bobby Farnham. He was everywhere generating chances and getting under the wings skin. His attitude is fantastic and I enjoyed his take no prisoners approach to the game. He's in the agitator mold that Carcillo is but brings far more to the table. But I agree, if last night was any indication of how this team is going to play this year it should be a fun season.

And other than putting Datsyuk on his butt Scuderi is a liability and needs to go ASAP, he was terrible. Bortuzzo even showed he can rush the puck up the ice and game the offensive zone with possession, I hope he shows more of that.

I know he's a long shot but you forgot about Bobby Farnham. He was everywhere generating chances and getting under the wings skin. His attitude is fantastic and I enjoyed his take no prisoners approach to the game. He's in the agitator mold that Carcillo is but brings far more to the table. But I agree, if last night was any indication of how this team is going to play this year it should be a fun season.
- Dcoms

I thought he was terrible. Looked like a less skilled and smaller Joe Vitale. No room for him at this level.

I know he's a long shot but you forgot about Bobby Farnham. He was everywhere generating chances and getting under the wings skin. His attitude is fantastic and I enjoyed his take no prisoners approach to the game. He's in the agitator mold that Carcillo is but brings far more to the table. But I agree, if last night was any indication of how this team is going to play this year it should be a fun season.
- Dcoms

I mentioned Farnham on twitter. Ryan thinks he is not an NHL player. I thought he looked like he could play 4th line minutes.

GIBBONS! Just scored 5 goals with him in one period in NHL 15! and that pales in comparison to the real thing!

I never take too much from one game...especially the first game of a pre season.

How many guys would have made the hall of fame (but probably never even played in a regular season game) if their first pre season game was a blueprint of their careers? Goes the other way too I think.

Overall...I liked the tempo of the game and didn't see anything that terrible out there.

You guys make Scuds sound like the worst hockey player on the planet...guess you gotta pick on someone. I'll wait to see more before I say "stick a fork in him"...afterall...Detroit only scored 2 goals and they were both on the power play.

Liked Hornqvist's compete level...seems like a guy that brings that level often. Obviously that is what the team saw in him when they made the trade. Think he will mesh nicely if he plays that game.

Spaling had much better puck control in tight areas than I originally thought. He did well along the walls and close by the net. Not much in terms of generating his own offense, but we knew that coming in. He also played with Comeau who isn't known for his offense.

My biggest take from the game was the flow. Defenders look more comfortable skating the puck out and pushing back the D rather than forcing a pass. I know Detroit caught on a bit there and left some stretch lanes open, which Despres took advantage of twice I believe.

Scuderi played hot potato again, needs to go.

Finally, Sundqvist has a man's body, not a boy's body. Once he learns to use it he will be a great bottom six center on this team.
- usethe1-2-2

I wouldn't mind him playing in the Swedish elite league for one more year. It would be much better competition than the ahl. The only negative would be less time adjusting the the nhl rinks.

- Guile

ahh...the Rob Scuderi skates backwards GIF...

ahh...the Rob Scuderi skates backwards GIF...
- akane13

ahh...the Rob Scuderi skates backwards GIF...
- akane13

This made me giggle in the library and now everyone's looking at me funny. GET BACK TO YOUR MEANINGLESS WORK, NERDS!!!

- Guile

that looks super painful

: (

Lots of penalties even as Pittsburgh played a faster game. I think that's what we can expect of a new system and the process of figuring out how to communicate and so on. I would rather the penalty be due to aggression or confusion than built-in-stretch-pass-flat-footedness.

Hornqvist will force the play to the net along with the puck as opposed to just the puck to the net. That has been sorely lacking and I hope that players on other lines mimic the pattern.

Practice a 1-3-1. Practice a 1-2-2. Practice an 0-5. Pittsburgh has offensive tools that cannot be replicated but have reliably failed against teams using tactics that can easily be duplicated. The Penguins should not therefore consider themselves above trapping and countering unless they wish to continue to lose to it.

that looks super painful

: (
- BulliesPhan87

Gravelord Servant for life.

Scuderi is the same old pylon that we saw last year Out of position and floundering around like a cod in shock. He is good at one thing.....fishing the puck out of his own net. But that is something we all knew

I never take too much from one game...especially the first game of a pre season.

How many guys would have made the hall of fame (but probably never even played in a regular season game) if their first pre season game was a blueprint of their careers? Goes the other way too I think.

Overall...I liked the tempo of the game and didn't see anything that terrible out there.

You guys make Scuds sound like the worst hockey player on the planet...guess you gotta pick on someone. I'll wait to see more before I say "stick a fork in him"...afterall...Detroit only scored 2 goals and they were both on the power play.

Liked Hornqvist's compete level...seems like a guy that brings that level often. Obviously that is what the team saw in him when they made the trade. Think he will mesh nicely if he plays that game.
- icedog97

And Sucko Rob Scuderi was on the ice and out to lunch on both of those goals