Ryan Wilson: Friday Rants and Raves Friday Rants and Raves

To compound Dupuis' mental mistakes, he got literally hit at center ice way away from the puck by Helm trying to come back after he gave it away in the last minute. Should have been a call and instead led to a 3 on 2.

Sometimes the team just needs to play smarter, not harder. Seems like an oversimplification, but it's true.

That empty netter attempt from dupuis, comeau and malkin was just weak. Dupuis gets cute and tries passing it rather than just shooting it. Then comeau gets it and hesitated because it seems like he doesn't want to shoot it too hard without a goalie. Then malkin gets it and the only person in front of him is kronwall and he could have easily geno machinoed around him and score. Then dupuis gets it again and shoots it like a sally because again, it's not cool to shoot the puck hard without a goalie. It's like the goalie comes out and everyone plays hot potato with the puck because it's the "uncool" thing to do to score without a goalie in net

Anyways, my rant is done

James Neal felt “blindsided” by his trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Well isn't that appropriate.
- Ryan_Wilson

I saw this earlier, coincidentally

Henrik Zetterberg is just as good as they come. He gets overshadowed by Datsyuk, and he has had his share of injury issues the last few years, but if he was North American or played for a Canadian team, he'd be viewed in the same category as a guy like Patrice Bergeron.

Martin to Minn for Nino, Martin resigns in his hometown, Pens get more talent up front and the trickle down effect takes place. Win win.

Liked what I saw in greiss last night. He clearly is very active with his stick and he plays a calm and control game. He did not have a chance on 2 of the goals. My concern is Malkin, who continues to play listless hockey. I agree with Ryan, some of the vets need a seat in the press box. 27 and 4 don't fit into the new system,

I hope we have more games like the Dallas, Philly & Detroit ones scattered throughout the season.

This team gets too high on itself when things are rolling. Especially when April rolls around, you need to have recent bad games to look back on. If you underestimate your opponent, you will lose... if you take your foot of the gas pedal against a good team, you will lose.

The Penguins last too playoff struggles weren't because of being lazy or not trying, they were tactically bad. They couldn't generate offense against Boston or the Rangers when they needed too. Some of that was tactical because of Bylsma's system, and some of it was poor decisions by the players. Hopefully Johnston can alleviate some of that.

But it's only October, and the players know that... It's impossible to expect them to be running in top gear for six months before even getting to the playoffs. I made the joke yesterday that we all sit back complaining that these guys don't go all out ever shift of every game, while sitting at work playing on hockey message boards and twitter much of the day. It takes a bit of hypocrisy to yell and scream at a player for not backchecking hard in the second period of a game in October while sitting on the couch eating chips or slacking off at your own job.

We constantly make comments about the true test for the Pens being the playoffs, or the that nothing really matters unless they make a deep run for the Cup, etc., but then in the same breath freak out over game #5 of 82.

Liked what I saw in greiss last night. He clearly is very active with his stick and he plays a calm and control game. He did not have a chance on 2 of the goals. My concern is Malkin, who continues to play listless hockey. I agree with Ryan, some of the vets need a seat in the press box. 27 and 4 don't fit into the new system,
- pghbirdman

Malkin and his line were all over the place last night. Controlled the puck well and generated a ton. What the hell were you watching?

I hope we have more games like the Dallas, Philly & Detroit ones scattered throughout the season.

This team gets too high on itself when things are rolling. Especially when April rolls around, you need to have recent bad games to look back on. If you underestimate your opponent, you will lose... if you take your foot of the gas pedal against a good team, you will lose.

The Penguins last too playoff struggles weren't because of being lazy or not trying, they were tactically bad. They couldn't generate offense against Boston or the Rangers when they needed too. Some of that was tactical because of Bylsma's system, and some of it was poor decisions by the players. Hopefully Johnston can alleviate some of that.

But it's only October, and the players know that... It's impossible to expect them to be running in top gear for six months before even getting to the playoffs. I made the joke yesterday that we all sit back complaining that these guys don't go all out ever shift of every game, while sitting at work playing on hockey message boards and twitter much of the day. It takes a bit of hypocrisy to yell and scream at a player for not backchecking hard in the second period of a game in October while sitting on the couch eating chips or slacking off at your own job.

We constantly make comments about the true test for the Pens being the playoffs, or the that nothing really matters unless they make a deep run for the Cup, etc., but then in the same breath freak out over game #5 of 82.
- rival22

Not really directed at you specifically but I never question their effort. These guys play hard on a consistent basis, but guess what, the other teams do too.

I hope we have more games like the Dallas, Philly & Detroit ones scattered throughout the season.

This team gets too high on itself when things are rolling. Especially when April rolls around, you need to have recent bad games to look back on. If you underestimate your opponent, you will lose... if you take your foot of the gas pedal against a good team, you will lose.

The Penguins last too playoff struggles weren't because of being lazy or not trying, they were tactically bad. They couldn't generate offense against Boston or the Rangers when they needed too. Some of that was tactical because of Bylsma's system, and some of it was poor decisions by the players. Hopefully Johnston can alleviate some of that.

But it's only October, and the players know that... It's impossible to expect them to be running in top gear for six months before even getting to the playoffs. I made the joke yesterday that we all sit back complaining that these guys don't go all out ever shift of every game, while sitting at work playing on hockey message boards and twitter much of the day. It takes a bit of hypocrisy to yell and scream at a player for not backchecking hard in the second period of a game in October while sitting on the couch eating chips or slacking off at your own job.

We constantly make comments about the true test for the Pens being the playoffs, or the that nothing really matters unless they make a deep run for the Cup, etc., but then in the same breath freak out over game #5 of 82.
- rival22

That's their job though. They chose this as a career. If you don't do your job right or continually get yelled at for doing things half-ass or wrong, then eventually you get fired. I understand you can't just fire a player, but you sure as hell can trade him or have him watch from the press box for a few games

I refuse to worry about this team until at least December. I mean dumb penalties and lack of effort are troublesome but new staff new players. And I don't believe this is a finished product as far as the roster goes. Nice to have back to back games after the earlier schedule.

Martin to Minn for Nino, Martin resigns in his hometown, Pens get more talent up front and the trickle down effect takes place. Win win.
- sammy87

I feel like if Martin and Minn come to an understanding during the trade process that he will resign, the Pens should be getting more than Nino in return for Martin. Would like to see Coyle, but that won't happen. I think it should be Martin for Nino and a second. Or better yet, a guy that was drafted with the second to last pick of a past second round who will be NHL ready in one or two years.

Martin and a 6th for Nino Niederreiter and Mario Lucia.

Craig Adams and Zach Sill have to go. They just can't play.

Comeau is going to be a nice option for Sutter, not a top six guy.

Downie is really showing me nothing. He is a fourth liner to me and nothing more.

Greiss is so calm and cool in the net. Very happy with his play. Getting beat by that team sucks, in that fashion even more so, but it builds character. Forces change and change is good.

Learn how to play the right way, not win the wrong way.

I feel like if Martin and Minn come to an understanding during the trade process that he will resign, the Pens should be getting more than Nino in return for Martin. Would like to see Coyle, but that won't happen. I think it should be Martin for Nino and a second. Or better yet, a guy that was drafted with the second to last pick of a past second round who will be NHL ready in one or two years.

Martin and a 6th for Nino Niederreiter and Mario Lucia.
- Victoro311

Yeah something like that would be ideal. Tired of this Martin for Eberle/Ryan/Kane nonsense, not happening.

I feel like if Martin and Minn come to an understanding during the trade process that he will resign, the Pens should be getting more than Nino in return for Martin. Would like to see Coyle, but that won't happen. I think it should be Martin for Nino and a second. Or better yet, a guy that was drafted with the second to last pick of a past second round who will be NHL ready in one or two years.

Martin and a 6th for Nino Niederreiter and Mario Lucia.
- Victoro311

Coyle just got that extension, no way they trade him. Nino is much more expendable on their end and Martin fills a greater need than Nino. It looks like a good fit, in theory, we will see what happens.

Henrik Zetterberg is just as good as they come. He gets overshadowed by Datsyuk, and he has had his share of injury issues the last few years, but if he was North American or played for a Canadian team, he'd be viewed in the same category as a guy like Patrice Bergeron.
- rival22

What does that mean? Zetterberg > Bergeron. Always had that in my mind.

Coyle just got that extension, no way they trade him. Nino is much more expendable on their end and Martin fills a greater need than Nino. It looks like a good fit, in theory, we will see what happens.
- usethe1-2-2

Wonder what Rutherford's thinking is. It'd be funny to see if he actually looks at any of the players mentioned on this board. It would be fun for them to release information like that after the season but I understand why it would never happen.

What does that mean? Zetterberg > Bergeron. Always had that in my mind.
- Barnaby36

Yea me too

Wonder what Rutherford's thinking is. It'd be funny to see if he actually looks at any of the players mentioned on this board. It would be fun for them to release information like that after the season but I understand why it would never happen.
- dbell646

I would love to be a fly on the wall in a GM's office on the deadline. Really interested to see how conversations go down.

That's their job though. They chose this as a career. If you don't do your job right or continually get yelled at for doing things half-ass or wrong, then eventually you get fired. I understand you can't just fire a player, but you sure as hell can trade him or have him watch from the press box for a few games
- drummer829

It's just that we expect these guys to be perfect. It's easy to see the open lane or the oncoming player on TV from 100 feet above the ice, when guys are skating 20 miles an hour through traffic while trying to control a puck with other world class players flying at you, it's not easy.

For those of you who've played hockey on any level (high school, beer league, etc), have you ever watched one of your games on video from the stands? It looks soooooo slow and so easy, but in real time it's a lot more hectic. Same with the NHL, the game at ice level is a whole different game. The truly great players have that ability to see the game slowed down, but most can't.

Not directed at you, but the Malkin bashing just bugs the hell out of me. He routinely dances around guys and makes incredible plays. Just about every one of his highlight reel goals involves him walking a guy or two and making an incredible individual effort. We LOVE those "Goal of the Year Candidate" goals... But if he tries to dance around a guy and gets pick pocketed and the puck goes the other way, he gets destroyed by a large segment of the fanbase. You can't have it both ways.

What does that mean? Zetterberg > Bergeron. Always had that in my mind.
- Barnaby36

Maybe Zetterberg is viewed as better than Bergeron by people, I just never hear that. Bergeron gets so much love (and rightly so, he's great), but it seems like you hardly hear much about Zetterberg. Maybe I'm wrong.

Per the slow motion feature on my DVR, it sure seemed that Zetterberg was about a foot offsides on that tying goal. No excuses, of course, but it pissed me off.

I like seeing Boston struggle and like seeing teams get desperate for defense but I dont ever see a trade happening with such a division challenger.

It'll be different when we sign Mike Babcock this offseason

Per the slow motion feature on my DVR, it sure seemed that Zetterberg was about a foot offsides on that tying goal. No excuses, of course, but it pissed me off.

- YouMeAndDupuis9

It sure looked that way too, but I went back and paused it at the line and took a crappy pic. He stayed onside... that left foot is still on the blue.


(Gotta love the Joe Louis camera positions where you can see heads and cotton candy vendors on tv all night lol)