Ryan Wilson: Identifying Proper Usage For Pittsburgh's Bottom Six Forward Unit Identifying Proper Usage For Pittsburgh's Bottom Six Forward Unit

Today @ 9:22 AM ET
It's nothing that we didn't know. We've heard it before. He's not a hard worker and they feel that's what is behind his inconsistency issues.

Still... I hate giving up on a 23 year old player even if he has some warts.
- madmike71

If I remember correctly That Was the problem of a guy called Niskanen in Dallas. His GM called him out on beeing lazy off the ice pretty much. He turned out pretty well afterall.

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
You will feel better when Ana gives up on him too. Bruce is pretty old school, and to NHL coaches hard work matters not just "pedigree" or whatever yuppie fans call it.
- Grinder47

You'd think a player would train a lot harder after reading Stuff like That on the newspapers. I expect him to have na extra jump against us tonight. I'm sorry #47 left our team.

Bennett deserves another sample size with Malkin, preferably with Chris Kunitz on the left wing. If he doesn't perform then you can switch back to Comeau.

That's What I Was saying:

Perron-Crosby-Hörnqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett
Winnik-Sutter-Comeau
Spaling-Lapierre-Downie

Ryan Wilson: Identifying Proper Usage For Pittsburgh's Bottom Six Forward Unit
Identifying Proper Usage For Pittsburgh's Bottom Six Forward Unit
- Ryan_Wilson

This is starting to just get redundant... only so many times you can point out that Sutter isn't a true 3rd line center, and Lap blows.

However... is there any way to give thought or gauge the possibility of Sutter as a 3rd line winger? Getting him in position for that shot he buries more often.

Minus the graphs, and the Downie BS; this was a very nice blog.


I couldn't have written it better myself, o wait......



F Sutter

Why doesn't Downie deserve a chance at top six minutes. He has had none all year and has 10 or 11 goals? Plus more ice time for him ups the chances of him ending a Tavaras or Nash season.

(frank) your corsi. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Does anyone remember the days where blogs were about the game etc. and not just corsi and fenwick?

Why doesn't Downie deserve a chance at top six minutes. He has had none all year and has 10 or 11 goals? Plus more ice time for him ups the chances of him ending a Tavaras or Nash season.
- Grinder47

He does deserve it and he will get his shot in the playoffs, I promise you that. Which is actually an easy transition because of the fact that at this point in Kuni's career he is a 3rd liner as well as Comeau.

He does deserve it and he will get his shot in the playoffs, I promise you that. Which is actually an easy transition because of the fact that at this point in Kuni's career he is a 3rd liner as well as Comeau.
- nbartley9

You are so heavily disagreeing with the graphs and charts... THOU SHALL NOT FORSAKEN THY CORSI!

(frank) your corsi. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Does anyone remember the days where blogs were about the game etc. and not just corsi and fenwick?
- znagle

Corsi Fenwick have become a source of secondary income to those that can't actually write about hockey. Its a major crutch for those who can't think the game themselves.

Why doesn't Downie deserve a chance at top six minutes. He has had none all year and has 10 or 11 goals? Plus more ice time for him ups the chances of him ending a Tavaras or Nash season.
- Grinder47

Because he's not good enough to perform that role on a long basis.

I have no problem with putting him up with Sid or Geno on a late shift of two when things are getting chippy, but even then, his penchant for stirring things up could be more of an accelerant than a deterrent to more crap.

You put a tough guy with your star players to protect them and calm things down a bit, but Downie often creates mayhem instead of quieting it.

Why doesn't Downie deserve a chance at top six minutes. He has had none all year and has 10 or 11 goals? Plus more ice time for him ups the chances of him ending a Tavaras or Nash season.
- Grinder47

Because he's not good enough to perform that role on a long basis.

I have no problem with putting him up with Sid or Geno on a late shift of two when things are getting chippy, but even then, his penchant for stirring things up could be more of an accelerant than a deterrent to more crap.

You put a tough guy with your star players to protect them and calm things down a bit, but Downie often creates mayhem instead of quieting it.
- rival22

1.Bennett is? 2. these are bad things?

nice blog


Bottom 6 always seem to be a concern for the pens. I think this year they will find chemistry for the post season.

I love games against the Ducks, its always fast paced, insane amounts of shots, and has potential to get a bit nasty. It has the makings of a playoff game every time; even if its the first game of the season. Getz is a monster, no way around that; the guy has the build of Lemieux and the skill set of a LeClair in his prime; the guy is hell on ice. He will take a toll on our D-men tonight, this is the first real look at what its going to be like in the playoffs; will speed and skill beat physicality and skill? We shall see...

We need to keep Perry out of MAF's face tonight (assuming that MAF gets the nod), Perry is the best garbage man in the league; the shots he can get off at ground zero are amazing. If I were the HCMJ I would try and get Cole on the ice as much as I can against Perry. Cole wont light you up flying down center ice but he sure as hell wont let you touch his goalie. Cole is going to be a lot of Pens fans favorite D-man by the end of the playoffs, the guy battles hard and we all love that.

Sid needs to net one tonight, either that or pot 2 or 3 assists. This is the kind of high intensity game that Sid needs to show up for. If he doesn't look effective tonight, something is bothering him; injury wise.

So tonight we find out who didn't like Despres, with Despres' hack and slash style it will become very evident very quickly.


F Sutter

Actually... anyone have the Corsi and such from our bottom 6 for last season? I'd like a comparison if possible to see the differences.

- Cptmjl

Johhny T wont be laughing when Downs slots in on that first line for 3 or 4 shifts.

Downie was fantastic in TB with Stamkos and Little St. Louie.

Actually... anyone have the Corsi and such from our bottom 6 for last season? I'd like a comparison if possible to see the differences.
- Guile

Its somewhere in there, if you look long enough you will find it.

Its somewhere in there, if you look long enough you will find it.
- nbartley9

So.... a -15 overall?

(frank) your corsi. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Does anyone remember the days where blogs were about the game etc. and not just corsi and fenwick?
- znagle

I believe they would say "If you want a generic game day blog go find one of a million other sites that do that". At least that is what they told me when I asked the same thing you did.

Anyways, hope they come out ready to play because if they play as they did Wednesday this will be a long late night.

I believe they would say "If you want a generic game day blog go find one of a million other sites that do that". At least that is what they told me when I asked the same thing you did.

Anyways, hope they come out ready to play because if they play as they did Wednesday this will be a long late night.
- kgrpitt

I mean its's fine to have it in the blogs, but to the point where is not actually one word about the game and just advanced stats in every blog is overkill. I mean seriously, these are two of the top teams in the league and like Bartley said these games are always exciting.

Today @ 9:22 AM ET
It's nothing that we didn't know. We've heard it before. He's not a hard worker and they feel that's what is behind his inconsistency issues.

Still... I hate giving up on a 23 year old player even if he has some warts.
- madmike71

If I remember correctly That Was the problem of a guy called Niskanen in Dallas. His GM called him out on beeing lazy off the ice pretty much. He turned out pretty well afterall.

Today @ 9:26 AM ET
You will feel better when Ana gives up on him too. Bruce is pretty old school, and to NHL coaches hard work matters not just "pedigree" or whatever yuppie fans call it.
- Grinder47

You'd think a player would train a lot harder after reading Stuff like That on the newspapers. I expect him to have na extra jump against us tonight. I'm sorry #47 left our team.
- Barnaby36

Despres is going to end up killing one of our players tonight.

Bennett deserves another sample size with Malkin, preferably with Chris Kunitz on the left wing. If he doesn't perform then you can switch back to Comeau.

That's What I Was saying:

Perron-Crosby-Hörnqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett
Winnik-Sutter-Comeau
Spaling-Lapierre-Downie
- Barnaby36

Perron-Crosby-Hörnqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Bennett
Winnik-Spaling-Comeau
Lappierre-Sutter-Downie

Only changes I'd like to see, but I'm cool with that.

Beau Bennett is outperforming his role significantly.

We must be watching a different Beau Bennett, because the one that is on the pens rosters sucks. The dude has had like 2 or 3 decent games this year.

(frank) your corsi. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Does anyone remember the days where blogs were about the game etc. and not just corsi and fenwick?
- znagle

thePensblog has gameday previews... I use them for the previews and Ryan for the minutiae