Ryan Wilson: Should A Top Pairing of Kris Letang and Olli Maatta Be Such A Sure Thing Should A Top Pairing of Kris Letang and Olli Maatta Be Such A Sure Thing

Oooo... I've had that as an idea a few times... but figured it has far less pros than cons. Letang Maatta is your top pair of the future. Stalling it for a season due to the other young D's growing pains doesn't help the top pair, and also stalls the synergy that would develop on the mid and bottom pairs with those young D (whoever is grouped with who).

Its basically a plug to stop a few leaks, while possibly creating a few new ones.

Gotta say Clendening looked pretty good. It's always possible his game could rise in this different system. Might be more suited for him.

By the way, did anybody else notice the ice is better in Johnstown than it is at Consol? Sad.

I think the goaltending situation hasn't changed. Zatkoff will likely be the NHL backup while Murray plays. If MAF goes down, Murray will come up and be given every shot to be the interim starter.

Pressure is really on Jarry this season in WBS to try to keep up with Murray.

Clendening is a perfect fit in our system and Maatta and Letang are the perfect partners for each other. I'd start off playing a second pairing of Cole-Clendening and see how they jell. If they suck, then yes, Maatta and Letang will have to be separated because it doesn't matter how good the two of them are, if the other two pairings are bottom pairing caliber or worse, it just won't work out. But for now, let's try everything in our power to keep 3 and 58 together. And God I wish Dumoulin would stop playing nervous/scared.

Really liked Clendening and Murray tonight. They also got a good test with stamkos and some other top 6 guys out there for Tampa. I'm still not a fan of trading Kunitz. That depth is needed for a playoff run, even if he is playing in the bottom 6. Plot is looking better each game. Doesn't look completely out of place and his legs are getting used to the smaller rinks

All for bumping Kunitz to the 3rd line (when he can't play anymore) or trading him at some point for a top 4 d man.... That being said he's been one of the Pens better forwards in camp... Why would he be demoted??? Especially if the purpose is to drive up his value for a trade?

Ive said multiple times including before to it re game that a lends I got has looked the best to me out of the three young dmen.

Just to change pace a little, for you stats guys you know who you are,

more shots = more goals

More shots = better possession or 1 of the indicators

More possession = more goals

More goals = win.

There's a game finishing now with a shot count of 19-37 & a score of 5-2, so who won with which shot count?

Just to change pace a little, for you stats guys you know who you are,

more shots = more goals

More shots = better possession or 1 of the indicators

More possession = more goals

More goals = win.

There's a game finishing now with a shot count of 19-37 & a score of 5-2, so who won with which shot count?
- Aussiepenguin

You really failed probability class didn't you

Does anyone foresee the Pens brass pulling the trigger on Murray's (upside) during the remaining #87/71 window?? Although I would like to see them do it, I think they're committed to riding #29 horse cradle-to-grave? Maybe, they end up trading Murray (for immediate assets)?

You really failed probability class didn't you
- Victoro311

So who won stats boy?

Does anyone foresee the Pens brass pulling the trigger on Murray's (upside) during the remaining #87/71 window?? Although I would like to see them do it, I think they're committed to riding #29 horse cradle-to-grave? Maybe, they end up trading Murray (for immediate assets)?
- out_of_market

100% can see a Murray trade as long as we get equal better value back. We have Jarry as well don't need them all.

Does anyone foresee the Pens brass pulling the trigger on Murray's (upside) during the remaining #87/71 window?? Although I would like to see them do it, I think they're committed to riding #29 horse cradle-to-grave? Maybe, they end up trading Murray (for immediate assets)?
- out_of_market

The issue for the Pens moving forward will be the cap... Scuderi and either Duper or Kuni will probably be gone by next summer one way or another... I think the deciding factor will be how Fleury plays this season and into the playoffs... If they make a deep run and/or win a cup I don' t see him getting moved. If he plays poorly, who knows?
The bigger issue is what is Murray's value? Look at Talbot, who played great for the Rags last season, yet could not bring a first round pick in return. How much value does an unproven Goaltending prospect actually have?

So who won stats boy?


- Aussiepenguin

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that since you brought it up the team with 19 shots won.

The issue for the Pens moving forward will be the cap... Scuderi and either Duper or Kuni will probably be gone by next summer one way or another... I think the deciding factor will be how Fleury plays this season and into the playoffs... If they make a deep run and/or win a cup I don' t see him getting moved. If he plays poorly, who knows?
The bigger issue is what is Murray's value? Look at Talbot, who played great for the Rags last season, yet could not bring a first round pick in return. How much value does an unproven Goaltending prospect actually have?
- Brianandr1

It would be for the same type of player at the same development level - look at Detroit & take your pick of young F that are around the same level of talent. The trade will be for a ELC contact that can fill a spot on the F line (I think) & the trade for the top 4 D will be for an aging contract we have or next season. I can see us playing this year out with the D we have unless Scuds gets a 1 way bus ticket.

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that since you brought it up the team with 19 shots won.
- Victoro311

A non-sequitur, but Lovejoy's full name is Benjamin Nickerson Lovejoy. Nickerson ... hehe (in Beavis & Butthead voice)...

Just to change pace a little, for you stats guys you know who you are,

more shots = more goals

More shots = better possession or 1 of the indicators

More possession = more goals

More goals = win.

There's a game finishing now with a shot count of 19-37 & a score of 5-2, so who won with which shot count?
- Aussiepenguin

Conditional probabilities..

Winning is a function of goal differential (GD). GD is a function of shot volume + PDO...throw-in game context (i.e. winning, losing, tied, 5v5, PP/PK, period, home/away, etc...) and a given teams shot strategy/ style of play, and odds of winning changes accordingly.

Maybe the team w/ 37 shots dominated 5v5, while the other team had a wicked PP (e.g. 4 for 5)...

It would be for the same type of player at the same development level - look at Detroit & take your pick of young F that are around the same level of talent. The trade will be for a ELC contact that can fill a spot on the F line (I think) & the trade for the top 4 D will be for an aging contract we have or next season. I can see us playing this year out with the D we have unless Scuds gets a 1 way bus ticket.
- Aussiepenguin

It will very interesting to see if gmjr makes a move before the season starts:
Pens essentially have 5 proven nhl d men ... And one of them is scuds who s better suited to be the 7-8 .... I like clendening ... Should be interesting

It will very interesting to see if gmjr makes a move before the season starts:
Pens essentially have 5 proven nhl d men ... And one of them is scuds who s better suited to be the 7-8 .... I like clendening ... Should be interesting
- Brianandr1

So Scuderi slid down a place or two already, Mr Assistant Professor?

"I ve said it many times (sorry to be a broken record)... Scuderi still has a place on this team as a 5-7 dman, on the PK and for his leadership"

Conditional probabilities..

Winning is a function of goal differential (GD). GD is a function of shot volume + PDO...throw-in game context (i.e. winning, losing, tied, 5v5, PP/PK, period, home/away, etc...) and a given teams shot strategy/ style of play, and odds of winning changes accordingly.

Maybe the team w/ 37 shots dominated 5v5, while the other team had a wicked PP (e.g. 4 for 5)...
- out_of_market

1 PP goal for the winner & a SHG for the losing team. Just goes to show!


This is what bugs me, you break it down to all sorts of different events when you are presented with an anomaly to your stats but I see so many times on here - possession wins games, with no further information. You guys give generalised statements in support of your Analytics but when presented with 'facts' that dispute them, you go all .......well, there's this & there's that & then if this happens & that happens.........

Generalised statements & averages = current Analytics.

So Scuderi slid down a place or two already, Mr Assistant Professor?

"I ve said it many times (sorry to be a broken record)... Scuderi still has a place on this team as a 5-7 dman, on the PK and for his leadership"
- chimpira

Yes as a 5-7 d man ... Preferably as the 7 .... And as a fill in ... But in no way, shape or form as a top 4 or to be relied on for big minutes .... That's a contradiction???? One needing a direct quote?

If he plays 14 minutes on the bottom pairing so be it ... Scuds won't be the reason they lose games

How much value does an unproven Goaltending prospect actually have?
- Brianandr1

Probably not too much... That's why I think Zatkof is the odd man out; Murray and/ or Jarry should play back-up (i.e. given their potential ability to return assets). It might not happen this year, but next?? One stays; one gets moved. Proving abilities @ the NHL level gives management much greater flexibility.