Ryan Wilson: Sidney Crosby continues to drop jaws Sidney Crosby continues to drop jaws

Surprised we haven't got any of the haters on board here yet???

Remember when Toews was better LOL! Sid is unreal right now leads the league in goals and PPG. McDavid is going to get that torch when Sid is ready to pass it. I love watching that kid he has an extra gear and it's just not fair. He gets the puck coasting and boom defender is 3 steps behind. The NHL is in good hands

Sid's performance last night just goes to show you he's still the best player in the world! His goal showed that the wizard of Cros has yet another way to use his magic wand. As for the game it was very entertaining and back and forth until the third period. Then the Penguins decided to beat Niemi like a rented mule. Than they decided to keep beating him like a dead horse!

The defense leaves a lot to be desired this season. I'm not sure how they can fix that in the coming months. Maybe a Fleury trade??? Who knows?

I would like to see Fehr sit. Besides his empty net, he's really been a waste of ice time.

Surprised we haven't got any of the haters on board here yet???
- Aussiepenguin

(frank) Crosby.

Happy?

Ryan, that's all well and good but he still no Jonathan Toews.

Why in the world would Maatta and Pouliot be held to the same standard?

Maatta is a young veteran with a track record, especially before injuries piled up, of being one of the best young defensemen in the game.

Pouliot took three pro seasons before he realized being a small pudgy defenseman wasn't going to work out, has never put together a competent string of games in the NHL, and is utterly lost in his own end when given a chance to play.

Maatta is going to get a long leash, and Pouliot is going to get no leash.

And deservedly so.

Why in the world would Maatta and Pouliot be held to the same standard?

Maatta is a young veteran with a track record, especially before injuries piled up, of being one of the best young defensemen in the game.

Pouliot took three pro seasons before he realized being a small pudgy defenseman wasn't going to work out, has never put together a competent string of games in the NHL, and is utterly lost in his own end when given a chance to play.

Maatta is going to get a long leash, and Pouliot is going to get no leash.

And deservedly so.
- hardnosed

Because it shouldn't matter if you're a veteran or not. If you suck, you should be benched. Deservedly so.

(frank) Crosby.

Happy?
- Girouxsalem90

Yes. Things are back in balance now.

The Guentzel scratch was a little curious to me, but the only knock if I had to pick one his is strength. He needs put on about ten pounds and do some strength conditioning. He gets knocked around VERY easily.

Sheary is 5'8' 175lbs whereas Geuntzel is 5'10 167lbs. You can see with a guy like Sheary that the extra weight goes a long way.

Sheary may get outmuscled from time to time, but overall he handles himself pretty well physically.

The Guentzel scratch was a little curious to me, but the only knock if I had to pick one his is strength. He needs put on about ten pounds and do some strength conditioning. He gets knocked around VERY easily.

Sheary is 5'8' 175lbs whereas Geuntzel is 5'10 167lbs. You can see with a guy like Sheary that the extra weight goes a long way.

Sheary may get outmuscled from time to time, but overall he handles himself pretty well physically.
- Rinosaur

Pens website has Guentzel at 5'11, 180, as does his Omaha bio, and nhl.com

Because it shouldn't matter if you're a veteran or not. If you suck, you should be benched. Deservedly so.
- j.boyd919

That statement is nice and all, but it's not how sports work.

And it also doesn't accurately describe the scenario:

Pouliot sucks, which is why he's perma-benched.

Maatta is just underperforming a little right now compared to expectations, which is why he continues to play.

Pens website has Guentzel at 5'11, 180, as does his Omaha bio, and nhl.com
- j.boyd919

I was checking TSN.ca.

Regardless, his strength is an issue, especially along the boards. This is something I think needs to be remedied if he's going to stick.

He's three inches taller yet only five pounds heavier than Sheary.

That statement is nice and all, but it's not how sports work.

And it also doesn't accurately describe the scenario:

Pouliot sucks, which is why he's perma-benched.

Maatta is just underperforming a little right now compared to expectations, which is why he continues to play.
- hardnosed

Or, what is more likely, is Maatta has regressed, and is not really as good as everyone thinks he is.

Since they've entered the league, Maatta and Pouliot have similar analytics, in terms of CF%, SF%, xGF60, xGA60, scoring chances for and against per 60. And this is all while Pouliot plays with lesser talented team mates, and Maatta plays with more talented team mates. So to say Pouliot sucks, and Maatta is underperforming couldn't be more wrong, whereas the reality is they are probably both similar in production/talent (just strengths and weaknesses in different areas).

The Guentzel scratch was a little curious to me, but the only knock if I had to pick one his is strength. He needs put on about ten pounds and do some strength conditioning. He gets knocked around VERY easily.

Sheary is 5'8' 175lbs whereas Geuntzel is 5'10 167lbs. You can see with a guy like Sheary that the extra weight goes a long way.

Sheary may get outmuscled from time to time, but overall he handles himself pretty well physically.
- Rinosaur

They may have just wanted guentzel to watch a game from the press box for his development. I know they like doing that with young defenseman. After playing 4 games let him watch a game with a coach.

^^^^^
Good point.

They may have just wanted guentzel to watch a game from the press box for his development. I know they like doing that with young defenseman. After playing 4 games let him watch a game with a coach.
- sditulli

I think if the roster is healthy, they'll eventually return Guentzel (possibly Wilson) to WB. Sullivan seems to be willing to rotate the young guys for now. Not letting any of them sit for too long. Guentzel and Wilson I believe are the only young players that's waiver exempt so I wouldn't expect to see anybody but those two heading to WB.

Personally I think Kuhnhackl should be the odd man out. I like aspects of his game, but he's not doing anything that isn't replaceable. I still like him as good depth. He wouldn't make it through waivers IMO.

I'd 'fist' everyone but the bloody web site won't let me edit my post - it was bizarre this morning!

(frank) Crosby.

Happy?
- Girouxsalem90

I'd kind of hoped for a little better............but you are a Flyers fan!

That statement is nice and all, but it's not how sports work.

And it also doesn't accurately describe the scenario:

Pouliot sucks, which is why he's perma-benched.

Maatta is just underperforming a little right now compared to expectations, which is why he continues to play.
- hardnosed

I'm interested to see if Maatta will actually play to our expectations. This is the 2nd year his play has been underwhelming. Maybe his rookie year was just a year where he played above his level & what we are now seeing is his norm??? Maybe he is just a 3/4 D man.

I'm interested to see if Maatta will actually play to our expectations. This is the 2nd year his play has been underwhelming. Maybe his rookie year was just a year where he played above his level & what we are now seeing is his norm??? Maybe he is just a 3/4 D man.
- Aussiepenguin

This is probably the truth.

I think if the roster is healthy, they'll eventually return Guentzel (possibly Wilson) to WB. Sullivan seems to be willing to rotate the young guys for now. Not letting any of them sit for too long. Guentzel and Wilson I believe are the only young players that's waiver exempt so I wouldn't expect to see anybody but those two heading to WB.

Personally I think Kuhnhackl should be the odd man out. I like aspects of his game, but he's not doing anything that isn't replaceable. I still like him as good depth. He wouldn't make it through waivers IMO.
- madmike71

All reports from management indicate they think Guentzel is a guy that once he's up they can't send back down. So far his performance says that's true. Sheary is locking down chemistry with Sid (though I think his size and style will make him a little injury proned). Rust can't clear waivers. I'd bet on Wilson being sent down or kuhanakl flipped for a pick. What's his market value? I'd have him on the market right now for a 2nd round pick. I think a 3rd round pick would be pretty easy. 2nd round seems to produce legit contributors per year and a lot of nothing. Seems a little high, but a team would be getting a legit NHL player. I think a 3rd is feasible if we are forced to move him. Rust I assume has higher mkt value.

Maatta is nowhere near being one of the best young defencemen in the league. He's got a good head for hockey, he makes a lot of great small plays that most don't notice and When he has time he is effective. The thing is he can't skate. You can be small in the NHL, that gets proven a lot, but you can't be slow. Especially as a young kid.

Or, what is more likely, is Maatta has regressed, and is not really as good as everyone thinks he is.

Since they've entered the league, Maatta and Pouliot have similar analytics, in terms of CF%, SF%, xGF60, xGA60, scoring chances for and against per 60. And this is all while Pouliot plays with lesser talented team mates, and Maatta plays with more talented team mates. So to say Pouliot sucks, and Maatta is underperforming couldn't be more wrong, whereas the reality is they are probably both similar in production/talent (just strengths and weaknesses in different areas).
- j.boyd919

As if any of those "fancy" stats means jack squat to me.

It's pretty obvious to anyone with eyes that Pouliot is an awful mistake waiting to happen, no matter what his shot attempt +/- says.

That's why a Stanley Cup winning coaching staff doesn't play him.