Ryan Wilson: Things are getting grim Things are getting grim

I've watched nearly every game this season, and other than a few really bad games, I think EK has been mostly good. I can't even blame him for the PP struggles. The Pens just don't play in front of the net. From my untrained eyes, there have been tons of rebounds and the Pens don't get there. They get pushed around and boxed out. I think it was the wild game last week where Armstrong made the comment about pucks just sitting there and no Penguin could get close to it. They take nearly a minute or more to take a shot and get zero second chances.

I havent watched a full game since Hextall took over. The expansion draft killed the Penguins.

Even when there was some remaining hope of success, the team is so bland and boring. It seems impossible when you have 4 HoF-ers on the roster and Sid playing like he's ten years younger... but literally every other player is vanilla.

The never-ending attempt to replace McCann and Tanev with Brock Mcginn, Jeff Carter, Lars Eller, Noel Accari.... puke.

I am beyond tired of the constant assumption that this team will "always be able to score and get their points....so lets just focus on tightening up the defense". Despite offense being the major reason for getting bounced in the last 5 playoff chances.

This team has no heart left, no one to run through a wall and forecheck like hell, no one to take a beating in front of the net, no one that can consistently be a dangerous sniper....just a bunch of old, vanilla, playmakers playing hockey in front of uninterested corporate crowds.

I don't think Karlsson is to blame at all. He has been a good player, the PP is a glaring example of why the coaching staff needs to go.

I'm still supportive of trading him for a good return however. The Pens need more depth and youth, a Karlsson trade could help with that.

Will be interesting to see the extent of Jakes injury. Hopefully it is nothing... such a disaster position to be in. The worst case scenario isn't that the Pens lose him for nothing now, the worst case scenario is Dubas overcompensates and offers Jake +$10M to try to save face somewhat in the short term.

I'm trying to think back, on a power play, when was the last time the penguins shot the puck low on a goaltender then 2 or 3 guys jammed the net trying to push a rebound in. I honestly think its been years.

I don't think Karlsson is to blame at all. He has been a good player, the PP is a glaring example of why the coaching staff needs to go.

I'm still supportive of trading him for a good return however. The Pens need more depth and youth, a Karlsson trade could help with that.

Will be interesting to see the extent of Jakes injury. Hopefully it is nothing... such a disaster position to be in. The worst case scenario isn't that the Pens lose him for nothing now, the worst case scenario is Dubas overcompensates and offers Jake +$10M to try to save face somewhat in the short term.
- MacPatty

For 11.5M per year being good is being bad..need him to dominate and be a difference maker for that salary. No one in a million years would trade for EK and his 3 yrs at 11.5M unless Pens ate 50% of his salary and even then they arent getting any assets. Dubas put both feet in when he signed EK and has little choice but to give Guentzel what he wants assuming he wants to be part of a non cup contender for the rest of the decade. Best thing he could do is approach Crosby..Letang and Malkin and see if they want to move. He could get the rebuild underway quickly because all 3 at their salaries would get some good assets.

For 11.5M per year being good is being bad..need him to dominate and be a difference maker for that salary. No one in a million years would trade for EK and his 3 yrs at 11.5M unless Pens ate 50% of his salary and even then they arent getting any assets. Dubas put both feet in when he signed EK and has little choice but to give Guentzel what he wants assuming he wants to be part of a non cup contender for the rest of the decade. Best thing he could do is approach Crosby..Letang and Malkin and see if they want to move. He could get the rebuild underway quickly because all 3 at their salaries would get some good assets.
- hfc355

If you are going to spout nonsense, at least get your figures right. Karlsson is a $10M cap hit. My comment was not that he is a good player, he is good for a $10M cap hit.

Get Jack Johnson back!

I'm trying to think back, on a power play, when was the last time the penguins shot the puck low on a goaltender then 2 or 3 guys jammed the net trying to push a rebound in. I honestly think its been years.
- mkrisnosky

They have one of the most talented PP's but for whatever reason they all just sit on the perimeter and don't put on any pressure. Its like they feel like they are only allowed to be in certain boxes on the ice and if they leave their box to attack the net they will fall in lava.

You have to be able to stir up some chaos on the PP. Look at Edmonton's PP, they just fly around and make plays. They let their talented players use their skill and just attack the net. The Pens are afraid of having the puck leave the zone so they never take any chances and just pass it around the perimeter.

As you point out, it isnt just having a net front guy, the focus needs to be attacking the net from different angles and with different players. Make the defenders get out of position and kick the puck back to Karlsson. The thing Karlsson is great at on the PP is finding holes through traffic, not just hammering the puck. Why get him to not use him to his absolute best.

And with that, I have just talked myself out of trading Karlsson. Fire Sullivan and his whole staff...

If you are going to spout nonsense, at least get your figures right. Karlsson is a $10M cap hit. My comment was not that he is a good player, he is good for a $10M cap hit.
- MacPatty

1.5 to pay off petry as part of the deal. So 11.5 through next season. 11.5 he needs to be a dominant force.

I've watched nearly every game this season, and other than a few really bad games, I think EK has been mostly good. I can't even blame him for the PP struggles. The Pens just don't play in front of the net. From my untrained eyes, there have been tons of rebounds and the Pens don't get there. They get pushed around and boxed out. I think it was the wild game last week where Armstrong made the comment about pucks just sitting there and no Penguin could get close to it. They take nearly a minute or more to take a shot and get zero second chances.
- madmike71

The PP more and more is guilty of not moving their feet. They stay so stationary and allow themselves to be covered. When a shot does get through they're just standing and staring and don't have body position or momentum to get to lose pucks or rebounds

I havent watched a full game since Hextall took over. The expansion draft killed the Penguins.

Even when there was some remaining hope of success, the team is so bland and boring. It seems impossible when you have 4 HoF-ers on the roster and Sid playing like he's ten years younger... but literally every other player is vanilla.



The never-ending attempt to replace McCann and Tanev with Brock Mcginn, Jeff Carter, Lars Eller, Noel Accari.... puke.

I am beyond tired of the constant assumption that this team will "always be able to score and get their points....so lets just focus on tightening up the defense". Despite offense being the major reason for getting bounced in the last 5 playoff chances.

This team has no heart left, no one to run through a wall and forecheck like hell, no one to take a beating in front of the net, no one that can consistently be a dangerous sniper....just a bunch of old, vanilla, playmakers playing hockey in front of uninterested corporate crowds.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This is where I am. They’ve been boring to watch for some time now. It’s more or less the same roster for 6 years just older.

I havent watched a full game since Hextall took over. The expansion draft killed the Penguins.

Even when there was some remaining hope of success, the team is so bland and boring. It seems impossible when you have 4 HoF-ers on the roster and Sid playing like he's ten years younger... but literally every other player is vanilla.



The never-ending attempt to replace McCann and Tanev with Brock Mcginn, Jeff Carter, Lars Eller, Noel Accari.... puke.

I am beyond tired of the constant assumption that this team will "always be able to score and get their points....so lets just focus on tightening up the defense". Despite offense being the major reason for getting bounced in the last 5 playoff chances.

This team has no heart left, no one to run through a wall and forecheck like hell, no one to take a beating in front of the net, no one that can consistently be a dangerous sniper....just a bunch of old, vanilla, playmakers playing hockey in front of uninterested corporate crowds.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This is where I am. They’ve been boring to watch for some time now. It’s more or less the same roster for 6 years just older.

I havent watched a full game since Hextall took over. The expansion draft killed the Penguins.

Even when there was some remaining hope of success, the team is so bland and boring. It seems impossible when you have 4 HoF-ers on the roster and Sid playing like he's ten years younger... but literally every other player is vanilla.

The never-ending attempt to replace McCann and Tanev with Brock Mcginn, Jeff Carter, Lars Eller, Noel Accari.... puke.

I am beyond tired of the constant assumption that this team will "always be able to score and get their points....so lets just focus on tightening up the defense". Despite offense being the major reason for getting bounced in the last 5 playoff chances.

This team has no heart left, no one to run through a wall and forecheck like hell, no one to take a beating in front of the net, no one that can consistently be a dangerous sniper....just a bunch of old, vanilla, playmakers playing hockey in front of uninterested corporate crowds.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It's funny that a lot pf people around here were saying that guys like Tanev are a dime a dozen and you could always find someone cheaper. Guys like Tanev and Zuck provide a lot more than just what the numbers say.

It's funny that a lot pf people around here were saying that guys like Tanev are a dime a dozen and you could always find someone cheaper. Guys like Tanev and Zuck provide a lot more than just what the numbers say.
- Thorny87

Right... Good players that brought energy every night. I loved watching Tanev play. I didn't care about the over-pay on the contract. He was entertaining to watch.

Dubas swapped out Zucker who wanted to stay for a guy who doesn't want to be here (by some reports). This team definitely lacks energy. That's why I wanted them to look at some of their kids instead of signing old retreads. Too bad Sullivan always has them skating on eggshells.

A total refresh is needed. Same old stale roster.
Come up with a 3-5 year plan and ask 87 if he wants to be a part of that. If not, maybe the 3-5 year program goes quicker. With the injury, re-sign 59.
58/71, sorry but thanks for your years of service. It's time to move on. Get what you can. Strike in the summer where teams like Buffalo and Ottawa believe they can win--grab their draft picks and enjoy while they fade off to oblivion. Trading to stronger contenders only gets back very late picks in any round, and doesnt help as much.
65 and Ned need to go to grab whatever you can in terms of prospects. 65 will be hard to move as aging with a huge cap hit. Graves can go for a bucket of warmup pucks or a backup Iceburgh costume. Petterson might be able to fetch you a decent 2nd rounder.
Mandate significant changes on the coaching staff. I think Sid and FSG are married to Sully--Sully is a good coach whose voice has gone stale--so I dont think they will move on from him.
Sorry but after years of watching this group... Last night did it for me.
They looked Lost, dejected, defeated...No confidence... I hadnt seen that, but last night as soon as FLA scored the first goal, they gave up.

Why all the doom and gloom fans of pittsburgh? This is what you wanted. As Tim Benz would say: Pittsburgh fans loooove mediocrity... Just think the steelers are taking the same ship that's sinking. But hey let's keep everything the same. It's working juuust fine, especially if you love mediocrity.

This is where I am. They’ve been boring to watch for some time now. It’s more or less the same roster for 6 years just older.
- sammy87

Of course you're out in full force after a losing streak, you miserable fvck of a clown. It's clockwork.

Quite a few of us have been very entertained by a lot of the games this season because A: we're actually hockey fans and B: we're actually Penguins fans.

"it's more or less the same roster for 6 years"?.. This just proves how incrediblely dumb you are. Over 50% of the roster this season isn't the same as last season, let alone the changes from the four season before last.

Of course you're out in full force after a losing streak, you miserable fvck of a clown. It's clockwork.

Quite a few of us have been very entertained by a lot of the games this season because A: we're actually hockey fans and B: we're actually Penguins fans.

"it's more or less the same roster for 6 years"?.. This just proves how incrediblely dumb you are. Over 50% of the roster this season isn't the same as last season, let alone the changes from the four season before last.
- MattStrat

Good for you. Must be proud.

Penguins just cannot finish on their chances They have become an aging porn star who just cannot finish any longer. We need youth not aging vets that do not know how to score. It is time and we have been saying it for a few years now but nobody seems to see it. It is like watching Joe Biden trying to speak and his followers say he is still sharp as a tack.

It is obvious and still they go on and on and on. If you cannot score with a man advantage you are toast Here is something really disturbing Sam Reinhart alone has 22 goals on the pp and the Pens whole total is 23. YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH
Aging veterans NO NO NO NO NO NO

The Pens as a team are aging Porn Stars that just cannot finish any longer Time to change and do it NOW

It's funny that a lot pf people around here were saying that guys like Tanev are a dime a dozen and you could always find someone cheaper. Guys like Tanev and Zuck provide a lot more than just what the numbers say.
- Thorny87

Amen. There is no replacing Horny. But Zuck was the last of our remaining heart and soul "hair on fire" energizing player with talent. You cant replace Zucker with Smith.

Edit: I dont want to overstate the importance of intangibles either.... but this team, in particular, desperately needs it.

If you are going to spout nonsense, at least get your figures right. Karlsson is a $10M cap hit. My comment was not that he is a good player, he is good for a $10M cap hit.
- MacPatty

Good for a 10M cap hit????Plus 1.5 Petry retained = 11.5 He is adequate defensively and above average not great anymore offensively. Has he made the team better?

Good for a 10M cap hit????Plus 1.5 Petry retained = 11.5 He is adequate defensively and above average not great anymore offensively. Has he made the team better?
- hfc355

He finished a 100+ point season 9 months ago hahaa.. On pace for 60 mostly even strength this season, has like 14 points in last 16 games. That's elite for a dman. Not to mention best defensive season of his career.

Yes, he's made the team better. The D corps was one of the lowest scoring in league last season. This season the Pens are around top 5 in goals against in the league.

Legit shame the Graves signing was a huge bust... its like when we traded for Brassard and it just... ugh


Don't really know what you can do here... Goaltending has been great... powerplay is beyond garbage and depth is... well, its what it usually is.

He finished a 100+ point season 9 months ago hahaa.. On pace for 60 mostly even strength this season, has like 14 points in last 16 games. That's elite for a dman. Not to mention best defensive season of his career.

Yes, he's made the team better. The D corps was one of the lowest scoring in league last season. This season the Pens are around top 5 in goals against in the league.
- MattStrat

Pens are on pace for less points this yr than last. He has not made them better