I'm not the only one who was pleasantly surprised by how solid Niskanen and Eaton looked as our third pair against Tampa Bay, right?
- kill.monsters

I made mention that night that I thought they played well together. This continuing of mixing up d-partners is dumb.

Not this year, unfortunately. He's been that guy who makes horrible turnovers and can't put the puck in the net to save his life this year. He's been really weak on the forecheck too. If vokoun wasn't on the team, he would easily be the most disappointing player all year.
- mw630

His 2nd goal came against the Flyers on 2/20 (he's only gotten 2?). I fully expect him to get #3 tonight, and it will probably be timely.

Bylsmagic!! what a fool
- nbartley9

This ^^^^^^^^^

Quit f'in around and keep Depres in the lineup

Eaton should not be playing instead of Despres.

]
- nbartley9

I usually would agree, but maybe Eaton can provide some calmness out there tonight. He's been through these wars before, and has played well.

It's a good problem to have when you have too many capable defensemen.

I know Shero would never trade him...orpik for Keith Ballard, he is more than available...

His 2nd goal came against the Flyers on 2/20 (he's only gotten 2?). I fully expect him to get #3 tonight, and it will probably be timely.
- tangent_man

If he's in the lineup, I hope you're right. His 4 points are pretty pitiful. He's played the majority of the season on the 3rd line. He should at least have double digit points.

I know Shero would never trade him...orpik for Keith Ballard, he is more than available...
- nelson911

We don't need another Gopher.

Isn't Ballard Vancouver's version of our Paul Martin? Hasn't he sucked since being acquired and is coming out of his two year nap on the west coast?

Pens win, 9 - 7. Crosby with a double Gordie Howe hat trick

200 penalty minutes. Coaches also exchange punches.

Craziness galore. Instant classic.

League considers cancelling all other games and making every game Pens vs. Flyers.

I usually would agree, but maybe Eaton can provide some calmness out there tonight. He's been through these wars before, and has played well.

It's a good problem to have when you have too many capable defensemen.
- rival22

They've got big problems if they need a depth defensman like Mark Eaton to calm them down.

So Despres plays some of his best games of the year. Confidence going up. Let's scratch him for a guy that nobody wanted a couple of weeks ago. Brilliant!

We don't need another Gopher.

Isn't Ballard Vancouver's version of our Paul Martin? Hasn't he sucked since being acquired and is coming out of his two year nap on the west coast?
- Oneonta Penguin

Vigneault has completely mishandled him, he is just crapped on for even the smallest mistake while guys like Edler continue to struggle every game, this season Ballard has played well, it seems he had trouble with the media market of Vancouver, I think he would do well In Pitt with Bylsma.

Bortuzzo and Depres look like the D likely to sit tonight. Gotta stop screwing with Despres, let him get some chemistry with someone, they are only harming his growth with this every other 2 or 3 games crap.

Pens play better against Philly in Philly (regular season wise) something like 9-2-1 in recent past. Keep the emotions in check and get after a banged up defense. Stay out of the freaking penalty box as much as possible

Enough is enough despres needs to be in wtf...what are they gonna sit him the entire playoffs cause its too physical..im not happy with this

They've got big problems if they need a depth defensman like Mark Eaton to calm them down.
- madmike71

It's clear that they do have big problems in the calmness vs Philly area.

Enough is enough despres needs to be in wtf...what are they gonna sit him the entire playoffs cause its too physical..im not happy with this
- SayWhat...NoWay

That being said i think Despres is plenty physical, he has a pretty wicked hip check. He is way more physical than Eaton is. Its Bylsma over coaching in the wrong direction again.

Pens play better against Philly in Philly (regular season wise) something like 9-2-1 in recent past.
- ryman1566

I'm pretty sure that the Flyers won 4 of the 6 matchups last year.

Enough is enough despres needs to be in wtf...what are they gonna sit him the entire playoffs cause its too physical..im not happy with this
- SayWhat...NoWay

They r trading him remember.. Right now his value is high.. Dont want him getting hurt or playing bad :/

Db is losing my confidence...

Despres left the ice at morning skate and did not return.

Trade? Injury?

It's clear that they do have big problems in the calmness vs Philly area.
- rival22

No doubt about it. But playing an inferior player on the very downside of his career reeks of desperation. Knowing Disco... I knew it was only a matter of time before this exact decision would happen.

Despres left the ice at morning skate and did not return.

Trade? Injury?
- nbartley9

Both would explain the seemingly absurd decision to scratch him against the Flyers. I don't want either, but I suppose I'd prefer the latter.

@penguins
#Pens D-pairs at morning skate: Martin-Orpik Niskanen-Letang Eaton-Engelland Despres-Bortuzzo

Not looking good for Despres.
- Gunner Staal

I dont get it. What does Despres have to do? Are we just trying to keep him healthy for trade bait?

Bortuzzo is the odd man out here. Should be:

Martin- Orpik
Despres - Letang
Niskanen - Eaton (these guys played great together in the TB game)

Engelland will end up in the box a few times anyway, but you cant sit him for a game like this. We need his grit and size.

That being said i think Despres is plenty physical, he has a pretty wicked hip check. He is way more physical than Eaton is. Its Bylsma over coaching in the wrong direction again.
- nbartley9

I agree, Despres consistently finishes his checks and is not shy to stand up on blueline and challenge an on-coming forward.

I'm pretty sure that the Flyers won 4 of the 6 matchups last year.
- Coburns_Nose

Yep,

1-1-1 in Philly though last year
2-1 in Philly two years ago
3-0 in Philly three years ago
and etc

My point is, the Pens play a better game against Philly in Philly's barn instead of Pittsburgh.

That being said i think Despres is plenty physical, he has a pretty wicked hip check. He is way more physical than Eaton is. Its Bylsma over coaching in the wrong direction again.
- nbartley9

Agree hes not ryan f'ing whitney..despres is physical.

Nothing against Engelland, I think he's a very serviceable player (especially when considering his salary & cap hit). That being said, he should never be in the line-up over Despres. Despres plays with arguably as much physicality while providing much more from an offensive/puck-moving standpoint. To be honest, Engelland's fighting ability should never come into play when deciding between defensemen, it's an extremely overvalued and overrated attribute of a hockey player.

Agree hes not ryan f'ing whitney..despres is physical.
- SayWhat...NoWay

Despres plays well and gets the shaft in favor of a Dman he is probably playing better than anyways. Tyler Kennedy is terrible, yet continues to see the ice time over forwards that have played better than him this season. What is the logic?