I just don't like having an offensive defenseman in Niskanen playing with maatta. Bortuzzo hangs back and allows maatta to join the rush. Do you really think a pairing of maatta-Niskanen will perform better than how maatta-bortuzzo have been playing? All I'm saying is borts and maatta have shown some nice chemistry together. Also, although bortuzzo is a little older, he too is slowly developing into a better defensive defenseman. Everyone is talking about the young D prospects, but I think we overlook how far bortuzzo has come and that he is still getting better. Niskanens stock is probably at its highest right now, he's shown he can handle top 4 minutes with the right partner
- drummer829

He's 24, his progression has been exactly what you want from a 3rd rounder.

For those that have forgotten how much of a positive impact Letang's return would bring:

www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.p...ost_id=52696#.UmUcDDK9KSM

Just think, this isn't Crosby's ceiling, scary.
- Ryan_Wilson

Letang's shot must be respected. I prefer a wrist to a slapper from Letang. It's more accurate. Will be interesting to see how Letang integrated into Jaques defensive system and how responsible he becomes.

I can't wait to see this high paced game tonight. Speed should be a major factor.

I can't wait to see this high paced game tonight. Speed should be a major factor.
- bixll

Me too. Have a few friends coming over and I am grilling some steaks. 7:30PM start, correct?

Me too. Have a few friends coming over and I am grilling some steaks. 7:30PM start, correct?
- powerhouse

OK, I may be a little late, this is very short notice, and you are a long way away. Do I bring the Wine?

I agree. Teams like Colorado give us a ton of trouble. It would be a good measuring stick in terms of their pairing. Borts and Scuds would be pretty formidable for 1 game.
- dbell646

Giggy is starting for us, he has played well so far, lets see how he does against Sids 3 point per night streak that he is on.

MacKinnon probably will be facing Sutters line a lot, and the way he is at draws, I expect a poor night in the faceoff dot for him. Game is going to come down to coaching and line matching all night.

Giggy is starting for us, he has played well so far, lets see how he does against Sids 3 point per night streak that he is on.

MacKinnon probably will be facing Sutters line a lot, and the way he is at draws, I expect a poor night in the faceoff dot for him. Game is going to come down to coaching and line matching all night.
- DDM-Coga

Good measuring stick for the young Avs.

Good measuring stick for the young Avs.
- bixll[/quote

My guess the Stastny Line will go against Crosby, Duchene vs Malkin, and then MacKinnon vs Sutter. If Stastnys line can keep Crosby in check, The Duchene Malkin line match up will be an interesting one to watch.

Good measuring stick of where the special teams are, the Avs PP is comign togehter and the PK is lights out, see if they can keep the trends up against an elite team.

Giggy is starting for us, he has played well so far, lets see how he does against Sids 3 point per night streak that he is on.

MacKinnon probably will be facing Sutters line a lot, and the way he is at draws, I expect a poor night in the faceoff dot for him. Game is going to come down to coaching and line matching all night.
- DDM-Coga

Seems odd since you don't play again until Friday. Either way, he's been good too.
The Pens will lose tonight if they play like they have in most games so far. Need 60 minutes, should be a fast and exciting game either way though.

Seems odd since you don't play again until Friday. Either way, he's been good too.
The Pens will lose tonight if they play like they have in most games so far. Need 60 minutes, should be a fast and exciting game either way though.
- canadianpenfan

They are 7-1. really.

Good measuring stick for the young Avs.
My guess the Stastny Line will go against Crosby, Duchene vs Malkin, and then MacKinnon vs Sutter. If Stastnys line can keep Crosby in check, The Duchene Malkin line match up will be an interesting one to watch.

Good measuring stick of where the special teams are, the Avs PP is comign togehter and the PK is lights out, see if they can keep the trends up against an elite team.
- DDM-Coga

You know the old saying...you can't stop him, you can only help to contain him.

They are 7-1. really.
- bixll

Yea and they haven't played a complete game yet and they're missing two key cogs.

Scary huh?

Yea and they haven't played a complete game yet and they're missing two key cogs.

Scary huh?
- canadianpenfan

Yep.

Seems odd since you don't play again until Friday. Either way, he's been good too.
The Pens will lose tonight if they play like they have in most games so far. Need 60 minutes, should be a fast and exciting game either way though.
- canadianpenfan

Roys reasoning is to keep Varly fresh as possible and give Giggy some more starts early in the season. But Dater who covers the Avs think its a contingency plan if the Avs get blown out it will be against Giggy and not Varly, keeping his confidence up high. They have spent a lot of time and effort reblding Varly. Not sure if I buy his theory, Roy seems too much of a straight shooter for that sort of stuff

You know the old saying...you can't stop him, you can only help to contain him.
- canadianpenfan

Duchene will be on his wing for Sochi, I see a few highlight reel goals tonight

Roys reasoning is to keep Varly fresh as possible and give Giggy some more starts early in the season. But Dater who covers the Avs think its a contingency plan if the Avs get blown out it will be against Giggy and not Varly, keeping his confidence up high. They have spent a lot of time and effort reblding Varly. Not sure if I buy his theory, Roy seems too much of a straight shooter for that sort of stuff
- DDM-Coga

Roy hasn't taken my fantasy team into consideration obviously. Jerk.

Roys reasoning is to keep Varly fresh as possible and give Giggy some more starts early in the season. But Dater who covers the Avs think its a contingency plan if the Avs get blown out it will be against Giggy and not Varly, keeping his confidence up high. They have spent a lot of time and effort reblding Varly. Not sure if I buy his theory, Roy seems too much of a straight shooter for that sort of stuff
- DDM-Coga

I thought it was Roy mind games with the Pens. Kind of saying you're not good enough to get our best.

Roy hasn't taken my fantasy team into consideration obviously. Jerk.
- canadianpenfan

Steelers are a game behind the Phins. The AFC has a bunch of stinkers.

Steelers are a game behind the Phins. The AFC has a bunch of stinkers.
- dbell646

Trash. Miami deciding to throw on the play near the end when Tannehill fumbled caused a hole in my living room wall that i must now fix tonight.

Still dont think I agree with Maata staying.

Trash. Miami deciding to throw on the play near the end when Tannehill fumbled caused a hole in my living room wall that i must now fix tonight.
- canadianpenfan

use bondo!

Still dont think I agree with Maata staying.
- Deadstar

You've become quite the complainer lately. The rest of them are wearing off on you.

What have you seen in Maatta that makes you worry? Just that he's never played as many games as he will this year? Or you're worried he won't stick and in turn will burn a year off his ELC?

I love the decision myself.

Trash. Miami deciding to throw on the play near the end when Tannehill fumbled caused a hole in my living room wall that i must now fix tonight.
- canadianpenfan

I've been thru that myself. I haven't been as emotionally involved with this team. Or football in general. Twitter kind of ruined it for me. Players just say the dumbest things publicly

You've become quite the complainer lately. The rest of them are wearing off on you.

What have you seen in Maatta that makes you worry? Just that he's never played as many games as he will this year? Or you're worried he won't stick and in turn will burn a year off his ELC?

I love the decision myself.
- canadianpenfan

Not so much the games number as the playoffs. Its a different game there and I'm worried that he might not be up to task for it when it matters. This team is already good enough to get to the playoffs. If Maata can't be a contributor there, then I won't call it a waste, but it would be a needless year.

Not so much the games number as the playoffs. Its a different game there and I'm worried that he might not be up to task for it when it matters. This team is already good enough to get to the playoffs. If Maata can't be a contributor there, then I won't call it a waste, but it would be a needless year.
- Deadstar

He's going to have to contribute in the playoffs at some point. There is nothing to say he could do it better at 21 or 22 then he can now. I think early on he has showed poise that is not common amongst players his age so i don't fear the unknown with him.

For years we've waited for the time when Shero's drafting would allow us more salary cap flexibility and it's starting, we have to see what they can do.