On a different topic do you think the new coach will deploy 71/87 on the PK? Maybe not together but at least get them a few shifts on the PK?

- Guile

Is that a bottle rocket?

For Bully


On a serious note, I hope Spaling proves me wrong. However, I maintain that whle trying to upgrade the bottom 6 was important I don't see why he was the guy. Maybe Nashville tossed him in and Rutherford just decided a somewhat known entity was better than a pick. I don't know. Getting a guy headed to FA like that was really part of his only blemish so far as GM. Not too bad. Like I said, hopefully I'm wrong. Just seems like an iffy move right now.
- HopintheCordoba

I agree with you to a degree. He may improve. But, it's no secret that PP time and minutes that he got in Nashville probably won't be available to him here. I do wish him the best but I'm not expecting him to blow anyone away. Having said that, it wouldn't take much to outplay Adams or a few other bottom 6 options we've had over the past 2 years.
- HopintheCordoba

Spaling also had more time in the top 6 and played against better D pairings. If he stays on the 3rd line, he let's Crosby and Malkin wear down the D, then that 3rd line can grind the poop out of the 5th/6th Dmen and get a few goals. I think sutter and spaling can get over 30 points

On a different topic do you think the new coach will deploy 71/87 on the PK? Maybe not together but at least get them a few shifts on the PK?
- dbell646

I'd like to see 87/9 and 16/spaling (forgot his number). Then once the PK is done,counter with malkin's line. The only reason I don't like Crosby on the PK is because it requires to block many shots and would definately increase his risk for injury

I like most of the signings. I was a little unhappy with what Spaling got, but then Sutter signed for a little less than I thought he would, so those 2 really cancel each other out.

I am nervous though about the flexibility the team is going to have going into the season. Assuming Megna or Kapanen get a spot and Adams is bumped to 13th forward, that is going to leave the Pens with either $56K or $5K in cap space. That does not leave any room for any injury call ups unless whoever gets injured is seriously injured and can be put on LTIR. This means that with any small injuries to the forwards or anyone needing a night off, Adams will be in the lineup. I feel like he will be playing more often than people seem to think, just because of the lack of cap space to call guys up.

I'd like to see 87/9 and 16/spaling (forgot his number). Then once the PK is done,counter with malkin's line. The only reason I don't like Crosby on the PK is because it requires to block many shots and would definately increase his risk for injury
- drummer829

Don't you think you can be a good PK guy by being positioned well and using your speed vs laying out to block shots? I mean 87/71 get the puck on their stick its instant offense and kills time as opposed to Glass/Adams laying out to block a shot and hoping it exits the zone.

Sutter to the 2nd line to play with Malkin and Hornqvist.
Goc with Bennett and Downie
Spaling with Comeau and Megna
Adams = cut.

Sutter brings some speed to the 2nd line and hopefully can play the defensive roll so we can turn Malkin loose!

Goc with Downie in hopes that his all business German demeanor rubs off on Downie.
- stackthepads

Hey that was my idea

On a different topic do you think the new coach will deploy 71/87 on the PK? Maybe not together but at least get them a few shifts on the PK?
- dbell646

Don't see why. We have so many great penalty killers that I'd rather give the heavy artillery a 2 minute breather and unleash the krakens on a team transitioning off the PP.

Also, in response to Sutter on the second line wing: This should absolutely be tried. We have so much depth at the C that we should definitely be experimenting with Sutter, Spaling, Dupuis, and Goc to see where everyone belongs. We're probably gonna come out of the Metro easy, so a failed experiment such as Sutter to 2nd line wing, Duper to 3rd line wing, or Sapling to 4C won't effect us that much, and since our top 6 is such a question mark its well worth the effort.

Who knows. Maybe Sutter can end up filling essentially the same roll as Jokinen did on Geno's line. A defensively aware winger for a defensively impaired center that's skilled at being in the right place at the right time and can step in for a face off now and again.

Don't see why. We have so many great penalty killers that I'd rather give the heavy artillery a 2 minute breather and unleash the krakens on a team transitioning off the PP.

Also, in response to Sutter on the second line wing: This should absolutely be tried. We have so much depth at the C that we should definitely be experimenting with Sutter, Spaling, Dupuis, and Goc to see where everyone belongs. We're probably gonna come out of the Metro easy, so a failed experiment such as Sutter to 2nd line wing, Duper to 3rd line wing, or Sapling to 4C won't effect us that much, and since our top 6 is such a question mark its well worth the effort.

Who knows. Maybe Sutter can end up filling essentially the same roll as Jokinen did on Geno's line. A defensively aware winger for a defensively impaired center that's skilled at being in the right place at the right time and can step in for a face off now and again.
- Victoro311

What do you mean by great penalty killers? A lot of teams deploy their best players on the PK and turn it into offense. If 87/71 are on the ice the point men can't cheat and have another thing to worry about. I believe 66 killed penalties during his career as well. In fact the shorthanded goals list starts with Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, and Lemieux.

What do you mean by great penalty killers? A lot of teams deploy their best players on the PK and turn it into offense. If 87/71 are on the ice the point men can't cheat and have another thing to worry about. I believe 66 killed penalties during his career as well. In fact the shorthanded goals list starts with Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, and Lemieux.
- dbell646

Again, all 3rd and 4th liners..... hah! Obviously I am joking I know Lemieux played some 1st line minutes later in his career...

Again, all 3rd and 4th liners..... hah! Obviously I am joking I know Lemieux played some 1st line minutes later in his career...
- kgrpitt

When injuries occured he got to play with Robbie Brown

I like most of the signings. I was a little unhappy with what Spaling got, but then Sutter signed for a little less than I thought he would, so those 2 really cancel each other out.

I am nervous though about the flexibility the team is going to have going into the season. Assuming Megna or Kapanen get a spot and Adams is bumped to 13th forward, that is going to leave the Pens with either $56K or $5K in cap space. That does not leave any room for any injury call ups unless whoever gets injured is seriously injured and can be put on LTIR. This means that with any small injuries to the forwards or anyone needing a night off, Adams will be in the lineup. I feel like he will be playing more often than people seem to think, just because of the lack of cap space to call guys up.
- PensFan1103

It isn't an ideal situation, however, having one piece of dead weight in Adams at $700K is better than having three in Adams, Pyatt, and Glass at a combined $3M.

Additionally, I think the Penguins can gain an additional $900K in Cap Space to start the season if Maatta isn't ready by assigning him to WBS. I do not believe he is waiver eligible so he can be called up or down at will.

Is that a bottle rocket?
- powerhouse

Yes

Don't see why. We have so many great penalty killers that I'd rather give the heavy artillery a 2 minute breather and unleash the krakens on a team transitioning off the PP.

Also, in response to Sutter on the second line wing: This should absolutely be tried. We have so much depth at the C that we should definitely be experimenting with Sutter, Spaling, Dupuis, and Goc to see where everyone belongs. We're probably gonna come out of the Metro easy, so a failed experiment such as Sutter to 2nd line wing, Duper to 3rd line wing, or Sapling to 4C won't effect us that much, and since our top 6 is such a question mark its well worth the effort.

Who knows. Maybe Sutter can end up filling essentially the same roll as Jokinen did on Geno's line. A defensively aware winger for a defensively impaired center that's skilled at being in the right place at the right time and can step in for a face off now and again.
- Victoro311

Exactly dude. It gives Sutter a chance to play a game more akin to his style. We can stop trying to force him to be a shutdown 3rd line center when we already have Goc who is perfectly capable of that. Plus, Sutter has shown hes capable of playing decent on the wing in his past career. Geno has shown he can play well with guys like Jokinen/Fedetenko/Talbot on his line.

It also lets us slide down Dupuis (or Bennett) to the third which both are upgrades to the third line. Goc, Dupuis, Downie is an excellent 3rd line.

If nothing else, at least experiment. I'm confident Johnston will explore these opportunities as he has no ties to certain line combinations.

What do you mean by great penalty killers? A lot of teams deploy their best players on the PK and turn it into offense. If 87/71 are on the ice the point men can't cheat and have another thing to worry about. I believe 66 killed penalties during his career as well. In fact the shorthanded goals list starts with Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, and Lemieux.
- dbell646

I'm not saying its a bad idea to put Crosby on the PK, I'm just saying that letting him rest may be an even better idea. Over the past years, we've had a consistently good PK that at times has found itself at the top of the league, and looking at our roster I'd say we're slated to continue the trend. We have Sutter, Goc, Spaling, and Duper coming back to form the core, and plenty of other guys that can fill in. We have three guys there that can play C, and say what you want about them, but Sutter has been a key contributor to a potent Pens PK in the past and almost everyone agrees that Spaling is a great PKer. Why play Crosby or Malkin and tire them out/risk injury when we can save them for even strength and the PK is doing more than fine without them? Seems like an unnecessary risk to me.

What do you mean by great penalty killers? A lot of teams deploy their best players on the PK and turn it into offense. If 87/71 are on the ice the point men can't cheat and have another thing to worry about. I believe 66 killed penalties during his career as well. In fact the shorthanded goals list starts with Gretzky, Messier, Yzerman, and Lemieux.
- dbell646

87 and 71 are too important to be blocking shots on the PK in my opinion. I'm sure they could do it well but at what cost? I don't mind Sid going out to win a faceoff and then get off the ice, but I wouldn't give them a lot of time there. Being dangerous on the PK is mostly about speed (a la Gibbons, Grabner, etc). I think Goc, Sutter, Spaling, Megna, Dupuis are all plenty capable on the PK.

87 and 71 are too important to be blocking shots on the PK in my opinion. I'm sure they could do it well but at what cost? I don't mind Sid going out to win a faceoff and then get off the ice, but I wouldn't give them a lot of time there. Being dangerous on the PK is mostly about speed (a la Gibbons, Grabner, etc). I think Goc, Sutter, Spaling, Megna, Dupuis are all plenty capable on the PK.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Megna not so much unless he develops his defensive skills more, but Sutter and Duper should make a dangerous PK with Goc and Spaling keeping the puck out of the net.

87 and 71 are too important to be blocking shots on the PK in my opinion. I'm sure they could do it well but at what cost? I don't mind Sid going out to win a faceoff and then get off the ice, but I wouldn't give them a lot of time there. Being dangerous on the PK is mostly about speed (a la Gibbons, Grabner, etc). I think Goc, Sutter, Spaling, Megna, Dupuis are all plenty capable on the PK.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Why would they be laying out to block shots? Is that a requirement. And are 87/71 more important then the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Messier, and Yzerman? Has there been some type of study done showing more players get hurt during a penalty kill then 5 vs 5?

On a serious note, I hope Spaling proves me wrong. However, I maintain that whle trying to upgrade the bottom 6 was important I don't see why he was the guy. Maybe Nashville tossed him in and Rutherford just decided a somewhat known entity was better than a pick. I don't know. Getting a guy headed to FA like that was really part of his only blemish so far as GM. Not too bad. Like I said, hopefully I'm wrong. Just seems like an iffy move right now.
- HopintheCordoba

What confused me about trading for Spaling was JR talked about how important analytics were and then hired a "specialist" yet traded for a guy who wasn't good in those areas as the stats show. I'm not a big metrics guy but if you preach about improving in areas like possession then why trade for someone like Spaling in the first place? Isn't he the opposite of what they wanted to pick up? I do hope that in a different system he will be able to improve the bottom six though. The team needs him and a guy like Comeau to come in and produce or there will be the same problems they had last season with a bottom six that is laughable.

What confused me about trading for Spaling was JR talked about how important analytics were and then hired a "specialist" yet traded for a guy who wasn't good in those areas as the stats show. I'm not a big metrics guy but if you preach about improving in areas like possession then why trade for someone like Spaling in the first place? Isn't he the opposite of what they wanted to pick up? I do hope that in a different system he will be able to improve the bottom six though. The team needs him and a guy like Comeau to come in and produce or there will be the same problems they had last season with a bottom six that is laughable.
- acdc1206

Did Comeau drop 20 before? Not saying we get that but he has the ability and he hits. Not sure if they are big thundering hits but I'm excited to see what he can bring

Why would they be laying out to block shots? Is that a requirement. And are 87/71 more important then the likes of Lemieux, Gretzky, Messier, and Yzerman? Has there been some type of study done showing more players get hurt during a penalty kill then 5 vs 5?
- dbell646

Haha what? Its the PK! Of course it is! Why would you ever send out a guy to kill a penalty if you're gonna tell him to lay off blocking shots. Its a matter of simple logic here:

A) Blocking shots lead to injury
B) There are more shots against during Pks
C) More shots against leads to more chances to block shots
D) If blocking shots lead to injury, and there are more opportunities to block shots during the PK, then there is a greater possibility of getting injured during the PK

I'm too young to analyze the team make ups of Lemieux's Penguins or Gretzky's Oilers/Kings/Rangers, but perhaps those teams didn't have the same caliber PKers that this Pens team has making it necessary to play their stars on the PK. Crosby would be a good PKer, but we have a roster that affords us the luxury of not having to use him in that way and avoid the risks that come with it.

Also Geno would just be flat out bad. He's average at best on the face off, and is not great in his own zone. That's a disaster waiting to happen on the PK.

Pretty cool to see these guys doing the ice bucket challenge:



Adams challenged Kunitz, Guerin, and Crosby, and Crosby has already posted his video, where he challenges Dupuis, Fleury, and Letang. Praying we get a Malkin video, because it will be hilarious.

Did Comeau drop 20 before? Not saying we get that but he has the ability and he hits. Not sure if they are big thundering hits but I'm excited to see what he can bring
- dbell646

24 with the Isles

Haha what? Its the PK! Of course it is! Why would you ever send out a guy to kill a penalty if you're gonna tell him to lay off blocking shots. Its a matter of simple logic here:

.
- Victoro311

Better players will do a better job of reading the play. Better players are also better skaters.

Diving around to block shots is a last resort that is usually the result of either a bad read or physical inability to keep up.

Being able to read the play and physically accomplish the tasks at hand won't lead to shot blocks, they will already be in the shooting lane leaving the offensive player to defer to the perimeter.