Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

All I know is, Fleury's numbers are better than "average" so far this year, and one of the big things that have changed because of the new system is far fewer giveaways in the defensive zone, and far fewer odd man breaks allowed.

Much more sound system and it's allowing Fleury to shine.
- hardnosed

All I know, us that there seems to be no way that Fleury is moved during the season, so let's just sit back and watch him play.

The constant circle of people either overly bashing him or overly defending him is tiring.

Megna sent down... You gotta think with a long road trip that they recall a forward on a defenseman on Tuesday (unless Bennett is healthy enough to play or be the 13th F in case of another injury) for the long road trip.

In any case, it probably doesn't matter who gets the call... I know we all want to see Harrington, etc., but listening to MJ yesterday, it doesn't seem like he'll just rotate guys in for the heck of it.

When asked about if he'd make a change to a winning lineup:
"We evaluate our lineup based on individuals. So, if we are going to make lineup changes, it's based on how a player is playing. If a player is being ineffective, and we have a player that is sitting there that can help us on a given night, we'll put that person in."
- rival22

My guess is Bennett is going to be 13th F. And not having anyone else in box will help the cap. Forgot Burtuzzo will be in box with him. They will have fun together. Once bennett is good to go sill will sit.

My guess is Bennett is going to be 13th F. And not having anyone else in box will help the cap. Forgot Burtuzzo will be in box with him. They will have fun together. Once bennett is good to go sill will sit.
- nh4442

Bortuzzo will be in for Maatta.

Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

All I know is, Fleury's numbers are better than "average" so far this year, and one of the big things that have changed because of the new system is far fewer giveaways in the defensive zone, and far fewer odd man breaks allowed.

Much more sound system and it's allowing Fleury to shine.
- hardnosed

So are you saying its the system and not necessarily the 5mil goalie?

Bortuzzo will be in for Maatta.
- rival22

Oh ya good call.. so maatta and Bennett is press box

Its does seem however that with each passing game that Greiss does not get a chance to show what he can do, the writing is on the wall with the direction the team is going ie. resign MAF.

I think the points of all the stats are pretty much made. Most of it is just beating a dead horse at this point

Its does seem however that with each passing game that Greiss does not get a chance to show what he can do, the writing is on the wall with the direction the team is going ie. resign MAF.
- all-pgh

The Pens have 17 back to backs this year with 16 left. Fleury happens to be playing well right. Its a long season and hes bound to hit a rough patch at some point. Greiss will get his starts

I am unwilling to make anything about MAF save % stats at this point in time and I think it is pretty irresponsible to do so. A ten game sample size, the start of a new system, it is bound to have serious peaks and valleys.

I will wait till game 41 before I do anything.

Bortuzzo in Tuesday. That should allow Despres to play with Letang. Give him every chance to succeed and if he takes that opportunity and runs with it, well, you now have a ton of flexibility on the trade market.

I'm guessing Beau is ready to return no with Megna being sent back.

So are you saying its the system and not necessarily the 5mil goalie?
- all-pgh

Nope, I'm saying it's a combination of the two. Take a supremely talented goalie and subject him to constant slop in front of him, and that goalie isn't going to look very good.

I am unwilling to make anything about MAF save % stats at this point in time and I think it is pretty irresponsible to do so. A ten game sample size, the start of a new system, it is bound to have serious peaks and valleys.

- usethe1-2-2

But it's not really peaks and valleys. It's apexes, peaks, and two outliers, one of which was against the Flyers (always weirdness) and the other of which was an 8-3 win.

Bortuzzo in Tuesday. That should allow Despres to play with Letang.
- usethe1-2-2

I would imagine that Martin would move up with Letang. Ehrhoff with Despres, Bortuzzo and Scuderi.

But it's not really peaks and valleys. It's apexes, peaks, and two outliers, one of which was against the Flyers (always weirdness) and the other of which was an 8-3 win.
- hardnosed

Right, but too small of a sample size in this new system to draw any conclusions.

I would imagine that Martin would move up with Letang. Ehrhoff with Despres, Bortuzzo and Scuderi.
- hardnosed

I thought that as well, but I figured the amount of favorable zone starts Despres gets would fit well with the amount Tanger gets. But I have no qualms with him and Ehrhoff. That is a very good second pairing.

If there was a 2012 NHL Draft Do-Over - Where do you think Maatta goes?

2nd overall?

1st?

If there was a 2012 NHL Draft Do-Over - Where do you think Maatta goes?

2nd overall?

1st?
- RoloTahmasee

Think edm regrets not having maatta or Lindholm now?

If there was a 2012 NHL Draft Do-Over - Where do you think Maatta goes?

2nd overall?

1st?
- RoloTahmasee

little early to judge, but id say between 3 and 6 at this point... 1) Galchenyuk 2) Girgensons 3)???? Murray, Hertl or MAATTA... Oiler fans will say Yakupov... as a pens fan i would not move Maatta straight up for him, but opinions vary

Oh ya good call.. so maatta and Bennett is press box
- nh4442

With Maatta's timetable around 4 weeks...does he go on LTIR by any chance? I'd actually prefer him not to in case he can be back sooner, but just wondering...

Megna sent down... You gotta think with a long road trip that they recall a forward on a defenseman on Tuesday (unless Bennett is healthy enough to play or be the 13th F in case of another injury) for the long road trip.

In any case, it probably doesn't matter who gets the call... I know we all want to see Harrington, etc., but listening to MJ yesterday, it doesn't seem like he'll just rotate guys in for the heck of it.

When asked about if he'd make a change to a winning lineup:
"We evaluate our lineup based on individuals. So, if we are going to make lineup changes, it's based on how a player is playing. If a player is being ineffective, and we have a player that is sitting there that can help us on a given night, we'll put that person in."
- rival22

I like that answer. I really like how HCMJ has conducted his interviews/press conferences so far. He gives honest answers. He may sounds a bit robotic or like a politician but its refreshing to not have long pauses and "get to our game" cliches.

Really only wonder why guys like Megna and Payerl havent been rotated with Sill. Speaking of Payerl, what's his deal? Other than that I understand there is limited room for younger guys.

With Maatta's timetable around 4 weeks...does he go on LTIR by any chance? I'd actually prefer him not to in case he can be back sooner, but just wondering...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

LTIR just means you can go over the cap by the amount of his salary

since he is basically on a rookie deal, you're probably just as well to send him down to wilkes barrie and call up his replacement, assuming its someone making less $$$

would be different if he was making more $$$

I like that answer. I really like how HCMJ has conducted his interviews/press conferences so far. He gives honest answers. He may sounds a bit robotic or like a politician but its refreshing to not have long pauses and "get to our game" cliches.

Really only wonder why guys like Megna and Payerl havent been rotated with Sill. Speaking of Payerl, what's his deal? Other than that I understand there is limited room for younger guys.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This explaination doesn't hold up to the Scuderi test.... Pretty sure I could have had better than 44% corsi vs buffalo when the whole rest of the team was above 50%

At some point it's obvious that he's bringing other guys down

I like that answer. I really like how HCMJ has conducted his interviews/press conferences so far. He gives honest answers. He may sounds a bit robotic or like a politician but its refreshing to not have long pauses and "get to our game" cliches.

Really only wonder why guys like Megna and Payerl havent been rotated with Sill. Speaking of Payerl, what's his deal? Other than that I understand there is limited room for younger guys.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Payerl isn't that good. Just been talked up by fans a lot.

As for Megna, I have no idea why he isn't playing over Sill. Maybe Cap hit? $874k for Megna vs. $550k for Sill.

little early to judge, but id say between 3 and 6 at this point... 1) Galchenyuk 2) Girgensons 3)???? Murray, Hertl or MAATTA... Oiler fans will say Yakupov... as a pens fan i would not move Maatta straight up for him, but opinions vary

- Brianandr1

girg over maatta? you crazy. even galy over maatta is highly debatable

girg over maatta? you crazy. even galy over maatta is highly debatable
- ChrisMS

Girgensons is a really good two way player on a really bad team, my significant other is a Buffalo fan, probably seen about 65-70 of his games...its close and hard to compare a forward to a d man... also really depends on the needs of the individual team.

Galy is a legit top 6 forward at 20... again hard to compare a d man to a forward.

Montreal might consider moving Galy straight up for maatta but probably not, Buffalo have Jake McCabe (2nd rd pick 2012), Risto and Zadorov... would def not make the move straight up...

little early to judge, but id say between 3 and 6 at this point... 1) Galchenyuk 2) Girgensons 3)???? Murray, Hertl or MAATTA... Oiler fans will say Yakupov... as a pens fan i would not move Maatta straight up for him, but opinions vary

- Brianandr1

Personally since guys are still young I'd go:
1. Galchenyuk
2. Forsberg
3. Maatta
4. Trouba
5. Rielly
6. Murray
7. Vasilevski
8. Hertl
9. Yakupov
10. Girgensons

Next would be a toss up of Ceci, Pearson, Laughton, Pouliot, Teravainen