Ryan Wilson: Penguins Johnston Treating Home and Home vs Islanders As Playoff Series Penguins Johnston Treating Home and Home vs Islanders As Playoff Series

It's certainly going to be a fun one. I'll be at the Coli Saturday

What's the history between Crosby and Stafford? Btw I always thought Stafford sucked. I don't know If I'm crazy or not but I'd rather have Stempniak back @ $0.7M than Stafford.

I'm willing to give Stewart a chance If the price is right. Under the right environment he might flourish.

Its really hard to get pumped for an Isles game.

What's the history between Crosby and Stafford? Btw I always thought Stafford sucked. I don't know If I'm crazy or not but I'd rather have Stempniak back @ $0.7M than Stafford.

I'm willing to give Stewart a chance If the price is right. Under the right environment he might flourish.
- Barnaby36

Both those guys are UFA's after this year. I would hate to give up assets and neither really pan out and there isnt any interest in resigning them and the Pens are back to square 1.

What's the history between Crosby and Stafford? Btw I always thought Stafford sucked. I don't know If I'm crazy or not but I'd rather have Stempniak back @ $0.7M than Stafford.

I'm willing to give Stewart a chance If the price is right. Under the right environment he might flourish.
- Barnaby36

Crosby and Stafford went to Shattuck St. Mary's together.

He's got loads of talent, but he's been inconsistent. He's not a guy who is going to give 110% for a losing team. He's not going to elevate linemates, he's got to play with talent. When he turns it on and plays with some fire, he's really good.

I just wouldn't have those concerns if he were on a line with Crosby.

Both those guys are UFA's after this year. I would hate to give up assets and neither really pan out and there isnt any interest in resigning them and the Pens are back to square 1.
- sammy87

Which isn't ideal or course. But getting guys with term is going to be even more costly. Rentals like those two could be acquired without giving up prime assets.

Even when Bylsma made adjustments, it seemed like they were short lived. There have been games where you'd notice the forwards coming back lower on the breakouts or whatever, but the next game they would go back to the old way.

What's the history between Crosby and Stafford? Btw I always thought Stafford sucked. I don't know If I'm crazy or not but I'd rather have Stempniak back @ $0.7M than Stafford.

I'm willing to give Stewart a chance If the price is right. Under the right environment he might flourish.
- Barnaby36

I agree both Stafford and Stewart are not worth their contracts. They are already getting Hornqivst/Neal type money. I want something that at least has a chance to be a longer term solution.

Its really hard to get pumped for an Isles game.
- nbartley9

That's so 2008.

What's the history between Crosby and Stafford? Btw I always thought Stafford sucked. I don't know If I'm crazy or not but I'd rather have Stempniak back @ $0.7M than Stafford.

I'm willing to give Stewart a chance If the price is right. Under the right environment he might flourish.
- Barnaby36

What is everyone's fascination with Stempniak? IMO, he was just a waste of a roster spot. He didn't play with any significant speed (and often seemed to slow his line down), he tried to play the body and did so poorly, and he couldn't score if his life depended on it. He's a slow version of Dupuis circa 2009/2010. He also had virtually no chemistry with anyone on this team.

I think Stafford could be had for cheap. Mid level prospect and a mid round pick.

Definition of a low risk, potential high reward situation.

Isles can be a dangerous team. Will be a fun two games. And this might seem dumb but there might be "win one for Dupuis" spark tonight.

Even when Bylsma made adjustments, it seemed like they were short lived. There have been games where you'd notice the forwards coming back lower on the breakouts or whatever, but the next game they would go back to the old way.
- rival22

I wouldn't say they were short lived. When all the defensemen were out last year, there were noticeable changes and they stayed in place for a while. They adjusted big-time after the Islanders series a two years ago.

But Bylsma had an "ideal" in his mind, and he'd always go back to it, and he'd always try to impress it on the other team first, and then be surprised that the other team was ready for it. Kind of like Cowher in the 90's, running into 9 man fronts without apology.

That's so 2008.


- hardnosed

Yeah I don't really know why, Geno vs Hamonic is kind of enjoyable; but other than that its just another game.

I think Stafford could be had for cheap. Mid level prospect and a mid round pick
- cap1681

And would take up all the cap space that was freed from Dupuis. I don't think he is good enough to be the only acquisition/put us over the top for a cup run. Just my opinion.

*purposely doesn't salute other posters*

It is refreshing to hear a coach speak about the game the way Johston does. He really is coming up big. Tochett on the bench is very helpful too. Can't underestimate the respect factor that goes into him being there.

I'm also not a big fan of Comeau on that top line. He clearly doesn't have what it takes to play with Sid. Sid is too quick, where Geno slows the game down, which really helps Comeau.

I'm all for Kunitz-Sid-PH
Comeau-Malkin-Bennett
Spaling-Sutter-Downie
-Goc-

Yes, they are winning and learning how to play the right way, but that doesn't mean you don't tinker with the lineup. Now is the time to do that. Worry about winning later.

Crosby and Stafford went to Shattuck St. Mary's together.

He's got loads of talent, but he's been inconsistent. He's not a guy who is going to give 110% for a losing team. He's not going to elevate linemates, he's got to play with talent. When he turns it on and plays with some fire, he's really good.

I just wouldn't have those concerns if he were on a line with Crosby.
- hardnosed

He's played with a lot of good players when he was young.... Crosby, Toews, Parise, etc... Played well in stuff like World Juniors, gets to the NHL and plays decent.... Maybe he's one of those "needs a change of scenery" guys... That many years on mostly bad Buffalo teams can suck the life out of anyone.

He's not my first choice, but I could probably talk myself into it.

I think Stafford could be had for cheap. Mid level prospect and a mid round pick.

Definition of a low risk, potential high reward situation.
- cap1681

I kind of think so, too. Maybe a couple of prospects and a pick, and maybe even including a forward prospect. Nobody thought anybody wanted Hanowski and Agostino until they became a part of the Iginla trade.

And would take up all the cap space that was freed from Dupuis. I don't think he is good enough to be the only acquisition/put us over the top for a cup run. Just my opinion.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah, he's a replacement for Dupuis. Don't know what we need the cap space for.

Also, you could probably get Buffalo to retain some salary.

He's played with a lot of good players when he was young.... Crosby, Toews, Parise, etc... Played well in stuff like World Juniors, gets to the NHL and plays decent.... Maybe he's one of those "needs a change of scenery" guys... That many years on mostly bad Buffalo teams can suck the life out of anyone.

He's not my first choice, but I could probably talk myself into it.
- rival22

Last time the Sabres were competitive, he scored 30 goals. I think playing with guys like Malkin or Crosby, he would flourish.

Which isn't ideal or course. But getting guys with term is going to be even more costly. Rentals like those two could be acquired without giving up prime assets.
- hardnosed

If a deal is to be found with a prime prospect and or 1st, I would just on it faster than just trying something.

wow, that's a lot of money for Spezza...

What is everyone's fascination with Stempniak? IMO, he was just a waste of a roster spot. He didn't play with any significant speed (and often seemed to slow his line down), he tried to play the body and did so poorly, and he couldn't score if his life depended on it. He's a slow version of Dupuis circa 2009/2010. He also had virtually no chemistry with anyone on this team.
- ScienceJesus

Same fascination with Gibbons, had a few good shifts but the rest of his time was forgettable but for whatever reason everyone only remembers 1 or 2 flashes and think that deserves top line icetime with PP time.