That brand included no defense and letting the goalie sit on an island with no help. (See past few playoffs)

Dupes missing has really hurt Sids numbers. 14-87-9 was the top line in hockey the past few years.
- znagle

No, it's been gone the past few playoffs. I'm talking about the style that won you a Cup in 2009 and got you to the SCF in 2008.

What ever happened to the offensive juggernaut firewagon brand of hockey the Pens played?
- jmatchett383

Its out with the mumps.

Don't see that is crying I just don't care for him.
- dbell646

Why not? You guys are calling for a legit top-6 winger. Well, there he is. What's wrong with him, aside from ill feelings that make you bite your nose to spite your face?

Crosby changed his game a bit after the concussions, but he still put up very good goal scoring numbers. But since that wrist injury last year, he's been well below his average.

These stats include playoffs...

Pre-concussion Crosby:
Games: 474
Goals: 245
Goals per game: .52

Post-concussion Crosby before wrist injury:
Games: 148
Goals: 67
Goals per game: .45

After wrist injury Crosby:
Games: 55
Goals: 13
Goals per game: .24
- rival22

Does this mean he should have just had the wrist surgery in the offseason, and now since he didn't, he's experiencing pain/weakness and not producing at a high clip

could be another fail for the Pens medical team

Does this mean he should have just had the wrist surgery in the offseason, and now since he didn't, he's experiencing pain/weakness and not producing at a high clip

could be another fail for the Pens medical team
- Prostar47

If that's the case, it's a fail on the player. I'm sure he was presented with multiple options, and he felt he could play well without surgery.

Absolutely. Hornqvist is a legit top-6 player, but far from a bonafide top-line winger. The point is that, yes, his numbers are down. But many leaders will sacrifice personal stats to become better overall players, and that may be playing a part.

What ever happened to the offensive juggernaut firewagon brand of hockey the Pens played?
- jmatchett383

They are playing a more controlled style to actually help the D and the goaltender. The hope is a healthy top six and this style wins a cup.

BTW, I'm all for Jagr coming home. A big possession guy with a good shot would thrive here. Plus, we need a good winger. NJ isn't going anywhere and I'm sure they would trade him.

‏@sunayas
Hannu Jortikka also confirmed Pens prospect Kasperi Kapanen has been taken off the top line due to lack of production. #WJC2015

I understand that the game is becoming all about the analysis of a bunch of different stats. I still like the eye test. Possession numbers can be skewed IMO. If you control the puck for a minute long shift in the opposing teams zone but they keep you to the perimeter and no good shots are put towards the goalie, who cares? What did you accomplish?

Sidney has not passed the eye test for the last month. He's been turning the puck over and he's rushing the puck every time it's on his stick.

I understand that Sid and Geno are not miracle workers with the linemates they have been given but they should still be noticeable every night. Geno has been, Sid had not.

I understand that the game is becoming all about the analysis of a bunch of different stats. I still like the eye test. Possession numbers can be skewed IMO. If you control the puck for a minute long shift in the opposing teams zone but they keep you to the perimeter and no good shots are put towards the goalie, who cares? What did you accomplish?

Sidney has not passed the eye test for the last month. He's been turning the puck over and he's rushing the puck every time it's on his stick.

I understand that Sid and Geno are not miracle workers with the linemates they have been given but they should still be noticeable every night. Geno has been, Sid had not.
- hockeyman666768

You know what sucks about the eye test, your eyes see the same thing differently than mine do. You need a medium like advanced stats to help pull things together. The key is remembering that they are just that though, they are not the be all end all.

The Pens are counting on production from just one line tonight. -insert bold move cotton gif here-

Why not? You guys are calling for a legit top-6 winger. Well, there he is. What's wrong with him, aside from ill feelings that make you bite your nose to spite your face?
- jmatchett383

Can you please point to the post where I said I wouldnt trade for him? If the cost was low go for it. I still wouldn't like him. Ryan is suggesting on Twitter a conditional 1st that isn't a deal is make

The Pens are counting on production from just one line tonight. -insert bold move cotton gif here-
- usethe1-2-2

Are you saying uher-sutter-rust won't be productive?

‏@sunayas
Hannu Jortikka also confirmed Pens prospect Kasperi Kapanen has been taken off the top line due to lack of production. #WJC2015

- rival22

Oh geez, another forward prospect bust

You know what sucks about the eye test, your eyes see the same thing differently than mine do. You need a medium like advanced stats to help pull things together. The key is remembering that they are just that though, they are not the be all end all.
- usethe1-2-2

I understand that they have their place in the game I just think that too much are put into them. Pens are 8th in the conference in CF% teams like Washington and Carolina are ahead of them. So does it really measure how good they are? Is Carolina just that unlucky?

I guess I just don't like excuses. Like Sidney isn't playing bad, he's just been unlucky. BTW, sidney has earned the right to have a bad stretch, it's just a bad time for it.

Can you please point to the post where I said I wouldnt trade for him? If the cost was low go for it. I still wouldn't like him. Ryan is suggesting on Twitter a conditional 1st that isn't a deal is make
- dbell646

I would like a winger in his mid 20's in the prime of his career. Pens have a 1st and solid prospects to make it happen.

The difference between Scuds this year and last is noticeable, but he's easily replaceable by one of the younger guys. Advanced stats or eye test, he doesn't pass either IMO.

Still, I understand he'll keep getting a jersey every night. Just the way it is...

Oh geez, another forward prospect bust
- drummer829

It's been like 3 games.....

I would like a winger in his mid 20's in the prime of his career. Pens have a 1st and solid prospects to make it happen.
- drummer829

That would be ideal if we can find a dancing partner

It's been like 3 games.....
- j.boyd919

Who have they played aside from the U.S.? I barely noticed him in that game. He's hardly a bust. He played well at camp and has been lighting up his pro league

I understand that they have their place in the game I just think that too much are put into them. Pens are 8th in the conference in CF% teams like Washington and Carolina are ahead of them. So does it really measure how good they are? Is Carolina just that unlucky?

I guess I just don't like excuses. Like Sidney isn't playing bad, he's just been unlucky. BTW, sidney has earned the right to have a bad stretch, it's just a bad time for it.
- hockeyman666768

Unlucky and untalented play into it. And Sid isn't playing bad, he just isn't producing like we are used to.

I also don't think there is ever a good time for a bad stretch like this, but you have to deal with it accordingly. Sid will be fine.

Oh geez, another forward prospect bust
- drummer829

well done

No, it's been gone the past few playoffs. I'm talking about the style that won you a Cup in 2009 and got you to the SCF in 2008.
- jmatchett383

I don't even think it was the brand of hockey they were playing, I think it was more the roster they had going into the playoffs. They could roll all 4 lines without worrying too much, that hasn't been the case the last few years... they're bottom 6 has been atrocious for a while now (except for the year they had Morrow, Iginla, Murray.. they loaded up that year and fell flat vs. the Bruins). I will say, a healthy Pens team this year is a slight upgrade in bottom 6, and I would like to think there are moves to be made before the deadline to help upgrade even more.

Who have they played aside from the U.S.? I barely noticed him in that game. He's hardly a bust. He played well at camp and has been lighting up his pro league
- dbell646

Yeah I know, that's why I said "it's been like 3 games...." as in... how can you call him a bust?

well done
- rival22

I didn't notice the sarcasm font

Yeah I know, that's why I said "it's been like 3 games...." as in... how can you call him a bust?
- j.boyd919

He used the sarcasm font and we both missed it