I could do the same for Philly but am far too lazy...

Agree to disagree. We've had this convo several times. Your opinion doesn't change and mine still stays the same... in that Flyers fans are like post WWII Germans... nothing to see here from 1933 to 1945. NOTHING BAD HAPPENED!!!
- stowerkraut

THAT'S THE (frank)ING POINT!

Honestly, if someone of the Penguins had 2-handed Rinaldo in the knee after the Letang hit, I'd understand 100%.
- jmatchett383

I'm surprised one of his teammates hasn't already done it to him.

I think it's ridiculous to assume fan bases of bad teams just disappear. The loyal fans are still around, even during the darkest years.
- Isles_since_6

Oh, it absolutely is. But the majority of team fan bases ebb and flow with the team. Pittsburgh is an example, but teams like Washington and LA are far, FAR better examples.

I'm surprised one of his teammates hasn't already done it to him.

- Oneonta Penguin

Well, yes, it would benefit the Flyers.

It'd be kinda awesome if 87 ran Ovie.
- 87_71_11_29

This

Downies on a hair trigger all game, every game. It's been shown if you push him a little at a critical moment he's very likely to do something stupid that hurts his team. That's an advantage teams will continue to try and exploit.
- Isles_since_6

Without question. He is a ticking time bomb. Look at him funny and that could trigger something. He has always been this way. He was like this in Philly, TB, Colorado ... wherever. Funny thing though, when he isn't doing stupid poop, Steve Downie can be a competent player. Point wise, he has exceeded my expectations. Who would have thought he would be on target to pot 15 this year playing mostly on the third and fourth line in Pittsburgh? Not me.

He was good early on... then once everyone got injurred and more pressure placed on him, I think that strain instantly put the wrist back where it was. He seems afraid to fire it in from a near standing or low speed position. He is only really taking shots when right up close or when flying into the zone, both almost always is less wrist strain.
- Guile

usually we can't do anything to contain him either when we play you guys and he hasn't looked dangerous at all in our games this season. I do think he's not 100%. I may not like him but he's usually dominating most games.

Without question. He is a ticking time bomb. Look at him funny and that could trigger something. He has always been this way. He was like this in Philly, TB, Colorado ... wherever. Funny thing though, when he isn't doing stupid poop, Steve Downie can be a competent player. Point wise, he has exceeded my expectations. Who would have thought he would be on target to pot 15 this year playing mostly on the third and fourth line in Pittsburgh? Not me.
- Oneonta Penguin

I think the reason he keeps getting chances with teams is that he can put up some points, but then after he's cost them enough games with stupid penalties teams move on. He's more likely to cost you a playoff game than he is to win one for you.

usually we can't do anything to contain him either when we play you guys and he hasn't looked dangerous at all in our games this season. I do think he's not 100%. I may not like him but he's usually dominating most games.
- Isles_since_6

He has no shooting threat... Possessing the puck and dishing out passes is still there. But when hes not shot all season, you don't need to hump him up and down the ice to shot suppress.

We'll get them on Wednesday night

He was good early on... then once everyone got injurred and more pressure placed on him, I think that strain instantly put the wrist back where it was. He seems afraid to fire it in from a near standing or low speed position. He is only really taking shots when right up close or when flying into the zone, both almost always is less wrist strain.
- Guile

When was the last time Sid dangled on a breakaway/shoot out? I call it every time, he just shoots five hole. It's getting ridiculous. Next time he's on one I can almost guarantee he goes 5 hole.

When was the last time Sid dangled on a breakaway/shoot out? I call it every time, he just shoots five hole. It's getting ridiculous. Next time he's on one I can almost guarantee he goes 5 hole.
- znagle

His last one... Where he went high, it deflected up and over, landed behind the goalie and trickled in.

I think the reason he keeps getting chances with teams is that he can put up some points, but then after he's cost them enough games with stupid penalties teams move on. He's more likely to cost you a playoff game than he is to win one for you.
- Isles_since_6

ding ding ding

His last one... Where he went high, it deflected up and over, landed behind the goalie and trickled in.
- Guile

Did forget about that..

But literally 85% of this year has been 5 hole attempts.

Did forget about that..

But literally 85% of this year has been 5 hole attempts.
- znagle

Senators... five hole.
Before that, against the Blackhawks again... he went stick side.

I can look them all up if you want.



edit...

Florida... five hole
Blue Jackets... did not shoot.
Islanders... Glove side high
Rangers... under glove left side
Jets... right pad/post wrapped around pad

And thats the whole season. I'll tally em up.

Five holes: 2
Not five holes: 5
Not in: 1

Senators... five hole.
Before that, against the Blackhawks again... he went stick side.

I can look them all up if you want.
- Guile

Stick side, 5 hole... my point was that he just shoots the puck. When was the last time you saw him make more than 2 minor stick moves 10 feet away from where he shoots it? I don't think his wrist is good. Last night really pissed me off on the 6 on 4 when he tried to go across ice through 5 bodies.

Stick side, 5 hole... my point was that he just shoots the puck. When was the last time you saw him make more than 2 minor stick moves 10 feet away from where he shoots it? I don't think his wrist is good. Last night really pissed me off on the 6 on 4 when he tried to go across ice through 5 bodies.
- znagle

Ok... I'm not rewatching them all to point out when he deked more than twice, but I assure you, was about half. Just youtube: Shootout Penguins "team name" and they come right up.

The shootout is not his issue, those are finesse goals and are not straining his wrist. Its in the game when he needs to blast one at the net, he wont take those shots lately.

Ok... I'm not rewatching them all to point out when he deked more than twice, but I assure you, was about half. Just youtube: Shootout Penguins "team name" and they come right up.

The shootout is not his issue, those are finesse goals and are not straining his wrist. Its in the game when he needs to blast one at the net, he wont take those shots lately.
- Guile

I'm not buy the wrist thing. He blasted a slap shot in Calgary. I've yet to see him grimace after shooting or hold his wrist. I honestly believe he's having confidence issues for the first time in his life.

I'm not buy the wrist thing. He blasted a slap shot in Calgary. I've yet to see him grimace after shooting or hold his wrist. I honestly believe he's having confidence issues for the first time in his life.
- madmike71

So... we need to get him a chick that is really easy to please to get his confidence back up?

Did anyone else notice on Ward's PP goal the lack of effort Sutter gave against Ovi on the boards when that play started? It was a total disgrace.

Rutherford said hes more likely to add a top 9 forward then a defenseman. Not necessarily a rental

Rutherford said hes more likely to add a top 9 forward then a defenseman. Not necessarily a rental
- dbell646

Smart man.

Smart man.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree.

OV has a good shot, speed, and will play the body. Malkin has size a good shot and completely unwilling to play the body. There is no mean streak in him. One thing I like about OV is he will get mean and nasty. Malkin will shut down if the game goes that way. Pens really have nobody that take it to that edge. THey just go straight over it.

Did anyone else notice on Ward's PP goal the lack of effort Sutter gave against Ovi on the boards when that play started? It was a total disgrace.
- nbartley9

Sutter is a disgrace at that salary to his family name. Though I thought he played better than usual yesterday, which is still not good.