You are a Caps fan. Why do you really care?
- Oneonta Penguin

No Caps fan here...just using my roommates username today

So...you were saying something about taking Geno off the top PP unit???

Then we ship out someone with larger salary with any value at all for someone. Basically we spin our tires unless we can get a replacement for Sutter straight up. We don't have cap space or assets to give away for rentals. We need our second rounder this year.
- znagle

I think Sutter is a huge problem on this team and needs to go. Can he go for Bergenheim? No idea, then maybe BB and a D prospect for Berglund?

Bottom line, Pens are a soft non physical team. They get frusterated and become a dirty team, just not tough. Players like Sutter, BB, Martin, Spaling, bring no physical edge.

Can't believe I saw a bunch a Downie hate on here. Guy has 10 goals scored our only goal last night. Yea he took some penalties at the end there but at least he punched someone in the mush.. You wanna be mad be mad at Letang for snapping a guys stick in half while short. They have to call that penalty 10 out of 10 times. At least Downie dropped a guy

Dear HCMJ... try the 3rd line as follows....

Sutter - Spaling - Bennett

You've freaking tried every other line combo possible except Spaling as a center. He was reported to be able to play center, and to be a pressuring chip to drive down Sutter's negotiating price.

Can't believe I saw a bunch a Downie hate on here. Guy has 10 goals scored our only goal last night. Yea he took some penalties at the end there but at least he punched someone in the mush.. You wanna be mad be mad at Letang for snapping a guys stick in half while short. They have to call that penalty 10 out of 10 times. At least Downie dropped a guy
- dbell646

I think Sutter is a huge problem on this team and needs to go. Can he go for Bergenheim? No idea, then maybe BB and a D prospect for Berglund?

Bottom line, Pens are a soft non physical team. They get frusterated and become a dirty team, just not tough. Players like Sutter, BB, Martin, Spaling, bring no physical edge.
- sammy87

Martin is our top pairing defenseman and isn't going anywhere until the offseason, he's a great player and doesn't have to be a big physical guy. Still on the fence about BB, I think he has looked better. Spaling I've gotten used to, no flair and a safe player. Sutter has gone from poop to a great playoff player, then to poop again. Trading a D prospect too should be out of the question unless again it's with Sutter for a young guy with a good contract.

Dear HCMJ... try the 3rd line as follows....

Sutter - Spaling - Bennett

You've freaking tried every other line combo possible except Spaling as a center. He was reported to be able to play center, and to be a pressuring chip to drive down Sutter's negotiating price.
- Guile

+1

Can't believe I saw a bunch a Downie hate on here. Guy has 10 goals scored our only goal last night. Yea he took some penalties at the end there but at least he punched someone in the mush.. You wanna be mad be mad at Letang for snapping a guys stick in half while short. They have to call that penalty 10 out of 10 times. At least Downie dropped a guy
- dbell646

Yeah, awesome. Eager may score a goal and will probably try to hurt someone. I was already mad at Letang. I consider both instances a problem.

+1
- znagle

I know everyone has lost faith in BB, but I'd like to see him get one more crack on Geno's line. It's tough because 17 71 72 has arguable been our best looking like the past several games, but I think Comeau is more suited to play a 3rd line role than BB.

top 3 below

14 87 39
19 71 72
17 16 13

Dear HCMJ... try the 3rd line as follows....

Sutter - Spaling - Bennett

You've freaking tried every other line combo possible except Spaling as a center. He was reported to be able to play center, and to be a pressuring chip to drive down Sutter's negotiating price.
- Guile

with the players we have now, I'd rather see a 3rd line that can play a shut down role..comeau, Lapierre, downie. At least they can make life difficult on the opposition. Move bennett up to second line and mix and match them how ever you want.

with the players we have now, I'd rather see a 3rd line that can play a shut down role..comeau, Lapierre, downie. At least they can make life difficult on the opposition. Move bennett up to second line and mix and match them how ever you want.
- willi

I'm with you, Willi

Yeah, awesome. Eager may score a goal and will probably try to hurt someone. I was already mad at Letang. I consider both instances a problem.
- Johnny Wrath

Why would you be mad at Letang? He was the best Penguin on the ice not named Fleury... he played a strong game last night, jumping in the play, creating chances, playing strong defense...

I know everyone has lost faith in BB, but I'd like to see him get one more crack on Geno's line. It's tough because 17 71 72 has arguable been our best looking like the past several games, but I think Comeau is more suited to play a 3rd line role than BB.

top 3 below

14 87 39
19 71 72
17 16 13
- CryanWilson

BB is emblematic of the lack of chemistry due to every line being incomplete waiting on an injury. I sincerely hope they trade him for futures. Try him wherever you want; he'll be out of the line up before a rational decision can be rendered re: fit with other players.

Why would you be mad at Letang? He was the best Penguin on the ice not named Fleury... he played a strong game last night, jumping in the play, creating chances, playing strong defense...
- j.boyd919

Because his slashing penalty was very undisciplined and would be a called in a game 7 OT scenario. Calls aren't going to go the team's way, doesn't justify senseless retaliation.

ah, sweet sweet dismay

ah, sweet sweet dismay
- BulliesPhan87

GET OUT OF HERE FLYERS FAN!

ah, sweet sweet dismay
- BulliesPhan87

I hear they are selling Flyers mini Stanley Cups on eBay for $19.75...you should check it out

I hear they are selling Flyers mini Stanley Cups on eBay for $19.75...you should check it out
- CryanWilson

I'm surprised that a Capitals fan knows what the Stanley Cup looks like.

Oh, and

GET OUT OF HERE CAPITALS FAN!

Martin is our top pairing defenseman and isn't going anywhere until the offseason, he's a great player and doesn't have to be a big physical guy. Still on the fence about BB, I think he has looked better. Spaling I've gotten used to, no flair and a safe player. Sutter has gone from poop to a great playoff player, then to poop again. Trading a D prospect too should be out of the question unless again it's with Sutter for a young guy with a good contract.
- znagle

I seriously believe if GMJR thinks he can't help the team by acquiring solutions at the deadline, he will investigate what he can get in return for Martin. It's a foregone conclusion he is gone after this year and this team looks so discombobulated that it won't make a long run. If you can get a second round pick plus a nice prospect for him, which should be the going rate for a competent defensemen ... hell, incompetent Dmen got more, then you roll the dice.

I wouldn't say Martin is safe.

Because his slashing penalty was very undisciplined and would be a called in a game 7 OT scenario. Calls aren't going to go the team's way, doesn't justify senseless retaliation.
- jfkst1

If the stick doesn't break or get whacked out of dudes hand, that doesn't get called. And if you're going to be mad at Letang for one lapse in judgement why not be mad at the rest of the Penguins for playing a fairly disinterested looking game? Malkin's line looked awful... Kunitz/Perron were too busy having a hard on for Ovi... if they would stop trying to act like tough guys and play with the skill they have, they'd be fine. But one thing happens and they try to get all tough and get thrown off their game.. just like vs. Boston in ECF.. and Flyers in opening round a few years back. They can't keep their composure. I'm definitely not going to be mad at Letang who seemed to be playing an inspiring game that he wanted to win where as the rest of the Pens played a game they wanted to push around the other team.

I seriously believe if GMJR thinks he can't help the team by acquiring solutions at the deadline, he will investigate what he can get in return for Martin. It's a foregone conclusion he is gone after this year and this team looks so discombobulated that it won't make a long run. If you can get a second round pick plus a nice prospect for him, which should be the going rate for a competent defensemen ... hell, incompetent Dmen got more, then you roll the dice.

I wouldn't say Martin is safe.
- Oneonta Penguin

So you're for weakening the blue line for the rest of the year?

I seriously believe if GMJR thinks he can't help the team by acquiring solutions at the deadline, he will investigate what he can get in return for Martin. It's a foregone conclusion he is gone after this year and this team looks so discombobulated that it won't make a long run. If you can get a second round pick plus a nice prospect for him, which should be the going rate for a competent defensemen ... hell, incompetent Dmen got more, then you roll the dice.

I wouldn't say Martin is safe.
- Oneonta Penguin

I would. GMJR is not going to wave the flag and neither will the players or rest of management. Martin would bring a first rounder as well to a contender.

Why would you be mad at Letang? He was the best Penguin on the ice not named Fleury... he played a strong game last night, jumping in the play, creating chances, playing strong defense...
- j.boyd919

In typical fashion, at the worst time and already down a man, lays out a ridiculous slashing penalty which leads to the game winning PPG. Also is on the PP which is on a wicked 0-18 run.

Guess who failed to notice that the Penguins were in the midst of a line change and jumped into the neutral zone, allowing Ovie to walk in alone when the puck was turned over? With less than two minutes left in the first period? Kris Letang.

If the stick doesn't break or get whacked out of dudes hand, that doesn't get called. And if you're going to be mad at Letang for one lapse in judgement why not be mad at the rest of the Penguins for playing a fairly disinterested looking game? Malkin's line looked awful... Kunitz/Perron were too busy having a hard on for Ovi... if they would stop trying to act like tough guys and play with the skill they have, they'd be fine. But one thing happens and they try to get all tough and get thrown off their game.. just like vs. Boston in ECF.. and Flyers in opening round a few years back. They can't keep their composure. I'm definitely not going to be mad at Letang who seemed to be playing an inspiring game that he wanted to win where as the rest of the Pens played a game they wanted to push around the other team.
- j.boyd919

If he doesn't make that slash the Pens might have killed off the PP too. That slash had zero possibly positive effect on the play. The team has ROUTINELY lost composure during the postseason and that was an example of why. It gave the best PP unit in the league a 5 on 3 with minutes to go in a tie game. It's as bad of a penalty as you can take. He also didn't have a great game overall either and bears at least some responsibility on Ovechkin's goal. Overall though, forward units weren't getting it done.

EDIT: 2nd best PP unit

In typical fashion, at the worst time and already down a man, lays out a ridiculous slashing penalty which leads to the game winning PPG. Also is on the PP which is on a wicked 0-18 run.

Guess who failed to notice that the Penguins were in the midst of a line change and jumped into the neutral zone, allowing Ovie to walk in alone when the puck was turned over? With less than two minutes left in the first period? Kris Letang.
- Johnny Wrath

That OV goal was on Bennett. After Adams made a hit a lost his stick (unreal !!!) Bennett tried to make a play on the puck to get a rush. He should have chipped the puck out and got off the ice since he isn't a penalty killer