Also, just watched HCMJ off-day interview. He is just as stubborn (or brainwashed) as Disco Dan was about keeping Kunitz on Sid's line while Kunitz just can't cut the mustard on the top 2 lines any more. He still talks about liking the "chemistry" of Sid, Perron, and Kuni and the "chemistry" of Geno, Horny and Comeau that is getting back to where it should be after the injuries. Geez ... givee me a fraking break. Everyone, from "most prolific PGH" beat writers to the bandwagon fans have suggested playing Hornqvist on top line. Why isn't it happening?

I am just glad I am not the one paying this clown's salary ... also, why does Tocchet still have a job?
- chimpira

I started #FireTocchet and I want the credit Bartley gets for F Sutter when it goes viral

What would it take for Pens to get someone like Brent Burns who can solidify our blue line and who has the ability to move people in front of the net? I would move Letang for Burns, especially with studs like Maatta and Pouilot coming up fast.

Agree. It's not a crime to be an outstanding two way defenseman at even strength.

Let Pouliot run the PP. Letang's excellence in all situations (minus PP) make him well worth his contract.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'm all for DP on 1st pp, I've been saying this for a while. Let Letang run 2nd or at least have them switch on and off.

Hardly, I would say Letang is far closer to Doughty and Subban than Johnson or Campbell in comparison.
- j.boyd919

I think Brent Burns is closer to Letang than either of those two actually. Career points arc a lot like Brian Campbell.

I think Brent Burns is closer to Letang than either of those two actually. Career points arc a lot like Brian Campbell.
- Johnny Wrath

I will take Burns and picks for Letang ...

I will take Burns and picks for Letang ...
- chimpira

I don't think that's good enough, personally. I'd leave Burns out and take higher picks and one of those nice forwards they have, though.

I don't think that's good enough, personally. I'd leave Burns out and take higher picks and one of those nice forwards they have, though.
- Johnny Wrath

Ok, Mike Ricci and picks for Letang

What would it take for Pens to get someone like Brent Burns who can solidify our blue line and who has the ability to move people in front of the net? I would move Letang for Burns, especially with studs like Maatta and Pouilot coming up fast.
- chimpira

You must not watch many Sharks games. Burns is a terrific skater and a good offensive touch but isn't good in his own end. And he's a turn over machine. Leads the league in give aways
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Ok, Mike Ricci and picks for Letang
- chimpira

Throw in Jeff Norton and you've got yourself a deal.

I'm all for DP on 1st pp, I've been saying this for a while. Let Letang run 2nd or at least have them switch on and off.
- znagle

And when healthy Erhoff should be at the point launching bombs

You must not watch many Sharks games. Burns is a terrific skater and a good offensive touch but isn't good in his own end. And he's a turn over machine. Leads the league in give aways

- willi[url]

You are correct, sir. Who has time to stay up til 1AM to watch West Coast hockey. I just long for a a couple of Thors on skates ... look at the blue line guys who won in 2009 - Orpik, Scuds 1.0, Gill, Eaton.

“I know they're from Washington, but I didn't realize they used the same spin that the politicians use,” general manager Jim Rutherford said.

^^ love it
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Glad he said something. Shero wouldn't say pooh if his mouth was full of it.

You are correct, sir. Who has time to stay up til 1AM to watch West Coast hockey. I just long for a a couple of Thors on skates ... look at the blue line guys who won in 2009 - Orpik, Scuds 1.0, Gill, Eaton.
- chimpira

I'm pushing for Polak. Signed for 1 more year at a good price and loves to hit guys.....tough as nails as well. Took a puck in the face earlier in year and came back that game. You could barley recognize him his face looked so bad

Eh, who am I kidding. There is no way for this team to get out of 1st round ... not enough consistency. Unless there is some Gandalf-type magic happens in the next month or two, here is to a prosperous 2005-16 season.

HCMJ is not staying past this year, is he?

You are correct, sir. Who has time to stay up til 1AM to watch West Coast hockey. I just long for a a couple of Thors on skates ... look at the blue line guys who won in 2009 - Orpik, Scuds 1.0, Gill, Eaton.
- chimpira

I live in the Sharks broadcast area. Burns is a one-way defender. He was better as a wing, honestly. San Jose has a lot of depth at C - so much that two of them play the wing. I would go so far as to say SJ is an ideal trading partner except that their franchise has an even more dramatic culture of playoff blow ups than Pittsburgh does.

I'm pushing for Polak. Signed for 1 more year at a good price and loves to hit guys.....tough as nails as well. Took a puck in the face earlier in year and came back that game. You could barley recognize him his face looked so bad
- willi

I will take a Polak on the Pens. 6'0" 236 ... it's like a fridge on skates. Let's do this. Will he be the first Pens Polak since Oliwa??

I will take a Polak on the Pens. Will he be the first Pens Polak since Oliwa??
- chimpira

A younger Roman Polak perhaps. I think it's more prudent to expose the younger D to the playoffs.

That's a good point especially when it's some of the non gritty players in top 7 on team in PIM like Malkin, Crosby and Letang.

Although there is good grit and bad grit. Downie displays both. Good goal going to net and such, though that is moreso just playing hockey. And then there is not being able to take hit to neck/face and punching guy back and getting the penalty for it.
- wizard-of-croz

I don't disagree with your premise but I feel compelled to correct a few inaccuracies, calling out Sid and Letang for being in the top 7 on the team when Sid has 36 pms in 53 game and Letang has 41 pms in 51 games is kind of pointless being that they both average less than 1 minute of penalty time per game. There penalty minutes are a complete non issue.

Also including Letang on a list as a non gritty player is just downright insulting, Letang is hands down one of the "grittiest" players on the roster is not in the entire league. He's fearless in the face of the forecheck and in the corners, he's physically engaged in all 3 zones of the rink and he leaves it all on the ice. Letang is the type of grit this team needs more of.

Eh, who am I kidding. There is no way for this team to get out of 1st round ... not enough consistency. Unless there is some Gandalf-type magic happens in the next month or two, here is to a prosperous 2005-16 season.

HCMJ is not staying past this year, is he?
- chimpira

If things go as badly in the playoffs as they have for the last 2 months, it will be awful interesting around here. I mean... Is it possible for that PP to look any worse? Wow. You trot that mess out in the playoffs and you'll likely get swept.

I don't disagree with your premise but I feel compelled to correct a few inaccuracies, calling out Sid and Letang for being in the top 7 on the team when Sid has 36 pms in 53 game and Letang has 41 pms in 51 games is kind of pointless being that they both average less than 1 minute of penalty time per game. There penalty minutes are a complete non issue.

Also including Letang on a list as a non gritty player is just downright insulting, Letang is hands down one of the "grittiest" players on the roster is not in the entire league. He's fearless in the face of the forecheck and in the corners, he's physically engaged in all 3 zones of the rink and he leaves it all on the ice. Letang is the type of grit this team needs more of.
- jaydogg1974

letang is most certainly under appreciated as far as his physicality goes. i just wish he had a brain to go with it.

If things go as badly in the playoffs as they have for the last 2 months, it will be awful interesting around here. I mean... Is it possible for that PP to look any worse? Wow. You trot that mess out in the playoffs and you'll likely get swept.
- madmike71

I will stock up on popcorn then. Because in my mind right now it's "when", not "if".

If things go as badly in the playoffs as they have for the last 2 months, it will be awful interesting around here. I mean... Is it possible for that PP to look any worse? Wow. You trot that mess out in the playoffs and you'll likely get swept.
- madmike71

The PP looks like the players coaching the PP. That's a different yet entirely logical reason to fire a coach. I don't think Tocchet was counting on it going like this after the success rate at the beginning of the season. He's played his hand in separating the centers and demoting 71 to some small extent. He's not going to bench 87. Maybe he is counting on some internal competition between 87 and 71 to see whose PP is better but so far they both look pointless.

If things go as badly in the playoffs as they have for the last 2 months, it will be awful interesting around here. I mean... Is it possible for that PP to look any worse? Wow. You trot that mess out in the playoffs and you'll likely get swept.
- madmike71

I disagree.. you can win in the playoffs without a good PP, as long as you're getting 5on5 production. And your PK is solid. But if you're PK sucks and no one is scoring... you're toast.

letang is most certainly under appreciated as far as his physicality goes. i just wish he had a brain to go with it.
- stayinthefnnet

Letang was off like a bullet to the (frank)ing referee crease when Ovie scored. I don't understand.

If he's that fast, why is he ever out of position?

Letang was off like a bullet to the (frank)ing referee crease when Ovie scored. I don't understand.

If he's that fast, why is he ever out of position?
- Johnny Wrath

i dont have as big an issue of him as you do, but i do see your points.

mentally, he just isnt there. i really do think pouliot should be groomed for the main PP runner. starting now.

i know he is out of position a ton. and he is going to make mistakes. he manages to cover up some of them, and for some of them, he offsets by good plays the other way. however, there will be times when he burns them. i dont see them trading him, so this is the hand they are dealt right now.

but for (frank)s sake, get him off the powerplay. he makes a living due to sheer physical ability. im willing to take the lumps with that during even strength. but the powerplay is less about pure athleticism as it is consistently making the smart read.

i already have more confidence in pouliot to do that. i also have greater faith in his ability to not only want to shoot, but get the puck through to the net on the odd occasion.