Geno Machino earning his paycheck tonight.

BB sucks, time to move on.

DP, not always NHL ready.

Sutter, BB, Spaling=worst line in the NHL

Pens getting outplayed by a depleted CBJ team at home, can't wait for the playoffs!
- sammy87

Didn't he start on the 3rd? Either way he is garbage.

Preach it.

What bothers me is that before the season started, people talked about wanting some mid-season adversity so the team wasn't coasting towards the playoffs. They talked about wanting the team to have low expectations.

Well, we've got adversity in spades, and low expectations. Primed for a run by some people's logic.

Me, I'm not happy with some things. There's stuff going on with the team that I don't understand. But ultimately, I choose to believe until they lose their last game, or better yet until they win their last game.

It's way more fun that way.

It's also one of the reasons I hate fancy stats, beyond their flawed premises and questionable meaningfulness. They add to the Internet-fomented urge by fans to tear down their own players. It didn't use to be like that.
- hardnosed

I thought this adversity would create some hunger in the team but rather its proven the point that this team is a team that exudes entitlement. That's one reason I'd prefer to not make the playoffs this year...maybe next year the guys would realize it's not a certainty that they make it. That apathy of this team is overwhelming!

this team needs a shakeup and they need it bad...if thats trade Martin, Kunitz or even getting rid of the coach, something has to be done. There is no emotion in their play and they are just going through the motions...they were flat out dominated and are lucky they are only down by 1 goal. Good to see BB got demoted to the 4th line, just like that....wish the coach held some other players to the same standards.
- Thorny

Just wait till we make a trade and hes in the pressbox and the great CFA is out there killing penalties like a SOB! For all seriousness Downie is a better hockey player than Bennett, but Bennett is better than Sutter so like many have said Downie-Spaling-Bennett would be ideal.

This Johnston's x's and o's are fine idea is trash. If I see a defenseman flying the defensive zone while the other makes a risky pass to a stationary forward at his own blue line I'm going to lose it. It's bad enough seeing Letang doing it let alone f'ing bortuzzo
- Deadstar

I think they'll be patient with Johnston, but it's easier to change a coach mid-season than to change a roster.

His relationship with Sid and Geno is a big part of his job security. I have no feel for how they've taken to him. Really eerily quiet on that front so far this year.

Just wait till we make a trade and hes in the pressbox and the great CFA is out there killing penalties like a SOB! For all seriousness Downie is a better hockey player than Bennett, but Bennett is better than Sutter so like many have said Downie-Spaling-Bennett would be ideal.
- Grinder47

Bennett being better than Sutter is debatable. I see no evidence he truly is.

Just wait till we make a trade and hes in the pressbox and the great CFA is out there killing penalties like a SOB! For all seriousness Downie is a better hockey player than Bennett, but Bennett is better than Sutter so like many have said Downie-Spaling-Bennett would be ideal.
- Grinder47

Honestly, I feel BB and Sutter could swap jerseys and no body would know the difference. They equally suck. I like Downie and I think him with Max L. could be nasty, but BB, Sutter, Spaling are all huge problems for this team.

I think they'll be patient with Johnston, but it's easier to change a coach mid-season than to change a roster.

His relationship with Sid and Geno is a big part of his job security. I have no feel for how they've taken to him. Really eerily quiet on that front so far this year.
- hardnosed

If you made a coaching change now or after one year, who would take this job?

Bennett being better than Sutter is debatable. I see no evidence he truly is.
- Oneonta Penguin

Bennett strictly by virtue of his age and cap hit is better than Sutter. It would be even more ridiculous when examining the stats.

This team won't be (frank)ing perfect. 09 team team was no where close, so somehow we can't win it all?
- ImScore71

For perspective, the HCMT firing happened on February 15th. Lots of hockey left that year, and lots of hockey left this year.

Just wait till we make a trade and hes in the pressbox and the great CFA is out there killing penalties like a SOB! For all seriousness Downie is a better hockey player than Bennett, but Bennett is better than Sutter so like many have said Downie-Spaling-Bennett would be ideal.
- Grinder47

i do think downie finds himself on the wrong side of what i like to see on the ice a lot of the time. i realize i like a cleaner, tighter called game than most though.

but as to who is a better overall hockey player, its hard for me not to pick downie, even as someone who tends to like the finesse and skill more.

I think they'll be patient with Johnston, but it's easier to change a coach mid-season than to change a roster.

His relationship with Sid and Geno is a big part of his job security. I have no feel for how they've taken to him. Really eerily quiet on that front so far this year.
- hardnosed

god i want babcock.

i know he isnt leaving.

That's one reason I'd prefer to not make the playoffs this year...!
- iworkatinitech

Sorry, hate that mentality.

Reminds me of when Steelers fans wished the team wouldn't make the playoffs in 2008 so that Bruce Arians would be fired.

god i want babcock.

i know he isnt leaving.
- stayinthefnnet

Throw 5 mil a year at him... he could leave

Bennett strictly by virtue of his age and cap hit is better than Sutter. It would be even more ridiculous when examining the stats.
- jfkst1

Why? Because Bennett has tied his career-high with three goals? LOL. All you have is cap hit. Age ... nothing big to me. It's not like its comparing a 23 year old to a 29. If its about numbers, its not even a competition. Beau wishes he had Sutter's numbers. Hell, his career to date doesn't match Sutters goal total of this year alone.

Bennett's numbers are bad.

If you made a coaching change now or after one year, who would take this job?
- Oneonta Penguin

Oh, I'm not advocating for a coaching change at all. I was just saying that there's two ways to shake up a team. One is a big trade, the other is firing staff.

Do you watch Penguin hockey at all? If so and you were paying attention, Fleury wasn't the problem in the play-offs last year. Not even close. One can argue he is the primary reason we are a play-off team this year. So ...

You are bringing an example of a Fleury loss, the one in a "skills competition" to Chicago? Do you not know there aren't any shootouts in the play-offs?

Try again.
- Oneonta Penguin

I like clowns like you - I was a full season ticket holder from 85-95 while living in my home town. Moved to Vegas in 1996 have watched hockey since the 50's when I watched the Hornets play in Oakland!! Have seen the Pens play in LA, Phoenix, San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago where my son is a full time season ticket holder!

The point on the Chicago game was not the shootout - it is the fact that Crawford outplayed Fleury - just like Roloson, Halak, Brz, Nabokov and Lundqvist!! Wins count in my world as I bet these games. You mis-interpreted my comment on the Chicago game - it was just another example of a guy not winning the statement game and banking his stick on the goal and breaking it.

Last year in the playoffs we had a goalie who again couldn't close out a 3-1 series lead just like he couldn't against Tampa Bay, a home game 7 against Montreal, getting blown out in Philly, getting pulled after being embarrassed by the Isles and again not being able to close out the Rangers. Is he the only reason for these losses "NO" but he has done nothing to help!!

I suggest you go stand in the Pizza line and maybe you'll get a ticket to be able to afford a game.

So close Sid. This team gets no bounces.

Throw 5 mil a year at him... he could leave
- Guile

i mean its not my money. but i would give him whatever he wants. money. the proverbial keys to the city. whatever authority he deemed necessary.

and damn it. so close. thats robbery. still wish sid finds a way there.

god i want babcock.

i know he isnt leaving.
- stayinthefnnet

Ditto. He hasn't signed a deal yet......which is strange.

Sorry, hate that mentality.

Reminds me of when Steelers fans wished the team wouldn't make the playoffs in 2008 so that Bruce Arians would be fired.
- hardnosed

I agree...do you think I don't want them to? I just don't know what else can happen to make them a hardnosed team (ha). There is no fight in them...aside from Downie.

I like clowns like you - I was a full season ticket holder from 85-95 while living in my home town. Moved to Vegas in 1996 have watched hockey since the 50's when I watched the Hornets play in Oakland!! Have seen the Pens play in LA, Phoenix, San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago where my son is a full time season ticket holder!

The point on the Chicago game was not the shootout - it is the fact that Crawford outplayed Fleury - just like Roloson, Halak, Brz, Nabokov and Lundqvist!! Wins count in my world as I bet these games. You mis-interpreted my comment on the Chicago game - it was just another example of a guy not winning the statement game and banking his stick on the goal and breaking it.

Last year in the playoffs we had a goalie who again couldn't close out a 3-1 series lead just like he couldn't against Tampa Bay, a home game 7 against Montreal, getting blown out in Philly, getting pulled after being embarrassed by the Isles and again not being able to close out the Rangers. Is he the only reason for these losses "NO" but he has done nothing to help!!

I suggest you go stand in the Pizza line and maybe you'll get a ticket to be able to afford a game.
- Vegasman

A clown is bringing up Fleury and his "play-off problems" and using a shootout loss to Chicago as an example on why he can't be trusted. Even Stevie Wonder, or someone blind, knows MAF isn't the problem. He wasn't the problem during last year's play-offs either. So ... please learn the game, or open your eyes, or think before posting. Your delusions open yourself to being blasted.

I will stand in the pizza line and you can take my order, right?

So close Sid. This team gets no bounces.
- hardnosed

at some point, they need to make their own bounces.

but yeah, i agree. it sure seems like the puck luck has been rough.

I agree...do you think I don't want them to? I just don't know what else can happen to make them a hardnosed team (ha). There is no fight in them...aside from Downie.
- iworkatinitech

Success breeds success. And success trickles down from the top. Crosby and Malkin can't be this quiet the rest of the year. It just won't happen. When those two get going, the rest of the team will follow suit.

Why? Because Bennett has tied his career-high with three goals? LOL. All you have is cap hit. Age ... nothing big to me. It's not like its comparing a 23 year old to a 29. If its about numbers, its not even a competition. Beau wishes he had Sutter's numbers. Hell, his career to date doesn't match Sutters goal total of this year alone.

Bennett's numbers are bad.
- Oneonta Penguin

Bennett might get better. Sutter is overpaid and has already reached his potential.

No argument, I'm not entirely throwing the towel but to me, I think we need to consider moving Martin. If we were hanging with other teams and managing chemistry etc with the recently-healthy team I'd definitely say we should hang with what we got but I'm tired of hearing we need scoring depth so let's trade away more picks for non-scoring forwards because that'll make us a shoe-in for the ECF. I can't see any one piece that puts us in that equation. We have a lot of dead wood on this team (Sutter, Lapierre, Adams, Sill, etc.) that we continue to trot out there as if they will somehow wake up and start scoring in the playoffs. I don't think Sutter's will replicate last years' playoffs and if we bow out in the 1st rounder, or maybe 2nd then we wasted getting something for Martin. I think we let our kids play (otherwise why keep drafting D-men). Who know's maybe more youth will wake up the team to get them to actually care.
- iworkatinitech

I agree, the names on the table won't make a difference and if we really want them get them after the season when it won't cost us. Im definitely more optimistic about next season, but that's not because I'm down and out on this one. I've been on both sides of the fence when it comes to Martin etc. I don't care if we move players for guys with term who will help us past this season, but some people just want to move young guys for garbage rentals but they'll busy a titty if you want to move Martin for anything. Makes no sense.