No they don't.....he's looking like one and done. The team needed a disciplinarian not a professor.
- madmike71

Part of the reason the forwards suck because Bortuzzo and Scuderi make up 1/2 of 2 f'ing defensive pairings. They could not move the puck up the ice quick enough numerous times Columbus sent 2 forecheckers.

Johnston even said that it was an issue of not moving the puck up quick enough in the in game interview against Washington, yet he repeats the saaaammme lineup. Good god.

No they don't.....he's looking like one and done. The team needed a disciplinarian not a professor.
- madmike71

I'm with you - traveled to Portland on business several times and got to watch the Winterhawks who were always loaded with good players but no Memorial Cups with HCMJ. The next few weeks should be real interesting.

No they don't.....he's looking like one and done. The team needed a disciplinarian not a professor.
- madmike71

Here is the question. If GMJR cans Johnson and crew after one year, who seriously would want this job? Sounds goofy to say, but an organization only giving a head coach one year should give pause to anyone interested.

Malkin is our best player, anyone suggesting him traded is just plain crazy.

im so dissapoin. dey say dey care... but dey don't care


Burmistrov made available by the Jets apparently.

Back to that earlier trade proposal some of you said you wouldnt do...(Sutter and BB for Matthias and Kassian)... I think that makes a difference in a game like tonight. Not that I want a goon squad by any means...but big players that can win battles is missing, and the goal scoring at least stays the same, if not improves. We need to find a way to beat the teams in the metro. Maybe not the best long term move...but a good move for this season, no doubt in my mind.

Plus like $800k in cap space savings.

Also, for how long will we keep insisting on playing this top line? They had one good game against Calgary and thats it.

Why is it so hard to play perron and horn with Crosby? Something has to be happening on the background. I dont know if I can believe the rumors that Crosby chooses his teammates but thats the only thing that makes sense. Everybody is seeing them strugling and nothing is done. This must be the only coach in the NHL that wong juggle his lines when his team is struggling. Even bylsma would put malkin and Crosby togheter.

Other thing that bothers me is Crosby playing with kunitz over perron on 4-4
- Conse

Totally agree. Said that to my friend, when we were down last yr at least bylsma tried to load up sid and geno to get them going. Used them after icings and pks. Johnston is actually looking like a worse coach which I didn't think was possible. It's looking like its the room/egos not the coaching that's a problem.

Against Chicago coach q was shaking up his lines all game to try to get ppl going. Our guy plays the same struggling line up game after game with no changes. It's truly baffling.

This isn't hockey. That game should have been turned into an absolute gong show after Duby came out of the box. Should have taken an hour and a half to play the third period with the pens bench being reduced to only the players that don't want to be here anymore with the exceptions of Crosby, Martin, Scuderi, Malkin, Bennett(just because hes fragile and you have to have enough players to finish the game). Thats ok though just let the whole league know you can get away with anything against the penguins. Good job boys! Way to play it straight! Pathetic.

this is a veteran team! The last thing they need is a rookie coach. Their biggest offseason acquisition needs to be MIKE BABCoCK

Because DP has to be..and he is not effin ready for the nhl..nevermind first pp duties. We dont need two d men back there. Tanger is enough. DP should never see a sniff of pp time. I dont care what his ceiling is...fact is there are better options all.over the bench than him .perron for sure and if u really need 2 d...despres and martin...hoff when he is back. DP needs more time...boy I miss maata...he was sure something special.
- taleisyreXIII

youre crazy. DP is the only defenseman routinely getting his shots through traffic.

If the pens are in "win now" mode, they will out-bid every team next year and land Babcock.
- joescullz

If Babcock truly opens himself up to the highest bidder, I'm pretty confident they will. I like some things MJ has done, but this team still lacks a defensive mindset that's necessary to win in the NHL these days.

Anyone watching Sid interview? Wow! He looks and sounds frustrated. Changes are definitely coming.

Realistically for who? Who are you going to trade and what are you going to get. You trade one of those guys and the team you trade with will fleece you faster than you blink. Decision time. Do they want to make the playoffs as a low seed or do they want to call it a season and trade martin and ehrhoff for 1st round picks? Tough call
- Dcoms

I trade both Martin and Ehrhoff and get back in the first round with multiple picks and fetch a prospect or two as well. See if any takers for Greis. Backup goalies get a third maybe. We have Zatkoff that can be a backup. It's not like Greis plays too often. Get something for guys you are going to lose or have no interest in resigning.

This isn't a tough call for me. Have said this for a week.

Cant wait to see another post about lackluster bottom 6's. Harp on that, ignore the fact Crosby is not the player he used to be.

5 games without a point for the first time in his career.

im so dissapoin. dey say dey care... but dey don't care


Burmistrov made available by the Jets apparently.

Back to that earlier trade proposal some of you said you wouldnt do...(Sutter and BB for Matthias and Kassian)... I think that makes a difference in a game like tonight. Not that I want a goon squad by any means...but big players that can win battles is missing, and the goal scoring at least stays the same, if not improves. We need to find a way to beat the teams in the metro. Maybe not the best long term move...but a good move for this season, no doubt in my mind.

Plus like $800k in cap space savings.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Pass on Burmistrov. You know my feelings on Kassian.

I trade both Martin and Ehrhoff and get back in the first round with multiple picks and fetch a prospect or two as well. See if any takers for Greis. Backup goalies get a third maybe. We have Zatkoff that can be a backup. It's not like Greis plays too often. Get something for guys you are going to lose or have no interest in resigning.

This isn't a tough call for me. Have said this for a week.
- Oneonta Penguin

I hate to be an evaluator for the pens...

Here is the question. If GMJR cans Johnson and crew after one year, who seriously would want this job? Sounds goofy to say, but an organization only giving a head coach one year should give pause to anyone interested.
- Oneonta Penguin

Anybody that want's to inherit a star laden team and feels the only thing they're missing is him. That basically describes any winning coach.

I trade both Martin and Ehrhoff and get back in the first round with multiple picks and fetch a prospect or two as well. See if any takers for Greis. Backup goalies get a third maybe. We have Zatkoff that can be a backup. It's not like Greis plays too often. Get something for guys you are going to lose or have no interest in resigning.

This isn't a tough call for me. Have said this for a week.
- Oneonta Penguin

You and I do agree on this. Chances of going far in the playoffs don't look great. The draft is suppose to be deep so try and get something for players you are going to lose.

Also, for how long will we keep insisting on playing this top line? They had one good game against Calgary and thats it.

Why is it so hard to play perron and horn with Crosby? Something has to be happening on the background. I dont know if I can believe the rumors that Crosby chooses his teammates but thats the only thing that makes sense. Everybody is seeing them strugling and nothing is done. This must be the only coach in the NHL that wong juggle his lines when his team is struggling. Even bylsma would put malkin and Crosby togheter.

Other thing that bothers me is Crosby playing with kunitz over perron on 4-4
- Conse

You cant believe sid picks his linemates. As u just said...its been a revolving door for years here when things get tough...even HCDB played with the lines. This is purely the coach. It could be malkin wanting players...I mean he was handed neal..now he gets the best winger we had wih sid. So who knows. Sid wants to win bad. If he was in control..he would have horny with him in a heartbeat. Do u not remember how happy sid and horny were in oct?

Lines

Comeau malkin perron
Bennett sid horny
Kunitz sutter downie
Spaling laps adams


Pp1 sid horny malkin perron tanger
Pp2 laps kunitz downie martin despres

Hopefully beau is trade bait..but until then...get kuntiz down...fortify sutter with two grinders. Beau..u wanna be pro...here is ur chance...step up.kid..or hasta.

I didn't think the D was that bad. Only had two goals scored. The PP sucks and we can't score same as every year around this time. We lack size up front. Things have changed. Calls are not made for clutching and grabbing so our speed and talent is negated. It's back to the old size and strength are what counts and we are left looking pesky. The failure to recognize this by management probably means Sid and Geno will only ever see one cup. It's kind of sad really but it was fun while it lasted.
- powerhouse

I thought Fleury played very well. Got lucky on the 5-on-3 (both bad penalties to take) when Atkinson missed an open net. Martin is the only one I didn't observe having at least one poor play and give Columbus a scoring chance. I definitely think changing Malkin's and Crosby's wingers should be happening.

You might be right on the way the game is being played. Playoffs basically nothing is called and this team doesn't really have the type of players that take advantage of obstruction. That type of game probably places more of a premium on physical possession players more than anything else.

Malkin is our best player, anyone suggesting him traded is just plain crazy.
- powerhouse

He's been the best Pen this year, but his cuteness lead to the 1st CBJ goal. Cant be fancy in the middle of the ice. He's done it a few times this year. And yeah, he is the one to move IMO. The return would be immense.

I trade both Martin and Ehrhoff and get back in the first round with multiple picks and fetch a prospect or two as well. See if any takers for Greis. Backup goalies get a third maybe. We have Zatkoff that can be a backup. It's not like Greis plays too often. Get something for guys you are going to lose or have no interest in resigning.

This isn't a tough call for me. Have said this for a week.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yep. Can't say that I disagree. This team in it's present form is going nowhere. Rutherford is a fool by the way. His inability to improve the team makeup must be evaluated fully and fairly. He sucks. Period.

You and I do agree on this. Chances of going far in the playoffs don't look great. The draft is suppose to be deep so try and get something for players you are going to lose.
- Vegasman

I think we both realize there are more problems than Bennett, Sutter and the fourth line. I think we both recognize we don't have the assets or the cap to do much at the deadline to fix the problems. We have forked over enough assets in acquiring this team that has caused a severe problem as far as options. Time to refortify the organization.

So far, JR has made good moves. He hasn't made a bad one yet. Adding to this team now while forking over assets (second round pick, Harrington) would be a bad move. Time to cut your losses.

Pens just fell into a wild card spot. Let that sink in for a bit.

He's been the best Pen this year, but his cuteness lead to the 1st CBJ goal. Cant be fancy in the middle of the ice. He's done it a few times this year. And yeah, he is the one to move IMO. The return would be immense.
- sammy87

Completely disagree. If the decision was being made to move a star I'd sooner move Crosby. He clearly is not the same player. And as the season wears on, year after year it becomes more apparent. Nothing lasts forever and Crosby has had it rough.