Everyone wanted character building adversity... until they had to actually face it.

I certainly dont think 87 or 71 are the problem and I try my hardest not to be a reactionary doomsday-er. But I am dumfounded by Sid's game lately. The best player in the world continuously throws blind passes to the other team like I would do in my rec hockey league. He wiffed on some shots and has been reluctant to shoot. But I'm more worried about his passing...which is usually one of his biggest strengths...and we have a pretty large sample size now. It seems like he is terrified of getting hit so he just gets rid of the puck.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

They are not comfortable with the players he's playing with. That's why you are seeing so many disconnects in the offensive zone. Defensive zone and neutral zone puck movements are largely dictated by the system. Offensive zone is where individual creativity is largely emphasized.

We can't score a goal to save our life, so you want a not that good defenseman and a third line winger that doesn't score goals. Don't get it.
- Oneonta Penguin

the man-winnik- has about .5 points per game and polak is the type of playoff get out of my kitchen d-man we lack. dont see DP martin or erhoff clearin peeps out of MAF's crease

Honest question, does anyone miss James Neal right now?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not really... had we not had the injury plague, Horny was HEAVILY out performing him

Honest question, does anyone miss James Neal right now?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

not in the least

Honest question, does anyone miss James Neal right now?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah at times like on the PP. But I can only imagine the penalties he would've took again the Caps

Honest question, does anyone miss James Neal right now?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Aside from the fact I spent quite a bit of $$$ on his jersey? Yep. I remember the usual suspects saying he won't score goals in Nashville. He can only score goals with elite centers. Well, he has 21 goals now with a second rate center and is playing good hockey in Nashville. He will finish with probably 30 goals, which is more than he has had since his 40-goal season with Malkin, so he is disproving a few people.

He scores goals and we can't score any, so ...

Everyone wanted character building adversity... until they had to actually face it.
- usethe1-2-2

I would welcome the adversity if this lackadaisical effort weren't involved. I believe that falls on the coaching staff. Like someone said earlier, this team needs a disciplinarian behind the bench, not my history professor.

the man-winnik- has about .5 points per game and polak is the type of playoff get out of my kitchen d-man we lack. dont see DP martin or erhoff clearin peeps out of MAF's crease
- ChrisMS

We aren't making the playoffs. Even if we do ... no sense acquiring much for a long run. It's not happening. Save the assets.

We aren't making the playoffs.
- Oneonta Penguin

McDavid Lottery Fix time!

Honest question, does anyone miss James Neal right now?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Nope

We aren't making the playoffs.
- Oneonta Penguin

That's a bad assessment

We aren't making the playoffs.
- Oneonta Penguin

Wow... your that frustrated. interesting.

Not really... had we not had the injury plague, Horny was HEAVILY out performing him
- Guile

Maybe it's just a matter of Hornqvist not having the right chemistry with Geno. But Hornqvist only looked good at the beginning of the year. I don't know, we are so starved for goals right now sometimes I just think trading a 40g scorer may have not been the best decision. Hornqvist is a really nice complementary winger, and Neal was wearing thin...

Bottom line, here we are looking for goals again. If Horny can score in the playoffs then I'll be happy.

We aren't making the playoffs. Even if we do ... no sense acquiring much for a long run. It's not happening. Save the assets.
- Oneonta Penguin

guess theres no point to even try anymore...

Maybe it's just a matter of Hornqvist not having the right chemistry with Geno. But Hornqvist only looked good at the beginning of the year. I don't know, we are so starved for goals right now sometimes I just think trading a 40g scorer may have not been the best decision. Hornqvist is a really nice complementary winger, and Neal was wearing thin...

Bottom line, here we are looking for goals again. If Horny can score in the playoffs then I'll be happy.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This season has lost a TON of value for judging our team. The injury plague, and now this... whatever the hell funk they are in. The first month was what we should be, we just need to get back in that mindset.

Aside from the fact I spent quite a bit of $$$ on his jersey? Yep. I remember the usual suspects saying he won't score goals in Nashville. He can only score goals with elite centers. Well, he has 21 goals now with a second rate center and is playing good hockey in Nashville. He will finish with probably 30 goals, which is more than he has had since his 40-goal season with Malkin, so he is disproving a few people.

He scores goals and we can't score any, so ...
- Oneonta Penguin

Holy mother of all that is holy...we semi-agree on something!!

Wow I missed a lot.... but hey I'm in a 66 degree heat in Miami while you sicker are in -14 degrees...

Also JR :tlusty bergenhiem winnik and some draft picks get it done....


Just in case he is monitoring HB for some help

Holy mother of all that is holy...we semi-agree on something!!
- YouMeAndDupuis9

X2

This season has lost a TON of value for judging our team. The injury plague, and now this... whatever the hell funk they are in. The first month was what we should be, we just need to get back in that mindset.
- Guile

They didnt magically lose all ability... pens were out of the playoffs this time of the year the year they won... coaching change. The admin aint gonna sit on their hands.. they will make changes... and that might be all they need

We aren't making the playoffs. Even if we do ... no sense acquiring much for a long run. It's not happening. Save the assets.
- Oneonta Penguin

C'mon, this team is making the playoffs.

How far they go depends on how they are playing, and right now that doesn't look good.

There is a lot of time left though.

Instead of breezing through the regular season, and having undefeated months like recent Pens teams, many of us wanted this team to face some adversity and maybe even go into the playoffs as an underdog.

Well, we got out wish, let's see what happens.

Wow... your that frustrated. interesting.
- ChrisMS

Not frustrated in the least. In a weird way, I hope we don't make it. This franchise has made some tremendous blunders over the year in which we have traded quite a few assets for rentals that didn't amount to anything. There are few options down on the farm ... because of cap space we have to rely on what would be third line wingers on most teams to be scorers here.

Last night I saw a drive in Columbus and they aren't a playoff team. They were fast, they were pressuring ... they looked young and enthused. The same can't be said for our crew.

I hope is type of adversity makes the brass change its ways a bit. Take a different approach. Because clearly, it hasn't worked since we hoisted the Cup since 2009.

Wow I missed a lot.... but hey I'm in a 66 degree heat in Miami while you sicker are in -14 degrees...

Also JR :tlusty bergenhiem winnik and some draft picks get it done....


Just in case he is monitoring HB for some help
- nh4442

That's another issue I have with MJ, he doesn't look for outside input. Every decision is made by a few guys on the coaching staff.

That info was posted in an article a couple months ago and was received by the reporter as a good thing. Mixed reaction on here. I'm not expecting them to tune into this website or any blog, but paying attention to what other teams are saying and doing along with the real hockey insider guyers can not hurt. The book is out on this team and so far, there hasn't been a solution to it.

This season has lost a TON of value for judging our team. The injury plague, and now this... whatever the hell funk they are in. The first month was what we should be, we just need to get back in that mindset.
- Guile

We have had injuries the last three years too and found ways around them. Remember, this is a team that is pretty much unbeatable when 71 and 87 don't play in the same game. Look at the record when that happens. It's pretty startling.

Wow I missed a lot.... but hey I'm in a 66 degree heat in Miami while you sicker are in -14 degrees...

Also JR :tlusty bergenhiem winnik and some draft picks get it done....


Just in case he is monitoring HB for some help
- nh4442

None of the names you are asking for help solve the problem. Make those deals, we have nothing to trade for the next two years in the event we are good and need a final piece.