Previous post you raving about the CBJ youth and enthusiasm buy they are on the outside looking into the playoffs. And why? Injuries. Why couldn't they fill there injury holes? I don't think our depth/prospects are the deepest in the league buy we also aren't the worst.
- willi

Yet, Pittsburgh has overcome these injuries the previous three years. No one has answered my question from a few pages back ... why is it Pittsburgh is virtually unbeatable when both crosby and malkin are out for games? They have found a way.

Columbus has missed 150 or so more man games than Pittsburgh this year. That is significant. Put Bobrovsky in net instead of the backup, they are a play-off team this year. Oh, I haven't even mentioned Boone Jenner missing all the games. A significant piece, wouldn't you say?

They certainly filled the holes last night. Columbus has youth and talent. They looked energized and played with a purpose last night.

Our forward depth is among the absolute worst in the league as far as options on the farm or in the system. If you think otherwise, there is a problem. Other teams can bring up kids that have the ability and can play first or second line minutes in a pinch. We bring up Megna, Ebbett, Rust. Let that sink in and put it in perspective.

Maybe we can change the GM, entire coaching staff and a third of the roster this summer....
- rival22

I don't think you comprehend where I'm going with it. It's not that hard to figure out either.

It's about making sound and smart moves. It's about putting together a product that can compete short and long term and not continue to fork over valuable assets for bullpoop rentals that flop. It's about drafting and development. Other teams can do it and have done it. Pittsburgh on the other hand can't help itself. It repeatedly trades first, second, third, prospects away for wastes and are left with a bunch of third and fourth line guys as your in case of injury happen callups.

I get sick and tired of the we have to go "all in" every year because 87 and 71 are on the roster. That isn't a smart move in cases like this year where there are more flaws on the roster and we have little cap room and little to deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

You're sort of advocating for what is happening. You make it sound like an easy fix, but it's not. Team after team has tried to "retool" and most of the time it ends up in a cycle of mediocrity.

Rutherford hasn't traded for a rental (yet), the only future asset he's given up was a first for a sign top six forward.

And calling the season a loss and trading for picks doesn't help that prospect pipeline until 3-4-5 years down the road.

LOL ... better roster than last year and yet we are sitting in the SEVENTH playoff spot. If that doesn't tell you something, I don't know what does. Don't give me the injury excuse bs either. We have had them the last three years and managed to be a top three seed each year. This isn't a good team.

Face facts here ... we don't matchup with five of the playoff teams at all in the East. The likelihood of positive outcomes in April isn't good.
- Oneonta Penguin

Jebus. you act like they're in a totally different tier from the rest of the conference just cuz they're in 7th.

they're closer to 1st than they are to 8th, pointswise, for crying out loud!

They're in the same tier as NY, Det, and Washington.

I don't think you comprehend where I'm going with it. It's not that hard to figure out either.

It's about making sound and smart moves. It's about putting together a product that can compete short and long term and not continue to fork over valuable assets for bullpoop rentals that flop. It's about drafting and development. Other teams can do it and have done it. Pittsburgh on the other hand can't help itself. It repeatedly trades first, second, third, prospects away for wastes and are left with a bunch of third and fourth line guys as your in case of injury happen callups.

I get sick and tired of the we have to go "all in" every year because 87 and 71 are on the roster. That isn't a smart move in cases like this year where there are more flaws on the roster and we have little cap room and little to deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

curious, no challenge or sarcasm, when the last team that won the cup did so while standing pat at the deadline, or around the deadline? following that, when was the last time any playoff team went into the playoffs without tweaking their lineup using prospects/picks to do so. 15-20 teams a year trade for rentals that flop.

I get sick and tired of the we have to go "all in" every year because 87 and 71 are on the roster. That isn't a smart move in cases like this year where there are more flaws on the roster and we have little cap room and little to deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

Even if you get sick and tired of it, its just not rational to think that a professional hockey team who is in a spot for the playoffs will "retool for next year". So what's the point in speculating about it? We have a good roster. Maybe a better bottom 6 will increase our chances, maybe it won't. Maybe a blockbuster type trade is needed. But speculating about deadline trades is more realistic than speculating about how to sell off assets to plan for next season.

If there are hockey trades to be made that help the short term and longer term, then by all means I'm all for it. We have to at least try something to improve our odds THIS year. You can't take for granted a year when we will likely make the playoffs and Sid and Geno are healthy. Lets say we retool for next year, then Sid twists his knee and is out for the year. Then we've wasted two seasons.

I saw a tweet last night something along the lines of the difference between the Penguins and a team like the Blue Jackets is that Brian Gibbons is playing in the AHL right now.

We have too many highly-paid and way overpaid players. Holes are filled either with rookies or AHL-ers.

The only constant & a breath of fresh air this season has been MAF. Give him the "C". He doesn't deserve the $hit that is going on in front of his crease more often than not.
- chimpira

Who all on the team is really that overpaid though?

Scuderi and Sutter, sure. Adams by 250k. We're surely not judging what sid should be making based on his cold streak, are we?

Yet, Pittsburgh has overcome these injuries the previous three years. No one has answered my question from a few pages back ... why is it Pittsburgh is virtually unbeatable when both crosby and malkin are out for games? They have found a way.

Columbus has missed 150 or so more man games than Pittsburgh this year. That is significant. Put Bobrovsky in net instead of the backup, they are a play-off team this year.

They certainly filled the holes last night.

Our forward depth is among the absolute worst in the league as far as options on the farm or in the system. If you think otherwise, there is a problem. Other teams can bring up kids that have the ability and can play first or second line minutes in a pinch. We bring up Megna, Ebbett, Rust. Let that sink in and put it in perspective.
- Oneonta Penguin

Regarding your question about why were better when crosby and malkin are out. Are we better or do other teams not get up for the games as they would if crosby and malkin are in the lineup? Or us it somewhere in the middle?

Your lack of depth and mental fortitude is an issue. It's shocking how thin your prospect pool is offensively.

Your lack of depth and mental fortitude is an issue. It's shocking how thin your prospect pool is offensively.
- rangerdanger94

very insightful. please tell us more.

Yet, Pittsburgh has overcome these injuries the previous three years. No one has answered my question from a few pages back ... why is it Pittsburgh is virtually unbeatable when both crosby and malkin are out for games? They have found a way.
- Oneonta Penguin

Stop.... They are not virtually unbeatable without those two. And even if the Pens win some games without Crosby and Malkin, you know that isn't sustainable. Teams often excel short term with eager young guys and their stars out.

Your lack of depth and mental fortitude is an issue. It's shocking how thin your prospect pool is offensively.
- rangerdanger94

Bingo!

Our testicular fortitude aint much better.

Who all on the team is really that overpaid though?

Scuderi and Sutter, sure. Adams by 250k. We're surely not judging what sid should be making based on his cold streak, are we?
- poopmouth

If you were to ask me, sure, the top 4 got their huge contracts. That is fine. They sell the seats.

To me overpaid players are: Martin, Kunitz, Scuds, Sutter and Spalling.

And why are we putting players in the lineup that should be AHL lifers like Sill and Bortuzzo or guys that should be released like Adams? Beats me.

I saw a tweet last night something along the lines of the difference between the Penguins and a team like the Blue Jackets is that Brian Gibbons is playing in the AHL right now.
We have too many highly-paid and way overpaid players. Holes are filled either with rookies or AHL-ers.

The only constant & a breath of fresh air this season has been MAF. Give him the "C". He doesn't deserve the $hit that is going on in front of his crease more often than not.
- chimpira

If Gibbons were playing on the Pens this year he would be playing in the AHL. So what is the difference? Maybe the difference between CBJ this year and the Pens last year. But not this year.

Stop.... They are not virtually unbeatable without those two. And even if the Pens win some games without Crosby and Malkin, you know that isn't sustainable. Teams often excel short term with eager young guys and their stars out.
- rival22

x2

Zach Sill and Bobby Farnham and company are effective players in 3 game sample sizes. Even guys that were just traded like a Klinkhammer show the same short burst of energy. Its not sustainable.

If you were to ask me, sure, the top 4 got their huge contracts. That is fine. They sell the seats.

To me overpaid players are: Martin, Kunitz, Scuds, Sutter and Spalling.

And why are we putting players in the lineup that should be AHL lifers like Sill and Bortuzzo or guys that should be released like Adams? Beats me.
- chimpira

Martin is not overpaid or underpaid. He performs right at the $5M level. The other's I would say you are right.

Martin is not overpaid or underpaid. He performs right at the $5M level. The other's I would say you are right.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

For what he produces, I disagree a little ... he is slightly overpaid. I think he should be making $4m, kind of like Erhoff.

If Gibbons were playing on the Pens this year he would be playing in the AHL. So what is the difference? Maybe the difference between CBJ this year and the Pens last year. But not this year.
- PensFan1103

Somehow, I don't think so. Gibbons would definitely be up ... I mean Zach Sill was on our roster?!

If you were to ask me, sure, the top 4 got their huge contracts. That is fine. They sell the seats.

To me overpaid players are: Martin, Kunitz, Scuds, Sutter and Spalling.

And why are we putting players in the lineup that should be AHL lifers like Sill and Bortuzzo or guys that should be released like Adams? Beats me.
- chimpira

Kunitz and Martin overpaid? How? Martin is a 2 dman and makes below average, which is why he will get more elsewhere this offseason. Kunitz is a top six winger and produces and gets payed like one. Scuderi, Sutter and Spaling are over payed by about 1 million each though.

If you were to ask me, sure, the top 4 got their huge contracts. That is fine. They sell the seats.

To me overpaid players are: Martin, Kunitz, Scuds, Sutter and Spalling.

And why are we putting players in the lineup that should be AHL lifers like Sill and Bortuzzo or guys that should be released like Adams? Beats me.
- chimpira

Sill hasn't been in the lineup lately. And Bortuzzo is in the lineup right now because we don't have a choice our 7th d-man is hurt. We don't have cap space to bring anyone up. These 22 guys are it until someone is traded.

Bingo!

Our testicular fortitude aint much better.
- 87_71_11_29

Best avoid Kessel then

Wow. Anyone hear Bourques rant on radio? I'll post some quotes if not..

F-it...lets stir the pot Forget about NMC's and whatnot...

Pens flame out meekly in Round 1....what to do, what to do?

Malkin and Scuds (gotta take Scuds if you want Malkin) to Edm for Hall, RNH, Nurse, 1st and 2nd rnd picks.

Malkin and Scuds to SJ for Hertl, Couture, Burns, #1

Malkin and Scuds to Anh for Perry, Belesky, Smith-Pell, #1

Malkin and Scuds to Avs for Matt D, Gabby, McGinn, #1

Wow. Anyone hear Bourques rant on radio? I'll post some quotes if not..
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Please do

Please do
- znagle

Taken from tweets so pardon the grammar... this was the jist of it..

H was embarrased as a fan, announcer and former player. Said he has been part of Pens for 30+. And this is NOT Pens Hockey. Said every player should be afraid of being traded. team way to cozy. Said doesn't matter who coaches are.. We fire gm/coach made some changes. Only constant is 71/87/58. They should be embarrased and angry. Time for Sid to Be a vocal, critical leader. if he doesn't like what coaches want, tough. never heard him go off like that, ever Really thot Sid runnibng team was just consp theory. It is not. He is the problem