If you eliminate all the heavy duty Kevlar, people are less likely to want to pack the middle of the ice in the defensive zone like they do now. Part of the issue with the game today is every shot has to find its way through a forest of legs, sticks, and torsos to even get to the net. Still obviously wear enough to protect players, but not so much that it doesn't sting a good bit to block a shot.
- Emperor Filonius

This isn't the NBA where players need to get carried off when they get a leg cramp. This is the NHL where a player will break his leg blocking a shot, and then finish his shift because his team is short handed. Players have blocked pucks with their hands, arms, necks, and faces (the last 2 being errors on the shot-blockers). I don't think weakening the pads is going to make the players run away screaming from point shots.

This isn't the NBA where players need to get carried off when they get a leg cramp. This is the NHL where a player will break his leg blocking a shot, and then finish his shift because his team is short handed. Players have blocked pucks with their hands, arms, necks, and faces (the last 2 being errors on the shot-blockers). I don't think weakening the pads is going to make the players run away from point shots.
- jmatchett383

Dmitry Yushkevich played a playoff game for the Leafs with nine broken toes.

This isn't the NBA where players need to get carried off when they get a leg cramp. This is the NHL where a player will break his leg blocking a shot, and then finish his shift because his team is short handed. Players have blocked pucks with their hands, arms, necks, and faces (the last 2 being errors on the shot-blockers). I don't think weakening the pads is going to make the players run away from point shots.
- jmatchett383

I remember teh Stars teams of the late 90's where very few shots got to Belfour cuz Hatcher, and the other D were amazing at blocking shots. Modono, Lehtinen, Nieuendyk, etc those guys werent dropping to the ice and they shouldnt. Now in todays NHL even 87 and 71 are blocking shots to a certain extent. I dont think its a skill the top players should have.

I remember teh Stars teams of the late 90's where very few shots got to Belfour cuz Hatcher, and the other D were amazing at blocking shots. Modono, Lehtinen, Nieuendyk, etc those guys werent dropping to the ice and they shouldnt. Now in todays NHL even 87 and 71 are blocking shots to a certain extent. I dont think its a skill the top players should have.
- sammy87

They had Craig Ludwig. Dude could block a shot. Matvichuk, Lidster. Brad Lukowich.

But um, they also had Carbonneau and Kirk Muller. Pat Verbeek. What a team.

My ideal hockey player is Joe Nieuwendyk.

Edit: Having thought for a moment about it, I think that Stars team would punk and destroy most of not all of the playoff teams here in 2014.

They had Craig Ludwig. Dude could block a shot. Matvichuk, Lidster. Brad Lukowich.

But um, they also had Carbonneau and Kirk Muller. Pat Verbeek. What a team.

My ideal hockey player is Joe Nieuwendyk.

Edit: Having thought for a moment about it, I think that Stars team would punk and destroy most of not all of the playoff teams here in 2014.
- Johnny Wrath

Langenbruner was a solid dude for that team. Dont forget Hull either. Sydor, Zubov, Hatcher, Ludwig, Matvichuk. Not too many D's get much better than that.

do any of you all work....how the hell do you carry on a conversation from 11am to now.....im so jealous...

Nice work Gunner.

Geno has been an absolute beast, possibly dragging his line mates up the stats also.

I ask again, is it just coincidence or wtf is happening with opposition goalies when we play them - they are all standing on their heads?? shyte before, great against us then back to shyte? Hopefully not a trend for the playoffs.

do any of you all work....how the hell do you carry on a conversation from 11am to now.....im so jealous...




- pensfan024

Desk jobs

do any of you all work....how the hell do you carry on a conversation from 11am to now.....im so jealous...




- pensfan024

Iphone 6 Plus son.

They had Craig Ludwig. Dude could block a shot. Matvichuk, Lidster. Brad Lukowich.

But um, they also had Carbonneau and Kirk Muller. Pat Verbeek. What a team.

My ideal hockey player is Joe Nieuwendyk.

Edit: Having thought for a moment about it, I think that Stars team would punk and destroy most of not all of the playoff teams here in 2014.
- Johnny Wrath

Gotta love the pre cap era.

Gotta love the pre cap era.
- willi

Thing is they were good for probably eight years and won the thing one time. The Western Conference was so stacked back then. Detroit easily had a $150M team when they won it in 01. Toronto usually spent upwards of $100M. Lol. NY Rangers had Lindros, Jagr, Kovalev, Leetch, Pavel Bure and missed the playoffs. I think those were better days.

I really wouldn't mind if the cap went away and some of these teams went bankrupt and folded. That's business. It's not like America can look too much further down on the NHL, what with it's kitschy 'wild card' spots to gimmicky bowl games. Wild cards! It's ice hockey! Imagine if Arizona gets to draft MacDavid and his career is spent much the way Shane Doan's has been. It would be a total waste.

Thing is they were good for probably eight years and won the thing one time. The Western Conference was so stacked back then. Detroit easily had a $150M team when they won it in 01. Toronto usually spent upwards of $100M. Lol. NY Rangers had Lindros, Jagr, Kovalev, Leetch, Pavel Bure and missed the playoffs. I think those were better days.

I really wouldn't mind if the cap went away and some of these teams went bankrupt and folded. That's business. It's not like America can look too much further down on the NHL, what with it's kitschy 'wild card' spots to gimmicky bowl games. Wild cards! It's ice hockey! Imagine if Arizona gets to draft MacDavid and his career is spent much the way Shane Doan's has been. It would be a total waste.
- Johnny Wrath

Ehh.. I think McDavid can turn them around. They have a lot of prospects and a lot more picks next and this year too. McDavid, Domi and Duclair. In about 3 years tops they will be competitive if they get McDavid. Also that can attract guys to come sign there. I just hope he doesn't go to the Oilers or the Leafs. They don't deserve him. I want McDavid to go to the Coyotes, Blue Jackets or the Sabres.

Ehh.. I think McDavid can turn them around. They have a lot of prospects and a lot more picks next and this year too. McDavid, Domi and Duclair. In about 3 years tops they will be competitive if they get McDavid. Also that can attract guys to come sign there. I just hope he doesn't go to the Oilers or the Leafs. They don't deserve him. I want McDavid to go to the Coyotes, Blue Jackets or the Sabres.
- znagle

Mcdavid going to the Coyotes would be a waste. It isn't a hockey town and the arena location doesn't help. Went down there twice to watch games. Both times nobody near the arena (hotels, bars, pedestrians) had a clue about anything Coyote related. They may have a good team in a few years but nobody will be watching...

Thing is they were good for probably eight years and won the thing one time. The Western Conference was so stacked back then. Detroit easily had a $150M team when they won it in 01. Toronto usually spent upwards of $100M. Lol. NY Rangers had Lindros, Jagr, Kovalev, Leetch, Pavel Bure and missed the playoffs. I think those were better days.

I really wouldn't mind if the cap went away and some of these teams went bankrupt and folded. That's business. It's not like America can look too much further down on the NHL, what with it's kitschy 'wild card' spots to gimmicky bowl games. Wild cards! It's ice hockey! Imagine if Arizona gets to draft MacDavid and his career is spent much the way Shane Doan's has been. It would be a total waste.
- Johnny Wrath

Back then the Rangers and Leafs never met a UFA they didn't like. Man did they blow money..... $9mil for Bobby Holik !!!!

Solid read Gunner per usual. DP is a serious offensive threat and that is going to come in handy. I know we are all surprised at his defensive prowess. But he got a lot of ice time for his threat to score too! Very good at shifting edges so little yet fakes players out. Reminds me of Martin that way.

Back then the Rangers and Leafs never met a UFA they didn't like. Man did they blow money..... $9mil for Bobby Holik !!!!
- willi

Our Pens have generated many scoring chances over the years. The Flyers figured out how to beat us a few years ago, now we have catch up to the changes that happened. Go Pens

Our Pens have generated many scoring chances over the years. The Flyers figured out how to beat us a few years ago, now we have catch up to the changes that happened. Go Pens
- mikey55

Yep. The Penguins' advanced stats were great in the Boston ECF in 2013. Won shot differential, scoring chance differential.

They didn't score goals. They allowed goals. They got swept.

As good as dp is I send him down until another body drops. Which one will. The protected minutes are fine but prime minutes will develop him quicker

As good as dp is I send him down until another body drops. Which one will. The protected minutes are fine but prime minutes will develop him quicker
- ChrisMS

He isn't really playing protected minutes, second in ice time is not protection.
He should be playing in the playoffs, playing against grown men competing at playoff intensity is something he can never learn in the AHL.
I was all about sending Pouliot down a week ago, but after watching him against the california teams the AHL has nothing left to teach him.

Mcdavid going to the Coyotes would be a waste. It isn't a hockey town and the arena location doesn't help. Went down there twice to watch games. Both times nobody near the arena (hotels, bars, pedestrians) had a clue about anything Coyote related. They may have a good team in a few years but nobody will be watching...
- willi

It wouldn't be a waste if they move to Seattle. I think that is the best US spot for a NHL team and would thrive. Great rivalry with VAN. Great city in general.

As good as dp is I send him down until another body drops. Which one will. The protected minutes are fine but prime minutes will develop him quicker
- ChrisMS

This is a joke right? DP was the best Penguin on the ice last night and you want to send him to the minors?

He is going nowhere and will be a big part of the Penguins playoff hopes.

This is a joke right? DP was the best Penguin on the ice last night and you want to send him to the minors?

He is going nowhere and will be a big part of the Penguins playoff hopes.
- Sell My Monkey

He is really good and MJ know him pretty well to feel like he's ready for the prime time. Trust. He's got That from MJ.

As good as dp is I send him down until another body drops. Which one will. The protected minutes are fine but prime minutes will develop him quicker
- ChrisMS

wrong on so many levels. He's not even getting sheltered minutes, without looking it up, I'd say he had more ice time than any player last night sans Letang.

This isn't the NBA where players need to get carried off when they get a leg cramp. This is the NHL where a player will break his leg blocking a shot, and then finish his shift because his team is short handed. Players have blocked pucks with their hands, arms, necks, and faces (the last 2 being errors on the shot-blockers). I don't think weakening the pads is going to make the players run away screaming from point shots.
- jmatchett383

I thought the game last night against the Sharks was a pretty exciting game even with the score being 2-1. I find the games the Pens play against the western conference teams tend to be good exciting games with the L.A. game being the exception. I don't necessarily have to have a high scoring games but would like to have the chance for scoring opportunities without the hooking, holding and interference that seem to have crept back into the game way too much.

Also do away with the extracurricular antics that walk the line and most times cross the line, stuff teams like the Flyers do. No offence but we all know what kind of game it's going to be or end up being every time the Pens/Flyers play each other. I give props to the Flyers for playing a style that helps them beat the Pens. If we're being honest and the refs called a lot of the extracurricular stuff to begin with (making calls by the book) we would get more games like last nights Pens/Sharks game. Last nights game was an exciting up and down action and still had a handful of penalties called on both sides. It doesn't have to be high scoring or a ton of penalties but make the calls that force teams to play hockey and you get games like last night and not the thuggery you see in a lot of the Pens/Flyers games. This does not mean you can't have good clean hits those are always welcomed.