They have a perfect NFP guy in Horny. Other than him, the rest of them, 87 and 71 included, quite frankly aren't good PP players.
- 87_71_11_29

LOL. Yeah, Evgeni Malkin isn't a good PP player.

I just updated it. Section 26.14 defines circumvention in example a as "Club has a Club Salary that would exceed the Upper Limit, other than through the Bona-Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception or the "Performance Bonus Cushion," such as by virtue of an undisclosed agreement or undisclosed payment to Players on its roster."

That fits. There are 7 possible defined penalties, and only one of them (iv) would have this effect: "Declare a forfeiture of any NHL Game(s) determined to have been
affected by a Circumvention;" But yes, this is probably what would happen.
- jmatchett383

I think the more severe penalties (ie, big fine or loss of draft picks) are for when a player is getting paid under the table.

I just don't think the NHL would allow a team to player with a non-Cap complying roster so long as they paid a fine or something. From what we've seen (ie, teams dressing 17 players & all), it feels like it would be an automatic 'L' to do just say 'Screw it; we're going over the Cap & we'll pay the fine" type thing.

lets all speak the truth here instead of candy coating it. if you don't make the playoffs there will be so many trolls saying you need bust up this lineup. i wish people start worrying about there own dame team and quit hoping for bad stuff to happen to other teams, if they don't make the playoffs so be it, just wasn't their yr.

We've been saying that for 4 or 5+ years tho. Ever since going into the playoffs with Staal as the top-line center & hoping for Matt Cooke to put up some points against the Lightning because of Malkin's ACL or whatever it was & Sid's concussions, we've been talking about injuries to our top-end players killing this team. And every year, we're in the same position. Maybe this has to do with the system or maybe it has to do with the med staff or the strength & conditioning guys, but there comes a point where injuries aren't just about "bad luck".
- ScienceJesus

Preach on bro...I've been saying this for about a year now. This avalanche of injuries every year isn't a coincidence.

Of all the things that piss me off the most about this team, and there are many, I think the biggest is their limp-ass power play. More specifically, its their absolute refusal to play basic PP hockey. Quick movement, pucks at the net, crash, jam in rebounds.

They have a perfect NFP guy in Horny. Other than him, the rest of them, 87 and 71 included, quite frankly aren't good PP players.

I just don't understand what goes on in their minds as they sit there and pass the puck back and forth on the perimeter.

Whats the point in paying for all of this top talent if they cant score a goal while having one more guy on the ice than the other team?
- 87_71_11_29

Its mind boggling. I have no idea what the numbers are but I feel like we're clicking at about a 5% rate the past few months.

Preach on bro...I've been saying this for about a year now. This avalanche of injuries every year isn't a coincidence.
- 87_71_11_29

Groin pulls, vage tares, and twisted nipples are a thing that can be blamed on conditioning; but blood clots and concussions are unfortunate things that can not be avoided.

poor bartley....so bitter.

only you (and maybe prock), would call a team that's gone 25-4 in the last few months an "AHL team"
- sensarmy_11

I was going to make the exact same response to him.

But then I had a look at his other recent posts and realize he is just a dimwit. Not worth the effort to respond.

Preach on bro...I've been saying this for about a year now. This avalanche of injuries every year isn't a coincidence.
- 87_71_11_29

Yeah. I've been saying it for a while too.

I've also thought that all the people that talk about the "pens speed" are high as well. Because this team has been getting noticeably slower & more poorly conditioned for a hockey season for a number of years now. And it's not just because they've been getting progressively older.

LOL. Yeah, Evgeni Malkin isn't a good PP player.
- Stillson14

If you're being sarcastic, I'll respond.

He isn't. Lazy entries. Look at last night. Lost the puck on zone entries multiple times with crappy lazy passes that the Sens easily picked off and dumped back into our end. Been doing this all year..hell years now.

Lazy cross ice passes. Tries to be to cute. Where has his one-time bomb been that he used to score tons of goals with his first few years?

I think your confusing talent with one's ability to truly be a good PP player. Many of the top PP units aren't about talent but sticking to fundamentals and PP basics.

If you're being sarcastic, I'll respond.

He isn't. Lazy entries. Look at last night. Lost the puck on zone entries multiple times with crappy lazy passes that the Sens easily picked off and dumped back into our end. Been doing this all year..hell years now.

Lazy cross ice passes. Tries to be to cute. Where has his one-time bomb been that he used to score tons of goals with his first few years?

I think your confusing talent with one's ability to truly be a good PP player. Many of the top PP units aren't about talent but sticking to fundamentals and PP basics.
- 87_71_11_29

Since 2010-2011, Malkin has the 4th most PP points. Crosby has the 9th most PP points. The Pens' PP has been putrid this year, but to say they're not good PP players is just incorrect.

I was going to make the exact same response to him.

But then I had a look at his other recent posts and realize he is just a dimwit. Not worth the effort to respond.
- maaddmike

So this post was more worth your time? Hit the road

Come in here when the playoffs begin, gloat then; bring something to the table or leave.

lets all speak the truth here instead of candy coating it. if you don't make the playoffs there will be so many trolls saying you need bust up this lineup. i wish people start worrying about there own dame team and quit hoping for bad stuff to happen to other teams, if they don't make the playoffs so be it, just wasn't their yr.
- redsfanhere

dont think u used enough

Groin pulls, vage tares, and twisted nipples are a thing that can be blamed on conditioning; but blood clots and concussions are unfortunate things that can not be avoided.
- nbartley9

Yes blood clots and concussions are indeed unfortunate but...

Duper is an old dude. The likelihood of him getting injured is greater because he's an older player they had to overpay for and extend because they had no one else to replace him. Signing guys to long term deals in their mid-30's isn't good practice. That's an organizational failure.

Concussions...certain players are indeed more prone to them than others. IMO Letang is officially a concussion waiting to happen each and every season moving forward. I'm saying perhaps you have to look into moving that player then. I love Letang but I have no interest in paying him $7.25 to play 60 games each year and not be able to be counted on.

So, although concussions and clots are indeed happenstance, I think you have to at some point move on from a player if he continues to miss chunks of games.

The #1 "skill" any sports player needs to possess is availability.

Nobody wants to talk about the obvious. Crosby played head to head against Turris most of the night. Turris ended the evening +2, Crosby was -1. For the first ten minutes of the game Crosby looked strong. He was not a factor over the rest of the night. Keep it real simple, the Crosby line could not contain Turris and Stone. Same for Giroux and Voracek.
- spatso

only spatso would be gloating about needing a miracle comeback and OT to beat this current version of the Pens.

I think the more severe penalties (ie, big fine or loss of draft picks) are for when a player is getting paid under the table.

I just don't think the NHL would allow a team to player with a non-Cap complying roster so long as they paid a fine or something. From what we've seen (ie, teams dressing 17 players & all), it feels like it would be an automatic 'L' to do just say 'Screw it; we're going over the Cap & we'll pay the fine" type thing.
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah, I'm 99.99% certain that's what they would do. Otherwise, they'd set a precedent.

Yes blood clots and concussions are indeed unfortunate but...

Duper is an old dude. The likelihood of him getting injured is greater because he's an older player they had to overpay for and extend because they had no one else to replace him. Signing guys to long term deals in their mid-30's isn't good practice. That's an organizational failure.

Concussions...certain players are indeed more prone to them than others. IMO Letang is officially a concussion waiting to happen each and every season moving forward. I'm saying perhaps you have to look into moving that player then. I love Letang but I have no interest in paying him $7.25 to play 60 games each year and not be able to be counted on.

So, although concussions and clots are indeed happenstance, I think you have to at some point move on from a player if he continues to miss chunks of games.

The #1 "skill" any sports player needs to possess is availability.
- 87_71_11_29

I agree with you, but I think Dupes is actually one of the better in shape guys we have. Look at wet tampon Sutter, the guys fails on every single level of physical play.

My 1.5 cents here.

If pens make playoffs. They bring ebbett Wilson megna dumo and possibly harrington up for playoffs. That way they have better options if guys go into a slump or just plain as day sucK or get too many penalties (downie). now this will probably screw wbs in their hopes for a calder

Next yr. They have to play youth and have more 2 way players on roster so incase injuries happen they have flexibility.

Ufas to let go:
Lap
Adams
Downie
Ehrhoff

Ufas to keep:
winnik
Comeau
Martin ( if they can keep him for around 4m)
Griess (iif they feel murray isn't ready yet)
Ebbett

Rfas to keep:
Bennett
Cole
Dumo
Megna

Players to try to trade at draft (not all just one or two):
Kunitz
Sutter
Spaling
Scuderi

Then use guys on 2 way contracts and hope they get lucky in draft and get some sleepers like Detroit always does.

Since 2010-2011, Malkin has the 4th most PP points. Crosby has the 9th most PP points. The Pens' PP has been putrid this year, but to say they're not good PP players is just incorrect.
- Stillson14

I think those #'s are actually helping make my point dude.

Pens are paying them to be no worse than 1-4 each. Sid 9th? You think that's good? Whatevs man....

I realize you're joking about the Kings trading Doughty and Kopitar, but it would make more sense if the pens traded malkin because the pens have been kinda slumpy since they won the cup. Get rid of Malkin, add some players to play around Crosby and form an actual second/third line.

Ottawa beat us last night and I didn't see talent being the deciding factor.

Groin pulls, vage tares, and twisted nipples are a thing that can be blamed on conditioning; but blood clots and concussions are unfortunate things that can not be avoided.
- nbartley9

Yes and no.

One blood clot is one thing & a fluke. But recurrence when it's a known previous issues? Proactive screening should be done regularly on players with that history. It obviously isn't.

And concussions are another thing that can be avoided to a degree. The Pens are a small team playing in a bigger league and with a system that puts them in the position to be on the receiving end of physical play more often and lacking the speed to avoid that contact. Smaller guys getting hit by bigger guys leads to an increased likelihood of injury. Concussions are one of the possible potential injuries that arise from that situation. That's on the system & on strength & conditioning guys. Either the system adjusts to the personnel or the strength & conditioning guys work with the players to increase their quickness & ability to avoid hits even when they're getting worn down later in the year.

Ottawa beat us last night and I didn't see talent being the deciding factor.
- icedog97

Thank the lord someone else said it.

Johnston sucks. His system hasn't been an improvement, his player management hasn't been an improvement, and his lack of emotion and passion is an issue. He's spent his life coaching 18 year olds. I don't think he's built to coach grown men.



Keep Calm and Move On (and bring in Babcock or someone who will man up and yell or cause a scene when it's necessary).

"Everything is fine, there is no collapse."

I realize you're joking about the Kings trading Doughty and Kopitar, but it would make more sense if the pens traded malkin because the pens have been kinda slumpy since they won the cup. Get rid of Malkin, add some players to play around Crosby and form an actual second/third line.
- Igotpockets

name the last superstar that got traded and actually got traded for fair value.