the ineptitude of perron and kunitz is a very, very large reason for the suffocation of the pens offense.

combine that with the inability of the defense to provide absolutely anything right now, be it a rush, something resembling a shot from the point, or even a crisp outlet pass in stride, its just too much right now.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree with that statement. Those two slugs are being paid like top 6 players and they're absolutely terrible shift after shift. Kuni can't pass, can't receive a pass and can't shoot right now. Every once in a while (in any sport) you'll see a player get old in the blink of an eye......that's sadly the case with him.

Kunitz days in Pens sweater are numbered. I think there is a chance you could see Perron moved at the draft also for a pick.

Kunitz days in Pens sweater are numbered. I think there is a chance you could see Perron moved at the draft also for a pick.
- Thorny

I don't like throwing Kuni under the bus because he was a very good player here. Instrumental to winning a lot of games. But I'm fine if they ship him out....actually hope they trade him.

As for Perron....ditto. Now we know why teams are willing to send him packing. There have been multiple games during his slide that I've thought he's either blatantly lazy or out of shape. Guy just quits skating before the end of his shift.

I don't like throwing Kuni under the bus because he was a very good player here. Instrumental to winning a lot of games. But I'm fine if they ship him out....actually hope they trade him.

As for Perron....ditto. Now we know why teams are willing to send him packing. There have been multiple games during his slide that I've thought he's either blatantly lazy or out of shape. Guy just quits skating before the end of his shift.
- madmike71

I don't think its throwing Kunitz under the bus, its just being honest. He has been very average this year, but is getting paid like a top 6 guy. I think there will be someone out there who will take a chance on him. If he was cheaper, I would have no problem keeping him on the 3rd line. I would hope they could at least get a high 2nd for Perron and I would be ok with that to be honest. They need to feed their minor leagues with some forward talent. Only one way to do that.

I don't like throwing Kuni under the bus because he was a very good player here. Instrumental to winning a lot of games. But I'm fine if they ship him out....actually hope they trade him.

As for Perron....ditto. Now we know why teams are willing to send him packing. There have been multiple games during his slide that I've thought he's either blatantly lazy or out of shape. Guy just quits skating before the end of his shift.
- madmike71

I think Perron effort has been good for the most part. There were a few games around the time he had his illness that he looked lazy/tired. What drives me nuts with him is when he gets the puck and puts 1 hand on his stick and tries to shield the puck and he slows right down....and his stick is to short to get any power on a shot

Kunitz days in Pens sweater are numbered. I think there is a chance you could see Perron moved at the draft also for a pick.
- Thorny

I think the chances of Pitt moving Perron in the offseason are very slim. They paid a 1st (looks like it'll be the 15th overall pick) for him and they won't get that get kind of return at the draft

I think the chances of Pitt moving Perron in the offseason are very slim. They paid a 1st (looks like it'll be the 15th overall pick) for him and they won't get that get kind of return at the draft
- willi

I agree, I don't see them moving him either. He's just been so frustrating to watch the last couple of months. They really need him and he seems completely incapable of scoring goals right now. At least Kunitz can use his age as an excuse.

He's going into his final year next year. That will be an interesting negotiation if they want to extend him.

Stretch passing didn't work for more talented versions of this team, so why suggest that it would do so now? I find it a rather pedestrian idea that would probably lead to an increase in defensive zone face-offs instead of scoring chances for.

HOWEVER, if there was ever a group that should know how to shut-down the S-pass and in doing so, make their opponent 1-dimensional, it's Pgh. The core has enough first-hand experience (and frustration) at the expense of their own exploitation that NYR's efforts should therefore be minimized and non-existent. HCMJ call HCDB and find out why it doesn't work. Never mind,.... probably won't learn anything anyway.

I agree, I don't see them moving him either. He's just been so frustrating to watch the last couple of months. They really need him and he seems completely incapable of scoring goals right now. At least Kunitz can use his age as an excuse.

He's going into his final year next year. That will be an interesting negotiation if they want to extend him.
- madmike71

I think there is almost zero chance Perron is moved unless a completely new front office comes in. At least this slow down in production will reduce his contract demands.

Kunitz may have forgotten where he net is, OK. Perron lacks effort and drive to the net, OK. But if you watch the Isles they are not afraid to go to the net, any of them really. I just don't see that willingness to pay the price to go to the net from this offense. And when they all to rarely end up there it seldom pays off.

Maybe the pens could get sharp for cheap since the Hawks need to dump salary next season. Damn he looks good tonight

Anyone else think its time to put Sid and Geno on a line with Hornqvist.
It looks like the Rangers defensive strategy is double team Sid and Geno and let the wingers try to produce without them.
Put them together and sure we are putting all our eggs in one basket but it likely opens up more space for the both of them.

Anyone else think its time to put Sid and Geno on a line with Hornqvist.
It looks like the Rangers defensive strategy is double team Sid and Geno and let the wingers try to produce without them.
Put them together and sure we are putting all our eggs in one basket but it likely opens up more space for the both of them.
- stackthepads

A couple times a game.....absolutely.

Anyone else think its time to put Sid and Geno on a line with Hornqvist.
It looks like the Rangers defensive strategy is double team Sid and Geno and let the wingers try to produce without them.
Put them together and sure we are putting all our eggs in one basket but it likely opens up more space for the both of them.
- stackthepads

Has Johnston even put those 2 on the ice together at even strength?

Everyone here realizes that Sid and Geno have no clue how to play with Horny right?

In a perfect world, 87/71 would be playing off Horny's net drives, using the open space it creates, and get pucks to the net. Basic. Simple. Effective. Playoff hockey as the kids call it these days.

In reality, 87/71 are looking to make tic-tac-toe plays. When they look up and see no one to make a pretty pass to ('cause Hornys driving the net), they typically either lose the puck or throw it to the point.

No wonder we cant f-ing score.
- 87_71_11_29

Hockey is a game described by many timeless cliches, of which 'get the puck to the net and good things happen', 'crash the net/ net front presence', 'create some bounces' and 'score more dirty goals' has never been more true.

Anyone else think its time to put Sid and Geno on a line with Hornqvist.
It looks like the Rangers defensive strategy is double team Sid and Geno and let the wingers try to produce without them.
Put them together and sure we are putting all our eggs in one basket but it likely opens up more space for the both of them.
- stackthepads

They don't play well together at all, they can't play together on the PP and they have the advantage, you think they are going to play well 5 on 5? They really didn't play well together under Disco either. I don't know why people want them together all the time. I could understand a shift before the period is ending or last minute, but other than that, its pointless. As bad as this is going to sound, I would rather see Sutter center a line and Malkin at wing, Malkin wouldn't have to come back into the zone or backcheck as much and maybe it would free him up in some open space. Think they ran that early in the year when Malkin had his bad back or whatever.

Wait...Kane scores. Backstrom and Ovie play huge after being reunited. Patches scores. Superstar players playing big in big games.

And then there's our stars....(crickets in the background)

DKs insider said the pens are eyeing buyouts (but didnt name names)
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Since we have 8 forwards signed for next year and 5 defensemen, its not too hard to figure out who the candidates are ... the law firm of Kunitz, Scuderi and Spaling.

What will be interesting is this ... we have pretty significant needs at forward - everywhere ... at least two top six guys. We probably need one veteran defenseman because that bullion could be very inexperienced. Zatkoff probably can be the backup again.

The free agent pool sucks ass to go shopping in. There are two forwards I would have interest in and one of them is Frolik. He probably gets 5.5 million plus, which is absurd based on his resume. You better hope Kapanen comes in and goes 80% of what Stone did for Ottawa this year.

I think the chances of Pitt moving Perron in the offseason are very slim. They paid a 1st (looks like it'll be the 15th overall pick) for him and they won't get that get kind of return at the draft
- willi

We gave up a first round pick for a fourth line player ... that played for Edmonton. That sums things up.

Perron the first three weeks looked like he got his first "get out of jail" free card. Edmonton does that to you. Rutherford looked like a genius. Three months later, he sucks ass ... looks like the same player that played fourth line minutes in Edmonton. He does nothing but take bad penalties.

Then, Daniel Winnik got Toronto a second and fourth round pick and he is a rental. Perron's value now doesn't nab you a first round pick. Not even close.

We gave up a first round pick for a fourth line player ... that played for Edmonton. That sums things up.

Perron the first three weeks looked like he got his first "get out of jail" free card. Edmonton does that to you. Rutherford looked like a genius. Three months later, he sucks ass ... looks like the same player that played fourth line minutes in Edmonton. He does nothing but take bad penalties.

Then, Daniel Winnik got Toronto a second and fourth round pick and he is a rental. Perron's value now doesn't nab you a first round pick. Not even close.
- Oneonta Penguin

The Hawks gave up a 1st for vermette and he's been worse. He's also a rental only where as Perron is here for longer.

Since we have 8 forwards signed for next year and 5 defensemen, its not too hard to figure out who the candidates are ... the law firm of Kunitz, Scuderi and Spaling.

What will be interesting is this ... we have pretty significant needs at forward - everywhere ... at least two top six guys. We probably need one veteran defenseman because that bullion could be very inexperienced. Zatkoff probably can be the backup again.

The free agent pool sucks ass to go shopping in. There are two forwards I would have interest in and one of them is Frolik. He probably gets 5.5 million plus, which is absurd based on his resume. You better hope Kapanen comes in and goes 80% of what Stone did for Ottawa this year.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'd say Scuds is a certainty. Kunitz probably. Spaling can probably be traded....although I don't think he will. I hope and pray Sutter is traded.

The refs in the Chi/Nash game are just horrid.....how can officials be this bad on a pro level...I mean, its just awful....why in the world they can't get buzzed from Toronto and say hey, they had 6 guys on the ice, no goal. This baffles me.

Wait...Kane scores. Backstrom and Ovie play huge after being reunited. Patches scores. Superstar players playing big in big games.

And then there's our stars....(crickets in the background)
- 87_71_11_29

In recent G1's ANA #10 had 4 points and #15 w/ 3; DET #13 scored 2G's goals; CHI #19 had 3 points and #88 w/ 2 in a comeback/OT win; #9 MIN had 2 A's.

Granted checking is tighter in the second season, especially for top players, and depth guys usually end up making the difference between a W or L. No excuses here for Pgh because these other guys are FINDING ways to get it done. #71 is a puck retrieval/ possession manic. Probably too much to his own good, or to the result of the shift. At some point the puck has to get through to the net! I'll take my chances w/ #71 instead of #87. His game has been marginalized. AND that stupid back-hand pass to ?????? I don't know if it's a size differential w/ #87 or a psychological one, but he doesn't seem to drive to the cage w/ much consistency anymore. #87's game progressed from a young Forsberg(#21) style to that of #19 SJ (always looking to dish). He (and the club) are sitting on a lame excuse anyways; should've had that wrist surgery.. .

The refs in the Chi/Nash game are just horrid.....how can officials be this bad on a pro level...I mean, its just awful....why in the world they can't get buzzed from Toronto and say hey, they had 6 guys on the ice, no goal. This baffles me.
- Thorny

Forsberg. Wash traded him for Erat.

Define core players. Give me the core players for each team please.

I see three or four for Pittsburgh ... I see 10-12 in Tampa.
- Oneonta Penguin

Ok of those 10-12 how many are ELC or are coming up to contract upgrades!

Tampa is starting out but don't have the high end players such as Sid & Geno, but have more middle range good players that keeps a high standard. Now once those young guys need resigning (not sure of the cap but believe Tampa has cap issues going forward), then they leave or take home contracts to stay - most would probably take the cash I would think, then you will have an older team with middle of the road players playing with more rookies that replace the ELC guys that left. Tampa time is now & probably the next 2 or 3 years, so looking at that if they get defeated 2nd time 1st round I think they will have to make changes as has been suggested.

So the Pens who have been playing playoffs for the last 8 years with mixed results but that experience V a team new to the playoffs in this format (team), getting beaten & looking fragile? I pick the team with the high end & experience that hopefully will 1 day be able to put a whole team uninjured on the ice when it counts. But that's just me.