Overrated and overpaid, I don't see where every time money is brought up he gets a pass. He has been paid #1 defenseman for five years and it seems everyone is fine with him playing like a #2 or #3.
- Thunderbolt

Come on dude...

$5 mill per isn't the running rate for a #1 D-Man so no he isn't being paid like one.

I don't like him simply because he turns incompetent, looks intimidated, and plays timid come April and May. That's my issue with him.

Want to know why? You can't ice a full team with 25mil + tied up between three players. ESPECIALLY when we have no players on ELC deals that can make a difference, and are bare bones on draft picks.

We're stuck, either keep trading picks for rental type of guys and pray that works or trade one of the core for a nice return and pray that works.
- znagle

That's not the problem with the Penguins. It's the contracts of Scuderi and worthless bums like him that causes the trouble. If you aren't going to pay your top players then what's the point of having them on your team in the first place? Teams aren't having problems deciding on whether to pay their superstars. It's a no brainer that they have locked them up.

That's not the problem with the Penguins. It's the contracts of Scuderi and worthless bums like him that causes the trouble. If you aren't going to pay your top players then what's the point of having them on your team in the first place? Teams aren't having problems deciding on whether to pay their superstars. It's a no brainer that they have locked them up.
- acdc1206

There still will be holes. Guys who get paid 2-3 million will produce at pay rate. We will still depend on 87 and 71 to carry the team for the most part. Any guys like Hornqvist cost assets to get. We don't have much assets available for them. We've traded them all for guys we thought would be good. This has been happening for years and only gets tougher now that Letang makes 7 as well.

Scuds, Spaling (overpaid by 1), Hoff was not needed, Kunitz produces to his pay. Not sure there's much money to spend on our holes there without making one somewhere else.

Why is it comical? Comical is having two superstars and nothing around them. TB has one superstar on the same level as Malkin and Crosby and has a bunch of younger kids that are providing impact. You are a joke if you think Tampa's roster isn't in better shape from top to bottom. They are a better team moving forward because they have kids like Johnson (24), Kucherov (21), Palat (24), Killorn (25), Drouin (20), Namestnikov (22). We have Bennett.

People who think the Pens are close to a Cup, like you, have zero clue about much to be honest. Look at the product. This organization is a very flawed organization with its two headliners. We have zero depth on the roster and zero depth in the system. We are at the cap and have no where to run. I would trade this roster for Tampa's without question. Most normal people would. You aren't normal.

Until this organization changes direction in the way it goes about business, we are stuck with two superstars and little chance of winning a Cup. It takes more than two players to win a Cup, last time I checked.
- Oneonta Penguin

Carryover from last blog...

Tampa and Pittsburgh are the teams I cover the absolute closest and I think I know quite a bit about both. They don't have a superstar on the same level as Malkin or Crosby, Stamkos isn't even the best player on his team let alone on the same level as those 2. Crosby and Malkin are way more complete players, especially as Centers. They are providing impact... in the regular season. Watching nearly every Lightning game this season... I just do not see them as a team that is built for the playoffs. If they do get past the Wings, I see them struggling against big, physical teams like NYI, NYR, and WSH... and hell.. IF they get to the cup, ANA or STL might be waiting. They just are not a very physical team at all, not very big either.. a couple tall guys but no one that can really throw around the body.. or get to the dirty areas to score goals. And that was evident last night... Mrazek gave up rebounds galore, but no one on TB could muscle their way to the puck.

Pittsburgh has the groundwork for a championship team, they've been to the cup finals, won once, and been to the ECF. I do agree that the organization is the problem, but it by no means is the players on the rosters fault, hell I'm not even sure if it's MJ's fault. I do place the blame on Rutherford (although I have liked some of his moves, but hated others) and the scouts. That was my first question, why did he not fire all of the scouts that have been drafting terribly in the first place? If you're going to clean house (GM, Coach, etc...), why would the scouts who have provided you with inadequate depth go as well?

I personally believe that Pittsburgh's core players are better than Tampa's core players. It is up to the GM to fully flesh out the rest of that roster, but with terrible contracts given to Scuderi/Spaling/Sutter/etc. and acquiring the likes of Lapi/Lovejoy (at the time, I understood the trade... and I'll admit.. he looks god awful right now.) are proving detrimental to the team, BUT with the right GM, with the right mindset, this team can easily be flipped around. I just don't think GMJR is the man to do it, although I do think he delivered a step in the right direction, but has also taken a small step backwards.

Carryover from last blog...

Tampa and Pittsburgh are the teams I cover the absolute closest and I think I know quite a bit about both. They don't have a superstar on the same level as Malkin or Crosby, Stamkos isn't even the best player on his team let alone on the same level as those 2. Crosby and Malkin are way more complete players, especially as Centers. They are providing impact... in the regular season. Watching nearly every Lightning game this season... I just do not see them as a team that is built for the playoffs. If they do get past the Wings, I see them struggling against big, physical teams like NYI, NYR, and WSH... and hell.. IF they get to the cup, ANA or STL might be waiting. They just are not a very physical team at all, not very big either.. a couple tall guys but no one that can really throw around the body.. or get to the dirty areas to score goals. And that was evident last night... Mrazek gave up rebounds galore, but no one on TB could muscle their way to the puck.

Pittsburgh has the groundwork for a championship team, they've been to the cup finals, won once, and been to the ECF. I do agree that the organization is the problem, but it by no means is the players on the rosters fault, hell I'm not even sure if it's MJ's fault. I do place the blame on Rutherford (although I have liked some of his moves, but hated others) and the scouts. That was my first question, why did he not fire all of the scouts that have been drafting terribly in the first place? If you're going to clean house (GM, Coach, etc...), why would the scouts who have provided you with inadequate depth go as well?

I personally believe that Pittsburgh's core players are better than Tampa's core players. It is up to the GM to fully flesh out the rest of that roster, but with terrible contracts given to Scuderi/Spaling/Sutter/etc. and acquiring the likes of Lapi/Lovejoy (at the time, I understood the trade... and I'll admit.. he looks god awful right now.) are proving detrimental to the team, BUT with the right GM, with the right mindset, this team can easily be flipped around. I just don't think GMJR is the man to do it, although I do think he delivered a step in the right direction, but has also taken a small step backwards.
- j.boyd919

In regards to the scouting staff, once you fire them, you have to replace them. It's difficult to replace an entire staff like that especially considering any scout worth a lick is already employed by another team.

Carryover from last blog...

Tampa and Pittsburgh are the teams I cover the absolute closest and I think I know quite a bit about both. They don't have a superstar on the same level as Malkin or Crosby, Stamkos isn't even the best player on his team let alone on the same level as those 2. Crosby and Malkin are way more complete players, especially as Centers. They are providing impact... in the regular season. Watching nearly every Lightning game this season... I just do not see them as a team that is built for the playoffs. If they do get past the Wings, I see them struggling against big, physical teams like NYI, NYR, and WSH... and hell.. IF they get to the cup, ANA or STL might be waiting. They just are not a very physical team at all, not very big either.. a couple tall guys but no one that can really throw around the body.. or get to the dirty areas to score goals. And that was evident last night... Mrazek gave up rebounds galore, but no one on TB could muscle their way to the puck.

Pittsburgh has the groundwork for a championship team, they've been to the cup finals, won once, and been to the ECF. I do agree that the organization is the problem, but it by no means is the players on the rosters fault, hell I'm not even sure if it's MJ's fault. I do place the blame on Rutherford (although I have liked some of his moves, but hated others) and the scouts. That was my first question, why did he not fire all of the scouts that have been drafting terribly in the first place? If you're going to clean house (GM, Coach, etc...), why would the scouts who have provided you with inadequate depth go as well?

I personally believe that Pittsburgh's core players are better than Tampa's core players. It is up to the GM to fully flesh out the rest of that roster, but with terrible contracts given to Scuderi/Spaling/Sutter/etc. and acquiring the likes of Lapi/Lovejoy (at the time, I understood the trade... and I'll admit.. he looks god awful right now.) are proving detrimental to the team, BUT with the right GM, with the right mindset, this team can easily be flipped around. I just don't think GMJR is the man to do it, although I do think he delivered a step in the right direction, but has also taken a small step backwards.
- j.boyd919

The Pens no doubt have a better core. Their surrounding cast is much better than ours. As well as being young and cost controlled. We are in a hole because we have no picks and our only hope is Kap and Sundqvist, which who knows about them. They're unproven. Could flop, or Kap could become our Tarasenko. Sutter produces for his pay, maybe .5 overpaid but what are you going to do with that much? Sign another Adams? Scuds will give us another guy, but with Ward probably being the best FA this offseason, he will make that much money. If we sign him, we will hear everyone female doging about a 3mil third liner like he's supposed to produce like a top 6 guy.

In regards to the scouting staff, once you fire them, you have to replace them. It's difficult to replace an entire staff like that especially considering any scout worth a lick is already employed by another team.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah, top scouts aren't just sitting around. We probably have the same if not better scouts than what's out there.

In regards to the scouting staff, once you fire them, you have to replace them. It's difficult to replace an entire staff like that especially considering any scout worth a lick is already employed by another team.
- rangerdanger94

I understand that, but if the current staff hasn't provided anything in how many years.. what good is it to have them?

Rangers better be careful because if Pittsburgh can play the way they did in the 2nd and 3rd this won't be a walk in the park for the Rangers..If Pittsburgh can steal tomorrow's game and catch fire at home and maybe get 2 wins they Rangers will be in trouble but we all know how Pittsburgh deals with 3-1 leads....Penalties were absolutely outrageous with the non calls sure perron and downie the ass clown was penalties for sure but comeau interference and kunitz bumping precious pretty boy Hank was uncalled for..seen refs run into players harder than that....Crosby doubled teamed nothing you can do about that but Malkin was a beast...Rangers better be worried and ready for a long series......one more thing...rangers fans are big mouths.... Didn't start freaking out untill they knew the game was safe with 10 seconds left...to me that is scared!!!!!

Carryover from last blog...

Tampa and Pittsburgh are the teams I cover the absolute closest and I think I know quite a bit about both. They don't have a superstar on the same level as Malkin or Crosby, Stamkos isn't even the best player on his team let alone on the same level as those 2. Crosby and Malkin are way more complete players, especially as Centers. They are providing impact... in the regular season. Watching nearly every Lightning game this season... I just do not see them as a team that is built for the playoffs. If they do get past the Wings, I see them struggling against big, physical teams like NYI, NYR, and WSH... and hell.. IF they get to the cup, ANA or STL might be waiting. They just are not a very physical team at all, not very big either.. a couple tall guys but no one that can really throw around the body.. or get to the dirty areas to score goals. And that was evident last night... Mrazek gave up rebounds galore, but no one on TB could muscle their way to the puck.

Pittsburgh has the groundwork for a championship team, they've been to the cup finals, won once, and been to the ECF. I do agree that the organization is the problem, but it by no means is the players on the rosters fault, hell I'm not even sure if it's MJ's fault. I do place the blame on Rutherford (although I have liked some of his moves, but hated others) and the scouts. That was my first question, why did he not fire all of the scouts that have been drafting terribly in the first place? If you're going to clean house (GM, Coach, etc...), why would the scouts who have provided you with inadequate depth go as well?

I personally believe that Pittsburgh's core players are better than Tampa's core players. It is up to the GM to fully flesh out the rest of that roster, but with terrible contracts given to Scuderi/Spaling/Sutter/etc. and acquiring the likes of Lapi/Lovejoy (at the time, I understood the trade... and I'll admit.. he looks god awful right now.) are proving detrimental to the team, BUT with the right GM, with the right mindset, this team can easily be flipped around. I just don't think GMJR is the man to do it, although I do think he delivered a step in the right direction, but has also taken a small step backwards.
- j.boyd919

You believe Pittsburgh's core players are better? Malkin, Crosby, Horny and Fleury over the 15 competent players on the TB roster. Pittsburgh doesn't really have much of a core. It only ha three competent top six forwards. Notice, I'm not including Letang because he is more likely in the PB than on the ice.

Fact is fact ... Tampa has better balance, more competent/impactful players than Pittsburgh and is younger. It also has a much better developmental model. Anyone who suggests Pittsburgh is in better shape moving forward is lacking something upstairs.

I laugh at you people still female doging about the Goc/Lappy deal. Yep, like that one made big negative impact. Goc is nothing more than an average fourth line player. We would still be in this situation with him on this roster. You lose credibility with this statement.

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

The Pens no doubt have a better core. Their surrounding cast is much better than ours. As well as being young and cost controlled. We are in a hole because we have no picks and our only hope is Kap and Sundqvist, which who knows about them. They're unproven. Could flop, or Kap could become our Tarasenko. Sutter produces for his pay, maybe .5 overpaid but what are you going to do with that much? Sign another Adams? Scuds will give us another guy, but with Ward probably being the best FA this offseason, he will make that much money. If we sign him, we will hear everyone female doging about a 3mil third liner like he's supposed to produce like a top 6 guy.
- znagle

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.

Rangers controlled the game for good portions of the night. Pittsburgh really didn't get a lot of quality scoring chances. Penguins fans should feel good about last night, to an extent, but keep a little perspective.
- MidnightMarauder

thanks now I know how to feel about the game.

I laugh at you people still female doging about the Goc/Lappy deal. Yep, like that one made big negative impact. Goc is nothing more than an average fourth line player. We would still be in this situation with him on this roster. You lose credibility with this statement.
- Oneonta Penguin

Not arguing but bad moves add up quick though. Re-signing Kunitz, Dupuis, Scuderi at their age for that price and term. Giving Spaling $2.2M. Re-signing Adams based on no merit. Trading Goc for Lapierre. Letting valuable UFAs walk every year....

not a single 'one' of these moves kill a team but they all add up to a cumulative effect.

You believe Pittsburgh's core players are better? Malkin, Crosby, Horny and Fleury over the 15 competent players on the TB roster. Pittsburgh doesn't really have much of a core. It only ha three competent top six forwards. Notice, I'm not including Letang because he is more likely in the PB than on the ice.

Fact is fact ... Tampa has better balance, more competent/impactful players than Pittsburgh and is younger. It also has a much better developmental model. Anyone who suggests Pittsburgh is in better shape moving forward is lacking something upstairs.

I laugh at you people still female doging about the Goc/Lappy deal. Yep, like that one made big negative impact. Goc is nothing more than an average fourth line player. We would still be in this situation with him on this roster. You lose credibility with this statement.
- Oneonta Penguin

Tampa is in a completely different phase of their roster construction as well, when the Penguins were in their position, they were competing in the Stanley Cup finals, and winning it the next year. They've been retooling their roster for years and are finally reaping the benefits of it. Whereas the Penguins retooling of their roster happened around 2006-2008... and led to a Stanley Cup. If you want to suffer through the Penguins sucking for 4 or 5 years again at the bottom of the Standings, I'm sure we would have a "competent and more balanced team" after those years.

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

We can b*tch all day about the inability to draft young forwards. But we need to shift our focus on trades, and FA signings to get younger. And most of all, trust the young players we already have...

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

87-71-58-29

91-9-86-18 not sure on their contracts, but the team isn't built around them. They were DRAFT PICKS cough cough. Not sure if they are locked up long term either, unlike ours.

We can b*tch all day about the inability to draft young forwards. But we need to shift our focus on trades, and FA signings to get younger. And most of all, trust the young players we already have...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No FA's this year, Ward is the best and he will get 3mil for a third liner. Then we could female dog about that. Trading for young guys who are worth a damn will cost us a lot to get them, which we have no spare parts for. Of course we could trade our prospects, but then we're dipping our hand in one pool for another.

Not arguing but bad moves add up quick though. Re-signing Kunitz, Dupuis, Scuderi at their age for that price and term. Giving Spaling $2.2M. Re-signing Adams based on no merit. Trading Goc for Lapierre. Letting valuable UFAs walk every year....

not a single 'one' of these moves kill a team but they all add up to a cumulative effect.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He brought up specifically the Goc/Lappy deal. That is what I attacked. He makes it think Goc would make a significant difference here. Goc was an decent fourth line guy with some degree of impact. We are in the same predicament we are in with him on this roster as we are Lappy. With the way people think, we are the fourth seed if that trade is never made. That is a joke.

We can b*tch all day about the inability to draft young forwards. But we need to shift our focus on trades, and FA signings to get younger. And most of all, trust the young players we already have...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I just saw Casey Bailey this morning in State College and almost suggested he request a trade to the Pens

i will say this......we played better than i expected. i actually have some hope now. especially with the return of hoff and pouliat.

and i second that comment about pierre. my wife is a elementary school counsler and she sounded like a sailor last night. dude is an idiot.

he said the first goal fluery couldnt do anything about. but the second goal he shouldve had. that is completely opposite.

f pierre

(thank god hes not our gm)

87-71-58-29

91-9-86-18 not sure on their contracts, but the team isn't built around them. They were DRAFT PICKS cough cough. Not sure if they are locked up long term either, unlike ours.
- znagle

Letang and is uncertainties ... core player. Yep.


77 for Tampa is a better and younger Dman than Letang. His name is Viktor Hedman. I would put him down on that list very quickly. He is 24 and one of the better blue liners in the game. 27, Drouin will be a core player next year. Hell, some consider him a core player since he is only like 20 and producing in the league. You put Fleury, who I think is a solid goalie. One can argue if you are putting him, Ben Bishop could be core for them.

Does it matter if they were f*cking draft picks or not? Fact is, TB had drafted and developed quite well and we haven't. You are trying to take that element out of the equation. It's very relevant. That is the biggest thing that differentiates both organizations.

Letang and is uncertainties ... core player. Yep.


77 for Tampa is a better and younger Dman than Letang. His name is Viktor Hedman. I would put him down on that list very quickly. He is 24 and one of the better blue liners in the game. 27, Drouin will be a core player next year. Hell, some consider him a core player since he is only like 20 and producing in the league. You put Fleury, who I think is a solid goalie. One can argue if you are putting him, Ben Bishop could be core for them.

Does it matter if they were f*cking draft picks or not? Fact is, TB had drafted and developed quite well and we haven't. You are trying to take that element out of the equation. It's very relevant. That is the biggest thing that differentiates both organizations.
- Oneonta Penguin

im still a believer in our core. that being said, if were going to compare it to tampas, its not easy to make an argument for theirs, from top to bottom.

the pens have the one cup to the resume, and that is huge. its no guarantee tampas ever gets that. so in looking at overall legacy, the pens have a tremendous headstart. but if the question is erasing everything up until now and simply moving forward, the bolts have time and numbers on their side in a head to head comparison of assets.

If you want to suffer through the Penguins sucking for 4 or 5 years again at the bottom of the Standings, I'm sure we would have a "competent and more balanced team" after those years.
- j.boyd919

I doubt it because we would have traded away all the picks for rentals. The 2015 draft, one of the deepest drafts in recent history and we have a second and seventh rounder. Par for the course.

Fact is, they are younger, more balanced, and more talented. They have developed and surrounded Stamkos with young talent. Those facts can't be debated. We haven't done that. Have three competent top six forwards and a questionable backend. Take Martin and Ehrhoff out of the defense next year ... our defense has major questions.

Letang and is uncertainties ... core player. Yep.


77 for Tampa is a better and younger Dman than Letang. His name is Viktor Hedman. I would put him down on that list very quickly. He is 24 and one of the better blue liners in the game. 27, Drouin will be a core player next year. Hell, some consider him a core player since he is only like 20 and producing in the league. You put Fleury, who I think is a solid goalie. One can argue if you are putting him, Ben Bishop could be core for them.

Does it matter if they were f*cking draft picks or not? Fact is, TB had drafted and developed quite well and we haven't. You are trying to take that element out of the equation. It's very relevant. That is the biggest thing that differentiates both organizations.
- Oneonta Penguin

Forgot Hedman, I agree about him. Drouin and Pouliot are a wash.

And yes it matters if they are draft picks? Where do you think they got them? Free agents? No they are home grown cheap young talent. Something we're missing. And no, Kap and Sundqvist aren't the saviors us homers think. There's a chance, but they could also be Bennetts.