I don't know... the forward group and depth looks much better for sure but that defense doesn't scream Cup Contender to me. It relies on a lot of unproven players that have not yet played a full season in the NHL and our 2 main guys are serious question marks as far as health goes. A good, veteran, not too old dman would really round up our top4 quite nice but those come at a price...and unfortunately we don't have that spacer under the cap as of now.
- lpstjg

If they dont pan out you get a rental at the deadline... but the d depth is good to start the year. this is where a kunitz or sutter may help. Letang is a norris canidate if reasonably healthy... maatta is a top 2 player, DP looked good, cole did too. they have plenty of bottom paitring guys.

if duper gets on the 1st line I WILL GO ON A RAMPAGE!!!!!!!!1

He has done nothing to deserve that... yes injuries arent his fault nor blood clots but c'mon.. are you seriously saying duper on first line?!?!?

I would see if horn can play LW and perron RW and swap those two.. maybe throw kuni on 2nd line with geno and plot on 3rd line to get use to NA hockey
- nh4442

I think Duper will get a shot do to his history with cros... and he should. if it works... all that speed is orgasmically awesome, then it pushes depth down the lines. perron didnt work out... who knows about plotnikov, kunitz crashed, BB has been an utter failure.... I think it very possible duper is tried out up yop initially

I think the Pens would of been better off signing Williams for only two years and making a trade involving Sutter for Oshie. Resigning Winnik and Comeau. Not trading all those assets for Kessel. Yes, he's considered an elite talent but his two way game is seriously lacking and he does not go to battle in the corners/on the boards. Pens got rid of Neal because they were looking for "different kinds of players". Players that went to the net and battled. Kessel doesn't do this. He's a perimeter sniper much like Neal. Neal at least somewhat battled on the boards and had size though.

RW has had dedicated blogs about how players decline after 25 and that we shouldn't expect Crosby or Malkin to get any better...well now the Pens have another 6.75 mill a year tied up in a 27 year old for another what 6 or 7 years?

I'm pretty concerned about the back end. No Martin or Erhoff and relying on a lot of young pieces. D-men take the longest to develop. It's the hardest position for young players. A full 82 games + hopefully playoffs is a lot to ask of this kids. I'd like one more veteran D signed.

If the injury bug hits (like it has every year since leaving the Mellon aka the curse of the Igloo) then the Pens are in big trouble I think. Before last year the depth of the organization helped get through injuries. Last year they barely made playoffs because of injuries and how thin the organizational depth was. This year it's even thinner.

I think Duper will get a shot do to his history with cros... and he should. if it works... all that speed is orgasmically awesome, then it pushes depth down the lines. perron didnt work out... who knows about plotnikov, kunitz crashed, BB has been an utter failure.... I think it very possible duper is tried out up yop initially
- ChrisMS

Duper should and will get a shot during training camp and preseason on the top line... Hell, I think Kunitz might, as well as Perron... Kunitz I see is the lowest chance, to me, its between Dupuis and Perron.

wow... hatred for a man you've never met. what linemates did he have that were quality players? when was he ever asked to not be the man on his line? only times I can think of was when a non-healthy malkin was getting essentially warmup reps as a left wing returning from injury. And that didnt look to bad
- ChrisMS

The line was entirely ineffective with Malkin and Sutter together. Which is hard to so since Malkin can usually carry anyone. Comeau and Downie are solid third liners. Sutter cant pass or win puck battles. It pretty much dooms his line mates. Centers can't be passengers on a line.

Duper should and will get a shot during training camp and preseason on the top line... Hell, I think Kunitz might, as well as Perron... Kunitz I see is the lowest chance, to me, its between Dupuis and Perron.
- Guile

pretty much... as I said in the last blog, pens had 4 top 6 cemented.... and 4 serious contenders for the other spots, perron, plotnikov, kunitz, duper. the two "losers" go onto make an awesome third line.

If they dont pan out you get a rental at the deadline... but the d depth is good to start the year. this is where a kunitz or sutter may help. Letang is a norris canidate if reasonably healthy... maatta is a top 2 player, DP looked good, cole did too. they have plenty of bottom paitring guys.
- ChrisMS

I agree that they are good, but are really ready to be put in those roles? Pouliot, at time, really looked like he didn't belong in the top4 or even in the NHL (it's normal, it happens when developing a young dman). Cole has still not convinced me that he is a definitive lock for a top4 role on a 82 games seasons + playoffs but we will see. That's why I see our defense group as a big question mark. It could work out very nicely, but it could also just easily go down in flames.

Dupuis-Crosby-Kessel
Kunitz-Malkin-Hornqvist
Perron-Sutter-Bennett

The line was entirely ineffective with Malkin and Sutter together. Which is hard to so since Malkin can usually carry anyone. Comeau and Downie are solid third liners. Sutter cant pass or win puck battles. It pretty much dooms his line mates. Centers can't be passengers on a line.
- jfkst1

comeau was either hurt or playing top 6 most of the time.. downie was in the box most of the time. that line was ineffective because malkin was hurt... sutter haters like to see only one side of the argument... It says something when he is one of your best forwards in the playoffs. then again so was lapierre.

I think the Pens would of been better off signing Williams for only two years and making a trade involving Sutter for Oshie. Resigning Winnik and Comeau. Not trading all those assets for Kessel. Yes, he's considered an elite talent but his two way game is seriously lacking and he does not go to battle in the corners/on the boards. Pens got rid of Neal because they were looking for "different kinds of players". Players that went to the net and battled. Kessel doesn't do this. He's a perimeter sniper much like Neal. Neal at least somewhat battled on the boards and had size though.

RW has had dedicated blogs about how players decline after 25 and that we shouldn't expect Crosby or Malkin to get any better...well now the Pens have another 6.75 mill a year tied up in a 27 year old for another what 6 or 7 years?

I'm pretty concerned about the back end. No Martin or Erhoff and relying on a lot of young pieces. D-men take the longest to develop. It's the hardest position for young players. A full 82 games + hopefully playoffs is a lot to ask of this kids. I'd like one more veteran D signed.

If the injury bug hits (like it has every year since leaving the Mellon aka the curse of the Igloo) then the Pens are in big trouble I think. Before last year the depth of the organization helped get through injuries. Last year they barely made playoffs because of injuries and how thin the organizational depth was. This year it's even thinner.
- MattStrat

You know you've just named probably half of the NHL.

They play differently. Are you saying Getzlaf & Perry were poop last season? Hossa, Sharp how old is Keith?

We wanted a true top line winger for Sid & now we have one. How much did Kane just extend for (Hawks)? If you worry about injuries don't play your top players for more than 66% of games so you reduce the chances of injury.

Dupuis-Crosby-Kessel
Kunitz-Malkin-Hornqvist
Perron-Sutter-Bennett
- Lucas.Neilson

Forgot Plotnikov, who is being projected as mid 6 as well.

comeau was either hurt or playing top 6 most of the time.. downie was in the box most of the time. that line was ineffective because malkin was hurt... sutter haters like to see only one side of the argument... It says something when he is one of your best forwards in the playoffs. then again so was lapierre.
- ChrisMS

It says something if you really think Lapierre was good in the playoffs.

I agree that they are good, but are really ready to be put in those roles? Pouliot, at time, really looked like he didn't belong in the top4 or even in the NHL (it's normal, it happens when developing a young dman). Cole has still not convinced me that he is a definitive lock for a top4 role on a 82 games seasons + playoffs but we will see. That's why I see our defense group as a big question mark. It could work out very nicely, but it could also just easily go down in flames.
- lpstjg

I dont think talent makes it go down in flames... injuries might... but that is a gamble every team takes. pens played rangers in tight d games with martin, scuds, lovejoy, dumo, chorney, cole,dp. Think how much better letang / maatta look than martin in that top spot

It says something if you really think Lapierre was good in the playoffs.
- jfkst1

I says you didnt watch if you didnt notice him every shift he was out there. if he played like that during the regular season he would be a 3 million dollar thrid line center.

I just remember a large differential in points per game for hornqvist with each center. If the shot statistics sat that his point output with Malkin was flukey low, then give it a try.

We keep talking how Plotnikov might be a poor man's ryan Malone. We'll Hornqvist is the rich man's malone. Sid-Kessel and Malkin-horny is definitely worth a shot

I says you didnt watch if you didnt notice him every shift he was out there. if he played like that during the regular season he would be a 3 million dollar thrid line center.
- ChrisMS

It's very hard to remember Lapierre having that many productive shifts in the series vs the Rangers. But if you had the volume up really loud and just listened to Pierre McGuire and you believed everything he said then I understand why you think he had a good playoffs.

I says you didnt watch if you didnt notice him every shift he was out there. if he played like that during the regular season he would be a 3 million dollar thrid line center.
- ChrisMS

Lapierre is very noticeable...for all the wrong reasons. His great postseason amounted to 0 points and a -2 in five games decided by one goal. He will not be missed.

You know you've just named probably half of the NHL.

They play differently. Are you saying Getzlaf & Perry were poop last season? Hossa, Sharp how old is Keith?

We wanted a true top line winger for Sid & now we have one. How much did Kane just extend for (Hawks)? If you worry about injuries don't play your top players for more than 66% of games so you reduce the chances of injury.
- Aussiepenguin

You're right. He will do great here. I dont want to sound like I'm totally against Kessel. Our big two deserve elite on the wings after all these years. The back end concerns me the most. Also the future concerns me. Like 7 to 10 years from now. I've been a Pens fan a very long time. Long before Crosby/Malkin and will be long after Crosby/Malkin. Would love to see the Pens be competitive after they both retire. At this rate they wont be.

I dont think talent makes it go down in flames... injuries might... but that is a gamble every team takes. pens played rangers in tight d games with martin, scuds, lovejoy, dumo, chorney, cole,dp. Think how much better letang / maatta look than martin in that top spot
- ChrisMS

They were tight D games for sure, but really the Pens created barely any offense during those games except in some short spurts. The Pens game plan had to be adjusted and the forwards had to commit to play in their defensive zone and support their Dmen more than usual which really impacted the transition game and the offense aspect of their game. We can't be doing that over 82 games. But you are right, any lineup including Letang and Mattaa will be superior to what we had last season at the end but it's still a big question to mark whether or not they will be in it at that time. The success of the season will rely on the health of those 2.

So if MJ us going with the 'pairs' strategy again this year, who is with who?

Sid - Kessel? Sid - Horny? Geno - Kessel? Geno - Plot?

Kuni - ? Sutter - BB? Etc?

It's very hard to remember Lapierre having that many productive shifts in the series vs the Rangers. But if you had the volume up really loud and just listened to Pierre McGuire and you believed everything he said then I understand why you think he had a good playoffs.
- nurk

I disagree but regardless that was funny.

Lapierre is very noticeable...for all the wrong reasons. His great postseason amounted to 0 points and a -2 in five games decided by one goal. He will not be missed.
- jfkst1

I dont miss him... just making a point. There is validity in certain players uping there play in the playoffs...

You're right. He will do great here. I dont want to sound like I'm totally against Kessel. Our big two deserve elite on the wings after all these years. The back end concerns me the most. Also the future concerns me. Like 7 to 10 years from now. I've been a Pens fan a very long time. Long before Crosby/Malkin and will be long after Crosby/Malkin. Would love to see the Pens be competitive after they both retire. At this rate they wont be.
- MattStrat

Can you tell me tomorrows lottery numbers too? PM me so I dont have to split the take with anyone.

They are doing the same thing the flyers have done for years now. Cashing out the future for a chance to win now
- jmdodgeser4

The Penguins have been doing this for going on 8 years now.

They were tight D games for sure, but really the Pens created barely any offense during those games except in some short spurts. The Pens game plan had to be adjusted and the forwards had to commit to play in their defensive zone and support their Dmen more than usual which really impacted the transition game and the offense aspect of their game. We can't be doing that over 82 games. But you are right, any lineup including Letang and Mattaa will be superior to what we had last season at the end but it's still a big question to mark whether or not they will be in it at that time. The success of the season will rely on the health of those 2.
- lpstjg

it significant fo sure. but the success of MOST teams rely on the health of their top 2 d men.