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

Nobody knows what's going to happen - just look at the Yotes fiasco with their arena?? There's always going to be draft picks & talent coming through to be picked up. We may already have the next big thing (under McD) in our system who knows - probably not but just throwing it out there. Who could predict a 22 pick would end up like Maatta? Anything can & will happen & we can't do anything about it so strap yourself in & enjoy the ride!

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?
- Aussiepenguin

rtherford talked about establishing "wingers" for sid and geno. not sure about the pairs thing... but its prob sid-kessel, geno-horny if so.

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

If "upping" their play doesn't result in positive on ice results, then it's worthless. Postseason is results time. The process is irrelevant then.

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

I see what you did there...but come on...you don't have to be Nostradamus to know that trading all these picks and prospects the last 7 years wont come back to haunt down the line.

The problem is there is no point in going for it this year. Like the the flyers, the pens are not a cup contender as the rosters sit right now. Neither team is getting through tampa, rangers, Washington, and im sure Im forgetting a few teams in the east that have gotten better. Heck, Id watch out for the panthers this year as well as islanders. The pens have the two best players in the league but they cant win it themselves, otherwise you would have had many more cups already.
- jmdodgeser4

I disagree with you. Feel free to talk about it in the Flyers thread though.

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

For sure, but I don't believe any other team has that much uncertainty regarding their top 2 Dmen health than the Pens. Maybe a deal can be done mid season (not the Lovejoy type deal) to acquire a good Dman that fits the top4 but rare are the teams trading a good top4 dman during a season.

Nobody knows what's going to happen - just look at the Yotes fiasco with their arena?? There's always going to be draft picks & talent coming through to be picked up. We may already have the next big thing (under McD) in our system who knows - probably not but just throwing it out there. Who could predict a 22 pick would end up like Maatta? Anything can & will happen & we can't do anything about it so strap yourself in & enjoy the ride!
- Aussiepenguin

careful... optimism is often frowned upon in here. try to point out that the pens are among the most successful franchises in the past 8 years or so... got a cup... survived the start of the cap with core intact... have players signed to cap friendly hits (as opposed to whats coming down the line (cough, kaeos). A fan base thats blessed enough to watch, and have watched, the top talents in the game. My theory is that people that suffered through the lottery years got so used to being down that they dont know what to do with themselves.

I see what you did there...but come on...you don't have to be Nostradamus to know that trading all these picks and prospects the last 7 years wont come back to haunt down the line.
- MattStrat

it may it may not. if they continue to do it for the next 3-4 years then maybe. but with a window of about 4-5 years now with productive top talents (so long as malkin doesnt bolt for rusia at some point) then they have time to rebuild farm system while remaining productive.

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

I love Duper, but he has no place on the first line with the talent we have.

Perron - Crosby - Kessel
Plot - Malkin - Horny
Kunitz - Sutter (unless we can get rid of him) - Duper
Rust - Sund - Bennet

I think any 3 of those LW's are interchangeable depending on how they look in preseason and where the chemistry is. If Kunitz can return to form, I would put him on the top line over Duper in a heart beat. If we can upgrade that 3C, all the better.

For sure, but I don't believe any other team has that much uncertainty regarding their top 2 Dmen health than the Pens. Maybe a deal can be done mid season (not the Lovejoy type deal) to acquire a good Dman that fits the top4 but rare are the teams trading a good top4 dman during a season.
- lpstjg

no... would have to be a team near deadline out of the race.

I love Duper, but he has no place on the first line with the talent we have.

Perron - Crosby - Kessel
Plot - Malkin - Horny
Kunitz - Sutter (unless we can get rid of him) - Duper
Rust - Sund - Bennet

I think any 3 of those LW's are interchangeable depending on how they look in preseason and where the chemistry is. If Kunitz can return to form, I would put him on the top line over Duper in a heart beat. If we can upgrade that 3C, all the better.
- thickman1178

if duper is even close to what he was with sid then he beats out perron every time. he looked lost on that line.

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

Noticing a guy being out there and having him actually be effective are two different things. At the end of the day, for all his running around, how many points did he score? For all that "in your face" play, how intimidated did the Rags really seem?

Lappy was useless.

I agree they should sign semin for malkins wing he should be a cheap option that could produce well playing with malkin. I would also be looking to package Sutter and Bennett in a trade now.

Noticing a guy being out there and having him actually be effective are two different things. At the end of the day, for all his running around, how many points did he score? For all that "in your face" play, how intimidated did the Rags really seem?

Lappy was useless.
- thickman1178

He was one of the only players that looked like he gave a poop each and every shift. He created chances for his... um.... linemates...

For sure, but I don't believe any other team has that much uncertainty regarding their top 2 Dmen health than the Pens. Maybe a deal can be done mid season (not the Lovejoy type deal) to acquire a good Dman that fits the top4 but rare are the teams trading a good top4 dman during a season.
- lpstjg

I think we have questions over our whole D lineup. Who starts with who & how they go early will determine how much trouble we are in. If we can get through the learning curve for these young guys without too many losses then great. If we can't then the chopping & changing is going to cause great argument on here.

Can our young D develop into a force - I think & hope so. Will it happen this year???? Can we out score our issues - that's going to be great to see. Mike Lange is starting to roll them out in the shower already!

it may it may not. if they continue to do it for the next 3-4 years then maybe. but with a window of about 4-5 years now with productive top talents (so long as malkin doesnt bolt for rusia at some point) then they have time to rebuild farm system while remaining productive.
- ChrisMS

All very true. In the meantime I hope Gary Roberts turns Kessel into a lean mean machine this summer.

careful... optimism is often frowned upon in here. try to point out that the pens are among the most successful franchises in the past 8 years or so... got a cup... survived the start of the cap with core intact... have players signed to cap friendly hits (as opposed to whats coming down the line (cough, kaeos). A fan base thats blessed enough to watch, and have watched, the top talents in the game. My theory is that people that suffered through the lottery years got so used to being down that they dont know what to do with themselves.
- ChrisMS

There is a fine line between expectation and appreciation.

Prior to drafting Sid, I appreciated a winning season. Now I expect it.

Prior to drafting Sid, I would have been thankful to make the playoffs. Now I expect it.

Anything short of at least a Stanley Cup finals appearance and I feel cheated. Fan mentality and expectations.

Noticing a guy being out there and having him actually be effective are two different things. At the end of the day, for all his running around, how many points did he score? For all that "in your face" play, how intimidated did the Rags really seem?

Lappy was useless.
- thickman1178

Took a lot of D zone faceoffs that he won. Just saying............

All very true. In the meantime I hope Gary Roberts turns Kessel into a lean mean machine this summer.
- MattStrat

scary gary is going to glare the jowls right off him!

if duper is even close to what he was with sid then he beats out perron every time. he looked lost on that line.
- ChrisMS

Perron looked great when he first got here and went through a bit of a slide. No doubt in my mind that Perron has more skill than Duper. Especially when Duper hasn't really played in 2 seasons. He has a lot to show and will have to earn that first line spot if he wants it.

Hornquist will be a left wing this season I guarentee it. That line would be the perfect attributes wise. Hopefully Bennet comes back as the Beau of last years training camp befor the collision with Kapanan. Malkin with Bennet and Perron is pretty damn decent. Kunitz Sutter(yuck) and Plotnikov is really good especially with a Sutter upgrade and Dupuis Sundquist Wilson or my dark horse Farnham as a 4th line is great too. Tons of depth, scoring, youth and speed and some experience sprinkled in.

There is a fine line between expectation and appreciation.

Prior to drafting Sid, I appreciated a winning season. Now I expect it.

Prior to drafting Sid, I would have been thankful to make the playoffs. Now I expect it.

Anything short of at least a Stanley Cup finals appearance and I feel cheated. Fan mentality and expectations.
- thickman1178

cheated... I dont feel the same. disappointed.. yes... but cheated? with all the luck (puck and health) that goes into a playoff run, I find it hard to feel cheated.

He was one of the only players that looked like he gave a poop each and every shift. He created chances for his... um.... linemates...
- ChrisMS

I do agree that he looked like he cared. But saying that made him effective is inaccurate. If anything all it did was portray how crappy the rest of the team looked in comparison when he is the guy out there busting his butt.

But then again, that's really all he can say for himself is that he tries hard. We can send him a "participation" medal for giving a poop, I guess.

I do agree that he looked like he cared. But saying that made him effective is inaccurate. If anything all it did was portray how crappy the rest of the team looked in comparison when he is the guy out there busting his butt.

But then again, that's really all he can say for himself is that he tries hard. We can send him a "participation" medal for giving a poop, I guess.
- thickman1178

well... I liked him out there. not sad he's gone... instantly replaceable.

cheated... I dont feel the same. disappointed.. yes... but cheated? with all the luck (puck and health) that goes into a playoff run, I find it hard to feel cheated.
- ChrisMS

Potato, Potatoe? I just meant that I feel we should at least make it to the final every year. That's what I have come to expect from this team or its a let down otherwise.

Not saying its plausible, or that its not difficult (especially given out division and its increasing talent level), or that injuries don't play a factor. I realize all this. But I'm a diehard fan with high expectations. And I think, given the talent our team has, that more has been expected of them since 2009. Especially when you look at the Hawks and think "that could have been us".