I say we start a petition to get scuderi out of there. He is awful.

I'm slowly getting into the bandwagon of shipping out Kunitz for defensive help. If Bennett can keep playing well and sprong can stay up, Kunitz definitely should go. I'd also love to see them resign Perron

I don't know who's responsible for keeping him in the lineup, but they are idiots if they really think Scuderi should be playing. Not only does he suck, the Pens yet again are not letting young dmen get TOI to develop. It's like they've learned absolutely nothing from prospect mismanagement in the recent past.
- jfkst1

Sounds like youre talking about the Islanders and Brian Strait. Same situation just a different name and after watching Scuderi play I can honestly say Strait is worse.

By the way.....I'm with Wilson on this one......it's mostly fluery's fault.

Gwg was weak as hell. So was the one where "wast of space" was screening fluery.

And crosby looks terrible. Maybe it's nerves from playing with kessel. What ever it is it needs to change in a hurry.

I'm slowly getting into the bandwagon of shipping out Kunitz for defensive help. If Bennett can keep playing well and sprong can stay up, Kunitz definitely should go. I'd also love to see them resign Perron
- drummer829

While I agree with you, the major issue here is that Bennett has proven time and time again that he can't play LW. Didn't look good there during the Bylsma era and he had a lack luster start this season until Plotter was moved to 3LW and he was shifted back to the right side. We're still taking a major leap of faith that someone can step up to the top 6 LW possition if we ship off Kunitz. Plotnikov doesn't look ready, Beau can't play the left side, and to my knowledge Sprong has never played the left. Our best bet is Dupuis, who is currently injured.

I've tried to be reasonable but if we're winless after 5 games and two of those losses came to the Coyotes and the Mapel Leafs then I think it's reasonable to start asking questions about whether or not Johnston should go.
- Victoro311

I'm in the same boat my friend. Like I said in the last blog, Johnson is a better x's and o's coach than Bylsma but Bylsma was a batter motivator/fire starter. Not very often I saw the Pens take big chunks of games off and especially games like that in a row under Bylsma.

I'm in the same boat my friend. Like I said in the last blog, Johnson is a better x's and o's coach than Bylsma but Bylsma was a batter motivator/fire starter. Not very often I saw the Pens take big chunks of games off and especially games like that in a row under Bylsma.
- MattStrat

My only worry is where do we go from there. I'd feel leagues more comfortable if Hines was around. Starting to think we really missed out there. If Claud Julian gets fired then I'd feel more comfortable, but would his system work with our personnel?

I'll take a slow start over a slow finish. Not worried.

I'll take a slow start over a slow finish. Not worried.
- brienstel

Amen to that too though....we've had our fair share of amazing starts and disappointing endings in recent history.

I'll take a slow start over a slow finish. Not worried.
- brienstel

At least the team was putting in a good effort in the slow finish last year. They just didn't have the talent to win enough games. They aren't even putting in a good effort and it's most of the top players that are guilty of that.

My only worry is where do we go from there. I'd feel leagues more comfortable if Hines was around. Starting to think we really missed out there. If Claud Julian gets fired then I'd feel more comfortable, but would his system work with our personnel?
- Victoro311

Who knows? My first feeling is no...but who really knows. I think a big part of the reason the Pens won in 2009 (and almost in 2008) was Therrian's defensive minded system. Sure Bylsma took over in 2009 but if Therrian hadn't made them the defensive team they were, they would of never of done it. Bylsma came in and fired them up. Motivated them and got them believing they could again.

When a team rebuilds they first need to miss a few playoffs, draft well and improve from within. The formula is well tested.

We talk less about the backside of the model. Specifically, when a rebuilding team does finally make the playoffs they have about an 8 year window to shoot for the top prize. After the window of opportunity has been exhausted they begin a slow steady decline. On paper they look like a good team. But......

How do you know a team is caught in a cycle of decline. "Ye shall know them by the absence of their fruit." Decline is primarily evidenced by performance failure that is apparent in the final outcome.

When a team rebuilds they first need to miss a few playoffs, draft well and improve from within. The formula is well tested.

We talk less about the backside of the model. Specifically, when a rebuilding team does finally make the playoffs they have about an 8 year window to shoot for the top prize. After the window of opportunity has been exhausted they begin a slow steady decline. On paper they look like a good team. But......

How do you know a team is caught in a cycle of decline. "Ye shall know them by the absence of their fruit." Decline is primarily evidenced by performance failure that is apparent in the final outcome.
- spatso

give me whatever ur having..

seriously, wht were u smoking when u typed this?

When a team rebuilds they first need to miss a few playoffs, draft well and improve from within. The formula is well tested.

We talk less about the backside of the model. Specifically, when a rebuilding team does finally make the playoffs they have about an 8 year window to shoot for the top prize. After the window of opportunity has been exhausted they begin a slow steady decline. On paper they look like a good team. But......

How do you know a team is caught in a cycle of decline. "Ye shall know them by the absence of their fruit." Decline is primarily evidenced by performance failure that is apparent in the final outcome.
- spatso

Cool dude...

give me whatever ur having..

seriously, wht were u smoking when u typed this?

- wingz4life

I want some too

I'm slowly getting into the bandwagon of shipping out Kunitz for defensive help. If Bennett can keep playing well and sprong can stay up, Kunitz definitely should go. I'd also love to see them resign Perron
- drummer829

OK, I'll play ... what defensive help would Kunitz bring in return? Be honest with yourself.

In addition, Perron has done what, outside of 2.5 weeks last year, to show you why he should be extended?

Sounds like youre talking about the Islanders and Brian Strait. Same situation just a different name and after watching Scuderi play I can honestly say Strait is worse.
- Cptmjl

I have a Strait jersey. Great islander.

When a team rebuilds they first need to miss a few playoffs, draft well and improve from within. The formula is well tested.

We talk less about the backside of the model. Specifically, when a rebuilding team does finally make the playoffs they have about an 8 year window to shoot for the top prize. After the window of opportunity has been exhausted they begin a slow steady decline. On paper they look like a good team. But......

How do you know a team is caught in a cycle of decline. "Ye shall know them by the absence of their fruit." Decline is primarily evidenced by performance failure that is apparent in the final outcome.
- spatso

Ye shall know the stoner by the absence of their logic

Well, at least our third line looks great.

Now if only out top6 comes to play and Scuderi is benched I feel we can get a win in october!

Well, at least our third line looks great.

Now if only out top6 comes to play and Scuderi is benched I feel we can get a win in october!
- Conse

This is actually a big positive to me. If the top two lines get their poop together look out. Time for Malkin and Kessel. We already know Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist (and Dupuis) are very effective lines.

OK, I'll play ... what defensive help would Kunitz bring in return? Be honest with yourself.

In addition, Perron has done what, outside of 2.5 weeks last year, to show you why he should be extended?
- Oneonta Penguin

You werent responding to me but I think Kunitz would return a similarly aged top 4 defenseman or one on an expiring contract. Maybe even someone like Emelin.

Side note..I'd like to snag up Mattias Eckholm from nashville.

I think Perron should be extended too. I just like the way he plays (when healthy). Lots of skill and underrated grit. With Kooney and Duper at their ages...we need to keep our NHL top 6 wingers under 30.

Rossi already saying we need to trade Malkin

You werent responding to me but I think Kunitz would return a similarly aged top 4 defenseman or one on an expiring contract. Maybe even someone like Emelin.

Side note..I'd like to snag up Mattias Eckholm from nashville.

I think Perron should be extended too. I just like the way he plays (when healthy). Lots of skill and underrated grit. With Kooney and Duper at their ages...we need to keep our NHL top 6 wingers under 30.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree with you. Perron hasn't proven to be a top 6 winger but he has proven to be a top 9 winger who can slot up and not be lost in the top 6. I am comfortable giving ~4 mil to that type of player especially when he can play either wing. We have to do something about our forward depth with Kunitz and Dupuis moving on soon

Rossi already saying we need to trade Malkin
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree with you. Perron hasn't proven to be a top 6 winger but he has proven to be a top 9 winger who can slot up and not be lost in the top 6. I am comfortable giving ~4 mil to that type of player especially when he can play either wing. We have to do something about our forward depth with Kunitz and Dupuis moving on soon
- Victoro311

How dare you bad mouth Canadian Olympic hero Chris Kunitz.