I think Montreal has spent more if I am not mistaken...
- Misterbator

Does that make your GM a candidate for the can? The Habs look like money well spent but the a Flames........................................

You are the Pens coach...you have arguably the best player in the NHL over the past 10 years..playing like...well...not even close to the best player.

You see his body language...his effort level...his demeanor...none of it is right really.

You watch him interact with linemates and you scratch your head...what's up.

You know the best success he has had in the past 5 years is with Kunitz and Duper.

Even though they are both not the same players...neither is the guy wearing the C.

You think...maybe...if I get these guys together again...Crosby will find his game...find his drive.

It's worth a shot isn't it?

If you think coaching a team is all about possession stats and X's and O's...you are wrong.

It's about finding what works...period.

Might as well try this...sure it probably won't...but you got three guys all off their games...and the best they ever played was with eachother.

Why not give it a shot?


Oh...and there's also the distinct possibility that #87 asked to skate with these two...
- icedog97

Crosby has said multiple times he has never picked his linemates and I believe him

Clendening to sit for Warsofski tonight.
- Victoro311

Well that's no Thriller MJ.

That B (frank)ed right up!!

Well at least keeping Scudsmuffin on the ice, it may quicken the end for MJ & everyone here gets their wish!

I'm not experienced enough to form an educated opinion about the mechanics of the game. But I've played a physical pro sport & understand the results.

People complain just to complain because they are frustrated we don't clean the floor with teams. When we were winning a couple of years ago & died in the playoffs EVERYONE said that we should struggle through the year, throw our lines around & experiment - it doesn't matter as long as we reach the playoffs!!!

Now when that is happening everyone is complaining about the exact thing they wanted to happen! It's madness (that should be a capital M!)
- Aussiepenguin

Only one with sense sometimes!

Warsofsky is smallish but he's a good player. Still if nothing else has been this is another wake up call for Pouliot even though he's averaging a point a game as a dman, not much more he can do but he better do it.

And we with our poopty coach & under-performing captain have a better win record than them at the moment as we have a game in hand - (frank)ing incredible isn't it??

Their test that we have been going through started this year. Let's see how they go!

Their past is filled with glory which means zero for the future, they have had very few injuries & got the maximum out of I will say 98% of their roster which is outstanding! That's why they won 3 cups! Can't say the same about the Pens!
- Aussiepenguin

They miss Saad badly. Panarin has been a great find though. They don't have much defensive depth either. Still trust their organization's process more than any. They've earned that right.

wasnt that Disco's issue too? Didn't want to play the young guys?
- sammy87

it was

What makes Plotnikov/Sprong better than Kunitz/Dupuis at this point? I get that everyone wants the shiny new toy but I'm looking for tangible facts that Plotnikov/Sprong would be better than Kunitz/Dupuis.
- jaydogg1974

There is tangible evidence that Kuni and Duper have been terrible with Sid for over a year...its less about shiny new toy and more about continuing to do something that fails..

Yep. Well said.

Crosby needs players who can anticipate what he will do. He needs players who will also outwork the other team. He needs players who will get on the cycle yet have enough speed to get back when necessary.

More than anything, Crosby needs familiarity, because it's not easy playing with him.

IMO this is a great move and certainly worth a try. We'll see if it works, but reuniting a line that only a few years ago was the best line in hockey is a no-brainer
- hardnosed

Just watching Crosby gives me the sense that his issue is not totally the players he's playing with. He's played with Hornqvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, and Kessel this year on his wing. All but Kessel have played poorly on their own accord during their stint on his line, but Crosby has also played poorly on his own accord. I don't think having Kunitz and Dupuis flank him is going to fix his personal issues of errant passes, mediocre puck handling, and unagressive play. I guess I don't have a particular issue with trying it. I more so have an issue that Johnston thinks this is going to work and fix everything. Crosby and Kunitz together have sucked for an extended period of time together this season already. Dupuis and Crosby have sucked for an extended period of time together this season. Are they really incapable of playing good hockey as individuals unless all three are on the ice together? If that's the case, we need to seriously stop and reconsider what we think about them as hockey players, especially Crosby.

Apparently Maatta could b back in the lineup by the Ducks game. The Penguins have 3 days off in California between the first game and the Kings game. That could be a blessing in disguise having extended team bonding time in the hot sun. Maybe they will have enough fun to like eachother again?

Just watching Crosby gives me the sense that his issue is not totally the players he's playing with. He's played with Hornqvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, and Kessel this year on his wing. All but Kessel have played poorly on their own accord during their stint on his line, but Crosby has also played poorly on his own accord. I don't think having Kunitz and Dupuis flank him is going to fix his personal issues of errant passes, mediocre puck handling, and unagressive play. I guess I don't have a particular issue with trying it. I more so have an issue that Johnston thinks this is going to work and fix everything. Crosby and Kunitz together have sucked for an extended period of time together this season already. Dupuis and Crosby have sucked for an extended period of time together this season. Are they really incapable of playing good hockey as individuals unless all three are on the ice together? If that's the case, we need to seriously stop and reconsider what we think about them as hockey players, especially Crosby.
- Victoro311

I think it's such a d!ck thing to do. If his issue is the coach/management keep it there. People pay a lot to watch him play. To sulk on the ice is inexcusable for a professional. Look at it from PH or Perron's perspective. They are playing for their next contract. Say PH gets dumped to the 3rd line and next year gets hurt. Crosby could very well indirectly impact his next contract and career. Not many teams are going to say well you sucked with Crosby so Ill give you a raise and extension.

Apparently Maatta could b back in the lineup by the Ducks game. The Penguins have 3 days off in California between the first game and the Kings game. That could be a blessing in disguise having extended team bonding time in the hot sun. Maybe they will have enough fun to like eachother again?
- Dcoms

Only if scuds stays on the west coast... scuds to sj for a 7th..wait he is top 4 now... scuds for a 3rd

Letang dumo
Cole maatta
Cleds lovejoy
Poliout

The responses on this blog are like a negative tweet roll. I am not interested in reading all the pages just first and last.

I am not a head coach MJ fan either but I just don't have the stomach for it tonight.

I have such a great dinner with wine going that I don't want to spoil it, I guess.

the mismanage of sprong is pathetic. they play him 10 games JUST so his ecl starts then after that refuses to play him. MJ is/was a junior coach that NEVER rely on the young guns... a JUNIOR coach that is obsesed with veteran leader ship and hates young players... that should tell you how completly incompetent he really is
- martox

It's not about the 10 games. It's about 40 games. And they're doing a good job right now keeping on pace to be under 40, because at some point they might need him because of injury and he'll burn those games up.

Just watching Crosby gives me the sense that his issue is not totally the players he's playing with. He's played with Hornqvist, Kunitz, Dupuis, and Kessel this year on his wing. All but Kessel have played poorly on their own accord during their stint on his line, but Crosby has also played poorly on his own accord. I don't think having Kunitz and Dupuis flank him is going to fix his personal issues of errant passes, mediocre puck handling, and unagressive play. I guess I don't have a particular issue with trying it. I more so have an issue that Johnston thinks this is going to work and fix everything. Crosby and Kunitz together have sucked for an extended period of time together this season already. Dupuis and Crosby have sucked for an extended period of time together this season. Are they really incapable of playing good hockey as individuals unless all three are on the ice together? If that's the case, we need to seriously stop and reconsider what we think about them as hockey players, especially Crosby.
- Victoro311

But with Kessel on his wing he was looking to feed him. That's not Crosby's game, feeding a sniper. He's a great passer, but feeding a sniper is too obvious, especially when everyone's keyed on 87 to begin with.

Familiarity is important, it's not all about individual talent, it's about a rapport. Knowing where someone will be before they get there, knowing what a guy will do in a certain situation. Crosby has always thrived with familiarity. And Kunitz and Dupuis have been panned as Crosby's linemates a million times, so it's nothing new...they've always been doubted as a line, and they've typically proven the doubters wrong.

And Crosby not meshing well with any random winger is something that has always been a part of his deal. It's nothing new.

It's not about the 10 games. It's about 40 games. And they're doing a good job right now keeping on pace to be under 40, because at some point they might need him because of injury and he'll burn those games up.
- hardnosed

plz explain and yes I am serious

But with Kessel on his wing he was looking to feed him. That's not Crosby's game, feeding a sniper. He's a great passer, but feeding a sniper is too obvious, especially when everyone's keyed on 87 to begin with.

Familiarity is important, it's not all about individual talent, it's about a rapport. Knowing where someone will be before they get there, knowing what a guy will do in a certain situation. Crosby has always thrived with familiarity. And Kunitz and Dupuis have been panned as Crosby's linemates a million times, so it's nothing new...they've always been doubted as a line, and they've typically proven the doubters wrong.

And Crosby not meshing well with any random winger is something that has always been a part of his deal. It's nothing new.
- hardnosed

The 14/87/9 combo has yielded no tangible success proportional to expectations.

Why is it okay that 87 is the sword in the stone? None of the seven or eight wingers brought in specifically to play with him have worked. Most have worked just fine with Malkin once Malkin was given an opportunity.

Why don't they do to Sid what they did to Malkin when he was 'struggling' (playing with Zach Boychuk and Blake Comeau) and put 87 at RW on Nick Bonino's line?

But with Kessel on his wing he was looking to feed him. That's not Crosby's game, feeding a sniper. He's a great passer, but feeding a sniper is too obvious, especially when everyone's keyed on 87 to begin with.

Familiarity is important, it's not all about individual talent, it's about a rapport. Knowing where someone will be before they get there, knowing what a guy will do in a certain situation. Crosby has always thrived with familiarity. And Kunitz and Dupuis have been panned as Crosby's linemates a million times, so it's nothing new...they've always been doubted as a line, and they've typically proven the doubters wrong.

And Crosby not meshing well with any random winger is something that has always been a part of his deal. It's nothing new.
- hardnosed

My one final comment on this, and then I'll leave it alone until we see the KCD line in action again, is why then did the Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line look so good last year when all three were healthy? Hornqvist and Crosby looked like they were hockey soul mates last season. What are we blaming that lack of chemistry on this season? Last year's entire sample size was dumb luck? Hornqvist is playing that bad? I think there's something to be said for Crosby being at fault here. At least for some of it.

But with Kessel on his wing he was looking to feed him. That's not Crosby's game, feeding a sniper. He's a great passer, but feeding a sniper is too obvious, especially when everyone's keyed on 87 to begin with.

Familiarity is important, it's not all about individual talent, it's about a rapport. Knowing where someone will be before they get there, knowing what a guy will do in a certain situation. Crosby has always thrived with familiarity. And Kunitz and Dupuis have been panned as Crosby's linemates a million times, so it's nothing new...they've always been doubted as a line, and they've typically proven the doubters wrong.

And Crosby not meshing well with any random winger is something that has always been a part of his deal. It's nothing new.
- hardnosed

i agree with this to an extent. i do see the logic behind it, even if it is just crappy that this is what it is with crosby. but at some point, dupers and kunitz just arent able to do it anymore. im not saying that putting them together right now is a savior, or is it a death sentence. this team really has nothing to lose by trying it again. but at some point, crosby needs to be able to consistently work with other guys.

i really thought hornqvist was going to be that guy. they were great last year.

My one final comment on this, and then I'll leave it alone until we see the KCD line in action again, is why then did the Perron-Crosby-Hornqvist line look so good last year when all three were healthy? Hornqvist and Crosby looked like they were hockey soul mates last season. What are we blaming that lack of chemistry on this season? Last year's entire sample size was dumb luck? Hornqvist is playing that bad? I think there's something to be said for Crosby being at fault here. At least for some of it.
- Victoro311

i agree with this. im as big an 87 fanboy as they come. but he does need to assume some responsibility here.

i agree with this to an extent. i do see the logic behind it, even if it is just crappy that this is what it is with crosby. but at some point, dupers and kunitz just arent able to do it anymore. im not saying that putting them together right now is a savior, or is it a death sentence. this team really has nothing to lose by trying it again. but at some point, crosby needs to be able to consistently work with other guys.

i really thought hornqvist was going to be that guy. they were great last year.
- stayinthefnnet

What PH is is a specialist. He's a wonderful screen who can finish. He's not as good as Holmstrom or maybe Wayne Simmonds but he's really an amazing screen. It's something I have been desperately wanting for the Penguins in their current player phase. They have had shooters and passers, but no screen.

I get impatient with Gunner when he complains about Hornqvist not holding the puck long enough or making plays. He 'Just stands in front of the net'. Exactly.

I'll take 87, 71, and 81 against a goalie who cannot see sooner than I would take another perimeter shooter. What the Pens have now is a better fit on the PP with a right handed shooter and probably the second best screening forward in the NHL. It's really simple: use all of that talent to create a clear shooting lane, funnel the puck to the net, and stuff it in. Look back at the 50% PP from 2014-15 season and PH is always right there.

Yep. Well said.

Crosby needs players who can anticipate what he will do. He needs players who will also outwork the other team. He needs players who will get on the cycle yet have enough speed to get back when necessary.

More than anything, Crosby needs familiarity, because it's not easy playing with him.

IMO this is a great move and certainly worth a try. We'll see if it works, but reuniting a line that only a few years ago was the best line in hockey is a no-brainer
- hardnosed

It might work for a game or two, but there's no chance this is any kind of a long term answer. Unless those two found the fountain of youth, this experiment will be over within a week....two at the most. Duper on the first line should have ended a while ago, but I guess MJ is doubling down on a bad idea.

What the Penguins need to do is stop bullpoopting and get a #1 defenseman right away. That would really help things a lot. Maybe not the PP; all that could really use aside from 87 not running things form the half wall. I wish 87 would position himself like Danny Briere used to around the net and score those classic poacher goals. That's hockey in 2016. Maybe trade for Marchand if 87 can't or won't do it.

plz explain and yes I am serious
- martox

A player can play 39 games and have it not count as one of their 7 years of service required for UFA.

9/10 games is to stay on an ELC, so they'll still need to deal with RFA/arbitration a year earlier. But they can avoid having him become a UFA at 24 by having him play less than 40 games this year.

What PH is is a specialist. He's a wonderful screen who can finish. He's not as good as Holmstrom or maybe Wayne Simmonds but he's really an amazing screen. It's something I have been desperately wanting for the Penguins in their current player phase. They have had shooters and passers, but no screen.

I get impatient with Gunner when he complains about Hornqvist not holding the puck long enough or making plays. He 'Just stands in front of the net'. Exactly.

I'll take 87, 71, and 81 against a goalie who cannot see sooner than I would take another perimeter shooter. What the Pens have now is a better fit on the PP with a right handed shooter and probably the second best screening forward in the NHL. It's really simple: use all of that talent to create a clear shooting lane, funnel the puck to the net, and stuff it in. Look back at the 50% PP from 2014-15 season and PH is always right there.
- Johnny Wrath

This is pretty on point. This is why I've refrained from giving Hornqvist flak on the level that some do, even though he is deserving of some criticism. Hornqvist isn't a skilled player. He's not particularly fast, he doesn't have an accurate shot, and he doesn't have the most touch on his pass. He is incredibly good at bull dogging in front of the net, though. But because of his afore mentioned weaknesses, he's a pretty useless player if the skill on his line isn't playing effectively. A sub par Crosby or Malkin will render Hornqvist useless, and that's basically what has happened.