The Dupuis/Scuds buyouts after this year will move the team forward a ton. Kunitz is also a potential buyout. Plug-in the young fowards in the systems and maybe add another cullen level good analytics signing for basically free. Then use the cash we suddenly have to add a 2/3 dman whose in the 28-30 age range.

Those moves should suddenly get rid of the deadweight on the roster (provided crosby/malkin do not fall off a cliff).
- sditulli

I truly think you could trade Kunitz and dupuis for something (although it could be a small return depending on how they trend). Dupuis might not get much with his blood clotting issues, but it's not like the guy can't play anymore. Still a solid PKer and he looked fine on the bottom 6

Ryan...I do respect your opinion...but you have to see what this is about, right?

It's all about Crosby's state of mind.

Putting him with his old buddies...the coach is hoping to get the 'old' Crosby back.

This team will be a decent contender...whenever...if ever...Crosby starts playing like a guy that enjoys the game.

I think I said that before the season started too.

You guy's need a guy like Komarov.

10 goals, can play centre or wing, PK, PP, defensively sound and the complete heart and soul of a team. Never takes a shift off. Beauty.
- walshyleafsfan

Isn't that guy named Eric Fehr? Or is it Nick Bonino? Wait, I think it's Matt Cullen.

I believe we have plenty of those type of guys.

We have depth, but it doesnt do any good if MJ only tries Dupuis, Kunitz and Horny on the top Line. We have other players who could play there and see if they spark something. It's still kinda early in the season, we can afford trying different things.

Anyway, I don't have faith in this coach anymore. Scuderi is playing top minutes. I bet Clendening will be sent to the press box after Maatta come back.

I truly think you could trade Kunitz and dupuis for something (although it could be a small return depending on how they trend). Dupuis might not get much with his blood clotting issues, but it's not like the guy can't play anymore. Still a solid PKer and he looked fine on the bottom 6
- drummer829

I don't think you could find a team that would take on Kunitz or Dupuis, You can't put the blame on them they were great players for you guys but they are well into their thirties now. No young players have been added to addically replace them. Looking at the forward lines I'm shocked how bad it looks.

I don't think you could find a team that would take on Kunitz or Dupuis, You can't put the blame on them they were great players for you guys but they are well into their thirties now. No young players have been added to addically replace them. Looking at the forward lines I'm shocked how bad it looks.
- HamiltonHawk

I agree, maybe Knitz but not Dupes. They might work for a game, then they will suck. Neither Kunitz or Dupes have been good in a top 6 role this year. The depth this year is a joke.

Dupes-Not a NHL player anymore
Kunitz-Bottom 6
Plot-Border line NHL player
Bonino-Meh
Fehr-just blends in. He is 1 I would try in the top 6
PH-Good but Crosby has issues with him
Perron-Hes not playing like he wants an extension

So yeah, MAF is winning games, not the Pens.

Chemistry is a funny thing. Wouldn't be surprised to see that Crosby line click.

Here is a very pertinent question for all you Debbie go downers........

If at the start of the year someone said (without qualifying systems or points or play), we could have a better record after 23 games than;

Hawks (1 game in hand)
Predators
Wild
Ducks
Ass Jackets
Flames
& here is the biggest 1 after the Hawks
.
.
.
Tampa Bay

Would you be happy about it? How many would have said yes get us to that point & I'll be happy?
- Aussiepenguin

The record of the team is somewhat palatable but the play is not. I think some see this as a sign that the winning record is not sustainable with this kind of play. The Pens are going to try to hang in the middle of the pack, but most likely will slide. I mean, there are no injuries on the team besides Maatta. Just wait when all the octogenarians and near-30s will start getting injured.

We have depth, but it doesnt do any good if MJ only tries Dupuis, Kunitz and Horny on the top Line. We have other players who could play there and see if they spark something. It's still kinda early in the season, we can afford trying different things.

Anyway, I don't have faith in this coach anymore. Scuderi is playing top minutes. I bet Clendening will be sent to the press box after Maatta come back.
- Conse

To me, this signals MJ's last stand. He's out of answers and refuses to try anything "radical". We all know how crazy it would be to have Sprong at RW on Sid's line.

Just like Bylsma before, it drives me nuts when coaches refuse to try anything that makes them uncomfortable. I can say universally operating in a comfort zone almost always leads to failure.

Never has it been more obvious that this guy was the wrong man for the job.

The record of the team is somewhat palatable but the play is not. I think some see this as a sign that the winning record is not sustainable with this kind of play. The Pens are going to try to hang in the middle of the pack, but most likely will slide. I mean, there are no injuries on the team besides Maatta. Just wait when all the octogenarians and near-30s will start getting injured.
- chimpira

I am a firm believer in the Bill Parcells "you are what your record says your are" mentality. But honestly this is one of the least impressive playoff teams in the league. They are being carried by goaltending and Malkin. The 4th liners show more chemistry together than Crosby's line this year.

To me, this signals MJ's last stand. He's out of answers and refuses to try anything "radical". We all know how crazy it would be to have Sprong at RW on Sid's line.

Just like Bylsma before, it drives me nuts when coaches refuse to try anything that makes them uncomfortable. I can say universally operating in a comfort zone almost always leads to failure.

Never has it been more obvious that this guy was the wrong man for the job.
- madmike71

Whats sad is that he will be done by the end of the season in Pitt, but other teams will look and see what he did with 81, 87, 59, 71 and see how poorly it was run and he most likely will never coach at this level again. He has to realize this and start taking some major chances for his own sake. But he can't even do that.

To me, this signals MJ's last stand. He's out of answers and refuses to try anything "radical". We all know how crazy it would be to have Sprong at RW on Sid's line.

Just like Bylsma before, it drives me nuts when coaches refuse to try anything that makes them uncomfortable. I can say universally operating in a comfort zone almost always leads to failure.

Never has it been more obvious that this guy was the wrong man for the job.
- madmike71

Maybe this team is un-coachable while Crosby is at the helm? I think it would take a big name - someone like Babcock, Quineville, Trotz, a HOF coach - to give this team any identity. I look at it as teaching a class full of really smart kids or kids who think they're smart. Their attitude is usually to challenge the authority and see if the authority will back down. It's the "come on, impress me" attitude.

I mean, these faqirs are getting paid to play this poopty. If I was the one paying them, I'd fire most of them right away. But what do I know about running an NHL hockey team. I am just glad I'm not the one paying them.

Whats sad is that he will be done by the end of the season in Pitt, but other teams will look and see what he did with 81, 87, 59, 71 and see how poorly it was run and he most likely will never coach at this level again. He has to realize this and start taking some major chances for his own sake. But he can't even do that.
- sammy87

And on top of that, he has NO personality whatsoever. No emotion, no passion either. I think that's the part that angers me the most, actually.

I am a firm believer in the Bill Parcells "you are what your record says your are" mentality. But honestly this is one of the least impressive playoff teams in the league. They are being carried by goaltending and Malkin. The 4th liners show more chemistry together than Crosby's line this year.
- jfkst1

Hell, Bill Parcells would be a much better candidate for a hockey HC than this clown.

Hell, Bill Parcells would be a much better candidate for a hockey HC than this clown.
- chimpira

The PP is getting better, but ES the team still isn't showing much. Going through War On Ice and looking at individual player play, it's embarrassingly bad. And that's where SC contenders separate themselves in the playoffs. This team is like what I would have expected out of the NJD this year.

Firstly, jumping on the RW sucks bandwagon doesn't make you cool and it is entirely unnecessary. If you disagree with the blog, be an adult and do so with some respect, if you have no intention of doing that, go elsewhere. Its making everyone look like a bunch of children.

Secondly, I agree with parts of what you were saying but with a different conclusion. Our defense sucks, yes, but our coach has implemented a system that is meant to make life easy for them at the expense of our ability to generate offense. MJ has also refused to play the logical lineup of D to support the forwards (or wingers to support our centremen) too. It's not that the forwards haven't panned out, it's that we are playing in a way that makes it impossible for them to do their job.

We have all the key forwards locked up for several years, our team is waiting for our D to develop. Long term, we have guys like Maatta, Dumoulin and Pouliot who are improving and likely to be high impact sooner rather than later,and Letang can only get better from here (and has Norris-level potential in there, when he wants to show it). There's a good chance Clendening will improve and getting rid of Scuds (and Lovejoy to a lesser extent) will help tremendously. Being smart long term would mean keeping them all and making sure they develop quickly.

The issue at the moment is the team/coaches aren't being realistic about how our roster is built and are trying (and failing) to play like the late 90's/early 2000's Devils instead of the way the Dallas Stars are playing now.
- cygnus41

I enjoy RW's blog, I do disagree with some stuff he puts out but it is still an interesting read. Differing opinions is what makes the world go round, and breeds success.. If everyone always agreed nothing would ever improve in any facet of life. Clearly you didn't read the blog after the Kessel trade- RW went on a wild rant completely belittling those who had a different opinion of his, which was very unbecoming of the guy who writes the blog, and get paid based on our views and comments. Acting the way he did is what will keep a guy like him on HB, rather than advantually getting picked up by a major media sports outlet.

I thought we had all this forward depth that can move up and down the roster? Oh wait, we added Kessel.
- sammy87


Remember RW gloating after the Kessel trade to us supporters of a major shake up (his gloating was mostly towards Oneonta Penguin), I remember at that exact point posting to RW and all his cool-aid drinkers that he should probably wait for the start of the season before the gloating as we obtained all this "forward depth" at the expense of having a competent compliment of defensemen. Well, it's been even worse, our defense, as expected can't move a puck up the ice to save their life, are not physical, have added zero offence and have been average defending in their own zone at best. What makes our suspect defense even worse is the fact the group of forwards we sold out on defense hasn't panned out as expected. Malkins been good, Kessel decent- the rest have been average or worse- Nick Bonino, very underwhelming... Beau Bennett, same song and dance, Kunitz and Dupuis- been beaten to death on here, but as we all know- on the decline big time.. Is it the coaching? Possibly... But I really feel this team has much bigger deep rooted issues and it's time for a major re-tool... (I've said it for 2 season now), but time to deal some of the core.. This team needs a juggle, it needs an identity.. We've had 3 differnt supporting casts the last 3 years all with the same result.. Time to deal a Malkin (yes, he has been our best player this season, but he would bring back a mint), or a Letang, or even a Crosby. I understand only 1 team wins the cup each year, but this team is awful.. No fun to watch, zero heart, zero ID, zero character. I've been a die hard Pens fan for 25 years, and this is my low point. I enjoy the Richard Tarnstrom/ Ramzi Abid teams more than this one.

- quote Willaged

Well after all that how are we still in a playoff position - sorry wildcard after isles won today but we have 2 games in hand, if our team is so terrible as you have stated above??

Please, I'd love to know if we are that bad how we have a record that is better than a lot of other 'better' teams??
- Aussiepenguin

Aussiefan are you actually watching the games yet or still just following what's wrote on the extremely bias twitter page and on here? I can count on one hand the amount of games this team DESERVED to win. Their record at this level of play is not substainable, especially when teams take it up a gear down the stretch... And as this team has shown the last 5 years- we don't have another gear to keep up. Blind drop passes while entering the zone wins games right??!!??

Maybe this team is un-coachable while Crosby is at the helm? I think it would take a big name - someone like Babcock, Quineville, Trotz, a HOF coach - to give this team any identity. I look at it as teaching a class full of really smart kids or kids who think they're smart. Their attitude is usually to challenge the authority and see if the authority will back down. It's the "come on, impress me" attitude.

I mean, these faqirs are getting paid to play this poopty. If I was the one paying them, I'd fire most of them right away. But what do I know about running an NHL hockey team. I am just glad I'm not the one paying them.
- chimpira

I think too many people are just hanging this all on Sid without really knowing what's going on behind closed doors. Just like OV a couple of years ago, I fully expect him to return to form sooner than later. I don't remember people calling for Geno to get the C down the stretch last year.....or after that miserable post season. What I remember is Sid doing everything he could to carry the team.

Anyway, your larger point is correct. When they fired Disco, they needed a proven coach. Unfortunately, there weren't any available....and still isn't. The team really should have gone "all in" to get Babcock.

The PP is getting better, but ES the team still isn't showing much. Going through War On Ice and looking at individual player play, it's embarrassingly bad. And that's where SC contenders separate themselves in the playoffs. This team is like what I would have expected out of the NJD this year.
- jfkst1

I did buy Center Ice package to watch the Pens since I am out of market, but with what I've seen - nowadays I watch mostly West Coast teams. I should heed my expectations for this Pens team until they rebuild. I am tired of the same ol' stuff. I mean, 2008/2009 kind of happened and were very exciting, so everyone's expectations were that they would just be the top team in the East year after year. And it didn't happen, and then the bad moves happened with all the ex-players being re-signed for huge amounts. It's a downward spiral that will keep spiraling until we get Scuderi, Kunitz, Duper, Lovejoy off the books. But by that time Sid and Geno will be even older and probably worse than now.

Are the trolls gone yet? They stayed way too long

Are the trolls gone yet? They stayed way too long
- Dcoms

They're saving up for after our West Coast trip. I was a little surprised that no Oiler fans showed up with "You guys suck, 'cause even the Maple Loafs blanked us"!

I enjoy RW's blog, I do disagree with some stuff he puts out but it is still an interesting read. Differing opinions is what makes the world go round, and breeds success.. If everyone always agreed nothing would ever improve in any facet of life. Clearly you didn't read the blog after the Kessel trade- RW went on a wild rant completely belittling those who had a different opinion of his, which was very unbecoming of the guy who writes the blog, and get paid based on our views and comments. Acting the way he did is what will keep a guy like him on HB, rather than advantually getting picked up by a major media sports outlet.
- Willaged

Nope not allowed to disagree with the blind allegiance to the Pens and what RW spits out.

I did buy Center Ice package to watch the Pens since I am out of market, but with what I've seen - nowadays I watch mostly West Coast teams. I should heed my expectations for this Pens team until they rebuild. I am tired of the same ol' stuff. I mean, 2008/2009 kind of happened and were very exciting, so everyone's expectations were that they would just be the top team in the East year after year. And it didn't happen, and then the bad moves happened with all the ex-players being re-signed for huge amounts. It's a downward spiral that will keep spiraling until we get Scuderi, Kunitz, Duper, Lovejoy off the books. But by that time Sid and Geno will be even older and probably worse than now.
- chimpira

I have GCL so I switch between games when I can. Sometimes it's hard to switch back to the Pens. Especially if DAL is on. Love watching them play. No defense; screw it. Always attacking.

They went to consecutive cups before Malkin or Crosby were in their primes. Injuries definitely hurt their chances at returning, but overall this will be considered underwhelming results given the individual talents they had together.

What's a team need puck retrieval for, when they rarely have it anyways?

In all seriousness, you're spot-on. This team needs fresh legs + energy + intensity - especially when it comes to puck battles/ retrieval. It sustains/ drives possession + scoring chances. Take LAK's for example, all 12 F's are relentless when it comes to getting the puck back. Absolute hounds. Pens have ______ __________. Guys like #9, #14, #19, #57 can no longer or are not willing to do it consistently enough. #71 is the only puck hound on the team (IMO).
- out_of_market

I have no issues with 57's work ethic or intensity, he and Hornquist have the most of that on the team.

Evgeni Malkin has accounted for 35% of #Pens (7/20)goals post-11/14 loss to NJ and has factored in on 50% of PGH goals scored in that time.
— Josh Getzoff (@PensJG) November 30, 2015

Upping his trade value. So many people were right about getting rid of this bum after last year when he tried to play hurt and couldn't like a giant wussy! Now is the time to pull that trigger!