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.
- jfkst1

Thank god we did win that one cup though. Could you imagine the haters had we not?? It would be unbearable! Lol

Nope not allowed to disagree with the blind allegiance to the Pens and what RW spits out.
- sammy87

I actually stopped reading the RW blog months ago. I just come for the boards. I hate charts/graphs and I can always catch on what he has to say in his Twitter if I need to.

The players that have any value in a return are: Crosby, Malkin, MAF, Kessel, Letang, PH. The rest are worthless. Now break it down more. You move Letang, you just lost your best Dman so you need another top guy coming back. Nobody is making that trade with his health history. PH, might get you a top pairing Dman but then you need a top 6 guy. Kessel, Malkin and Crosby all have NTC's. So one has to either want out or be convinced. I dont think many want Kessel, Babcock showed him the door first thing. The Pens would need a #2 C and top 4 Dman minimum coming back. Crosby and Malkin would command that +. I always felt it was flawed to build a team around 2 super stars, as predicted it leaves too many holes. I think you move 1 of Crosby or Malkin. The fans are turning on the team, the players are turning, its a crap product.

That being said, Mario and friends are still raking it in. They added a big name Kessel and you have to consider that they would rather have a team that can put a bunch of nice highlights at the end of year banquet vs building a legit contender with young ELC's that might come and go. The formula of a crappy playoff team has worked for some time now.
- sammy87

Does it always rain on you? I bet you're the opposite of fun at parties. Actually I bet you hate parties and fun and fun girls.

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

Oh just shut the (frank) up already man. Whine, whine, whine. Always so damn pessimistic and downtrodden. In the history of this team have they ever done anything you didn't criticize?

That trade was an absolute steal and our forward depth is still light years ahead of prior years. They are being coached by an asshat with a system that doesn't work for this team. Get your head out of your ass and try being positive for two minutes of your life.

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!
- thickman1178

That guy's last name makes me chuckle.

I disagree. This guy was the wrong hire from the get go. Scoring goals will change "attitudes" immensely.
- madmike71

+10

That guy's last name makes me chuckle.
- chimpira

Hahahaha just went back and looked and it made me laugh too. I love second grade humor. Still gets me e'rtime.

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.
- jfkst1

Did the Hawks ever make big trades for rentals like Iggy, Morrow, Murray, Hossa?

Oh just shut the (frank) up already man. Whine, whine, whine. Always so damn pessimistic and downtrodden. In the history of this team have they ever done anything you didn't criticize?

That trade was an absolute steal and our forward depth is still light years ahead of prior years. They are being coached by an asshat with a system that doesn't work for this team. Get your head out of your ass and try being positive for two minutes of your life.
- thickman1178

So what are your suggestions for staying positive? I mean, the asshat is still here. In the preseason people were saying give him/team til Thanksgiving. Now that came and went ... what has changed?

Just read on DK's site that Ruth and others want Sprong with Sid, but the coach isn't on board.
- madmike71

For a guy that just spent 6 hours years coaching young guy's Johnston sure hates the fact that young players even exist. I bet he wanted nothing to do with Spronger even being with the team still.

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

I'm not sure you guys really get this...do you.

Crosby doesn't like MJ.

It's obvious. And the problem then becomes...your coach is a bit hog tied when the star of the team doesn't like you.

If MJ is such a problem...why does Malkin seem to continue to find success?

Because Malkin just goes out and plays maybe?

Because Malkin has a better attitude maybe?

Crosby is a very hard working player...well...up until about the time MJ came along...prbably a little before that actually...when he started to look unhappy with Bylsma.

Crosby's problem right now is ALL HIM...PERIOD.

It's not who he plays with...it's HOW he plays...how he SEES playing.

I'm telling you...I am 100% correct about this.

It is MJ's last stand for sure...he put Sid with his old friends...hoping Sid will play like he used to.

I don't think MJ is a great or terrible coach..but I do think the evidence is there that whoever coaches needs Crosby's respect or else he is not all there.

Bylsma lost Crosby's respect...MJ may never have had it.

The best coach this team had in the past 10 years was Therrien.

But players don't like him because he doesn't coddle them.

I heard someone say the Pens probably would not have won the cup the year Therrien got axed (if he stayed)...but they would have won two since then...I kind of believe that.

Anyway...if Crosby doesn't turn it around...trade him.

The situation here will never be right again for him, regardless of the coach, until HE changes.

This is the truth

For a guy that just spent 6 hours years coaching young guy's Johnston sure hates the fact that young players even exist. I bet he wanted nothing to do with Spronger even being with the team still.
- Dcoms

This shows a huge disconnect between the Owners Group, GM, and HC. I mean, WTF??

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.
- Willaged

What defensive depth did we give up to improve our forward depth? Scott Harrington? Who they would probably have playing in the minors right now anyway? Oh and "Cool-Aid" is spelled with a K.

I'm not sure you guys really get this...do you.

Crosby doesn't like MJ.

It's obvious. And the problem then becomes...your coach is a bit hog tied when the star of the team doesn't like you.

If MJ is such a problem...why does Malkin seem to continue to find success?

Because Malkin just goes out and plays maybe?

Because Malkin has a better attitude maybe?

Crosby is a very hard working player...well...up until about the time MJ came along...prbably a little before that actually...when he started to look unhappy with Bylsma.

Crosby's problem right now is ALL HIM...PERIOD.

It's not who he plays with...it's HOW he plays...how he SEES playing.

I'm telling you...I am 100% correct about this.

It is MJ's last stand for sure...he put Sid with his old friends...hoping Sid will play like he used to.

I don't think MJ is a great or terrible coach..but I do think the evidence is there that whoever coaches needs Crosby's respect or else he is not all there.

Bylsma lost Crosby's respect...MJ may never have had it.

The best coach this team had in the past 10 years was Therrien.

But players don't like him because he doesn't coddle them.

I heard someone say the Pens probably would not have won the cup the year Therrien got axed...but they would have won two since then...I kind of believe that.

Anyway...if Crosby doesn't turn it around...trade him.

The situation here will never be right again for him, regardless of the coach, until HE changes.

This is the truth
- icedog97

As I said before, this team/Sid needs a HOF coach with history. He definitely responds and plays like he needs to when he is on Team Canada. And who coaches Teams in the Olympics/World Cup?? It's not the Mike Johnstons and Willie Desjardins for sure.

I know ... the idea of putting a crappy player like Bennett with Crosby is embarrassing.
- Oneonta Penguin

So what are your ideal lines then? How do you think we could improve our forward depth under the current salary cap conditions? Still driving the trade Malkin bandwagon?

I think GMJR has done a wonderful job of putting together a F group, but the coaching absolutely sucks. From our 5 on 5 to our PP, its pathetic. Our D is a bit suspect, but that's the one place where we are getting what people ask for and that's to play the young guys, but then they cry and complain that they aren't all stars from the get go. Granted it would help more if our all stars (Crosby, Letang) played like all stars.

OK so let me get this straight, night in night out everyone is on here complaining about Crosby, even discussing trading him.
Top line is obviously not working, so the coach is trying something that clearly worked awesomely in the past, and before anyone sees it on the ice everyone is calling it the stupidest idea ever.

Ill go on the record saying, it took way to long for MJ to put these three back together and I think this move will work.
- stackthepads

You won't here me complain about Crosby but Kunitz was on the Crosby line to start the year and it was not good, Dupuis is on the Crosby line now and it is even worse but both of them on the Crosby line is supposed to be a success? It's just common sense. The one they haven't t tried is some young, hungry guys in the lineup. We usually have 10 injuries by now and now that we NEED some guys to go on the LTIR no one is going. Put Sundquist with Fehr and another 6 and a half footer and that's a much better 4th line. A huge problem is that if someone does go down to injury the first guy Johnston will call up is Kevin Porter who is tiny and non talented.

Oh just shut the (frank) up already man. Whine, whine, whine. Always so damn pessimistic and downtrodden. In the history of this team have they ever done anything you didn't criticize?

That trade was an absolute steal and our forward depth is still light years ahead of prior years. They are being coached by an asshat with a system that doesn't work for this team. Get your head out of your ass and try being positive for two minutes of your life.
- thickman1178

Do you really think MJ at practice is basically saying, OK for the PP lets all just stand around motionless in our designated spots and pass the puck around, then Crosby when you're on the ice if you dont have an unobstructed lane between 3 players just quit on the play and come back to the bench, well let the other lines clean up. Oh and also its perfectly acceptable to spend most of the game in our end of the ice letting teams like Buffalo put up 50 shots against us. As long as we play our game.

Left Center Right

Crosby Malkin Kessel

Kunitz Bonino Sprong

Perron Fehr Hornquist

Plotkinov Cullen Bennett


Dupuis

You won't here me complain about Crosby but Kunitz was on the Crosby line to start the year and it was not good, Dupuis is on the Crosby line now and it is even worse but both of them on the Crosby line is supposed to be a success? It's just common sense. The one they haven't t tried is some young, hungry guys in the lineup. We usually have 10 injuries by now and now that we NEED some guys to go on the LTIR no one is going. Put Sundquist with Fehr and another 6 and a half footer and that's a much better 4th line. A huge problem is that if someone does go down to injury the first guy Johnston will call up is Kevin Porter who is tiny and non talented.
- Dcoms

I am actually fine with that line ... as long as they get 2nd-3rd line minutes. There is no way in HELL I give Duper or Kunitz top line minutes. I mean their hands grow out of their asses and their points show that. Neither of them can actually put the biscuit in the basket unless it somehow bounces off them accidentally.

Ok you point out the issues nearly every post but with them do not provide viable or realistic solutions. Trade Geno! Ok who will trade their best player to get Geno?

Fill the team with ELC's, that would mean drafting & keeping then PLAYING these young guys. We are currently playing a couple of young guys that every man & his dog hated. Dumo was going to fail, Cole isn't what he is playing & Bennet is bust. No one wanted Pouliot start of season & that is now divided so how do young guys get experience if they don't play? There has to be a mix that allows acceptable errors throughout a block of games. Dumo has exceeded & how many (read that as 3), were confident in him start of season? I believe you even wrote him off before a puck had been hit but you want guys on the ELC to play??? WTF?

Everyone wanted a solid winger brought in so now we have 1 everyone is complaining about what they wanted? WTF?

The team isn't playing well but still good enough for a playoff position - complain all you want you cannot change the results!!!

Personally I'm glad you aren't the GM of the team I support!
- Aussiepenguin

Sometimes you are the only one on here with any sense at all!

I am still trying to figure out the James Neal trade...

I am still trying to figure out the James Neal trade...
- Misterbator

What's there to figure out? We traded our 2nd line winger with a heck of a shot for a 3rd line grinder


Oh, well, there was Spaling too. Forget what happened to him.

Ok you point out the issues nearly every post but with them do not provide viable or realistic solutions. Trade Geno! Ok who will trade their best player to get Geno?

Fill the team with ELC's, that would mean drafting & keeping then PLAYING these young guys. We are currently playing a couple of young guys that every man & his dog hated. Dumo was going to fail, Cole isn't what he is playing & Bennet is bust. No one wanted Pouliot start of season & that is now divided so how do young guys get experience if they don't play? There has to be a mix that allows acceptable errors throughout a block of games. Dumo has exceeded & how many (read that as 3), were confident in him start of season? I believe you even wrote him off before a puck had been hit but you want guys on the ELC to play??? WTF?

Everyone wanted a solid winger brought in so now we have 1 everyone is complaining about what they wanted? WTF?

The team isn't playing well but still good enough for a playoff position - complain all you want you cannot change the results!!!

Personally I'm glad you aren't the GM of the team I support!
- Aussiepenguin

I would like to know if Sammy has a girlfriend and if so is she on her period 365 days a year or is it just him? There's obviously no joy in his life.

I am actually fine with that line ... as long as they get 2nd-3rd line minutes. There is no way in HELL I give Duper or Kunitz top line minutes. I mean their hands grow out of their asses and their points show that. Neither of them can actually put the biscuit in the basket unless it somehow bounces off them accidentally.
- chimpira

Sounds like you're describing Crosby right now...

Did the Hawks ever make big trades for rentals like Iggy, Morrow, Murray, Hossa?
- sammy87

They did last year on Vermette and Timonen. Vermette redeemed himself somewhat with some timely playoff goals. But he also played bottom 6 minutes and was a healthy scratch on occasions. Timonen did nothing useful for them and got bare minimum ice time.