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.
- thickman1178

It's a cap world. We have no money to spend on defense, we've lost Orpik, Niskanen, Martin and Ehrhoff in the last two years. And yes, some needed to go to make room for our young guys, but it's blatantly obvious we are in desperate need of a top 4 D man, and it was obvious before the season even started, yet we blew our load on more fire power up front. Having 25 million tied up in 3 forwards (one of who a work ethic and conditioning has always been in serious question) is not good business in a cap world.

Jim Rutherford ran the Canes into the ground...your turn.

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

We have one his name is Hornquist

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
- icedog97

MT is doing a fine job in MTL. But to add to your point, Crosby has basically lead a mutiny against 3 coaches now if this were true. Thats like T.O level of selfishness.

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.
- chimpira

Mario should coach this team...and his first move should be to put his captain in the press box.

Sidney Crosby is the best player in hockey...still.

He's just playing like crap most of the time because he just doesn't have a true desire to play the game right now.

I am still trying to figure out the Simon Depres trade...

It's a cap world. We have no money to spend on defense, we've lost Orpik, Niskanen, Martin and Ehrhoff in the last two years. And yes, some needed to go to make room for our young guys, but it's blatantly obvious we are in desperate need of a top 4 D man, and it was obvious before the season even started, yet we blew our load on more fire power up front. Having 25 million tied up in 3 forwards (one of who a work ethic and conditioning has always been in serious question) is not good business in a cap world.
- Willaged

Who should the Pens have spent money on? There weren't any top pairing dmen UFAs available unless you consider Martin one. And I think that is a stretch at his age giving him a long contract.

Is Crosby the forward with work ethic and conditioning issues? Cause that's who I would have guessed out of the the trio of 71/87/81.

From the outside it looks like a new coaching staff would do wonders. The one thing most coaches can change is attitude. Hynes has been brilliant in NJ and we have so little forward talent it's shocking. But beyond that your coach and his system just don't look like a good match with this team. Similar to Adam Oates in Washington. Smart hockey guy but a bad fit. It happens, and it's best to move on.

You guys have several phenomenally talented players. Building around them is a lot easier then building without any elite players. Decent players are always available for trades. Elite players aren't. This is fixable for you guys but not Without some changes.
- Queenie_5_hole

Hynes should have got the job here all along, he was waiting patiently and deserved it.

I am still trying to figure out the Simon Depres trade...
- Misterbator

What are you, King of the "One Liners"? I mean, your one liners actually make sense so they are not troll material. What are you doing here then?

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

This is exactly how I feel about the team too. Ive wondered for a while now about Crosby and his ability to lead this team. I wonder if some of the Geno comments about people not buying in were directed at him. Honestly, I don't know and I don't have the right answers, but it does seem like this team isn't being lead at all right now, from coaches or team with the exception of Geno.

I know, some people will tell me I am insane, but just because someone is a great hockey player doesn't instantly make them a great leader. Conversely it works the other way too. Some of the best team leaders can be those with the least amount of skill, but the ability to inspire others. Ultimately I don't know what the problem is with this team, and I don't think any of us do. But we can look at it and see its broken.

I am still trying to figure out the Simon Depres trade...
- Misterbator

I'm still trying to figure out how the team with the most money on the blue line still has one of the worst defenses in the league.

Hynes should have got the job here all along, he was waiting patiently and deserved it.
- Dcoms

Ok, and you think they/Sid would have responded to Hynes? I mean he is coaching NJ and NJ this year still plays like NJ of the years past.

It's a cap world. We have no money to spend on defense, we've lost Orpik, Niskanen, Martin and Ehrhoff in the last two years. And yes, some needed to go to make room for our young guys, but it's blatantly obvious we are in desperate need of a top 4 D man, and it was obvious before the season even started, yet we blew our load on more fire power up front. Having 25 million tied up in 3 forwards (one of who a work ethic and conditioning has always been in serious question) is not good business in a cap world.
- Willaged

The D wasnt even that great with Martin, Orpik and Nisk...The Pens D is basically 4 border line NHL players, 1 guy playing at that level (Maata) and Letang doing everything he can to join the rest. But hey Kessel has some awesome highlight goals! He's on pace for an amazing 53 pts this year!

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.
- sammy87

Can you sign your name on the bottom of your posts? With my phone I maximize the comments and it cuts out the left column where the names are. I wanna know which comments to not bother reading without having to constantly move my screen over. Thank you for your cooperation!

What are you, King of the "One Liners"? I mean, your one liners actually make sense so they are not troll material. What are you doing here then?
- chimpira

HAHAHA!! Just cringing at the horror show. Reminds me of the Flames just before Iginla was traded—the captain floating around a ship taking on water—not that we are any better off in the standings/hockey universe(gulp)

Chemistry is a funny thing. Wouldn't be surprised to see that Crosby line click.
- rangerdanger94

Yuck it's back!

I'm still trying to figure out how the team with the most money on the blue line still has one of the worst defenses in the league.
- jfkst1

Bruce Brudreau? Not like the Caps were defensive powerhouse during his tenure.

Can you sign your name on the bottom of your posts? With my phone I maximize the comments and it cuts out the left column where the names are. I wanna know which comments to not bother reading without having to constantly move my screen over. Thank you for your cooperation!
- Dcoms

You say that after every post, yet you still respond.

Who should the Pens have spent money on? There weren't any top pairing dmen UFAs available unless you consider Martin one. And I think that is a stretch at his age giving him a long contract.

Is Crosby the forward with work ethic and conditioning issues? Cause that's who I would have guessed out of the the trio of 71/87/81.
- jfkst1

Maybe you keep Niskanen two years ago? Maybe you keep Martin last year? Maybe you use one of our last 2 seasons 1st rounders, plus this years first rounder on a defensemen instead of more forwards. 3 first rounders for Kessel and Perron...

And it also comes back to the two superstar model, you trade Malkin or Crosby a year or two ago you get a solid #2 center and a top 4 D plus more young assests and draft picks... You have your opinion, I have mine, but the way this team is trending is not good.

The D wasnt even that great with Martin, Orpik and Nisk...The Pens D is basically 4 border line NHL players, 1 guy playing at that level (Maata) and Letang doing everything he can to join the rest. But hey Kessel has some awesome highlight goals! He's on pace for an amazing 53 pts this year!
- sammy87

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?
- chimpira

My suggestion for staying positive is remembering that its only December. Hockey is a long season. Living in NJ, and being surrounded by mostly Devils fans, I will never forget the year that the Devils were basically eliminated from the playoffs by 1/1 and made an outrageous comeback and just barely missed the playoffs by 1 or 2 pts posting some insane record. Not like it cant be done.

I really think this team isn't that far off from achieving what everyone thinks they can. Sure our D is a little suspect, but we knew that. We also brought in a crap ton of new players and we have to figure out what works and what doesn't.

These boards have become downright depressing lately. I want CPF back and Bullies and GIF wars and Bartley and all the things that made these boards fun in the first place. Rather than everyone making these boards a contest of "I am more right than you are and if you don't think so, youre a RW fanboy", we should be flaming fans of other teams when they come into here and spout their poop, and make Bartley proud. We should stick by our team through thick and thin and hope against hope that they turn this poop around. Because that's what real fans do. [/img]

Maybe you keep Niskanen two years ago? Maybe you keep Martin last year? Maybe you use one of our last 2 seasons 1st rounders, plus this years first rounder on a defensemen instead of more forwards. 3 first rounders for Kessel and Perron...

And it also comes back to the two superstar model, you trade Malkin or Crosby a year or two ago you get a solid #2 center and a top 4 D plus more young assests and draft picks... You have your opinion, I have mine, but the way this team is trending is not good.
- Willaged

I agree with that last part. But 87/71 have full NMCs. They'll leave if, and only if, they want to. So proposals claiming that is some panacea to this organization are baseless. Not to mention, almost everyone thought Malkin is the one that should be traded and right now he is by far the best skater on this team.

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.
- thickman1178

I was a Harrington fan but he was never, to me, in the same class as Maatta, Dumo and Pouliot. I think Clendening not only replaced him nicely but is a nice upgrade.

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.
- icedog97

This is how it looks, but we don't know what goes on in the locker room, or with Crosby in general. Maybe I just don't want to believe it, and I want to think Crosby has more heart than this, but I find it hard to believe that this guy doesn't go out and give 100% everytime, sometimes it just works and sometimes it doesn't.

Maybe he has lost interest in hockey altogether with the 500 cheapshots a game he takes anymore that sure don't help. Maybe he is on the bench preoccupied thinking about what hes having for dinner when he gets home, or if his girlfriend will be wearing that sexy new nightie. Who knows what goes on other than the players themselves.

I'm still trying to figure out how the team with the most money on the blue line still has one of the worst defenses in the league.
- jfkst1

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