I think you have an overinflated opinion of this team. They can't score at all and haven't been able to for over a year now. Until that changes, they will struggle against anyone, much less be playoff contenders.
- jfkst1

Should still be better than the Flyers.

1) The Penguins will make the playoffs.

2) I wasn't talking about the trade, more RW's assertion that Bonino's #fancystats make him a clear upgrade over Sutter, which he now says is not the case.
- jmatchett383

Who is going to fall out of the playoffs because the Penguins outperform them? Boston? Tampa? I don't think the Penguins' 10-7-4 home record is going to get any better over the course of this season. The final WC spot is probably going to need 89 or 90 points; consider also that Pittsburgh has not played Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh has these games remaining:

3 with the Lightning.
4 with the Flyers.
3 with the Capitals.
3 with the Islanders.
3 with the Devils.

How many of those 32 points do you think Pittsburgh can earn? 11? Pittsburgh is crap in their division, especially at home. Hell, they play the Hurricanes 3 more times and I don't think Pittsburgh is going to take more than 3 points from those contests.

Does anyone want to use the Blackhawks' two 10.5M players, lack of depth, and 3rd best record in the NHL as some kind of excuse for the Penguins complete decline today?

Does anyone want to use the Blackhawks' two 10.5M players, lack of depth, and 3rd best record in the NHL as some kind of excuse for the Penguins complete decline today?
- Johnny Wrath

No because they have found reliable and productive players cheaply.

Does anyone want to use the Blackhawks' two 10.5M players, lack of depth, and 3rd best record in the NHL as some kind of excuse for the Penguins complete decline today?
- Johnny Wrath

First off, they do have depth, and secondly how can they be used as an excuse? They're proving that you can build around two high paid super stars, we just did an incredibly garbage job of it. Chicago is what happens when you establish a culture of winning by consistently putting together good teams for the better part of the decade. Pittsburgh is what happens when you establish a culture of losing by ignoring the bottom six and filling it with character, grit guys and expecting the top 6 to carry 90% of the load which oddly enough doesn't work in the playoffs.

No offense, but i'm so glad some of you aren't the pens GM. Lol. When bringing up trade proposals that involve Sid or Geno, names like Ovie, Seguin, McDavid, etc better come up. Instead some of you guys bring up names like brown, wheeler, laad, etc... Superstars fetch blockbusters, not a bunch of has beens or mediocracy. Come on guys, go for the gold! Dont settle for less!!

First off, they do have depth, and secondly how can they be used as an excuse? They're proving that you can build around two high paid super stars, we just did an incredibly garbage job of it. Chicago is what happens when you establish a culture of winning by consistently putting together good teams for the better part of the decade. Pittsburgh is what happens when you establish a culture of losing by ignoring the bottom six and filling it with character, grit guys and expecting the top 6 to carry 90% of the load which oddly enough doesn't work in the playoffs.
- Victoro311

The Penguins inability to draft and develop their own young players is where they failed. This is especially important in a cap league. To this day Ray Shero is the biggest culprit, and he will continue to be for several years.

Penguins should have just re-signed Sutter and moved along. Neither Bonino or Fehr are anywhere near Sutter in terms of ability.

They finally went and got some depth at forward and then traded away their talented third line center, rendering that forward depth far less useful.

In no way shape or form did the Pens win the Sutter trade unless that 2nd turns into another Sprong level prospect.

Bonino is ok for a 4C and picking up Fehr was nice but Sutter could be a big difference maker in whether or not the Pens make the playoffs this year. Put it this way, the Pens have 3 guys on pace to score the 20 goals ( that Sutter put in last year) and only 4 on pace to score 15 goals. The extra 3-4 games they might win with him are the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

No matter how much people on here seemed to illogically hate him on here at a certain point having guys that can actually put the puck in the net matters.

No because they have found reliable and productive players cheaply.
- walshy66

There's a large segment of the fans here who have been excusing the Penguins' failure to be competitive on how much Crosby and Malkin count against the cap. It is then insisted that the Blackhawks' $23M investment in two players would prove this theory.

Does anyone want to use the Blackhawks' two 10.5M players, lack of depth, and 3rd best record in the NHL as some kind of excuse for the Penguins complete decline today?
- Johnny Wrath

And if Chicago loses in the 1st round everyone will be saying they were too top heavy and lacked depth and are on the decline.

Penguins should have just re-signed Sutter and moved along. Neither Bonino or Fehr are anywhere near Sutter in terms of ability.

They finally went and got some depth at forward and then traded away their talented third line center, rendering that forward depth far less useful.
- hardnosed

At 5.5? People call the Jordan Staal contract one of the worst in the league. I would rather have the Staal contract

At 5.5? People call the Jordan Staal contract one of the worst in the league. I would rather have the Staal contract
- Victoro311

It was 4.4 I think but I guarantee that contract would look disastrous right now. You know Sutter would have produced less than Bonino+Fehr is he were still on the team.

Who is going to fall out of the playoffs because the Penguins outperform them? Boston? Tampa? I don't think the Penguins' 10-7-4 home record is going to get any better over the course of this season. The final WC spot is probably going to need 89 or 90 points; consider also that Pittsburgh has not played Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh has these games remaining:

3 with the Lightning.
4 with the Flyers.
3 with the Capitals.
3 with the Islanders.
3 with the Devils.

How many of those 32 points do you think Pittsburgh can earn? 11? Pittsburgh is crap in their division, especially at home. Hell, they play the Hurricanes 3 more times and I don't think Pittsburgh is going to take more than 3 points from those contests.
- Johnny Wrath

I think that the Devils and Islanders could fall out of the division, and I don't see Boston making it either.

The Penguins have been playing much better since Sullivan took over, and I see them making it as a wild card team at worst.

In no way shape or form did the Pens win the Sutter trade unless that 2nd turns into another Sprong level prospect.

Bonino is ok for a 4C and picking up Fehr was nice but Sutter could be a big difference maker in whether or not the Pens make the playoffs this year. Put it this way, the Pens have 3 guys on pace to score the 20 goals ( that Sutter put in last year) and only 4 on pace to score 15 goals. The extra 3-4 games they might win with him are the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

No matter how much people on here seemed to illogically hate him on here at a certain point having guys that can actually put the puck in the net matters.
- MacPatty

Sutter barely tops 30 points every year. He's signed for 4.3 for 5 more years. If you think he got a lot of hate here, wait til he has a 25 point season in Van.

It was 4.4 I think but I guarantee that contract would look disastrous right now. You know Sutter would have produced less than Bonino+Fehr is he were still on the team.
- jfkst1

*Inserts foot in mouth*

Blackhawks also got a 7 million a year player for 1 million a year elc. That loophole is why they are competitive.

Blackhawks also got a 7 million a year player for 1 million a year elc. That loophole is why they are competitive.
- sditulli

All teams are able to make use of that loophole.

I think you will be surprised how quick this young core is coming together. So much so we were able to say goodbye to an aging vet this week.

Keep your heads up. We will be more than fine
- VANTEL

"more than fine"?...they wont make the playoffs. That fine with you?

All teams are able to make use of that loophole.
- jmatchett383

The Pens took advantage of that loophole.....or, um, it took advantage of us.

Blackhawks also got a 7 million a year player for 1 million a year elc. That loophole is why they are competitive.
- sditulli

Yes, of course. One suspected contract loophole explains all of that success. At least it's a theory I haven't yet seen.

Yes, of course. One suspected contract loophole explains all of that success. At least it's a theory I haven't yet seen.
- Johnny Wrath

I think it's more of a "They have Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook" type of thing. But what do I know?

"more than fine"?...they wont make the playoffs. That fine with you?
- MattStrat

And won't for a while at their current rate.

I think it's more of a "They have Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook" type of thing. But what do I know?
- jmatchett383

It seems rather that they're claiming that Artemi Panarin on his 2-yr ELC is sustaining the 28-13-4 record of the Hawks in the Central Division. Obviously that more than makes up for trading Sharp and Saad last summer.

I think it's more of a "They have Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook" type of thing. But what do I know?
- jmatchett383

Yeah, Chicago just manages their roster better than anyone else out there. Paying Kane & Toews $10.5M isnt so bad when you consider they have both Hossa and Keith locked up long term for about $2M less than they are worth.