You aren't blind, all us Pens fans are just like the team, huge swings of highs and lows.

If healthy we are good enough to come out of the East and if Crosby and Malkin are on their games good enough to beat the team that comes out of the West.
- stackthepads

I like your optimism. I have troubles seeing our D being strong enough to win a cup. Playoffs are so brutal and physical.

I cant wait til we knock them out of the playoffs in the second round again
- stackthepads

It will be nice

I like your optimism. I have troubles seeing our D being strong enough to win a cup. Playoffs are so brutal and physical.
- madmike71

first we have to get in the playoffs but when you are in you can never know

Schultz trade imminent per mirtle
- nh4442

Hopefully not here. He should be playing in the AHL.

first we have to get in the playoffs but when you are in you can never know
- martox

Thomas Flieshmann (SP) is available cheap... Thoughts?

I don't necessarily disagree with this but we have had so many post season disappointments that I don't think we actually know what a good post season is like anymore.
Conversely other dynasties like Los Angeles and Chicago pretty much never have horrible letdowns in the post season.
- jfkst1

We have tougher opponents than those teams. The Metro is a hate market, Chicago and St Louis had a few battles but other than that there wasnt really the type of emotion that we have to deal with in the playoffs.
These high hate games always work in our opponents favour because it always regresses into cheap shots on Sid and Geno being let go, which gets them throwing cheap shots because nothing is being called and their games goes to hell.

Its a tactic that has worked against us time and time again, and call it whining all you want but the refs allowing the series to devolve into the cheap shot bullsh!t hockey has ruined alot of our chances.

first we have to get in the playoffs but when you are in you can never know
- martox

Yes I generally agree. I'm actually fairly comfortable with our forward ranks. First time in a long time for that. I just can't get past Cole or Pouliot being starters on a serious contender. Small and speedy can win a round or two. 4 rounds, probably not.

I like your optimism. I have troubles seeing our D being strong enough to win a cup. Playoffs are so brutal and physical.
- madmike71

I think our defence is pretty good to be honest.

I don't necessarily disagree with this but we have had so many post season disappointments that I don't think we actually know what a good post season is like anymore.
Conversely other dynasties like Los Angeles and Chicago pretty much never have horrible letdowns in the post season.
- jfkst1

You mean like last year when the Kings didnt make the playoffs?

I think our defence (when healthy) is pretty good to be honest.
- stackthepads

Fixed

I think our defence is pretty good to be honest.
- stackthepads

its ok. the thing is that it is a young defense which means they will get better.

Thomas Flieshmann (SP) is available cheap... Thoughts?
- hipcheck_goalie

This is a dude I thought was going to be a stud prior to being traded to Colorado. Injuries have really taken a lot away from him. He had one very good year for Florida, but hasn't done much since.

its ok. the thing is that it is a young defense which means they will get better.
- martox

I think Dumo has another level, I am super impressed with that kids game. Letang in my mind is top 5 in the league, Daley has looked solid in our system. Maatta worries me... Hawks proved last year you can win without a third pairing, and ours is at least an average 3rd pairing.

its ok. the thing is that it is a young defense which means they will get better.
- martox

Will they? I used to think Maatta was genuine 2nd D. I'm not so sure now. His skating is a little alarming.

Pouliot? He's done OK I guess. Still, he's got a long way to go.

You mean like last year when the Kings didnt make the playoffs?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That wasn't really a letdown in the postseason but I guess you have a fair point there.

Will they? I used to think Maatta was genuine 2nd D. I'm not so sure now. His skating is a little alarming.

Pouliot? He's done OK I guess. Still, he's got a long way to go.
- madmike71

defensemen usually take longer to mature though. also I think a good offseason could be really good for matta and he needs to improve his skating during that time. I am giving matta the benefit of the doubt, we know how he CAN play which means he can get back to it.

We have tougher opponents than those teams. The Metro is a hate market, Chicago and St Louis had a few battles but other than that there wasnt really the type of emotion that we have to deal with in the playoffs.
These high hate games always work in our opponents favour because it always regresses into cheap shots on Sid and Geno being let go, which gets them throwing cheap shots because nothing is being called and their games goes to hell.

Its a tactic that has worked against us time and time again, and call it whining all you want but the refs allowing the series to devolve into the cheap shot bullsh!t hockey has ruined alot of our chances.
- stackthepads

Teams are not any easier in the west. I think that is a bogus claim. And all superstars get cheap shots taken against them.

defensemen usually take longer to mature though. also I think a good offseason could be really good for matta and he needs to improve his skating during that time. I am giving matta the benefit of the doubt, we know how he CAN play which means he can get back to it.
- martox

I guess my original point is these kids need to play well for us NOW to have success in the post season.

I think Dumo has another level, I am super impressed with that kids game. Letang in my mind is top 5 in the league, Daley has looked solid in our system. Maatta worries me... Hawks proved last year you can win without a third pairing, and ours is at least an average 3rd pairing.
- stackthepads

I like the way Dumo has developed. Is it possible Maatta has peaked? I think so. JR has been clamoring all along, atleast reportedly that they could use a top 4 D-man. Do they dare try Dumo with Tanger? Why not?

I guess my original point is these kids need to play well for us NOW to have success in the post season.
- madmike71

Team needs another offseason to regroup. Its not the year to go all in but its not a bad team. Teams like the Kings have everything we have offensive then have elite defenders. Next year we can get over the bump if Kessel finds better chemistry, Maata rebounds, and Pouliot becomes what Nisky was as a 5D. And we hit a little bit better on the UFA depth guys we take a shot at.

If that doesn't work you deal Fleury the following year for a stud 2/3D. And pray to god Murray can match Fleury. That would complete the team.

I think Maata's injuries made him lose a step. Not permently but it seems like he needs more offseason time to get into physical condition to return to what he was.

I think Maata's injuries made him lose a step. Not permently but it seems like he needs more offseason time to get into physical condition to return to what he was.
- sditulli

What I would love to know is how limited was his training in the off-season? If he wasn't able to work his legs or skate very much while recovering from his shoulder surgery I could understand his poor skating this year.

I like the way Dumo has developed. Is it possible Maatta has peaked? I think so. JR has been clamoring all along, atleast reportedly that they could use a top 4 D-man. Do they dare try Dumo with Tanger? Why not?
- Weisenheimer

You think Maatta has peaked at 21 ?? Seems awfully young for a defenceman to peak.

What I would love to know is how limited was his training in the off-season? If he wasn't able to work his legs or skate very much while recovering from his shoulder surgery I could understand his poor skating this year.
- madmike71

My unscientific observation....watching Maatta in street clothes those In The Room videos from last year to the beginning of the year, he looked like he lost a significant amount of muscle mass. I know this is sounds corny but I remember the pre-cancer press conference thinking how jacked Maatta looks and then this season he looked like a twig in comparison.

So I dont know how or why but it seems he may have been limited in training. I dont know if this truly affects his performance....just an observation.