FlexGate 2016
- eichiefs9

Got a chuckle outta that.

So Kessel gets a hat trick tomorrow night?

So Kessel gets a hat trick tomorrow night?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He seems to respond well to heavy scrutiny on these blogs...

...not that there's any chance he's reading them.

I tried playing with some low flex sticks in the past.... better luck playing with a wet noodle

I understand that flex gets him 30 goals a year, 8 million dollars in the bank.... but it might be time to move up to an 80, 85 like someone who is past peewee.

one timers are out of the question , you cannot take a slap shot to save your life, you cant clear the puck right, you cant utilize one the best passers the game has ever seen in a correct way

In toronto it was fine becaue he was the quarter back starting off with the puck.... well now he is the 3rd-4th wide receiver... might want to change it up
- nightmare3020

Ryan Wilson: Too Much Philex
Too Much Philex
- Ryan_Wilson

and so begins the questions and dissatisfaction....

maybe - since it seems someone is trying to be VERY scientific about this - someone should ask Phil what he weighed and about his hand/wrist strength when he started using the 70 flex intermediate sticks?
perhaps 16-17 years old... 160lbs??
what is he now?
28 years old .... 210 lbs????

and so begins the questions and dissatisfaction....

maybe - since it seems someone is trying to be VERY scientific about this - someone should ask Phil what he weighed and about his hand/wrist strength when he started using the 70 flex intermediate sticks?
perhaps 16-17 years old... 160lbs??
what is he now?
28 years old .... 210 lbs????


- BorjeFan4Ever

That is actually a very good point.

The call for Kessel to change his stick is borderline insane and laughable.
He has over 260 goals in his career thus far (267 I think as of today). How many of those goals came on one-times vs wrist shots / snap shots, backhands?

I'd venture to guess a LARGE majority of his goals do NOT come from one-timers, yet you want HIM to change his stick so he can score on one-timers. Does it not hit home that the whip he gets on his wrist and snap shots would then decline and his goals scored form those shots drop off as well? Are you willing to add an extra 5 goals via one-timers and sacrifice 10 goals via snapper and wristers every year?

The guy is in his 10th NHL season and has played hockey longer and at a more competitive level than any of these armchair hockey studs making the argument. He knows his game, he is having a down year, he is with a new team, still trying to figure things out. Stop with the insanity.
Crosby is having a bad year compared to the standard he set for himself
Malkin is having an avg at BEST year compared to his performance in the past
The team is under performing for their talent, there is no doubt about that, but they are singling out the new guy.

That is actually a very good point.
- rival22

I know - not trying to be a "Richard" about it either... I thought the same thing watching him in Toronto for those years.

its not rocket science... the reason young kids can shoot the puck harder at an earlier age these days isn't because they are "stronger"... probably the contrary.
the composite sticks flex more easily than the old wooden ones.

if I was Kessel's coach - I put it to him this way....

"hey Phil.. when, how old were you when you started using that Intermediate stick"?...

maybe you should go to a slightly stiffer flex now that you weigh 30lbs more than when you started using it......




or lose 30 lbs

The call for Kessel to change his stick is borderline insane and laughable.
He has over 260 goals in his career thus far (267 I think as of today). How many of those goals came on one-times vs wrist shots / snap shots, backhands?

I'd venture to guess a LARGE majority of his goals do NOT come from one-timers, yet you want HIM to change his stick so he can score on one-timers. Does it not hit home that the whip he gets on his wrist and snap shots would then decline and his goals scored form those shots drop off as well? Are you willing to add an extra 5 goals via one-timers and sacrifice 10 goals via snapper and wristers every year?

The guy is in his 10th NHL season and has played hockey longer and at a more competitive level than any of these armchair hockey studs making the argument. He knows his game, he is having a down year, he is with a new team, still trying to figure things out. Stop with the insanity.
Crosby is having a bad year compared to the standard he set for himself
Malkin is having an avg at BEST year compared to his performance in the past
The team is under performing for their talent, there is no doubt about that, but they are singling out the new guy.
- MiloslavHorava

just one question?

do you believe the Henrik Lundqvist has adjusted his equipment from when he was a 17 year old 160lb goalie to this point?

don't respond... just think about the response.

The call for Kessel to change his stick is borderline insane and laughable.
He has over 260 goals in his career thus far (267 I think as of today). How many of those goals came on one-times vs wrist shots / snap shots, backhands?

I'd venture to guess a LARGE majority of his goals do NOT come from one-timers, yet you want HIM to change his stick so he can score on one-timers. Does it not hit home that the whip he gets on his wrist and snap shots would then decline and his goals scored form those shots drop off as well? Are you willing to add an extra 5 goals via one-timers and sacrifice 10 goals via snapper and wristers every year?

The guy is in his 10th NHL season and has played hockey longer and at a more competitive level than any of these armchair hockey studs making the argument. He knows his game, he is having a down year, he is with a new team, still trying to figure things out. Stop with the insanity.
Crosby is having a bad year compared to the standard he set for himself
Malkin is having an avg at BEST year compared to his performance in the past
The team is under performing for their talent, there is no doubt about that, but they are singling out the new guy.
- MiloslavHorava

That's great but he's a complementary player on Pittsburgh. He accommodates his game to the stars on the team. Not the other way around. And he ain't scoring enough snapshots to make up for all the lost goals on one timers. At the very least he needs to change his stick on the PP or be taken off the PP1.

That's great but he's a complementary player on Pittsburgh. He accommodates his game to the stars on the team. Not the other way around. And he ain't scoring enough snapshots to make up for all the lost goals on one timers. At the very least he needs to change his stick on the PP or be taken off the PP1.
- jfkst1

You're dealing with super ego's. I highly doubt someone like Phil would take being told to adjust their game at this point in their lately. Pretty sure he will tell Sullivan to piss off. NHL coaches have a very short shelf life. 30+ goal scorers are a rarity.

just one question?

do you believe the Henrik Lundqvist has adjusted his equipment from when he was a 17 year old 160lb goalie to this point?

don't respond... just think about the response.
- BorjeFan4Ever

That's a terrible argument. What does a goaltenders weight have to do with his equipment???? I bet Kessel wears different pads too. the argument is about a STICK and no other piece of equipment.

You are also making the assumption that Kessel has used the exact same stick (flex, curve, model, etc) since he was 17rs old. where is your proof of that???
And since it was god enough for him to score 37 goals two years ago why is it different now?

Here's what I'm not totally understanding about the Kessel situation, when Shero traded for Iginla and Bylsma put him on his off wing it was continual bashing of Bylsma for not using the player to properly utilize his skills, not 1 person ever said that Iginla needed to change the way he had played his entire career to do what was best for the team, now with a very similar situation everyone is bashing Kessel for not changing what has made him successful his entire career to do what's best for the team. Why is no one bashing Sullivan for not utilizing Kessel in a manor that best suits his skill set as they did with Bylsma in the Iginla situation? Why is no one bashing GMJR for adding a player whose skill set didn't match what the team needed? Why is no one bashing GMJR for saying the importance of adding a player like Kessel was having another player that can create his on shot and then allowing the coach to use him in a role where he is to rely on others to create his shot as the did with Shero for not forcing Blysma to play Iginla with Crosby or on the RW? I find it interesting how the narrative has change from a coach many were souring on and a player everyone loved to a coach everyone is in love with and a player everyone was souring on.
- jaydogg1974

The problem is that people are bashing Kessel, when it's completely unwarranted. He's the exact player he was when the Pens acquired him. As the article stated, he's slightly outproducing similar priced wingers, and is contributing just as he had his entire career. The bashing of Kessel is the people who thought he was something more than he is. Expectations were too high.

The call for Kessel to change his stick is borderline insane and laughable.
He has over 260 goals in his career thus far (267 I think as of today). How many of those goals came on one-times vs wrist shots / snap shots, backhands?

I'd venture to guess a LARGE majority of his goals do NOT come from one-timers, yet you want HIM to change his stick so he can score on one-timers. Does it not hit home that the whip he gets on his wrist and snap shots would then decline and his goals scored form those shots drop off as well? Are you willing to add an extra 5 goals via one-timers and sacrifice 10 goals via snapper and wristers every year?

The guy is in his 10th NHL season and has played hockey longer and at a more competitive level than any of these armchair hockey studs making the argument. He knows his game, he is having a down year, he is with a new team, still trying to figure things out. Stop with the insanity.
Crosby is having a bad year compared to the standard he set for himself
Malkin is having an avg at BEST year compared to his performance in the past
The team is under performing for their talent, there is no doubt about that, but they are singling out the new guy.
- MiloslavHorava

I agree with alot of what you said...but you're not watching him blow golden opportunities almost every game. When those things happen and the Pens lose, especially vs a divisional opponent thats the next team ahead in the standings, a lot of people like to vent. If they win, not near as many people complain about the missing opportunities.

That's great but he's a complementary player on Pittsburgh. He accommodates his game to the stars on the team. Not the other way around. And he ain't scoring enough snapshots to make up for all the lost goals on one timers. At the very least he needs to change his stick on the PP or be taken off the PP1.
- jfkst1

So then call out your coaches for not using a player to the best of his abilities. He has talents and skills that are unquestionable, hence he is in the NHL and a damn good player. A coaches job is to put players in position to maximize their skill. That's like taking a linebacker who is built to play in the 4-3 defense and making him play in the 3-4 and then blaming him for not being good.

So then call out your coaches for not using a player to the best of his abilities. He has talents and skills that are unquestionable, hence he is in the NHL and a damn good player. A coaches job is to put players in position to maximize their skill. That's like taking a linebacker who is built to play in the 4-3 defense and making him play in the 3-4 and then blaming him for not being good.
- MiloslavHorava

The problem is that people are bashing Kessel, when it's completely unwarranted. He's the exact player he was when the Pens acquired him. As the article stated, he's slightly outproducing similar priced wingers, and is contributing just as he had his entire career. The bashing of Kessel is the people who thought he was something more than he is. Expectations were too high.
- j.boyd919

Thats why a few of us were not in favor of the trade. Everyone thinks playing with 87/71 will always have the Dupuis effect. Dupes was always a 3rd line player but had 2 good seasons with 87, one of which was the lockout yr which a lot of older players benefited. Those 2 players need guys that can do the dirty work, fight the battles and compliment the stars. Adding another star was jus a dumb idea. Neither Kessel or 71 should be doing that. They're paid too much to miss games and their production is too critical.

The problem is that people are bashing Kessel, when it's completely unwarranted. He's the exact player he was when the Pens acquired him. As the article stated, he's slightly outproducing similar priced wingers, and is contributing just as he had his entire career. The bashing of Kessel is the people who thought he was something more than he is. Expectations were too high.
- j.boyd919

Maybe so, but I'm at the point where I think Wilson would be a better fit on the first PP and that is unfortunate.

He's butchered a ton of grade A chances that didn't require a one timer too.

So then call out your coaches for not using a player to the best of his abilities. He has talents and skills that are unquestionable, hence he is in the NHL and a damn good player. A coaches job is to put players in position to maximize their skill. That's like taking a linebacker who is built to play in the 4-3 defense and making him play in the 3-4 and then blaming him for not being good.
- MiloslavHorava

Did you read my post? I said his usage needs to change.
BTW, one timing a puck is a rudimentary skill set every other top 6 F of his generation can perform. So it's more like a linebacker that can never play man coverage with backs.

How much cap space do we have and what kind of moves can we make in the offseason?

How much cap space do we have and what kind of moves can we make in the offseason?
- joescullz

Not much.

6 more years of Kessel, 2 of Cole, 3 of Hags skating fast, 1 more of Bonino and 1 more of paying Daley 4mil.

Not much.

6 more years of Kessel, 2 of Cole, 3 of Hags skating fast, 1 more of Bonino and 1 more of paying Daley 4mil.
- sammy87

How many more years of Sammy female doging are we blessed with?

Not much.

6 more years of Kessel, 2 of Cole, 3 of Hags skating fast, 1 more of Bonino and 1 more of paying Daley 4mil.
- sammy87

Fawk, you're brutal. They all have NTC's?

Did you read my post? I said his usage needs to change.
BTW, one timing a puck is a rudimentary skill set every other top 6 F of his generation can perform. So it's more like a linebacker that can't play man coverage with backs.
- jfkst1

I'll strongly disagree with you here. Very few guys in the NHL are known as players who are great at one-timing a puck. Ovechkin and few others have mastered that skill. The precision which is need t do it properly on a hard pass or in a tight space and get the puck where you want it can only be done by few gifted players.
Just watch a full series of games on any given night in the NHL and tell me how many times you see guys:
a) Whiff on a one timer
b) Shank on a one timer
c) "dust off the puck" aka handle it to settle it down before shooting it.

If it was so easy guys would be one-timing the puck all night long.
Agian its easier for one to sit at home and say what skills someone SHOULD have, but if its not in his skill set, who has the fault? him, or the people that blame him for not being able to do it, knowing its not one of his skills.

I'll bet quite a hefty sum that we go on the rink tonight, I stand on the goal line to the side of the net, you stand dead in the middle of the high slot and I whip you passes to you (not slide them over to you at 5mph, maybe 35mph) and you will shank 95+% of them and that's without defenders or a goalie in net distracting you or causing you to adjust to the puck as it comes into your wheelhouse.

I'll strongly disagree with you here. Very few guys in the NHL are known as players who are great at one-timing a puck. Ovechkin and few others have mastered that skill. The precision which is need t do it properly on a hard pass or in a tight space and get the puck where you want it can only be done by few gifted players.
Just watch a full series of games on any given night in the NHL and tell me how many times you see guys:
a) Whiff on a one timer
b) Shank on a one timer
c) "dust off the puck" aka handle it to settle it down before shooting it.

If it was so easy guys would be one-timing the puck all night long.
Agian its easier for one to sit at home and say what skills someone SHOULD have, but if its not in his skill set, who has the fault? him, or the people that blame him for not being able to do it, knowing its not one of his skills.

I'll bet quite a hefty sum that we go on the rink tonight, I stand on the goal line to the side of the net, you stand dead in the middle of the high slot and I whip you passes to you (not slide them over to you at 5mph, maybe 35mph) and you will shank 95+% of them and that's without defenders or a goalie in net distracting you or causing you to adjust to the puck as it comes into your wheelhouse.
- MiloslavHorava

I agree with you. I always thought it was a very difficult skill to develop and you see lots of folks whiff but some of that can be attributed to bouncing pucks