I think his spot on the roster will be solely dependent on what the Pens do with Cullen. Do they resign him? If not, I would agree. If they do, I don't see it happening that he starts in the NHL.
- Oneonta Penguin

Probably right, but I tend to think that Cullens decision will primarily be based on what happens in the post season. If good things happen, he may retire on top. Its as much his decision as the Pens in some ways.

If anything, Sundie will be a first round call up when needed. He won't have to wait until Jan or Feb like he did this season behind others. If he finishes out strong, has a good offseason and camp, Pitt brass will be looking for an opportunity to call him up.

Are you suggesting that Maatta be scratched? That's a no brainer negative to me. I mean if Dumo and Letang kill it I wouldn't mind putting Maatta on the second pairing with Daley to go up against weaker competition. That'd honestly be good for him. But mediocre Maatta is still better than any other option we have on the left side not named Dumoulin. If he's good to go he's playing.
- Victoro311

Ok, just a slip for a moment of madness, but yes. Reduce his toi or playing until he's 100% confident. That as a 2nd line will be great if Dumo can handle top line minutes with Tanger. I would even say that may be it going forward?

I didn't think Maatta was playing too well before he got injured?? Would you bring him in if Dumo is solid? Play him sparingly until someone (frank)s up??
- Aussiepenguin

Maatta was playing excellent hockey before he went down. I know +/- isn't that great of a stat, but the fact that he was a +27, for a defenseman who isn't hugely offensively inclined, was a pretty impressive number. To stretch that out further, he was on the ice for 41 ES goals against in 67 games, while playing the second most ES time on ice on the team. That's pretty impressive.

Probably right, but I tend to think that Cullens decision will primarily be based on what happens in the post season. If good things happen, he may retire on top. Its as much his decision as the Pens in some ways.

If anything, Sundie will be a first round call up when needed. He won't have to wait until Jan or Feb like he did this season behind others. If he finishes out strong, has a good offseason and camp, Pitt brass will be looking for an opportunity to call him up.
- Reverend Killtaker

Gotta remember how close he was to making the team out of camp this season. He just needs to develop a smidge more offensive instinct. I don't ever expect Sundqvist to be a point producer but when he was first called up it was like we were playing short handed in the O-zone which is unacceptable at the NHL level. He's already improved a lot in that regard in my oppinion. Playing top line minutes in WBS during the AHL playoffs would do him a world of good in my estimation.

Had that happen to me earlier. Clicked the "my account button" and then went back to the article. If that didn't work, I reloaded the page. Apparently it's not recognizing a cookie or something at some point & not doing a full reload but loading from cache. The refresh kicked in when I reloaded & all of a sudden, it was recognizing. Additionally, it was only working if I had a single tab open. If I opened an article in a new tab, it didn't work.
- ScienceJesus

Still isn't working

Logged out and back in and everything. I'm using chrome and it's always worked, I'll try firefox or something

Still isn't working

Logged out and back in and everything. I'm using chrome and it's always worked, I'll try firefox or something
- Pens_Burgh

Clear your cookies from the site, you'll have to relogin again, but that might give it the refresh needed.

If not, might be a hiccup and you'll have to email about it.

Maatta was playing excellent hockey before he went down. I know +/- isn't that great of a stat, but the fact that he was a +27, for a defenseman who isn't hugely offensively inclined, was a pretty impressive number. To stretch that out further, he was on the ice for 41 ES goals against in 67 games, while playing the second most ES time on ice on the team. That's pretty impressive.
- cap1681

Ok it was more a question than a statement. I did see him get left in the dust on a few GA though not that long ago, & a few here were saying he wasn't going that well.

I hope he comes back bigger & better. I'm glad he wasn't traded & him coming back from what he's been through shows great resilience (same can be said for BB also).

That happened to me a lot the day my subscription had to re up. I have auto re sub scrip but the day of it, it acted weird for me. Any chance subscription ran out today?
- mmonana120

I subscribed for a year, active until Feb 26th 2017 so that's not it. Just tried and it's working on firefox at least

Still isn't working

Logged out and back in and everything. I'm using chrome and it's always worked, I'll try firefox or something
- Pens_Burgh

Call the Mrs., Dalia or something like that. She's super helpful.

Still isn't working

Logged out and back in and everything. I'm using chrome and it's always worked, I'll try firefox or something
- Pens_Burgh

Reboot your PC.

Played pretty well. No big gaffes and solid all around play. He's definitely to the point where he's a legit NHLer. I have a feeling Dumoulin will be back by Philly. Since we're in a pretty secure place I think I'd sit Lovejoy when Dumoulin come back to give Daley his natural side back (he is clearly leagues more comfortable on the right side, say what you want about handedness) and have the second pairing be Pouliot-Daley. Put Dumo with Letang for just a few games until Maatta comes back. Lord knows the rook has earned it
- Victoro311

Good to hear

Ok, just a slip for a moment of madness, but yes. Reduce his toi or playing until he's 100% confident. That as a 2nd line will be great if Dumo can handle top line minutes with Tanger. I would even say that may be it going forward?
- Aussiepenguin

There is a solid chance Dumoulin would be an even better fit with Letang than Maatta. There's a lot of Paul Martin in Bria Dumoulin and Letang loved playing with the guy once every blue moon when they were healthy together. What's great is that Dumo is bigger and faster than Martin ever was! That potential makes me salivate.

I also think Maatta and Pouliot could one day compliment each other fairly well. Both are more ceribral players than Letang. Maatta's lack luster foot speed might get him into less trouble with Pouliot than with Letang because DP won't put himself out of position as often as Tanger, taking some of the safety valve responsibilities away from Maatta. Hitch is one of them would have to learn to play the right side...

Where is our Swedish friend?? I bet he's staring at the HB homepage waiting on the ' fist!!

I subscribed for a year, active until Feb 26th 2017 so that's not it. Just tried and it's working on firefox at least
- Pens_Burgh

Get the app. I've never had problems on my phone.

There is a solid chance Dumoulin would be an even better fit with Letang than Maatta. There's a lot of Paul Martin in Bria Dumoulin and Letang loved playing with the guy once every blue moon when they were healthy together. What's great is that Dumo is bigger and faster than Martin ever was! That potential makes me salivate.

I also think Maatta and Pouliot could one day compliment each other fairly well. Both are more ceribral players than Letang. Maatta's lack luster foot speed might get him into less trouble with Pouliot than with Letang because DP won't put himself out of position as often as Tanger, taking some of the safety valve responsibilities away from Maatta. Hitch is one of them would have to learn to play the right side...
- Victoro311

I can't wait till next season when this young D will dominate!

I subscribed for a year, active until Feb 26th 2017 so that's not it. Just tried and it's working on firefox at least
- Pens_Burgh

There's some kind of annoying bug with his log on system. Happens to me all of the time. I always get in by changing browsers.

Gotta remember how close he was to making the team out of camp this season. He just needs to develop a smidge more offensive instinct. I don't ever expect Sundqvist to be a point producer but when he was first called up it was like we were playing short handed in the O-zone which is unacceptable at the NHL level. He's already improved a lot in that regard in my oppinion. Playing top line minutes in WBS during the AHL playoffs would do him a world of good in my estimation.
- Victoro311

In reality he's a prime example of why prospects no matter who they are arent always ready to jump into the NHL right away like some think they should.

When he started in WBS this season, he had a lot of turnovers, got knocked around a lot, made some bad mistakes with the puck like poor passing etc. All rookie stuff, but he played through it and developed well. He just needed time to adjust to the North American game which he has. He has had his call ups and he went through the same developmental growing pains, inept offensively, got beat a few times etc. He again learned played through it and is much better for it. Players do well when they work through the process properly more times than not. Who knows where Despres and DP would be at this point. Dominic Simon is in the same pool. Came in as a rookie came out hot, simmered down, and has started to find himself again. He even got in a couple of NHL games this season. He will also see more of the NHL next year as well.

Im happy as both a WBS fan and as a Pitt fan to watch them develop and that the Pens org has allowed it to happen this way. It will payoff tenfold going forward.

I'm sure you would take him over Mason or Neuwirth without hesitation.
- Oneonta Penguin

Never has something been less true

In reality he's a prime example of why prospects no matter who they are arent always ready to jump into the NHL right away like some think they should.

When he started in WBS this season, he had a lot of turnovers, got knocked around a lot, made some bad mistakes with the puck like poor passing etc. All rookie stuff, but he played through it and developed well. He just needed time to adjust to the North American game which he has. He has had his call ups and he went through the same developmental growing pains, inept offensively, got beat a few times etc. He again learned played through it and is much better for it. Players do well when they work through the process properly more times than not. Who knows where Despres and DP would be at this point. Dominic Simon is in the same pool. Came in as a rookie came out hot, simmered down, and has started to find himself again. He even got in a couple of NHL games this season. He will also see more of the NHL next year as well.

Im happy as both a WBS fan and as a Pitt fan to watch them develop and that the Pens org has allowed it to happen this way. It will payoff tenfold going forward.
- Reverend Killtaker

I've been keeping tack of Simon through the weekly WBS update on DK. It sounds like he's hit his fair share of rough patches. I really hope Simon wasn't a flash in the pan for the first half of the AHL season. I think all of us allowed our hopes to get pretty high on that kid. Hopefully with the infusion of Guentzel and Blueger it will give him an opportunity to play with more skilled players and allow him to develop better.

There is a solid chance Dumoulin would be an even better fit with Letang than Maatta. There's a lot of Paul Martin in Bria Dumoulin and Letang loved playing with the guy once every blue moon when they were healthy together. What's great is that Dumo is bigger and faster than Martin ever was! That potential makes me salivate.

I also think Maatta and Pouliot could one day compliment each other fairly well. Both are more ceribral players than Letang. Maatta's lack luster foot speed might get him into less trouble with Pouliot than with Letang because DP won't put himself out of position as often as Tanger, taking some of the safety valve responsibilities away from Maatta. Hitch is one of them would have to learn to play the right side...
- Victoro311

Good observations, I actually compare Maatta to Martin more so than Dumoulin. I really like what each brings to the table.

The top three Right side defensemen, Letang, Daley and Schultz, all have a non-stop go button. Letang is by far the best at getting back, all three get caught up ice often. The D situation has developed into a positive this year as compared to years past. I am very happy management has gone the homegrown route this year instead of the UFA scrap heap.

Never has something been less true
- YuenglingJagr

Dude, he is better than anything between the pipes in Philly.

Might be, but there is no question who I take between him, or Mason or Neuwirth.
- Oneonta Penguin

Even if they were all on the same contract I would take Mason and probably even Neuvirth over Rinne. The contract makes the decision laughable. Mason has been extremely good since he became a Flyer and Neuvirth has been above average for 2+ years now

Dude, he is better than anything between the pipes in Philly.
- Oneonta Penguin

I will be happy to read whatever facts you can come up with to substantiate that claim. To me it is obvious you are going to say April Fools or you are confusing real life with NHL 16

I've been keeping tack of Simon through the weekly WBS update on DK. It sounds like he's hit his fair share of rough patches. I really hope Simon wasn't a flash in the pan for the first half of the AHL season. I think all of us allowed our hopes to get pretty high on that kid. Hopefully with the infusion of Guentzel and Blueger it will give him an opportunity to play with more skilled players and allow him to develop better.
- Victoro311

Nah don't get down on Simon at all. Don't forget, his as well as other WBS players performance have suffered 1. due to the coaching change midseason, but more importantly, his supporting cast left him for the NHL. Losing line mates like Sheary, Wilson, Sundie, Kuhnachle, and even DP and Warsfofsky has hurt his production. All of these guys are in the NHL now for one reason or another so his offensive game would obviously benefit if they all were still in WBS. AHL teams had to worry about Wilson and Sheary tearing them up and not even realize that Simon was there and could do just as much damage as they could and he's only a rookie.

Having 21 goals in a rookie season as a 6th round pick (?) is really impressive at this level. If those guys were stilll here, he would have over 30 easily.

Dude, he is better than anything between the pipes in Philly.
- Oneonta Penguin

Both Philly goalies have a better SV% on a far worse defensive team than Rinne, and it's not like Rinne has been super injured this year like in years past. I think you're being caught up on name recognition and history.