Agreed. He's a good goaltender, but his reputation is a little inflated IMO because he played behind some stellar teams the past few years. From the eye-test he doesn't make himself look big in net and he doesn't have other-worldly athletic ability. I think he's Tuuka Rask 2.0. Reads plays well, so he can post Vezina worthy numbers when he has the right team in front of him.
- Le_Magnifique

Going off that note, super happy for MAF. I've said for a long time that if you put MAF on a well structured team, like BOS or LA, that he'd contend for a Vezina. His play right now is nothing less than spectacular. Shaping up like a JS Giguere/Jonathan Quick type playoff performance from him.

Going off that note, super happy for MAF. I've said for a long time that if you put MAF on a well structured team, like BOS or LA, that he'd contend for a Vezina. His play right now is nothing less than spectacular. Shaping up like a JS Giguere/Jonathan Quick type playoff performance from him.
- Le_Magnifique

Thought MAF was snubbed from the Vezina nom. He has a better sv% than all the guys nominated and the fact that he's up there with Rinne and Helli in GSAA despite playing in significantly less games is really impressive. I think he definitely should have been in over Vasi.

Sick of hearing how Holtby is playing other-worldly. The Pens have hit him or the post so far.
- Doogs

He isn't playing other-worldly, but he's made some really great and timely saves. I'm more shocked that people underscore how well Murray has been when I think he's been better than Holtby.

I've been pumping the breaks hard on Sprong since his stint up here this year concluded, but if Hagelin is out long term, I'll be joining the voices who'll be calling for him to play. The 4th line is once again a weakness. It should get substantially better with Sheahan bumped back down there, but I really, really hate what playing ZAR and Kuhnhackl together does to the line dynamics. If there's a possibility that Sprong gives that line a boost during its ~7 minutes of ES time, Kuhnhackl's ~2 minutes of PK time shouldn't take priority.
- Victoro311

Someday Sprong will play 1st or 2nd line for this team. He’s Literally worthless to play 7 minutes a night on the fourth line. The fourth line actually got things going for the pens last game. If springs going to play he needs to be with Sid or Heno or it’s pointless.

Sprong should have stayed up in IMO. He wasn't finding the net as easily as Guentzel did when he first game up, but Sprong was doing a great job of driving play and generating quality chances.

IMO it was just a matter of time before more regular contributions would start.

Lowest common denominator = this is this because made up stats say so.

Sprong should have stayed up in IMO. He wasn't finding the net as easily as Guentzel did when he first game up, but Sprong was doing a great job of driving play and generating quality chances.

IMO it was just a matter of time before more regular contributions would start.
- Rinosaur

I think he had plenty of work to do playing off puck and supporting the cycle but I remain unsure over whether or not it’s realistic to expect him to get better at that in the AHL.

So Trotz is playing Wilson 15/16 minutes a night some of that with Ovi. He's playing as an intimidator in my opinion opening up space for Ovi & getting turnovers on the forecheck. Scoring at a reasonable rate as well for what he is - not a high end winger. Trotz plays a dirty game in my opinion with Oshie being a grub as well.

So would he be getting 15/16 minutes a night on the Pens?

I think he had plenty of work to do playing off puck and supporting the cycle but I remain unsure over whether or not it’s realistic to expect him to get better at that in the AHL.
- Victoro311

If he doesn't start with the Pens next season we've now reached Pouliot territory. There's nothing else for him to learn at the AHL level. It has to be trial by fire at this point in his development.

Didn't read the blog. But I see Fists of Fury being mentioned.

that's all I've got to say about that.

So Trotsky is playing Wilson 15/16 minutes a night some of that with Ovi. He's playing as an intimidator in my opinion opening up space for Ovi & getting turnovers on the forecheck. Scoring at a reasonable rate as well for what he is - not a high end winger. Trotz plays a dirty game in my opinion with Oshie being a grub as well.

So would he be getting 15/16 minutes a night on the Pens?
- Aussiepenguin

Tom Wilson’s been very good this season. His goonery aside he’d definitely be in our top 9.

So Trotsky is playing Wilson 15/16 minutes a night some of that with Ovi. He's playing as an intimidator in my opinion opening up space for Ovi & getting turnovers on the forecheck. Scoring at a reasonable rate as well for what he is - not a high end winger. Trotz plays a dirty game in my opinion with Oshie being a grub as well.

So would he be getting 15/16 minutes a night on the Pens?
- Aussiepenguin

Yeah, Ovie really needs help forechecking......

Tom Wilson’s been very good this season. His goonery aside he’d definitely be in our top 9.
- Victoro311

Not to mention he would be hurting the capitals defense instead of ours right now.

Tom Wilson’s been very good this season. His goonery aside he’d definitely be in our top 9.
- Victoro311

That's the thing. Blackstrom said it the other day, Wilson wasn't anything until last year or this year, but he's been given a job on Ovis line - a few others that can play there as well, would he have been given that opportunity on the Pens? Or would he just have been the 'deterginator' & 4 minutes a night with the fans whinging & female doging about him?

Not to mention he would be hurting the capitals defense instead of ours right now.
- Grinder47

But he probably wouldn't be playing more than 4 minutes a night.

Yeah, Ovie really needs help forechecking......
- Murphy_Dump

Well that's where he was when Dumo got hit. The Jackets fan said they did nearly the exact same thing to Wenneberg, so it's either a set play to injure guys or Ovi is actually forechecking?

Oleksiak needs to lay Oleksiak out a few times?
- jmatchett383

you have to be the biggest smart a$$ on this board.

but i like it for some reason.

you have to be the biggest smart a$$ on this board.

but i like it for some reason.
- pensfan024

I take offense to this

That's the thing. Blackstrom said it the other day, Wilson wasn't anything until last year or this year, but he's been given a job on Ovis line - a few others that can play there as well, would he have been given that opportunity on the Pens? Or would he just have been the 'deterginator' & 4 minutes a night with the fans whinging & female doging about him?
- Aussiepenguin

The difference is that Wilson has always had leagues more hockey skill than the guys you're implicitly comparing him to in order to make another poopty point about how Kuhnhackl and Rowney haven't been given enough of a chance. Wilson's issue has always been that he's a low IQ hockey player who's Neanderthal tendencies have kept him from reaching his potential as an actual hockey player. Much like Steve Downie. Downie had a similar reputation and the only thing people complained about here when Downie played up with Sid is that he'd usually end up in the penalty box over something idiotic, not that he sucked.

Someday Sprong will play 1st or 2nd line for this team. He’s Literally worthless to play 7 minutes a night on the fourth line. The fourth line actually got things going for the pens last game. If springs going to play he needs to be with Sid or Heno or it’s pointless.
- Grinder47

I really love Heno's game. But in my opinion Heno should fight more, hit harder & later & bite the ears off a couple of Caps players.

(frank)ing Heno, what a champion!

you have to be the biggest smart a$$ on this board.

but i like it for some reason.
- pensfan024

That's a lot of pressure to put on him.

The difference is that Wilson has always had leagues more hockey skill than the guys you're implicitly comparing him to in order to make another poopty point about how Kuhnhackl and Rowney haven't been given enough of a chance. Wilson's issue has always been that he's a low IQ hockey player who's Neanderthal tendencies have kept him from reaching his potential as an actual hockey player. Much like Steve Downie. Downie had a similar reputation and the only thing people complained about here when Downie played up with Sid is that he'd usually end up in the penalty box over something idiotic, not that he sucked.
- Victoro311

I'm not comparing to Knuckles & certainly not Rowney. I was inferring Fists of Fury as a comparable. Who, actaully had a few good games when given an opportunity (I remember even you said he did ). It's more a point that Wilson would never have been given an opportunity here the same as what he has with the Caps. And it isn't hurting the Caps. We'll see if Dumo actually plays & how he is with the puck when Ovi & Wilson come calling........

I'm not comparing to Knuckles & certainly not Rowney. I was inferring Fists of Fury as a comparable. Who, actaully had a few good games when given an opportunity (I remember even you said he did ). It's more a point that Wilson would never have been given an opportunity here the same as what he has with the Caps. And it isn't hurting the Caps. We'll see if Dumo actually plays & how he is with the puck when Ovi & Wilson come calling........
- Aussiepenguin

Except that his good games he always started on the 4th line and earned the extra minutes. Your game plan was always start him off in an elevated role despite the fact that he has no track record of consistent success in a top 9 role as a 31 year old because... honestly I don't even know what your reasoning was. You just liked him to be a contrarian.

Wilson wasn't just randomly plugged in with Ovechkin. He's a 23 year old late bloomer that actually had things click for him towards the end of his developmental curb and earned his spot. At 23 you can reasonably expect someone to get better and be more than what they have been in years past. At 31 you can't.

Except that his good games he always started on the 4th line and earned the extra minutes. Your game plan was always start him off in an elevated role despite the fact that he has no track record of consistent success in a top 9 role as a 31 year old because... honestly I don't even know what your reasoning was. You just liked him to be a contrarian.

Wilson wasn't just randomly plugged in with Ovechkin. He's a 23 year old late bloomer that actually had things click for him towards the end of his developmental curb and earned his spot. At 23 you can reasonably expect someone to get better and be more than what they have been in years past. At 31 you can't.
- Victoro311

Good points Vic. I still am of the opinion Wilson wouldn't have got an opportunity to play top 6 here, but that's just moi.

I am intrigued on how a player can earn more minutes after playing only 2 minutes on the ice which is what Reaves was getting in the first period of games? The times he 'earned' longer minutes, he played well. I never saw a comment about how bad he was if he played 8/9 minutes. Maybe Sully could have given him more time in more games?

Sully want high skill up tempo play, even though he doesn't get it all the time. Is Wilson high skill up tempo?

I'm not picking an arguement, your logic is good. We differ in opinion.

If he doesn't start with the Pens next season we've now reached Pouliot territory. There's nothing else for him to learn at the AHL level. It has to be trial by fire at this point in his development.
- Rinosaur

I dont really understand this Sprong fascination, what exactly has he shown? Everyone talks about an elite shot. Elite shooters score a lot, Sprong hasn't done that and he's lined up next to two of the best players who've ever played. You want to see an elite shot you look at Boeser, he came in and scored right away, then continued to score. Sprong floats too much, if he played like Sheary or Rust he would be in the line up every night.

And Pouliot? Go ask Canucks fans about him, after the honeymoon wore off he was just as useless as he was in Pittsburgh, Plain and simple Pouliot cant think fast enough for the NHL.