Caps played like the Devils under Lemaire or 2013 Bruins and the Pens couldn't score. End of story.
- chimpira

They couldn't score, and they couldn't get through the NZ, and when they did the puck carrier was swarmed into making bad plays which Washington turned into a rush opportunity the majority of the time. They also didn't have the legs to win the puck races when they had to resort to dump and chase. Boucher's 1-3-1 in TBL and OTT both gave the Pens fits and kept them from playing their feewheeling style. This was just a different version of it, just sacking 4 at the blue line... and they had the skill to finish their chances unlike OTT.

Brassard had 4 points in 12 playoff games and was viewed, mostly, as a failure.

Nick Bonino had 3 points in the first 12 playoff games last year and was viewed as a key blood-and-guts depth player.

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 9, 2018

Difference of perception depending on winning vs. losing.

Brassard had 4 points in 12 playoff games and was viewed, mostly, as a failure.

Nick Bonino had 3 points in the first 12 playoff games last year and was viewed as a key blood-and-guts depth player.

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 9, 2018

Difference of perception depending on winning vs. losing.
- j.boyd919

True, but Brassard was touted as a much better player when he came here. So much talk about him being a 2nd line center on almost every team besides the Pens. Can't really blame anybody who was disappointed by him.

Brassard had 4 points in 12 playoff games and was viewed, mostly, as a failure.

Nick Bonino had 3 points in the first 12 playoff games last year and was viewed as a key blood-and-guts depth player.

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) May 9, 2018

Difference of perception depending on winning vs. losing.
- j.boyd919

They also didn't give up for Bonino was they gave up for Brassard, not to mention the expectations based on past performance.

True, but Brassard was touted as a much better player when he came here. So much talk about him being a 2nd line center on almost every team besides the Pens. Can't really blame anybody who was disappointed by him.
- Thorny87

Oh yeah definitely, he also averaged over a minute more of PP time in OTT as well though, he was given more ice time total in OTT than he was in PIT so you're gonna see a little bit of a production dip. Rust, Sheary, Hags, Brassard, Maatta... they all disappeared. I can't place blame on any one guy. Pens got zero depth scoring. That's pretty much what it comes down to.

They also didn't give up for Bonino was they gave up for Brassard, not to mention the expectations based on past performance.
- jmatchett383

Don't really think they gave up anything of real value. Cole wasn't wanted, Gus was like 4th on the depth chart, and I could care less about the 1st, given they have Brass for another year.

Oh yeah definitely, he also averaged over a minute more of PP time in OTT as well though, he was given more ice time total in OTT than he was in PIT so you're gonna see a little bit of a production dip. Rust, Sheary, Hags, Brassard, Maatta... they all disappeared. I can't place blame on any one guy. Pens got zero depth scoring. That's pretty much what it comes down to.
- j.boyd919

Maatta didn't disappear. Don't you remember game 3?

Maatta didn't disappear. Don't you remember game 3?
- jmatchett383

lol

Oh yeah definitely, he also averaged over a minute more of PP time in OTT as well though, he was given more ice time total in OTT than he was in PIT so you're gonna see a little bit of a production dip. Rust, Sheary, Hags, Brassard, Maatta... they all disappeared. I can't place blame on any one guy. Pens got zero depth scoring. That's pretty much what it comes down to.
- j.boyd919

100%

Don't really think they gave up anything of real value. Cole wasn't wanted, Gus was like 4th on the depth chart, and I could care less about the 1st, given they have Brass for another year.
- j.boyd919

So you'd argue that Brandon Sutter and a 3rd rounder (while also getting a second rounder back) are of equal or more value than Cole, Gustavson, a 1st rounder, and a 3rd rounder (while also getting a 3rd rounder back)?

I wouldn't, personally.

I really hate how that last game went down. It was extremely frustrating to watch. They couldn't adapt at all. They couldn't win a single race to the puck but kept dumping it in anyway.

So you'd argue that Brandon Sutter and a 3rd rounder (while also getting a second rounder back) are of equal or more value than Cole, Gustavson, a 1st rounder, and a 3rd rounder (while also getting a 3rd rounder back)?

I wouldn't, personally.
- jmatchett383

I said that they didn't give up much of value. I never stated more or less or equal. I just don't think either deals were trading away significant value. The only thing of value would be that 1st rounder, but they got a year and a half of a solid player in return.

I said that they didn't give up much of value. I never stated more or less or equal. I just don't think either deals were trading away significant value. The only thing of value would be that 1st rounder, but they got a year and a half of a solid player in return.
- j.boyd919

I agree. I just said they gave up more (much more, in my opinion, when you factor in additional assets they received) in the Brassard deal. ROI is another topic.

Hell, Sutter and a 3rd for a 2nd and Clendening was pretty much a solid deal without the Pens getting Bonino.

It's interesting to see the comparison of Bonino v. Brassard in the 12 games sample size...what I saw (eye test only) was that I never felt comfortable watching Brass take a defensive zone face-off that he was going to win it.

I realize face-offs are not the be all end all of play or metrics but Bonino always seemed to ensure whether through skill or muscle/determination that he would control play...but he was not an offensive threat like Brass was supposed to be.

Wonder what Cole will command on the open market? If we can dump Sheary somehow, I would strongly consider bringing Cole back.

I think that GMJR will emphasize tough-ness in whoever he brings in this season. Right or wrong, teams will see the Capitals as a blue print to beat us. I'm not saying this is the reason why we lost, but we had no answer to a physical game. And when the games got tight and turned to dump and chase, we didnt have much crash and bang in our forechecking.

Not saying he will be looking for a Reaves type but I could see him making a run at Kane or depth players that play physical. ZAR will help with that if he can take a forward step next season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The answer to any game is score more than the other team. The Pens couldnt get enough past Holtby and they certainly had their chances. This years edition of the Pens played much better vs the Caps than last year IMO.

“He's actually dealt with injuries all year, and to his credit, he played through those during the regular season, but his playoff was not what it has been the last couple of years,” Rutherford said. “I know some of those things he dealt with caught up with him.”

Rutherford said Kessel would not require any offseason surgery.

Oftentimes, players often open up about the nature and severity of their injuries after their postseasons end and the shroud of playoff secrecy lifts.

The Penguins didn't do that as they cleaned out their lockers Wednesday morning.

Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, who was dealing with a left knee injury in the playoffs, did not speak to reporters. Derick Brassard confirmed he was playing through an injury, but declined to offer any other specifics.

Sullivan was largely mum.

“I'm not going to disclose any of our injuries,” he said. “(Kessel) was dealing with bumps and bruises, just like some of our other guys. I'd rather not get into the list of injuries that guys had, but it was nothing significant, I can tell you that.”

GMJR and Sully on a few players on cleaning day.

I dont care what anyone here wants to say about it but Brassard >>> Bonino. He will have a training camp, full year with with them and he will be lights out next year for the Pens. Book it.

“He's actually dealt with injuries all year, and to his credit, he played through those during the regular season, but his playoff was not what it has been the last couple of years,” Rutherford said. “I know some of those things he dealt with caught up with him.”

Rutherford said Kessel would not require any offseason surgery.

Oftentimes, players often open up about the nature and severity of their injuries after their postseasons end and the shroud of playoff secrecy lifts.

The Penguins didn't do that as they cleaned out their lockers Wednesday morning.

Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, who was dealing with a left knee injury in the playoffs, did not speak to reporters. Derick Brassard confirmed he was playing through an injury, but declined to offer any other specifics.

Sullivan was largely mum.

“I'm not going to disclose any of our injuries,” he said. “(Kessel) was dealing with bumps and bruises, just like some of our other guys. I'd rather not get into the list of injuries that guys had, but it was nothing significant, I can tell you that.”

GMJR and Sully on a few players on cleaning day.
- j.boyd919

Holy bleep.... shots fired at Phil.

“He's actually dealt with injuries all year, and to his credit, he played through those during the regular season, but his playoff was not what it has been the last couple of years,” Rutherford said. “I know some of those things he dealt with caught up with him.”

Rutherford said Kessel would not require any offseason surgery.

Oftentimes, players often open up about the nature and severity of their injuries after their postseasons end and the shroud of playoff secrecy lifts.

The Penguins didn't do that as they cleaned out their lockers Wednesday morning.

Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, who was dealing with a left knee injury in the playoffs, did not speak to reporters. Derick Brassard confirmed he was playing through an injury, but declined to offer any other specifics.

Sullivan was largely mum.

“I'm not going to disclose any of our injuries,” he said. “(Kessel) was dealing with bumps and bruises, just like some of our other guys. I'd rather not get into the list of injuries that guys had, but it was nothing significant, I can tell you that.”

GMJR and Sully on a few players on cleaning day.
- j.boyd919

"Dominic Simon said he was playing through a fractured thumb"....so Sullivan keeps him on the top line and Sprong up in the box sitting on pine...

Holy bleep.... shots fired at Phil.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Not really. It's actually nice to see a team not unleashing the full injury list as their excuses.

Holy bleep.... shots fired at Phil.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I would guess that "significant" was more directed towards the type of recovery it would take (ie:surgery, broken bones) and less directed at players. When has Sully ever beat around the bush when talking? Same with GMJR.

GMJR quote as per Mackey

Rutherford: "I think it fair to say this will be a different-looking team by the time we open next season."

GMJR quote as per Mackey

Rutherford: "I think it fair to say this will be a different-looking team by the time we open next season."
- Thorny87

Oh god.

Oh god.
- MattStrat

Same article but about Sprong

“He’s a very talented player that will score a lot of goals in this league. He will be a regular on our team next year.”

GMJR quote as per Mackey

Rutherford: "I think it fair to say this will be a different-looking team by the time we open next season."
- Thorny87

How so? They traded their 1st for Brassard, so how are they going to acquire a goon to protect Sid and Geno?