Oh definitely I think Schultz’s injury really (frank)ed us up hahah but I do think that injury could have been better absorbed withbetter roster construction.
- j.boyd919

No doubt.

Matt - Not a ton of turnover I suppose but drop off in play. Rust was so good the last few years and now he looks like a borderline ahl callup. Schultz is gone, so we have no one to move the puck other than Letang. Brassard can't stay healthy. Hornqvist is being misused with way too much bottom 6 minutes, Hagelin has always been streaky, but I've never seen him as low as this year.

But again, like you say, there are times (periods, even games) where we look elite.

Regardless, I think that the major issue is that we have won a couple of cups and played a lot of hockey with the majority of this team over the past few years, and the drive isn't there like it needs to be on a consistent basis. Too many stupid little errors. We seem to be able to play an awesome game for 58 minutes and 30 seconds, but then for a total of 1 minute and 30 seconds, we give up 2 on 1s and breakaways and 3 on 2's and Murray is unable to EVER bail us out anymore like he used to.
- bochangs

Yes, I agree. So, how do they get their a$$es kicked back into gear?...either the coach changes his attitude and perhaps system...or the coach gets changed all together.

I'm thinking Cullen's "long term injury" is a way of saying that he's heading to a place similar to Robidas Island so the team can put him LTIR and free up some cap money so GMJR can make another move.

"Yes you’re right. Anything can happen in a 7 game series but I’d rather construct my roster to play better and give my team a better chance to win. If you’re trading chances 50/50, you have Less of a chance to win than say trading chances 60/40. That’s my issue. " - jboyd

True, but again, if you are trading chances 50/50 and you have Malkin, Kessel, Crosby, Letang, etc, etc you probably have a better chance to win than if you are trading chances 60/40 but your roster consists of Shane Doan, Alex Goligoski, Tobias Reider, Anthony Dulcair, etc etc.

But I know what you mean.
- bochangs

This is correct. The Pens already had the blue print for trading chances. They did it in the first cup and then GMJR opted
To go against that roster construction. I know you were saying there isn’t a lot of turnover but there was a lot mainly in the depth positions and for some reason instead of looking for similar style players, GMJR went and acquired completely different style players and it’s not working out because it’s a mish mash of players not built to play that system. Honestly I’d rather have Sheary and Hunwick on the roster right now than JJ and Cullen.

Yes, I agree. So, how do they get their a$$es kicked back into gear?...either the coach changes his attitude and perhaps system...or the coach gets changed all together.
- MattStrat

Get rid of the bad players and replace them with competent ones lol

"This is correct. The Pens already had the blue print for trading chances. They did it in the first cup and then GMJR opted
To go against that roster construction. I know you were saying there isn’t a lot of turnover but there was a lot mainly in the depth positions and for some reason instead of looking for similar style players, GMJR went and acquired completely different style players and it’s not working out because it’s a mish mash of players not built to play that system. Honestly I’d rather have Sheary and Hunwick on the roster right now than JJ and Cullen. " - jboyd

This times 1000

I think that the problem is more based on the same problem as "left-wing politics".

Decisions are made by emotions and feelings instead of numbers and data. Players that have been successful at some point in their career are overvalued by the emotional mindset. No coach or GM wants to tell a 40 year old who has played in the league for 21 years to go pound sand.

I remember watching the MLB all star game one year as a kid and an old Ozzie Smith made the NL team and he was batting like .214 with 3 HR. That is the day that I started to notice the emotional treatment.

I hardly read this blog anymore. Same old Jack Johnson is the reason the Pens are losing crap. The guy has no chance with RW even when he's playing decent hockey.

Damn, my boy Skinner demanding the moon

I hardly read this blog anymore. Same old Jack Johnson is the reason the Pens are losing crap. The guy has no chance with RW even when he's playing decent hockey.
- Barnaby36

He’s been on the ice for the most goals against at 5v5. He hasn’t been playing decent hockey. When he’s on the ice, bad things happen. It’s been that way over his entire career.

I think that the problem is more based on the same problem as "left-wing politics".

Decisions are made by emotions and feelings instead of numbers and data. Players that have been successful at some point in their career are overvalued by the emotional mindset. No coach or GM wants to tell a 40 year old who has played in the league for 21 years to go pound sand.

I remember watching the MLB all star game one year as a kid and an old Ozzie Smith made the NL team and he was batting like .214 with 3 HR. That is the day that I started to notice the emotional treatment.
- bochangs

I have a strange feeling that GMJR reached out to Cullen and not the other way around lol

I think that the problem is more based on the same problem as "left-wing politics".

Decisions are made by emotions and feelings instead of numbers and data. Players that have been successful at some point in their career are overvalued by the emotional mindset. No coach or GM wants to tell a 40 year old who has played in the league for 21 years to go pound sand.

I remember watching the MLB all star game one year as a kid and an old Ozzie Smith made the NL team and he was batting like .214 with 3 HR. That is the day that I started to notice the emotional treatment.
- bochangs

stevie y woulda told cullen to (frank) off

I think that the problem is more based on the same problem as "left-wing politics".

Decisions are made by emotions and feelings instead of numbers and data. Players that have been successful at some point in their career are overvalued by the emotional mindset. No coach or GM wants to tell a 40 year old who has played in the league for 21 years to go pound sand.

I remember watching the MLB all star game one year as a kid and an old Ozzie Smith made the NL team and he was batting like .214 with 3 HR. That is the day that I started to notice the emotional treatment.
- bochangs

one could argue the opposite as well

I dont understand why you would not want to get younger and faster instead of older and slower.....seems pretty basic IMO. Crosby and Malkin have 3 years left where they can control a game then it goes downhill fast. Bringing in a guy like Cullen for veteran experience makes 0 sense.....Crosby is a vet he has 3 cups same with Malkin and Letang.

Im really not sure how lemieux gave JR an extension after this season so far.

Here for the daily Wilson whining lol

I dont understand why you would not want to get younger and faster instead of older and slower.....seems pretty basic IMO. Crosby and Malkin have 3 years left where they can control a game then it goes downhill fast. Bringing in a guy like Cullen for veteran experience makes 0 sense.....Crosby is a vet he has 3 cups same with Malkin and Letang.

Im really not sure how lemieux gave JR an extension after this season so far.
- sammy87

So....you are arguing to trade Crosby and Malkin for players who are younger and faster???

Get rid of the bad players and replace them with competent ones lol
- j.boyd919

This only helps if you have competent people making decisions.

And if DeSmith doesn’t play well enough for the Pens to win, who starts against Dallas? How long can you go without a “starter”?

And if DeSmith doesn’t play well enough for the Pens to win, who starts against Dallas? How long can you go without a “starter”?
- Dr Blob

I’ve thrown my name in the bag. I mean, I’ve never played goalie, but why not?

Little extra information... Derek Clancy penguins director of pro scouting has been at 2 of the last 5 Anaheim ducks games.... The ducks have had 4 different scouts at penguins game over the last 2 weeks...

I’ve thrown my name in the bag. I mean, I’ve never played goalie, but why not?
- Rinosaur

Be sure, you would prefer every shoot hitting the net instead your body.

So....you are arguing to trade Crosby and Malkin for players who are younger and faster???
- jmatchett383

More along the lines of:

A. We have the elite/difficult to get pieces, who already have veteran experience and also only have so many elite years left, so then...

B. Why the hell would we waste any amount of cap space on more veteran players who also can't contribute on the ice?

Young/cheap/fast support players. Easier said than done, but it sure was fun to watch in 2016.

I'm thinking Cullen's "long term injury" is a way of saying that he's heading to a place similar to Robidas Island so the team can put him LTIR and free up some cap money so GMJR can make another move.
- NewfieStud

Yeah I feel like that's what's going on too haha. Craig Patrick is back as a pro scout!

Little extra information... Derek Clancy penguins director of pro scouting has been at 2 of the last 5 Anaheim ducks games.... The ducks have had 4 different scouts at penguins game over the last 2 weeks...
- pens4life-66

Nice thanks for the info!

Pens gotta get back to the shootouts to end practice