Side note...I love Dumo but man he sure seems to get a lot of wide open passes to the point and do nothing with them...

I don't know about Angello, but I'd like to see Blueger get a shot. Dipauli has been playing well in the AHL plus he has sick speed. I'd like to see him get a look too.

These ideas are just window dressing however. These recent performances from Kessel and Malkin are crushing. The team has no chance with them playing so poorly. Letang had a BRUTAL night and he basically said so in his post-game comments, but I never get the feeling he's not trying. I can't say that about Phil, Geno and Brassard.
- madmike71

Yeah it's not the solution but guys like Archibald in the past provided a real spark. Grant is just so meh.

Anyway I don't see much of an effort issue...it's simply bad decisions at bad times and/or the wrong mix of players. I strongly believe we need more roster shakeup. Pearson trade is already paying dividends imo.

I don't know about Angello, but I'd like to see Blueger get a shot. Dipauli has been playing well in the AHL plus he has sick speed. I'd like to see him get a look too.

These ideas are just window dressing however. These recent performances from Kessel and Malkin are crushing. The team has no chance with them playing so poorly. Letang had a BRUTAL night and he basically said so in his post-game comments, but I never get the feeling he's not trying. I can't say that about Phil, Geno and Brassard.
- madmike71

This sums everything up perfectly. Sad.

Side note...I love Dumo but man he sure seems to get a lot of wide open passes to the point and do nothing with them...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He does pretty much everything well but shoots like a 14 year old. That said, we need to fix these lines. Frustrating to see Kessel with Brassard and know they don't mesh well.
As someone mentioned above I'd look for a shake up and see what Rust and Brassard can bring in a deal.

I don't know about Angello, but I'd like to see Blueger get a shot. Dipauli has been playing well in the AHL plus he has sick speed. I'd like to see him get a look too.

These ideas are just window dressing however. These recent performances from Kessel and Malkin are crushing. The team has no chance with them playing so poorly. Letang had a BRUTAL night and he basically said so in his post-game comments, but I never get the feeling he's not trying. I can't say that about Phil, Geno and Brassard.
- madmike71

Very true.

Hey Ryan, I find it amusing that a writer for the penguins with one of the dirtiest cheapshot artists to play the game in Cooke is talking about Wilson. Funny man.

Hey Ryan, I find it amusing that a writer for the penguins with one of the dirtiest cheapshot artists to play the game in Cooke is talking about Wilson. Funny man.
- mattstake

You didn't actually read his blog, did you? Seems like you saw the title and went full retard.

DK's post-game column says two sources within the Penguins said they are "beyond exasperated" with Brassard and one source said he's "trade material". When he asked about timing, his source responded by saying there's "real urgency".

DK's post-game column says two sources within the Penguins said they are "beyond exasperated" with Brassard and one source said he's "trade material". When he asked about timing, his source responded by saying there's "real urgency".
- madmike71

Let's say this is true and they don't feel he's working out. What could they move him for? How do they replace him? Sheahan is not a 3C.

I read one rumor a little while back on TIOPS that made me nauseas regarding bringing back Bonino.

Let's say this is true and they don't feel he's working out. What could they move him for? How do they replace him? Sheahan is not a 3C.

I read one rumor a little while back on TIOPS that made me nauseas regarding bringing back Bonino.
- Rinosaur

DK isn't a rumor guy.....so I think the report is legit. Doesn't mean he'll get moved of course. You need a willing buyer of a struggling UFA.

I'm just not into bringing back old hero's. It never seems to work.....so no on Bones. If I had to guess, JR will cobble together a couple of players for other similar players who might be having "down" seasons. I think we desperately need another RH dman.

The players I'd be selling are Brass, Rust, Sprong and Maatta.

DK isn't a rumor guy.....so I think the report is legit. Doesn't mean he'll get moved of course. You need a willing buyer of a struggling UFA.

I'm just not into bringing back old hero's. It never seems to work.....so no on Bones. If I had to guess, JR will cobble together a couple of players for other similar players who might be having "down" seasons. I think we desperately need another RH dman.

The players I'd be selling are Brass, Rust, Sprong and Maatta.
- madmike71

100% agree. Trying to think of a good fit for Brass...

100% agree. Trying to think of a good fit for Brass...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Habs?

DK's post-game column says two sources within the Penguins said they are "beyond exasperated" with Brassard and one source said he's "trade material". When he asked about timing, his source responded by saying there's "real urgency".
- madmike71

Interesting. I liked the trade when it happened because they weren't getting Brassard as a rental and I figured he would be ideal as the third C. So far I'm getting egg on my face because he hasn't come close to what I thought he would provide here.

Hey Ryan, I find it amusing that a writer for the penguins with one of the dirtiest cheapshot artists to play the game in Cooke is talking about Wilson. Funny man.
- mattstake

I find it more amusing that someone thinks that no one should talk about a dirty player if their favorite team had one on it at one point. Guess what? Every single team in the NHL has employed cheap shot artist at one time or the other. So does that mean there is no reason for anyone ever to bring up the discussion regarding those type of plays and players ever again?

100% agree. Trying to think of a good fit for Brass...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Either playoff-bound teams or right on the cusp who need to upgrade 3C: MIN, BOS, DAL and ANA.

The Pens did play a good game last night. They will win more than they lose playing like they did last night. Yeah a loss to Philly sucks but way too much knee jerk around here. Their game and process has been so much better than the past 10 to 15 games.

I don't care where the Flyers are in the standings, they are a good team. A good team that got a quality start from a call up last night and it was enough for them to win. The short handed against should never happen but it ended up being the difference. Happens to he best of them, really does sometimes.

I still believe.

Either playoff-bound teams or right on the cusp who need to upgrade 3C: MIN, BOS, DAL and ANA.
- Rinosaur

Rino I don't know how he's doing these days but I'd try to bring Charlie Coyle. Eric Staal woul be an upgrade over Brassard imo.

Wanted to back up my eyes with some fancy stats... Check it out

https://www.naturalstattr...9&game=20402&view=limited

I will say though the lines are bothering me a bit

Jake - Crosby - Horny
Pearson - Malkin - Kessel

Should be the top 6.

I will say though the lines are bothering me a bit

Jake - Crosby - Horny
Pearson - Malkin - Kessel

Should be the top 6.
- MattStrat

Agreed

The Pens did play a good game last night. They will win more than they lose playing like they did last night. Yeah a loss to Philly sucks but way too much knee jerk around here. Their game and process has been so much better than the past 10 to 15 games.

I don't care where the Flyers are in the standings, they are a good team. A good team that got a quality start from a call up last night and it was enough for them to win. The short handed against should never happen but it ended up being the difference. Happens to he best of them, really does sometimes.

I still believe.
- MattStrat

Get outta here with your optimism. Only Pessimistic outlooks will be tolerated.

But for real though I agree with you 100%. People often forget this is hockey and any team can beat any team on any given night. Last night just want our night.

Move on to the next one

Let's say this is true and they don't feel he's working out. What could they move him for? How do they replace him? Sheahan is not a 3C.

I read one rumor a little while back on TIOPS that made me nauseas regarding bringing back Bonino.
- Rinosaur

I would assume it would be a swap of Centers. Also we know he isn't a good 3 center option, but its pretty bad when Brassard is becoming a black hole for wingers as well. I think we all hoped for a big upgrade over Sheahan when we traded for Brassard. I know he has had injuries and has shown glimpses that he can play up to the player we thought we would get in the trade with Ottawa, but again I think we still need an upgrade/switch here.

I also think JR isn't ready to scrap the season so I could see him making some big trades soon. I could see Brassard being the first big move from reports (probably a swap for another center). I could see him trying to bring someone else in like Kovalchuk (LA trying to move him and willing to retain salary) to add another skilled player to see if he could help push the play (since he is the biggest name available that is a bargain and could bring additional scoring ability to any of the 4 lines). If not I see them at the deadline being sellers at the trade deadline and seeing what they can get for Brassard, Rust, Sheahan, Grant, possibly Schultz, and possibly Kessel (since most of us know Sullivan isn't using him right, and he is possibly in Sullivan's dog house). I think at this point though. You make one last Aggressive attempt if you are JR make some big changes (keep your 1st). Then re-evaluate. This not being able to win against any teams in the East is starting to wear thin though.

Habs?
- 13sundin13

Don't think Mtl needs a 3C.

Three questions off this DK article:

1.) Do you guys think Brassard is still good? Nevermind the reasons for his play here (injured/doesn't like 3C role/not a good system for him) do you all feel this is still a talented player with a bad fit or is he just not that good?

2.) Does he still hold value around the league? If he is viewed as a 2nd line center at $3m ...even as a UFA... That's a very valuable any trade chip.

3.) Are there any center for center / hockey trade type deals you guys can think of? In the same mold as the hagelin/perron trade. Anisimov? Eakin? Beagle? Craig Smith? Bozak?