I’d prefer Panik to Ferland.

Big Game Brass certainly does not suck. He has a massive career sample size of very good. Perhaps gripping stick a bit too tight now and /or overthinking*, I'm seeing chances with some posts hit, fanned passes and what not. Things haven't gone too well for him so fair in Pittsburgh... But they will.


*might be hard to be in the zone mentally when A: you're not producing as usual and not getting near as many mins (both are somewhat related IMO) as usual and B: your name is in the media alot the past few months and you don't have total confidence and security in where your home will be in the coming weeks or months.
- MattStrat

There are also guys that fall off the face of the earth after 30. The fact is dude is in a contract year playing for a good team. He needs to bust his butt every shift too get that last paycheck. He simply is not.

There are also guys that fall off the face of the earth after 30. The fact is dude is in a contract year playing for a good team. He needs to bust his butt every shift too get that last paycheck. He simply is not.
- sammy87

I don't really see much slack in his effort though... I do however see slop.

I don't really see much slack in his effort though... I do however see slop.
- MattStrat

I'm not sure why but I really thought Brass had more battle/strength in his game.

My disappointment in him is directly related to the type of player I THOUGHT he was. Maybe just from watching him play us on opposing teams in the playoffs and standout.

His board play is weak and he doesn't often win battles. Strange because that's what usually stands out in the playoffs.

Maybe he has another level but as Sammy pointed out, it's his contract year.

WTF is he waiting for?

I was listening to Mark Madden on the way home, pretty interesting stat. Sid caught back up to ovi in career points last night. Ovi GP1045 P1169. Sid GP904 P1169

I'd like Ferland on his team, but not enough to give up roster players. If Carolina wants picks and the caphit of Sheahan or JO to make it work, I'd do that, but if they're looking for a hockey trade they'll have to look elsewhere. Don't have a real interest in giving up Simon or Rust plus whatever sweater it would take. Would much rather use futures and add to our existing roster.
- Victoro311

Exactly this. We can can Spare JO for some cap space and even Sheahan if need be. Having 2mil in the press box and 2mil on the 4th line and not in his correct position is dumb. Cullen should be the healthy scratch but it'll never happen.

I'm not sure why but I really thought Brass had more battle/strength in his game.

My disappointment in him is directly related to the type of player I THOUGHT he was. Maybe just from watching him play us on opposing teams in the playoffs and standout.

His board play is weak and he doesn't often win battles. Strange because that's what usually stands out in the playoffs.

Maybe he has another level but as Sammy pointed out, it's his contract year.

WTF is he waiting for?
- Thorny87

My exact thoughts. I expected a different player. He always seemed so diligent against the Penguins. A high work ethic guy.

He's 6' 1" 202lbs but he plays much smaller. Jake Guentzal has 3 times the grit.

Maybe he just hated the Pens in the past......and still hates them for all I know. One thing I'm pretty sure of.... It's not going to work with Phil. They are not a good match.

I'm not sure why but I really thought Brass had more battle/strength in his game.

My disappointment in him is directly related to the type of player I THOUGHT he was. Maybe just from watching him play us on opposing teams in the playoffs and standout.

His board play is weak and he doesn't often win battles. Strange because that's what usually stands out in the playoffs.

Maybe he has another level but as Sammy pointed out, it's his contract year.

WTF is he waiting for?
- Thorny87

well he does have sh!ttier teammates, less ice time, no pp1. At this point, given vegas eating up part of his cap hit, its probably just worth holding onto him

well he does have sh!ttier teammates, less ice time, no pp1. At this point, given vegas eating up part of his cap hit, its probably just worth holding onto him
- DeflatedPucks

Yeah unless some good swap comes along that works cap wise as well, it's likely he just stays and hope we get playoff Brassard in the playoffs.

I'm not sure why but I really thought Brass had more battle/strength in his game.

My disappointment in him is directly related to the type of player I THOUGHT he was. Maybe just from watching him play us on opposing teams in the playoffs and standout.

His board play is weak and he doesn't often win battles. Strange because that's what usually stands out in the playoffs.

Maybe he has another level but as Sammy pointed out, it's his contract year.

WTF is he waiting for?
- Thorny87

Honestly maybe he is waiting for the playoffs. Look how many guys get big deals after a great playoff run. And honestly if we get the way he can really play down that stretch I'm ok with that. It's all about health and if Sid Geno Phil Guentz Brass Horny and Rust are healthy and rolling we are gonna be a real tough out for teams. Hell Sid and Guentz alone took us to game 6 against the caps.
Edit: Tanger Dumo Schultz Maatta as well.

well he does have sh!ttier teammates, less ice time, no pp1. At this point, given vegas eating up part of his cap hit, its probably just worth holding onto him
- DeflatedPucks

According to Left Wing Lock his most common linemates are Sid, Guentzal. Followed by Pearson and Kessel. Third was Rust and ZAR.

Little PP time is legit, but his linemates shouldn't be an issue.

According to Left Wing Lock his most common linemates are Sid, Guentzal. Followed by Pearson and Kessel. Third was Rust and ZAR.

Little PP time is legit, but his linemates shouldn't be an issue.
- madmike71

It’s not even the point production I’m speaking of. More so how he plays the game. He’s been a perimeter player here.

It’s not even the point production I’m speaking of. More so how he plays the game. He’s been a perimeter player here.
- Thorny87

And unfortunately he is not particularly strong on the wall. Plays small.

According to Left Wing Lock his most common linemates are Sid, Guentzal. Followed by Pearson and Kessel. Third was Rust and ZAR.

Little PP time is legit, but his linemates shouldn't be an issue.
- madmike71

I think he’s also had a healthy dose of jack Johnson as his defenseman too. I know Letang and Dumo are up there too. I can’t remember what his 5v5 goal diff is with those guys. That’s what I’d really look at.

And unfortunately he is not particularly strong on the wall. Plays small.
- powerhouse

Agreed.

Agreed.
- Thorny87

It appears Brass has had three serious shoulder injuries, including a dislocation with surgical repair as well as a torn labrum, shoulder and surgical repair just before he came to the Pens. Dude is dinged up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derick_Brassard

Anyone notice Neal's statline in Calgary.. lol. I'll admit, I thought his game would age well..

It appears Brass has had three serious shoulder injuries, including a dislocation with surgical repair as well as a torn labrum, shoulder and surgical repair just before he came to the Pens. Dude is dinged up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derick_Brassard
- powerhouse

I heard that somewhere else.....Pens got damaged goods. It would explain a lot about his fear of contact. If he gets hurt again, it wouldn't bode well for another contract.

Anyone notice Neal's statline in Calgary.. lol. I'll admit, I thought his game would age well..
- eNDSo

He’s never put up assists in any year really. And his first 20games with the pens he only scored once. Scored 40 the next year. Maybe he’s just a really streaky guy but that contract looks awful right now

He’s never put up assists in any year really. And his first 20games with the pens he only scored once. Scored 40 the next year. Maybe he’s just a really streaky guy but that contract looks awful right now
- jchst22

Maybe the aging curve just hasn't treated him well? That's a possibility.

He’s never put up assists in any year really. And his first 20games with the pens he only scored once. Scored 40 the next year. Maybe he’s just a really streaky guy but that contract looks awful right now
- jchst22

Neal has always been incredibly streaky. He'll score in one half of the season, but not the other. Vegas was wise not to keep him.

I agree with j.boyd that I think maybe age has caught up with him. He's playing on a team that's exploding offensively and he can't get anything going.

I heard that somewhere else.....Pens got damaged goods. It would explain a lot about his fear of contact. If he gets hurt again, it wouldn't bode well for another contract.
- madmike71

Ahh that sucks. If he's not playing the way that's made him successful then he's never gonna be as effective. Just like Tanger last year, he wasn't fully recovered and ready to be back and wasn't playing the way that's made him so successful.

I actually think Brassard has played better as this streak has progressed. It appears he realized this is the best team he has ever been a part of and sucked it up.

Kessel is not a good fit here but Pearson is. Rust and Hornqvist are better matches.

I actually think Brassard has played better as this streak has progressed. It appears he realized this is the best team he has ever been a part of and sucked it up.

Kessel is not a good fit here but Pearson is. Rust and Hornqvist are better matches.
- Thunderbolt

I agree with all of that. The fancy stats will tell you that the line of 14-19-81 are horrible, and really, they haven't been the greatest most periods but Brassard has been getting chances in these games. He's hit a few posts and fanned a few shots/passes but I've liked his battle level and his work on the 2nd PP.

I heard that somewhere else.....Pens got damaged goods. It would explain a lot about his fear of contact. If he gets hurt again, it wouldn't bode well for another contract.
- madmike71

If that's true its another reason to add to him not getting in the zone mentally.

Even still though, when the Pens traded for him last season there were only 4 better players in the league in terms of playoff production the previous 3 or 4 season. 3 of them were Kessel, Crosby and Malkin.

Also, Before the nasty groin injury last season he had like 7 or 8 game point streak going. As far as I know he missed time this year with lower body problems, so I'm not so sure the shoulder stuff is that big of a deal.