The 2nd D pairing.... I'm (frank)ing terrified
- Guile

My thoughts exactly.

No seriously. You said if they don't make "it" you want them to tank so they pick in the top 15. When you said "it" did you mean "the playoffs" or a Cup run?
- jmatchett383

I just mean I’m over this season. My focus has really shifted to Sullivan and I’ve lost confidence in his ability to set this team up for success. His decisions are growing worse and worse, and even if the Pens make the playoffs I have no faith in them getting out of the first round.

At this point I’d rather seem a dramatic end to the season which would hopefully lead to the right changes than them limp in to the playoffs.

Most players who aren’t 60+ point guys go through one or two long stretches like that. Even Jake has one rough one this year.

Sullivan is far too quick to give up on players and stick out ther wrong ones.
- Rinosaur

Oh I totally understand that, like Simon and what he brings and by no means think he should be getting scratched....I'm just trying to figure out the coaching logic and typing out loud about it haha

Troof

I’m over it at this point. If the Pens don’t make it I hope they tank hard enough to draft in the top 15
- Rinosaur

No seriously. You said if they don't make "it" you want them to tank so they pick in the top 15. When you said "it" did you mean "the playoffs" or a Cup run?
- jmatchett383

There's a legitimate chance they do not make the playoffs.

It's still more likely than not, but they've been treading water since January 1st and that's not going to cut it.

8-8-1 since the calendar turned. 4-7-1 in their last 12 and outscored 46-34 in that time.

Wilson seems to be quite down recently. This article reads like an obit.

Simon shouldn't sit over a guy like wilson. Matt Cullen needs to be in the press box. And we will still probably win because the Oilers are that much more of a tire fire than we are.

There's a legitimate chance they do not make the playoffs.

It's still more likely than not, but they've been treading water since January 1st and that's not going to cut it.

8-8-1 since the calendar turned. 4-7-1 in their last 12 and outscored 46-34 in that time.
- BINGO!

Its not cutting it, but the rest of our division isn't setting the world on fire. With the exception of Carolina. CBJ is average. Washington is average. The islanders aren't that far ahead. This isn't a big deal. They will be fine.

a win and edmonton's playoff hopes all but extinguished and maybe keith gretzky will put down whatever he is smoking. we will be doing the oil a favor

Its not cutting it, but the rest of our division isn't setting the world on fire. With the exception of Carolina. CBJ is average. Washington is average. The islanders aren't that far ahead. This isn't a big deal. They will be fine.
- burgh4life87

Columbus has won 4 in a row.

Washington is kind of slipping, yeah.

But those teams are ahead of the Penguins and you're holding down a playoff spot with a single point, having to play the team that's chasing you down twice more.

a win and edmonton's playoff hopes all but extinguished and maybe keith gretzky will put down whatever he is smoking. we will be doing the oil a favor
- DeflatedPucks

The western conference is embarrassing.

I just mean I’m over this season. My focus has really shifted to Sullivan and I’ve lost confidence in his ability to set this team up for success. His decisions are growing worse and worse, and even if the Pens make the playoffs I have no faith in them getting out of the first round.

At this point I’d rather seem a dramatic end to the season which would hopefully lead to the right changes than them limp in to the playoffs.
- Rinosaur

Cant get behind any of this, especially the first sentence with 26 games left. They're never going to finish last and theres a much better chance of them finishing middle of the pack, so if they dont make the playoffs, then you're most likely seeing a pick outside the top 10. So no guarantee you're getting anything substantial for the next 2 or 3 season there, hell, outside the top 3 to 5 you might not getting anything that has an effect on the next 2 or 3 seasons...this assuming they keep their 1st rounder AND miss the playoffs.

Its a different team when their backs are against the wall and we saw that after they hit dead last in the conference. Jeykll and Hyde. Things are a little more dire and ignoring the outcome of games, theyve looked better, especially vs the Canes, Bolts and the Cats.

Doesnt really matter how theyre playing the 2nd week of February....or 3rd week of October...or 4th week of November. They were absolutely worse the first 3 or 4 months to start the 2015/2016 season than they currently are and we know what happened that year...and speaking of currently, I'm seeing a team picking up the slack a bit more, rallying from deficits in a game and not being near as sloppy the past 3 or 4 games. The only really bad period they've had in the last 3 or 4 games was the 2nd vs the Flyers. Sure, they lost 4-0 to the Canes 4 games ago but they almost doubled them in HDSC's and they could of been leading 3-0 before the Canes even scored. Canes goalie was lights out that night.

I still believe in this team. I believe that it can gel better and work harder together and support all areas of the ice better.

Cant get behind any of this, especially the first sentence with 26 games left. They're never going to finish last and theres a much better chance of them finishing middle of the pack, so if they dont make the playoffs, then you're most likely seeing a pick outside the top 10. So no guarantee you're getting anything substantial for the next 2 or 3 season there, hell, outside the top 3 to 5 you might not getting anything that has an effect on the next 2 or 3 seasons...this assuming they keep their 1st rounder AND miss the playoffs.

Its a different team when their backs are against the wall and we saw that after they hit dead last in the conference. Jeykll and Hyde. Things are a little more dire and ignoring the outcome of games, theyve looked better, especially vs the Canes, Bolts and the Cats.

Doesnt really matter how theyre playing the 2nd week of February....or 3rd week of October...or 4th week of November. They were absolutely worse the first 3 or 4 months to start the 2015/2016 season than they currently are and we know what happened that year...and speaking of currently, I'm seeing a team picking up the slack a bit more, rallying from deficits in a game and not being near as sloppy the past 3 or 4 games. The only really bad period they've had in the last 3 or 4 games was the 2nd vs the Flyers. Sure, they lost 4-0 to the Canes 4 games ago but they almost doubled them in HDSC's and they could of been leading 3-0 before the Canes even scored. Canes goalie was lights out that night.

I still believe in this team. I believe that it can gel better and work harder together and support all areas of the ice better.
- MattStrat

Where did I say finish in the bottom ten?

I wish I still had faith that they’re better when their backs are up against the wall, but I think that magic is gone. They no longer have that ability to “find ways to win” on a regular basis when playing poorly.

Where did I say finish in the bottom ten?

I wish I still had faith that they’re better when their backs are up against the wall, but I think that magic is gone. They no longer have that ability to “find ways to win” on a regular basis when playing poorly.
- Rinosaur

Where did I say finish in the bottom ten?

I wish I still had faith that they’re better when their backs are up against the wall, but I think that magic is gone. They no longer have that ability to “find ways to win” on a regular basis when playing poorly.
- Rinosaur

Then why would you want them to miss the playoffs at all? Sullivan isnt going anywhere unless maybe theyre doing really bad a ways into next season. JJ probably isnt being traded any time soon because of that contract. So what changes are you hoping for if they miss the playoffs? Cullen is definitely gone after this year, that's pretty much a given.

During the 9 game win streak earlier in the year they had a number of playing poorly games and still won. Overall the Flyers were the better team on Monday, by a landslide for the middle segment...and they won 4-1.

They have somewhat of a new team the past few weeks that theyre still trying to figure out the best set up with...Malkin missing most of these games doesnt help at all in that regard.

Then why would you want them to miss the playoffs at all? Sullivan isnt going anywhere unless maybe theyre doing really bad a ways into next season. JJ probably isnt being traded any time soon because of that contract. So what changes are you hoping for if they miss the playoffs? Cullen is definitely gone after this year, that's pretty much a given.

During the 9 game win streak earlier in the year they had a number of playing poorly games and still won. Overall the Flyers were the better team on Monday, by a landslide for the middle segment...and they won 4-1.

They have somewhat of a new team the past few weeks that theyre still trying to figure out the best set up with...Malkin missing most of these games doesnt help at all in that regard.
- MattStrat

Theres too much $$$$ to be made in the playoffs. JR will push to make it.

Tanking or missing does nothing good. THey lose revenue and the pick wont make a difference for 4 years.

Critical people were often criticized in early childhood by caretakers, siblings, or peers, at an age when criticism can be especially painful. It’s shows.

And, just for the record, some people know that Sidney Crosby really and truly is still one of the best players in hockey. I'm thinking you don’t get to see very many games. That also shows.

Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the game. I'd take him hands down over any other player in the league for the next 5 years. He is the best in the league at making his linemates better and plays the full sheet of ice.

Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the game. I'd take him hands down over any other player in the league for the next 5 years. He is the best in the league at making his linemates better and plays the full sheet of ice.
- MacPatty

lol no.

Like, Sid's great. He really is. Absolutely elite.

But he 15 points behind McDavid and 22 points behind Kucherov.

He's not the best player in the world anymore.

lol no.

Like, Sid's great. He really is. Absolutely elite.

But he 15 points behind McDavid and 22 points behind Kucherov.

He's not the best player in the world anymore.
- BINGO!

It's hard to take my black and gold glasses off to agree, but you are right. However, there are still things he does that when you see it makes you realize he's still in the argument.

Critical people were often criticized in early childhood by caretakers, siblings, or peers, at an age when criticism can be especially painful. It’s shows.

And, just for the record, some people know that Sidney Crosby really and truly is still one of the best players in hockey. I'm thinking you don’t get to see very many games. That also shows.
- sufi-judge

wut

It's hard to take my black and gold glasses off to agree, but you are right. However, there are still things he does that when you see it makes you realize he's still in the argument.
- Rinosaur

Oh getting to see him live is a revelation. The guy is ALWAYS in exactly the right spot. It's like he's playing NHL 19 on Pro.

Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the game. I'd take him hands down over any other player in the league for the next 5 years. He is the best in the league at making his linemates better and plays the full sheet of ice.
- MacPatty

No.

lol no.

Like, Sid's great. He really is. Absolutely elite.

But he 15 points behind McDavid and 22 points behind Kucherov.

He's not the best player in the world anymore.
- BINGO!

Kuch is on another level.

Then why would you want them to miss the playoffs at all? Sullivan isnt going anywhere unless maybe theyre doing really bad a ways into next season. JJ probably isnt being traded any time soon because of that contract. So what changes are you hoping for if they miss the playoffs? Cullen is definitely gone after this year, that's pretty much a given.

During the 9 game win streak earlier in the year they had a number of playing poorly games and still won. Overall the Flyers were the better team on Monday, by a landslide for the middle segment...and they won 4-1.

They have somewhat of a new team the past few weeks that theyre still trying to figure out the best set up with...Malkin missing most of these games doesnt help at all in that regard.
- MattStrat

1) Drafting in the top 15 would be very good.

2) The bad finish would lead them to get a new coach.

3) Possibly evaluate a JJ exit strategy:

1) Drafting in the top 15 would be very good.

2) The bad finish would lead them to get a new coach.

3) Possibly evaluate a JJ exit strategy:
- Rinosaur

I don't agree with #1 and #2. For one, this team needs to maximize the time left for Sid/Geno/Letang/Phil. Drafting so low won't guarantee anything and chances are the player won't have an impact until the Sid era is basically over anyway.

As for two, I doubt HCMS gets fired even with a playoff miss. I suspect he's earned a longer leash from JR.

As for three, we're (frank)ed