Hahah thanks.

I am totally fine with trying those combos but I also like Horny Bjugs together.
- MattStrat

Here's his reasoning for Hornie in the top 6. Gotta say I agree with this.

But when he’s in the lineup, he’s still assisting the overall process in a positive way. I’ve long been a fan of Hornqvist’s work as a puck-retriever, and his net-front presence is a magnet for defensive players, inherently opening up space for talented players like Malkin or snipers like Galchenyuk.

Ha ha.... just building the suspense.

1st choice - Simon, Geno and Hornie. WAR - 7.1

2nd choice - McCann, Geno and Hornie. War - 5.7
- madmike71

Yeah and I think the worst choices were Tanev and Galchenyuk right? Lol I think I saw it somewhere on twitter.

My point all along is actually that in the ultimate team sport, WAY too much attention has been placed on one guy's failings, by what is basically a spoiled fanbase (me included) and a bunch of hockey card collectors. Is JJ now an overpaid, borderline NHL/AHL d-man? Absolutely. But last season showed the Pens had much deeper issues than just RW's latest appointed whipping boy... meaning stars who WAY underperformed, and maybe underperformed as a team versus individual stats or metrics show. THEY sucked pretty much all last season, as a team. Coaching included.

New season... some new guys... probably more guys coming... GO PENS !!
- Cousinskrid

Incorrect.

I believe a decent third pairing should basically tread water around an even 0 for goal differential at 5v5. If they can pull that off, I’m cool with it. I don’t think they can though.
- j.boyd919

That's not the norm, though, is it? I would be surprised if the median (i.e., "decent") 3rd pairing has a neutral goal differential throughout the league. Seems like it would be mostly negative.

Ha ha.... just building the suspense.

1st choice - Simon, Geno and Hornie. WAR - 7.1

2nd choice - McCann, Geno and Hornie. War - 5.7
- madmike71

I particularly like the configuration of the 1st choice. I like the idea of Simon and Malkin together, since, as I’ve said before, I think it could be like the Jussi-Geno dynamic. Having those two zone entry machines together would really maxamkze Hornqvist and hide his flaws. That being said, I think it’s a mistake to not put Galch in a position to maximize his production. I think we really need him to hit 25 gs and 60 points for us to still be a good team, and he won’t do that on the third line with a guy like Bjugstad.

Yeah and I think the worst choices were Tanev and Galchenyuk right? Lol I think I saw it somewhere on twitter.
- j.boyd919

Yes. Out of the 4 he laid out, Tanev Galch and Malkin were the worst.

Here's his reasoning for Hornie in the top 6. Gotta say I agree with this.

But when he’s in the lineup, he’s still assisting the overall process in a positive way. I’ve long been a fan of Hornqvist’s work as a puck-retriever, and his net-front presence is a magnet for defensive players, inherently opening up space for talented players like Malkin or snipers like Galchenyuk.
- madmike71

I agree with this, but to have a non-scorer on the other side in Simon seems like a bad idea, whereas having a sniper like Galch seems perfect.

Yes. Out of the 4 he laid out, Tanev Galch and Malkin were the worst.
- madmike71

Not surprising. We’ve been saying that for weeks on here.

I don't know that I made any such point.

But I did ask a question that still appears unanswered.

While I can't argue with JJs poor metrics, the Pens had much larger issues last season outside of him. JJ definitely needs to play better this year, but he's not the only one.
- Cousinskrid

JJ is literally the pens biggest issue though...

Incorrect.
- j.boyd919

Look, it's a much anticipated new season, and so I want to focus there.

But geez, dude, they were AWFUL to watch most nights last season. Literally painful. Except for that stretch in March, where they actually played as a team.

Yes. Out of the 4 he laid out, Tanev Galch and Malkin were the worst.
- madmike71

Well, let's face it, Tanev is probably destined for the 4th line. I just don't think he's that good. Eventually JR and Sully will probably figure this out, too.

Yes. Out of the 4 he laid out, Tanev Galch and Malkin were the worst.
- madmike71

Isn’t Tanev just a glorified 4th liner?

That's not the norm, though, is it? I would be surprised if the median (i.e., "decent") 3rd pairing has a neutral goal differential throughout the league. Seems like it would be mostly negative.
- Hockey66

I’d have to do some research after work but I think around even is the median, but in Gudbranson and JJs case, my out of thin air guess is going to be -10 to -15 at 5v5. If they go anywhere from 0 to -5, I’d call that an okay season.

Yes. Out of the 4 he laid out, Tanev Galch and Malkin were the worst.
- madmike71

Consider the intangibles....chemistry can be found

JJ is literally the pens biggest issue though...
- Mr_Underwood

There’s a very vocal minority on here that don’t comprehend the catastrophic fallout that Johnson being overdeployed had on the team as a whole. We had other issues, sure, but Johnson lead to a spider web of most of those issues.

My point all along is actually that in the ultimate team sport, WAY too much attention has been placed on one guy's failings, by what is basically a spoiled fanbase (me included) and a bunch of hockey card collectors. Is JJ now an overpaid, borderline NHL/AHL d-man? Absolutely. But last season showed the Pens had much deeper issues than just RW's latest appointed whipping boy... meaning stars who WAY underperformed, and maybe underperformed as a team versus individual stats or metrics show. THEY sucked pretty much all last season, as a team. Coaching included.

New season... some new guys... probably more guys coming... GO PENS !!
- Cousinskrid

Except Sid and Phil had one of their best seasons ever, Letang was on pace for one of his best and Geno was over ppg.

I do agree there are more issues than JJ but I think the biggest issue in the playoffs was how long 5 or 6 key guys missed and basically came back right at start of playoffs. They werent up to game speed and they werent in sync. Also, a few others, ie McCann, were playing extremely banged up and probably wouldnt of dressed if it was regular season.

I agree with this, but to have a non-scorer on the other side in Simon seems like a bad idea, whereas having a sniper like Galch seems perfect.
- Hockey66

I'm right there with you. Until Simon starts potting goals consistently, I don't see it. DK's site did an article on Simon. Says he spent all summer working on his shot. Let's see if it makes a difference.

Look, it's a much anticipated new season, and so I want to focus there.

But geez, dude, they were AWFUL to watch most nights last season. Literally painful. Except for that stretch in March, where they actually played as a team.
- Cousinskrid

What was awful was the defense not being able to get the puck to the forwards in transition and the defense making awful pinches in the offensive zone forcing the Penguins to give up the most odd man rushes in the NHL (per Yohe). Injuries played a small part, but poor acquisitions played a bigger part.

Edit: pinches. Not punches.

Consider the intangibles....chemistry can be found
- Barnaby36

iNtAnGiBLeS.

Consider the intangibles....chemistry can be found
- Barnaby36

Well I think it’s clear why you chose a grocery stick as your username.

Isn’t Tanev just a glorified 4th liner?
- Mr_Underwood

As far as I can tell, they're looking at using Tanev in the Hag's role. Getting to pucks, creating turnovers and getting them to Malkin and Galch.

What was awful was the defense not being able to get the puck to the forwards in transition and the defense making awful pinches in the offensive zone forcing the Penguins to give up the most odd man rushes in the NHL (per Yohe). Injuries played a small part, but poor acquisitions played a bigger part.

Edit: pinches. Not punches.
- j.boyd919

I dont understand how this is so hard to grasp when there's mountains of statistical data showing it, let alone the eye test every night....and despite it the stars were still stars.

As far as I can tell, they're looking at using Tanev in the Hag's role. Getting to pucks, creating turnovers and getting them to Malkin and Galch.
- madmike71

So they expect a lesser skilled player to fill that role. Seems like a recipe for disaster.

I dont understand how this is so hard to grasp when there's mountains of statistical data showing it, let alone the eye test every night....and despite it the stars were still stars.
- MattStrat

The best part is, when the Pens are winning it’s always “the Pens are able to roll 4 lines, we even had Dupuis on the 4th line! Every line was a threat to score!”

But when they’re not “Geno and Letang need to be better. More like Sid. Regardless of still being elite producers in the game of hockey We nEeD MoOOorE.”

It’s (frank)ing retarded.

Well I think it’s clear why you chose a grocery stick as your username.
- Mr_Underwood

Hey Barnaby is a cool guy man.