Rust has gotten his share of chances. He just tends to be very streaky where he'll score a ton for a few weeks, then nothing for 2 months. The lack of consistency holds him back, but he always has a run or 2 like this every year.
- Tojo.

That’s all 30-40 point guys lol

Athanasiou would be an awesome pickup. Rumors have us tied to Fiala and Toffoli (even though I would rather Iafallo due to his speed). We have a bunch of teams scouting us. He will probably make a move next month.
- 123Kid

AA is not that good.

AA is not that good.
- j.boyd919

I like his speed but can't say for sure if he'd be an upgrade over Bjugstad. What do you think?

That’s all 30-40 point guys lol
- j.boyd919

There's also guys who just get a point roughly every other game. My point was this wasn't some breakout by Rust.

Rust has gotten his share of chances. He just tends to be very streaky where he'll score a ton for a few weeks, then nothing for 2 months. The lack of consistency holds him back, but he always has a run or 2 like this every year.
- Tojo.

I know the history but it’s not uncommon for players with his age / experience level to continue to grow from one season to the next and it looks like that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Could this be just another streak? It could but one of his issues in the past wasn’t creating it was finishing and that roof job last night should now be Exhibit A

Looks like Geno worked better with two fast players like McCann and Rust. Would Galchenyuk be a fit on a line with Bjugstad and Hörnqvist? This would make the team very dangerous if it works.
- Barnaby36

There aren't a lot of places left to play Galchenyuk if McCann plays with Malkin. I don't think it will be Sid's line with Guentzel moving to his off-side.

If Simon were moved off Sid's line for Kahun or Tanev, he'd be a proven option with some history of success with Bjugstad and Hornqvist.

There's also guys who just get a point roughly every other game. My point was this wasn't some breakout by Rust.
- Tojo.

Personally, I’m not going to write him off as a career streaky scorer just yet. He certainly looks like he’s breaking out and maybe it is just a streak but I don’t think so. It’s like Jake: if you went based off his regular season history you would’ve expected maybe 25/50 last season, instead he went off for 40/76 and it seems like many have kept the expectation that he’s going to continue to score 30+ playing with Sid. I think Rust scores at a 25+ goal pace if he plays with Sid, I don’t think Simon does that

I know the history but it’s not uncommon for players with his age / experience level to continue to grow from one season to the next and it looks like that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Could this be just another streak? It could but one of his issues in the past wasn’t creating it was finishing and that roof job last night should now be Exhibit A
- WSCTeton17

It's not impossible and I hope he does find that level of consistency. It's not too much of a stretch for guy like him and/or McCann to score 20 next to Malkin.

Patrick Kane scores from his strong side up top on the powerplay. Announcer Edzo said that he’s been there a lot in recent games. Lots of teams are utilizing that setup, it’s just kinda weird because often times you see that guy passing and these guys are scoring

It's not impossible and I hope he does find that level of consistency. It's not too much of a stretch for guy like him and/or McCann to score 20 next to Malkin.
- Tojo.

The way they looked last night it definitely seems possible.

Chucky on the other hand is like almost every other player that comes to play with Sid and Geno. He's deferring too much and when he does he just watches after he passes it. Very early still and he may not be 100% but I don't see a lot going on between him and Geno. Certainly no Russian mind meld.

Bemstrom scores walking down on his strong side on the PP for Columbus last night. Not trying to harp here I just don’t like absolute statements when I know there are obvious outliers, merely pointing some of them out. So I think from the recent ones that’s Kane, Schmaltz, Marchesseault, and Bemstrom just within the last few days

Very curious to see what the PP looks like tomorrow. Galchenyuk scored several PPGs last season while being the guy in and around the net, but with another shorty against does Petts or Dumo get a shot? Rust has been a solid screen here lately too. It’s nice to have options!

The way they looked last night it definitely seems possible.

Chucky on the other hand is like almost every other player that comes to play with Sid and Geno. He's deferring too much and when he does he just watches after he passes it. Very early still and he may not be 100% but I don't see a lot going on between him and Geno. Certainly no Russian mind meld.
- Thorny87

I know Galch is a pretty skilled player. I'm willing to be pretty patient with him in his new setting with him missing most of training camp and most of the games this seasons so far.

He definitely seems more interested in helping Geno (or Sid) than himself right now.

I also think the PP, which is what (and goalies) mainly won them games the past two season, will take better shape as the season goes along. I mean, if their PP was around 20% this season they might be 1st in the division.

Also, Murray has had two lackluster showings in a row. Not worried about him yet.

The way they looked last night it definitely seems possible.

Chucky on the other hand is like almost every other player that comes to play with Sid and Geno. He's deferring too much and when he does he just watches after he passes it. Very early still and he may not be 100% but I don't see a lot going on between him and Geno. Certainly no Russian mind meld.
- Thorny87

The big thing ive noticed these last two games is Galchenyuk is over supporting his star centers. He’s too close to them way too often. One thing our star centers do so well is draw multiple players to them and find the open guy but Galchenyuk is so close he’s never that open guy unless he gets a loose stick on it or a lucky bounce (which we’ve seen him get a few times now!)

I thought McCann looked good with Malkin but he also looked just as good on the third line. I’d like to see Kahun get his shot there especially while 72 is out

Despite the sh!t PP so far the Pens are 4th overall in PKing in the league. So special teams not totally hampering them.

I know Galch is a pretty skilled player. I'm willing to be pretty patient with him in his new setting with him missing most of training camp and most of the games this seasons so far.

He definitely seems more interested in helping Geno (or Sid) than himself right now.

I also think the PP, which is what (and goalies) mainly won them games the past two season, will take better shape as the season goes along. I mean, if their PP was around 20% this season they might be 1st in the division.

Also, Murray has had two lackluster showings in a row. Not worried about him yet.
- MattStrat

His lack of a pokecheck and him dropping catcheable pucks continue to be downfalls for him. All goalies will let in a soft one here in there (his short side goal last game)

The big thing ive noticed these last two games is Galchenyuk is over supporting his star centers. He’s too close to them way too often. One thing our star centers do so well is draw multiple players to them and find the open guy but Galchenyuk is so close he’s never that open guy unless he gets a loose stick on it or a lucky bounce (which we’ve seen him get a few times now!)

I thought McCann looked good with Malkin but he also looked just as good on the third line. I’d like to see Kahun get his shot there especially while 72 is out
- WSCTeton17

Agree about Chucky. As a sniper I thought he'd be more inclined to find soft spots in coverage and ready is one timer. He's not the only player guilty of doing this when they come to this team. I remember Phil doing the same thing when he first came here.

I like his speed but can't say for sure if he'd be an upgrade over Bjugstad. What do you think?
- Barnaby36

As a center? Bjugstad over AA.

Fabbri to the Wings btw

That’s all 30-40 point guys lol
- j.boyd919

I never understood this logic and people went after Sheary for the same poop. Players who score 20ish goals/40 to 50 points score are not consistent goal-scorers. If they were consistent goal scorers they'd be 50 goal guys lol.

Fabbri to the Wings btw
- WSCTeton17

Welcome to two days ago, homes.

Athanasiou would be an awesome pickup. Rumors have us tied to Fiala and Toffoli (even though I would rather Iafallo due to his speed). We have a bunch of teams scouting us. He will probably make a move next month.
- 123Kid

I like Fiala, but I think at this point the Pens have a hundred Fialas on the team. IMO if the Pens attempt to upgrade at forward they need to swing for the fences or don't bother.

Now, Toffoli wouldn't be "swinging for the fences," but I'd definitely be all in for adding him depending on the ripple effect of the roster.

Despite the sh!t PP so far the Pens are 4th overall in PKing in the league. So special teams not totally hampering them.
- MattStrat

We're actually leading the league in xGA/60 according to charting hockey. Someone pointed out yesterday our goalies have actually slightly under-performed.

So the Penguins are currently one of the best defensive teams in hockey!

We're actually leading the league in xGA/60 according to charting hockey. Someone pointed out yesterday our goalies have actually slightly under-performed.

So the Penguins are currently one of the best defensive teams in hockey!
- Tojo.

I know and its unreal!

I know and its unreal!
- MattStrat

I think the biggest thing that some people were concerned about was everyone being on board as the team got healthy, and everyone seems to be.

It's early, so I'm cautiously optimistic. Hopefully this is a sustainable style of play.

We're actually leading the league in xGA/60 according to charting hockey. Someone pointed out yesterday our goalies have actually slightly under-performed.

So the Penguins are currently one of the best defensive teams in hockey!
- Tojo.

Jesse Marshall posted we are second behind only Carolina in xGF%.