Nah. He just isn’t that good. A career middle 6 guy that’s always been touted as a top 6 guy.
- Feds91Stammer

Well I meant for our bottom 6, last year he was good for us on the third line. This year he hasn't looked anything like it.

This place is pretty testy for a Friday...
- MattStrat

Haha sure is. Time to drink.

Crazy stat about Rust: He started last year with one goal in his first 29 games and was the focal point of some justifiably harsh criticism. Since then he has 25 goals in 54 regular season games.

A Gretz

Lets hope he stays hot at least until we get some bodies back

No I wouldn't. Rinosaur just wouldn't let something asinine go, so I wanted to see how deep he piled it on himself.

A couple points: A) Then Pens need every PP point they get, and Galchenyuk helped break that awful streak quite well. B) Blueger is more replaceable. One thing I will say is that RW is right to not get a player to solely be a PK specialist.

I just think Galchenyuk will come around. It seems to me that people think he is going to catch fire his first, and very rocky, 20 games on a team. How many trades and new teams have we seen go through it? Nuances and tendencies are the details where the devil is for a team sport. Even with camp, I think you give the guy a shot to right his ship.
- pens_4ever

I'd play Galchenyuk on the PP now, (although maybe put Rust there instead while he's hot), but I don't think he's vital to it. And they have 8-10 guys putting up borderline top 6 numbers on the roster that aren't him, so I think they can afford to move if he's not special offensively.

I'll at least say I'd like to add a scoring LW to replace him, I just don't think he's the right fit here. I may end up wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but that's mine and a lot of others opinions since we got him, so it's how we'll feel until he proves otherwise like say Tanev has.

I do agree on Blueger though. I think his wings have propped him up at ES (yes I think ZAR is better) an it's showing without Tanev. He's been an outstanding penalty killer and is fine for a 4th line guy, I just think they should stop deploying him as a shutdown center.

I’d still rather play a team like Washington or Tampa.
- Grinder47

I'm actually surprised you'd want to play Washington, they seem like the type of grit team you'd approve of.

I'd play Galchenyuk on the PP now, (although maybe put Rust there instead while he's hot), but I don't think he's vital to it. And they have 8-10 guys putting up borderline top 6 numbers on the roster that aren't him, so I think they can afford to move if he's not special offensively.

I'll at least say I'd like to add a scoring LW to replace him, I just don't think he's the right fit here. I may end up wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but that's mine and a lot of others opinions since we got him, so it's how we'll feel until he proves otherwise like say Tanev has.

I do agree on Blueger though. I think his wings have propped him up at ES (yes I think ZAR is better) an it's showing without Tanev. He's been an outstanding penalty killer and is fine for a 4th line guy, I just think they should stop deploying him as a shutdown center.
- Tojo.

I like Blueger. I thought last year that he would likely be 3C and at times he’s been exactly that and at other times he’s half a step behind and constantly deferring. Those aren’t the signs of a confident hockey player

Interested to see what the lines are tonight 😊

Let’s talk about how good Rust and Tanev have been. Rust looks so confident and Tanev just keeps doing his thing. The one thing I’ve noticed about Tanev though is he’s not drawing as many penalties. I think part of it is less is less puck touches but also he draws a lot by guys retaliating when he gets the first hit on the forecheck. Guys just aren’t retaliating

Rust when interviewed didn’t fess up to his penalty taken late against the Isles in the first game. Disappointed that he didn’t just own up that it was a bad penalty to take, still like the guy tho

I like Blueger. I thought last year that he would likely be 3C and at times he’s been exactly that and at other times he’s half a step behind and constantly deferring. Those aren’t the signs of a confident hockey player

Interested to see what the lines are tonight 😊

Let’s talk about how good Rust and Tanev have been. Rust looks so confident and Tanev just keeps doing his thing. The one thing I’ve noticed about Tanev though is he’s not drawing as many penalties. I think part of it is less is less puck touches but also he draws a lot by guys retaliating when he gets the first hit on the forecheck. Guys just aren’t retaliating

Rust when interviewed didn’t fess up to his penalty taken late against the Isles in the first game. Disappointed that he didn’t just own up that it was a bad penalty to take, still like the guy tho
- WSCTeton17

Wrong again.

Adam Hall was a very underrated penguin. Just saying.

Adam Hall was a very underrated penguin. Just saying.
- Grinder47

That guy sucked everywhere he played.

That guy sucked everywhere he played.
- Feds91Stammer

Weren’t you like 8 when he was around?

I'd play Galchenyuk on the PP now, (although maybe put Rust there instead while he's hot), but I don't think he's vital to it. And they have 8-10 guys putting up borderline top 6 numbers on the roster that aren't him, so I think they can afford to move if he's not special offensively.

I'll at least say I'd like to add a scoring LW to replace him, I just don't think he's the right fit here. I may end up wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but that's mine and a lot of others opinions since we got him, so it's how we'll feel until he proves otherwise like say Tanev has.

I do agree on Blueger though. I think his wings have propped him up at ES (yes I think ZAR is better) an it's showing without Tanev. He's been an outstanding penalty killer and is fine for a 4th line guy, I just think they should stop deploying him as a shutdown center.
- Tojo.

I understand the sentiment. I just prefer to hope it pans out. It's a weird thing coming to this team. Perron and Brassard both didn't take (not even going back to Iginla), but one is contributing to a record-setting NYI team, and the other played a role in winning a Cup last year. It's funny how everyone just hates GMJR for anything, but who thought that potentially +25 goal guys were going to dry up next to generational talents?

I wish the team had more shooters. Phil stopped shooting the puck, for some unfathomable reason. Sid's shot is not his greatest asset. Letang's shot is not his strong suit either. Malkin, Jake, and Schultz are the ones I see that can really send a puck humming (ahead of the curve of the NHL). If Galchenyuk can find some soft areas to be a button-man, then I think he can find a niche in PIT. He just had a three game point streak snapped, and he was the leading scorer of an NHL team last season, so it's not like he's 100% incompetent.

You didn't say you don't care about things he has demonstrated in the past? Connecting two dots to follow your logic is not complicated.

Your point was that Blueger has been playing better (very debatable), and for that reason, it was better to play him in OT (that was my original point - why not in the 3v3, where his HISTORY would suggest he's been good?). Then you chimed in with your general tone about knowing all truths of the hockey universe, while everyone else, Cup winning GMs or coahces, all remain in the dark.

I actually feel blessed to have studied under you.
- pens_4ever

Again, you’re over complicating a very simple statement.

Weren’t you like 8 when he was around?
- Grinder47

I was in college when he sucked ass in Tampa.

Adam Hall was a very underrated penguin. Just saying.
- Grinder47

Teachers pet
Edit: Wrong guy haha

I understand the sentiment. I just prefer to hope it pans out. It's a weird thing coming to this team. Perron and Brassard both didn't take (not even going back to Iginla), but one is contributing to a record-setting NYI team, and the other played a role in winning a Cup last year. It's funny how everyone just hates GMJR for anything, but who thought that potentially +25 goal guys were going to dry up next to generational talents?

I wish the team had more shooters. Phil stopped shooting the puck, for some unfathomable reason. Sid's shot is not his greatest asset. Letang's shot is not his strong suit either. Malkin, Jake, and Schultz are the ones I see that can really send a puck humming (ahead of the curve of the NHL). If Galchenyuk can find some soft areas to be a button-man, then I think he can find a niche in PIT. He just had a three game point streak snapped, and he was the leading scorer of an NHL team last season, so it's not like he's 100% incompetent.
- pens_4ever

I don’t think anyone hates GMJR for everything. GMJR is a gunslinger when it comes to trades/signings. He makes a lot of moves. Some workout and some don’t. He hit a really good patch that led to 2 cups and then after that he hit a really rough patch the last few years (with some good sprinkled in). The only criticism I have for him is that he took the Pens in a direction away from what made them successful. Now he is steering back that way and you can see it in the Pens results now.

You didn't say you don't care about things he has demonstrated in the past? Connecting two dots to follow your logic is not complicated.

Your point was that Blueger has been playing better (very debatable), and for that reason, it was better to play him in OT (that was my original point - why not in the 3v3, where his HISTORY would suggest he's been good?). Then you chimed in with your general tone about knowing all truths of the hockey universe, while everyone else, Cup winning GMs or coahces, all remain in the dark.

I actually feel blessed to have studied under you.
- pens_4ever

I was able to connect the dots prior to the other posts that followed. It’s not complicated

I’m not sure why Blueger played so much in OT EXCEPT that he was our top faceoff guy. Having said that, I’ve seen teams have a guy take faceoffs to be replaced by a more offensive player afterward

Edit: it doesn’t matter how many people agree though. It simply doesn’t matter. Hopefully we have a big win tonight and we can find new things to complain about 🤪

I understand the sentiment. I just prefer to hope it pans out. It's a weird thing coming to this team. Perron and Brassard both didn't take (not even going back to Iginla), but one is contributing to a record-setting NYI team, and the other played a role in winning a Cup last year. It's funny how everyone just hates GMJR for anything, but who thought that potentially +25 goal guys were going to dry up next to generational talents?

I wish the team had more shooters. Phil stopped shooting the puck, for some unfathomable reason. Sid's shot is not his greatest asset. Letang's shot is not his strong suit either. Malkin, Jake, and Schultz are the ones I see that can really send a puck humming (ahead of the curve of the NHL). If Galchenyuk can find some soft areas to be a button-man, then I think he can find a niche in PIT. He just had a three game point streak snapped, and he was the leading scorer of an NHL team last season, so it's not like he's 100% incompetent.
- pens_4ever

I see your point, just disagree. Still, enjoy chatting.

I'm not a GMJR basher. In fact I liked the Perron and Brassard deals when they happened (aside from losing Cole). I didn't like the Kessel trade and I wanted to move Kessel because I don't see Galchenyuk as a fit, not that he's incompetent.

Pens are averaging about 3.4 goals per game despite a historically a PP run an all the injuries. That's about as good as anyone besides Washington. Keep running him put there now, but with McCann, Kahun Rust, Hornqvist, and Tanev all putting up close to what Galchenyuk can, I don't see lack of offense as a problem.

I see your point, just disagree. Still, enjoy chatting.

I'm not a GMJR basher. In fact I liked the Perron and Brassard deals when they happened (aside from losing Cole). I didn't like the Kessel trade and I wanted to move Kessel because I don't see Galchenyuk as a fit, not that he's incompetent.

Pens are averaging about 3.4 goals per game despite a historically a PP run an all the injuries. That's about as good as anyone besides Washington. Keep running him put there now, but with McCann, Kahun Rust, Hornqvist, and Tanev all putting up close to what Galchenyuk can, I don't see lack of offense as a problem.
- Tojo.

I miss Cole. I know some Avs fans who hated that they brought him in and now they love him. I’d like to think if we still had him we never would’ve gotten JJ, probably never get Petts either but I’d be fine with that. I honestly think he would’ve been a huge piece for us against the Caps that year. I think we would’ve had a really strong chance to 3peat had we kept him

I miss Cole.
- WSCTeton17

Especially the 2min shorthanded we had every game... the team missed it so much that Geno last year partly jumped in.

Lineup for today’s game includes a 2nd line of Galchenyuk-McCann-Tanev per NHL dot com

For some, your prayers have been answered. Galch / Tanev playing with more skilled players. Hoping for a fun game because last night had its moments but really wasn’t worth the time imo

Especially the 2min shorthanded we had every game... the team missed it so much that Geno last year partly jumped in.
- VeryModernMan

He had 190 PIMs in 218 games as a pen in the regular season. 0.87 per game... it’s a sign

I was in college when he sucked ass in Tampa.
- Feds91Stammer

I guess we can all be who we want on the internet. Hopefully mom and Dad let you stay up for the game tonight.

I guess we can all be who we want on the internet. Hopefully mom and Dad let you stay up for the game tonight.
- Grinder47

Anyone have any interest in Vatanen as a rental? I haven’t been following him this year. Seems like more of a well rounded defender than Schultz who could be available short/long term

Long post. Read it, don’t read it. Whatever.

I could see the potential from this line but I agree with Boyd that I like Rust on the right. I think that’s a big strength of his is beating people up the ice or cutting across, getting open on his forehand. If it’s a loose puck battle it doesn’t really matter but for streaking breakouts I think he’s much better on the right. I’d probably rather Bjug on LW

If you would though, if Bjug has been so pedestrian then what’s the motivation to get him on that line over Galchenyuk, Simon, Tanev, or your buddy ZAR (kidding on ZAR 😉 not on the others though). Bjugstad has 1 point and his possession stats haven’t been good. His faceoffs suck too

The line of Blandisi-Simon-Galchenyuk is now Galchenyuk’s second common most ES line combo. Surprise surprise he has 0 points with that combination. Galchenyuk is on pace for 38 points in like 14 minutes a night. Phil is playing almost 18 minutes and is on pace for 46 points. Galchenyuk plays with Blandisi and Simon. Phil plays with Keller, Dvorak, Stepan, Soderberg 🤷🏼‍♂️

Also, if we trade Galchenyuk for futures then who replaces his 0.46PPG? I think Lafferty’s offense was a flash in the pan; excluding him that puts Galch at 9th for forwards
- WSCTeton17

Didn't readi it