This is the worst, most convoluted analogy I think I've ever read.
- Rinosaur

i am sorry for forcing you to read such a thing. hes not an asset. he can be improved upon. but hes not the thing that single handedly sunk the ship either. Easier?

The Crosby line had almost no cycle in the zone largely because Sheary can't win a puck or board battle and gets knocked off the puck like a child. He also had a number of turnovers. These things bring down his linemates.
- Hockey66

And the Malkin Line? Why did they had almost no cycle either? And McCanns? Was it also because of Sheary too? This subs obsession with Sheary is comical. Whole team played like poop and they have bigger problems than Sheary falling down.

To me Malkin had the most disappointing series out of any penguin including Sullivan and it’s not even close in my mind.
A total of 0, 5 on 5 points... 1 power play assist. I’d say more then 50% of his shifts he was hard to even notice. We have seen it many many many times over the years, to win in the playoffs you need your best players to be your best players.

No, he didn't.
- Rinosaur

I can't understand how you don't see a problem with a top line wing that never scores goals. It's baffling to me. Beyond getting muscled off the puck, bad defense and the human zamboni stuff. Buffalo fans couldn't wait to get rid of him for a reason. I'm convinced any other forward on that roster could have done the exact same thing as Sheary did. Most would be better.

Earlier in the season when the Habs played the Pens, Mario Lemieux stated that the Habs played “boring hockey”? Well Mr Lemieux, how do you like “boring hockey” now. Maybe you can discuss this on the golf course at Mont-Tremblant…...

LOL, pens are just too old.

Earlier in the season when the Habs played the Pens, Mario Lemieux stated that the Habs played “boring hockey”? Well Mr Lemieux, how do you like “boring hockey” now. Maybe you can discuss this on the golf course at Mont-Tremblant…...
- nitroslices

relax pal youre going no where against a team that isnt mentally frail and doesnt employ jack johnson

lol.

Conner Sheary.... 63 games.... 10g 23pts
Alex Galchenyuk.... 59 games.... 8g, 24pts

One of these guys got sent packing after spending the majority of the season in the coaches dog house. The other guy gets acquired (after being traded away) and immediately gets slotted next to Sidney Crosby.

Sense this makes = 0

lol.
- Blackstrom2

failing to meet expectations for 3+ years now. damn, now we know what it's like to be you guys for nearly a decade.

Conner Sheary.... 63 games.... 10g 23pts
Alex Galchenyuk.... 59 games.... 8g, 24pts

One of these guys got sent packing after spending the majority of the season in the coaches dog house. The other guy gets acquired (after being traded away) and immediately gets slotted next to Sidney Crosby.

Sense this makes = 0
- madmike71

I actually Gally a little bit in this Minnesota series. Seems to be playing with a lot more confidence, looked like a decent player.

I have a lot of hope Pierre Oliver Joseph works out, he looks like a solid defender so maybe that Kessel trade wasnt for nothing.

Man that 2012 draft in Pittsburgh was a disaster. None of the top 3 picks lived up to expectations.

Earlier in the season when the Habs played the Pens, Mario Lemieux stated that the Habs played “boring hockey”? Well Mr Lemieux, how do you like “boring hockey” now. Maybe you can discuss this on the golf course at Mont-Tremblant…...
- nitroslices

I'll answer for him....

He still hates it. He'll shake his head in frustration as he watches the Habs get swept out of their 1st round series. But, he'll be watching from his giant home theater in his beautiful mansion.....so.....

failing to meet expectations for 3+ years now. damn, now we know what it's like to be you guys for nearly a decade.
- SuperHenderson13

I'm laughing at RW's blog, not the Pens. But hey, you do you champ.

Also, lol @ you guys. No, I don't think I am part of the teams I cheer for you, unlike you. Congrats on your 5 Cups man, worked hard for them.

I'm laughing at RW's blog, not the Pens. But hey, you do you champ.

Also, lol @ you guys. No, I don't think I am part of the teams I cheer for you, unlike you. Congrats on your 5 Cups man, worked hard for them.
- Blackstrom2

jesus you get sensitive fast. calm down, superstar.

if you cant take a joke, dont come here and dish one.

The lack of a legit 3rd scoring line and overall forward firepower combined with several weak links on the blue line and regression of Murray lead me to believe its much more of a roster issue than the coaching. But they still shouldn’t have lost to the Habs, so I get it.

Conner Sheary.... 63 games.... 10g 23pts
Alex Galchenyuk.... 59 games.... 8g, 24pts

One of these guys got sent packing after spending the majority of the season in the coaches dog house. The other guy gets acquired (after being traded away) and immediately gets slotted next to Sidney Crosby.

Sense this makes = 0
- madmike71

I'm concerned with what JR will do during the offseason.

Sullivan definitely deserves blame for continuing to dress Joke Johnson but I don't trust JR anymore. I can see him blowing more draft picks and prospects for guys like Sheary and Marleau.

I have a feeling of dread that the Rags are going to get him and be a powerhouse in the division for the next 10 years or so.

Yeah, our D would be pretty trashy without Marino. JR lucked out that a scout pounded the table to get him.

Hey, do you know anyone in Philly who could do a welfare check on bruceflyers after he be $2K on the Pens, and then felt so good about it, he bet another $2K on them? I'm worried about him.
- Hockey66

haha, yeah. Well, unfortunately for you (and Rangers fans, Boston fans, Devils fans, etc), if you think Bruce losing $2k will shut him up, I have a feeling that you're sadly mistaken. That guy lives for twisting the knife. Hey, we can't reel him in. People have tried. Bruce is gonna Bruce.

I'm not as down on GMJR as most

He wanted Kessel for Zucker and when Kessel forced the Arizona trade, we still netted POJ and ended up with Zucker in the end

Maatta for Kahun was a steal, until Kahun turned out to be just a guy with an attitude problem and possibly a tough re-sign as an RFA. Picked up a safe play in Sheary who has chemistry with Sid, although I am not a fan

Dumped Guddy with no retention

Got Marino from the Oilers for a 6th... A 6TH!!

Marleau for a 3rd? that's what you do when you're a playoff team. Remember, Jake was a ?? before the stoppage. I wonder if/why he didn't get Jumbo at the same time

Any other trades this year? Looks to have maneuvered pretty well

still did more than most of our team. people trying to blame this on him are delusional.

Guentzel missed a lot of opportunities.
Malkin didnt show up.
Dumo was a shade of himself during the first 3 games.
JJ was on the ice for almost every goal against during the first 3 games.
Marleau didnt even look like a Hockey player at all.
Powerplay was awful during the first two games.

he's not great but he at least did something.
- Conse

If you just look at the box score.

I'm not trying to blame this on him. I'm just saying that he is a PART of the problem. And really, he did about as well as he could, he's just not very good and should never be on the top line or even in the top 6. I blame JR and Sully more than I blame Sheary, frankly.

As for the others you mention, no question.

And the Malkin Line? Why did they had almost no cycle either? And McCanns? Was it also because of Sheary too? This subs obsession with Sheary is comical. Whole team played like poop and they have bigger problems than Sheary falling down.
- Conse

I was willing to let it go with "agree to disagree" but the Sheary defenders keep bringing him up. For the record, I agree with everything you say, but just because others play like ass doesn't mean that Sheary gets a pass or that he has any business in the top 6.

As it stands right now

(18 Million) Jake Sid ???
(18.5 Million) Zucker Malkin Rust
(11 Million) Simon Bjug Horn
(5.25 Million) Tanev Blueger ZAR

(11.35 Million) Letang Dumo
(5 Million) Marino Petts
(2.5 Million) POJ ???

(4.5 Million)Jarry DeSmith

Gone: Murray/JJ/McCann

Need: Wing for Sid, 3rd pair D

Capspace: Looks to be about 5 million, counting RFA Simon, JJ buyout and 3.5 Million to resign Jarry

Is this any good? I don't see us being able to get rid of Bjud. I don't see any takers. That's an 11 Million $$ 3rd line of guys that can slot up but won't score together

It's weird, because there is so much "Value" in this lineup. I struggle to see any guy thats "overpaid" yet it still seems weak with an 80 Million $$ Cap

Would that lineup do anything?

sheary is the air conditioning not working on a car that has two flat tires.

does it (frank)ing suck to not have air and make your journey so much worse? is it broken and something that can be fixed and improved upon? Sure.

does it really matter because you still arent leaving the (frank)ing driveway with jack johnson in your wheel well?
- stayinthefnnet

I thought this was a perfect analogy

I thought this was a perfect analogy
- 10inchTerror

I thought it was pretty good, too.

As it stands right now

(18 Million) Jake Sid ???
(18.5 Million) Zucker Malkin Rust
(11 Million) Simon Bjug Horn
(5.25 Million) Tanev Blueger ZAR

(11.35 Million) Letang Dumo
(5 Million) Marino Petts
(2.5 Million) POJ ???

(4.5 Million)Jarry DeSmith

Gone: Murray/JJ/McCann

Need: Wing for Sid, 3rd pair D

Capspace: Looks to be about 5 million, counting RFA Simon, JJ buyout and 3.5 Million to resign Jarry

Is this any good? I don't see us being able to get rid of Bjud. I don't see any takers. That's an 11 Million $$ 3rd line of guys that can slot up but won't score together

It's weird, because there is so much "Value" in this lineup. I struggle to see any guy thats "overpaid" yet it still seems weak with an 80 Million $$ Cap

Would that lineup do anything?
- TheGame316

Nice post. I don't think it's too farfetched to think that Bjug might have to or want to retire. Even LTIR would help us out.

I think that lineup with a legit 1RW and 3C could definitely be a contender. There are a lot of minuses absent, too, which is a net plus.

A lot of teams are going to be tight against the cap this year and constrained during FA. I'd be happy if the Pens could just solve one of those positions heading into the season and hopefully fill the other one later.

If I am the GM (hopefully not JR), I think we are close to or at the red panic button pushing time, which means that you just don't worry about saving high draft picks during the rest of the window. I think Sid, Malkin, and Letang are all starting to show their age so we need to push our chips in and not this tinkering around the edges crap. Just go for it! Teams like TBL, BOS, WAS and PHI are tough as hell. This Pens team didn't stand a chance against any of them.

Nice post. I don't think it's too farfetched to think that Bjug might have to or want to retire. Even LTIR would help us out.

I think that lineup with a legit 1RW and 3C could definitely be a contender. There are a lot of minuses absent, too, which is a net plus.

A lot of teams are going to be tight against the cap this year and constrained during FA. I'd be happy if the Pens could just solve one of those positions heading into the season and hopefully fill the other one later.

If I am the GM (hopefully not JR), I think we are close to or at the red panic button pushing time, which means that you just don't worry about saving high draft picks during the rest of the window. I think Sid, Malkin, and Letang are all starting to show their age so we need to push our chips in and not this tinkering around the edges crap. Just go for it! Teams like TBL, BOS, WAS and PHI are tough as hell. This Pens team didn't stand a chance against any of them.
- Hockey66

I think part of the problem is that we've been pushing in all the chips for so long, what we're missing is that dynamic young player on an ELC or bridge deal who can carry a 3rd line for us

If it were possible to rid ourselves of Bjud and Horn, I'd push all in on Taylor Hall @8 Million per to play in the top 6 and use the rest of the cash to find a competent 3C and Damn the Torpedos