I do worry about Sid being able to elevate his wingers like he used to as he ages and inevitably declines. People are talking about Kap being the new Dupuis, but frankly I think we need a new Kunitz to balance having Guentzel on the other wing. Not sure if he's up to that role. Although he's not as much of a point producer, a guy like Fast might have been better suited for that role. Of course, the speed game through the neutral zone should be good.
- Hockey66

I'd wouldn't mind seeing Zucker on the 1st.

I'd wouldn't mind seeing Zucker on the 1st.
- madmike71

I was thinking Rust just in terms of handedness and position opposite Guentzel, who seems like a perfect fit for Crosby. But hopefully Sully will experiment and then give the experiment time.

Guentz doesn't need any elevating he carries his own weight and then some. He actually takes some load off of Sid. And Sid can still play the game at a high level. However I'm not sure about Kap, we'll just have to see how he does. But I will agree that Sid at this age shouldn't have an absolute scrub on the opposite side of Guentz.
- 668710

Ehhh...I wouldn't say he generates much on his own and he is certainly not a puck or board battler. Great scorer and a smart player, though.

Ehhh...I wouldn't say he generates much on his own and he is certainly not a puck or board battler. Great scorer and a smart player, though.
- Hockey66

Guentz is a good playmaker, he definitely can make plays. No, he's not a battle axe in the corners but his smarts make up for it.

I was thinking Rust just in terms of handedness and position opposite Guentzel, who seems like a perfect fit for Crosby. But hopefully Sully will experiment and then give the experiment time.
- Hockey66

I don't want to take away from Geno though. I would just leave Rod or whoever wins that spot for now until Kap can get here.

I was thinking Rust just in terms of handedness and position opposite Guentzel, who seems like a perfect fit for Crosby. But hopefully Sully will experiment and then give the experiment time.
- Hockey66

I would swap Zucker and Guentz if things don't work. I would have definitely done it in that Habs play-in.

That's the thing with Sully. In his first couple of years he constantly changed things up. Maybe too much, but they won a couple of cups....so....

Now, everybody is glued together and "shake ups" never happen. Seriously, that series against the Habs was maddening with how little he tried other options.

I'm serious.... He's the new Bylsma.

John Marino's just been signed to a monster contract by the way.

Maybe next year the Panthers are gonna be willing to give you back Hornqvist in exchange for him?

John Marino's just been signed to a monster contract by the way.

Maybe next year the Panthers are gonna be willing to give you back Hornqvist in exchange for him?
- redseerpf

Marino had his blog a whole blog ago. Jeez

This is a blessing in disguise.

Kapanen has proven unable to perform at an elite level. While he has tremendous speed, he is lacking most other fundamental skills. Most importantly, his hockey IQ is absent. He is a similar player to Kessel, without Phil's desirable shot. He continually proves himself to be a one-dimensional play-breaking turn-over machine.

Training camp can now be wisely spent finding a player with which Crosby can generate some chemistry. This will not happen with Kapanen.
- Jackie Daytona

How is this a blessing in disguise? They traded quite a bit to get him, he better work out.

How is this a blessing in disguise? They traded quite a bit to get him, he better work out.
- kfinl170

It's some rando make beleafs fan spitting crap

How is this a blessing in disguise? They traded quite a bit to get him, he better work out.
- kfinl170

Kapanen is going to be fine. The question whether this team becomes a threat in the playoffs rests on the development of the young guys fighting for spots in the bottom six.

Let's assume Kap is a bust, unlikely but, you have a couple players who can step into a top six role until a trade can be made. Remember, the bar is quite low for him and he has already produced at or above the level we are expecting. If he is a bust, then we have our new whipping boy. So it is a win-win.

John Marino's just been signed to a monster contract by the way.

Maybe next year the Panthers are gonna be willing to give you back Hornqvist in exchange for him?
- redseerpf

This troll attempt gets a 1/10...the 1 point comes from using Hornqvist like that.

It's kind of funny. I've been thinking Erod will be the new Sheary or Simon. Sid will play 2 games with Kap, they won't produce anything, then Erod suddenly is our new 1RW. Kap gets demoted to 3rd line and suddenly that line doesn't look so bad.

Can you imagine if the first line gets off to a hot start with Erod?
- madmike71

Oh I can imagine, I can imagine all kinds of things...and while crazier things have happened, its more likely to be unlikely than likely.

If by some slim chance one of these pickups or rookies can find magic in the top 6 then it changes quite a bit and the bottom 6 will be much better looking.

If, buts...candies and nuts. We'll see what happens. Most of us like the 4th(3rd) line when in tact, its the 3rd line we have no idea how it will look...but have a good idea it might not look that good...and with good reason(s).

We'll see what happens.

I'd wouldn't mind seeing Zucker on the 1st.
- madmike71

Do you mean swapping Jake to Geno's line or stacking Sid's line? Because stacking Sid's line would be a massive mistake IMO. The Pens are already the most top-heavy they've been in years, so that would thin things out far too much IMO.

Do you mean swapping Jake to Geno's line or stacking Sid's line? Because stacking Sid's line would be a massive mistake IMO. The Pens are already the most top-heavy they've been in years, so that would thin things out far too much IMO.
- Rinosaur

No... swapping them if things aren't working. I thought Zucker and Sid looked great together.

No... swapping them if things aren't working. I thought Zucker and Sid looked great together.
- madmike71

I agree and Jake fit with Geno very well.

I think the short season could be a big benefit to the net minders. My only doubt with this tandem is maintaining play for a whole season and later on into the playoffs. This could be ideal for them from a games played perspective.

This is a blessing in disguise.

Kapanen has proven unable to perform at an elite level. While he has tremendous speed, he is lacking most other fundamental skills. Most importantly, his hockey IQ is absent. He is a similar player to Kessel, without Phil's desirable shot. He continually proves himself to be a one-dimensional play-breaking turn-over machine.

Training camp can now be wisely spent finding a player with which Crosby can generate some chemistry. This will not happen with Kapanen.
- Jackie Daytona

You’re bad at watching hockey. Should probably pick up something slower like frog jumping and simpler.

New Yohe article states something I and a few others stated we'd like to see. While he guesses the top four will be Letang, Dumo, Petts and Marino he said we could see Matheson with Marino and Petts with Ceci which I'm really hoping for.

I think Marino can help mitigate the weaker points to Matheson's game and the same for Ceci's game if he's paired with Pettersson which would also allow the Pens spread the TOI more efficiently.
- Rinosaur

Nah. Put the best players on the best lines and shelter the 3rd pair.

Regarding these taxis squads....will the players be allowed to be played/scratched regularly, from game to game, or does there have to be an injury for taxi squad member to be allowed to play? What happens if the whole taxi squad is injured and regulars start getting injured too?... which is a realistic scenario for this hockey club.

If Kapanen doesn't fall down every other time he skates up or down the boards, that's a plus. If Kap can actually score goals when he shoots, that's another plus. Tunnel vision, average shot. Sorry, I'm not seeing where this is a step back for Crosby.
- Thunderbolt

He falls down at least once a game

No seriously

Crosby has elevated scrubs like Dom Simon and Conner Sheary. Hell Sheary had 53 points one season. Kap will be like Brett Hull compared to those guys.
- madmike71

Kap tries to be the line driver...One of the reasons he is so bad next to elite players.

And he is not good at receiving a pass in the O zone.

He can skate the puck from the D zone to the O zone very well and can finish on breakaways...Not the best recipe for success on top lines. He is a very good 3rd line player that can PK.

His contract is fine and you guys will enjoy him on your 3rd line, just dont expect him to light it up with Crosby...he might be the 1st player you have ever seen to play actually WORSE next to Malkin or Crosby.

Nah. Put the best players on the best lines and shelter the 3rd pair.
- j.boyd919

I mean, that would be the logical thing to do if you had a coach who would do this, but if he wasn't going to shelter Jack Johnson I'd say it's unlikely he shelters Matheson and/or Ceci, so I think it makes more sense to at least pair them with players who could curb their issues.

He falls down at least once a game

No seriously
- Santo_44

Seriously, have ever watched Sheary?