I don't think Kap will be a flop. I think the expectations of Kap just need to be realistic.
- Rinosaur

I have to agree. What are our expectations and the press's? I think that in order for him to fulfill expectations, he needs to play more like Hag's with a much better shot. Strong fore and Back checks, and get more pucks at/in the net. Is that going to happen? Who knows, but we'll find out soon...

Sidenote, good blog by RW! We need more like this!

Kapanen probably won't have the offensive impact that lots of people seem to be expecting.

He's very fast but that's about it. I know everyone is expecting him to put up monster points if he's playing with crosby but when he was put on a line with tavares or matthews (season before last) in the past, he did nothing.
- danktrees

Don't listen to anybody else, I am expecting 50 goals from Kapanen. I am also expecting 60 goals from Guentzel, plus 200 points from Crosby.

I'm shocked by the largely positive blog by RW. He dealt with hard truths, but not in a negative way. This is improvement.

I agree with most of what he said including the real danger that the Pens' playoff hopes hinge on the health of Sid and Geno. Obviously that's true of any season, but due to the shortened season it will be even more profound. This is where you wished the 3rd line had better talent.

McCann has shown the ability to man the 2nd line with success which is great, but if he has to repeat that then the bottom six will truly suffer.
- Rinosaur

I think that's bigger than anything he might do in the bottom six. With McCann, it's a downgrade, but not a gaping hole at 2nd line C.

Pens rolled much of last year without Crosby or Malkin and without anything resembling a 3rd scoring line. They can do it and make the playoffs again with the talent they have. Maybe not go deep, but make it at least.

I don't think Kap will be a flop. I think the expectations of Kap just need to be realistic.
- Rinosaur

What are the reasonable expectations? I think some people are too down on him and others too unrealistic.

I like the Dupuis comparison maybe not style wise completely, but as the third guy on the line who will put up top 6 numbers but not monster numbers. Everything said about how Kapanen is just a third liner applied to Rust before last year.

One caveat though, if he gets the top PP spot from Rust, his numbers obviously go up. I have no clue which ends up holding the job.

What are the reasonable expectations? I think some people are too down on him and others too unrealistic.

I like the Dupuis comparison maybe not style wise completely, but as the third guy on the line who will put up top 6 numbers but not monster numbers. Everything said about how Kapanen is just a third liner applied to Rust before last year.

One caveat though, if he gets the top PP spot from Rust, his numbers obviously go up. I have no clue which ends up holding the job.
- Tojo.

I'm not expecting 30 goals. I'm expecting a 20 to 25 goal pace for around 40ish points. I don't expect a dynamic two-way game, but to not be a liability.

I'm not expecting 30 goals. I'm expecting a 20 to 25 goal pace for around 40ish points. I don't expect a dynamic two-way game, but to not be a liability.
- Rinosaur

This, in a regular 82 game season he should be getting anywhere from 15-25 goals depending on what special teams he plays. He sounds more like a PK guy but we'll see.

What are the reasonable expectations? I think some people are too down on him and others too unrealistic.

I like the Dupuis comparison maybe not style wise completely, but as the third guy on the line who will put up top 6 numbers but not monster numbers. Everything said about how Kapanen is just a third liner applied to Rust before last year.

One caveat though, if he gets the top PP spot from Rust, his numbers obviously go up. I have no clue which ends up holding the job.
- Tojo.

Yea exactly. All Kap has to be is the third wheel. Sid and Guentz will be putting up the big points. There's not many lines that have three guys that are elite. Bergeron/Marchand/Pasta are an exception.

Well, the Pens are dogs tomorrow against Philly. They are on the road. Also getting 20-1 (+2000) to win the Cup.

Yea exactly. All Kap has to be is the third wheel. Sid and Guentz will be putting up the big points. There's not many lines that have three guys that are elite. Bergeron/Marchand/Pasta are an exception.
- 668710

If Kqp repeats his numbers from last year, that will be fine. So I am going to say he needs to score ten goals and have twenty assists.

Inside Penguins talking about Jarry handling the puck. I had forgotten how well he played the puck. This could very well be the biggest improvement from last year.

Inside Penguins talking about Jarry handling the puck. I had forgotten how well he played the puck. This could very well be the biggest improvement from last year.
- Thunderbolt

Yea he's a beast at playing the puck. I'm watching it as well lol

If Kqp repeats his numbers from last year, that will be fine. So I am going to say he needs to score ten goals and have twenty assists.
- Thunderbolt

Yea sounds about right for this shortened season.

I think jarry has a great year because his first year as ‘the man’ he will probably only play 35ish games.

I’m gonna go with top 5 pp and pk in the lg.

Petts def gonna be traded

Matheson and jank have good seasons based on their expectations in this here pens blog.

Sid and geno only miss a few games each for minor reasons and propel us to the playoffs.

The Q will be further delayed so Poulin and Légaré can play in AHL for a while.

Ceci will be tolerable.


*also on a side note, being Canadian we have the CFL which has like 8 teams total. I am sick of seeing the same handful of teams year after year. I hope the season is not as terrible playing against only a few opponents for 56 games.

I think jarry has a great year because his first year as ‘the man’ he will probably only play 35ish games.

I’m gonna go with top 5 pp and pk in the lg.

Petts def gonna be traded

Matheson and jank have good seasons based on their expectations in this here pens blog.

Sid and geno only miss a few games each for minor reasons and propel us to the playoffs.

The Q will be further delayed so Poulin and Légaré can play in AHL for a while.

Ceci will be tolerable.


*also on a side note, being Canadian we have the CFL which has like 8 teams total. I am sick of seeing the same handful of teams year after year. I hope the season is not as terrible playing against only a few opponents for 56 games.
- 10inchTerror

Seems about right for Jarry. I think max 40 games.
Agree on Petts.
I think Jank will be the surprise, Math will have a lot of turnovers.
I hope so with Sid and Geno.
That would be awesome for Poulin and Legare.
Ceci only has to be better than JJ haha.
I think the season will be exciting, these games all matter being in division.

The Q will be further delayed so Poulin and Légaré can play in AHL for a while.


- 10inchTerror

Is the AHL making an exception for this?

Is the AHL making an exception for this?
- Rinosaur

I was thinking the same thing. Who knows, but it would be freaking awesome if they could play in the AHL.

I was thinking the same thing. Who knows, but it would be freaking awesome if they could play in the AHL.
- 668710

It would be huge.

It would be huge.
- Rinosaur

I really despise the Q for that. I understand they want talented kids, but it just holds them back. Lame as (frank) IMO.

I'm not expecting 30 goals. I'm expecting a 20 to 25 goal pace for around 40ish points. I don't expect a dynamic two-way game, but to not be a liability.
- Rinosaur

About what I expect. Maybe around 20-25 goals. 45-50 points. Basically the good Sheary year and numbers Dupuis hit because he is playing with two of the best ES scorers in the game.

I have to agree. What are our expectations and the press's? I think that in order for him to fulfill expectations, he needs to play more like Hag's with a much better shot. Strong fore and Back checks, and get more pucks at/in the net. Is that going to happen? Who knows, but we'll find out soon...

Sidenote, good blog by RW! We need more like this!
- Beatnic57

That's what gets people especially those who have been around for a while. RW is a good blogger when he chooses to be. He just chooses to be far less often than he used to.

Pettersson, POJ, or Poulin.
- j.boyd919

Right and that's bad. Pettersson isn't actually expendable since getting rid of him makes Mathesson bump up to the second pairing. I definitely say Pets getting traded, but I also think the trade will likely make us worse.

I never have a great read on how much value prospects have. If POJ or Poulin are bringing back a big piece, what kind of draft capital do we need to tie to them? We don't have a 1st and I'm pretty sure we don't have a second either.

I'm not expecting 30 goals. I'm expecting a 20 to 25 goal pace for around 40ish points. I don't expect a dynamic two-way game, but to not be a liability.
- Rinosaur

That's legitimate top line winger production. I don't think that's going to happen. I'm expecting something like 14 goals and 32 points.

Is the AHL making an exception for this?
- Rinosaur

I’ve read that from beat reporters in Canada but not seen actual league proof. I believe the mtl writer on this site also mentioned it a few weeks ago so hopefully. Quebec just implemented an 8:00 curfew so it sounds like things are getting worse there. So if it’s true then screw the Q

Think I'll play the prediction game.

Sticking with RW on Jarry. He could be great, or they could be shopping for a replacement at the deadline. Neither would surprise me.

Instead of the next JJ, Matheson becomes the next Simon where half the fans think he's great (for his offensive game) and half he's terrible.

Ceci pulls a Gudbranson and becomes passable in a sheltered role, but not good enough to get people to admit it who are firmly against him now.

Bottom 6 is better than expected as one or two players show offensive growth, but they still look for help at the deadline. But they get an under the radar type on the cheap rather than the bigger fish people wanted.

Bryan Rust takes a step back after a career year and people are too hard on him for it. Zucker picks up the slack.

PK is good but PP struggles. Rust or Kapanen will be better than what they often used last year, but they aren't Kessel and Hornqvist will be harder to replace than many think. (I will always say removing him from the top PP had a bigger effect than losing Kessel). Reirden had Kunitz last time in front.

Pens make the playoffs.

That's legitimate top line winger production. I don't think that's going to happen. I'm expecting something like 14 goals and 32 points.
- Victoro311

Yea Probably 15-20 goals is more accurate. Dupuis's best goal scoring season was 25 with the Pens and second best 20(2x) only one with Pens.