PP was also sh!t with all those guys on the roster when Mike Johnston was behind the bench....except Jake but Jake isnt a PP stud...
- MattStrat

They were tied for 8th in the league his first full season (2014-15), that's respectable IMO.

They were tied for 8th in the league his first full season (2014-15), that's respectable IMO.
- j.boyd919

Pretty sure it was much worse than that the first half of the 2015/2016 season before he was canned.

Agreed on your comment though. If the Pens were 8th overall in PP right now they'd be higher in the standings.

I mean I agree with everything you're saying here but personally, after only 12 games and all the sh!t the on ice team and organization have gone through in a month, I can't make any solid assumptions or predictions yet.

Again, the serious doubters have a great chance at being right this season, I would never argue that. I'm just not to a place of comfortable doubt yet.
- MattStrat

Solid assumptions I'll agree, too early. Predictions based on what we're seeing, it's fair to evaluate along the way. I think it's better to wait and see a bit (except for goalie, if they can grab one at a reasonable cost do that ASAP) and be prepared to be buyers, sellers, or perhaps just marginal buyers.

Thing with their record is I keep hearing if could be better with a little better special team or goal-tending. Well it could be worse too but they have 5 of 6 wins in a format that doesn't exist in the playoffs. We are not giving away loser points, we're coming back and taking 2 in games we are trailing late.

I noticed Geno smiling and laughing a few times away from play last night. A great sign.
- MattStrat

I saw that. Gotta say though... He had a rough game until he scored that goal. I was hoping the previous game was a sign he's coming around. Not sure what to expect from him these days.

Now ranked 28th on the pk. 24th on the pp. almost bottom 5 on both haha. These alone would at least greatly boost the chances of seeing the playoffs. Couple games against Washington will probably really test both the pp and especially the pk.

Burke is gonna get Getzlaf. And that will fix the PP and the 3c spot.

Burke is gonna get Getzlaf. And that will fix the PP and the 3c spot.
- Feds91Stammer

I wouldn’t be upset about that.

I loved the outdoor game where philly wore black and orange and Pitt wore black and yellow. You should be able to wear any jersey or colour you want to. Screw the whites.

Nah. It's more personnel related, could a system be built around who they have? Sure, but looking at who left the PP the last few seasons, it's definitely more personnel.

No playmaker on the left wall makes that side of the ice useless.
No net front presence makes shooting useless.

Pens PP last season with Horny v Jake was stark difference.
Pens PP season before with Phil was stark difference.
- j.boyd919

This team has all the personnel they need for a top ten PP unit. I'll agree it's a personnel issue in the respect that they are likely not listening to the coaching staff. The secret to a good PP isn't any crazy secret. More mobile and shoot more. The longer you wait to take a shot the more likely you are to lose possession.

As much crap as we can talk about the coaching staff this is one area I don't blame them. I just can't believe that Reirden would come in an install the same strategy.

Yes, some of the things you mentioned could potentially improve them, but they have the players they need. The players just need to change what they're doing.

Burke is gonna get Getzlaf. And that will fix the PP and the 3c spot.
- Feds91Stammer

Honestly, I wouldn't be mad if they got Getzlaf with 50% retained. I don't know if you meant this in jest, but I think he's still got something in the tank and would upgrade the Pens' third line drastically.

So any coach would at least play DeSmith until he loses right? Even though he’s not great he’s getting W’s.
- Grinder47

It’s rough. DeSmith has been the better goalie, but it’s not like he’s getting great results either. You can’t play Jarry as the #1 right now because he’s been really bad, but he also has the skill and upside to get back to #1 production which DeSmith does not, so you have to find a way to get him involved without jeopardizing points. Rock and a hard place.