Yup. Malkin/Letang/Sid. Besides Tanev, those are our toughest players. Seems POJ has a little snarl in him.

I'm not asking for the 75 Flyers. Just need to get a little more physical. Not talking about goons either.

It's funny... That game against the Islanders the other night... DeSmith got hit 4 times at least by Islander players. The weren't really running him although I thought a couple deserved interference. They were just driving the net as the puck was being shot.

Varlamov got hit once. By his own man.

I still can't believe we traded Hornqvist. Blows my mind.
- madmike71

Definitely agree with that. It was a boneheaded move. This roster would look so much better with Horny in the lineup.

I also watched the In the Room where they talked about Simon lol. This team would definitely look better if Simon was on the roster too. Jankowski is useless.

Burke is talking about how the team will need to make some changes to be competitive with the top teams and when asked what changes can be made he gives the "We'll have to see once I get a look at the team, there are a lot of players with short term left on their contracts and then mentions Letang by name"

I wouldn't be surprised if he's convinced ownership to possibly throw in the towel on this year and take advantage of greedy teams at the deadline (He has long quoted that most mistakes are made on July 1 and at the trade deadline ie: Only 1 team can win the cup)

Desperate teams may take on contracts at the TDL which would give Hextall some picks to play with at the draft and allow them to "restructure" the team for next year and beyond to play "Long Pants" hockey. Either way, We will not be "buyers" under Burke this year, which makes us most likely an also ran in the East

I could see a combination of Letang, McCann, Rust, Petts, Dumo, being moved if it meant opening up a lot of capspace and loading up with some prospects and picks
- TheGame316

Thanks, I don't know when you begin to rebuild in earnest. What I do know is a rebuild won't begin this season unless we have no chance to make the playoffs. Of course, if we aren't a playoff team, then absolutely we become sellers.

The not being buyers is a good thing. I don't think this team is in a position where an aging vet can get them where they want to go.

Pens as a team have been ranked 1st, 5th, and 6th in hits the last 3 years, so there goes that theory.
- j.boyd919

It’s not about hits....it about being able to clear the front of the net and cycle the puck.

Pens as a team have been ranked 1st, 5th, and 6th in hits the last 3 years, so there goes that theory.
- j.boyd919

So what you are saying because of ***stats*** is really the penguins are the hardest team in the league to play against!? Or at minimum top 6!? Really!! What a theory!!!!

I would like to see the Pens get one or two more players who play with more tenacity, more energy, more of an edge, that said, I'm going to bang on this drum again...

The Pens aren't easy to play against because of any lack of physical play. They're easy to play against because they do the following:

1) Play the perimeter. You're not making life hard for other teams if you keep cycling around the perimeter looking for that perfect setup. They make themselves hard to play against by driving play towards the net.

2) They are a defensively passive team. They don't keep bodies away from their own goalie or attempt to keep play to the perimeter. They seem to think they can just knock the puck away, scoop it up and get out of the zone.

These two things make them easier to play against IMO.

One of the problems with HCMS styles is he encourages these senseless hits buy guys not built for it...EX #59. I will stick to my theory .....Ryan Reeves is a more effective 4th line player than our whole 4th line this year. The Icelanders have very good 4th line, as good as our 3rd line?

It’s not about hits....it about being able to clear the front of the net and cycle the puck.
- Malkin

Oh I agree that their PK is soft and they can't clear the front of the net. It's definitely the biggest problem with the PK.

As for cycling the puck, the Pens do that fine. They just lack the finishing talent to convert on their chances. They are also a middle of the road high danger team (and it's something I've noticed watching the games too): 1. they don't get a ton of second/third chances and 2.they used to be one of the best teams at passing low to high back to the point and getting shots/rebounds but with their D in shambles, they don't have the skill back there to get the puck to the net.

Honestly at 5v5... they aren't bad. Their special teams is tanking their results IMO.

I would like to see the Pens get one or two more players who play with more tenacity, more energy, more of an edge, that said, I'm going to bang on this drum again...

The Pens aren't easy to play against because of any lack of physical play. They're easy to play against because they do the following:

1) Play the perimeter. You're not making life hard for other teams if you keep cycling around the perimeter looking for that perfect setup. They make themselves hard to play against by driving play towards the net.

2) They are a defensively passive team. They don't keep bodies away from their own goalie or attempt to keep play to the perimeter. They seem to think they can just knock the puck away, scoop it up and get out of the zone.

These two things make them easier to play against IMO.
- Rinosaur

As it relates to #1 I agree but i would not mind watching it if they tried to find more soft spots for #71 to find his one timer.

#2 is so clear but yet many on this site think its figure skating

Oh I agree that their PK is soft and they can't clear the front of the net. It's definitely the biggest problem with the PK.

As for cycling the puck, the Pens do that fine. They just lack the finishing talent to convert on their chances. They are also a middle of the road high danger team (and it's something I've noticed watching the games too): 1. they don't get a ton of second/third chances and 2.they used to be one of the best teams at passing low to high back to the point and getting shots/rebounds but with their D in shambles, they don't have the skill back there to get the puck to the net.

Honestly at 5v5... they aren't bad. Their special teams is tanking their results IMO.
- j.boyd919

Agreed but i think Malkin needs to be set up more off the cycle. Of his few goals two of them stand out ....pretty good one timers. They need to get Malkin off the puck....

While the 5vs5 stat is true ....it does not past the eye test and that’s where i think the new front office will pay more attention to. Right or wrong

As it relates to #1 I agree but i would not mind watching it if they tried to find more soft spots for #71 to find his one timer.

#2 is so clear but yet many on this site think its figure skating
- Malkin

I feel like they this do this for everyone. What I will say is I'd like to see Malkin stop deferring to everyone and take more shots. If anything, Zucker and Kap will get to the net to bang in rebounds.

Honestly at 5v5... they aren't bad. Their special teams is tanking their results IMO.
- j.boyd919

They aren't bad, but they don't take the extra step they need to be more effective.

Definitely agree with that. It was a boneheaded move. This roster would look so much better with Horny in the lineup.

I also watched the In the Room where they talked about Simon lol. This team would definitely look better if Simon was on the roster too. Jankowski is useless.
- j.boyd919

Simon may become available. He may be out of shape from all the pop corn he's been eating.

They aren't bad, but they don't have the talent they need to be more effective.
- Rinosaur

Fixed it.

Thanks, I don't know when you begin to rebuild in earnest. What I do know is a rebuild won't begin this season unless we have no chance to make the playoffs. Of course, if we aren't a playoff team, then absolutely we become sellers.

The not being buyers is a good thing. I don't think this team is in a position where an aging vet can get them where they want to go.
- Thunderbolt

Pens ownership has said they need to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs every year to break even (Playoff Revenue)

Since there won't be any playoff revenue this year, regardless of round, if there is any year to be sellers and just let it play out, even if that means missing the playoffs or getting bounced in round 1, It's this year

I've said for a while that a lot of the TDL pickups aren't about getting a team over the hump or a cup win, sometimes it's just about winning a few more games or just getting into another round. Every Home game is worth anywhere from 3-5 Million in revenue. That's real pressure GM's get from ownership

Definitely agree with that. It was a boneheaded move. This roster would look so much better with Horny in the lineup.

I also watched the In the Room where they talked about Simon lol. This team would definitely look better if Simon was on the roster too. Jankowski is useless.
- j.boyd919

Simon would not add anything, small but high hockey IQ, they say but can't score?

Fixed it.
- j.boyd919

Who in their top six do you think is unable to drive pay towards the net?

Simon would not add anything, small but high hockey IQ, they say but can't score?
- PENS1989

He would probably line up with Sid and that line would probably still be very good. It would then push one of Rust or Kap to the third line, giving the Penguins depth.

Who in their top six do you think is unable to drive pay towards the net?
- Rinosaur

Zucker and Kap lack finishing talent imo. They are both 3rd wheel players.

I would like to see the Pens get one or two more players who play with more tenacity, more energy, more of an edge, that said, I'm going to bang on this drum again...

The Pens aren't easy to play against because of any lack of physical play. They're easy to play against because they do the following:

1) Play the perimeter. You're not making life hard for other teams if you keep cycling around the perimeter looking for that perfect setup. They make themselves hard to play against by driving play towards the net.

2) They are a defensively passive team. They don't keep bodies away from their own goalie or attempt to keep play to the perimeter. They seem to think they can just knock the puck away, scoop it up and get out of the zone.

These two things make them easier to play against IMO.
- Rinosaur

So true!!!

Zucker and Kap lack finishing talent imo. They are both 3rd wheel players.
- j.boyd919

I disagree on Zucker, but the ability to finish or not, they're capable of driving play inward rather than the outside.

Just from my observation even Sid, Geno, Jake, etc... are guilty of this. They seems to like to get the puck deep and get the puck to the point like they're setting up a PP.

I've seen them pass up the chance multiple times to drive play to the net.

I disagree on Zucker, but the ability to finish or not, they're capable driving play inward rather than the outside.

Just from my observation even Sid, Geno, Jake, etc... are guilty of this. They seems to like to get the puck deep and get the puck to the point like they're setting up a PP.

I've seen them pass up the chance multiple times to drive play to the net.
- Rinosaur

They're coached that way, Getzoff and Errey has talked about it in the past. Last year and I think the year before they lead the league in low to high passes.

Generally it's a smarter play then throwing the puck toward the crease from a bad angle if they're on the half wall or below the net. The shots from the point are going to create more rebounds.

Zucker and Kap lack finishing talent imo. They are both 3rd wheel players.
- j.boyd919

For them to end up on the third line it would take about $10 million in cap space and unfortunately half of that went out the window with JJ and bigbird

Pens ownership has said they need to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs every year to break even (Playoff Revenue)

Since there won't be any playoff revenue this year, regardless of round, if there is any year to be sellers and just let it play out, even if that means missing the playoffs or getting bounced in round 1, It's this year

I've said for a while that a lot of the TDL pickups aren't about getting a team over the hump or a cup win, sometimes it's just about winning a few more games or just getting into another round. Every Home game is worth anywhere from 3-5 Million in revenue. That's real pressure GM's get from ownership
- TheGame316

Sound like Pitt needs a better business model. Making it to the 2nd round every year isn’t sustainable for anyone.

They're coached that way, Getzoff and Errey has talked about it in the past. Last year and I think the year before they lead the league in low to high passes.

Generally it's a smarter play then throwing the puck toward the crease from a bad angle if they're on the half wall or below the net. The shots from the point are going to create more rebounds.
- j.boyd919

That's been my point and why I'm currently against any major moves and more a proponent of bringing in a new coach.

Throwing the puck across the crease isn't the only other option vs. setting up like a PP. You can see this from watching how other teams play against us. Skating the puck inside vs. outside, getting pucks and bodies to the net.