I am on the record as stating that our 3rd line would be a great 4th....for a cup contender that is. Am i wrong? Stats can be misleading , i am not convince they can score enough.
- Malkin

What are your expectations? Everybody loved Nick Bonino as a third line center. I am going to add Matt Cullen because he got significant time playing either third line or wing in the top six. This was due to Malkin's injuries. In his two years here, BoninoBoninoBonino centered a line that scored thirty goals 5v5 each year. Cullen's line scored 30 and 29 those same two years. Excluding the power play Bonino scored 7 and 12 goals, Cullen had 16 and 11.

Blueger and Tanev are on pace for those type of numbers. Last year in a slightly shortened season they helped their lines produce 24 and 22 goals respectively while they scored 9 and 11. Obviously this is a screwed up and shortened season so let's project their numbers for an 82 game season. Which means we are one sixth of the way thru (82). Blueger and Tanev are tracking over 40 goals 5v5. Blueger is on pace for 12 goals while Tanev's is for 24. Granted Tanev's goals scored are well above expectations but even if he cools off he should still reach 12-14.

Lol, does he love him that much?!

Edit: I read it lol. Take a few days Feds and really think about what you did. Lmao
- 668710

Apparently it’s not a discussion board over there lmao.

I feel like this entire blog focused around a trade that is never going to happen was all an elaborate design to take a knock at our current third line, and the general fan bases enthusiasm about that line.

I don't see it either. Our couple of prospects are B/C level guys at best. Can't offer them a couple of good roster players 'cause you open too many holes to patch. I think the Pens are going to nibble around the edges with this team. Add a couple of fringe pieces. Probably a vet tender. People are saying Getzlaf, I'm thinking Grant. I don't see Hextall making huge offers for UFA's.
- madmike71

Grant seems like the realistic target and would be a major upgrade at 4C.

I feel like this entire blog focused around a trade that is never going to happen was all an elaborate design to take a knock at our current third line, and the general fan bases enthusiasm about that line.
- Grinder47

Pens don’t have a 3rd line though.

I feel like this entire blog focused around a trade that is never going to happen was all an elaborate design to take a knock at our current third line, and the general fan bases enthusiasm about that line.
- Grinder47

I have no problem with ZAR-Blue-Tanev but we have to have 4 complete lines, which we dont

Grant seems like the realistic target and would be a major upgrade at 4C.
- Rinosaur

Grant is better than Blueger?

What are your expectations? Everybody loved Nick Bonino as a third line center. I am going to add Matt Cullen because he got significant time playing either third line or wing in the top six. This was due to Malkin's injuries. In his two years here, BoninoBoninoBonino centered a line that scored thirty goals 5v5 each year. Cullen's line scored 30 and 29 those same two years. Excluding the power play Bonino scored 7 and 12 goals, Cullen had 16 and 11.

Blueger and Tanev are on pace for those type of numbers. Last year in a slightly shortened season they helped their lines produce 24 and 22 goals respectively while they scored 9 and 11. Obviously this is a screwed up and shortened season so let's project their numbers for an 82 game season. Which means we are one sixth of the way thru (82). Blueger and Tanev are tracking over 40 goals 5v5. Blueger is on pace for 12 goals while Tanev's is for 24. Granted Tanev's goals scored are well above expectations but even if he cools off he should still reach 12-14.
- Thunderbolt

Two problems... #1 even by your stats I'd say Bonito and Cullen are 20% better, which is not insignificant.

#2 the guys you mention are generally well liked and really are the bright spots of the bottom six.

I'm totally fine with Blueger as 4C. He is not what Cullen was but Cullen was probably the best 4C ever during the cup years.

Grant is better than Blueger?
- Feds91Stammer

No. But Jankowski is our current 4C and I really don’t see what 3C options are there for the Pens this season. I think Blueger is the 3C the rest of the way this year.

Pens don’t have a 3rd line though.
- Feds91Stammer

Exactly, or if the ZAR-BLUE-TANEV line becomes a "third line" we must construct another third line. If it's by adding a top 6 wing and moving Zucker or Kap down with McCann or adding say Getzlaf and having McCann be his winger, so be it. We must add at least one piece.

No. But Jankowski is our current 4C and I really don’t see what 3C options are there for the Pens this season. I think Blueger is the 3C the rest of the way this year.
- Rinosaur

Grant imo doesn't help. I wouldn't bother with him. We have the Grant types.

Edit: I'd rather give Poulin/Legare the 9 game tryout first before adding Grant.

Exactly, or if the ZAR-BLUE-TANEV line becomes a "third line" we must construct another third line. If it's by adding a top 6 wing and moving Zucker or Kap down with McCann or adding say Getzlaf and having McCann be his winger, so be it. We must add at least one piece.
- 668710

Agreed here. An upgrade over Jankowski would improve the current situation.

Grant imo doesn't help. I wouldn't bother with him. We have the Grant types.
- 668710

Who do we have that’s like Grant?

No. But Jankowski is our current 4C and I really don’t see what 3C options are there for the Pens this season. I think Blueger is the 3C the rest of the way this year.
- Rinosaur

Yeah but that’s kind of my point. Swapping Jank for Grant makes no difference if Blueger is the 3c. Pens need more middle 6 depth to push down the lineup.

Jake - Sid - Rust
Zucker - Geno - Ryan
McCann - Fabbri - Kap
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev

Agreed here. An upgrade over Jankowski would improve the current situation.
- Rinosaur

Let's say we add Getzlaf. Can Jankowski play wing?
McCann-Getz-Jank? Or like I said before maybe Poulin/Legare get a shot on that line.

Yeah but that’s kind of my point. Swapping Jank for Grant makes no difference if Blueger is the 3c. Pens need more middle 6 depth to push down the lineup.

Jake - Sid - Rust
Zucker - Geno - Ryan
McCann - Fabbri - Kap
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev
- Feds91Stammer

I’d prefer them return McCann to 3C and add a winger so a better winger shuffles down down to him.

Who do we have that’s like Grant?
- Rinosaur

Rodrigues, Jankowski. I haven't looked at his stats but I would assume he's around the same as them?

Let's say we add Getzlaf. Can Jankowski play wing?
McCann-Getz-Jank? Or like I said before maybe Poulin/Legare get a shot on that line.
- 668710

I don’t think there’s a realistic possibility of them playing with the Pens this year.

Also, Jank just can’t play hockey.

Rodrigues, Jankowski. I haven't looked at his stats but I would assume he's around the same as them?
- 668710

Grant is an upgrade over them IMO.

Who do we have that’s like Grant?
- Rinosaur

Guys that score at a 22 point pace and don’t drive play? I think you have quite a few of those.

Yeah but that’s kind of my point. Swapping Jank for Grant makes no difference if Blueger is the 3c. Pens need more middle 6 depth to push down the lineup.

Jake - Sid - Rust
Zucker - Geno - Ryan
McCann - Fabbri - Kap
ZAR - Blueger - Tanev
- Feds91Stammer

I like that lineup. I assume we have Ryan on the LW PP half boards? ryan crosby malkin wow

Grant is an upgrade over them IMO.
- Rinosaur

He isn’t though. You have a weird affinity for Grant. He isn’t good.

Guys that score at a 22 point pace and don’t drive play? I think you have quite a few of those.
- Feds91Stammer

I think as an overall player he’s an upgrade over the likes of Jankowski, ERod and Sceviour.

He isn’t though. You have a weird affinity for Grant. He isn’t good.
- Feds91Stammer

Maybe it’s just how terrible Jankowski is makes others look better.

I like that lineup. I assume we have Ryan on the LW PP half boards? ryan crosby malkin wow
- 668710

Ryan can play net front too. Not a great fit for the left wall. Big body with skill wow