From my understanding Poulin is a much better prospect. I get skeezed out buy guys that have athletic limitations to their game because often times in sports you can look like a bombshell in lower levels of competition if the IQ aspect is there, but when you get to higher levels where everyone's a top athlete you just can't keep up. Book on Legere says he's a crappy skater. I think it's been said he's improved to the point that he might be NHL caliber now, but going from a non-NHL caliber skater to maybe passable is not a ringing endorsement of skating ability.
- Victoro311

I'll be interested to see what Hextall thinks of these guys. I've heard most of the interviews with Burke and Hextall and I get the feeling they'll be making significant changes after the season. Both of them were asked point blank about this season and both were lukewarm about this team/season. I simply don't see them selling a bunch of futures unless they don't like the prospects. It's not unusual however for a new GM to have little respect for the previous guys draft picks.

I'm going to say this about Legare... His shot is sick and his skating is not unlike Hornie. He's a big body that's tough to move or knock off the puck. Poulin isn't great skater either....but better.

you guys are really souring on Zucker already?

I thought he was our best player in the playoff series. he might be in a funk or not in ideal shape yet... but he's tailor made for a speed / puck retrieval system and can fill the net fairly consistently. No way am I looking to move him already.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I don't feel Zucker had a good series against Montreal last season. After watching every game I felt his reputation as a strong forechecker/backchecker was grossly overrated.

The only time I was happy/thought he was doing well, was when he was Crosby's winger.

I'll be interested to see what Hextall thinks of these guys. I've heard most of the interviews with Burke and Hextall and I get the feeling they'll be making significant changes after the season. Both of them were asked point blank about this season and both were lukewarm about this team/season. I simply don't see them selling a bunch of futures unless they don't like the prospects. It's not unusual however for a new GM to have little respect for the previous guys draft picks.

I'm going to say this about Legare... His shot is sick and his skating is not unlike Hornie. He's a big body that's tough to move or knock off the puck. Poulin isn't great skater either....but better.
- madmike71

I care less about skating ability to be honest. If his IQ is there, I'm good with that. If a guy has a low IQ and good skating ability, you get guys like JJ and Matheson. NHL players who you expect more out of, where's guys who can't skate but have other skill sets and abilities (sick shot) they can come in handy as role players (PP, 3rd wheel on a line) type players.

The thing I can't stand with Malkin is he acts like a goof and stops trying when he isn't happy with something. This costs the Pens points.

Malkin has the highest cap hit and has had the benefit of never having to play against another teams top line. Why mess with the top line that is winning them games?

Zucker and Kapanen are really good players. I'd drop Malkin to the 3rd and bump McCann into 2C before I separated Sid and Jake.
- MacPatty

You want to punish Malkin.

I want to elevate Malkin.

Big difference.

lol Pens don't have one. 2nd or 5th. hahahaha
- j.boyd919

Yeah I said 2022 3rd earlier

The thing I can't stand with Malkin is he acts like a goof and stops trying when he isn't happy with something. This costs the Pens points.

Malkin has the highest cap hit and has had the benefit of never having to play against another teams top line. Why mess with the top line that is winning them games?

Zucker and Kapanen are really good players. I'd drop Malkin to the 3rd and bump McCann into 2C before I separated Sid and Jake.
- MacPatty

Imagine posting this like Crosby has never missed time and as if QoC and QoT don’t cancel each other out over the course of a season.

You want to punish Malkin.

I want to elevate Malkin.

Big difference.
- j.boyd919

By that same definition you want to punish Guentzel and Sid because they work their assets off to develop their chemistry.

I believe in meritocracy, where you don't get your hand held and get rewarded when you aren't trying or performing. Like I said, he is the highest paid guy on the team... he should be elevating others.

By that same definition you want to punish Guentzel and Sid because they work their assets off to develop their chemistry.

I believe in meritocracy, where you don't get your hand held and get rewarded when you aren't trying or performing. Like I said, he is the highest paid guy on the team... he should be elevating others.
- MacPatty

Just to make fun of you even further Crosby makes 9.6m and Malkin makes 9.5m this season.

I care less about skating ability to be honest. If his IQ is there, I'm good with that. If a guy has a low IQ and good skating ability, you get guys like JJ and Matheson. NHL players who you expect more out of, where's guys who can't skate but have other skill sets and abilities (sick shot) they can come in handy as role players (PP, 3rd wheel on a line) type players.
- j.boyd919

Don't think the IQ or the skating are much to brag about with Legare. Shot and size are. In fact what I've heard is he doesn't lack for effort, but often isn't sure where to be.

Poulin is the prospect noted for his hockey IQ. Well, him and POJ technically.

I care less about skating ability to be honest. If his IQ is there, I'm good with that. If a guy has a low IQ and good skating ability, you get guys like JJ and Matheson. NHL players who you expect more out of, where's guys who can't skate but have other skill sets and abilities (sick shot) they can come in handy as role players (PP, 3rd wheel on a line) type players.
- j.boyd919

Both things matter. If you have all the athletic tools in the world but are a mongoloid that can't read you're going to be a bad hockey player. If you're a genius and know exactly what you need to do with the puck at all times but don't have the athletic tools to do said things, you're going to be a bad hockey player. Both athleticism and IQ are things that can't be taught, so I usually dislike both kinds of prospects: prospect that are absurdly raw athletic freaks that don't have a track record of actually being good, and prospects that have a track record of putting up numbers against lower competition but don't measure athletically.

Obvious point for Legere is the shot. If he has an NHL shot, he has an NHL shot, and that's certainly different that being a goal scorer in the CHL because you're just really accurate with your muffin against crummy goalies.

By that same definition you want to punish Guentzel and Sid because they work their assets off to develop their chemistry.

I believe in meritocracy, where you don't get your hand held and get rewarded when you aren't trying or performing. Like I said, he is the highest paid guy on the team... he should be elevating others.
- MacPatty

Malkin needs help, Sid doesn't.

Both things matter. If you have all the athletic tools in the world but are a mongoloid that can't read you're going to be a bad hockey player. If you're a genius and know exactly what you need to do with the puck at all times but don't have the athletic tools to do said things, you're going to be a bad hockey player. Both athleticism and IQ are things that can't be taught, so I usually dislike both kinds of prospects: prospect that are absurdly raw athletic freaks that don't have a track record of actually being good, and prospects that have a track record of putting up numbers against lower competition but don't measure athletically.

Obvious point for Legere is the shot. If he has an NHL shot, he has an NHL shot, and that's certainly different that being a goal scorer in the CHL because you're just really accurate with your muffin against crummy goalies.
- Victoro311

Speaking of muffins I had to take blackstroms word and get the lemon raspberry ones from Costco and they are absolute fire.

Just to make fun of you even further Crosby makes 9.6m and Malkin makes 9.5m this season.
- Feds91Stammer

That is what you want to nitpick on? You are a clown so not surprising. I think it's obvious I was referring to the cap hit but if you really want to get stupid, Malkin received $4.5M as a signing bonus in July while Crosby does not. At a normal cost of capital rate, his $9.5 is likely worth $50k more than Crosby $9.6.

That is what you want to nitpick on? You are a clown so not surprising. I think it's obvious I was referring to the cap hit but if you really want to get stupid, Malkin received $4.5M as a signing bonus in July while Crosby does not. At a normal cost of capital rate, his $9.5 is likely worth $50k more than Crosby $9.6.
- MacPatty

Crosby also made an estimated $20m more at this point in their careers.

And the only one getting stupid is you.

Both things matter. If you have all the athletic tools in the world but are a mongoloid that can't read you're going to be a bad hockey player. If you're a genius and know exactly what you need to do with the puck at all times but don't have the athletic tools to do said things, you're going to be a bad hockey player. Both athleticism and IQ are things that can't be taught, so I usually dislike both kinds of prospects: prospect that are absurdly raw athletic freaks that don't have a track record of actually being good, and prospects that have a track record of putting up numbers against lower competition but don't measure athletically.

Obvious point for Legere is the shot. If he has an NHL shot, he has an NHL shot, and that's certainly different that being a goal scorer in the CHL because you're just really accurate with your muffin against crummy goalies.
- Victoro311

That's why these guys are B/C prospects. They're flawed. I'm only judging from what I've seen in the two camps and preseason games. Largely against NHL/AHL players. Legare stood out because NHL players were bouncing off of him. He shielded the puck extremely well and had a great release.

I'd agree with Tojo about Poulin... He has a good IQ, but I didn't see one skill that stood out. Dude screams tweaner to me.

Gonna say it again, my viewing was limited and they're both still kids... Who knows.

Malkin needs help, Sid doesn't.
- j.boyd919

We are just coming from completely different mindsets. I get why you want Geno to get help.

My opinion is that that Zuck and Kap are damn good wingers. Geno needs to work on chemistry with them as hard as Sid works to get on the same page as his wingers.

Malkin has all the tools but it feels like he is either pouty and/or doesn't really care anymore. Both are reasons why I'm perfectly OK with trading him.

Just read 31 thoughts and I didn't even know this, but the average NHL sv% right now is .906.

We are just coming from completely different mindsets. I get why you want Geno to get help.

My opinion is that that Zuck and Kap are damn good wingers. Geno needs to work on chemistry with them as hard as Sid works to get on the same page as his wingers.

Malkin has all the tools but it feels like he is either pouty and/or doesn't really care anymore. Both are reasons why I'm perfectly OK with trading him.
- MacPatty

Yup.

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.
- MacPatty

Cullen was actually a better offensive player than Bonino. Bonino was a shot blocker with some scoring ability. Blueger is between those two in both offence and defense. He is going to be on the the ice for around 30 goals this season, which is a 45 pace. He scored 11 last year and although on a lower pace thus far, I expect his goal production to improve as our schedule eases up.

Cullen's numbers were close to Jordan Staal. I don't care what anyone else thinks, Blueger is a solid player doing his job. He is certainly a step below Staal, but he is on par with Bonino and Cullen.

This may end up being true, but Tanev was just a 4th liner when he was older then ZAR. I still think there might be a little more offensively with him and Blueger who were both basically rookies last year. Not to mention ZAR apparently played with a bad shoulder.

I'm not guaranteeing this mind you, just saying don't count it out.
- Tojo.

Oh I agree, just leave them together and play it out.

We are just coming from completely different mindsets. I get why you want Geno to get help.

My opinion is that that Zuck and Kap are damn good wingers. Geno needs to work on chemistry with them as hard as Sid works to get on the same page as his wingers.

Malkin has all the tools but it feels like he is either pouty and/or doesn't really care anymore. Both are reasons why I'm perfectly OK with trading him.
- MacPatty

LaZy EniGmATiC rUsSiAn

We are just coming from completely different mindsets. I get why you want Geno to get help.

My opinion is that that Zuck and Kap are damn good wingers. Geno needs to work on chemistry with them as hard as Sid works to get on the same page as his wingers.

Malkin has all the tools but it feels like he is either pouty and/or doesn't really care anymore. Both are reasons why I'm perfectly OK with trading him.
- MacPatty

You honestly think Geno doesn't care anymore?

you guys are really souring on Zucker already?

I thought he was our best player in the playoff series. he might be in a funk or not in ideal shape yet... but he's tailor made for a speed / puck retrieval system and can fill the net fairly consistently. No way am I looking to move him already.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No but I think Kap has had better chemistry with Geno so before any trade happens it would be wise to switch Guentz and Zuck.

You honestly think Geno doesn't care anymore?
- MattStrat

I dont know anymore. He quit on playing in the playoffs last year and he doesn't exactly look engaged so far this season.

Cullen was actually a better offensive player than Bonino. Bonino was a shot blocker with some scoring ability. Blueger is between those two in both offence and defense. He is going to be on the the ice for around 30 goals this season, which is a 45 pace. He scored 11 last year and although on a lower pace thus far, I expect his goal production to improve as our schedule eases up.

Cullen's numbers were close to Jordan Staal. I don't care what anyone else thinks, Blueger is a solid player doing his job. He is certainly a step below Staal, but he is on par with Bonino and Cullen.
- Thunderbolt

I think they are all just different players, hard to judge between them because their linemates differed so greatly. Bonino did an amazing job of facilitating offence on that line. He and Hagelin really got the most out of Kessel.

Cullen did it all and he was very clutch. Even when he didn't get on the scoreboard in the playoffs, he was still impactful.

I like Blueger and think he is solid but he hasn't proven himself on the same level as those two so far. Not saying he never will but not yet.