They started playing like this before the injuries struck and that wasn't the case last year. I could be wrong though.
- Rinosaur

Nah sully has always done a great job managing, and even thriving, during heavy Injuries. Last year was no exception until there were just too many to important players.

Nah sully has always done a great job managing, and even thriving, during heavy Injuries. Last year was no exception until there were just too many to important players.
- 10inchTerror

There just seems to be a different energy to this year's team that hasn't been there the last two seasons.

I'm not so sure the brass are eager to make any trades. Team is playing solid, banking points and their deadline acquisition could be Geno.
- MattStrat

Brass isn't doing their job if they aren't looking to improve the team.

They are not an imposter they are LEGIT
- broncohorvath

Nah

They did that last year too for the most part.
- 10inchTerror

Pretty much. They played dome of the best defense in the league for half a year, but it didn't last. Part of it was defensive injuries to Dumo and Marino, but they just never got back to that level. Goal-tending also dropped off a cliff.

But that was last year, can only hope this is different. One thing that certainly is, the depth guys like Gaudreau and Angelo don't just play like passengers.

Brass isn't doing their job if they aren't looking to improve the team.
- j.boyd919

Right on. There's no way they couldn't be looking. These guys posting this crap need to put themselves in the GM's shoes. If you were the GM you could really look Sid and Geno in the face and be like, "just do it with what you got" hell (frank)ing no. They can make a deep run if they add a nice piece.

Pretty much. They played dome of the best defense in the league for half a year, but it didn't last. Part of it was defensive injuries to Dumo and Marino, but they just never got back to that level. Goal-tending also dropped off a cliff.

But that was last year, can only hope this is different. One thing that certainly is, the depth guys like Gaudreau and Angelo don't just play like passengers.
- Tojo.

It's just so insane that some remember last season at all. The only thing I remember was Guentz getting injured haha. Last year was such a blur.

Let's get Getzlaf or Brown and call it a day. We just need to add one nasty forward at C or RW and we'll be in good shape.

I'm trying to not get overly excited about Freddy Hockey...but would Glendening even be an upgrade (besides faceoffs)?

Really good! Gaudreau-Tanev-ZAR looks good.

Make a Zucker-Blueger based 3rd line.
- Barnaby36

Kapanen would make that one lethal line.

I disagree that ESux played a good game. Yes, that was a nice feed to Zucker on the goal, Petterson made the play to spring him. That's the only good thing I remember him doing and that play is made by any capable fourth liner. Don't believe me, I'm sure you remember Blueger's pass to Kapanen for the OT winner. Most people believe Blueger belongs on a defensive fourth line. Can't forget ESux' finish on a two on one with Lafferty, of all people. Who here believes Lafferty belongs in the NHL let alone a permanent fixture on a fourth line.

Rodrigues does have high hockey IQ, he just can't do it at an NHL rate of speed. He needs a lot of time and space to make plays.

He's going to play. Nothing anybody does here is going to change that. So I guess we just keep fooling ourselves that he is something he isn't.

PS: Who had the lowest fancy stats last night?

I disagree that ESux played a good game. Yes, that was a nice feed to Zucker on the goal, Petterson made the play to spring him. That's the only good thing I remember him doing and that play is made by any capable fourth liner. Don't believe me, I'm sure you remember Blueger's pass to Kapanen for the OT winner. Most people believe Blueger belongs on a defensive fourth line. Can't forget ESux' finish on a two on one with Lafferty, of all people. Who here believes Lafferty belongs in the NHL let alone a permanent fixture on a fourth line.

Rodrigues does have high hockey IQ, he just can't do it at an NHL rate of speed. He needs a lot of time and space to make plays.

He's going to play. Nothing anybody does here is going to change that. So I guess we just keep fooling ourselves that he is something he isn't.

PS: Who had the lowest fancy stats last night?
- Thunderbolt

Rod should be an extra forward. Hell I'd rather Gaudreau play 4RW over Rod.

I disagree that ESux played a good game. Yes, that was a nice feed to Zucker on the goal, Petterson made the play to spring him. That's the only good thing I remember him doing and that play is made by any capable fourth liner. Don't believe me, I'm sure you remember Blueger's pass to Kapanen for the OT winner. Most people believe Blueger belongs on a defensive fourth line. Can't forget ESux' finish on a two on one with Lafferty, of all people. Who here believes Lafferty belongs in the NHL let alone a permanent fixture on a fourth line.

Rodrigues does have high hockey IQ, he just can't do it at an NHL rate of speed. He needs a lot of time and space to make plays.

He's going to play. Nothing anybody does here is going to change that. So I guess we just keep fooling ourselves that he is something he isn't.

PS: Who had the lowest fancy stats last night?
- Thunderbolt

Most people on here: spend months saying Blueger should be a 3C and has evolved beyond the 4th line

This guy: let me hammer home my point by reminding you all that we all pretty much agree Blueger is a 4th liner

I disagree that ESux played a good game. Yes, that was a nice feed to Zucker on the goal, Petterson made the play to spring him. That's the only good thing I remember him doing and that play is made by any capable fourth liner. Don't believe me, I'm sure you remember Blueger's pass to Kapanen for the OT winner. Most people believe Blueger belongs on a defensive fourth line. Can't forget ESux' finish on a two on one with Lafferty, of all people. Who here believes Lafferty belongs in the NHL let alone a permanent fixture on a fourth line.

Rodrigues does have high hockey IQ, he just can't do it at an NHL rate of speed. He needs a lot of time and space to make plays.

He's going to play. Nothing anybody does here is going to change that. So I guess we just keep fooling ourselves that he is something he isn't.

PS: Who had the lowest fancy stats last night?
- Thunderbolt

Well someone had to be the worst hahah...and the B's had last change. None of this is to say ERod is good but last night McCann and Zucker weren't far off him in terms of horrible fancies. He's a 13th forward but I feel even if the Pens trade for another forward and Geno/Kap return, ERod will still somehow get a sweater every night.

Most people on here: spend months saying Blueger should be a 3C and has evolved beyond the 4th line

This guy: let me hammer home my point by reminding you all that we all pretty much agree Blueger is a 4th liner
- Victoro311

I think Blueger is approaching that 3C threshold but ideally he is not there yet. I'd put him about on par with where Cullen was as a mid/low end 3C who makes for a great 4C.

To me the best move to make is one that moves Blueger to 4C for this run. The Pens are great when they have 4 lines that can be rolled with, trusted and can bring offence. I dont think you will have any offence with Gaudreau or Glendenning centering the 4th.

Rod should be an extra forward. Hell I'd rather Gaudreau play 4RW over Rod.
- 668710

I think if ERod is the 12/13 forward he'd be ok. He's been playing too far up the line-up and looks out of his depth, but I don't think he's completely useless.

We could really use a better option to bump up to the top 6 RW in case of injury. It's ERod or Tanev and we know Sully doesn't really want to use Tanev.

I think if ERod is the 12/13 forward he'd be ok. He's been playing too far up the line-up and looks out of his depth, but I don't think he's completely useless.

We could really use a better option to bump up to the top 6 RW in case of injury. It's ERod or Tanev and we know Sully doesn't really want to use Tanev.
- Tojo.

ERod has performed admirably, but he's not a middle six guy. Like you said, 12/13th forward.

Pens definitely need an upgrade at middle six wing. RW seems to make the most sense, but it all depends on what their plans are once everyone is healthy.

Most people on here: spend months saying Blueger should be a 3C and has evolved beyond the 4th line

This guy: let me hammer home my point by reminding you all that we all pretty much agree Blueger is a 4th liner
- Victoro311

Most people here want to trade for a 3C. They don't care if it is some washed old man, actually they would prefer that.

Most people here want to trade for a 3C. They don't care if it is some washed old man, actually they would prefer that.
- Thunderbolt

Which washed old man 3Cs do you speak of?

Most people here want to trade for a 3C. They don't care if it is some washed old man, actually they would prefer that.
- Thunderbolt

I’m pretty sure Dupuis is the only one who really, really wants Getzlaf. Maybe MacPatty. The only reason Getzlaf keeps getting brought up is because Hextall said they’re mostly shopping for C and Getzlaf makes sense because of the Burke connection. The majority opinion on here is that we should get a winger.

Most people here want to trade for a 3C. They don't care if it is some washed old man, actually they would prefer that.
- Thunderbolt

Sully wants to keep the ZAR-Blueger-Tanev line together and to most people that's a 4th line even though they do see Blueger as a 3C.

So the other line is the 3rd line and needs an upgrade at C. Really has nothing to do with Blueger. A lot of people would rather use another center with ZAR and Tanev and use Blueger in a more offensive role, but realistically that's not what we expect Sully to do.

I think the Blueger line is the 4th line like the Isles line is. They'll get more ice time then any 3rd line they put together so it's the more important line so I don't see keeping Blueger there as a demotion.

I do agree they need to build a more offensive bottom 6 line and a center is necessary unless they use McCann there. I personally see that as the 4th line though to make up the offensive difference from having ZAR-Blueger-Tanev as a 3rd line.

Which washed old man 3Cs do you speak of?
- MattStrat

Tyler Ennis in this blog.

Gusev, Glendening, Carter, and Getzlaf. E Staal was a favorite until he got traded.

Tyler Ennis in this blog.

Gusev, Glendening, Carter, and Getzlaf. E Staal was a favorite until he got traded.
- Thunderbolt

Gusev and Ennis aren’t even centers. Rino is the only person here who actively wanted Ennis. And I have never once heard anyone mention Carter. You’re straight up making things up.

I’m pretty sure Dupuis is the only one who really, really wants Getzlaf. Maybe MacPatty. The only reason Getzlaf keeps getting brought up is because Hextall said they’re mostly shopping for C and Getzlaf makes sense because of the Burke connection. The majority opinion on here is that we should get a winger.
- Victoro311

Getzlaf has 15 points in 35 games, which comes out to like 35ish points in an 82 game season. I'd say that's about as 3C as it gets. Also is positive on the shot attempts and scoring chances, and 1 high danger chance below even on a poop Anaheim team. No one expects to acquire 80 point 1C Getzlaf.

Gusev and Ennis aren’t even centers. Rino is the only person here who actively wanted Ennis. And I have never once heard anyone mention Carter. You’re straight up making things up.
- Victoro311

Carter got thrown around with Henrique.

Getzlaf has 15 points in 35 games, which comes out to like 35ish points in an 82 game season. I'd say that's about as 3C as it gets. Also is positive on the shot attempts and scoring chances, and 1 high danger chance below even on a poop Anaheim team. No one expects to acquire 80 point 1C Getzlaf.
- j.boyd919

Right I’m not saying that people who want Getzlaf are deluded. He’d be an OK pick up. I’m just saying that most on here would prefer to go in a different direction.