A preview of what’s to come haha
- 10inchTerror

Yea pretty much. Although I think Boyle makes the team so he'll center the fourth line. Idk if Hallander is even a center haha.

I honestly liked Kap and Blueger together when Kap first started playing here. I think id give him Zuck and Kap. Also by this time they realize Heinen sucks. I've been thinking of lines when Sid and Geno return and now I'm intrigued by.
Mcginn-Sid-Geno
Guentz-Carter-Rust
Zuck-Blue-Kap
ZAR-Boyle-Zoho
- 668710

Actually those lines aren't bad.

Kapanen and Blueger did play well together, the short time they were matched.

Not sure how big the rosters are, but the only reason he has a chance is because Sully is there.
- 668710

Definitely wouldn’t say that’s the only reason. USA hockey has had a complete changing of the guard since the last major tournament in terms of who our best players are now and I think Rust has a legitimate case as like our 15th best forward or around there. That’s within the margin of error that the Sullivan bias could get him in over someone maybe better, but he’s not wholly undeserving.

Lol, love that episode.
- 668710

So good!

Well poop haha. I was never a fan of him.
- 668710

I was. There was a time when the Pens were rumored to be in on him and at that time I felt it made sense. I think it was when they were looking into a replacement for Bonino.

I think the Pens are just stuck right now. Hextall's refusal to dump any contracts is simply maddening.

I was. There was a time when the Pens were rumored to be in on him and at that time I felt it made sense. I think it was when they were looking into a replacement for Bonino.

I think the Pens are just stuck right now. Hextall's refusal to dump any contracts is simply maddening.
- Rinosaur

I think it's clear Hextall and Burke have their eyes on the future.....even though they've said otherwise.

Do we have any idea if they tried to move salary? The one rumor I heard was Petts, but they were asked to retain a big part of his deal. It appears the players the Penguins would like to move have little value or negative value. I'd say that's accurate.

I think it's clear Hextall and Burke have their eyes on the future.....even though they've said otherwise.

Do we have any idea if they tried to move salary? The one rumor I heard was Petts, but they were asked to retain a big part of his deal. It appears the players the Penguins would like to move have little value or negative value. I'd say that's accurate.
- madmike71

100% agree on the first part of the statement and TIOPS recently reported as much. Theres a belief that the Pens can avoid doing a full rebuild and keep this team build to contend after Sid hangs it up.

To address the second part, unless I'm mis-recalling, I read more than a few reports that said Hextall was only looking to make a hockey trade for either Zucker or Pettersson, and not just look to dump salary. I'm sure some of that stemmed from the idea that even if they dumped the salary the Pens could be left with their Richards in their hands if they can't land a FA with that freed up salary.

Actually those lines aren't bad.

Kapanen and Blueger did play well together, the short time they were matched.
- Thunderbolt

I agree that those lines aren’t terrible looking. My only beef is Sullivan’s going to tell them all to go out and score. Need to take a look at the roster and adjust how each line plays based on what they are realistically capable of. Not roll four lines all the tine telling them all to score.

I think it's clear Hextall and Burke have their eyes on the future.....even though they've said otherwise.

Do we have any idea if they tried to move salary? The one rumor I heard was Petts, but they were asked to retain a big part of his deal. It appears the players the Penguins would like to move have little value or negative value. I'd say that's accurate.
- madmike71

I recall about the same with Pettersson. They were asked to retain money and at that point decided they'd rather keep Pettersson. Hextall has said he doesn't think POJ is ready.

Since I greatly prefer Pettersson over Matheson with Marino, I don't fault them since 2nd pair is more important than 3rd line wing.

I agree that those lines aren’t terrible looking. My only beef is Sullivan’s going to tell them all to go out and score. Need to take a look at the roster and adjust how each line plays based on what they are realistically capable of. Not roll four lines all the tine telling them all to score.
- Grinder47

Sullivan has gone overboard with the all offense and no defense philosophy. Unfortunately his ego isn't going to admit defeat. Even after three straight playoff first round losses.

via GIFER

- Rinosaur

He will definitely cry if he's not named captain. He'll also bottle up those tears for you that you so desire as anal lube.
- 668710

This is the second time recently that you've suggested using Crosby tears as anal lube. It's starting to make me wonder why you keep going back there. Personal experience?

This is the second time recently that you've suggested using Crosby tears as anal lube. It's starting to make me wonder why you keep going back there. Personal experience?
- jmatchett383

Actually, the first time I said he can use Sids tears to jerk off with, not use as anal lube. Come'on lol

Sullivan has gone overboard with the all offense and no defense philosophy. Unfortunately his ego isn't going to admit defeat. Even after three straight playoff first round losses.
- Thunderbolt

That's what you saw from the Penguins? I actually saw the otherwise. Had that been the case, they wouldn't have gotten rid of Kessel in favor of Zucker. Hell, they should have kept Kessel and actually gone for the all offense philosophy, it's how they won 2 cups.

I don't feel like his coaching last year at all was "all offense." Just looking at the ZAR-Blue-Tanev line, it was one of the best defensive lines in the league. But when it comes to the other 3 lines.. they SHOULD be trying to push the pace offensively, that's their strength.

While I agree, it is 3 straight playoff losses, but last year's loss was much different than the 2 years prior. The Pens controlled the play last year and were sunk by abysmal goaltending.

That's what you saw from the Penguins? I actually saw the otherwise. Had that been the case, they wouldn't have gotten rid of Kessel in favor of Zucker. Hell, they should have kept Kessel and actually gone for the all offense philosophy, it's how they won 2 cups.

I don't feel like his coaching last year at all was "all offense." Just looking at the ZAR-Blue-Tanev line, it was one of the best defensive lines in the league. But when it comes to the other 3 lines.. they SHOULD be trying to push the pace offensively, that's their strength.

While I agree, it is 3 straight playoff losses, but last year's loss was much different than the 2 years prior. The Pens controlled the play last year and were sunk by abysmal goaltending.
- j.boyd919

This.

I was calling for Sullivan to be fired since last season, but I thought that might have been his best coaching effort in recent memory and maybe even in his tenure as the Pens' coach. I thought he countered Trotz' plans perfectly. I could nitpick a few things I wanted to see the Pens do a little better, but overall I agree they controlled play. Jarry was just awful.

This.

I was calling for Sullivan to be fired since last season, but I thought that might have been his best coaching effort in recent memory and maybe even in his tenure as the Pens' coach. I thought he countered Trotz' plans perfectly. I could nitpick a few things I wanted to see the Pens do a little better, but overall I agree they controlled play. Jarry was just awful.
- Rinosaur

Yeah, I've totally pumped the fire Sully brakes since right before last season began. He does a masterful job with lackluster rosters every. single. season. when the major and rampant injuries hit. I'm real curious to see how they look coming out the gate this season with a much lesser roster than the one that finished last season.

Yeah, I've totally pumped the fire Sully brakes since right before last season began. He does a masterful job with lackluster rosters every. single. season. when the major and rampant injuries hit. I'm real curious to see how they look coming out the gate this season with a much lesser roster than the one that finished last season.
- MattStrat

I'm expecting the first month to be a total disaster. The first two weeks of the Pens' season is not ideal: Tampa 2x, Toronto, Florida and Dallas. There's only so much Sullivan can do with what he's being handed to start the year.

I'm expecting the first month to be a total disaster. The first two weeks of the Pens' season is not ideal: Tampa 2x, Toronto, Florida and Dallas. There's only so much Sullivan can do with what he's being handed to start the year.
- Rinosaur

Yea it's gonna be rough

This.

I was calling for Sullivan to be fired since last season, but I thought that might have been his best coaching effort in recent memory and maybe even in his tenure as the Pens' coach. I thought he countered Trotz' plans perfectly. I could nitpick a few things I wanted to see the Pens do a little better, but overall I agree they controlled play. Jarry was just awful.
- Rinosaur

I think his best coaching effort was when he turned around the Pens in the ECF vs. Tampa Bay IMO.

I think his best coaching effort was when he turned around the Pens in the ECF vs. Tampa Bay IMO.
- j.boyd919

Success definitely changes the perspective, but I'd put that and his past one against the Isles on par.

Success definitely changes the perspective, but I'd put that and his past one against the Isles on par.
- Rinosaur

Well the success, but also the complete altering of his system mid-series, which led to the success.

That's what you saw from the Penguins? I actually saw the otherwise. Had that been the case, they wouldn't have gotten rid of Kessel in favor of Zucker. Hell, they should have kept Kessel and actually gone for the all offense philosophy, it's how they won 2 cups.

I don't feel like his coaching last year at all was "all offense." Just looking at the ZAR-Blue-Tanev line, it was one of the best defensive lines in the league. But when it comes to the other 3 lines.. they SHOULD be trying to push the pace offensively, that's their strength.

While I agree, it is 3 straight playoff losses, but last year's loss was much different than the 2 years prior. The Pens controlled the play last year and were sunk by abysmal goaltending.
- j.boyd919

His pinching of the defensemen was a big factor in them losing last years playoffs. I would love to know how many times the Isles scored because of their pinching. I would bet 50%, minimum.

I'm expecting the first month to be a total disaster. The first two weeks of the Pens' season is not ideal: Tampa 2x, Toronto, Florida and Dallas. There's only so much Sullivan can do with what he's being handed to start the year.
- Rinosaur

no divisional games early on so one blessing

I'm expecting the first month to be a total disaster. The first two weeks of the Pens' season is not ideal: Tampa 2x, Toronto, Florida and Dallas. There's only so much Sullivan can do with what he's being handed to start the year.
- Rinosaur

I'm not totally writing them off for the reason I already stated. Plus its the beginning of the season and teams are loose and sloppy. Beauty of sports, you just dont know what's going to happen for sure...though you have a great chance of being right, that I wont deny.

His pinching of the defensemen was a big factor in them losing last years playoffs. I would love to know how many times the Isles scored because of their pinching. I would bet 50%, minimum.
- Thunderbolt

I thought Sully got his ass handed to him in the previous two playoffs. I wanted to fire him too. Last season, it was tending. Jarry lost that series.