Despite the frustrations, Kapanen is still on pace for almost 50 points and can still garner a solid return. AZ probably sees no need to move top picks yet. They've just begun their rebuild.

Crouse's season is likely an aberration and regresses back to his norm next year. Pens would be trading for the hot hand that will likely cool off.
- Rinosaur

Yeah even though I’m not sure I want Kapanen on the penguins anymore he’s not really a bad situation. On paper he’s productive and has some overvalued intangibles. If he had another year of his $3.5 mil I think he’d be a really solid trade chip in a package, but even as a RFA he has value. IDK how much we need to add to him to get a good upgrade at middle six winger, but it should be doable.

Agree with Grinder. As fun as E Rod has been this year I don’t think I want to bet on this being his new normal. If Kapanen isn’t going to work out we need to eye a 2RW for next year. Think it would behoove us to let Nylander play with the Big Club in mid to late February to see if there’s anything at all there. He’s making quite the impression in WBS.

Yeah even though I’m not sure I want Kapanen on the penguins anymore he’s not really a bad situation. On paper he’s productive and has some overvalued intangibles. If he had another year of his $3.5 mil I think he’d be a really solid trade chip in a package, but even as a RFA he has value. IDK how much we need to add to him to get a good upgrade at middle six winger, but it should be doable.

Agree with Grinder. As fun as E Rod has been this year I don’t think I want to bet on this being his new normal. If Kapanen isn’t going to work out we need to eye a 2RW for next year. Think it would behoove us to let Nylander play with the Big Club in mid to late February to see if there’s anything at all there. He’s making quite the impression in WBS.
- Victoro311

That said about E rod there’s no way I would of taken him out of the top six. Truth is Kap is just type cast as a top six because of his dad, and E rod is type cast as a bottom six and Sullys to bland of a hockey person to get over it. Both Crouse and E rod are just benefiting from playing outside of their predetermined lane in the nhl.

Yeah even though I’m not sure I want Kapanen on the penguins anymore he’s not really a bad situation. On paper he’s productive and has some overvalued intangibles. If he had another year of his $3.5 mil I think he’d be a really solid trade chip in a package, but even as a RFA he has value. IDK how much we need to add to him to get a good upgrade at middle six winger, but it should be doable.

Agree with Grinder. As fun as E Rod has been this year I don’t think I want to bet on this being his new normal. If Kapanen isn’t going to work out we need to eye a 2RW for next year. Think it would behoove us to let Nylander play with the Big Club in mid to late February to see if there’s anything at all there. He’s making quite the impression in WBS.
- Victoro311

I definitely wouldn’t jump to go crazy on an extension on ERod and would look to keep him as utility player.

There’s probably a lateral move to be made with Kapanen that fits the Pens system/style better and I would hope they identify that. Maybe there’s a team looking to get a little younger and cheaper, and has winger that makes sense for the Pens.

That said about E rod there’s no way I would of taken him out of the top six. Truth is Kap is just type cast as a top six because of his dad, and E rod is type cast as a bottom six and Sullys to bland of a hockey person to get over it. Both Crouse and E rod are just benefiting from playing outside of their predetermined lane in the nhl.
- Grinder47

Agreed. I hope ERod stays with Geno today. The only argument I'll give to Crouse, and mind you, this is not a strong argument, but at 24 years old and being a former 11th overall pick, he may just be finally figuring it out. I still think this season is an aberration, but he probably has a better chance than ERod of finding and maintaining another level. That said, Crouse is not worth giving major futures to find out.

Agreed. I hope ERod stays with Geno today. The only argument I'll give to Crouse, and mind you, this is not a strong argument, but at 24 years old and being a former 11th overall pick, he may just be finally figuring it out. I still think this season is an aberration, but he probably has a better chance than ERod of finding and maintaining another level. That said, Crouse is not worth giving major futures to find out.
- Rinosaur

Crouse has also seemed to “figure it out” without the benefit of playing with Crosby and Malkin, and isn’t doing it on the power play but does have a few shortys. You could make the argument that Crouses surge is more legit than E rods. However Crouse hits people so and is tall, so he’s garbage.

Crouse has also seemed to “figure it out” without the benefit of playing with Crosby and Malkin, and isn’t doing it on the power play but does have a few shortys. You could make the argument that Crouses surge is more legit than E rods. However Crouse hits people so and is tall, so he’s garbage.
- Grinder47

It's amazing how for a hot second you can have a real hockey conversation and then boom, back to normal.

There are dozens of players like Crouse every year who for whatever reason have an aberration of a season and then right back to normal. The Pens are just not a team in a position to give up anything significant for a gamble. Crouse will likely garner a higher return than he should get.

It's amazing how for a hot second you can have a real hockey conversation and then boom, back to normal.

There are dozens of players like Crouse every year who for whatever reason have an aberration of a season and then right back to normal. The Pens are just not a team in a position to give up anything significant for a gamble. Crouse will likely garner a higher return than he should get.
- Rinosaur

All I did was reference PP time and quality of team mate. I never even said they should try to get him. If Ari called and asked for Kap though I’d do it. Just so Sullivan can’t play him with Malkin.

All I did was reference PP time and quality of team mate. I never even said they should try to get him. If Ari called and asked for Kap though I’d do it. Just so Sullivan can’t play him with Malkin.
- Grinder47

Your comment about hitting and being tall making him garbage. You act like nobody would welcome that element around here. The difference is that element is welcomed as long as the player also has the ability to play hockey, not just come here to hit things. Is that Crouse? I don't know.

If you really look at the percent of big deadline deals that have a profound impact, it's pretty low. Teams that go after those quality depth moves usually have a better success rate and I think that's all the Pens should do unless there's a true hockey move to made.

Seth Rorabaugh
@SethRorabaugh
·
7m
Per Mike Sullivan, Zach Aston-Reese will be out today. due to an undisclosed injury. He is sidelined on a day-to-day basis.

Louis Domingue will be sidelined on a week-to-week basis due to an undisclosed injury.

Your comment about hitting and being tall making him garbage. You act like nobody would welcome that element around here. The difference is that element is welcomed as long as the player also has the ability to play hockey, not just come here to hit things. Is that Crouse? I don't know.

If you really look at the percent of big deadline deals that have a profound impact, it's pretty low. Teams that go after those quality depth moves usually have a better success rate and I think that's all the Pens should do unless there's a true hockey move to made.
- Rinosaur

I think the pens should do upto 3 things if the opportunities present themselves.

1. Backup - major priority
2. Lateral trade for Kap
3. Lateral trade for Zucker that saves money.

At the very least keep Kap and zucker from malkin. Chi would prob want futures over anything else but something like kubalik/fleury -50% for zucker/desmith/+

I think the pens should do upto 3 things if the opportunities present themselves.

1. Backup - major priority
2. Lateral trade for Kap
3. Lateral trade for Zucker that saves money.

At the very least keep Kap and zucker from malkin. Chi would prob want futures over anything else but something like kubalik/fleury -50% for zucker/desmith/+
- 10inchTerror

I honestly think the only move the Pens wind up making is for a back-up. I think they will re-evaluate everything after the season is over, but I don't disagree with your list.

That said about E rod there’s no way I would of taken him out of the top six. Truth is Kap is just type cast as a top six because of his dad, and E rod is type cast as a bottom six and Sullys to bland of a hockey person to get over it. Both Crouse and E rod are just benefiting from playing outside of their predetermined lane in the nhl.
- Grinder47

Kap’s been mostly scene as a 3rd liner since breaking into the NHL as a Leaf so I’m unsure he’s type cast more so Sullivan has decided he’s a Malkin winger and Sullivan just absolutely refuses to break up lines once he has them set. I think there is a little bit of a mental block with believing Rodrigues has been a good top 6 player this year, but if it wasn’t for the fact that we had to play Kapanen in the top 6 out of absolute necessity last year I don’t think he’d be stapled to the top 6 right now like he has been.

But Sully’s been demoting him in-game a lot so maybe change is around the corner. Who knows.

Kap’s been mostly scene as a 3rd liner since breaking into the NHL as a Leaf so I’m unsure he’s type cast more so Sullivan has decided he’s a Malkin winger and Sullivan just absolutely refuses to break up lines once he has them set. I think there is a little bit of a mental block with believing Rodrigues has been a good top 6 player this year, but if it wasn’t for the fact that we had to play Kapanen in the top 6 out of absolute necessity last year I don’t think he’d be stapled to the top 6 right now like he has been.

But Sully’s been demoting him in-game a lot so maybe change is around the corner. Who knows.
- Victoro311

Heinen Malkin ERod today. Sully has definitely lost faith in Desmith and Kapanen is on the poop list.

Your comment about hitting and being tall making him garbage. You act like nobody would welcome that element around here. The difference is that element is welcomed as long as the player also has the ability to play hockey, not just come here to hit things. Is that Crouse? I don't know.

If you really look at the percent of big deadline deals that have a profound impact, it's pretty low. Teams that go after those quality depth moves usually have a better success rate and I think that's all the Pens should do unless there's a true hockey move to made.
- Rinosaur

It’s not that no one would welcome that, but people definitely get a certain perception of a player after they are deemed a “physical forward”. Whereas a guy like E rod is seen more like “finally getting a chance” because he’s small and a handsy player. Even though to date their numbers are strikingly even. Junior,A and NHL.

Heinen Malkin ERod today. Sully has definitely lost faith in Desmith and Kapanen is on the poop list.
- burgh4life87

Good now just put Carter back with Malkin.

Losing 3 players in a game. So Pens.

Sam Lafferty is looking pretty good right now.

Losing 3 players in a game. So Pens.
- madmike71

4. I respect Boyle and all but pens need to be tougher as a team. Every player on a team has to be willing to stick up for one another. Look at the Rangers and how they made that culture change and how it’s translated. I know Sullivan played like an absolute wussy in the league but to force his team to do the same is sickening.

Just tuning in. Did Blueger leave the game?

Just tuning in. Did Blueger leave the game?
- Rinosaur

He took a high hit in to the glass about halfway through the 1st. Left leaking blood from the facial area all over the ice

He took a high hit in to the glass about halfway through the 1st. Left leaking blood from the facial area all over the ice
- PittsPens

Awesome

(frank) Rusty. Take that shot or make room for Rod

Just tuning in. Did Blueger leave the game?
- Rinosaur

Pens are playing a perimeter game and being heavily controlled physically.

i wont go as far as to say they necessarily deserve to win this game, but they definitely dont deserve to get shut out.

Can't wait to see out of the players who returned are week-to-week after this game.