Craig Anderson is back for Buffalo. He was having a decent season before getting injured. If he picks up where he left off I think he'd be a good cheap get for the Pens.

Craig Anderson is back for Buffalo. He was having a decent season before getting injured. If he picks up where he left off I think he'd be a good cheap get for the Pens.
- Rinosaur

I’d probably think about giving Desmith another game right away.

Kapanen (1G, 5A in ten games) gets a lot of flack and Sullivan is quick to single him out but he is far from the only forward not producing. Heinen has no goals in ten games, no assists in seven of those. Carter one goal, five helpers in nine. Rust one goal since his return seven games ago. Simon one goal, one assist and ERod no goals, two assists in at least ten games.

I agree, Sullivan is too rigid in his decision making. He did finally replace Simon with McGinn in the top nine, something that should have been done a while ago, but even McGinn has dried up. I'll give Sullivan credit for that, even though he never would've done that without the injury to Blueger.

No, Blueger is definitely missed, the PK has given up two goals in five times short. Three in seven if you count Winnepeg. He solidifies the team offense by making the fourth line a scoring threat. Whether he's being utilized as the fourth line or when he's third line and Boyle has some AHLers on that line.

I know this team is tired and it's too early to make these assumptions. But it is so obvious to me how good a player this man is.
- Thunderbolt

Just doing a quick 10 game check and the depth that helped us win has dried up.
Boyle, McGinn, ERod, Heinen, Simon, Marino, and Zucker all with 2 points in the last 10 team games (Zucker only played the 1 game though before the surgery)

Heinen and Kap got relegated to Boyle's wing last night for a reason. Kapanen needs to shoot. He isn't generating anything on his own. In that 10 game span he only has 2 more shots than Simon, but has 4 less high danger shots. He isn't getting in the scoring spots, he is playing too much perimeter hockey, and Sully is trying to get him back to playing a particular style.

Either way the depth needs to show up. ERod has been really turning things back up, wouldn't be shocked to see him go on another roll.

Just doing a quick 10 game check and the depth that helped us win has dried up.
Boyle, McGinn, ERod, Heinen, Simon, Marino, and Zucker all with 2 points in the last 10 team games (Zucker only played the 1 game though before the surgery)

Heinen and Kap got relegated to Boyle's wing last night for a reason. Kapanen needs to shoot. He isn't generating anything on his own. In that 10 game span he only has 2 more shots than Simon, but has 4 less high danger shots. He isn't getting in the scoring spots, he is playing too much perimeter hockey, and Sully is trying to get him back to playing a particular style.

Either way the depth needs to show up. ERod has been really turning things back up, wouldn't be shocked to see him go on another roll.
- burgh4life87

Pens will always be a top heavy team, at least until the bottom really falls out. Maybe someone should try coaching them like one.

Just doing a quick 10 game check and the depth that helped us win has dried up.
Boyle, McGinn, ERod, Heinen, Simon, Marino, and Zucker all with 2 points in the last 10 team games (Zucker only played the 1 game though before the surgery)

Heinen and Kap got relegated to Boyle's wing last night for a reason. Kapanen needs to shoot. He isn't generating anything on his own. In that 10 game span he only has 2 more shots than Simon, but has 4 less high danger shots. He isn't getting in the scoring spots, he is playing too much perimeter hockey, and Sully is trying to get him back to playing a particular style.

Either way the depth needs to show up. ERod has been really turning things back up, wouldn't be shocked to see him go on another roll.
- burgh4life87

I mean you pay scorers like scorers and 10 goal guys like 10 goal guys. Pens are set up to have 2 scoring lines. A line to neuter the other teams best line and a 4th line who shouldn’t get scored on. “Spread the wealth” narrative is boring bland ass hockey bullpoop.

Craig Anderson is back for Buffalo. He was having a decent season before getting injured. If he picks up where he left off I think he'd be a good cheap get for the Pens.
- Rinosaur

That would be the kind of tender we could use. Don't need a guy that has Jarry looking over his shoulder. Someone with playoff experience that won't shrink if called upon.

Just doing a quick 10 game check and the depth that helped us win has dried up.
Boyle, McGinn, ERod, Heinen, Simon, Marino, and Zucker all with 2 points in the last 10 team games (Zucker only played the 1 game though before the surgery)

Heinen and Kap got relegated to Boyle's wing last night for a reason. Kapanen needs to shoot. He isn't generating anything on his own. In that 10 game span he only has 2 more shots than Simon, but has 4 less high danger shots. He isn't getting in the scoring spots, he is playing too much perimeter hockey, and Sully is trying to get him back to playing a particular style.

Either way the depth needs to show up. ERod has been really turning things back up, wouldn't be shocked to see him go on another roll.
- burgh4life87

The second half of the season is going to get a lot tougher. Teams are tightening up their defense, plus more division games. I don't expect a lot from the guys mentioned above but I do expect more than how they've been playing. Fortunately our division/conference has only eight decent teams.

I just don't see improvement with the loss of Blueger. He makes the bottom six better, not just his line. Thereby making the top six play easier minutes.

A couple of the guys mentioned earlier need to step up their game.

I mean you pay scorers like scorers and 10 goal guys like 10 goal guys. Pens are set up to have 2 scoring lines. A line to neuter the other teams best line and a 4th line who shouldn’t get scored on. “Spread the wealth” narrative is boring bland ass hockey bullpoop.
- Grinder47

We don't have two scoring lines, we have one scoring line and Malkin. Our shut down line has nearly as many goals as any combination of players you want to call a second scoring line.

Our 4th line is just whoever is the healthiest tenth, eleventh, and twelfth players available.

We don't have two scoring lines, we have one scoring line and Malkin. Our shut down line has nearly as many goals as any combination of players you want to call a second scoring line.

Our 4th line is just whoever is the healthiest tenth, eleventh, and twelfth players available.
- Thunderbolt

No poop. You’re making my point. Play Malkin with Sid and let Guentzel and Rust help Carter score. This poop isn’t hard.

That would be the kind of tender we could use. Don't need a guy that has Jarry looking over his shoulder. Someone with playoff experience that won't shrink if called upon.
- madmike71

Yeah. He's an experienced vet who knows his role. He even played well for the Caps last year in the playoffs.

I have this feeling Kapanen is the next Galchenyuck.

I have this feeling Kapanen is the next Galchenyuck.
- Rinosaur

Cocaine problem?

I have this feeling Kapanen is the next Galchenyuck.
- Rinosaur

I'd start rotating Simon, Kap and Z. Honestly, I'm not remotely worried about those two losses, but I think it's a good opportunity to light a fire under Kap. Z looked pretty damn good too.

I'd start rotating Simon, Kap and Z. Honestly, I'm not remotely worried about those two losses, but I think it's a good opportunity to light a fire under Kap. Z looked pretty damn good too.
- madmike71

The Pens are bound to hit a small losing streak. I'm for rotating any players who show promise.

Cocaine problem?
- Feds91Stammer

Nah, I think doing coke is one thing he's good at.

The Pens are bound to hit a small losing streak. I'm for rotating any players who show promise.
- Rinosaur

I'm not worried at all about this little snag. Pens have taken 36 of the last 42 available points. They looked visibly exhausted against Detroit and still got a loser point.

Yes... Get some competition going in the lineup. I thought Zohorna looked really good. His size and reach are an asset. Skates well too.

I have this feeling Kapanen is the next Galchenyuck.
- Rinosaur

Galchenyuck was in bad Getgo commercials?

The second half of the season is going to get a lot tougher. Teams are tightening up their defense, plus more division games. I don't expect a lot from the guys mentioned above but I do expect more than how they've been playing. Fortunately our division/conference has only eight decent teams.

I just don't see improvement with the loss of Blueger. He makes the bottom six better, not just his line. Thereby making the top six play easier minutes.

A couple of the guys mentioned earlier need to step up their game.
- Thunderbolt

I think we are overlooking the first thing we isolated on, a 10 game sample. The larger season sample shows better depth and positivity. But a 6 game road trip in the last 10 games after a massive win streak was bound to cause some production drop.

To put things in larger perspective The Pens were in last place in the division on November 10th. Since then they are 2 in the nhl in wins, have the same record as the Lightning, and have the 4th best goal differential in the NHL during that span. This is a really good team with a really good coach that is 7-1-2 in their last ten. I think we are being dramatic about any perceived issues.

I think we are overlooking the first thing we isolated on, a 10 game sample. The larger season sample shows better depth and positivity. But a 6 game road trip in the last 10 games after a massive win streak was bound to cause some production drop.

To put things in larger perspective The Pens were in last place in the division on November 10th. Since then they are 2 in the nhl in wins, have the same record as the Lightning, and have the 4th best goal differential in the NHL during that span. This is a really good team with a really good coach that is 7-1-2 in their last ten. I think we are being dramatic about any perceived issues.
- burgh4life87

I originally said this team misses Teddy Blueger. I used the ten game sample to make my point and show secondary scoring is becoming a problem and will continue with his loss.

Big picture this team is making the playoffs. Are they the last Penguins from the first quarter of the season or the 2nd best team in the NHL in the second quarter. Obviously they are somewhere in between. As they used to say on an old tv show, will the real Pittsburgh Penguins please stand up.

This will be a slightly different team come playoff time. I see us adding depth, particularly on defense. My desires are the same as last playoffs: Win one series.

Cocaine problem?
- Feds91Stammer

Wasn't Galchenyuk's problem alcohol? I seem to remember Arizona wanted rid of him because he sat around and drank all day.

No poop. You’re making my point. Play Malkin with Sid and let Guentzel and Rust help Carter score. This poop isn’t hard.
- Grinder47

There's only one person I can think of who doesn't want to see Malkin and Sid together.

There's only one person I can think of who doesn't want to see Malkin and Sid together.
- Thunderbolt

Is his name Mike “just play” cookie cutter hockey coach Sullivan?

There's only one person I can think of who doesn't want to see Malkin and Sid together.
- Thunderbolt

Is his name Mike “just play” cookie cutter hockey coach Sullivan?

Wasn't Galchenyuk's problem alcohol? I seem to remember Arizona wanted rid of him because he sat around and drank all day.
- Thunderbolt

I think his biggest problem was hockey.

I think his biggest problem was hockey.
- Grinder47

Pretty much. He overachieved for a bit then just fell completely off and stylistically wasn't that different than Kapanen.