The shooting percentage fairies are still hanging out with McGinn. If you believe that garbage. Pretty funny how Talbot just announced on live TV Malkin was trying to leave Pittsburgh before Sid talked him to stay, or more likely he didn’t get any offers.
- Grinder47

Hahaha this is brutal, man. I was watching and I didn't get that from what Talbot said at all... And if you think no other teams wanted Geno your head is corked.

So much for Petry improving the pp

So much for Petry improving the pp
- Thorny87

I'm willing to give it a bit more time.

I'm willing to give it a bit more time.
- MattStrat

‘Twas more of a shot at his fumble on the line. Just how things are going right now.

Hahaha this is brutal, man. I was watching and I didn't get that from what Talbot said at all... And if you think no other teams wanted Geno your head is corked.
- MattStrat

Which team wanted him?

Take notes PP

Someone really needs to tell Archy to stop drawing penalties.

Might as well extend him now.

Might as well extend him now.
- Grinder47

Reason he came back is so many of them wanted him back and were calling and messaging him all summer. He could of went elsewhere for more.

PO Joe looks fn awesome tonight. If he could look like this more games than not I'd feel a lot better about the D corps overall haha. He's flying with swagger.
- MattStrat

I think POJ might develop into a pretty good two way player. He can really skate. I get the feeling Sully wants him to play conservative for now. He's had numerous chances to jump into plays and he puts on the brakes.

Nice win! Jarry stood on his head down the stretch.

Pretty white knuckle the last 2 minutes, but damn was that an entertaining game.

Pretty good game. Top six needs to do more, but good game none the less.

That's a huge win. They are 3rd overall in league and best road team with a 10-1-1 record headed into tonight. Pens down by two win it regulation. Good stuff.

I think POJ might develop into a pretty good two way player. He can really skate. I get the feeling Sully wants him to play conservative for now. He's had numerous chances to jump into plays and he puts on the brakes.
- madmike71

Agreed. Said pretty much the same last game. He looks more comfortable each game and if he can add a little offense I think he could turn into a solid 2nd pair Dman.

Agreed. Said pretty much the same last game. He looks more comfortable each game and if he can add a little offense I think he could turn into a solid 2nd pair Dman.
- Pags

It would be nice to get a look at Smith at some point. Swap out Dumo for Smith and the core is suddenly a lot faster and younger.

It would be nice to get a look at Smith at some point. Swap out Dumo for Smith and the core is suddenly a lot faster and younger.
- madmike71

Well we are the Pens so I'd bet that we will see him at some point this season due to injury. At worst he should(assuming we don't repeat the Kappy mistake with Dumo) enter camp next year with Dumo's job to lose.

Zucker. 0 pts in his last 5 games. McGinn and Archibald need elevated. Too many passengers in the top six right now.

It would be nice to get a look at Smith at some point. Swap out Dumo for Smith and the core is suddenly a lot faster and younger.
- madmike71

Regarding smith, I would like him moved up here, but I dont know if he would need to pass through waivers if we were to send him back down. maybe we can afford the cap hit with letang out but the bigger issue would be potentially losing him if he needed sent back down at some point.

I think POJ might develop into a pretty good two way player. He can really skate. I get the feeling Sully wants him to play conservative for now. He's had numerous chances to jump into plays and he puts on the brakes.
- madmike71

I think this is actually on him not Sully. I saw it mentioned repeatedly as a top criticism of him in WBS last year too. POJ is always safe defense first, and the coaches wish he would use his natural talents to push more offense.

Not the worst problem ever, but he has another level if he'd get more assertive jumping up.

Regarding smith, I would like him moved up here, but I dont know if he would need to pass through waivers if we were to send him back down. maybe we can afford the cap hit with letang out but the bigger issue would be potentially losing him if he needed sent back down at some point.
- JLT168

Smith is waiver exempt this year unless he appears in 36 NHL games. (DOC is in a similar situation but it's 26 games).

Cap friendly has a waiver calculator or you can click on the down arrow icon next to players who have waiver exemption.

I think this is actually on him not Sully. I saw it mentioned repeatedly as a top criticism of him in WBS last year too. POJ is always safe defense first, and the coaches wish he would use his natural talents to push more offense.

Not the worst problem ever, but he has another level if he'd get more assertive jumping up.
- Tojo.

Maybe. I've assumed he'd play the type of game the coaches are asking of him, but he probably thinks (correctly), the quickest way to being scratched is making poor decisions at the expense of defense. I believe he's got more to give offensively. Hopefully we see that at some point. Very happy they didn't move him.

Maybe. I've assumed he'd play the type of game the coaches are asking of him, but he probably thinks (correctly), the quickest way to being scratched is making poor decisions at the expense of defense. I believe he's got more to give offensively. Hopefully we see that at some point. Very happy they didn't move him.
- madmike71

Another poor evaluation from management.
(If we’re to believe the reports they were trying to give him away for next to nothing.)

A lot of teams are wishing they had taken a flier on POJ. It would be criminal if our offseason had included a multi year Kappy extension and a POJ trade to just give him away.

Side note, attendance was under 16,000 last night. That has to be a Crosby era low (well probably except his rookie year). A lot of teams have lower attendance so it shouldnt be a shock we arent selling out games, but damn, that is a low number. For those in Pittsburgh like me, curious why you dont go at all or as much? Ticket prices? Construction going on nearby that makes it a pain to get there? Lack of a good atmosphere?

My reasoning is i dont work downtown anymore. when i did, it was common for me to catch a game with co-workers or family that met me down there. Now, Im never downtown. I still make it to 4-5 regular season games

A lot of teams are wishing they had taken a flier on POJ. It would be criminal if our offseason had included a multi year Kappy extension and a POJ trade to just give him away.

Side note, attendance was under 16,000 last night. That has to be a Crosby era low (well probably except his rookie year). A lot of teams have lower attendance so it shouldnt be a shock we arent selling out games, but damn, that is a low number. For those in Pittsburgh like me, curious why you dont go at all or as much? Ticket prices? Construction going on nearby that makes it a pain to get there? Lack of a good atmosphere?

My reasoning is i dont work downtown anymore. when i did, it was common for me to catch a game with co-workers or family that met me down there. Now, Im never downtown. I still make it to 4-5 regular season games
- SuperHenderson13

Madden had this exact discussion on the radio today. He, of course, was his usual obnoxious self by dismissing callers who offered opinions.

It's a multitude of reasons. Like you say, a lot of people aren't working in town these days. My wife now works from home.....likely never to fully return to the office. There's been multiple "incidents" near her office and nobody feels safe. Even the men. I used to meet her in town at her parking lot and walk up to the arena all the time. Don't think we'll be doing that anymore.

Leisure/discretionary spending is facing a major correction if they don't get inflation under control. Everybody is taking a major pay cut.

I also think the pandemic has changed behaviors. People have gotten used to staying home and watching TV.