So just to make sure Im understanding, if the Penguins go into the playoffs without Crosby and Malkin, the team should have the same expectations as the team going into the playoffs without Teddy Blueger and Jeff Carter?
- SuperHenderson13

Yes they should expect to lose in the 1st round either way.

This is one of the rare occurrences that we agree...well, I'm not so sure it's cap hit slotting, as it's more so vets and favorites, but I do think they could at least try mixing up the lines a lot.
- MattStrat

I’d like to see the bottom six
McGinn-Blueger-Heinen
Archibald-Poehling-Carter.
I’d play the APC line against the other teams 4th line. Carters still going to finish more chances than Blueger and Archibald and Poehling can keep Carter around the net instead chasing pucks in the corner wearing his old ass out.

I’m also not against throwing Heinen on the 2nd line to bump Rust to the 3rd line and bump Kap out of the lineup.

Yes they should expect to lose in the 1st round either way.
- Feds91Stammer

Hahaha. This is the truth. Should have rebuilt the top six in the off season.

Jarry has missed a load of time this season. When healthy, overall, he's been top 3 for most metrics for goalies this season. He had a rough patch in October but otherwise has been a fn stud.
- MattStrat

Lots of speculation going on around Jarry. Chronic hip issue that isn't getting better. Didn't practice today because of a doctors appointment. Sully did say he'll travel to New York however.

Like Yohe just said, these guys can see doctors anytime. They don't miss practice because of it.

I’d like to see the bottom six
McGinn-Blueger-Heinen
Archibald-Poehling-Carter.
I’d play the APC line against the other teams 4th line. Carters still going to finish more chances than Blueger and Archibald and Poehling can keep Carter around the net instead chasing pucks in the corner wearing his old ass out.
- Grinder47

The words "deck chairs" and "Titanic" come to mind. Poehling out again. Missed the last game and didn't practice today. He's the best player in the bottom 6.....and that isn't good.

Lots of speculation going on around Jarry. Chronic hip issue that isn't getting better. Didn't practice today because of a doctors appointment. Sully did say he'll travel to New York however.

Like Yohe just said, these guys can see doctors anytime. They don't miss practice because of it.
- madmike71

This is becoming a real concern. Wasn't there a rumor about Demko a week ago or so? Could be they are looking for a long term replacement. Jarry has been really good when healthy, outside the top 6 I'd say he's the team's biggest strength. But it's hard to give him a big extension when you can't count on him playing.

This is one of the rare occurrences that we agree...well, I'm not so sure it's cap hit slotting, as it's more so vets and favorites, but I do think they could at least try mixing up the lines a lot.
- MattStrat

I think the problem is who do you bump up? The legit best option might be trying Kapanen again and I don't have much appetite for that. Not do I think Rust elevates a third line as he's usually been the 3rd best on any line he's been on.

You're agreeing with Grinder who probably wants McGinn and Archibald in the top 6 lol.

And beyond that who can play down without hurting a top 6 line too much that can elevate a third line. It's not like the HBK year where Kessel was a star and Bonino was capable of scoring like a 2C for stretches.

Funny to me how down and out some fans get around here, and other places, when the Pens win against a bottom dweller but probably didn't deserve to. However, they see no light or good in all the times the Pens outplayed better opponents and deserved to win, but didn't this season. Both situations are met with a similar gloom and doom.

Pens need to tighten up their game, much like they needed to in October and did. There's still over a 1/3 of the season left. So much time to do so...and perhaps they don't...but this team is better than a lot of you think it is.
- MattStrat

At say in the same way you tend to always see the glass half full. Not a criticism, just you tend to view things that way more then others here.

For myself when I step back and look at the big picture I see too many ways they can be sunk. They don't seem to have any semblance of a third line maybe not even one player who deserves to play there. The top end of the defense is kind of meh unless Letang really gets going and I'd understand with the year he's had if that never happens. Even if he does, there's nothing that screams contender out of the rest of the top 4. And worst is probably the goalie situation which has sunk them for years and it's hard to see it changing.

So basically I see too many ways things can go wrong. And I think when you talk about them at their best too much has to go right. But that's just how an older team is. You still see the flashes of greatness but not the consistency.

At say in the same way you tend to always see the glass half full. Not a criticism, just you tend to view things that way more then others here.

For myself when I step back and look at the big picture I see too many ways they can be sunk. They don't seem to have any semblance of a third line maybe not even one player who deserves to play there. The top end of the defense is kind of meh unless Letang really gets going and I'd understand with the year he's had if that never happens. Even if he does, there's nothing that screams contender out of the rest of the top 4. And worst is probably the goalie situation which has sunk them for years and it's hard to see it changing.

So basically I see too many ways things can go wrong. And I think when you talk about them at their best too much has to go right. But that's just how an older team is. You still see the flashes of greatness but not the consistency.
- Tojo.

Gotta bank on the D corp somehow gaining a scoring touch and hope Jarry gets healthy. That’s pretty most the only way they can be somewhat competitive in the playoffs. We know Hextall isn’t going to make moves to improve the bottom 6 and if he does he’s gonna trade for 1 guy and it ain’t gonna do a god damn thing.

At say in the same way you tend to always see the glass half full. Not a criticism, just you tend to view things that way more then others here.

For myself when I step back and look at the big picture I see too many ways they can be sunk. They don't seem to have any semblance of a third line maybe not even one player who deserves to play there. The top end of the defense is kind of meh unless Letang really gets going and I'd understand with the year he's had if that never happens. Even if he does, there's nothing that screams contender out of the rest of the top 4. And worst is probably the goalie situation which has sunk them for years and it's hard to see it changing.

So basically I see too many ways things can go wrong. And I think when you talk about them at their best too much has to go right. But that's just how an older team is. You still see the flashes of greatness but not the consistency.
- Tojo.

Well, I mean, the way I am is the reason I'm even saying anything about it in the first place haha. I was really proud of Boyd a little over a month ago when he said the Pens could be a dark horse. I agree with every thing you said, there are a bunch of ways they could be sunk. I don't have any grand delusions of what this team is or what their fate is going to be this season but I do know they're much better than we've seen at times the past month and that they're given credit for around here. I also suspect you're going to see a much tighter team in the days that come. One that will will have less turnovers and less HDSCs against.

Gotta bank on the D corp somehow gaining a scoring touch and hope Jarry gets healthy. That’s pretty most the only way they can be somewhat competitive in the playoffs. We know Hextall isn’t going to make moves to improve the bottom 6 and if he does he’s gonna trade for 1 guy and it ain’t gonna do a god damn thing.
- j.boyd919

I think if Jarry is gone so are their hopes of making playoffs.

Well, I mean, the way I am is the reason I'm even saying anything about it in the first place haha. I was really proud of Boyd a little over a month ago when he said the Pens could be a dark horse. I agree with every thing you said, there are a bunch of ways they could be sunk. I don't have any grand delusions of what this team is or what their fate is going to be this season but I do know they're much better than we've seen at times the past month and that they're given credit for around here. I also suspect you're going to see a much tighter team in the days that come. One that will will have less turnovers and less HDSCs against.
- MattStrat

They can really only be a dark house if 3 things happen.

1. Hextal trades for at least 2 forwards whether it’s top 6 to push Zucker or Rust down or 3rd line players replacing any of McGinn-Carter-Kap. (Unlikely)

2. The D regresses to their normal scoring rate (slightly more likely)

3. Jarry is healthy and playing well (also unlikely)

That’s the only way I can see them making noise in the playoffs.

They can really only be a dark house if 3 things happen.

1. Hextal trades for at least 2 forwards whether it’s top 6 to push Zucker or Rust down or 3rd line players replacing any of McGinn-Carter-Kap. (Unlikely)

2. The D regresses to their normal scoring rate (slightly more likely)

3. Jarry is healthy and playing well (also unlikely)

That’s the only way I can see them making noise in the playoffs.
- j.boyd919

I agree with this. And when you're hoping for 3 chances of all 3 working is tough.

I agree with this. And when you're hoping for 3 chances of all 3 working is tough.
- Tojo.

If Jarry had been healthy the last month, I think they're comfortably in the playoffs.

It's pretty ironic that most of the fanbase recognized the need for an upgrade at backup tender. The ex-goalie (Hextall) stood pat. There's a good chance the lack of goal tending will kill their chances a third year in a row.

The worst part about Hextall is he failed at doing the easy part of team building. It's the same thing that's kneecapped this team in the past. He failed at building the supporting cast when it was a buyers market for good depth players.

If Jarry had been healthy the last month, I think they're comfortably in the playoffs.

It's pretty ironic that most of the fanbase recognized the need for an upgrade at backup tender. The ex-goalie (Hextall) stood pat. There's a good chance the lack of goal tending will kill their chances a third year in a row.

The worst part about Hextall is he failed at doing the easy part of team building. It's the same thing that's kneecapped this team in the past. He failed at building the supporting cast when it was a buyers market for good depth players.
- madmike71

Upgrade in goal scorers is more important. Brought Geno back to once again play with 3rd liners. He’s to old and slow for that.

They can really only be a dark house if 3 things happen.

1. Hextal trades for at least 2 forwards whether it’s top 6 to push Zucker or Rust down or 3rd line players replacing any of McGinn-Carter-Kap. (Unlikely)

2. The D regresses to their normal scoring rate (slightly more likely)

3. Jarry is healthy and playing well (also unlikely)

That’s the only way I can see them making noise in the playoffs.
- j.boyd919

I agree with all that. Regarding the D comment we have to keep in mind how in shambles its been this season. During that 15-3-2 streak there was a 6 or 7 game win streak that Tanger didnt play at all. Then Petry went down a long time and Tanger was back a few games then took leave of absence. I think there has been more games without both Petry and Letang healthy the same time, than there has with them both in lineup. I also keep in mind about players returning from injuries after long lay off having to get back up to game speed and in sync with team and team in sync with player. Can take time.

I just think with over a 1/3 or season left its possible for them to tighten up and play better. We've seen them play great for a 20 game stretch (that's a 1/4 of a season) already, plus games here and there outside of that stretch where they were by far the better team, even if they didnt win. Some of those games were vs the Bruins and Canes. Can they get back to it? it's not that far fetched to me...either is totally missing the playoffs haha

I agree with this. And when you're hoping for 3 chances of all 3 working is tough.
- Tojo.

I'll say it again...its possible but improbable....but as a fan, as long as its possible theres at least a smidgen of hope, and when this is the case I'm in. We are fans to hope our teams go all the way, every single year. If they have a chance, no matter how slim, I'm a bit excited to see how it plays out. There's teams in the league that havent been to playoffs in 10 or more seasons now. We are still lucky that they are currently in a playoff position and its possible they make it in, no matter how it compares to the dominant regular season years, or the cup winning years.

I don't think there was anyone who thought they were getting out of the 1st or 2nd rounds in 2017...then most thought for sure they'd beat the Sens in round 3 and that one went to game 7 double OT haha....close call. No one knows for sure what will happen...if they did gambling sites wouldn't make any money, they wouldn't even exist and really, sports wouldn't even be that entertaining if we knew for sure how things are going to go. Hockey is such a random event sport too, just adds to that not knowing.

Upgrade in goal scorers is more important. Brought Geno back to once again play with 3rd liners. He’s to old and slow for that.
- Grinder47

Only way getting scorers will really help is if Carter isnt attached to them in any way. If he's on their line they're most likely getting Cratered.

If Jarry had been healthy the last month, I think they're comfortably in the playoffs.

It's pretty ironic that most of the fanbase recognized the need for an upgrade at backup tender. The ex-goalie (Hextall) stood pat. There's a good chance the lack of goal tending will kill their chances a third year in a row.

The worst part about Hextall is he failed at doing the easy part of team building. It's the same thing that's kneecapped this team in the past. He failed at building the supporting cast when it was a buyers market for good depth players.
- madmike71

They're not making the playoffs without Jarry....unless they trade for a capable goalie.

So it's an excuse
- Feds91Stammer

No, it's a fact. Jarry has missed a large amount of time this season due to injury.

Not having your top goalie, especially when your backup is subpar, will lead to more losses than you would have with your top goalie.

These are facts, not excuses.

If Jarry had been healthy the last month, I think they're comfortably in the playoffs.

It's pretty ironic that most of the fanbase recognized the need for an upgrade at backup tender. The ex-goalie (Hextall) stood pat. There's a good chance the lack of goal tending will kill their chances a third year in a row.

The worst part about Hextall is he failed at doing the easy part of team building. It's the same thing that's kneecapped this team in the past. He failed at building the supporting cast when it was a buyers market for good depth players.
- madmike71

I keep hearing people talking about the "easy part" of the team, i.e. depth players and backup goalies. But not all bottom-6/depth players are the same. How do they fit together? How do they mesh? What can they bring both on and off the ice? Are they capable of sliding up if injuries hit? It's not just, "Hey, here's a warm body who owns a pair of skates; let's sign him." That's actually the hardest part.

I'm not saying that Hexy didn't do a poor job, simply that the "easy part" was signing superstars; anyone would do that. The hard part is building a proper supporting cast around them, which he did fail at.

So just to make sure Im understanding, if the Penguins go into the playoffs without Crosby and Malkin, the team should have the same expectations as the team going into the playoffs without Teddy Blueger and Jeff Carter?
- SuperHenderson13

Let's see how Washington does.

I keep hearing people talking about the "easy part" of the team, i.e. depth players and backup goalies. But not all bottom-6/depth players are the same. How do they fit together? How do they mesh? What can they bring both on and off the ice? Are they capable of sliding up if injuries hit? It's not just, "Hey, here's a warm body who owns a pair of skates; let's sign him." That's actually the hardest part.

I'm not saying that Hexy didn't do a poor job, simply that the "easy part" was signing superstars; anyone would do that. The hard part is building a proper supporting cast around them, which he did fail at.
- jmatchett383

Finding the right depth guys is definitely more difficult task than people like RW make it seem but given their usual contract lengths and cap hits and availability in free agency/trades, I would still say they are "easier" to acquire.

No, it's a fact. Jarry has missed a large amount of time this season due to injury.

Not having your top goalie, especially when your backup is subpar, will lead to more losses than you would have with your top goalie.

These are facts, not excuses.
- jmatchett383

Excuses...