Yes.
A little doom, but no gloom. You guys pretty much have this spot sewn up. Both Florida and Ottawa need a ton of things to line up to get near you. And your schedule is pretty soft right near the end.

It's unfortunate though I think Ottawa and Florida would make more noise in the play offs than Pitt. This group of Penguins just look mentally and physically spent. Like Tampa. Still some great players but just a lot of hockey has been played over the past few seasons.

The Sens with two back up goalies and no head coach are just absolute chaos to play against.
- Octavarium

Isles and Pens are polar opposites the season. Isles are only in a playoff position because of their goalie, who I believe to be best in the league, and the Pens are in one despite their goalies.

Mentally and physically spent teams don't generally outplay and out chance the other team almost every single game haha.

Once again they lost mostly because of goaltending...and toss in some very bad penalties taken last night as well.

No, Domingue last year was a washed up AHL has been. DeSmith was putting up decent NHL backup numbers. If they were able to league average goaltening, or even slightly under league average, they win that series.
- jmatchett383

No sense saying it to him. That clown is in total denial of such things.

If the Pens had league average goaltending ALL season they are in 2nd or 3rd in division today, maybe challenging for 1st, or in it. When they had two months straight of league average, or above league average, goaltending they did end up in 1st in Metro and were 4th overall in the whole league when the calendar turned 2023.

Zucker, Poehling, Archibald, Heinen, Nylander and DOC are all UFA or RFA which will need to be resigned or replaced as well. While not too pricey for 4/5 of them but that's probs $6m out of that $20m assuming they can dump Granlund. If not they have $15m to work with to sign a top 6, 4 bottom 6, 3C and #1G.

Lets be honest, Hex will just make a bigger train wreck of that situation.
- sammy87

No one is taking Grandlund

Oh, so they're making the playoffs now, are they? They last time you stopped in with your clown comments you said boom! hear that sound? the sound of window closing not making playoffs.

I cannot believe you're pushing 80 years old. Thats f'n insane with regards to your behavior on this site haha...The Pens live rent free in your senile head.
- MattStrat

I didnt say they were making the playoffs was responding to a comment that said Pens would lose in 5.....love watching the Pens crumble.

I didnt say they were making the playoffs was responding to a comment that said Pens would lose in 5.....love watching the Pens crumble.
- hfc355

Because they live rent free in your senile mind?

We don't really see it as crumbling...just the natural cycle of things in the NHL after almost two decades of a F load of successes, both team and individually, almost every other franchise in the league can only dream of, including the Rangers.

No one is taking Grandlund
- hfc355

Wow, we actually agree on something haha

Because they live rent free in your senile mind?

We don't really see it as crumbling...just the natural cycle of things in the NHL after almost two decades of a F load of successes, both team and individually, almost every other franchise in the league can only dream of, including the Rangers.
- MattStrat

Enjoy the past going to have to live in the past the rest of the decade. Actually been living in the past for a few yrs already with 1st rd eliminations yr after yr after yr

Zucker, Poehling, Archibald, Heinen, Nylander and DOC are all UFA or RFA which will need to be resigned or replaced as well. While not too pricey for 4/5 of them but that's probs $6m out of that $20m assuming they can dump Granlund. If not they have $15m to work with to sign a top 6, 4 bottom 6, 3C and #1G.

Lets be honest, Hex will just make a bigger train wreck of that situation.
- sammy87

Well step one is getting rid of Hex. Nothing else matters if he's still at the helm.

Heinen and Archibald are both easily replaceable with a vet min guy. DOC and Poehling will be RFAs and shouldn't command much. Those two together basically make up a decent 4th line plus whatever vet min guy you bring in (maybe even Archibald back). The looming question is how much it would take to bring back Zucker and if he even wants to come back.

Enjoy the past going to have to live in the past the rest of the decade. Actually been living in the past for a few yrs already with 1st rd eliminations yr after yr after yr
- hfc355

Ive enjoyed a lot of great entertaining games this season, probably will the next few seasons too. Then I'll enjoy a rebuild like the one that started in the early 2000's.

Thanks for coming out and showing just how much the Pens live in your head rent free. Did you cry as a 70+ year old man in 2016 and 2017 when they won back to back cups? and what exactly have the Rangers done that you're not still living in 1994? hahaha Losing to the Kings for the cup in 2014?

I didnt say they were making the playoffs was responding to a comment that said Pens would lose in 5.....love watching the Pens crumble.
- hfc355

I totally forgot because you're the epitome of irrelevance, who's your team again?

If the Pens had league average goaltending ALL season they are in 2nd or 3rd in division today, maybe challenging for 1st or in it. When they had two months straight of league average, or above league average, goaltending they did end up in 1st in Metro and were 4th overall in the whole league when the calendar turned 2023.
- MattStrat

https://www.statmuse.com/...ttsburgh-penguins-17/2023

League average is .904, the Pens are at .901. No way they catch the Rangers for third, they possibly pass the Islanders. That's only three extra saves per 1000 shots. Or one goal per ten games.

We are a 'high event' hockey team, 4th in shots and 7th in shots against. (34.59 for, 33.04 against)

The stat that gets me is the 9.3% shooting, 10.2% is the average. You get that to league average, now we're talking. Nine goals per 1000 shots or one goal every three games.

Enjoy the past going to have to live in the past the rest of the decade. Actually been living in the past for a few yrs already with 1st rd eliminations yr after yr after yr
- hfc355

Mate, you keep coming here looking to start trouble and I really dont know why. If we are irrelevant with our best days behind us, why do you keep coming over here to try to prove something?

You beat us in straight years in 2014 and 2015.... the next two years worked out for the Penguins. You are watching Rangers highlights of first and second round wins, we are watching stanley cup win highlights.

Everyone here knows the next years will be ugly for us. It is what it is and most of us are fine with that. You have a young team with a lot of potential... doesnt mean you guys will win anything of substance.

Well step one is getting rid of Hex. Nothing else matters if he's still at the helm.

Heinen and Archibald are both easily replaceable with a vet min guy. DOC and Poehling will be RFAs and shouldn't command much. Those two together basically make up a decent 4th line plus whatever vet min guy you bring in (maybe even Archibald back). The looming question is how much it would take to bring back Zucker and if he even wants to come back.
- Victoro311

No they shouldn't command much maybe $800k-$1.5 for each of those positions....either way your cap starts getting eaten up.

I can see Z getting between 5.5 and 6.5. Dude is having a career year and doing better than Kane or Tarensako.

I know we wouldnt do it, but to buyout Granlund, it'd be about $1.8M for the next 4 seasons. You could probably dump him to another team similar to McGinn with a draft pick.

I just hope they find a new GM. If Hextall is still the GM come draft time, FSG would have lost all credibility and would prove they arent in this to compete. A new GM has a lot of work to do, starting with the mess to clean up from Hextall.

-Let Dumo walk
-Buyout Carter
-Attempt to trade Granlund.
-Find a better goalie tandem (Im not opposed to resigning Jarry. But it wont be for big money and more like a 2-3 year deal).

https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/team/2022-23-pittsburgh-penguins-17/2023

League average is .904, the Pens are at .901. No way they catch the Rangers for third, they possibly pass the Islanders. That's only three extra saves per 1000 shots. Or one goal per ten games.

We are a 'high event' hockey team, 4th in shots and 7th in shots against. (34.59 for, 33.04 against)

The stat that gets me is the 9.3% shooting, 10.2% is the average. You get that to league average, now we're talking. Nine goals per 1000 shots or one goal every three games.
- Thunderbolt

Thats crazy. I didnt even look at this season, obvioulsy, but it used to be around .910 to .912 in other seasons....or I thought so, anyway.

What was their save% the last two playoffs?

Also Jarry had an amazing two months November and December....it jacked this up a lot...to .901...which goes to show just how putrid its been in the other 4 months.

EDIT: from November 1st to December 31st Jarry was
0.923 in 18 games played.

The Pens and Ducks really need to make a trade for Gibson. He would instantly give you guys real solid goaltending and we could def use some scoring help.

We could even retain 40% to get his # down to about 4 a yr. for the next 3.

Thats crazy. I didnt even look at this season, obvioulsy, but it used to be around .910 to .912 in other seasons....or I thought so, anyway.

What was their save% the last two playoffs?

Also Jarry had an amazing two months November and December....it jacked this up a lot...to .901...which goes to show just how putrid its been in the other 4 months.

EDIT: from November 1st to December 31st Jarry was
0.923
- MattStrat

Yes, it's been closer to .910 in years prior.

Goaltending isn't without fault on this team. Neither the defense nor the bottom six score enough goals. Don't forget some of the forwards classified as the bottom six have had time in the top six and time on the second power play. For arguments sake, I'm putting Rust on the top line.

Guentzel/Crosby/Rust...80 goals
Zucker/Malkin/Rakell....75 goals
Bottom Six (All others)..55 goals
All Defensemen............28 goals

The defense is near the bottom in the league in goal scoring. For a team that 'activates the D', that is unacceptable. Even more than the goaltending. Just my two cents.

Yes, it's been closer to .910 in years prior.

Goaltending isn't without fault on this team. Neither the defense nor the bottom six score enough goals. Don't forget some of the forwards classified as the bottom six have had time in the top six and time on the second power play. For arguments sake, I'm putting Rust on the top line.

Guentzel/Crosby/Rust...80 goals
Zucker/Malkin/Rakell....75 goals
Bottom Six (All others)..55 goals
All Defensemen............28 goals

The defense is near the bottom in the league in goal scoring. For a team that 'activates the D', that is unacceptable. Even more than the goaltending. Just my two cents.
- Thunderbolt

No doubt a problem but the D has also been absolutely ravaged with injuries for majority of the season.

Missing their top 4dmen for weeks and their whole right side for longer. Tangers stroke and dad passing. Petry gone for almost two months... When he came back 12 points in like 14 games. Now they're missing four starting D for weeks. None of this is to mention that it was a revamped corps that didn't get much time to settle and adjust before the rash of injuries to the blue line started.

Yes, it's been closer to .910 in years prior.

Goaltending isn't without fault on this team. Neither the defense nor the bottom six score enough goals. Don't forget some of the forwards classified as the bottom six have had time in the top six and time on the second power play. For arguments sake, I'm putting Rust on the top line.

Guentzel/Crosby/Rust...80 goals
Zucker/Malkin/Rakell....75 goals
Bottom Six (All others)..55 goals
All Defensemen............28 goals

The defense is near the bottom in the league in goal scoring. For a team that 'activates the D', that is unacceptable. Even more than the goaltending. Just my two cents.
- Thunderbolt

Every team in the league activates the D. Pens are just down right stupid about it.

Yes.
A little doom, but no gloom. You guys pretty much have this spot sewn up. Both Florida and Ottawa need a ton of things to line up to get near you. And your schedule is pretty soft right near the end.

It's unfortunate though I think Ottawa and Florida would make more noise in the play offs than Pitt. This group of Penguins just look mentally and physically spent. Like Tampa. Still some great players but just a lot of hockey has been played over the past few seasons.

The Sens with two back up goalies and no head coach are just absolute chaos to play against.
- Octavarium

You are overestimating this Penguins team. They have the killer instinct of a sloth. They can string soulcrushing losses together, at any time.

I totally forgot because you're the epitome of irrelevance, who's your team again?
- j.boyd919

Sadly, I think the Pens are on a better path to rebuilding than the Flyers are. We both have vets on long term, high dollar deals. Yours are Crosby and Malkin; ours are Hayes and Ristolainen. Flyers have MORE prospects but very few that project as high-end.

Sadly, I think the Pens are on a better path to rebuilding than the Flyers are. We both have vets on long term, high dollar deals. Yours are Crosby and Malkin; ours are Hayes and Ristolainen. Flyers have MORE prospects but very few that project as high-end.
- jmatchett383

Don’t forget about that brutal Couturier deal

Don’t forget about that brutal Couturier deal
- Feds91Stammer

Couturier (and Ellis) is actually a good player though, unlike Hayes and Riso. What it looks like 5-6 years from now...well, that's a different story. Both just using up LTIR for now. Atkinson too

Couturier (and Ellis) is actually a good player though, unlike Hayes and Riso. What it looks like 5-6 years from now...well, that's a different story. Both just using up LTIR for now. Atkinson too
- jmatchett383

Not sure how you can say a guy that has barely played the last 3 seasons is a good player.