Ryan Wilson: Disappointing result followed up by encouraging news Disappointing result followed up by encouraging news

Wasn't Jakey a bit of a healing freak coming back a bit earlier than expected with that bad ankle injury, and surgery for it, back in 2020/2021?...


...or did I dream that....

Sorry to spam. I have 1 spot left in my 20 team yahoo league if anyone wants in. Looking for an active manager. Draft is this Thursday at 8:30EDT. Send me a private message.

Wasn't Jakey a bit of a healing freak coming back a bit earlier than expected with that bad ankle injury, and surgery for it, back in 2020/2021?...


...or did I dream that....
- MattStrat

Can't remember haha. But it seems he's in a good track. I don't want t him to rush back but if he's ready he's ready.

They should really be trying the guys auditioning on the Malkin line with Eller since that's where they'd end up. I kind of like the idea of Z and DOC if that's who wins because at least with their size they'd create a matchup issue.

What happened to Jay Caufield and his telestrator Personally glad to see him and it GONE I hope that this is true And Rob King can stay away too What a drab guy he is for sure

So Smith, Pitlick and a few others have been called back up.....isnt there a rule now that if they dont play a certain number of games with big club they can be sent down without waivers?...


...or did I dream that?

The one takeaway I had from the game was the power play not showing any signs of progress. Even so, I’m not all that concerned with it. The talent is there and the concept of creating 2v1’s with a man advantage isn’t all that complicated.
- Ryan_Wilson

I would be concerned with it. The power play isn't always as simple as "put your 5 best offensive players out there and tell them to score." There needs to be a solid mesh and cohesion, and there needs to be a method of execution. Now, if they're creating chances and good controlled entries and the pucks just aren't bouncing their way, then so be it. But if there doesn't seem to be much of anything past just wheeling the puck around and hoping their teammate can come up with something, that's an issue that needs to be corrected ASAP.

I would be concerned with it. The power play isn't always as simple as "put your 5 best offensive players out there and tell them to score." There needs to be a solid mesh and cohesion, and there needs to be a method of execution. Now, if they're creating chances and good controlled entries and the pucks just aren't bouncing their way, then so be it. But if there doesn't seem to be much of anything past just wheeling the puck around and hoping their teammate can come up with something, that's an issue that needs to be corrected ASAP.
- jmatchett383

Its so early, and its a rectifiable thing, but I am a little concerned with it haha. I was before I even saw it in action. Now that I've seen a few games with it my concern hasn't been relieved. My hope is that its just 4 all-star vets and Rak being too generous but there seems to be a deeper issue of no plan(s) haha.

Can't remember haha. But it seems he's in a good track. I don't want t him to rush back but if he's ready he's ready.
- 668710

...and I was saying we probably wouldn't see him until November or December when the surgery was announced...

Its so early, and its a rectifiable thing, but I am a little concerned with it haha. I was before I even saw it in action. Now that I've seen a few games with it my concern hasn't been relieved. My hope is that its just 4 all-star vets and Rak being too generous but there seems to be a deeper issue of no plan(s) haha.
- MattStrat

That's my point. It's not always as simple as "Pick your 5 best offensive players and throw them out there." They all have to have a skillset that compliments each other, and each player has to have some kind of defined role. Is there a certain guy you wanna free up in the slot? Do you want to run everything from the point or half wall? Is everything playing on their preferred side? Do you want a net-front guy?

Seems like they are just hoping it works given their talent.

That's my point. It's not always as simple as "Pick your 5 best offensive players and throw them out there." They all have to have a skillset that compliments each other, and each player has to have some kind of defined role. Is there a certain guy you wanna free up in the slot? Do you want to run everything from the point or half wall? Is everything playing on their preferred side? Do you want a net-front guy?

Seems like they are just hoping it works given their talent.
- jmatchett383

That's what it has seemed like to me in the first two games the 1st unit was intact and attempting PP's....still very, very early though, of course...

I would be concerned with it. The power play isn't always as simple as "put your 5 best offensive players out there and tell them to score." There needs to be a solid mesh and cohesion, and there needs to be a method of execution. Now, if they're creating chances and good controlled entries and the pucks just aren't bouncing their way, then so be it. But if there doesn't seem to be much of anything past just wheeling the puck around and hoping their teammate can come up with something, that's an issue that needs to be corrected ASAP.
- jmatchett383

To me, it's more on the coaching scheme and less on the players. Players can be taught, but when I watch the Pens PP vs. other PPs in the league (Edmonton or TBL for instnace), I see no option A, B, or C and that's where I think the Pens have an issue.

So Smith, Pitlick and a few others have been called back up.....isnt there a rule now that if they dont play a certain number of games with big club they can be sent down without waivers?...


...or did I dream that?
- MattStrat

Per Haase:

Players who clear waivers can play up to 10 games or spend up to 30 days on the active NHL roster in-season before they would need to clear waivers again to be sent back to the AHL. That gives any player who clears waivers has the flexibility to be recalled and re-assigned as needed during the season, provided they do not reach those limits.

Sid, Geno, Tanger, EK, Petts, Graves, Rak, Rust and many more opening nighters are not playing tonight....

That's my point. It's not always as simple as "Pick your 5 best offensive players and throw them out there." They all have to have a skillset that compliments each other, and each player has to have some kind of defined role. Is there a certain guy you wanna free up in the slot? Do you want to run everything from the point or half wall? Is everything playing on their preferred side? Do you want a net-front guy?

Seems like they are just hoping it works given their talent.
- jmatchett383

So you're saying they should put Jeff Carter in front of the net on the top PP.

Per Haase:

Players who clear waivers can play up to 10 games or spend up to 30 days on the active NHL roster in-season before they would need to clear waivers again to be sent back to the AHL. That gives any player who clears waivers has the flexibility to be recalled and re-assigned as needed during the season, provided they do not reach those limits.
- Tojo.

Thanks.

Sid, Geno, Tanger, EK, Petts, Graves, Rak, Rust and many more opening nighters are not playing tonight....
- MattStrat

They recalled those guys for a reason. Last chance for most of these guys to make an impression on the coaching staff before being sent down.

So you're saying they should put Jeff Carter in front of the net on the top PP.
- Tojo.

Actually, on PP2...yes.

Edit: On PP2, I'm not opposed to trying it. Not saying yes absolutely.

PP has sucked for a while. Adding another all star isn't gonna magically fix it if there is no plan.

So far EK has been as advertised. He's a great skater and made some sneaky passes that caught guys off guard. His breakouts and patience with the puck is a welcome sight too.

Both new pairs still need some time to adjust. More so Graves and Tanger from what I've seen.

Thoughts on Smith? He's not as visible in the offensive zone as the guy he replaced.

I really hope Geno was taking it easy in Halifax cause he looked a lot older/slower.

PP has sucked for a while. Adding another all star isn't gonna magically fix it if there is no plan.

So far EK has been as advertised. He's a great skater and made some sneaky passes that caught guys off guard. His breakouts and patience with the puck is a welcome sight too.

Both new pairs still need some time to adjust. More so Graves and Tanger from what I've seen.

Thoughts on Smith? He's not as visible in the offensive zone as the guy he replaced.

I really hope Geno was taking it easy in Halifax cause he looked a lot older/slower.
- Thorny87

He's proven he can get the job done, but he and Malkin are not on the same page yet.

After the year Zucker had it's a gamble that he'll exactly replace him. Zucker's puck pursuit game was a perfect compliment to Geno. Of course there were concerns Zucker would be healthy again ...

He's proven he can get the job done, but he and Malkin are not on the same page yet.

After the year Zucker had it's a gamble that he'll exactly replace him. Zucker's puck pursuit game was a perfect compliment to Geno. Of course there were concerns Zucker would be healthy again ...
- Tojo.

Yeah. From what I've heard Smith has been a pretty consistent scorer. I haven't watched a lot of Knights games.

I was just hoping for a little more jam in his game then I've seen so far. Still early and hopefully he can adjust to Genos playing style.

Yeah. From what I've heard Smith has been a pretty consistent scorer. I haven't watched a lot of Knights games.

I was just hoping for a little more jam in his game then I've seen so far. Still early and hopefully he can adjust to Genos playing style.
- Thorny87

Geno likes to play off the rush, and Smith scores a boat load of his goals off the rush and rebounds, I think it'll be a great match once they figure each other out.

I'm not renewing ESPN+ until the season starts -- paying to watch Rem Pitlick is not on my agenda -- so I'll rely on you guys to post about how the AHL guys are doing.

I'm not renewing ESPN+ until the season starts -- paying to watch Rem Pitlick is not on my agenda -- so I'll rely on you guys to post about how the AHL guys are doing.
- MickV

It starts in a week so you might as well, but you aren't missing anything tonight.
Rem Pitlick-Radim Zohorna-Alex Nylander
Austin Wagner-Colin White-Vinnie Hinostroza
Jansen Harkins-Sam Poulin-Valtteri Puustinen
Andreas Johnsson-Joona Koppanen-Avery Hayes

I'm going to keep an eye on the 3rd line. Harkens is relatively unkown so I'd like to see what he can do.