I think Malkin’s time as the 2C is over. If Bunting and Rakell are your 2nd line wingers, there needs to be a new center with Malkin dropping to 3C with OConnor. I have no idea who could be available as a 2C, but the 2nd line needs some life
- drummer829

Or move Malkin to Sid's wing and find a new 2C. Preferably a right shot for the PP.

Or move Malkin to Sid's wing and find a new 2C. Preferably a right shot for the PP.
- Tojo.

They should make that Geno move now and let us enjoy some consistent scoring.

Need a new 2C? Team is boring and doesn’t have enough spunk/life/personality?

Zegras baby.

Need a new 2C? Team is boring and doesn’t have enough spunk/life/personality?

Zegras baby.
- Victoro311

Only way Id take Zegras was if it was something like:

Karlsson & Jarry for Zegras & Gibson. The most valuable piece of that trade being the extra cap space we would get. I just have zero interest in Zegras unless he is coming ultra cheap.

Or move Malkin to Sid's wing and find a new 2C. Preferably a right shot for the PP.
- Tojo.

They did that for about a period in the WSH game and it was a disaster. I'm not against giving it another try, but I'm also not sure how well that works these days.

Graves and EK should never be on the ice together. Really more of a comment on Graves. Man is he bad. If I had to drag Dubas over one move last summer, it would be signing him. I think we're stuck with him for the foreseeable future.

I think the team as a whole has checked out defensively. They'll still work at trying to score goals, but as soon as the puck is turned over, there's a half second delay at playing defense. It's almost like they say "what's the point". While they're probably right in thinking that, it's really stark against fast teams.

Another thing I was thinking about last night.... They need to get EK back on the PP. Work on it for next year.
- madmike71

The Pens have gone back to their pond hockey ways. Sullivan did call out the defense after the game last night. I doubt any more will come of it but who knows.

A while ago I said Graves is the coach's problem. They've done nothing to force this into a Dubas' problem. He's still getting 19-20 minutes a night. All the while Joseph and Ludvig get 11-12. I assume Rierdon has complete control over the defense. If he does, Sullivan needs to act like the head coach and tell him to play Joseph and Ludvig more and Graves less or I will. The I being Sullivan.

They did that for about a period in the WSH game and it was a disaster. I'm not against giving it another try, but I'm also not sure how well that works these days.
- MickV

It's a fair point. I don't think Malkin has the juice left to keep playing center.

The Pens have gone back to their pond hockey ways. Sullivan did call out the defense after the game last night. I doubt any more will come of it but who knows.

A while ago I said Graves is the coach's problem. They've done nothing to force this into a Dubas' problem. He's still getting 19-20 minutes a night. All the while Joseph and Ludvig get 11-12. I assume Rierdon has complete control over the defense. If he does, Sullivan needs to act like the head coach and tell him to play Joseph and Ludvig more and Graves less or I will. The I being Sullivan.
- Thunderbolt

I don't expect Sully to do a significant systematic overhaul at this point, but he needs to reassess how the Pens play in the offseason. They're getting destroyed by faster teams. They're not even competitive against them. Watching teams like Jersey, Oilers, Carolina, etc "Harlem Globetrotter" them is getting old.

Need a new 2C? Team is boring and doesn’t have enough spunk/life/personality?

Zegras baby.
- Victoro311

But Zegras isn’t spunky or have personality. He’s good at stick tricks and sucks at hockey.

But Zegras isn’t spunky or have personality. He’s good at stick tricks and sucks at hockey.
- Grinder47

Also he's a huge bumhole

It's a fair point. I don't think Malkin has the juice left to keep playing center.
- Tojo.

The problem is that Sully wants everyone to play like it’s a sprint to the finish line and Malkin gets the light version of those wingers and that’s just not how Malkin plays.

I don't expect Sully to do a significant systematic overhaul at this point, but he needs to reassess how the Pens play in the offseason. They're getting destroyed by faster teams. They're not even competitive against them. Watching teams like Jersey, Oilers, Carolina, etc "Harlem Globetrotter" them is getting old.
- madmike71

No need to change the system, just the usage of the players in the system. As long as Sullivan's playing Player A 20 minutes and Player B 12 minutes one can only conclude player A is doing a better job.

This isn't rocket science, reward the guy who deserves it, bench the guy who doesn't.

No need to change the system, just the usage of the players in the system. As long as Sullivan's playing Player A 20 minutes and Player B 12 minutes one can only conclude player A is doing a better job.

This isn't rocket science, reward the guy who deserves it, bench the guy who doesn't.
- Thunderbolt

So false. The system sucks. Even Sid is looking fatigued. So many lost chances off the rush that lead directly to the opposition going the other way. Meaning racing up and down the ice constantly. Get back to a cycle game. Since Buntings been on Geno’s line they’ve been cycling a lot more. Eller line has been working the cycle. You know why I use the cycle? Because I play against guys 10 years younger than me and I’m smarter than them. This Karlson pump take to an 80 ft pass bullpoop is killing the team. Play as a 5 man unit. Sid could play forever that way. Helps Malkin too. Ok enough seriousness for one day.

100%, I feel the same way about Geno and Letang, only caveat is IF they want to retire a Penguin, if they want to go chase a cup somewhere else too, I'm cool with that. All 3 of those guys have earned their choices IMO. I also have no problem with the Penguins trying to keep them "competitive" until they retire, because looking at the Sabres, and even the Oilers -- no rebuild is guaranteed so I'd rather enjoy 87, 71, 58 until they retire and then rebuild after.
- j.boyd919

For sure! They can choose where they wanna go or if they wanna stay.

So false. The system sucks. Even Sid is looking fatigued. So many lost chances off the rush that lead directly to the opposition going the other way. Meaning racing up and down the ice constantly. Get back to a cycle game. Since Buntings been on Geno’s line they’ve been cycling a lot more. Eller line has been working the cycle. You know why I use the cycle? Because I play against guys 10 years younger than me and I’m smarter than them. This Karlson pump take to an 80 ft pass bullpoop is killing the team. Play as a 5 man unit. Sid could play forever that way. Helps Malkin too. Ok enough seriousness for one day.
- Grinder47

Yeah, man. I agree with what you're saying but I also think you both can be right here....system sucks (for the personnel at hand) AND not giving the guys playing the best more minutes haha

So false. The system sucks. Even Sid is looking fatigued. So many lost chances off the rush that lead directly to the opposition going the other way. Meaning racing up and down the ice constantly. Get back to a cycle game. Since Buntings been on Geno’s line they’ve been cycling a lot more. Eller line has been working the cycle. You know why I use the cycle? Because I play against guys 10 years younger than me and I’m smarter than them. This Karlson pump take to an 80 ft pass bullpoop is killing the team. Play as a 5 man unit. Sid could play forever that way. Helps Malkin too. Ok enough seriousness for one day.
- Grinder47

That's a good take buddy. We need some changes. We look tired every fn game. Age caught us too.

IMO, Sullivan has lost the room. Any system changes he makes is going to fall on deaf ears. Besides his ego isn't going to allow him to admit he is wrong.

Sullivan called out the defense last game. I might add, it's a problem that has existed for some time now, yet he was upset enough to finally call his team out. I am anxious to see how he addresses this problem.

Yeah, man. I agree with what you're saying but I also think you both can be right here....system sucks (for the personnel at hand) AND not giving the guys playing the best more minutes haha
- MattStrat

I agree, can't pinpoint just one thing, our problems are many right now. The dominant top line is gone. The goaltending has really slipped along with stronger defensive play. Depth scoring remains an issue. Coaching like the players are 5 years younger than they are is an issue. PP continues to be a major issues, but we're far from fix that and this is a playoff team right now.

IMO, Sullivan has lost the room. Any system changes he makes is going to fall on deaf ears. Besides his ego isn't going to allow him to admit he is wrong.

Sullivan called out the defense last game. I might add, it's a problem that has existed for some time now, yet he was upset enough to finally call his team out. I am anxious to see how he addresses this problem.
- Thunderbolt

I don't think that's right. I think they're all comfortable. Nothing worse than a comfortable sports team. They're stagnant. Changing messages and the messenger is 100% mandatory when a team repeatedly under-achieves. The Penguins, since Bylsma, have been way to slow to react to the obvious. The owner coming from Boston is the worst thing that could have happened.

Yeah, it's just entertainment. I've seen them win 5 cups. This year's team was never going to win a cup, could've at best made the playoffs and won a round if they got lucky.

Overall, even though they've stunk it up a times, I've still enjoyed watching them this year.
- MickV

Carters ability to make the most out of his minimal offensive opportunities has been great to watch. Sid and Letang never disappoint, I enjoy Harkins game. Really like to see him get the same opportunities DOC gets for some in godly reason. Faster, better puck skills, better offensive instincts.

I agree, can't pinpoint just one thing, our problems are many right now. The dominant top line is gone. The goaltending has really slipped along with stronger defensive play. Depth scoring remains an issue. Coaching like the players are 5 years younger than they are is an issue. PP continues to be a major issues, but we're far from fix that and this is a playoff team right now.
- Tojo.

Yup. Lots of issues but the fact remains that most of what you listed above would at least be looked at, and maybe remedied with new coaching staff.

I hope that Dubas backing of Sully is just lip service but I think Mike is right, new ownership loves their hometown boy.

I don't think that's right. I think they're all comfortable. Nothing worse than a comfortable sports team. They're stagnant. Changing messages and the messenger is 100% mandatory when a team repeatedly under-achieves. The Penguins, since Bylsma, have been way to slow to react to the obvious. The owner coming from Boston is the worst thing that could have happened.
- madmike71

I agree I don't think he's lost the room. And that if anything they're too blind to their own problems. Maybe that last part is changing, Sid looks like he's finally realized what bad shape they are in.

Interesting note from Friedman:

Apparently Dubas went to see Guentzel at home to tell him in person about the trade.

I thought the penguins played ALOT better with zahorna in the lineup. As of now I would at least look for a call up? It definitly couldn't hurt anything?
- jb55

The Pens can only make one recall the rest of the season outside of injury replacements. I wouldn't expect them to call anyone up unless they feel they really deserve a look.

Zahirna started out great, but he faded real quick. I imagine there's a good chance he's non tendered. Although they will need bodies in WBS as they'll have even less forward prospects than this year.

Interesting note from Friedman:

Apparently Dubas went to see Guentzel at home to tell him in person about the trade.
- BINGO!

...where they also had a gentleman's handshake about him coming back in the offseason


Jokes aside, that is a classy move.