I think we do hahaha
The size of the forwards has been brought up to Shero and Bylsma and they both acknowledged its a bit of a concern so I would imagine they are looking into how they can upgrade. I wouldnt be shocked if they tried to trade TK or Dupuis in any deal they make in order to bolster the top 2 lines
- HopintheCordoba

Dupuis won't get traded, he has one of the best contracts in the league.

Yes I think so, you don't? You play them more than we do.
- canadianpenfan

Staal is a unique matchup problem as a 3C at both ends of the ice -- Sutter is a solid center and a credible replacement. As a fan of an opposing team, you ALWAYS notice when Staal is on the ice -- can't say the same about Sutter.

They dont need to get better though. They were a top team in the regular season with no backup goalie and Crosby playing a small part of the season. They just need to be better in a 7 game window in April
- Deadstar

Thats exactly why they werent. They got killed on the PP because of defensive breakdown and because Fleury played way more than he should have. Its not debateable. Look up the numbers. Johnson was terrible and it forced MAF in the net for too many games. Vokoun should alleviate that problem. The defense has to be better too. The offense was great. THE. BEST. LINE. IN. HOCKEY. ALL. YEAR. LONG---> Neal-Malkin-Kunitz. Defense has to be, you guessed it----BETTER

Thats exactly why they werent. They got killed on the PP because of defensive breakdown and because Fleury played way more than he should have. Its not debateable. Look up the numbers. Johnson was terrible and it forced MAF in the net for too many games. Vokoun should alleviate that problem. The defense has to be better too. The offense was great. THE. BEST. LINE. IN. HOCKEY. ALL. YEAR. LONG---> Neal-Malkin-Kunitz. Defense has to be, you guessed it----BETTER
- HopintheCordoba

Very good pickup -- they need to use him, though.

Thats exactly why they werent. They got killed on the PP because of defensive breakdown and because Fleury played way more than he should have. Its not debateable. Look up the numbers. Johnson was terrible and it forced MAF in the net for too many games. Vokoun should alleviate that problem. The defense has to be better too. The offense was great. THE. BEST. LINE. IN. HOCKEY. ALL. YEAR. LONG---> Neal-Malkin-Kunitz. Defense has to be, you guessed it----BETTER
- HopintheCordoba

Right, but the defense (not just the defensemen, forwards too) was fine by and large the whole year. They had some deficiencies show up towards the end of the year. I tend to feel it was more of an issue of timing with how the team was playing than it was a personnel or system issue. It's part of what makes winning the cup so difficult.

Staal is a unique matchup problem as a 3C at both ends of the ice -- Sutter is a solid center and a credible replacement. As a fan of an opposing team, you ALWAYS notice when Staal is on the ice -- can't say the same about Sutter.
- MadCap2008

I never said both ends of the ice, I thought that was pretty clear...

Dupuis won't get traded, he has one of the best contracts in the league.
- canadianpenfan

I agree with the contract side of it, but do you think he can replicate his numbers?
I just feel he would help bring a better haul than TK based on his numbers and I don't think he can replicate them. He had one of the best point streaks in the NHL and I love Super Duper but if he were to help get Ryan or maybe someone else then I'd be for it. Not saying it happens but teams might ask for him

wow.
- canadianpenfan

Sutter is as good of a replacement for third line center as the Pens could ask for but Staal is a star who just happened to be in that role. When Sutter is up for a Selke I will revisit my opinion of their defensive similarities.

I agree with the contract side of it, but do you think he can replicate his numbers?
I just feel he would help bring a better haul than TK based on his numbers and I don't think he can replicate them. He had one of the best point streaks in the NHL and I love Super Duper but if he were to help get Ryan or maybe someone else then I'd be for it. Not saying it happens but teams might ask for him
- HopintheCordoba

Doubtful but not impossible.

It's not like he was riding Crosby's coat tails. His ice time will go down if everyone is healthy but he's still an extrememly valuable player without the points.

Sutter is as good of a replacement for third line center as the Pens could ask for but Staal is a star who just happened to be in that role. When Sutter is up for a Selke I will revisit my opinion of their defensive similarities.
- Gunner Staal

Whatever, pretty bold to claim he does nothing better.

Right, but the defense (not just the defensemen, forwards too) was fine by and large the whole year. They had some deficiencies show up towards the end of the year. I tend to feel it was more of an issue of timing with how the team was playing than it was a personnel or system issue. It's part of what makes winning the cup so difficult.
- Deadstar

I have to respectfully disagree. Bylsma has a system in place that requires a stationary defenseman and a puck mover so that you don't have a lot of breakdowns. Philly exploited us and took advantage of their power forward and puck handling offense. I've never seen a team so good at tip-ins. Thats all they do and it killed us. We skated by with our defense in the regular season but it just wont work in the playoffs

Doubtful but not impossible.

It's not like he was riding Crosby's coat tails. His ice time will go down if everyone is healthy but he's still an extrememly valuable player without the points.
- canadianpenfan

Guy got 25 goals with no PP time to speak of and Crosby only playing 22 games or whatever he played. Dupuis will have another very good year within the realm of what he did last season.

Whatever, pretty bold to claim he does nothing better.
- canadianpenfan

What does he do better?

Edit: They are the same in the faceoff circle (Staal a tick better).

Doubtful but not impossible.

It's not like he was riding Crosby's coat tails. His ice time will go down if everyone is healthy but he's still an extremely valuable player without the points.
- canadianpenfan

I couldn't agree with you more. He is one of the best skaters on the team as well. If he skates with Sutter(assuming Crosby gets a new winger) it could be interesting to see how many SH goals they could pull down. I love what he does all around, and he's a terrific teammate too.

What does he do better?

Edit: They are the same in the faceoff circle (Staal a tick better).
- Gunner Staal

I'll wait to see him play some games in this system before I answer.

I'll wait to see him play some games in this system before I answer.
- canadianpenfan

He's gonna do great things. I don't doubt that.

I never said both ends of the ice, I thought that was pretty clear...
- canadianpenfan

I said both ends of the ice because I think pretty highly of Staal in every facet (I wish the Caps had one of his brothers so that he could have been coaxed into signing here - would have resolved the never-ending 2C problem here in DC). I'm glad to see the Pens lose him, but now we will have to see him 6 times a year.

Guy got 25 goals with no PP time to speak of and Crosby only playing 22 games or whatever he played. Dupuis will have another very good year within the realm of what he did last season.
- Gunner Staal

And the longest point streak in the league this year! I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that.

And the longest point streak in the league this year! I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that.
- canadianpenfan

Not as tough of a time as nh does!

And the longest point streak in the league this year! I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that.
- canadianpenfan

Effort and luck sometimes trumps talent

Whatever, pretty bold to claim he does nothing better.
- canadianpenfan

Be honest, prior to Staal turning down the Pens extension offer, if I had come on here and said that Sutter (without any ties to the Pens) was better defensively than Staal, what would you have said ?

Be honest, prior to Staal turning down the Pens extension offer, if I had come on here and said that Sutter (without any ties to the Pens) was better defensively than Staal, what would you have said ?
- MadCap2008

I would have said maybe. Defensive center is a hard thing to gauge if you don't watch the team play regularly. Everytime i've watched him he's been rock solid in his own end and on the PK though.

Effort and luck sometimes trumps talent

- HopintheCordoba

I'm not sure what this has to do with Dupuis, he's all world talent!

Be honest, prior to Staal turning down the Pens extension offer, if I had come on here and said that Sutter (without any ties to the Pens) was better defensively than Staal, what would you have said ?
- MadCap2008

Numbers. Don't. Lie. You're wrong.
That's what I would have said.
Staal +11
Sutter -3
However, I think Sutter can be better in the long run and it's going to be his job to be as a 3rd line Center. Staal is now the top liner for the Canes and will need to be a point producer versus a Selke nominee

I would have said maybe. Defensive center is a hard thing to gauge if you don't watch the team play regularly. Everytime i've watched him he's been rock solid in his own end and on the PK though.
- canadianpenfan

This is true.