Ryan Wilson: Fun With Fenwick Fun With Fenwick

You lost me at fun with Fenwick. ...


Are we doing good or bad



If Maatta is back tomorrow im guessing despres is sitting..

You lost me at fun with Fenwick. ...


Are we doing good or bad



If Maatta is back tomorrow im guessing despres is sitting..
- nh4442

Maatta will not be back tomorrow

It's nice to see possession numbers up, that's a very good sign. I like the article where we learn coach Johnston wants more shots, sooner in the game to set a team back on it's heels. More shots=more goals. Nice strategy.

I was going over these possession stats the other day, for the 2008 pens to go 6 games with that Detroit team was just amazing. It was hard losing to them, but my god was that something to witness.

But yes, the possession this season has gone up and I'm hoping that it continues to trend upwards. With the roster filling out it really should start to reach the heights Johnston believes it can.

Edit* Just spitballing a bit here, but outside of Kronwall, did Detroit really have any other physical defenders on that team? Listrom, Chelios, Rafalski, I think Brad Stuart played on that team, were not overly physical if physical at all. Maybe a young Ericsson, but all I remember is they never gave you space and they could move the puck up ice in an instant.

I was going over these possession stats the other day, for the 2008 pens to go 6 games with that Detroit team was just amazing. It was hard losing to them, but my god was that something to witness.

But yes, the possession this season has gone up and I'm hoping that it continues to trend upwards. With the roster filling out it really should start to reach the heights Johnston believes it can.

Edit* Just spitballing a bit here, but outside of Kronwall, did Detroit really have any other physical defenders on that team? Listrom, Chelios, Rafalski, I think Brad Stuart played on that team, were not overly physical if physical at all. Maybe a young Ericsson, but all I remember is they never gave you space and they could move the puck up ice in an instant.
- usethe1-2-2

You don't need "physical" defenders, you need guys who have great gap control and positioning. Can players who do that also play physical? Of course, but the gap control in positioning is way more important.

Marc-Andre Fleury is the only reason that 2007-08 team went anywhere. It was his career year.

I consider the 2007-08 Red Wings team the best of the lockout era.

It's nice to see possession numbers up, that's a very good sign. I like the article where we learn coach Johnston wants more shots, sooner in the game to set a team back on it's heels. More shots=more goals. Nice strategy.
- powerhouse

From that article:

“There are definitely times where there's an opportunity to get it to the net instead of holding onto it and not having anything develop,” Crosby said. “(Johnston) has been pretty clear that he wants to see pucks toward the net and guys there.”

Isn't that a breath of fresh air... So many times in past seasons, the Pens have had "one and done" possessions. A lot of that had to do with no traffic in front. That was often a byproduct of the stretch pass. The guy tipping the stretch pass to a forward in the neutral zone was flat footed and facing the wrong direction. Even if both other forwards were coming with speed, it still ended up with a two man rush because that other guy was a few steps behind. And the defensemen were even further behind because they passed the puck from so deep in their end.

Now, with the team entering the zone closer together, you have the puck support to give the puck carrier options with at least 3 other guys quickly in the zone, but we also have more guys to go to the net. Now there are more chances for rebounds, screens, tips, etc. You get "better" shots, but also have a better chance of retaining possession.

I've also noted that it seems line the Pens defensemen pinch more this season, but the forwards have done a great job of rotating back. It looks so seamless most of the time.

From that article:

Isn't that a breath of fresh air... So many times in past seasons, the Pens have had "one and done" possessions. A lot of that had to do with no traffic in front. That was often a byproduct of the stretch pass. The guy tipping the stretch pass to a forward in the neutral zone was flat footed and facing the wrong direction. Even if both other forwards were coming with speed, it still ended up with a two man rush because that other guy was a few steps behind. And the defensemen were even further behind because they passed the puck from so deep in their end.

Now, with the team entering the zone closer together, you have the puck support to give the puck carrier options with at least 3 other guys quickly in the zone, but we also have more guys to go to the net. Now there are more chances for rebounds, screens, tips, etc. You get "better" shots, but also have a better chance of retaining possession.

I've also noted that it seems line the Pens defensemen pinch more this season, but the forwards have done a great job of rotating back. It looks so seamless most of the time.
- rival22

Yes, we have been begging for a net front presence with hands for years. We hoped first Staal would be that guy. But he just didn't know what to do and didn't have the hands for it. Kunitz has really been the only one consistent in that position till Hornqvist.

Yes, we have been begging for a net front presence with hands for years. We hoped first Staal would be that guy. But he just didn't know what to do and didn't have the hands for it. Kunitz has really been the only one consistent in that position till Hornqvist.
- powerhouse

Hornqvist in traffic reminds me of Iginla... In the smallest of space, they both have that ability to get their stick available, and to quickly get a shot off. Hornqvist doesn't have as good of a shot as Iginla, but if you can quickly get a shot off in a crowd, you don't need the best shot in the world.

You don't need "physical" defenders, you need guys who have great gap control and positioning. Can players who do that also play physical? Of course, but the gap control in positioning is way more important.

Marc-Andre Fleury is the only reason that 2007-08 team went anywhere. It was his career year.

I consider the 2007-08 Red Wings team the best of the lockout era.
- Ryan_Wilson

I love Kromwall. The dude can do it all, skate, pass, shoot, drop bodies. I hope Despress can become like a cheap version of him.

I love Kromwall. The dude can do it all, skate, pass, shoot, drop bodies. I hope Despress can become like a cheap version of him.
- sammy87

That's the thing, people think Kronwall is a hitter first. He is a terrific all around defender and hitting is part of that.

That's why Despres has a chance to be a good 4th defender. His size and skating ability, mixed with physicality is really important.

That's the thing, people think Kronwall is a hitter first. He is a terrific all around defender and hitting is part of that.

That's why Despres has a chance to be a good 4th defender. His size and skating ability, mixed with physicality is really important.
- usethe1-2-2

Yeah did you see the play he had to tie it up vs the Pens a few weeks ago? Or was it the GW goal?

On top of that, he wrecks people. That is something that makes me critical of Martin. He plays really well, but there isnt much physicality to his game.

Yeah did you see the play he had to tie it up vs the Pens a few weeks ago? Or was it the GW goal?

On top of that, he wrecks people. That is something that makes me critical of Martin. He plays really well, but there isnt much physicality to his game.
- sammy87

You can be critical that he isn't physical, but he does his job at a level that critique just seems petty. It's like when people complain Crosby didn't have a point in the last game. He is bound to go a few games without a point.

If Martin were a lesser defender, in that his positioning and stickwork were halved, then he would have to be physical, but in all reality physicallity isn't needed when you are still shutting people down.

I don't know what is funnier, EK saying Pittsburgh is in on Richards or EK saying the Flyers are in on Richards.

I don't know what is funnier, EK saying Pittsburgh is in on Richards or EK saying the Flyers are in on Richards.
- usethe1-2-2

At least that ensure we wont get him. That would be a awful....just terribly awful.

I don't know what is funnier, EK saying Pittsburgh is in on Richards or EK saying the Flyers are in on Richards.
- usethe1-2-2

yea i mean martin for richards would be a thought but we need martin more than we need another center and we need martin to fetch a winger for geno if were moving him or at least a piece that will help bring in a winger for geno

Richards is locked up for 5.7 for like 5 more years. No GM is taking that on.

You can be critical that he isn't physical, but he does his job at a level that critique just seems petty. It's like when people complain Crosby didn't have a point in the last game. He is bound to go a few games without a point.

If Martin were a lesser defender, in that his positioning and stickwork were halved, then he would have to be physical, but in all reality physicallity isn't needed when you are still shutting people down.
- usethe1-2-2

I think Martin is very good, but once the Pens move on and other young D men prospects step up, 2 yrs from now, nobody is going to say oh I wish we still had Martin. I think most Pens fans over value him a bit.

I'd take on Richards if we could unload Scuderi to LA. I thought Sutter was playing good hockey on Malkin's line and would go with him there. Dupuis seemed to flourish with him...almost as if he knew Sutter could be the defensive guy on that line and he could snipe a little bit more.

Kunitz-Crosby-Hörnqvist
Sutter-Malkin-Dupuis

Downie-Richards-Bennett
Spaling-Goc-Comeau

DEPTH

Richards is locked up for 5.7 for like 5 more years. No GM is taking that on.
- sammy87

But according to EK it's not a horrible contract.

But according to EK it's not a horrible contract.
- acdc1206

Lolz

How can the Pens and opposition Fenwicks add up to more than 100, if the graph is in terms of percentage?

I'd take on Richards if we could unload Scuderi to LA. I thought Sutter was playing good hockey on Malkin's line and would go with him there. Dupuis seemed to flourish with him...almost as if he knew Sutter could be the defensive guy on that line and he could snipe a little bit more.

Kunitz-Crosby-Hörnqvist
Sutter-Malkin-Dupuis

Downie-Richards-Bennett
Spaling-Goc-Comeau

DEPTH
- Barnaby36

That is a really expensive third line center though. Really expensive. Plus, Scuderi's contract can't cover the Richards one and LA can't take on any more cap either. It would have to be Scuds and Spaling going to LA, not sure LA would do that though.

How can the Pens and opposition Fenwicks add up to more than 100, if the graph is in terms of percentage?
- TheGame316

It is league average, not the opposition.

That is a really expensive third line center though. Really expensive. Plus, Scuderi's contract can't cover the Richards one and LA can't take on any more cap either. It would have to be Scuds and Spaling going to LA, not sure LA would do that though.
- usethe1-2-2

Just a thought. I do believe Richards would flourish with Crosby's "leading by example" style + Dupuis/Sutter playing together (they seem to have a lot of chemistry) with Malkin.

I have no doubt we'd be a better team even though Richards contract is a bit inflated.