Ryan Wilson: Lightning In A Bottle Lightning In A Bottle

TRADE SUTTER!!!!!!!111ONE!!!

Farnham is like a more bumhole version of Joe Vitale. If he had a little skill I'd like him more, but as a fourth line energy guy, I like him better than guys like Sill or Glass (I know, low bar).

Like Vitale though, I'm wondering if he can keep his motor running like it is now for long. Vitale always had a couple great games after being sat, then disappeared.
- rival22


Yes he def can and will keep that motor running. He has built a very loyal fan base in WBS. He tends to put a lot of butts in seats which the team needs.

The kid is all heart to a fault. He won't back down from anyone, and I mean anyone even if he knows he doesn't stand a chance.

He can fight a little but not all too well. Everytime he steps on the ice you pretty much know he is there either from the other team getting annoyed or p.o.'d or from the fan reaction.

He has worked on his penalties a bit. The last couple of seasons he took a lot of bad penalties due to losing his temper, such as reactionary penalties and obviously as an instigator who already takes on a lot of penalty time the refs were always watching him which made it easier for him to get nailed with calls. This season that has slowed down quite a bit. He still gets called a lot but not like he was for hot headed nonsense.

Believe it or not he does have hockey smarts. I was surprised to find out he is a Brown University Alum so he is smart. He has good play making vision, knows how to read the other team. Knows where to place himself etc. He is just a little short on natural talent. As long as he keeps his temper in check he can be pretty productive for his roll and will def. provide energy, draw penalties, stir things up, get under some skin, and go to battle.

Gap control on Stamkos was really impressive last night. Limiting him once he got into the neutral, forcing his hand, I thought there was a clear game plan set in place and executed properly.

Dumo, Despres, Letang had great nights. Martin and Ehrhoff, even when they don't look great, they are doing all the right things. Scuds not. a. fan.

I love the way Rust plays the game. Head is up, eyes always reading the play. I know his ceiling isn't too high, but he has NHL abilities. Let's see how long he lasts.

Ryan Wilson: Lightning In A Bottle
Lightning In A Bottle
- Ryan_Wilson

Dog is pleased by this

We should never see Sill don a Pens jersey again unless another major wave of injuries hit. We've seen there are better options down there. I know its only a few games, but these other guys have show me more in a small sample of games than Sill has shown in his larger sample.

Perhaps the Pens do indeed keep Malkin w/Sutter and go after a 3rd line center. I'm warming up to the idea. Would certainly cost less than acquiring a top 6 guy. Perhaps a fallback plan if that top 6 guy cant be had for the right price.

And no I don't think Goc is a 3rd line center option. He's fine for 4th line center. A Cup team needs a better 3rd line C option.

Looked like sutter was matched up against 91 most of the night and held him to 1 shot. Maybe he is suited in a defensive role. Just with linemates who can help turn that into offensive opportunities?

Looked like sutter was matched up against 91 most of the night and held him to 1 shot. Maybe he is suited in a defensive role. Just with linemates who can help turn that into offensive opportunities?
- dbell646

I don't see the traditional defensive third line center in him, but he has a nice balance to his game now. I see the staff comfortable with him against those players because of his length (reach) and his speed. He is definitely closer (Style-wise) to a traditional 2nd line center than a traditional 3rd line center.

Gap control on Stamkos was really impressive last night. Limiting him once he got into the neutral, forcing his hand, I thought there was a clear game plan set in place and executed properly.

Dumo, Despres, Letang had great nights. Martin and Ehrhoff, even when they don't look great, they are doing all the right things. Scuds not. a. fan.

I love the way Rust plays the game. Head is up, eyes always reading the play. I know his ceiling isn't too high, but he has NHL abilities. Let's see how long he lasts.
- usethe1-2-2

Agree with everything here. I loved how they handled Stamkos last night. Overall they made him look like a normal player. Not easy to do.

Love Despres's game. He's playing some great hockey. I would never consider trading this guy. Big, physical and fast. If he could just eliminate the occasional brain cramp, he's got top 4 written all over him.

I don't see the traditional defensive third line center in him, but he has a nice balance to his game now. I see the staff comfortable with him against those players because of his length (reach) and his speed. He is definitely closer (Style-wise) to a traditional 2nd line center than a traditional 3rd line center.
- usethe1-2-2

I agree. That may be what ultimately makes him expendable though. The 2 top centers are not in questionon this team. Obviously. Goc can play 3C in a more defensive shutdown style than Sutter. Sundqvist and a few others are progressing nicely as far as center is concerned.

I like Sutter. No issue with keeping him and riding things out. Still, the thought of upgrading at another spot---top6 is good intriguing.

Looked like sutter was matched up against 91 most of the night and held him to 1 shot. Maybe he is suited in a defensive role. Just with linemates who can help turn that into offensive opportunities?
- dbell646

Yep, that was going to be my comment. He's more than capable of shutting down opposing teams in two different ways - by playing tight defense on opposing centers, or by possessing the puck if he's playing with good linemates.

The traditional notion of the Guy Carboneau style third line checking center is passé at this point. It's a top 9 league.

I'd prefer that he stay with Malkin, partly to keep Malkin out of the faceoff circle, though for some reason they let him take a bunch of draws last night even with Sutter on his line. I get the idea that it's easier to win on the strong side, bu Malkin is so poor in this area that it's not worth flipping them given the side. 23% last night.

Yep, that was going to be my comment. He's more than capable of shutting down opposing teams in two different ways - by playing tight defense on opposing centers, or by possessing the puck if he's playing with good linemates.

The traditional notion of the Guy Carboneau style third line checking center is passé at this point. It's a top 9 league.

I'd prefer that he stay with Malkin, partly to keep Malkin out of the faceoff circle, though for some reason they let him take a bunch of draws last night even with Sutter on his line. I get the idea that it's easier to win on the strong side, bu Malkin is so poor in this area that it's not worth flipping them given the side. 23% last night.
- hardnosed

Not sure on the piece. It was a great effort last night by the entire team. What confuses me is how they all raise their compete level with a depleted line up but then don't show up at times when healthy. I know it's impossible to play like that for an entire season but still leaves me scratching my head at times

Oh, and Ebbett now has as many points as Goc on the season.

If they're keeping Sutter up on the 2nd, they're going to need a legit third line center.

Vermette. Do it.

I wonder out of Dumoulin-Despres-Pouliot-Harrington that the team sees as expendable... Looks like Domoulin is settling in and could have spot in top 6 easily. I would rather have him in there than Bortz. Bortz is a solid bottom pairing and I love the guy but I think Dumoulins ceiling is much higher. Maybe we see him packaged in a deal. Despres I don't think goes anywhere, for good reason. It's not everyday that a team trades their former #8 pick dman in the draft that is also leading the AHL team in scoring.. but depending on what the return it may be possible, although I see him as a future clone of Letang. Harrington I'm not too sure on just yet, I'd love for him to get a chance like Dumoulin to get his feet wet in the big leagues.

Pouliot +2nd+ BB for Hall?


Also scudz again proves he is a solid bottom pair defensively, and a great mentor to the young D. He broke up a lot of plays last night, yes he makes a lot but then so does spaling and at this point I feel like scuderi has played much better

Agree with everything here.

Love Despres's game. He's playing some great hockey. I would never consider trading this guy. Big, physical and fast. If he could just eliminate the occasional brain cramp, he's got top 4 written all over him.
- madmike71

I noticed he tends to panic a little bit with the puck in his own end leading to turnovers. That and too many penalties. He is still young but is progressing nicely imo. Definitely a keeper.

Pouliot +2nd+ BB for Hall?

- znagle

I don't think Pouliot is what EDM needs, BB's value is super low right now due to injuries, and 2nd round pick is not enough.

The Oilers probably aren't going to trade Hall, but if they do, the Penguins won't match that package.

Two mid level prospects (none of the core D) and a pick for Vermette.

Kunitz/Crosby/Hornqvist - Malkin/Sutter/Comeau - Bennett/Vermette/Downie - Spaling/Goc/Adams. All set.

Not sure on the piece. It was a great effort last night by the entire team. What confuses me is how they all raise their compete level with a depleted line up but then don't show up at times when healthy. I know it's impossible to play like that for an entire season but still leaves me scratching my head at times
- dbell646

IMO.....I think the vets realize they can't take the night off when so many young guys are in the lineup while the young guys are doing everything they can to be noticeable and prove they belong. It's a good combination.

double post

Not sure on the piece. It was a great effort last night by the entire team. What confuses me is how they all raise their compete level with a depleted line up but then don't show up at times when healthy. I know it's impossible to play like that for an entire season but still leaves me scratching my head at times
- dbell646

They did look out of sorts a lot last night but the effort was definitely there. Pens did get lucky with the two fluky goals but sometimes its better to be lucky than good. I think the W is on MAF's shoulders. He was outstanding.

I don't think Pouliot is what EDM needs, BB's value is super low right now due to injuries, and 2nd round pick is not enough.

The Oilers probably aren't going to trade Hall, but if they do, the Penguins won't match that package.

Two mid level prospects (none of the core D) and a pick for Vermette.

Kunitz/Crosby/Hornqvist - Malkin/Sutter/Comeau - Bennett/Vermette/Downie - Spaling/Goc/Adams. All set.
- hardnosed

I think pouliot is untouchable tbh. He's not a problem off the ice, former 8th pick, CHL defense man on the year, leads WBS in scoring as a dman and he's only 20. He'll be in the NHL next year.

By the end of next year pouliot for hall straight up will probably have us pens fans on the fence of doing it. This kid is going to be great. BTW Pouliot and Letang are the same size

I think pouliot is untouchable tbh. He's not a problem off the ice, former 8th pick, CHL defense man on the year, leads WBS in scoring as a dman and he's only 20. He'll be in the NHL next year.

By the end of next year pouliot for hall straight up will probably have us pens fans on the fence of doing it. This kid is going to be great. BTW Pouliot and Letang are the same size
- znagle

That's a little misleading since Sill has spent so much time here

I think pouliot is untouchable tbh. He's not a problem off the ice, former 8th pick, CHL defense man on the year, leads WBS in scoring as a dman and he's only 20. He'll be in the NHL next year.

By the end of next year pouliot for hall straight up will probably have us pens fans on the fence of doing it. This kid is going to be great. BTW Pouliot and Letang are the same size
- znagle

Whats scary is that Pouliot also didn't join WBS until a month or so into the season due to his injury and as a rookie d-man has already taken the point lead.

Is this how bad the WBS squad is or how good Pouliot is?

Whats scary is that Pouliot also didn't join WBS until a month or so into the season due to his injury and as a rookie d-man has already taken the point lead.

Is this how bad the WBS squad is or how good Pouliot is?
- Reverend Killtaker

They are 3rd in their conference, so I don't think the team is too bad, but pouliot is probably helping them a lot. Also helps that dumoulin and Harrington (2 other NHL defenseman) are there as well

Whats scary is that Pouliot also didn't join WBS until a month or so into the season due to his injury and as a rookie d-man has already taken the point lead.

Is this how bad the WBS squad is or how good Pouliot is?
- Reverend Killtaker

He puts at least 2 registered shots on goal each game, has 10 penalty minutes in 22 games and has 4 powerplay goals so far. I think it's just pouliot.. kids a stud and I'm glad we aren't rushing him into the NHL yet but instead playing dumoulin and getting him used to NHL time. Next year we could have maatta-dumoulin-harrington-puliot-despres-letang as our defense, it won't happen obviously but that just goes to show our depth at D

They are 3rd in their conference, so I don't think the team is too bad, but pouliot is probably helping them a lot. Also helps that dumoulin and Harrington (2 other NHL defenseman) are there as well
- drummer829

Chorney as well, although I think he's hurt now but I heard he was killing it with dumoulin