On the day we acquired Schultz some guy on Sports Net said he was literally the worst player in the NHL. You weren't the only one. People under estimate what a new system/team, coach, surroundings can do for players. In any sport really. It happens all the time.
- madmike71

I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but it's hard to compare JJ and JS. Schultz was 24 years old and traded in the middle of his fourth NHL season. JJ has played in the NHL for 12 seasons and is 31.

Nice to see this thread slowly Pens'ting up, hope you guys are all well summer-rested, as we will have a 100+ games season ahead!

I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but it's hard to compare JJ and JS. Schultz was 24 years old and traded in the middle of his fourth NHL season. JJ has played in the NHL for 12 seasons and is 31.
- Rinosaur

That's fine. I'm going to keep a positive attitude and wait to see how it works out. I think the Daley comparison is more apt. I'm not expecting Johnson to be a Norris candidate anyway. I'm just hoping he's not the second coming of Hunwick here.

On the day we acquired Schultz some guy on Sports Net said he was literally the worst player in the NHL. You weren't the only one. People under estimate what a new system/team, coach, surroundings can do for players. In any sport really. It happens all the time.
- madmike71

Nisky sucked when he got here. He dropped a bunch of weight and really developed as a player.

Nisky sucked when he got here. He dropped a bunch of weight and really developed as a player.
- powerhouse

Its the 3rivers-water, but don't tell anybody!

Did you guys here that Sulley's dad died and he has taken a leave of absence?

https://triblive.com/spor...leave-after-fathers-death

Did you guys here that Sulley's dad died and he has taken a leave of absence?

https://triblive.com/spor...leave-after-fathers-death
- powerhouse

That's such a shame. I can only wish him and the Sullivan family the best.

That's such a shame. I can only wish him and the Sullivan family the best.
- Thrill81

Typical Pens trainings camp-begin, my condolences to the Sullivan family.

That's fine. I'm going to keep a positive attitude and wait to see how it works out. I think the Daley comparison is more apt. I'm not expecting Johnson to be a Norris candidate anyway. I'm just hoping he's not the second coming of Hunwick here.
- madmike71

I'll be pretty happy if Jack can bring what Daley brought us. I really liked his game as a 5th-6th d-man.

I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but it's hard to compare JJ and JS. Schultz was 24 years old and traded in the middle of his fourth NHL season. JJ has played in the NHL for 12 seasons and is 31.
- Rinosaur

I don’t think they’re comparable either but if what I’m saying is if Johnson ends up being good I’m gonna cook up the best tasting crow pie I can.

I'll be pretty happy if Jack can bring what Daley brought us. I really liked his game as a 5th-6th d-man.
- Barnaby36

Given the contract, he needs to be better than Daley. Daley was good his first year here and then really bad the second. Johnson has to be first year Daley for three years for that contract to break even.

Given the contract, he needs to be better than Daley. Daley was good his first year here and then really bad the second. Johnson has to be first year Daley for three years for that contract to break even.
- Victoro311

I don't agree with the "really bad" year two of Daley. The eye test didn't tell me that anyway. He had some rough games though. I believe Jack can do well for us and he will. He won't want to play bad in front of his good friend Sid.

There’s a buzz building around Riikola. We might actually be 8 defensemen deep for once which is huge.

I don't agree with the "really bad" year two of Daley. The eye test didn't tell me that anyway. He had some rough games though. I believe Jack can do well for us and he will. He won't want to play bad in front of his good friend Sid.
- Barnaby36

I don't think he was too bad his second year, but it was clear he and Maatta did not mesh at all.

I don’t think they’re comparable either but if what I’m saying is if Johnson ends up being good I’m gonna cook up the best tasting crow pie I can.
- Victoro311

Oh I know, I agree. I was replying to madmike comparing the two, which you can't. I want the Pens to win the cup and that means JJ would have to be at least decent. I want him to succeed, but my skepticism is rooted in a very large sample size, so I was just nitpicking comparing how people felt about Schultz being very similar to JJ.

There’s a buzz building around Riikola. We might actually be 8 defensemen deep for once which is huge.
- Victoro311

I've been reading that. I'm excited for the 26th ranked prospect system. lol

I know it's not a popular idea and there's plenty of reasons not to do it, but I've always been a fan of dressing seven dmen.

I've been reading that. I'm excited for the 26th ranked prospect system. lol

I know it's not a popular idea and there's plenty of reasons not to do it, but I've always been a fan of dressing seven dmen.
- Rinosaur

That’s fine to do if you have a worthless 4th liner like a Harry Z or Chuck Kobasew type but we have so much depth at forward that I think we’d lose more than we’d gain by dressing a 7th defenseman over any of our top 13 forwards. If Grant were to get called into action due to injury I’d start considering if.

That’s fine to do if you have a worthless 4th liner like a Harry Z or Chuck Kobasew type but we have so much depth at forward that I think we’d lose more than we’d gain by dressing a 7th defenseman over any of our top 13 forwards. If Grant were to get called into action due to injury I’d start considering if.
- Victoro311

I guess if I'm buying into the narrative of limiting minutes for aging dmen bringing out better play, dressing seven dmen might make them more effective.

But yeah, the Pens have too much quality forward depth, not to mention too many young players we need to see in action.

like a Harry Z or Chuck Kobasew
- Victoro311

I needed a few heart-pills after that flashback created by this names... and some might not like it, but Cullen is an improvement over Kühnhackl.

I needed a few heart-pills after that flashback created by this names... and some might not like it, but Cullen is an improvement over Kühnhackl.
- VeryModernMan

The doldrum years were a dark time. Lost a solid three to four years of Crosby & Malkin's prime to injuries and really, really bad depth.

I needed a few heart-pills after that flashback created by this names... and some might not like it, but Cullen is an improvement over Kühnhackl.
- VeryModernMan

Absolutely. Cullen is a gamer. He was better than Bonino IMO. He has my respect.