Ryan Wilson: Qu'est-ce que c'est Qu'est-ce que c'est

Good blog Ryan, and sadly sad but true... currently it doesn't look too good for our squad.

Malkin looked disinterested last night at times. 2 terrible penalties and a pathetic shoot out attempt.

Well they're a respectable 2-1-1 after 4... With alot of room to improve. I'll take that. I thought they had a great 1st and strong 3rd last night. The 2nd was one of the worst periods of Pens hockey I've ever seen in my life and that's where they lost the game.

Just give credit where credit is due. For you possession monkeys JMFJ was our best then good on him. Make it sound like the guy can't play hockey because you hate his contract!

Got beat by the better team even if they have less good players - which was a stupid comment! It's going to happen againthrough the season where the hungrier better team wins. Pens can do something this season but it still going to be another roller coaster.

JMFJ is never going to get credit when he plays well.

JMFJ is never going to get credit when he plays well.
- madmike71

He was definitely one of the Pens better dmen last night.

I just don’t know what this team’s issue is in general.

I don’t think this is a roster issue or jumbled lines to fix.

There’s just this systematic problem that keeps leading the Pens to be chasing rather than dictating.

I just don’t know what this team’s issue is in general.
- Rinosaur

Age.

Our stars getting older (some have seen their prime) and we don't get the young ELC-talents you see around the league.

Age.

Our stars getting older (some have seen their prime) and we don't get the young ELC-talents you see around the league.
- VeryModernMan

Guentzel, Rust, Riikola, Simon, Sprong.

Maatta and Dumo are still pretty young.

Pens have a good age balance right now.

Age.

Our stars getting older (some have seen their prime) and we don't get the young ELC-talents you see around the league.
- VeryModernMan

I think it's a long season & the core doesn't have interest in having to play near their top every game. It's been a pattern for a few years. If they play like this at the end of the 82 games leading into the playoffs then it's because their place is solid. They can turn it on when they need to ie: playoffs.

As long as they stay near where they need to be you will see this type of result repeat itself. Its nothing to worry too much about. It's just frustrating as a fan.

At least the Caps think the Pens are still the team to beat. If you haven't seen the quotes from Lars Eller after the Toronto loss go read what he said. I can't link it I'm at work & need to get off my phone!!!!

He was definitely one of the Pens better dmen last night.
- Rinosaur

Absolutely he was..........but we don't want to kill the narrative. Beyond dmen, he was one of our best players last night.

Absolutely he was..........but we don't want to kill the narrative. Beyond dmen, he was one of our best players last night.
- madmike71

Agreed.

I just don’t know what this team’s issue is in general.

I don’t think this is a roster issue or jumbled lines to fix.

There’s just this systematic problem that keeps leading the Pens to be chasing rather than dictating.
- Rinosaur

I don't see the necessary desire from a good portion of our roster. I don't think it's an age issue but we aren't beating anyone to the puck and Sullivan's system is reliant upon beating the other team to the puck.

Two random notes... I hate to judge anybody after 4 games but I think father time had caught up with dad. I thought he looked good in preseason, but he's not fast enough to keep up in the modern day NHL. Two.....Brassard looked terrible at wing.

I don't see the necessary desire from a good portion of our roster. I don't think it's an age issue but we aren't beating anyone to the puck and Sullivan's system is reliant upon beating the other team to the puck.

Two random notes... I hate to judge anybody after 4 games but I think father time had caught up with dad. I thought he looked good in preseason, but he's not fast enough to keep up in the modern day NHL. Two.....Brassard looked terrible at wing.
- madmike71

Dad?

EDIT: Duh, you mean Cullen. My bad. I'm hungover today lol

I really wish the Pens would have held on to Sheary. I think him on the bottom six would be really good right now.

This isn't hindsight either, I wanted the Pens to hold on to him.

I don't see the necessary desire from a good portion of our roster. I don't think it's an age issue but we aren't beating anyone to the puck and Sullivan's system is reliant upon beating the other team to the puck.

Two random notes... I hate to judge anybody after 4 games but I think father time had caught up with dad. I thought he looked good in preseason, but he's not fast enough to keep up in the modern day NHL. Two.....Brassard looked terrible at wing.
- madmike71

Agreed. He’s looked slow. And he’s out of position a lot. ZAR should get a call up to replace him.

Agreed. He’s looked slow. And he’s out of position a lot. ZAR should get a call up to replace him.
- Thorny87

ZAR had a really mediocre preseason and I'm sure he's still playing a bit cautious after the injury. I don't think he should get called up until he's really back playing to his previous level.

That being said? I don't think it would hurt, but I feel like Cullen is probably one of the last people that gets scratched.

If Sully wants to send a message he needs to bench someone more prominent in the lineup.

As much as I didn’t like Johnson’s contract, and still don’t, he hasn’t been our worst Dman in any of the games yet. He’s been fine. Furthermore I don’t think there is anyone showing more effort than he is through 4 games. Really the only one consistently taking the body and moving players off the puck.

If Maatta has to play with a good player to be a good player, then he isn’t a good player. He’s looked awful to me and don’t think he deserves to be in the lineup with these efforts so far.

I’m tired of Hagelin already playing with 2 of the best offensive players in the league and he can only put up .25 points per game.

Would be nice to see Brassard wake up and get what everyone said we were getting in him.

As much as I didn’t like Johnson’s contract, and still don’t, he hasn’t been our worst Dman in any of the games yet. He’s been fine. Furthermore I don’t think there is anyone showing more effort than he is through 4 games. Really the only one consistently taking the body and moving players off the puck.

If Maatta has to play with a good player to be a good player, then he isn’t a good player. He’s looked awful to me and don’t think he deserves to be in the lineup with these efforts so far.

I’m tired of Hagelin already playing with 2 of the best offensive players in the league and he can only put up .25 points per game.

Would be nice to see Brassard wake up and get what everyone said we were getting in him.
- pens4life-66

I feel a lot like you do. The bigger concern should be why isn't Maatta taking the next step in his development rather than why is Johnson playing decent hockey.

I had Gibson and Hellebyuck all week and neither are starting today...

Got to say I was quietly confident heading into today's games i might sneak a win of the whole division. That came crashing down pretty quick! Still top 3 I think. I was winning it last night.

I just don’t know what this team’s issue is in general.

I don’t think this is a roster issue or jumbled lines to fix.

There’s just this systematic problem that keeps leading the Pens to be chasing rather than dictating.
- Rinosaur

I believe it is a roster issue.

I believe it is a roster issue.
- j.boyd919

What do you feel are the roster issues are?

What do you feel are the roster issues are?
- Rinosaur

Maatta sucks