Right! I’m not exactly an old fashioned hit summmmbudy type guy, but Jesus. I don’t know if he’s trying to overcompensate for the lack of Schultz out there, but he definitely seems to be forcing the skill game at the expense of using his size
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. I'm not talking about blowing someone up. Just take the body and put a little fear into the opposition. Teams skate through our crease like it's the turnpike. Use your size, strength and leverage to shield the puck occasionally or pin a player on the boards. We already have a Chad Ruhwedel on the roster if you're going to play this way.

Pens fans are wild. ya'll wild.

I thought the Pens played a very good game. One breakout and they lost the game. Holtby made Magic out there tonight.

Jack Johnson with a strong game tonight. Perhaps his best as a Penguin? Simon was pretty tenacious too.
I really liked the EFFORT. Aston-Reese and G.Wilson brought some toughness to the 4th line. Wouldn't mind seeing them again.

As far as the column goes.... It's pretty spot on. Rutherford has butchered the last two off-seasons. But, back to back cups buys a lot of rope. Sure he inherited a good team, but they sure as hell weren't going anywhere under Shero and Bylsma. His ability to assemble the right pieces mid-season to win that first cup was simply amazing.

Derek Pouliot is a dime a dozen player. I'm glad he's gone. I've read multiple accounts of him not putting in the work. Soft and lazy while he was here. Good riddance to a guy that was given tons of chances.

Sprong should be given a better look. I agree with that. However, he's done nothing with the chances he's had. He played in every game in the preseason, and when Sid played, he played on his wing. He did virtually nothing. I vividly remember Sid and Guentzal flying around while Sprong was a total non factor. This was against inferior talent and Sprong flashed nothing. I expect a high skill guy to take advantage of the shifts he's given. It's not against the law to exceed expectations when saddled with a crappy line.

I thought the Sheary deal was awesome. Dump Hunwick (awful signing) and get rid a guy that scored 2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. Unfortunately, he used the savings to sign a terrible player to an absurd deal. He obviously negotiated against himself on that one.

The season is young. The article has mostly fair points, but I don't agree with all of them. Get to work Jim....bringing up ZAR was the easy part. Let's also not forget about Brassard. Dude has been a bust because he can't stay healthy. Everybody loved that deal until he came up lame.

Exactly. I'm not talking about blowing someone up. Just take the body and put a little fear into the opposition. Teams skate through our crease like it's the turnpike. Use your size, strength and leverage to shield the puck occasionally or pin a player on the boards. We already have a Chad Ruhwedel on the roster if you're going to play this way.
- madmike71

Is this the Gonchar effect? I understand them not wanting him to run around but it’s an aspect of his game no one else has.

It’s noticeable in the forwards too. Our forecheck is missing the checking part. Make someone pay to go pick up the puck.

Yes. Oleksiak is pissing me off. Dude is playing like he thinks he's Erik Karlsson. Throw a hit occasionally and take the body more. I've never seen a guy that big play so passively.
- madmike71

Tyler Myers says hello.

As far as the column goes.... It's pretty spot on. Rutherford has butchered the last two off-seasons. But, back to back cups buys a lot of rope. Sure he inherited a good team, but they sure as hell weren't going anywhere under Shero and Bylsma. His ability to assemble the right pieces mid-season to win that first cup was simply amazing.

Derek Pouliot is a dime a dozen player. I'm glad he's gone. I've read multiple accounts of him not putting in the work. Soft and lazy while he was here. Good riddance to a guy that was given tons of chances.

Sprong should be given a better look. I agree with that. However, he's done nothing with the chances he's had. He played in every game in the preseason, and when Sid played, he played on his wing. He did virtually nothing. I vividly remember Sid and Guentzal flying around while Sprong was a total non factor. This was against inferior talent and Sprong flashed nothing. I expect a high skill guy to take advantage of the shifts he's given. It's not against the law to exceed expectations when saddled with a crappy line.

I thought the Sheary deal was awesome. Dump Hunwick (awful signing) and get rid a guy that scored 2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. Unfortunately, he used the savings to sign a terrible player to an absurd deal. He obviously negotiated against himself on that one.

The season is young. The article has mostly fair points, but I don't agree with all of them. Get to work Jim....bringing up ZAR was the easy part. Let's also not forget about Brassard. Dude has been a bust because he can't stay healthy. Everybody loved that deal until he came up lame.
- madmike71

I agree a lot with the Sheary/Hunwick trade but don't think Jack Johnson is terrible as some say here. The term of his contract is not ideal but he's been fine and doesn't make a whole lot of money.

I agree a lot with the Sheary/Hunwick trade but don't think Jack Johnson is terrible as some say here. The term of his contract is not ideal but he's been fine and doesn't make a whole lot of money.
- Barnaby36

He had a couple of OK games. He had a nice assist tonight. He's also had several awful games too. If he could gain consistency, it would help tremendously. The contract will always be considered terrible. Can't get around that.

Lol this blog was great. (frank)ing Oregon trail references Hahahaha honestly one of RWs best blogs. Seems like he actually put thought into this one as opposed to some recent ones.

Right! I’m not exactly an old fashioned hit summmmbudy type guy, but Jesus. I don’t know if he’s trying to overcompensate for the lack of Schultz out there, but he definitely seems to be forcing the skill game at the expense of using his size
- stayinthefnnet

I’m drinking an old fashioned in downtown Philly right now.

Why do we get saddled with a pos blogger that spends all our time telling us how he would be a far superior gm for our team. I'm rather tired of this bs. We don't give a damn about ur poope anymore. You won't work for the NHL ever. That ship has sailed for you bro. Maybe just stick to talking about the games and news around the team. Not a single one of the ppl that comment on this board give a flying (frank) about your articles. It's rather sad that one has to go to DK to get even a little non smarmy reporting on the penguins.
- taleisyreXIII

Because you can google articles where authors have the pens cocks in their mouth all day. This was one of his best articles of the season. Your arguments are comical.

I sure hope the Pens are "in" on Voynov. That's a no brainer major need without giving up assets.

I don't really mind them trading Sprong because they obviously aren't going to put him in a position to succeed. I just hope it's not for some aging grinder.

He only chicken winged him like a mfer. Jesus take off the Yellow&Black glasses. Everyone knows if his name was Wilson you would say kill him for the same action. And he should be suspended for the dirtbag move.

This article overall is hilarious though, how can you complain about moves a GM has made to deliver SCs in a win now mode when you gotta know your sacrificing draft picks& prospects for established players. Dont complain now its the price of winning, look at the Blackhawks similar to the Pens they won SCs they paid their guys but then had to let superstar Penarin go, Lost alot on defense(just like the Pens). Id say thats the biggest issue is theres a salary cap so you cant pay everyone, only 3-4 guys max. So offense, defense, goaltending 1 area takes a massive hit and usually its defense. You have aging hof caliber d like Letang, Keith but after that you paying lightning in a bottle 2-3mil dman you hope perform like top 4 d. But they really are 3rd pair d at best

I sure hope the Pens are "in" on Voynov. That's a no brainer major need without giving up assets.

I don't really mind them trading Sprong because they obviously aren't going to put him in a position to succeed. I just hope it's not for some aging grinder.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I was thinking about this the other day. Voynov could be a low risk high reward player. I think he will excel coming back to the league. What do you guys think of packaging Hagelin in a trade (not for Voynov). I feel he has become less of a threat to teams. Idk what happened he still looks fast, but it looks like he has lost a step (or defense know how to stop him from getting to the puck first). I thought about this last night how Namestnikov, Zuccarello, Iafallo, Pearson, or another skilled player would fit in Hagelin's spot on a line. Of course it would take more than just Hagelin in a trade it would take a package with picks, but think of the impact having another scorer with Kessel and Malkin would have.

I’m drinking an old fashioned in downtown Philly right now.
- j.boyd919

Watch out, according to some people on here, you automatically get robbed once you set foot in Philly.

He only chicken winged him like a mfer. Jesus take off the Yellow&Black glasses. Everyone knows if his name was Wilson you would say kill him for the same action. And he should be suspended for the dirtbag move.
- Hockey4Lyfe86

He should not be suspended, as I don't think it was what I'd call a "predatory" hit. But it was a Richard move no doubt.

Look, Malkin is an extremely talented player. But for all of the crying people league-wide do about Crosby, I've always thought Malkin was a far dirtier player, with many "accidentally on purpose" types, just like last night. I didn't think it should have been 5 + a game, but I was calling a double-minor when it happened. He knew what he was doing.

I was thinking about this the other day. Voynov could be a low risk high reward player. I think he will excel coming back to the league. What do you guys think of packaging Hagelin in a trade (not for Voynov). I feel he has become less of a threat to teams. Idk what happened he still looks fast, but it looks like he has lost a step (or defense know how to stop him from getting to the puck first). I thought about this last night how Namestnikov, Zuccarello, Iafallo, Pearson, or another skilled player would fit in Hagelin's spot on a line. Of course it would take more than just Hagelin in a trade it would take a package with picks, but think of the impact having another scorer with Kessel and Malkin would have.
- 123Kid

Rust + Hagelin + Jarry/DeSmith + 2nd for Voracek + Neuvirth?

He should not be suspended, as I don't think it was what I'd call a "predatory" hit. But it was a Richard move no doubt.

Look, Malkin is an extremely talented player. But for all of the crying people league-wide do about Crosby, I've always thought Malkin was a far dirtier player, with many "accidentally on purpose" types, just like last night. I didn't think it should have been 5 + a game, but I was calling a double-minor when it happened. He knew what he was doing.
- jmatchett383

Shouldn’t even have been a penalty. I have no problem calling out a dirty pen play but there was nothing there. I think oshie maybe should not drift in hunched over leading with his head at shoulder level of Malkin. Malkin really didn’t do anything

Rust + Hagelin + Jarry/DeSmith + 2nd for Voracek + Neuvirth?
- jmatchett383

I thought you were joking at first as I assumed Voracek would go for far more. However I can't find any hints of sarcasm so... I'd make that deal, but DeSmith would be the one to go. We already traded Gustavson to Ottawa so I'd like to keep Jarry. I love Rust and he's a playoff performer so I'm a little weary but Voraceck is fantastic. I highly doubt the deal happens due to rivalry though.

To Ottawa:
- Kessel

To Pittsburgh:
- Logan brown
- Chris Wideman
- Zack Smith

To Ottawa:
- Kessel

To Pittsburgh:
- Logan brown
- Chris Wideman
- Zack Smith
- riceroni

Pretty sure the Thrill has a NTC clause and also pretty sure he wouldn't waive it to go back to Ontario.

Pretty sure the Thrill has a NTC clause and also pretty sure he wouldn't waive it to go back to Ontario.
- MattStrat

Probably not... but, if so would you do that deal?

I very rarely, if ever defend a Penguin but Oshie is about 90% at fault on that play. He skates his head into Malkin.... Malkin shifts his body slightly but that is just a natural reaction when you realize someone is on top of you.

At some point, you a responsible for your own safety. Oshie did that to himself.

He only chicken winged him like a mfer. Jesus take off the Yellow&Black glasses. Everyone knows if his name was Wilson you would say kill him for the same action. And he should be suspended for the dirtbag move.

- Hockey4Lyfe86

He wasn't even looking. Now keep that in mind, go back and watch it all full speed, not just in super slow-mo. Also consider the fact that Oshie wasnt injured at all but lid on the ice like he'd been shot to sell it and then ended up coming back to play shortly after.

Probably not... but, if so would you do that deal?
- riceroni

Probably not...2 more centers, one of which a prospect, when the Pens have too many C's now plus a RH D-man which could help but I dont think he's any, or much, better than whats already there.