Ryan Wilson: Knock knock Knock knock

Are we calmed down now or are we generally still panicking?

The Yotes are a solid squad so far and are a genuine thread short-handed with 9 shorties so far. Count that as a good win because they are no longer a pushover.

Are we calmed down now or are we generally still panicking?
- Victoro311

I'm not panicking. I still think they have structural problems that one good game won't solve. Not getting nearly enough from Sheahan. Cullen won't find a time machine. The D will be a concern until Schultz returns. This team is still a serious contender, but JR will need to make some bottom 6 changes IMO. Getting Brass back at some point would be nice.

Thank God for DeSmith coming in and stabilizing the tender position.

What, no back-handed swipe at Hornqvist. Must be slipping.

The Devils play a fast game as evidenced by the whoppin' they put on the Pens last game. No adjustment whatsoever last game. Now that the coaching staff has had a chance to evaluate that game let's see what adjustments are made this time.

Can we just play teams from the west? It seems as though we play them so much better. I think JR should still keep his feelers out there for a trade. I think Sprong still may be traded by Tuesday (especially if Brassard is coming back soon), but I think we won't see a big shake up trade quite yet. It was a good solid win overall with some good play. I hope to see Maatta and Riikola continue to be paired together they played well. JJ played a pretty good game as well. I think when Schultz comes back and Ruhwedel sits. I think we will have some decent D options and that is even without Big Rig in the discussion. I am excited that Simon is finally finding his game (especially on a cheaper contract). It was also good to see Rust get it going last night.

Simon had a good game last night. It was nice to see Phil and Sid play together a bit. I wonder if Sully would try Phil and Hags with Sid and Jake and Horny with Geno.

Are we calmed down now or are we generally still panicking?
- Victoro311

While these Yotes are much better than the past, I'm not getting giddy over the Pens waking up against them.

I'm gonna watch the game here in a bit since I missed it last night.

I'm not panicking, but I still believe there needs to be a change. If the Pens can string together ten games of real effort I'll change my tune. They don't have to win, but they need to play complete games IMO for no change to take place.

Simon had a good game last night. It was nice to see Phil and Sid play together a bit. I wonder if Sully would try Phil and Hags with Sid and Jake and Horny with Geno.
- Thorny87

I've always liked Hags and Sid together. They played together for a few games a couple of years ago and while not many goals came out of it, they were swarming.

I think Simon has been good the whole time. I really like his game and the skill he brings.

RW, you say Johnson is being propped up beside Letang but what do their stats look like since they started playing together (3 games?). I see Johnson played 25 minutes last night which I think would be to much on a consistent basis.

I've always liked Hags and Sid together. They played together for a few games a couple of years ago and while not many goals came out of it, they were swarming.

I think Simon has been good the whole time. I really like his game and the skill he brings.
- Rinosaur

I want to see how they play NJ on Tuesday and then obviously the Bolts on Thursday. Those games will tell a lot. We still gave up 39 shots to a mediocre Yotes team. Many were high quality.

I want to see how they play NJ on Tuesday and then obviously the Bolts on Thursday. Those games will tell a lot. We still gave up 39 shots to a mediocre Yotes team. Many were high quality.
- madmike71

I'm watching last night's game right now. I'm trying to watch un-biased because I looked up the stats from last night and they're pretty ugly.

So far I'm not a fan of the CONSTANT juggling of lines. That's a sign of desperation.

I really just want to see the Pens bring 100% game-in/game-out for a good stretch. I'm not as concerned about the results.

I'm watching last night's game right now. I'm trying to watch un-biased because I looked up the stats from last night and they're pretty ugly.

So far I'm not a fan of the CONSTANT juggling of lines. That's a sign of desperation.

I really just want to see the Pens bring 100% game-in/game-out for a good stretch. I'm not as concerned about the results.
- Rinosaur

The line juggling doesn't bother me when players go cold. If you look at it, all the wings went stone cold after the trip to Canada. I'm still convinced we have a speed problem and teams like the Devils and Bolts will expose it.

I'm not saying they don't have some effort issues too, but players will get smoked if they can't skate in today's NHL.......even if they are giving 100%.

I'm growing more and more concerned about Sully's decisions. The fourth line is pretty bad, but why would you put them out there along with the 3rd D pair? That's just asking for trouble.

This constant line-juggling is troublesome.

The line juggling doesn't bother me when players go cold. If you look at it, all the wings went stone cold after the trip to Canada. I'm still convinced we have a speed problem and teams like the Devils and Bolts will expose it.

I'm not saying they don't have some effort issues too, but players will get smoked if they can't skate in today's NHL.......even if they are giving 100%.
- madmike71

I keep saying effort, but I know I'm using the wrong word. The Pens don't attack and when they do, they overcommit and get caught. This has been the M.O. since last year.

They're playing pond hockey with no defensive awareness. Line juggling is fine, but he's doing it CONSTANTLY in one game. Too much.

I know Riikola's stats are poor, but I think he's an NHL dman. He makes solid individual plays in both zones, but he needs to learn to play as unit in NA hockey.

Still trouble in paradise?

(and poor riikola)

I know Riikola's stats are poor, but I think he's an NHL dman. He makes solid individual plays in both zones, but he needs to learn to play as unit in NA hockey.
- Rinosaur

One thing for sure. He has an NHL shot. That 2nd off the post was a rocket. The JO scratch was a weird choice. It’s like the staff are watching completely different games

One thing for sure. He has an NHL shot. That 2nd off the post was a rocket. The JO scratch was a weird choice. It’s like the staff are watching completely different games
- Thorny87

It had to have been to send a message to the team than it has to do with Olekisak himself. I'm not the biggest fan of his, but he's been an offensive weapon on the back-end and he's been no worse than anyone else out there defensively, so this has to be a team message.

One thing for sure. He has an NHL shot. That 2nd off the post was a rocket. The JO scratch was a weird choice. It’s like the staff are watching completely different games
- Thorny87

This is only a guess, but JO is playing such a soft. passive game right now. They don't need him taking stupid penalties and getting out of position, but he needs to add a little edge to his game. Be a little harder on forwards in the corners. I wonder if that's why he was scratched?

Crosby sucks, trade him for Gudas and a 6th.

This is only a guess, but JO is playing such a soft. passive game right now. They don't need him taking stupid penalties and getting out of position, but he needs to add a little edge to his game. Be a little harder on forwards in the corners. I wonder if that's why he was scratched?
- madmike71

I think the current staff is responsible for his lack of physical play.

Crosby sucks, trade him for Gudas and a 6th.
- jmatchett383

Just take him for free at this point, #capspace

I think the current staff is responsible for his lack of physical play.
- Thorny87

Why do you think that? Do you think the staff wants him to shut away from physical play?

Sprong for Dzingle