Ryan Wilson: On this day in Penguins history... On this day in Penguins history...

I like this unique take from RW.

Yeah idk. Seems like some of the other bloggers are doing a nice job of production and standings projections. Has RW given his take on either of those yet?

Will age catch up to any of our guys? Will we see Malkin produce more or less? Now that the schedule is out how many games can we expect from DeSmith/Murray? Expectations for Guentzel would be interesting since it sounds like he’s getting a shot on PP1

It often sounds like I’m in the minority believing the Pens are a top 2 team in the division

Nice change of pace from the last blog...

hahahah ohhh myyyy

Yeah idk. Seems like some of the other bloggers are doing a nice job of production and standings projections. Has RW given his take on either of those yet?

Will age catch up to any of our guys? Will we see Malkin produce more or less? Now that the schedule is out how many games can we expect from DeSmith/Murray? Expectations for Guentzel would be interesting since it sounds like he’s getting a shot on PP1

It often sounds like I’m in the minority believing the Pens are a top 2 team in the division
- WSCTeton17

This is a strange season coming up for me....neither of winning the division or missing playoffs entirely would surprise me.

Why be a Pens fan at this point RW? Might as well just jump ship to your hometown boys, this team and leadership STINKS

This is a strange season coming up for me....neither of winning the division or missing playoffs entirely would surprise me.
- MattStrat

With JJ and Guddy in the fold I look at PIT just missing the playoffs.

Galchenyuk - Crosby - Guentzel (our 1st line as been reported)
McCann(Rust) - Malkin - Kahun (would be my 2nd line for now)
Simon - Bjugstad - Hörnqvist (I wouldn't break the 3rd line just yet)
Tanev - Blueger - Rust (McCann) (Aston-Reese could be there too easily)

I came here hearing of a new blog, apparently I received bad information.

This is a strange season coming up for me....neither of winning the division or missing playoffs entirely would surprise me.
- MattStrat

If Murray is healthy the entire season we will be neck and neck with the Caps. I like the depth of our roster at forward. I'm not ready to state that a bad bottom pair will sink the ship.

Yeah idk. Seems like some of the other bloggers are doing a nice job of production and standings projections. Has RW given his take on either of those yet?

Will age catch up to any of our guys? Will we see Malkin produce more or less? Now that the schedule is out how many games can we expect from DeSmith/Murray? Expectations for Guentzel would be interesting since it sounds like he’s getting a shot on PP1

It often sounds like I’m in the minority believing the Pens are a top 2 team in the division
- WSCTeton17

I really like the forward group. Still concerned about how they fit the defense together if JJ and Guddy are getting jersey's every night. I think you've been saying one of the kids could make a statement in camp and relegate JJ to spectator status.

The constant negativity ain't my thing.

Posting Rossi's tweets? Come on . I wouldn't be surprised if Rutherford lies to Rossi just to make him look like an idiot.

Hard times are definitely coming for the Pens. It’s just a matter of how soon. That’s a reality for a team that goes all in for as long as they have but also because of some lousy decisions. Not a lot but some. I think Rutherford will become a polarizing figure for Penguins fans in the future. Some will point to the Cups and others the consequences of getting them. I’ve been through two complete rebuilds already and I can deal with another. That’s the way it goes. The three Cups in the Crosby-Malkin-Letang era are worth it. But it is going to be a painful period once the window closes for sure. A lot like 2002-2006 without the building drama. But I ’ll still be on board.

Yeah idk. Seems like some of the other bloggers are doing a nice job of production and standings projections. Has RW given his take on either of those yet?

Will age catch up to any of our guys? Will we see Malkin produce more or less? Now that the schedule is out how many games can we expect from DeSmith/Murray? Expectations for Guentzel would be interesting since it sounds like he’s getting a shot on PP1

It often sounds like I’m in the minority believing the Pens are a top 2 team in the division
- WSCTeton17

While it would be difficult... and a bit unfamiliar... to somehow see the Pens outside of the top-two teams in the metro, I think 71 and 58 have to have turn-around seasons. Not stats, but as key players who buy into HCMS' game plan (regardless of who is on D).

I think the window is still WIDE open if they can both do this.

I'm TIRED of hearing how Geno's season was all JJ"s fault, and how GREAT Letang is (in between all the times he SUCKed). Great players (71 and 58) are supposed to elevate other lesser players around them, not be distractions to the game plan.

This is a strange season coming up for me....neither of winning the division or missing playoffs entirely would surprise me.
- MattStrat

I have us at 2 or 3, I like the Canes as well. Expect CBJ and NYI to go backwards. NJ, NYR, and Philly need to prove they can take a big step.

Maatta/Oleksiak for Pettersson/Gudbranson isn't a concern for me, so until Schultz or someone similar gets a long-term injury I feel our defense is better than what we started with last year.

Up front, I don't like Galchenyuk's chance of replicating Phil's offense an think we'll need a move there. On the positive we're considerably deeper swapping Bjugstad, McCann, Kahun, Tanev, Blueger for guys like Sheahan, Brassard, Pearson, Cullen, Wilson.

We'll evaluate the cap dump when we see it.

Hard times are definitely coming for the Pens. It’s just a matter of how soon. That’s a reality for a team that goes all in for as long as they have but also because of some lousy decisions. Not a lot but some. I think Rutherford will become a polarizing figure for Penguins fans in the future. Some will point to the Cups and others the consequences of getting them. I’ve been through two complete rebuilds already and I can deal with another. That’s the way it goes. The three Cups in the Crosby-Malkin-Letang era are worth it. But it is going to be a painful period once the window closes for sure. A lot like 2002-2006 without the building drama. But I ’ll still be on board.
- Sams_Dog

Good post an I agree. Too me, the work GMJR did in turning this team into a back-to-back champion will probably always outweigh any mistakes made after.

Good post an I agree. Too me, the work GMJR did in turning this team into a back-to-back champion will probably always outweigh any mistakes made after.
- Tojo.

Agreed. And I believe there's more awesome to come.

JR is a power-hungry egomaniac because he said they might have internal options to replace Guerin. I can see right through him because I don't appeal to authority. I'm a freedom fighter, constantly fighting for the rights of oppressed star players and anyone else held down under the jackboot of Penguins management.

JR is a power-hungry egomaniac because he said they might have internal options to replace Guerin. I can see right through him because I don't appeal to authority. I'm a freedom fighter, constantly fighting for the rights of oppressed star players and anyone else held down under the jackboot of Penguins management.
- mdub71

A hockey revolution is in order!

Or as Doc Holliday once said, "a reckoning!"

JR is a power-hungry egomaniac because he said they might have internal options to replace Guerin. I can see right through him because I don't appeal to authority. I'm a freedom fighter, constantly fighting for the rights of oppressed star players and anyone else held down under the jackboot of Penguins management.
- mdub71

And 10,000 space points for use of "jackboot."

While it would be difficult... and a bit unfamiliar... to somehow see the Pens outside of the top-two teams in the metro, I think 71 and 58 have to have turn-around seasons. Not stats, but as key players who buy into HCMS' game plan (regardless of who is on D).

I think the window is still WIDE open if they can both do this.

I'm TIRED of hearing how Geno's season was all JJ"s fault, and how GREAT Letang is (in between all the times he SUCKed). Great players (71 and 58) are supposed to elevate other lesser players around them, not be distractions to the game plan.
- Cousinskrid

I dont get how Letang was a distraction to the game plan. All Letang does is elevate those around him.

I dont get how Letang was a distraction to the game plan. All Letang does is elevate those around him.
- burgh4life87

I think Letang is an outstanding player, even past his prime. But man oh man, he makes some REALLY dumb decisions defensively. Probably goes for all of their dman, but because he's out there the most and plays the toughest minutes, his tend to stand out more. But yeah, I don't think he's a problem, at least not one to single out.

I think Letang is an outstanding player, even past his prime. But man oh man, he makes some REALLY dumb decisions defensively. Probably goes for all of their dman, but because he's out there the most and plays the toughest minutes, his tend to stand out more. But yeah, I don't think he's a problem, at least not one to single out.
- jmatchett383

I think most gifted offensive D men make dumb decisions though. It is part of trying to kickstart offense. At the end of the day, his good far outweighs the bad. I'm not sure calling him out is right.

People are really going to miss what he brings to the game when he is done. It is rare to find a 25 minute a night guy like that.

I think most gifted offensive D men make dumb decisions though. It is part of trying to kickstart offense. At the end of the day, his good far outweighs the bad. I'm not sure calling him out is right.

People are really going to miss what he brings to the game when he is done. It is rare to find a 25 minute a night guy like that.
- burgh4life87

No reason to call out Geno either. Thinking that them “bouncing back” is what’s going to make the Pens better is laughable considering neither had bad seasons at all.