Ryan Wilson: So so weekend for the Penguins, Letang, and Malkin So so weekend for the Penguins, Letang, and Malkin

While it does suck at Letang is playing with JJ, he’s making a lot of individual gaffes, it’s not usually Johnson making the egregious errors on that line, but he does still suck at hockey.

While it does suck at Letang is playing with JJ, he’s making a lot of individual gaffes, it’s not usually Johnson making the egregious errors on that line, but he does still suck at hockey.
- j.boyd919

Very true. Can't stop the RW hate train now though.

We're all aware Johnson shouldn't be on the first pairing, but injuries dictate.

I'd be more afraid of having Petts with him right now than JJ. Pettersson has been a mess the last few games I've watched.

Pens still hanging in there despite injuries and all the juggling of the lineup and defensive pairings. Letang looks tired from all the tough minutes he has had to take. Schedule gets tougher so getting Sid back will help. Still worried about the “D” since we no longer can count on scoring 3-4 goals each night.

While it does suck at Letang is playing with JJ, he’s making a lot of individual gaffes, it’s not usually Johnson making the egregious errors on that line, but he does still suck at hockey.
- j.boyd919

Yep very true. Playing with JJ will force Letang to defend more, which combined with his minutes is probably wearing him out. And when Letang is tired, it shows up in awful mistakes. But you can't exactly put those turnovers on JJ.

Man I miss Dumoulin. He just compliments Letang so well and has played with hin so much he anticipates a lot of thoae mistakes and takes care of them before they become a problem.

I know JR wants to wait a bit and get a healthier team before pulling the trigger on a move, but I think it’s obvious the team needs a winger to somewhat replace Guentzel as well as a competent dman. Last night (and against SJ) were examples of how injuries are really affecting this team.

I know the Pens are in a good spot in the standings, but they’re only 6 points ahead of Philly for the last wildcard spot. If the team goes on a slump, they could easily be a bubble team by the end of February.

Worthless
- Rinosaur

Not worthless by any means but all but 2 points came on the power play. He can def be a pp qb. Addison looked great with bahl. With byram he was less noticeable but they were a better pairing but he didn’t stand out that much at even strength. The pp was the difference in the USA game, they scored like 5 goals against the Czechs, and was a big reason they even made it to a medal. Canadian team is pretty loaded though.

I know JR wants to wait a bit and get a healthier team before pulling the trigger on a move, but I think it’s obvious the team needs a winger to somewhat replace Guentzel as well as a competent dman. Last night (and against SJ) were examples of how injuries are really affecting this team.

I know the Pens are in a good spot in the standings, but they’re only 6 points ahead of Philly for the last wildcard spot. If the team goes on a slump, they could easily be a bubble team by the end of February.
- drummer829

Expect slump starting immediately.

Not worthless by any means but all but 2 points came on the power play. He can def be a pp qb. Addison looked great with bahl. With byram he was less noticeable but they were a better pairing but he didn’t stand out that much at even strength. The pp was the difference in the USA game, they scored like 5 goals against the Czechs, and was a big reason they even made it to a medal. Canadian team is pretty loaded though.
- 10inchTerror

It was a joke

We need a legit top 6 winger and a top 4 LD. I don't get the more want of a RD. Letang and Marino can play the top 4 and Schultz can play the 3rd pair. Our left side is a disaster right now if JJ is the best on that side. Remember Dumo is probably not gonna be 100% coming back,we very much need to replace Guentzel and Dumo to an extent.

Expect slump starting immediately.
- 10inchTerror

Definitely seeing it happen right now, hopefully Sid and Bjugstad coming back will give this team the boost it needs till these trades happen.

When Letang and Marino have bad games now it's gonna be magnified because they have very little help to the left. Can't expect Letang and Marino to be on every night it's because the lack of partners. Petterson has been meh this year and JJ has been ok but he can't be on the top pair.

Playing two really good teams on the road is less than ideal, but that’s life.

Playing two really good teams on the road is less than ideal, but that’s life.
- Za Warudo

3 really good teams.

Playing two really good teams on the road is less than ideal, but that’s life.
- Za Warudo

Pens have three of the West's top teams this road trip. I'm sure this will be very telling where they stand with Sid coming back as far as what moves they will make.

I honestly don't believe the Pens can expect any quality return for Galchenyuk. He will really be just a dump to a team who desperately needs bodies and feel he could benefit from a change of scenery. With Buffalo having already needing secondary scoring and losing Olofsoon, I think the Pens could dump him off to the sabres for a late pick and free up the space.

At this point I just don't see why even a team like LA would want Chucky in return for Toffoli.

When Letang and Marino have bad games now it's gonna be magnified because they have very little help to the left. Can't expect Letang and Marino to be on every night it's because the lack of partners. Petterson has been meh this year and JJ has been ok but he can't be on the top pair.
- 668710

So Ruhwedel only playing 12-14 minutes isn't a problem whatsoever. Schultz still doesn't have a time table. So I guess we will have to wait until Dumo comes back to find out how much Ruhwedel really holds them two back. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that Ruhwedel was benched for Zach Trautman. He was also benched in favor of JJ and Riikola playing their off side. I am sorry but I see a bigger problem with Ruhwedel than I do anyone else.

I have a question about Tanev, or more his contract.

Generally, you don't sign a middle-6/bottom-6 player like Tanev to a 6-year deal. Now, he's not a bad player, just not a guy who generally warrants more than a 2-3 year deal. That said, most people on here (RW included) have a "Screw the future and live for the next 2-3 years" mentality given Sid and Malkin's age.

So, if all the Penguins are concerned with is a 2-3 year window, then why was there such a clamor over the length of Tanev's deal? If it's okay to throw away high draft picks 2-3 years down the line, why is it not okay to have a serviceable guy like Tanev signed past 2-3 years down the line?

When Letang and Marino have bad games now it's gonna be magnified because they have very little help to the left. Can't expect Letang and Marino to be on every night it's because the lack of partners. Petterson has been meh this year and JJ has been ok but he can't be on the top pair.
- 668710

I think the solution should be pretty obvious.

I have a question about Tanev, or more his contract.

Generally, you don't sign a middle-6/bottom-6 player like Tanev to a 6-year deal. Now, he's not a bad player, just not a guy who generally warrants more than a 2-3 year deal. That said, most people on here (RW included) have a "Screw the future and live for the next 2-3 years" mentality given Sid and Malkin's age.

So, if all the Penguins are concerned with is a 2-3 year window, then why was there such a clamor over the length of Tanev's deal? If it's okay to throw away high draft picks 2-3 years down the line, why is it not okay to have a serviceable guy like Tanev signed past 2-3 years down the line?
- jmatchett383

Basically I didn’t think Tanev would be as productive as he’s been. I thought we were paying a bottom six guy middle six money because of a career season on a contract year, but he’s been solid value for $3.5 mil so far.

Pens have three of the West's top teams this road trip. I'm sure this will be very telling where they stand with Sid coming back as far as what moves they will make.
- Rinosaur

I’m still holding out hope I’ll get to see Sid IRL in Denver on Friday

I’m still holding out hope I’ll get to see Sid IRL in Denver on Friday
- Za Warudo

I'm going to the Pens/Knights game tomorrow and hoping to see him then.

I'm going to the Pens/Knights game tomorrow and hoping to see him then.
- Rinosaur

I’ve been to the Pens visits to TMobile the last two years...I can’t do the phony nightclub atmosphere and over-powered PA system anymore.

I’ve been to the Pens visits to TMobile the last two years...I can’t do the phony nightclub atmosphere and over-powered PA system anymore.
- Za Warudo

What phony nightclub atmosphere? Aside from the cheezy Game of Thrones-like opening, it’s like going to a regular hockey game.

Basically I didn’t think Tanev would be as productive as he’s been. I thought we were paying a bottom six guy middle six money because of a career season on a contract year, but he’s been solid value for $3.5 mil so far.
- Victoro311

This. It was 3.5m for a 4th liner that had a career year of 29 points that appeared to be propped up by Lowry. Half way through the season he’s proven himself a good player though and the blueger line has been a very solid line in its role so you you will probably hear nothing about how contract again.