My bad. Unfortunately I think we're stuck with JJ and Letang until then. Schultz just steps in for Ruhwedel.

Honestly.... I'm worried about Pets these days. I think he's struggled for much of the season and I'm not sure I want JR committing 4mil to him.
- madmike71

Yea most likely. Seems like maybe Ruth is rethinking that Petterson long term deal? Thought they said they had one in place but nothing done yet.

Sweet play there by Blueger, Krug deflected that puck but Blueger kicked up to his backhand and roofed the shot. Good to see he is getting some recognition for his offensive abilities. He did score 20 goals in WBS twice.
- Thunderbolt

Blueger has been super solid for the Pens, he's awesome.

My bad. Unfortunately I think we're stuck with JJ and Letang until then. Schultz just steps in for Ruhwedel.

Honestly.... I'm worried about Pets these days. I think he's struggled for much of the season and I'm not sure I want JR committing 4mil to him.
- madmike71

Looking at petts charts that ppl post he seems decent enough. Very slight regression from last year. But I do happen to think he struggles using the eye test. Although this game was a defensive nightmare for everyone. The give always in their own end and lazy attempts to clear the zone that don’t make it were brutal. Could just be that we think that so we notice when he specifically does it as compared to others.

Looking at petts charts that ppl post he seems decent enough. Very slight regression from last year. But I do happen to think he struggles using the eye test. Although this game was a defensive nightmare for everyone. The give always in their own end and lazy attempts to clear the zone that don’t make it were brutal. Could just be that we think that so we notice when he specifically does it as compared to others.
- 10inchTerror

I feel like Petterson is better suited with a stay at home defenseman because he likes to run the offense from the back end and break it out but he's not getting those chances with Letang and Marino. Honestly if we get fully healthy at defense id put him with Schultz.

Petterson is fine.

I feel like Petterson is better suited with a stay at home defenseman because he likes to run the offense from the back end and break it out but he's not getting those chances with Letang and Marino. Honestly if we get fully healthy at defense id put him with Schultz.
- 668710

Please! I keep seeing and hearing they want to put JJ with Schultz. We all saw how much that negatively affected Schultz last year. But I guess Im not allowed to say that, because basically anything negative about Johnson gets ripped to shreds. The safest place for JJ is in the press box--at least there, he can't negatively affect the on ice play of whoever he is playing with. And It's hard to score own goals from there.

Please! I keep seeing and hearing they want to put JJ with Schultz. We all saw how much that negatively affected Schultz last year. But I guess Im not allowed to say that, because basically anything negative about Johnson gets ripped to shreds. The safest place for JJ is in the press box--at least there, he can't negatively affect the on ice play of whoever he is playing with. And It's hard to score own goals from there.
- Amanion

Schultz ain’t even good anyways. He’s the 3rd best RD they have so technically he should be on the third pair lol

Loving the way your team has played this season. Lots of depth on display given all the injuries and also lots and lots of team speed. These are things that they appear to have in common with your other Cup wining teams.

I’m really hoping Guentzel is back for the playoffs and that you guys get fully healthy. Could be another championship on the horizon, wouldn’t surprise me. I think the East comes down to you guys and Boston. I like those 2 teams more than TB and WSH, and anyone else in the entire league excluding STL.

Curious though about your guys 3C situation. What’s the plan there? Bjugstad? Or make an addition at the TDL?

Schultz ain’t even good anyways. He’s the 3rd best RD they have so technically he should be on the third pair lol
- j.boyd919

Very true.

Please! I keep seeing and hearing they want to put JJ with Schultz. We all saw how much that negatively affected Schultz last year. But I guess Im not allowed to say that, because basically anything negative about Johnson gets ripped to shreds. The safest place for JJ is in the press box--at least there, he can't negatively affect the on ice play of whoever he is playing with. And It's hard to score own goals from there.
- Amanion

2017 called. They want their comment back.

Loving the way your team has played this season. Lots of depth on display given all the injuries and also lots and lots of team speed. These are things that they appear to have in common with your other Cup wining teams.

I’m really hoping Guentzel is back for the playoffs and that you guys get fully healthy. Could be another championship on the horizon, wouldn’t surprise me. I think the East comes down to you guys and Boston. I like those 2 teams more than TB and WSH, and anyone else in the entire league excluding STL.

Curious though about your guys 3C situation. What’s the plan there? Bjugstad? Or make an addition at the TDL?
- SimpleJack

Third center has been whoever is healthy. Any one of Bjugstad, McCann and Blueger have shown they can play the position. Which, of course, is a great problem to have. Bjugstad is the only right shot we have at that position. That would be an advantage for him but he has not done well taking faceoffs.

Of all the positions, wing and defense are our trade targets. Goaltender and center have not been a problem, so far this season.

I would rank our needs as: 1) scoring winger, 2) two way LD, 3) defensive RD, 4) center. Of course 30 other teams are looking for the first two choices as well.

Do they have the same number of goals he's scored on their own goalies? Because I count two this year.
- Rinosaur

His goal yesterday was a big “F U Rino!” Haha

He’s been pretty good as a 3rd pairing this year tbh lol Hope Dumo and Schultz get back soon

That forecheck and pass by Malkin to Rust 👌👌
- LeafGuy89

You gotta love that

Loving the way your team has played this season. Lots of depth on display given all the injuries and also lots and lots of team speed. These are things that they appear to have in common with your other Cup wining teams.

I’m really hoping Guentzel is back for the playoffs and that you guys get fully healthy. Could be another championship on the horizon, wouldn’t surprise me. I think the East comes down to you guys and Boston. I like those 2 teams more than TB and WSH, and anyone else in the entire league excluding STL.

Curious though about your guys 3C situation. What’s the plan there? Bjugstad? Or make an addition at the TDL?
- SimpleJack

It's either gonna be Bjugstad like you mentioned or if we get a scoring winger or two McCann will go back there. All depends on health too haha. It appears Kahun just went down and so did Simon so another 2 wingers gone. Hopefully Bjugstad/Schultz and Kahun/Simon will be back after the Pens bye week/all star break. Dumo will be sometime February.

Loving the way your team has played this season. Lots of depth on display given all the injuries and also lots and lots of team speed. These are things that they appear to have in common with your other Cup wining teams.

I’m really hoping Guentzel is back for the playoffs and that you guys get fully healthy. Could be another championship on the horizon, wouldn’t surprise me. I think the East comes down to you guys and Boston. I like those 2 teams more than TB and WSH, and anyone else in the entire league excluding STL.

Curious though about your guys 3C situation. What’s the plan there? Bjugstad? Or make an addition at the TDL?
- SimpleJack

Bjugstad would be the one to go with. He’s pretty solid. I guess McCann will be a top 6 winger.

2017 called. They want their comment back.
- Grinder47

1) Last year complaining about Johnson would have been a comment from 2018 or 2019, not 2017. And Schultz was still good last year, at least when he wasn't out with JJ. The best #'s game for Schultz was game 1 vs NYI and that was the only game he played without JJ anchored to him in most of the 2nd half of last season? Coincidence? Nope.
JJ is still not a great option. Is he playing better than last year? Yeah, but it would be hard to play any worse. Is Schultz a #1 D-man? No, but hes better than a #3 D man when used properly. Anytime he is on the ice with Jack Johnson he isnt being used properly.

1) Last year complaining about Johnson would have been a comment from 2018 or 2019, not 2017. And Schultz was still good last year, at least when he wasn't out with JJ. The best #'s game for Schultz was game 1 vs NYI and that was the only game he played without JJ anchored to him in most of the 2nd half of last season? Coincidence? Nope.
JJ is still not a great option. Is he playing better than last year? Yeah, but it would be hard to play any worse. Is Schultz a #1 D-man? No, but hes better than a #3 D man when used properly. Anytime he is on the ice with Jack Johnson he isnt being used properly.
- Amanion

All I read was blah blah blah I’m a Whiny little female dog. Good day.

HBSL is just the mini week Mon-Wed (instead of the double week at Yahoo), will be a nice lottery.

His goal yesterday was a big “F U Rino!” Haha

He’s been pretty good as a 3rd pairing this year tbh lol Hope Dumo and Schultz get back soon
- Barnaby36

Meh. He’s been average/hideable as a third pair. Pretty good is only in relation to how much of a dumpster fire he is other years. He’s still not good and could easily be improved on.

HBSL is just the mini week Mon-Wed (instead of the double week at Yahoo), will be a nice lottery.
- VeryModernMan

Yeah it’s a weird one. 29th overall now though.

Meh. He’s been average/hideable as a third pair. Pretty good is only in relation to how much of a dumpster fire he is other years. He’s still not good and could easily be improved on.
- j.boyd919

Not to mention the cap space he takes up for what he does.

My bad. Unfortunately I think we're stuck with JJ and Letang until then. Schultz just steps in for Ruhwedel.

Honestly.... I'm worried about Pets these days. I think he's struggled for much of the season and I'm not sure I want JR committing 4mil to him.
- madmike71

That’s mostly an offseason issue. For the most part I think Petterson has maintained a “fine” second pairing level of play. He has been unspectacular, and I agree I don’t want to give him a Maatta-like contract, but he’s not a problem for this season’s on ice product.

That’s mostly an offseason issue. For the most part I think Petterson has maintained a “fine” second pairing level of play. He has been unspectacular, and I agree I don’t want to give him a Maatta-like contract, but he’s not a problem for this season’s on ice product.
- Victoro311

He’s probably going to get somewhere between $3.5 to $4. Is $4M too much? Maybe a tad, but what do you pay even an average 2nd pairing dman? Also, who’s a available if they let him walk?

The Pens don’t have a ton of assets and they’re probably dealing some good ones this year on a forward.

I think people need to start getting over it now, but he’s probably getting something like Maatta. IMO we’re probably seeing the extent of his regression, so I think he’s fine.

Yea most likely. Seems like maybe Ruth is rethinking that Petterson long term deal? Thought they said they had one in place but nothing done yet.
- 668710

The visual perception of his struggles could help them get him on a lower contract considering all of his underlying numbers are nearly the same as last year.

I think he’s been fine. The one thing I am a little concerned about, he has been the most hit player in the NHL. I can’t remember what broadcast I was watching that said that but apparently he gets lit up in the forecheck. I wonder if he is holding onto pucks too long or if he’s just not getting to the dump ins quick enough to move them before the forecheck gets in.

Please! I keep seeing and hearing they want to put JJ with Schultz. We all saw how much that negatively affected Schultz last year. But I guess Im not allowed to say that, because basically anything negative about Johnson gets ripped to shreds. The safest place for JJ is in the press box--at least there, he can't negatively affect the on ice play of whoever he is playing with. And It's hard to score own goals from there.
- Amanion

The Johnson-Schultz pairing is very bad, but Marino has been playing at a higher level than Schultz has the past two seasons when healthy (including when Schultz is with Petterson which is admittedly a small sample). IMO it’s always a better idea to stack your top 2 pairings with your 4 best d men and hide the third than try to “spread the wealth” and limit the productivity of one of your better defensemen by tying him to an anchor.