Not sure anyone is making that argument?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

This whole thing started because people are saying we’re not a physical team and shouldn’t be adding anyone who’s not physical. Sure, it’s not technically “we don’t hit enough”, but it pretty much is. End of the day we’re playing our best all around hockey and have an actual identity again for the first time in two or three seasons, and there’s still people that are worried we’re not physical enough to beat the Caps. It’s wild.

This whole thing started because people are saying we’re not a physical team and shouldn’t be adding anyone who’s not physical. Sure, it’s not technically “we don’t hit enough”, but it pretty much is. End of the day we’re playing our best all around hockey and have an actual identity again for the first time in two or three seasons, and there’s still people that are worried we’re not physical enough to beat the Caps. It’s wild.
- Victoro311

Same poop we hear every year.

Not sure anyone is making that argument?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah, there's a difference between hitting and getting pushed around.

I hear you... but when I say all-in... I'm not talking about rentals, I'm talking more about someone like Palmieri who we would have for two postseason runs and will make it that much easier to ship out a forward in the off-season.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I kind of agree there. I'm not sure the team really needs another long-term top 6 next year and would like to see if an internal option like Kahun or maybe Poulin can fill that last spot before making a big trade. You never know what the hole is next year so I'd like to be in position to make another big deal if necessary.

Friedman just stated that the Penguins and Predators are both interested in Sheary and have contacted Buffalo about him. Buckle up kids, sully's nephew is coming back.
- burgh4life87

Conner Sheary has 2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. Absolutely nobody needs to add that for the playoffs. GO PREDS!!!!!!!

Good gawd... I can't believe Rutherford would consider this. It's gonna be a murderers row in the east and he's considering a player that gets pushed around like a child.

Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
· 10m
Namestnikov not dressing for the Senators tonight. Don’t believe a deal is done, but this is asset management.

I'd take him.

Yeah, there's a difference between hitting and getting pushed around.
- Tojo.

Which we don’t so I don’t know why anyone would make that argument either.

Which we don’t so I don’t know why anyone would make that argument either.
- Victoro311

Get em' Vic! Also I agree with you. Pens have their identity and are first in the division. Let's change it up and bring Reaves back lol

I'd take him.
- Rinosaur

Me too

I'd take him.
- Rinosaur

I agree as well. I would 100% take him as a Penguin. He would be awesome on the PK (he is tied for the league lead in SHG).

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pens-acquire-barber-and-varone-from-montreal-for-blandisi-and-lucchini/c-315308168?partnerId=pit-fb-penguins


Pens got Riley Barber and Phil Varone

Candanians got: Blandise and Lucchini
- Beatnic57

Sad with what we gave up, but Barber was once the 5th ranking prospect for Washington right below Jakub Vrana. Varone is an odd player I read an article that he was once regarded as a 1st round talent. He seems to be another Blandisi type overall quick, checks and does the little things well (even though he is older).

Which we don’t so I don’t know why anyone would make that argument either.
- Victoro311

I felt we did last game against the Caps in the third. Usually no, but that's the team I worry about it against.

It's not as if the Pens breeze by them as they lost to them in 18 and got outplayed outside of goaltending in 17.

Sad with what we gave up, but Barber was once the 5th ranking prospect for Washington right below Jakub Vrana. Varone is an odd player I read an article that he was once regarded as a 1st round talent. He seems to be another Blandisi type overall quick, checks and does the little things well (even though he is older).
- 123Kid

Athletic just had an article stating they were benched last week for not buying in to the coach's way of doing things. For WBS at least it's a good offensive upgrade.

This whole thing started because people are saying we’re not a physical team and shouldn’t be adding anyone who’s not physical. Sure, it’s not technically “we don’t hit enough”, but it pretty much is. End of the day we’re playing our best all around hockey and have an actual identity again for the first time in two or three seasons, and there’s still people that are worried we’re not physical enough to beat the Caps. It’s wild.
- Victoro311

I don't think that's true at all. Pens have guys who play physical, but there's a gap in size between what Washington has with Wilson, Ovie, Hathaway, Gudas, and Dillon. Many of the guys I listed are new, yet many people keep referring back to old playoff series as proof this isn't an issue.

I felt we did last game against the Caps in the third. Usually no, but that's the team I worry about it against.

It's not as if the Pens breeze by them as they lost to them in 18 and got outplayed outside of goaltending in 17.
- Tojo.

The Pens knees were definitely buckling in the 3rd against Washington. A few minutes more and they likely tie and go to OT.

People misconstrue physicality with hitting or fighting. Hitting is good when you're separating a player from the puck. Hitting is a joke when the puck is long gone before the hit. Tanner Glass was the king of those kind of hits.

Protecting pucks, driving the net, winning board battles, separating players from the puck, wearing out the D.....that's the kind of physicality that helps against a team like Washington. I'm not even advocating bringing in that type of player, but they sure as hell don't need a smallish perimeter guy like Sheary against teams like Washington, Boston and Tampa.

Conner Sheary has 2 goals in his last 34 playoff games. Absolutely nobody needs to add that for the playoffs. GO PREDS!!!!!!!

Good gawd... I can't believe Rutherford would consider this. It's gonna be a murderers row in the east and he's considering a player that gets pushed around like a child.
- madmike71

So who would you like to add?

I felt we did last game against the Caps in the third. Usually no, but that's the team I worry about it against.

It's not as if the Pens breeze by them as they lost to them in 18 and got outplayed outside of goaltending in 17.
- Tojo.

But the thing is that we are dealing with major injuries to key players. People have been saying that we haven’t looked good against them caps or bs. A lot of people think is because we don’t match up physically. I think the actual reason is that both teams have very good rosters and that can really exploit the fact that our blue line is in shambles and we’re missing an actual third line.

I'm quite surprised by the lineup tonight. McCann is playing LW on the third line instead of C.

Zuck Sid Simon
Kahun Malkin Rust
McCann Agozzino Horny
Tanev Bleugs Lafferty

I like the balance in these lines. Maybe we can actually get a 4th line to play 10 minutes at evens tonight!

They just had a tidbit on Max Patches with VGKs on Sportsnet. I had no idea he was having a career year this year. I always liked that guy. Now he's a good mix of size and skill.

I'm quite surprised by the lineup tonight. McCann is playing LW on the third line instead of C.
- Rinosaur

Could you not see Bjugstad replacing Agozzino and ZAR replacing Lafferty though... Maybe he is trying to just get a feel of the lines he is expecting. Plus, the depth to roll 4 lines going into a very busy weekend is nice

Zuck Sid Simon
Kahun Malkin Rust
McCann Agozzino Horny
Tanev Bleugs Lafferty

I like the balance in these lines. Maybe we can actually get a 4th line to play 10 minutes at evens tonight!
- burgh4life87

Agozzino as a 3C?! No thanks. I am interested to see Laff with Teddy and Tanev though

I'm quite surprised by the lineup tonight. McCann is playing LW on the third line instead of C.
- Rinosaur

That is weird, you think they are setting this up for Bjugstad to be 3c?

The Pens knees were definitely buckling in the 3rd against Washington. A few minutes more and they likely tie and go to OT.

People misconstrue physicality with hitting or fighting. Hitting is good when you're separating a player from the puck. Hitting is a joke when the puck is long gone before the hit. Tanner Glass was the king of those kind of hits.

Protecting pucks, driving the net, winning board battles, separating players from the puck, wearing out the D.....that's the kind of physicality that helps against a team like Washington. I'm not even advocating bringing in that type of player, but they sure as hell don't need a smallish perimeter guy like Sheary against teams like Washington, Boston and Tampa.
- madmike71

Washington has a rare blend of size, skill, Speed, physicality, and durability. Hence why every team isn’t built like that. If pitt manages to make it to the cup this year I would guess Washington would be their hardest matchup, as it was one of the hardest ones in 09, 16, and 17. But as long as we can stay healthy we can win... A modern version of Matt Cooke wouldn’t hurt though 🤣

Agozzino as a 3C?! No thanks. I am interested to see Laff with Teddy and Tanev though
- Thorny87

Yea I think Agozzino sucks, I don't see this lasting.