Ryan Wilson: Seattle Laken Seattle Laken

I know it's not good to get excited about beating VAN or SEA, but the Pens have been guilty in the past of playing down to their competition, so the fact they still played well is great. The Pens played well most of the trip, but scoring has been their issue. Washington will be a good test.

Getting Malkin and Rust back will have a profound affect to the lineup.

Good to see Casey get the win. I'm Still not confident in his play but it's a start. That last goal from Jake was sweet. Just a casual off the skate-shelf.

Good to see Casey get the win. I'm Still not confident in his play but it's a start. That last goal from Jake was sweet. Just a casual off the skate-shelf.
- Thorny87

Yeah, I'm still not feeling great about him. In some respects he made some great saves last night, but too often he was slow to get back into position.

Yeah, I'm still not feeling great about him. In some respects he made some great saves last night, but too often he was slow to get back into position.
- Rinosaur

Agreed. He was chasing a bit. Hopefully the win settles him down.

I know it's not good to get excited about beating VAN or SEA, but the Pens have been guilty in the past of playing down to their competition, so the fact they still played well is great. The Pens played well most of the trip, but scoring has been their issue. Washington will be a good test.

Getting Malkin and Rust back will have a profound affect to the lineup.
- Rinosaur

I disagree, beating inferior opponents last year is what lead to many people thinking they were a contender last year. They feasted on poopty teams, and everyone got all optimistic thinking there was going to be another deep playoff run lol

I disagree, beating inferior opponents last year is what lead to many people thinking they were a contender last year. They feasted on poopty teams, and everyone got all optimistic thinking there was going to be another deep playoff run lol
- j.boyd919

Well, they outplayed NYI and lost because of Jarry. I really don't count last season for much of anything in the NHL because of the way the schedules were set up, but their previous two seasons saw them playing down to their opponents.

Trust me. I'm not delusional about my expectations for this team. The only way the Pens have a real shot at anything is if EVERYONE is clicking on all cylinders at the right time.

When Geno and Rust return I'd like to see these lines even though I know it won't happen this way...

Jake-Sid-ERod
Heinen-Geno-Kapanen
Zucker-Carter-Rust
ZAR-Blue-McGinn

If EliteRod can keep this level of play going I'd like to see them spread the wealth.

I think Carter and Rust together would be very good.

Well, they outplayed NYI and lost because of Jarry. I really don't count last season for much of anything in the NHL because of the way the schedules were set up, but their previous two seasons saw them playing down to their opponents.

Trust me. I'm not delusional about my expectations for this team. The only way the Pens have a real shot at anything is if EVERYONE is clicking on all cylinders at the right time.
- Rinosaur

I think that's how just about all cup winners end up working tbh.

When Geno and Rust return I'd like to see these lines even though I know it won't happen this way...

Jake-Sid-ERod
Heinen-Geno-Kapanen
Zucker-Carter-Rust
ZAR-Blue-McGinn

If EliteRod can keep this level of play going I'd like to see them spread the wealth.

I think Carter and Rust together would be very good.
- Rinosaur

I hope Hextall tries to trade Zucker for someone who can score goals.

I'm over that experiment.

I think that's how just about all cup winners end up working tbh.
- j.boyd919

Agreed, but when is the last time we saw that happen for the Pens?

I hope Hextall tries to trade Zucker for someone who can score goals.

I'm over that experiment.
- j.boyd919

I'm sure he will try this off-season when he only has the one year left on his contract which may be what's needed to keep Rust. My concern is Rust moving on. I know people are freaking out about paying him $6M, but I think he's worth it at this point if they can move Zucker.

I hope Hextall tries to trade Zucker for someone who can score goals.

I'm over that experiment.
- j.boyd919

This is the Meat Mitch sauce I use.



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I don't typically like sweeter BBQ sauces, but that one is a great mix of tangy, sweet and spicy.

I'm sure he will try this off-season when he only has the one year left on his contract which may be what's needed to keep Rust. My concern is Rust moving on. I know people are freaking out about paying him $6M, but I think he's worth it at this point if they can move Zucker.
- Rinosaur

I'd try to package Kap and Zucker for Tarasenko.

Upgrades the Pens 2RW.

Jake-Sid-EliteRod
DOC-Geno-Tarasenko
Heinen-Carter-Rust
ZAR-Blue-McGinn


I know it won't happen, but I'd like to see DOC on Geno's wing, or bump Heinen and ZAR up respectively and put DOC with Blue and McGinn.

I'd try to package Kap and Zucker for Tarasenko.

Upgrades the Pens 2RW.

Jake-Sid-EliteRod
DOC-Geno-Tarasenko
Heinen-Carter-Rust
ZAR-Blue-McGinn


I know it won't happen, but I'd like to see DOC on Geno's wing, or bump Heinen and ZAR up respectively and put DOC with Blue and McGinn.
- j.boyd919

I think Heinen would be a perfect fit with Geno. He's exactly the type of "support" winger he needs to free him up from other responsibilities and still be able to score a few when the chances are there. That said, DOC working with Geno would be huge for letting them fill out the lineup.

We all know DOC is better than Lafferty, but if he doesn't start using that big frame a bit more he's always gonna get bumped when the coaching staff thinks we need more grit.

We all know DOC is better than Lafferty, but if he doesn't start using that big frame a bit more he's always gonna get bumped when the coaching staff thinks we need more grit.
- Thorny87

DOC isn't being put in a position to score too much right now, but I'd like to see him make more of his opportunities. My hope is that he's not discouraged and continues the way he did to keep getting better.

Lafferty isn't the first player to pull a Lafferty, so we can only hope DOC isn't just another Lafferty. IMO it's clear he's a better and smarter all-around player, but he will need to make more of his chances if he wants to move up.

I think Heinen would be a perfect fit with Geno. He's exactly the type of "support" winger he needs to free him up from other responsibilities and still be able to score a few when the chances are there. That said, DOC working with Geno would be huge for letting them fill out the lineup.
- Rinosaur

It's really going to depend on Geno/Letang/Rust's new deals if there are new deals to be had, but the Pens could go after someone like Radulov on a decent deal, play him with Sid or Geno.

Jake-Sid-Radulov
Heinen-Geno-Tarasenko
DOC-Blueger-Rust
Simon-EROD-McGinn

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-first-win-changes-words/
Not sure if anyone saw this last night.

I hope Hextall tries to trade Zucker for someone who can score goals.

I'm over that experiment.
- j.boyd919

It amazing that his play has bounced back nicely this season, in respect to getting shots and scoring chances, but his shooting percentage keeps falling. His getting Brassard like production despite actually doing things right. He might have saved his value by playing that way to start this season.

We don't neeed another McCann really. Perhaps worse.
- Barnaby36

Carter has been awesome. I hope we get another 2 years from him at least.
- Barnaby36

McCann has more goals and points in less games and better possession stats than Carter. And about 10 years younger. Carter has been good but is bound to slow down even more over the next 2 years.

Really wish we had kept McCann. He'd be 2nd in goals and 1st in PP goals on this team.

McCann has more goals and points in less games and better possession stats than Carter. And about 10 years younger. Carter has been good but is bound to slow down even more over the next 2 years.

Really wish we had kept McCann. He'd be 2nd in goals and 1st in PP goals on this team.
- Tojo.

There would be a very positive trickle down effect throughout the lineup if he was here, but I still do wonder if ERod would have been given the opportunity had this year if McCann were still here.

I'm sure he will try this off-season when he only has the one year left on his contract which may be what's needed to keep Rust. My concern is Rust moving on. I know people are freaking out about paying him $6M, but I think he's worth it at this point if they can move Zucker.
- Rinosaur

Rust put together back to back 30 goal, 60 point pace years. That might get him more than 6M. And he's entering his 30s. Maybe comes down since he hasn't started this year great in goals though he can make it up.

Just feels like the recipe for a bad contract. Depending on how the year goes, I'd consider instead getting a center and moving Malkin to the vacant RW spot to help lessen the wear and tear on him.

There would be a very positive trickle down effect throughout the lineup if he was here, but I still do wonder if ERod would have been given the opportunity had this year if McCann were still here.
- Rinosaur

Agree ERod probably wouldn't have gotten as much opportunity. Sort of depends on who Seattle took if Carter or Blueger was available instead.

PP could definitely have used McCann.