Ryan Wilson: It is getting late early for the Penguins It is getting late early for the Penguins

So basically Rust is the issue on the top 6. Again, was never a huge fan. Always thought he was fine but a fringe top 6. His success has been riding with elite talent. He's 30 now and it might have been good to walk away from him last year.

JMO... but I hate breaking up lines that are killing it. I've seen Sully do that multiple times in his career and it seemingly kills the momentum of the line that's hot. I'd drop Rust for McGinn or Heinan. I'd even take a look at Carter.....he's on fumes centering the 3rd line anyway.

I said the same thing about Kap after the Boston game where he was just standing around. That's turning out to be a JJ type contract for Hexy. He looks like a fool.

Just rolling out that PP time after time is my major gripe right now.

Rust is plain bad right now and Letang could hit a shinpad on an empty pond.

Someone posted that the 2nd unit is having double the success of PP1. They have 2 solid shooters in Petry and Rakkel.

How long before Burke is the "new" GM?

Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McGinn-Blueger-Carter
Someone-Poehling-Archy
Or
Guentzel-Crosby-Archy
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McGinn-Carter-Rakell
Someone-Blueger-Poehling

Zucker is on fire and deserves a promotion to PP1. Drop Rust and put Zucker up there and see what happens. Ride the hot hand.

I agree with waiving Kapanen. If you're not going to play him in a top-9 role, then waive him and take the savings. Let him earn his way back.

Zucker is on fire and deserves a promotion to PP1. Drop Rust and put Zucker up there and see what happens. Ride the hot hand.
- buckster2342

Putting another left handed shot on the PP IMO isn't a good idea. I do think pulling Rust for maybe Rakell or even Petry?

Petry on the left half wall, Geno on the right half wall both ready for one T's. Let Letang rip wristers from up top, and make the PK decide on who to cover (Geno or Petry) and let the bombs go from eeither.

THis team suffers from FWS Fat Wallet Syndrome No desire to achieve No passion Old age is tough but a Fat wallet along with it is devistating Melt the ice and let them drown.

So basically Rust is the issue on the top 6. Again, was never a huge fan. Always thought he was fine but a fringe top 6. His success has been riding with elite talent. He's 30 now and it might have been good to walk away from him last year.
- sammy87

The problem isn't the forwards. The problem is the defense.

Pettersson is our best LD and he got caught up ice twice last night that lead to goals. One was a two on one and the other left Marner all alone in front of the net. Each time the first forward back was Crosby. Personally, I would much rather have Pettersson playing defense and Crosby being in an offensive position, but that's just me.

THis team suffers from FWS Fat Wallet Syndrome No desire to achieve No passion Old age is tough but a Fat wallet along with it is devistating Melt the ice and let them drown.
- broncohorvath

Yes, they were all young aspiring players struggling financially when they won back to back Cups in 2016 and 2017.

Today @ 10:55 AM ET
How long before Burke is the "new" GM?

I sure as hell hope this isnt the case ever. Burke is a dinosaur stuck in the clutch and grab trap days.

How's everyone doing? All down and out about before the 1/4 of a season mark woes? Just remember what your good buddy MattStrat said to you on this 16th day of November in the year two thousand and twenty-two: these early season adversities will make the winning later in season feel even better.

While I was in the USA they went 2-0-1 (might of been 2-1-1)...I got back to Canada last night while that game was started and they lost....which begs the question...do I need to move to Orlando, FL?

Yes, they were all young aspiring players struggling financially when they won back to back Cups in 2016 and 2017.
- jmatchett383

hahaha

THis team suffers from FWS Fat Wallet Syndrome No desire to achieve No passion Old age is tough but a Fat wallet along with it is devistating Melt the ice and let them drown.
- broncohorvath

They all (Geno, Tanger and Rust) could of taken more money elsewhere....this narrative is garbage.

The Penguins are a weird team. Usually when an older team full of veterans is playing like this, you can attribute to a lack of effort. However, watching a lot of their games, i dont think thats the problem. I dont see them not interested in playing or dont care. I see two things:

1) Turnovers - this team turns the puck over a lot and it usually leads to good chances. This is a problem you'd expect a younger team to struggle with, not a team like the penguins. It happens a lot when exiting the zone and the Penguins defenseman makes a bad breakout pass. Letang does it, Dumo does it, Petry does it, etc.

2) Goaltending - the goaltending started off really strong. Jarry was near the top in a lot of categories. That has steadily fallen off and he is now around league average. That has been a noticeable change as well.

I think this team will figure it out and be fine, but like Ryan mentioned - sooner or later it becomes a numbers game. Plus given the age, you have to expect some guys to drop off as we get into February and March.

The problem isn't the forwards. The problem is the defense.

Pettersson is our best LD and he got caught up ice twice last night that lead to goals. One was a two on one and the other left Marner all alone in front of the net. Each time the first forward back was Crosby. Personally, I would much rather have Pettersson playing defense and Crosby being in an offensive position, but that's just me.
- Thunderbolt

Marino looking awfully good with the Devs

Marino looking awfully good with the Devs
- hfc355

Everyone looks good on a team in the midst of a 10 game winning streak....but "awfully" good? meh, dont think its warranted here. Has Petry been awfully good too?

Marino: 16 games played: 2 goals, 6 assists, +9, 21 shots, 16 hits and 17 blocks

Petry: 16 games played: 3 goals, 4 assist, even, 24 shots, 49 hits and 34 blocks.

Also....Marino is a RD, he was talking about LD's....but you knew that, right?

Putting another left handed shot on the PP IMO isn't a good idea. I do think pulling Rust for maybe Rakell or even Petry?

Petry on the left half wall, Geno on the right half wall both ready for one T's. Let Letang rip wristers from up top, and make the PK decide on who to cover (Geno or Petry) and let the bombs go from eeither.
- j.boyd919

I'd like to see a Petry up top, Geno and Rakell on the half walls and Sid and Jake Down low. Petry has a bomb same as Geno, and Rik has the best snapper on the team to circle off the wall with.

They really just need to fire Sullivan. This team needs to be a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. It reminds me of when the coach in money ball says “I’m coaching in a way that I can explain in job interviews”. Never deviate from the status quo of 2016.

I'd like to see a Petry up top, Geno and Rakell on the half walls and Sid and Jake Down low. Petry has a bomb same as Geno, and Rik has the best snapper on the team to circle off the wall with.
- Thorny87

The problem is they have no reset, or any set plays to go by when the option is there. The only plan is to move around and pass it hoping for a play to develop. Instead of having a plan of how to manufacture you’re own plays.

They all (Geno, Tanger and Rust) could of taken more money elsewhere....this narrative is garbage.
- MattStrat

Yes they could have and maybe they should have but together as a group they have become complacent and their wallets are plenty fat. Do you really think that they stayed because they wanted to be together and grow old and lose. Why do others go and try to fit in elsewhere to help out. Who are they helping out here. They are happy and that breeds content. They have won and now they are too comfortable together. Good ole boys club. Sit back and have a cigar and a drink Who cares

The problem is they have no reset, or any set plays to go by when the option is there. The only plan is to move around and pass it hoping for a play to develop. Instead of having a plan of how to manufacture you’re own plays.
- Grinder47

Plan A: Give it to Crosby and let him do things
Plan B: See Plan A
Plan C: Throw it on the net and hope
Plan D: See Plans A and B