I don’t have much to go on other than the eye test. Which we all know, hardly qualifies as an exact science. And I truly hate to be the harbinger of bad news. Especially when it concerns our Penguins.
But it seems to me we’re a tired hockey team.
Thinking back to last season’s incendiary second half, I remember two games in particular where the Pens’ collective energy and speed was simply overwhelming.
The first—a January 21 matchup versus Philadelphia at then CONSOL Energy Center. The visiting Flyers snatched a 2-0 with a pair of first-period power play goals.
Then…WHAM. The Pens overwhelmed Philly with a tidal burst of speed and effort, pounding three second-period goals past Steve Mason and outshooting the visitors 36-21 over the final 40 minutes.
“Speed kills,” bellowed announcer Paul Steigerwald after watching newcomer Carl Hagelin and fellow burner Phil Kessel torch Mason early in the third period on a classic 2-on-1 for the game winner.
“They’re a fast team,” marveled Flyers forward Jakub Voracek.
A short time later, the locals eviscerated Anaheim, 6-2. Winners of six in a row, the Ducks barely laid a glove on the warp-drive Pens all night long. For the record, Anaheim would go on to win 12 of its next 13 following the embarrassing loss.
Maybe I’m spoiled. And perhaps my recollections are a bit amplified. But I’m not seeing that kind of jump from our guys any more. While I realize the temporary outdoor ice surface at Heinz Field wasn’t necessarily a fair proving ground, I thought we looked sluggish against a rather ordinary Flyers squad on Saturday night.
Same thing with the previous game against Carolina, and the one before that against Detroit.
I decided to do a simple test and track shots on goal for the past nine games, during which the Pens have gone a deceptive 5-1-3.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Shots For | Shots Against | Difference |
| Feb. 7 | Calgary | SO Loss | 2-3 | 33 | 30 | 3 |
| Feb. 9 | Colorado | Win | 4-1 | 30 | 28 | 2 |
| Feb. 11 | Arizona | OT Loss | 3-4 | 31 | 25 | 6 |
| Feb. 14 | Vancouver | Win | 4-0 | 42 | 29 | 13 |
| Feb. 16 | Winnipeg | OT Win | 4-3 | 39 | 47 | -8 |
| Feb. 17 | Columbus | OT Loss | 1-2 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| Feb. 19 | Detroit | Loss | 2-5 | 26 | 24 | 2 |
| Feb. 21 | Carolina | Win | 3-1 | 22 | 30 | -8 |
| Feb. 25 | Philadelphia | Win | 4-2 | 29 | 38 | -9 |
| Total | 5-1-3 | 27-21 | 291 | 290 | 1 |
The numbers support my impressions. Over the nine-game stretch, the Pens have mustered only one more shot on goal than their opponents.
During the past five games, the totals are decidedly worse. Including the overtime win over the Jets on February 16, our guys have been outshot by a whopping 178-155. A difference of minus-23.
Not to beat a dead horse, but injuries certainly haven’t helped. We’ve been competing without two of our fastest skaters and top possession drivers, Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary, for nearly a month. Similarly, injuries to puck-moving defenders Trevor Daley, Kris Letang and Justin Schultz have crippled the club’s transition game and placed an extra burden on everyone else. Especially stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
It’s been noticeable—at least to this observer.
Much to the team’s credit, not to mention coach Mike Sullivan and his staff, the Pens continue to win. The fact that they’re presently tied for second with Minnesota in the overall NHL standings is a testament to their commitment, heart and fortitude. Credit GM Jim Rutherford, too, for providing plenty of organizational depth.
Still, as the Brits used to sing on the march back in World War I, “It’s a long way to Tipperary.” The Pens have 22 regular-season games to play. Just around the corner—a murderous five-game, eight-day road trip that starts on March 8. (Thanks, schedule-makers.) One that surely will test us to our last ounce of resolve and reserve.
Hope our boys can survive…and perhaps even thrive.
Ice Chips
In NHL trade news, Los Angeles acquired goalie Ben Bishop and a fifth-round pick in the 2017 Entry Draft from Tampa Bay for goalie Peter Budaj, defenseman Erik Cernak, a seventh-round pick and a conditional pick in the 2017 Draft.
Minnesota was active, too, acquiring much-coveted center Martin Hanzal, feisty forward Ryan White and a fourth-round pick in 2017 from Arizona for forward Grayson Downing, a first-round pick in 2017, a second-round pick in 2018 and a conditional pick in 2019.
After last night – no D in D – they should be looking for someone. Perhaps they’ve missed the opportunity to move Fleury, (on purpose?), but this suffering D…. It’s bad enough Letang only seems to play in three or four game stretches before getting hurt again, but Dumoulin is struggling, too, and he’s essentially our “size.” The call ups are nice, but not post season ready. Hainsey is a decent player, but he’s not going to move the needle by himself.
Justin Faulk in play? I heard some rumblings but sloughed it off as fan talk.
Looking like the road to the cup goes through D.C. this year, and, for now, it’s beginning to look like a road block.
And to the original post, yes, they are tired, mentally. It’s visible all over the ice. Your, right, Rick, the eye test is the only way to tell. Makes it tough to get a 60 minute game. I would single out Kessel of late as an example. He’s had about three of four horrible games in a row where he can’t seem to keep the puck in front of him, can’t take a pass. That’s lack of focus. That’s being tired.
RE Shattenkirk Trade. ( Posted TSN early AM )
WSH gets d man K Shattenkirk
Goalie P. Copley
St Louis Gets FWD. Zach Sanford
FWD Brad Malone
2017 1st round Pick
2019 2nd round Pick ( Conditional )
Confirmed NHL trade tracker
FYI,
Sanford is 22 years old. Drafted 61st in second round, Plays center, Played for Boston College and Hershey Bears. He has 2 goals and an assist at the NHL level. Big body 6’4″, 210 pounds.
Malone is 27 years old, center man. Drafted 4th round by Colorado .
Played for Carolina as well. Big body 6’2″, 207 pounds.
Copley is 25 year old, minor league goalie.
Hey Jim,
At least this deal is more like what I would expect at the trade deadline. It also shows that the Caps really are all in it to win this year. With their core aging and them gutting the the future for Shattenkirk, I certainly will feel really bad for a friend of mine who was born in the DC area should the Caps pull their usual choke in the play-offs.
Hey Coach
Let’s not celebrate to quickly. My friends and the media heads are really talking up a storm now.
Washington may not be finished on the trade front they say,and they are NOT the same team as last year. They now have 3 strong scoring lines and 3 d sets that can move the puck and punish their opponents.
What are the Rangers going to do? Bluejackets? Reports say Montreal is not finished either?
I am sorry Coach….I have to believe that JR is still going to do something big in the next 27 hours.
Otherwise, we are dumb just sitting and waiting for a miracle to occur.
One article from St.Louis said they did not want to get nothing for Shattenkirk like what happened last year to them and they lost David Baku and Troy B. and got nothing back.
Plus they needed to get bigger at forward to handle Chicago, LA, and the Wild.
Good deal for them. The Pen’s did not have the big,young 6’4″ center to give up.A 5’11” d man is not what they needed. Plus the elephant in the room was MAF contract.
Keep praying my friend…Still time.
Hey Jim,
I wish I had your confidence in a deal. I am not saying that it won’t happen, but I am not holding my breath. I can’t help thinking that JR really believes that keeping MAF is a good thing and that he is sabatoging any possible trades involving MAF himself. I truly believe he thinks that this team, even though it is giving up some of the worst shot numbers in the league can go deep in the play-offs with just under-the-radar pick-ups like Hainsey.
I am not convinced of that. I still remember the all offense no defense quick exits the Pens suffered thru between Cup appearances.
The Pens really do not have the full three lines that they had last year. Neither Bonino nor Hagelin are getting the job done this year and Kessel has been having to rely on PP time and opportunities he gets with Crosby or Malkin.
I had high hopes for this team repeating during the summer, I was looking forward to seeing how the Kids would develope and add to the veterans. Most of the kids haven’t let me down, but the veterans have. I am sick of watching game after game of opponents getting 32 shots on goal, the skaters having to block an additional 16 shots per game and opponents getting an additional 8 or 10 shot attempts that missed the net (Not sure of the exact number, I haven’t seen anyone tracking these cumulative totals, only game totals). In the end opponents are approaching 60 shot attempts per game.
Even if the Pens get Schultz, Letang, Daley, Cole, Maatta, and Domoulin healthy all at the same time, I only have confidence in Schultz and Cole.
Maybe if JR can swing a trade for at least Duchene to invigorate a third line, thereby possibly ressurecting last years mojo of insulating the D by keeping the puck out of the defensive zone, I may start coming around. However, if JR continues to look for excuses not to deal his only real expendable yet valuable asset he has no Cap space to bring in Duchene.
👍👍
Hey Guys,
Now that the shock has worn off. Where do we go from here ?
We still need help at d and we can use some size up front.
Does this force Jimmy’s hand ? As mentioned earlier, the Wild just got better
and the King’s as well. You know the Hawks will do something. Montreal and the Leafs tweaked their line up’s today. I think Jimmy will still surprise us and do a big trade.
Been wrong before. Your thoughts ?
It is said hope springs eternal Jim. I am still hoping but that hope is fading fast.
All of the contenders except the Pens are making good deals, often really cheap deals. It appears the exapsion draft and UFA is causing sellers to sell low to make sure they get something rather than lose a player for nothing but the Pens are choosing neither to sell nor buy.
Shattenkirk looks like a terrific pickup for the Caps. But adding the most talented player doesn’t always work out …
Rick
You are right Rick. The Caps have been trying for years to buy the right pieces at the trade deadline and screwing up their team Chemistry in the process. In the end I can’t help think that their frustration may continue but not until the Conference finals this year. Unless the Pens do something spectacular in the trade market or Murray stands on his head again against the Caps, I don’t see them getting past the Caps.
St. Louis Dispatch just said Blues are in the process to trade Kevin to Washington. Trade has not been booked yet because Caps do not not have 2nd pick in 2018, but in 2019 they do. Also it is agreed he is a rental, maning he will test free agency in the off season.
As Mike posted below , that is what the St .Louis dispatch said.
24 minutes ago it was announced.
Now what ??
Sorry for the spelling mistakes above…My blood pressure is going up !!
Is that true, Caps tried trading a pick they didn’t have?
Just saw Shattenkirk to Caps.
Rick
I’m afraid the Caps getting Shattenkirk and the moves Minny
made with Arizona may put the Pen’s behind the 8ball to repeat.
Both these teams are fast / skilled / physical w/size.
For some reason JR is having trouble pulling the trigger on an kind
of impact trade – I like Quincey but it doesn’t give us the toughness/
physical presence that we need.
To reference the article below – I would not part with Hagelin.
I hear ya, Mike.
In a lot of ways, Shattenkirk is the missing piece to the Caps’ Cup puzzle. They were lacking a little bit in terms of offense from their d. Well, they’re not lacking any more. Really kind of a perfect fit.
Agree that our stiffest competition have really helped themselves.
Regarding Quincey, scouting reports say he’s mobile and handles the puck well. Has some size, too, at least from a Penguins perspective (6’2″ 216).
Like you, I long for more of a physical presence. Forlorn hope, I’m afraid …
Rick
Hey Mike,
I agree. Unless there is a deal for Duchene or Landeskog in the works I don’t see the Pens with a prayer to get passed the 2nd round. I said it before and I am saying it again, one of last years heroes just may end up being this years goat.
I thought it would be hard to trade a goalie right now up until I saw LA bite on Bishop, and Bishop hasn’t been too much better than MAF. And extending passed that, with the pressure LA getting Bishop is putting on St Louis and Calgary to upgrade their goalies to play in back-to-back games to keep their play-off spots, JR still can’t seem to deal? Maybe MAF refuses those deals, but it seems more likely, out of JRs own mouth,he is off in fantasy land thinking that the puzzle piece the Pens need is MAF and not a defensive upgrade. Right now the Pens are second in the league and can afford to play any back-up tonight against Dallas, particularly if they had upgraded their D and could cut their shots against totals down, even if it meant dealing MAF.
Right now I am praying that Murray has a Conn Smythe post season in him because it looks like JR is content to leave him, basically still a rookie (although it does have one Cup under his belt already) dangling from a limb, all alone. The D even when healthy has been horrible this year.
I’m really sick after seeing that the Caps gave up nothing to
get Shattankirk. This is really frustrating. we couldn’t put
together an offer better than the one St. Louis received from
Washington.
2017 1st-round pick
2018 2nd-round pick
C Zach Sanford
That is what sickens me most Mike. JR paid a 2nd round pick for Hainsey but Was is getting away with only paying a what will amount to 2-2nd round picks as late as their 1st round pick is going to be.
Hey everyone,
Just looking to stir the pot a bit but I saw that K Quincey was a healthy scratch tonight, maybe your deal for Quincey is in the works Rick.
Hey Other Rick,
I think we got our wires crossed somewhere. I never mentioned a deal for Quincey.
I did suggest trading for a Lovejoy-type, which we more or less got in Hainsey. But I was hoping for a bit more of an impact guy–at least in physical terms–for our second acquisition on d.
Rick
Hey Rick your right, come to think of it I believe Jim was the one who mentioned Quincey as a possible trade.
Hey Guys
Lots of things happening around the NHL.
1. Alexandre Borrows goes to Ottawa from Vancouver for John Dahlen.
2. Jordie Benn to Montreal from Dallas for Greg Pateryn and a 4th round pick.
3. Brian Boyle to Toronto from Tampa for Byron Froese and a conditional 2nd round pick.
These are all confirmed via NHL TRADE TRACKER at 5.57 pm ET.
4. St Louis Dispatch at 5.37 pm says.. Lawton says Shattenkirk still in play.
Pierre McGuire says Pens and Caps are still favorites ???
Tampa is still interested reports say.
Nothing on NHL Trade Tracker as of 6.05 pm, so I made a call to a close relative of Jake Allen’s and all he would say that ” everything is in play”. 🙂
There is hope, and that is all I can say for now.
Cheers,
Thanks, Jim.
One more trade to throw in:
Forward Teemu Pulkkinen to Arizona from Minnesota for future considerations
Rick
Hey Jim,
I did see the Boyle trade.
I also replied to your comment on the last article.
As you will see reading my other reply, I like the idea of getting Shattenkirk and if Bortz is part of the deal that is just a bonus.
I think a D man with snarl is very important. I love the team speed, but I still think they need a stronger presence on D.
I also want to add this from D Molinari chat post to the Pittsbugh PG; I can’t remember what was actually said in the post but to the affect that Fehr and Hagelin may be part of some deal. Personally, I would think that Bones is more expendable than either Fehr of Hagelin but just figured I would throw Molinari’s comments out there.
Hey guys (and gal–don’t want to exclude Jayelene)
While I like Hagelin, I’m a little disappointed with his production. The Pens may be looking to shed salary, too.
My guess is Josh Archibald’s ready to move up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He certainly has the speed.
Rick
Sorry Jaylene.
With that wonderful story about you and your brothers playing hockey when you were younger and they using you as a target in nets brings back many memories from my past.
My mother said take your sister outside and play hockey.I said Mom she got no stick to which my mother would say, give her a broom and let her play nets.So that’s what we did 50 years ago.Looks like you got the same treatment.
Just think of us as a bunch of your brothers.Haha.
Cheers 😀
PS : My 26 year old daughter plays hockey in a recreational woman’s league and is a far better hockey player than her older brother. Far better.
Thanks, Jim. I suspect that a lot of little sisters earned their hockey stripes just like your sister and me, at the mercy of older brothers. But you’ll notice that we keep coming back (just like me to this blog)! And I do think of you guys as the older brothers I never had – the kind ones. 😉
Jayelene
P.S. I love the image of your sister playing with an old broom! Gives the term ‘sweep check’ a whole new connotation.
Great stories!
Love the sweep check reference … 🙂
Rick
Hey Rick,
Sorry, I posted the following on your last article before seeing this article, I wanted to throw this out for peoples thoughts;
Okay, so here is my question;
I have been thinking about the LA – Bishop rental to try and squeeze into the playoff picture with St. Louis and Calgary the teams most at risk; what are the chances now that either of those teams are and/or have been feeling the pressure and are looking to or already have been hammering out a trade with the Pens for MAF?
I am not sure LA really upgraded by flipping Budaj for Bishop, he really hasn’t looked himself lately, but their spin is being able to put a No 1 on the ice every night.
So, if this is the case, is Shattenkirk or maybe Wideman (not sure they would give up Hamilton at this point) on their way to Pgh? And if so, what are your thoughts, what else would you be willing to give up or what else would you want in exchange? Or would you perhaps take LAs approach?
If someone is a really hoping for a trade like one of these, they should maybe thank LA for adding to the pressure to push that sort of trade forward.
Hey Other Rick,
I have to get ready for work soon, so I’ll need to be brief. I heard (through an unreliable local source) on Saturday that Rutherford had turned down a Wideman-for-Fleury swap.
Frankly, I’m not sure I’d want him, either. I know Wideman’s skilled and a coveted right-handed shot, but I don’t think he’s a great skater or particularly good in his own end.
If we’re going to trade for a defenseman, I’d rather it be someone with more of a physical and d-zone presence. Which doesn’t fit Shattenkirk’s profile, either. Although I’d be more open to acquiring him.
A lot of people will think I’m nuts for suggesting this. But I’m comfortable with Chad Ruhwedel as an NHL defenseman. He reminds me in some ways of Daley. Ideally, I’d like an upgrade. But if we can’t …
Another skewed thought to toss out. With Bishop going to LA and Quick returning from the IR, guess who becomes expendable?
Yep … Jeff Zatkoff. Not that I’d be especially comfortable with him as a (bargain-priced) backup in the event we deal Flower. But I don’t profess to know how JR views him.
Rick
Hey Rick,
If you could assure me that Letang would be healthy while still playing with his trade-mark reckless abandon, I would agree with you, pass on both. I would prefer a D with snarl. However, with Letang always a question mark as to when his next injury is going to happen, I wouldn’t get upset over a Shattenkirk deal.
Several times over the last several years I have heard and read some people suggesting Wideman come to Pgh, I have never been a fan of that trade. I mentioned Wideman because I had heard that might be the deal Jim had mentioned reported in the Quebec news the other night.
As for Ruhwedel, I don’t think he really can be a top 4 D man. He may be able to be an effective 5 or 6 D man. however, right now, on the Pens roster as it stands, I would definitely say he is easily a top 6, given the competition, maybe already a number 5. Outside of Schultz, Letang, Cole, and Daley, I have been underwhelmed by the parade of ineptitude I have been subjected to watching. Yes there several blocking shots, but is the least they could do after they blew the break-outs. In fact, Daley and Letang have been rather inconsistent in their performances. At the moment, the only 2 D-men I am comfortable with are Cole and Schultz.
I won’t really have anything to say about Hainsey yet other than I think we over-paid until I get the chance to see him play.
My younger brother, not Switzerland, suggested that the Pens may go after Zatkoff too, should the Pens really be trading MAF. Howver, if I had my druthers, I would go after A Nillson in Buf as the back-up; not so much because I think he is the best available, but mainly so that the Pens don’t have to play him. He always seems to stone them. Maybe his 6’6″ 220 some lb frame intimidates them and I read some discussion that Buf may be shopping to see what they could get for him.
Hey Other Rick,
Agree with your thoughts. Mind you, I’m not touting Ruhwedel as a top-four guy. But as a 6th or 7th d-man…I like him.
Also agree on Zatkoff. He’s okay in a pinch, but I couldn’t imagine riding him should Murray go down for any length of time. You’d almost have to call up Tristan Jarry. Which the Pens may be comfortable doing.
Rick
PS–Getting Hanzal was a real coup for Minnesota. As much as I hate to say so, it might make them the team to beat.
Hey Rick,
I thought that Hanzal trade was interesting too. I really haven’t started thinking even to first round opponents yet let alone Western teams, but although I lik Chi’s organization as a whole, and know that they are starting gel right now at the right time, but I agree, Min may have postitioned themselves as a team that the west has to face to get to the finals.