Penguins Fab Fours

1. Guys … Thanks so much for the encouragement and the kind words – you really make a girl feel welcome! As I said, I’ve been reading you guys for a while, and finally worked up the courage to post something. Sometimes it’s hard to tell how welcome a newbie’s comments will be on a blog like this, especially when it’s obvious that you guys are all pretty sophisticated in your understanding of the game. I’m learning a lot just by reading. Now I won’t be so hesitant to post, but don’t worry, I promise not to ask too many stupid questions. 😉 Meanwhile, I can’t wait for 5:00 tomorrow – I feel like I’m going through withdrawal!

   1. Hi Jayelene
      We were all newbies at one time, so please do not let that stop you. Myself, it took me 18 to 20 months of reading this blog before I got the courage to start posting last year. I should have done it alot sooner but I was a little concerned that what I had to say was not relevant. That is what makes Pens Poop special in that we are all welcome.
      As far as asking dumb questions, you are not alone in that department.We all do it.So please feel free to ask away.
      I too am waiting for the puck drop against Tampa.
      Cheers

2. Hey Jim,

   You may get your wish. I just saw a report that MAF has the bug that Maatta and Rust had and may miss Sunday’s game. Jarry may make his NHL debut against TB.

   The report also said Murray will be back soon though, so the clock is ticking on Jarry’s chances of getting in there.

   1. Thanks Coach
      That is good news indeed and Tampa is a real good team that fires a lot shots at the net. Should be a good test for him.
      So who will be Jarry’s back up? Would they bring up the other guy in WBS or dress somebody else on an emergency basis?
      Cheers

3. “our own Fab Four–Sid, Phil, Tanger and Geno”

   That’s a great lineup for the start of the 4 on 4 overtime.

   1. Totally agree with IRA Darth Aggie.
      Not to many teams in the NHL can
      boast about that.
      Nice to hear from. Welcome.☺
      Cheers

   2. Amen, IRA Darth Aggie.

      Welcome to the blog. Feel free to comment any time … 🙂

      Rick

4. Hey Rick, Jim, Phil, everybody,

   A quick question as to anyones thoughts on the Caps ending the Jackets winning streak, just shy of the 92-93 Pens?

   1. YES GOD REALLY DOES ANSWER PRAYERS !!!!!
      ☺☺☺☺☺😊👍

      1. Hey Coach.
         On a more statistical basis, it shows once again that there are real serious contenders for the Cup in 2017.
         Getting out of our conference will be very tough.
         Reading a few other sites and I can not help to get the impression that the Pen’s will win it all and it is absolutely assure thing.
         Funny I heard the same thing about your national election.Hillary had a 92% chance of winning.
         Yes we can win the Cup in 2017….but so can 5 or 6 other teams. The Caps are one of them.
         Cheers

         1. Hey Jim,

            No one knows what will be happening in April, let alone June, but it does seem likely that who ever emerges out of the Metropolitan Division will have been bloodied and have earned their right to contend for the Conference Championship and Cup. Of the 5 or 6 teams you cite as Cup contenders, I can think of 4 or 5 right here in the Pens Division.

5. Hey Rick,

   Another great title.

   Just like Jim below, I love numbers. I am a stat geek. So, I love looking at stuff like this and when you post numbers on former Pens and WBS.

   A couple of random thoughts to go along with these numbers;

   The Face Off stats really are a not so fab four. Last year the Pens were way stronger but they are really the usual suspects. So my question here is why the big difference? Is it a lack of concentration? Is it a a matter of desire on the part of opponents to dethrone the Champs? Or is it a matter of so many whiners last year, complaining about how Crosby was cheating because he was winning too many draws causing linesmen to alter how they drop the puck? I don’t know. The drop off is steep. After Cullen, there really is no one else above 50%, remember Fehr has taken very few draws. He has only done spot duty at center.

   Like Jim below, I find Kuhnhackl’s D-zone starts very interesting, especially at 80.3%. It seems to me that you don’t send out a player that often in the D-zone if you don’t have supreme confidence in him, defensively. And that begs the question, considering the moves he made on that break away goal, why is he not getting more ice-time?

   Considering we have Sprong waiting in the wings it seems to me that we are very strong at RW and this may be a place where JR may try and move a player. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that it happen, just musing. I love all 5 of those RWs (the top 4 RWs and Sprong). I don’t want to see any of them traded.

   The Shooting % stands out as well. Seems to me, last year the Pens weren’t quite as lethal. They just seemed to overwhelm their opponents with tons of shots.

   Again like Jim below, I am a (+/-) fan. I know a lot of people who laugh at this number. Those detractors like to come up with wild discussions of how you get a – if you just step on to the ice because another player who deserved the – more jumps off and a goal is scored. They also whine that even if you were on the ice the whole time but someone else is really at fault. However, the bottom line is that the puck had to get passed all the players on the ice so all equally share in the guilt of the goal. Furthermore the real trick in hockey is to out-score your opponents. Therefore the +/- stat intuitively is the most important and this intuition proves out when running correlation statistics to wins, far more than any other stats. So to echo Jim’s sentiments, good for Schultz.

   The interesting thing looking down these lists is; although the usual suspects are represented, there are more players here, new players, players standing up to be counted.

   1. Hi guys, I enjoy reading your thoughts on the Pens very much. I really don’t understand stats like you guys do, but looking at it for the first time, I agree Tommy K’s Defenive Zone % is a real eye-opener, even more so when you look at it beside his Plus/Minus rating of +5. It does make me wonder why he doesn’t play more, but I guess it’s a good problem for Sully to have – an embarrassment of riches.

      1. Hey Jayelene,

         Agreed on both counts, considering the (+/-) with the number of Defensive zone FOs is staggering. I hadn’t really looked at that. Great observation!

         Also, I am loving the depth we have at RW right now; Kessel, Hornqvist, Rust, Kuhnhackl, Fehr, and let’s not forget Sprong waiting in the wings.

         I have no doubt Sully is loving that problem!

      2. Hi Jayelene
         Thank you for the kind words. Welcome to the group.
         Rick does a tremendous job with this site and the fact he
         has published 2 books on our beloved Penguins and is about
         to publish a third one speaks volumes of his dedication to
         the Team. Phil, Rick and their friends have committed a lot
         of time and effort to let people like myself and the other fine
         contributors gain insight to our team by sharing our thoughts
         and opinions. We come from different backgrounds and different
         geographic regions but together we share our thoughts, concerns and even the odd complaint, but in the end we are all Pen’s fans.
         Thanks for posting, Hope you continue. Have a good day.
         Cheers

      3. Hey Jayelene,

         I just saw your comments and wanted to welcome you to the blog. Please feel free to chime in any time … 🙂

         Your thoughts about Tom Kuhnhackl are most insightful. This kid actually has some impressive bloodlines … his dad, Erich, was the Mario Lemieux of German hockey.

         I, too, think (the new) TK has some untapped upside potential.

         Rick

6. Hey Old Geezer,
   From one to another, this is one piece of great work.A lot of good information.
   I like numbers,and a few really stick out to me. (Shocking is to light of
   an expression to use.) Here is my fab four surprises, although they
   really shouldn’t be.

   1. Tommy K. leads all in defense zone start ratios. 80.3 % And you only
   pay this guy $ 640 K a year. Man that is a good deal for your money.
   2. Patric H. leads all in Corsi ratings. It should not shock me, but when you
   see it in writing it just seems strange. You would think Sid would be tops ??
   3. Justin S. leads the team in plus minus. Good for him. My buddies often argue that this is the only stat in hockey that really matters, and we all over look it. I am the slow one in the group, but one says give me a team at the end of season that has all plus players on it…… I know took a little while to sink in.
   4. Kris Letang averages 26.03 minutes a game. Wow. ( Sid is only 19 .)
   Lets face it, Letang gets all the tough assignments as well. He does not have the luxury to take a night off and when he does,usually we lose.
   Most underrated player on the team.!!
   My honorable mention goes to Brian Rust. For some one who was supposed to be a 4 th line defensive forward and drafted late in the 3 rd round,he continues to impress me.
   Lets go Pens .

   1. Hey Jim,

      I found this illuminating (and fun), too.

      Like you, the Kuhnhackl d-zone starts surprised me, although I really like him. I watch him a lot, and he’s very smart and well-schooled. He always seems to be in proper position. And when he does get a chance to flash a little offense, he’s got some underrated skills. Very subtle. I think this kid has an upside, should they work him into a higher profile role.

      Agree about Rust, too. When media types first began to mention him, it was strictly as a fourth line chip-and-chaser. His numbers with the Baby Pens certainly weren’t dazzling. But he’s really learned to use his speed to its utmost advantage. And he has a knack for being around the puck when it matters the most.

      Sort of a modern-day version of Mario’s old left wing (and current Pens color man) Bob Errey, but with better hands.

      I love when Rust skates straight at the goalie…then abruptly pulls up. My word, the poor goalie practically falls on top of himself…often leaving a wide-open net to shoot at … 🙂

      Letang is, indeed, terrific. Although he’s in superb condition, he’s not the biggest guy in the world. So to log that kind of a workload game after game is really something.

      I have to admit to being frustrated with him a couple of years ago, when he seemed to morph into a turnover machine. But he’s really matured since then, both emotionally and in his on-ice decision making. And he’s got such a unique skill set.

      Quite a player.

      Rick

Comments are closed.