I hope last night’s 4-1 loss to Chicago at the United Center wasn’t somehow symbolic. Like in the Miss America pageant, when last year’s honoree hands her crown to the latest winner.
Unfortunately, that’s what it felt like. A changing of the guard…or passing of the Cup, if you will. The King is dead, Long live the King.
Talk about two teams headed in opposite directions. The Blackhawks have won five in a row (and 10 of 11), in the process blowing past us in the overall NHL standings. Reigning MVP Patrick Kane struck for a hat trick last night. Two-way stalwart Jonathan Toews is heating up a la Sidney Crosby last spring. Borrowing a page from the Penguins’ book, the Hawks have stocked their bottom six with speedy, energetic kids.
In fact, they look an awful lot like we did at this stage last season. Coiled and poised to strike.
On the flip side, the Pens are sputtering like a badly opened bottle of soda pop (2-3-1 in our last six). The previous evening the black and gold blew a two-goal lead against Dallas, ending our glorious 65-0 run since the start of 2015-16 when leading after two periods.
One by one, hallmarks of our success are falling like dominos. An ominous sign.
Indeed, we seem to be in decline. Not where you want to be approaching the Ides of March. To say nothing of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which favors clubs that are just hitting their stride.
It’s difficult to tell what kind of team the Penguins have. Partly because we’re so banged up. While injuries to key performers Trevor Daley, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary could have a beneficial effect by giving each an unplanned rest, it’s clearly taking a toll on the rest of the guys. And while the Pens showed more hop against the Blackhawks—and received spectacular goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury to boot—it wasn’t enough to earn a victory.
General manager Jim Rutherford tried to give his sagging troops a boost at the trade deadline. Despite severe salary-cap restrictions, he acquired veteran backline minutes eater Ron Hainsey from Carolina and aggressively pursed St. Louis stalwart Kevin Shattenkirk, only to be rebuffed.
JR did swing a creative deal for Mark Streit, a skilled and accomplished puck-mover from the backend. Streit served as an assistant captain with the Flyers and has good possession numbers this season (a Corsi for of 52.4 percent at even strength). At age 39, we’ll see how much he has left in the tank.
Still, to properly execute coach Mike Sullivan’s attacking style, the locals need an infusion of good old-fashioned puck-hunting hunger. Especially in the short run.
To that end, Sheary can’t return soon enough. The Pens really miss his energy, speed and compete level, not to mention his hockey smarts and skill. No one more than Sid.
Carter Rowney may be responsible and good on faceoffs, but he contributes little in the way of offense (a lone assist in 10 games). If I were JR, I’d call up speedy Josh Archibald (fourth in the AHL in plus/minus) from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton post-haste and plug him into the lineup. At least until Rust returns.
As I’d mentioned before, the immediate future ain’t especially rosy. In fact, given how crippled we are, it’s downright grim. Following a pair of home contests with Tampa Bay and Buffalo, we depart for a season-smashing road trip. Five games in eight days, starting in Winnipeg and wending through the wilds of western Canada before wrapping up in the unfriendly environs of Philadelphia.
I hate to be a doomsayer. But I fear things are going to get worse before they get better.
Don’t be surprised if we’re occupying a wild-card spot by the time we return.
Ice Chips
The Penguins outshot Chicago, 37-29, and out-hit the Hawks, 35-16. The Blackhawks won 52 percent of the faceoffs.
Scott Wilson scored the lone Penguins’ goal on a pretty backhander at the 17-minute mark of the second period. Hainsey got the only assist, his first point for the black and gold.
Fleury made 25 saves, many of the highlight-reel variety.
Hi Rick,
” Day 2 of the end of the World”
Could be a title for a chapter in your new book Rick. I was reading everyone’s posts for the past 2 days again,and I really appreciated their comments, opinions and emotions. All of them. We are blessed to have a group that is so passionate, knowledgeable and understanding of our game and our team. Thanks to everyone but especially to you Rick,and founder Phil, for this unique site.
Last night the various hockey shows were giving their opinions on what had happened the day earlier…the winners and losers…fan reaction,,,ect. All 31 teams ! ( They have to do something to fill the air space).
A tale of 2 cities. Colorado. The GM is being heavily criticized for not being able to trade 2 premium players for any decent return. GM Joe Sakic got blasted for being to greedy in what he wanted. In the end he got nothing.
Montreal. They fired the Coach.( a second time) They hired from their absolute most hated rivals,Claude Julien their recently fired Coach. The Montreal GM made 5 roster trades. Changed 25% of his on ice line up.
But all the fans and media could say was GM Bergevin failed to get Matt Duchene. What a terrible day for Montreal they all said. Can not win the Cup.
In the Toronto based,national media, there are some very knowledgeable and respected Hockey media people,( many are former Coaches,GM’s and players) and have been doing their jobs for many years. These people say that indeed Montreal is a much better club now,( bigger and grittier) than 2 days earlier and Sakic was just doing his job to get the best deal for his team at that moment. Same situation Rick, but seen from 2 very, very different viewpoints!
With regards to the Penguins, these same unbiased Toronto media have praised Jimmy R. in the moves he DID NOT MAKE. They said ownership wants to Win NOW, but to JR’s credit he did not break up the team for one last chance at the Cup. Plus we all ,me included criticize the Streit trade and Hainsey trade but they are going to make us a better team. Case in point is that star d man Shayne Gostisbehere, over all his numbers are better when he is paired with Streit. Who knows Rick, maybe Streit and young Maatta find chemistry together. Just like Cole and Schultz.
Hainsey is your Lovejoy Rick. He will do what ever is asked of him and can contribute in 90% of the situations. He is a good depth move.
Toronto says we are the team to beat in the East. If we are honest with ourselves, as Phil said,on paper and in regular league play,Washington has been the better team for the last 3 years at least. But, they have not beaten us when it counts ! Until they do, we are still the Champs.
It is funny looking back to our posts in October and early November….Coach, you,Me,55 and others all said it will be difficult to repeat as Cup champions in
2017, thus the reason it has not been done very often in the Cap era by any team. Well guys and gals give yourselves a pat on the back my friends for being physic. We are here now.This is the start of that difficult journey we all predicted. My scout master said many decades ago,and it stuck with me through out my life… To have a successful journey, you have to start first.
We have ….
Cheers
Great Stuff Jim!
There are 29 teams wishing they were defending champs and already 10 or 12 teams wishing they still had a legitimate shot at the post season this year.
The time for talking and wishing is over, it is time to show.
Let’s go Pens!!!!!
Hey Coach
You raised a really good point a couple of times this week.One we all over looked.
Media and peer pressure on the Caps!!
Ovi must have nightmares every time we get to a game 6 against us.
That is a real concern for them.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Hey Jim,
I’d responded to one of your posts a little farther down, but I’ll repeat the gist of it here.
The more I think about JR’s moves, the more pleased I am. Given that he was tight against the cap and didn’t part with much, I think he did a good job bringing in Hainsey and Streit.
The former is a veteran minutes-muncher with size who can kill penalties (yes, my Lovejoy-type). The latter is an excellent point man who can really move the puck.
My only concerns with Streit are his age (39) and, more so, small stature (generously listed at 5’11 191). I wonder how he’ll hold up defensively against a heavy forecheck.
Still, when we get everyone healthy, we’ll have plenty of quality depth on defense.
I still wish we had a bit more size and physicality. I fear we’re locked into beating teams one way (with speed) and one way only. But, all things considered, a job well done.
Rick
Amen !!😊
Hey Rick,
Went to bed last night,absolutely distraught. My beloved Pen’s got beat 4-1 by Chicago, no major trades to report yesterday, and as you said,”things are going to get worse”.Read and reread all the latest posts at 1 am last night. I was not in “my Happy Place” as the young crowd likes to say. ??
So this morning up for an 8 am business meeting and of course, what topic comes up ..Hockey ! I just listened… It made me proud to be a Pen’s fan.
At center,Sid,Geno,Nick and Matt. Better than anybody in the league. ( get Bonino going by agreeing to a new contract for next year NOW they said). In goal,Murray,Fleury and Jarry. As good as anybody. Wingers.4 that can score and 4 others who can contribute and not be a defensive liability. Pens have that. Plus Phil. They said, and I agree he drives you crazy sometimes,but when it really counts he becomes a different player.( Last Olympics he led all US players in scoring, and last year in the Cup run, there were whole series where he was our best player, next to Murray.HBK K K !) On defense, Letang, Schultz,Daley,Streit, Maatta ? are good offensive d men.The others, the tribe are deeper now than we were last year. I know Rick you like Lovejoy, but the group we have now is deeper and better than last year in my opinion. I really wanted Shattenkirk as well. But at what cost ??
So is the glass half empty of half full ? We will see.
Washington are favored to win the east. But they were last year as well.
The Pen’s,Bluejackets,Rangers and an outside chance Montreal, a really outside, are in the hunt for the Cup.In the West , Wild, Hawks,Sharks and ???, not much else.
So yes things are not perfect, but we are still one of the Top 4 teams considered to win it all this year ! That is a good place to be.!!!
27 others would love to be us. Let us never forget that.
The only thing I worry about is injuries to Sid, Geno,Matt .. others.
Not perfect,but…..
Cheers 🙂
Hey Jim,
I love your glass-is-half (or mostly) full outlook. And you’re absolutely right. When you tally up our assets, we’re still quite an imposing team. At least when fully healthy.
Not to be a downer, but there are things that concern me. I’m a “feel” kind of guy, and things just don’t feel right to me at the present. The team looks tired … especially guys like Crosby, Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz … who perhaps are being asked to do too much in the wake of the injuries.
We just don’t seem to have the same hop, snap and urgency in our game. Let’s face it, Fleury stood on his head last night and we still couldn’t get a “w.”
Perhaps when we get everyone back–most likely near the end of the season–we’ll be reinvigorated and it’ll seem like we have our old team back. At least that’s what I’m hoping.
I just pray our core guys have something left in the tank by then.
What I’m not looking forward to? That upcoming road trip, starting with Winnipeg. I fear for our physical well-being…especially Malkin’s. Hockey players have awfully long memories. And I’m afraid guys like Dustin Byfuglien and Adam Lowry will be looking to avenge Geno’s hit on Blake Wheeler back on Feb. 16.
Who on our current roster is going to stop them?
Rick
Hi Rick,
We both the answer to that one. The boys in the Zebra stripes. Haha.
It is indeed a situation that should not have happened but we have become a team much like the soft Montreal Teams of real olden days and we will be challenged for sure until the end of the season.
One point made this morning was that if the Pen’s were smart they would rest their players often and play for the fourth place finish in the regular season so that our first match up was against Washington with a well rested team ! I scoffed at that idea at first but the more I thought about it today, it makes a lot of sense. The winner of that series will, in my opinion be the representative in the Cup final,barring major injuries.
Am I 100 % happy with the team moving forward, no. You know that. This year other teams have made changes to handle us, the defending Cup Champions, and we have to adapt . Period.
I am trying to accept the reality of our situation.
Cheers,
The Capitals seem to be perennial favorites to win the Cup every year since Ovechkin. Every year is their year, 6 times first in the division, two Presidents trophies and haven’t made it past the second round of the playoffs.
All they really added was Shattenkirk who has been the Blues biggest defensive liability the last two years. Take away his powerplay points, which i doubt he will see time on at least the main one, he is not really worth that much.
Hey Phil,
I would have liked to get Shattenkirk to give us to give us insurance for Letang who plays really wreckless and gets hurt, however, your point is well taken. I have friends from the DC area who give me the low down on the fragile pstche of the Caps and their fans. They are always waiting for the worst. The deeper they go and the more games they are forced to play, the greater the spectre of choking becomes.
Truth be told the only way I see the Caps winning the Cup is if they can win every series in 4-5 games. The more times they have to play a game 6 the greater the odds get that theu choke and those odds start fairly high. Maybe Shattenkirk figures if the Cubs can overcome their history of choking then the Caps may be able to do it this year too. I do not doubt that Jim’s skinny on Shattenkirk nixing the deal to come to Pgh, I think his ego may have forced him to posture with those words. However, as I think of it, I am wondering if he just didn’t want to fight for his ice-time for RD with Letang and Schultz. If this guess is correct, then I am glad we didn’t get him. We don’t need me first players. Sullie got this team to win the Cup with the team 1st mantra and that is what it still takes in the NHL. And if this team finds that same total team commitment, then I can still see them with a chance of getting to at least the conference finals.
Having said that, the Streit and Carodo deals are still leaving me scratching my head
Hey Coach,
If I may jump in for one point. The Streit deal, really was a thing of beauty whereby ,(correct me Phil,if I get this wrong please,) in that Phili sends Streit to Tampa for Flippula, and Phili actually retained part of Streit’s salary, and Tampa gets to unload a 5 million contract for next year for Flippula, then Tampa holds part of Streit’s contract again and the Pen’s cap hit for Streit is greatly reduced. ( That is a trick to do !). Then they send the 2 million Fehr’s contract to Toronto plus about 600k for Olesky’s contract and thus creates a cap situation that works.So to pull this deal off,you need Phili, Tampa,and Toronto, plus the Pen’s to do this deal.
Oh, by the way Coach add the fact that Phili and the Pen’s are not the best of friends to say the least and Tampa has a real dislike for both of them, it was a minor miracle this trade ever happened at all.
The NAFTA free trade agreement was easier to do than this one.
Cheers
Hey Jim,
I did see that on one of the salary cap web sites. It was ingenius in its inception but my point is that I just don’t understand why we wanted him. It doesn’t seem to be any more than giving a glass of water to a drowning man or a refridgerator to an Eskimo. The Pens really didn’t need another midget D man on a roster of pretty much all midgets. Really only Cole and Letang will try and play big, the rest just wave sticks and give dirty looks.
The Fehr deal doesn’t make more sense if I am to believe that the team is “All in it to win this year”. In fact the Fehr deal may be a step backwards if the team is commited to this year. Corrado has only played 60 some NHL games, hasn’t done much in those games; offensively, defensively, or physically and just like Streit is just one more midget in a herd of midgets.
Columbus has been Avg at best since their streak ended, Washington are choke artists, so that leaves on the Rangers; all in all with a bit of luck the Pens could sneak to the Conference finals despite their short comings, particularly with Murray back-stopping them. However, 16 post-season wins isn’t easy and the Pens didn’t really do much at the trade deadline to alter their downward trending.
If the reports are true that Sestito is a great locker room guy, maybe Rick’s comment an article back, suggesting the Pens bring him back up, may get the team to appear less tired, beaten, and looking like they are just trying to hang on. Maybe he can bring back the swagger of a team looking to storm the off-season with a passion to win, even if he just sits on the bench.
Hey Jim,
I’ve been kind of busy the past couple of days, but I really wanted to respond to your comment.
The Streit deal was, indeed, a thing of beauty. In fact, when I really stop to think about what we gave up versus what we received, once again we have to give Rutherford high marks. Especially when you consider how up against the cap wall JR was.
Hainsey and Streit may not be All-Stars (or Shea Weber), but I think they are pretty much what the doctor ordered. And while I do wish we could’ve gotten a physical forward from somewhere (harkening back to my proposed Kerby Rychel for Derrick Pouliot swap), when all is said and done, it’s pretty tough to complain.
Sometimes we (I) set ourselves up for disappointment with our own lofty expectations.
Rick
Shattenkirk doesn’t have a no trade contract. I don’t know how he could have nixed any deals, let alone had any decision in where he went unless St. Louis was being nice to him letting him pick. I have heard of teams doing that with long time players to help the player have a chance to win the Cup, like Patrick Roy & Ray Bourque, but I would venture to guess that the Capitals just out offered what the Pens offered.
Hey Phil,
You make an excellent point.
Just because a team gets a highly touted player, it doesn’t automatically make them a Cup champion.
We only need to harken back to 2013, when Ray Shero acquired Jarome Iginla, Jussi Jokinen, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray in the span of a week.
I thought for sure we’d win the Cup that year. It just goes to show that nothing is guaranteed. You’ve still got to go out and earn it.
Rick
Hey Rick,Phil
Phil you raise a real astute point.
Remember he also rebuked a a 7 year, 42 million deal to Tampa less than 2 weeks earlier.????…
Many different sources confirmed that.
Obviously there was something he had that enabled him to block that trade as well. I too read he did NOT have a ” no trade clause” in his official contract, but some how, some way he was able to.
It could be just as simple as Tampa was not going to part with the key pieces ,( one piece was reported to be John Drouin ) with out the assurance of a long term contract from Kevin S. in return.??
With regards to the Pen’s, you could be right Phil,in that we did not have the pieces that Washington did, but my point was, there was serious activity 2 weeks a go now by St. Louis to put 4 destinations on my friends list and we were one of them.
So usually I am the one that bashes JR and Mario, but I wanted people to know that JR was doing his best.
Cheers