“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of goal scorers, it was the age of goons. It was the epoch of highlight reel goals, it was the epoch of cheap shots. It was a season of champions, it was a season also-rans. It was Spring of hopes, it was the Winter of frustrations.”
Over the last 10 years, 3 Stanley Cups have gone to our Pittsburgh Penguins, here in the Steel City, and 3 Stanley Cups have gone to the Chicago Blackhawks, up in the City of the Big Shoulders; 60% of the Championships have been won by 2 teams. These two Cities’ teams have won 825 regular season games, scored 4,949 goals or 623 more goals than their opponents. These 2 teams have dominated the landscape of the NHL for a decade.
Tonight, these 2 teams will clash. At one time, in the recent past, this game would have been one of the most anticipated games on the NHL calendar. At one time, in the recent past, this game would be a Clash of Titans. Tonight, this game is little more than a shadow below the limelight of the NHL big stage. Tonight, rather than 2 teams fighting for control of their respective divisions and conferences, it is nothing more than the 19th ranked team vs the 31st ranked team. The game is a contest between the bottom end of the middle of the pack vs the worst team in the league. This is not March 1, 2014
Granted, because of the weakness of the Metropolitan Division this year, our Penguins could still steal a play-off spot but tonight’s game could really be more a question of draft pick positioning.
Our Penguins are 6 – 2 – 2 over the last 10 games and have picked up points in the last 4 games. Perhaps our team, the Steel City team is trending upward. The first 2 wins of this current point streak were convincing wins; 1 against a top 10 team. But the final 3 points have come in an Over Time (OT) loss to the 24th ranked team and a Shoot Out (SO) win against the 18th ranked team. That which makes these last 2 games even less convincing of a true turn around is the lack of scoring in those games. The once high flying flightless fowl were grounded to just 2 goals in 126 minutes and 20 seconds.
Let’s hope that the current down swing in the Penguins scoring is just temporary and not a decline in ability. Let’s hope that the dearth of recent goals reflects the team finally trying to learn how to play in their own zone (the team has held its opponents to less than 30 shots on goal against in 3 of the 4 games during this streak) and they are not able to do both while they learn the basics of NHL defense.
Do I believe the above? Or do I believe the Penguins are still just a “Jekyll and Hyde” team? I really wish I could believe. I really want to have to “eat crow” for my pessimistic opinions over the first 2 1/2 months of this season. However, I am sorry, it still just doesn’t feel right. I am still waiting to see who will become Mike Sullivan’s next “ugly step child”. I am still fearful that another Penguin will whither in the coach’s dog house. I still fear that once other teams adjust to the Penguins long over due changes, that we fans will be subjected to 2 or more months of Sullivan refusing to acknowledge that the league has adjusted.
On the bright side, Jake Guentzel has been running hot so far this month leading the team with 6 points (1 goal and 5 assists) in the 5 games played so far in December. Phil Kessel also continues to be an offensive force, falling in behind Guentzel a close second with 5 points (2 goals and 3 assists). Brian Dumoulin has been the defensive anchor so far during this holiday season with a +5.
Penguin’s big guns; Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have struggled so far this month with only 4 and 3 points respectively, this month (Struggled – well, struggled for players of their stratosphere)
Chicago currently has the worst record in the league; 9 – 18 – 5. They score 2.72 goals per game, good (maybe bad enough) for 26th place among all teams. And the Blackhawks cede 3.75 goals per game, 2nd highest average in the NHL. Chicago is also coming in on the back end of back-to-back games. We Penguin’s fans can only hope that this will be the game that gives our favorite team its confidence and swagger to turn it on. We can dream that our aquatic fowl will act more like sharks at a feeding frenzy on the ice tonight. We can wish for the best of times, but what is the old saying about wishing in one hand?
Let’s temper our enthusiasm though. Ottawa is the only team that has a worse goals against average than Chicago and our hapless birds of the pond could only manage 1 goal. If the Penguins don’t get at least 3 goals, this may actually be the worst of times.
Let’s keep a good thought. Maybe our Sidney (Crosby not Carton) will do a far, far better thing tonight. I will stop the allusion there.
Odds and Sods
- Teddy Blueger, Center, has 8 goals and 12 assists and is a +7 in 26 games for Wilkes Barre – Scranton (WBS).
- Ethan Prow, Right Defense, has 8 goals and 8 assists and is a +15 in 26 games for WBS.
- Anthony Angello, Right Wing, has 8 goals and 5 assists and is a +12 in 26 games for WBS.
- All I am saying is if our team falls flat against the Blackhawks tonight, these 3 probably won’t make the team into serious Cup contenders, but it will be well past time for their NHL debuts.
The Other RICk,
Mike Sullivan changed line combos again…against Boston Bruins..Guentzel is sacrifice to play right wing..
Pearson-Crosby-Guentzel
AstonReese-Malkin-Kessel
Sheahan-Brassard-Rust
Grant-Cullen-Dea/Wilson
Opinion?
Hey Dee,
Good stuff in your other reply below I will answer both here.
Unlike Sheary last year and Simon this year, I do think that Guentzel is good enough to play either Wing. He does play better on the LW rather than the RW. Sprong would have even looked better had Sullivan not blew up that plan with his pettiness.
Given the self inflicted dissolution of talent on this team, the top 2 line combinations may make the most sense to me. Pearson has never seemed to fit with Malkin and Kessel but has played some really good hockey. When Hornqvist comes back then maybe figure something out between Hornqvist and Kessel on the top 2 lines.
The Bottom 6 are a bit scary though. Outside of a couple of games, none of those 7 players have shown that they are better than anyone in WBS, despite what some people to which you alluded below may try and insist.
At this point in the season, I really don’t think it would hurt to try the following and see what happens;
Pearson – Crosby – Guentzel
A. Johnson – Malkin – Kessel
Sheahan/Cullen/ Brassard (take your pick for LW and C) – Rust
Aston Reese – Blueger – Angello
with;
Dumoulin – Letang
Petterson – Oleksiak
Maatta – Prow
Once Schultz and Hornqvist come back; Cullen, Brassard, Sheahan, and Rust and had better have had some sustained success or dump the.
Riikola is good and I am not looking to get rid of him he would be no 7.
Johnson and Ruhwedel, they wouldn’t be playing for me even now, they are the only D men with (-). they are already gone in my book.
Simon – not sure. I hate to not give a kid a chance. My name isn’t Mike Sullivan. I do give him a chance to re-earn a spot but not as a RW.
Before the year is out I would trade Letang and maybe Maatta to free up $$$ to try and sign either Duchene or Panarin in the off season.
Defensively I would prefer to have 3 RHD or at worst 2 NHL calibre D, so I am not sure what I would do to recover from trading Letang if Prow totally flops, but I still trade him (Letang). I will have to look a little deeper at that.
Also, I know it is a business, but I still think the team needs to get a top 5 pick – for my money, right now, I take Podkolzn.
Bottom line though – I am very disappointed and depressed to hear that no one in the organization appears to want to blame the coaches. My first question to the Ostriches would be is “Why do they think the players are frustrated and who is at fault for no players in the pipeline”? And none of the Ostriches wish to pull their heads up out of the sand – I guess I will have to talk to my doctor about getting an AED for my house, as well as find out if they have an AED at my favorite watering hole.
Hey The Other Rick,
Well..
I won’t trade Määttä. Big mistake, imo. I’m pulling for Määttä and I pray he stay on this team. I doubt Rutherford wants to trade him. Letang should Rutherford first option. Problem is that they ( organization) have to much sentimental blindness with him.
Petterson-Oleksiak can be a great bottom pairing with Shultz back in the line up.
Jake Guentzel ? He can do everything. Agree with you. I was trying to say he’s better on the left and it does sacrifice his comfort level.
Pearson? I say it. He doesn’t fit Malkin’s line. He probably doesn’t fit Sod’s Line either. It won’t hurt to try to it. Agree with you. At end of day I would put him on the third line and give Adam Johnson to Malkin because Johnson has speed to win puck battle and very good spaces. Training camp and preseason gave you that he can help them. He’s very good down WB/S as well.
I would do:
Dumoulin-? ( Pietrangelo or Some else) you can always do Shultz with him. They had some great chemistry together and move the needle offensively and defensively.
Määttä-Shultz or Määttä -?
Pettersson-Oleksiak or Oleksiak-?
Riikola and Pettersson can be your me 7 -8 Defensemen. They still needs to develop. I believe Petterson will be better than Rikkola in term of being in the line up long term. If Rutherford never signed Johnson they would be ok. Petterson can be a great bottom pairing defenseman and occasionally top 4 Defensemen with barring injuries.
Määttä seem better with a player that’s move the needle and think at the same level like he does. I see all the good things Määttä does. He’s young, good and quite frankly will improve with better coaching. I’m not tryna be harsh on Gochar But it’s some bad coaching going on here , players regression and tryna make every two way defenseman into risky defenseman like Letang .. Gochar and Sullivan seems to hate mature two way defenseman. They tend to keep changing the unique things every defenseman bring to this team. They want defenseman to be jump in to the rush without defending first and winning battles to protect the puck. Transition game is weak and predictable. Defenseman has regressed in the last two seasons and Määttä seems to be scapegoat more. Oleksiak seem to be in that category too..
I would love Duchene and so many other players. I try hard to be realistic towards tight cap space and Rutherford willingness to leap that far. Will they have money to pay a player who wants over 7 million dollars a year. He had chance to get Duchene and he didn’t go hard for that.
Panarin And Duchene Probably will be to much. I would like to Make sure we upgrade little defensively and pay Jake Guentzel. I would like to sign him to long term deal.
From I have been told ..Organization seems to be frustrated with players because they are not winning puck battles, lackluster effort ,playing soft with puck , lack of urgency, unprepared hockey and inconsistency. ( that on the coach not the players )
I forgot to mention ( conservation with people among the organization)they willing try to add one to four more younger faster great players around Malkin&Crosby. They understand they need better supporting cast and hard working players on the ice that bring a certain identity with speed. Better 3C as well. They know they need to get some valuable help and that will have to make great moves to this team. Rutherford will probably be doing one to three small significant trades around Christmas trade in a couple of days.. He’s very impatient with this team. Spit balling from organization that he doesn’t want ZAr and Simon in the top 6 role with stars. He doesn’t like it. Sully and JR have different view on players.
87, 71,81, 59,72,3,4,6 ,8, are not going anywhere. Petterson and Pearson still new and don’t factor into trades. I don’t know about Kris Letang. It’s very likely they want to use him in trade to get something decent and beneficial to them. Something is holding them back. Maybe it’s Shultz situation. I think it shouldn’t stop that. It best to do it now. Penguins cannot win a another cup with Letang on their roster doing top pairing for them.
It seem like they don’t want to give Guerin a chance to be GM. Claiming he isn’t ready yet and if Rutherford leaves he might don’t t get it anyway. ( that’s bs) very unsettling and brutal.
Simon , Wilson,and ZAr will be here as long as Sullivan is here. Zar is a bottom 6 foward and belong to play on the bottom lines or another team..Simon too…
Sullivan Quote for ZaR:Sullivan said. “(Aston-Reese is) a guy that’s going to go to the net, maybe bang a rebound in. He’s also got a good, solid 200-foot game. He’s got good awareness away from the puck. He’s a good 200-foot player, so he’ll help them in that regard as well.”
I disagree with him. ZAr do ok thing. Ok good on Pk. He’s often lost,slow, out of position, slow skating , lose puck battles, soft on the wall, bad clear attempts with puck,no goal scoring,not good defensively and he will not open space for Malkin. I don’t think it will work Malkin. I will eat crow. I don’t think, I’m wrong about it.
Interesting stuff Dee,
First – I don’t dislike Maatta, By throwing out his name I am just trying to think of ways of freeing up Cap space. With Riikola and Petterson, the team has 2 decent looking kids coming in a a low price on the LD. In my perfect world, I would never had done the J Johnson deal, then I would already have $4 mil to add to Letang’s $7.2 mil (is that right – I know is a little over 7), that way I could try and talk either Duchene or Panarin into about $8 with some to go to Guentzel.
I am still also hoping that the team looks at those 2 KHL players, Hersley and Mozik (I can dream can’t I 🙂 ).
You and I keep saying it, bottom line the coach is just not doing his job. All the evidence points to the man in charge and he isn’t finding ways to motivate the team. He has lost control. Maybe it was when when railroaded Cole and Reaves? maybe it was playing Letang over 26 minutes a game in the Cap series despite his pathetic performance? For what ever reason, Sullivan has lost control.
I liked the team speed and getting the team to focus on playing through bad calls and cheap shots (tough hockey). Unfortunately, the league has caught up and Sullie has no answers. Worse than that is that they are returning to their whining hockey days – particularly Letang, chirpping at the ref after every single call. Nobody wants to take ownership of the team’s play. Everyone is pointing fingers at the refs or at the “ubiquitous they” rather than looking at themselves (I am speaking directly at Sullivan right now – where as the ref issue is as I said more of a Letang thing)
With JR and Sullie fighting over who the best players are (Sprong?) I can’t help but wonder why JR hasn’t canned him as I said earlier. (unless someone is protecting Sullie?
I read something about that Guerin thing yesterday on the PG site. I wonder if Guerin would be putting up with Sullivan at this point or would have canned him already.
I like Simon, Wilson, and ZAR, but I can easily see their limitations and that none of the above really fits in a top 6 role. Simon and ZAR might a middle 6 but are more like bottom 9, while Wilson is a bottom 6, bottom 3 type. I like all of them and would love to see every single payer on this roster prove me wrong, turn it around, and torch the league all the way through July again – but it ain’t happening without Divine intervention. Reality check says significant changes – starting with coaching.
Also, speaking of ZAR, Simon, and Wilson, I really think that Blueger, Angello, and A Johnson would be an upgrade over those 3. (Speaking to your A Johnson comment)
Hey The Other Rick,
Herseley and Mozik? They are very good players and so have watch their play too. I think they can help too. I don’t think Rutherford watch the KHl for some reason.
Using Letang contract money , Jimmy Hayes’scontract money , Rust’s contract money, trading Brassard and Johnson’s contract would’ve help Penguins this season to better than what they are ..Rust should walked without a contract.. he can be replaced with a cheap player like Adam Johnson and Anthony Angello..
Picking up Panarin or Duchene.. Drew Doughty or Alex Pietrangelo.. RW for Sid and Jake.. Players that belong here.. Different better players..
Mike Sullivan? He lost control with players about two seasons ago.Fluery, Cole, Reaves , constant line shuffling are big factors why players are unhappy with him. Ways how he use players and promotes players. Using Sid and Geno to much last season. Constantly double-shifting them.. Praying they win game for them..
Add more fuel to the fire . Letang is a major factor as well. Letang has always be out of control and Sully doesn’t handle him at all. He keeps promoting him and giving other defenseman short end of stick.
Mike Sullivan played Letang less minutes and off the top powerplay for the first two games in the playoffs where it was better for the Penguins to win games and to put Shultz in the postion to play where he belong. Instead he promoted Letang and it kept back firing to Penguins losing games. Mike Sullivan did the same thing last season he demoted him and Penguins were doing much better with Shultz leading the way. It was better breakout, transition game, on the powerplay and calmness on the ice. He didn’t like it. So mike Sullivan changed it. Letang isn’t on the same radar as Malkin and Crosby. I don’t understand the constant giving him his way..
Media making excuses and throw weight on other players to blame after the playoffs.
Shultz Quarterbacking the powerplay and Letang knows he doing better him . Letang doesn’t like it and get angry about that. He was mad last season and starting this season about It.. He gave interviews about it with a temper tantrums look.
He wants to be that guy. He isn’t that guy.
Trust me . Small conservations. I know that Players do really resent Letang and prefer him to be gone .. He’s very toxic.. He had multiple frustrations against players last season… They will not say it. Everyone want is too humble to do . If they do speak out their frustration they will be traded. Run of town.. Because Rutherford seems to protect Sullivan than he does players at Sullivan’s own personal agendas..
Sidney Crosby didn’t want Cole, Reaves and Flower to go. With Kunitz too. Kunitz wanted to stay last year for cheap deal for fourth line and retire. He didn’t come back due to Mike Sullivan too.
He doesn’t want Phil Kessel to go either. Reaves was the last straw for him. Letang is lingering brewing issues with him too. Especially from last season and playoffs. Letang hurt his production last season. He was constantly defending in his zone. He’s being humble. Although they are cool friends.. But he’s the that close with him..
Letang is the detriment of this team. Penguins losing the playoffs with Letang last season was the last straw and the inevitable lingering issues that stands with them.
I have been knowing this for a very longtime. People talk about it all the time. Sullivan philosophy and setting players to different standards is growing deeper into something that’s toxic.. It has become Dan Blysma and Mike Johnston for two seasons. No one has grasp on to it. B2b cups are blinding people. Letang all round game and out control entitlement is hurting this team.
Guerin? I would say this . If Morehouse amd Burkle wasn’t so happy to resign Rutherford and let Jason Botterill go two seasons ago .. Trust Me.. Mark Reechi and Sullivan will not be here…Maybe Rick Tocchet stay to assist more or Head Coach this team. Players did respond well with him and he adjustments with game plans. Solid PP and hold players accountable to play where they belong.
.Letang would’ve have been Trade last season.. Johnson, Hunwick, Mckegg And other Signings would’ve never happen .. Duchene or another 3C on this team ..
Rutherford isn’t here to rebuild so I don’t understand to let valuable young upcoming GMS go to another team..
Penguins needs major changes and Rutherford needs to take action. Maybe Lemieux needs to have a talk with them as well. Rutherford is getting caught between situations that don’t need to escalate to trading players out of town. He wants to keep certain players. But constantly protecting Mike Sullivan. Instead he doesn’t put his foot down or bench him..Very fishy.. Things can back fired on Rutherford like it did with Blysma and Shero..
I hope pens win tonight. I know things with changes and will hopefully be different..
Good Morning Rick & The Other Rick ,
I smell bull crap and dog poop from the Penguins. I read and spoke to two-three people within Penguins organization about changing the roster just a little bit.
It seem like they are blaming the players ( frustration)and stating theirs no options in WB\S. There’s no youth down their to help there. BS. Mike Sullivan isn’t on thin ice.
We all agree here. At least for the past months.. The Other Rick echoed in the Senators article that Sullivan needs to go and Rutherford needs to take action on him . I read the last two paragraphs every time to put that into existence. I echoed the same issues every game…
Penguins have a opportunity to let go of Mike Sullivan. At least replace Mark Reechi.
Big Chances to give Angello and Adam Johnson to play few games to help them. Instead they have Wilson and Dea. Give Rudwedel or Ethan Prow chances to play.
Bench Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson is bad signing that cannot be defend and heavily sugarcoated to justify him on this team. ‘First pass ‘ BS. I don’t know if you observed or at least seen me stated several times Mike Sullivan is deploying Johnson more Malkin&Crosby’s line while Määttä&Oleksiak are getting the short end of the stick. They have regressed too Because it looks like Mike Sullivan doesn’t want them to play two way hockey and Oleksiak to be physical like he was ..
Pettersson&Johnson worked one good od time. Johnson brings down his defensive partner and smother the Penguins system. Jack Johnson has done it with every partner this season. He still getting deployed with the Stars. He’s hiring the Penguins. Bad and Brutal .
Eye test, Articles and Stats shows why he doesn’t belong on this team. Let alone playing in the National Hockey League.
Penguins have to many passengers on this team. ( Sully’s Guys) one the Most growing trends is that when big stars doesn’t score goals or assists on goals they will lose games and stars will be scapegoat around the media.. fans too.. Malkin is being scapegoated and Letang is getting praised to not be trade ..
Another growing trend Penguins have to many centers in their line up opposed to one to two solid natural wingers that can get the job done. I have no comment on Grant and Cullen. But they needs to go for real natural wingers.
Brassard needs to go. He has no business playing with Sid&Jake. There’s nothing there. It drags down that line combo. Penguins got options to trade him . To swap him or For Charlie Coyle. Someone else. Brassard doesn’t fit this team nor wants to help this team within the role that’s needed here. He’s brings toxicity to this team . Bad Trade. Time to move on.
Options for Penguins:
Penguins can fired Recchi and Sullivan. Mostly likely fired Reech and give Sullivan new coach for fowards . Put Sullivan and new coach on a 3week trial for changes . No changes met for players then Mike Sullivan is gone. They can fired Mike Sullivan and called Coach Q to be the new head coach.
Trade Brassard for Capable Understanding 3C . Charlie Coyle Could be a great fit. Maybe trade with Winnipeg for Connor or Lowry. Someone is out there.
Find a way to cut Johnson. They are teams probably Willing to take him. Some GM are stupid to do so. Some GM were about to give a first or second pick for him
Give Murray a chance to play.
Shop Kris Letang /Rust /Murray and get a decent options and decent return that can help this team.
Sound Systemic Changes needs happen with passing and defending first . Better puck possession and transition game.
I ask Blues writer/insider about Alex Pietrangelo. I was told they would probably take a player like Kris Letang and first round pick for him. Whatever that team offer against Pietrangelo last one to two year contract. I don’t know but I would go after that. I hate giving up a first round pick. I think Alex Pietrangelo will work here. I don’t know.
Would Blues take Letang for Pietrangelo?
Either way Penguins do have some options to help them. I believe one two tweak will help them with coaching changes.
Letang should be untouchable and Kessel should stay part of the core til his contract expires. There’s no reason to more him. You become weaker that way on the right..
Hey Guys,
First of all I want to echo Mr.Buker’s comment about the excellent writing skills of OTR. He has shown time after time an unique ability to put excellent, well thought observations on paper. Thanks Coach for all you do !!
Secondly, I want to make MY point very clear to you all. Hockey is a business. A money making business.Not a charity business. The Pens need deep playoff runs to be successful. Mario himself said in an article in the French Canadian media that the Penguins, because they spend to the max every year, NEED to get to the second round of the Play offs every year to break even! This is a very disturbing admission of a flawed business model.
The Pen’s are a small market team and therefore do not have the revenue base of the larger teams they compete against. They start losing big dollars you may see the ownership group have to take serious actions.
The other revenue generators often overlooked are merchandising sales outside the local Pittsburgh market. At one time the Pen’s brand was Tops in the league for merchandising and the Pens were the top team on all TV networks.
When you now are a bottom tier team with serious issues the public does not want to watch you or buy your products. That has a major negative affect to the teams bottom line. That is the real danger to the Pens Brand.
We definitely are not a premium team any more. So as I said before, major changes have to be made. BIG ONES !!
Thanks for reading.
Have a Merry Christmas my US friends.
Hey Jim,
Thanks for the shout out.
I agree with you 100% MAJOR changes are needed.
If you get the chance, I would be interested in your thoughts as to what you would do.
In season, I really don’t know what can be done. The team really doesn’t appear have the cap space and or assets to revamp enough for more than a 1 and done playoff appearance to me. Even that would seem predicated on squeezing Crosby and Malkin for all they are worth and I’m not sure Sullivan has enough credibility left for that.
Hey Coach,
Thanks for the reply above. Since you asked my friend, for my thoughts on what to do with the Pen’s moving forward I will oblige. Keeping in mind OTR that this an opinion of an old senile man who just happens to admire the great career of fellow Maritimer,Sidney Crosby and the stellar career of fellow Canadian #66.
Hockey was, is and always will be about talent on the ice. You do not have the talent on the ice you will not succeed. We fire coaches ala 2016 and sometimes it works. More often it does not. Firing Sullivan. Will it produce you a 2019 Stanley Cup giving the current Pen’s team? No it won’t ! Should he be fired? Probably.
But there other factors.
We miss a lot of off ice personnel that held this team together in the past and now are no longer there. Rick T., Jason B., to name a few.
Biggest point I can make is that the league is simply much better now and the teams are no longer afraid of the dominant Penguins because they all closed the talent gap. To my point Coach, take 71 and 87 off this team for 2 months and see where we would be. Sunk !
Our Goal tending is sub standard now. The defense with out Justin is below standard. Jack J. is a bust. Letang is not the old Kris Letang. Matta is to slow to chase down these hot young kids with rockets on their feat. Dumo is about the best we have night in and night out. But even he is not a true 1,2 pairing. Forwards ? Take away 71 and 87 and yes you have Phil. But Phil alone, ala Toronto can not perform to the level he does now with out Sid and Geno drawing the major defensive assignments of the opposition. Phil alone would become to frustrated and be drawn off his game. Result, diminished numbers!
The rest of the forwards are just interchangeable. Without 87 and 71 we would be in the bottom looking up.Way up !!
The farm system does not have any elite talent either, as do almost every other team in the league.This is do to the stupidity of former management decisions and their belief they could BUY or Trade their way to another Cup. It worked once but that is not the long term model for success in my opinion.
So that is where we are today Coach.We are in big trouble ! We might make one round in the play offs this year but I would not bet on it. The Metro has a lot of weak teams now,but they can make trades as they are in a better situation talent pool wise than we are. So if we get better so will many others as well.
Moving forward ?? Now the real fun starts. Remember you asked.
If you buy my assumption above that this team needs Crosby and Malkin just to make the play offs then this will make sense. Crosby is 32 this year and Malkin 33. With out a major influx of new talent, which we simply do NOT have the Cap Space to do right now, they alone can not bring us another CUP! Is it seriously possible that the league will get weaker? NO. Accept the facts !! THE TEAM NEEDS TO CHANGE !
Quickly as well.
With that in mind, everyone accept 87 should be looked at as an effort to get ready for a new Cup run with new pieces in a year or two.
1. Murray,
2. Justin S.
3. Phil Kessel
4. Oli Matta
5. Kris Letang
6. Malkin
7. Brian Dumo
8. Horny ??
The rest are just pieces. Interchangeable. Nothing special. All great guys, great team mates but we are talking about rebuilding quickly.
Some are mistakes period. They got to go now !!
First move. We need a young stud center and winger combo. These guys will be the future or a major part of.
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, Ottawas First round pick,Colorado’s First round pick for Kessel and Geno.
Add what ever fringe pieces makes sense if needed.Even $$$
Experience verses Youth. Avs want to win now.
Major cap dump for now as well for us..
Second move would be to send Justin S, to Toronto for William Nylander. Kid has potential.He can play center as well. Again add a fringe piece if needed.
Toronto needs d men and they need to win it all this year before Mathews and Marnier get their big cheques next year.
Third move would be to unload Murray and Letang.
Arizona, or Calgary.
Calgary Center 24 year old Sean Monahan ??
or
Arizonia.. Left winger, D man and 1st round pick ?
Fourth move
Secure a rental Goalie to help DeSmith
Offer Derick Brassard and $$$
Then pick up a d man on the market with the cap space saved.
That would be my plan for this year Coach.
I know it is fluid and full of holes but I believe with these additions and the 3 to 4 first round picks for 2019, use the cap wisely and you would be back in the play offs shortly and for many years to come..
* You definitely would need at least 2 d men,a left winger, and a permanent goalie for next year. Either high draft pick and or free agency.
Jake Sid William Nylander
Tanner Nate Mikko Rantanen
Simon Sean Horny
Zach Matt Brian Rust
Dumo Pick Up
Matta Marcus
Jamie Jack ?? Jusso / Chad
New Rental Goalie
Casey De Smith
I know that everyone will jump over this, and that is okay with me because we are all friends and avid Pens fans. This is just fantasy.
The big fear is we do NOT do anything and then you miss the Toronto opportunity because next will be to late and or other teams get even stronger. Time to act is now…..
Hope you had a good laugh my friend.
Cheers
Jim
Wow,
If you could pull off Col and Tor that can make some sense.
I am glad I asked.
This gives me some food for thought, particularly if Hyde shows up tonight against Boston.
I may have more to say after I get a chance to really digest this.
Again, I am glad I asked!
Great thoughts!
Ok Jim,
So looking at your moves;
I am a Malkin and Kessel fan but I am also a bigger Penguins fan. Anyone and everyone is trade able at the right price. I am not so sure that Colorado would go for it, but Geno and Kessel for MacKinnon and Rantanen would get me motivated. Colorado does have the Cap room to play with to allow the Pens to make this maneuver. Rantanen is RFA and the Avs may be in a mood to trade youth for experience. I could be talked into listening here.
I could also potentially see Calgary maybe wishing for Letang and Murray, but this gets hazy. They don’t have much cap space. Monhan is only $6.375 mil while Letang and Murray are $11 mil so there would be a need for some creative financing here.
However, I could be talked into this too, most especially to get out from under Letang.
My sticking point becomes, if the above deals go through, I am not so sure I then try and deal Schultz even for Nylander. Not unless I am fairly certain I can pick up a RHD somewhere of equal ability to make up the difference.
Good Morning Jim,
I echoed the same sentiment. Hockey is a business!!
At end of day fans can be loyal and still turn on you . Some fans do stay home watch games or go to games and leave very early .. Penguins need their profit back in sales in various ways to pay for everything…
Merry Christmas from a Canadian…
Thanks Dee
I am from Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Where is home for you ??
Cheers !!
Hey The Other Rick,
I failed to mention that Penguins biggest weakness is their defense. They needs to find a way to let Letang and Johnson of this team. I believe wholeheartedly you remove them from this team. Pens will be a better team. Give Ethan Prow a chance to showcase something. Get two right hand great reasonable defenders.
Having 5-6 left handed defenseman doesn’t do you good only 2-3 are very good.
People can argue about Määttä little flaws and struggles . His good outweighs his bad on this team. He’s doesn’t costly hurt this team. He deserves better from mike Sullivan. There’s no way you put Johnson who smother your top stars offensive game out on the ice.
Mike Sullivan has to many questionable decisions pertaining to this team. Good chances to shortening the bench. Try different defenseman on the first powerplay to win the game. It is what it is .
There’s no way you lose to a team that play Winnipeg last night and dead last place in the league. Chicago played sloppy and worked hard for their chance to get a goal
What does it takes for a team to take Johnson and Letang?
Brassard, Letang, Rust , Johnson, Wilson.. needs to go
Hey Dee,
I am not sure where to start. I could write an entire book on what is wrong.
There are no excuses for the sorry performance last night.
I guess you have to start at the top.
It starts with the coach.
Okay maybe the GM for not having called the coach on the carpet.
Losing to the last place team on the back end of back to back games?
Just about every head has to roll!
Hey The OThEr RiCk,
I agree with you.
My last two comments I don’t know where to start either. I have been wanting to fired Reechi and Sullivan for a very longtime . Very dismay. Im more inclined to head rolling because some fans and media don’t appreciate Phil Kessel while overvaluing Kris Letang.. Kris Letang is Penguins big weakest culprit on this team.
I love Malkin. I have seen for a month or two he’s very down and zoning out the coaching staff. He’s very hard on himself. He try to hard to score and cheating offensively. I think he’s very angry with Sullivan and trading of Hagelin. Pearson doesn’t fit his style. Malkin needs someone to open very hard time and space. Share the hard work on the ice. Malkin has to much on his shoulders and just disinterested. Coaching staff is the problem.
It evident. Players need consistency and chemistry on their line. Players that match them.
Coaching staff is the problem. Players are playing places where they don’t belong and not on this roster. Sullivan has a expiration date. Its here. Sullivan and his players are to comfortable. You can appreciate b2b stanley cups and still want a new coach. It time to move on. Penguins have a chance to do so. Coach and some players needs to be hold accountable.
Burkle, Morehouse and Lemieux needs to take some action. It seem like they are too comfortable not to do so..
Hey The Other Rick,
I’m tired!!! I have nothing to say anymore. Beating a dead horse. I’m tired of lackluster effort and one line team every game.
Penguins most greatest Postive is Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel fighting to keep this team going this season. Every freaking game.. Sidney Crosby does a lot . Whether its get on the scoresheet or not. He’s unbelievable. He has been a monster and quite elite. Always!! Very sad . I hate that this team has a lot of passengers on it. Wasting Sidney Crosby two way hockey.
I repeat, repeat Mike Sullivan and Mark Reechi needs to be fired. Players are struggling a lot . Playing without a pulse and urgency. Questionable line combos and d Corp with lines. Bad time management from him. Players over coached and are not happy to play hockey. Predictable out of control powerplay. Malkin is struggling every game. He’s disinterested.
There’s no way you keep playing awful like this. Lose against bad last place Chicago Blackhawks. Disgraceful. Before they were awful against Islanders with a win and a mess with the Senators.
Common Denominator: one line ( Crosby’s line) driving play all season to win a game
Pens are very weak, fragile hockey team. Their worst enemy. Coaching staff is stale and distasteful. Letang and Johnson wears this team down. Systemic problems and players usages is ridiculous. Bad game plans and in game adjustments.
Pens are not cycling down low , not supporting one another collectively and heavy traffic for goalies. No puck battles/heavy forecheck. Not shooting puck for rebounds . No hard work to get what giving to you on the ice. Bad puck management/ puck decisions. What’s bad? Coaching staff do not counter attack teams defensive schemes and game plans.
I know your goalie suppose to give confidence to stay in a game. But you give your goalie confidence to make sure you believe in them with clean hockey in front them
I don’t care bout the shots. I care about Penguins playing great hockey, working hard in dirty areas , keeping teams out your zone to get easy goals/shots and 5 man unit with them shots.
Man . I miss Rick Tocchet so much!!!!
Mike Sullivan has Jack Johnson who doesn’t drive offensively nor help the Penguins sustained offensive pressure with Crosby’s line. At least 5-10 games Jack Johnson is getting promoted more with top lines and they are constantly getting hemmed up in their zone. He smothering their offensive game with Crosby and Malkin. They constantly in their zone defending with him. With Letang as well. He cough the puck.. etc..
Letang? He needs to go. I would put all millions of money to see him in another jersey. I do not understand the constant love fest for him. He’s brutal. He hurts this team a lot. He lacks self awareness. Low hockey iq. Bad powerplay quarterback. Bad leadership and composure to put this team first. Bad 4-6 giveaways tonight. Ill advised passes. Bad defensively. Out of control/ out of position. He’s still play 0ver 20 something minutes.
I will not blame Sidney Crosby if he screams on the bench at coaches or stop playing on the ice one game. He deserves better than this. He’s already frustrated and completely tired with this team. You see every game on his face. It was like that last season. I know he won’t say it. He’s too kind, humble,he’s too straight up to say it behind closed doors to players and class act to do so.
Mark Recchi and Mike Sullivan needs to be fired . Some trades needs to happen. Adam Johnsson and Angello should be playing on this team. They came bring speed , youth, aggressiveness and great depth.
Rutherford want a better team. He needs to do something and send a message to Mike Sullivan.
That Hawks-Pens game should be final straw for Mike Sullivan to be fired. Same issues for two freaking seasons.
Good Hattrick for Rust. Rust still needs to go.
Pens needed 2 points tonight. They definitely needs two points Friday and Saturday.
Hey Other Rick,
I haven’t been doing a whole lot of commenting lately. But I wanted to compliment you on another wonderfully crafted, fun, astute and creative write-up. You’ve written some terrific articles lately, and this shout-out is long overdue… 🙂
Like you, I’m encouraged but not entirely sold on the Pens’ turnaround. While there’s a night-and-day difference between our present form and the way we played during our struggles, to my eye, we still have a ways to go.
We still lack a certain snap, hop and sizzle at times. I’d love to see us add some speed, aggression and energy to the bottom-six forward mix, although Lord only knows where it would come from.
The speed part, we’ve probably got covered in the person of Baby Pen Adam Johnson. The aggression part??? It’s anyone’s guess who might supply it. Perhaps Anthony Angello, as you suggest, although I’d prefer the physicality to come from a speedy, kamikaze type.
Rick