Down time(All star break)

[fractalsteel]

No hockey for a week is tough. Hopefully the geriatric Birdis are using this time to rest and heal.

I might watch some of the All star action but the game(s) are lame IMO. 3 on 3 hockey is not real hockey.

Anyway, Sid will represent well but did you guys know that he is fifth on the team in assists this season? I find that surprising.

But the big news is Guentzel. If it is true that he turned down 50 million(8.6/season) then what does that say about his future in Pittsburgh. My guess is that Jake and agent know he can get more on the free market but what if his declining the deal(if true) is more?
Like he doesn't believe in the Pens future?

Are the Pens in a better position to be sellers this year instead of next year?

[Pabst]

Anyway, Sid will represent well but did you guys know that he is fifth on the team in assists this season? I find that surprising.

Didn't realize he was 5th in helpers, but did know that he was leading the team in goals & points. He really can do it all.

Here's an even wilder stat: Marcus Pettersson and Sid are both top 15 in the NHL in +/-. The Pens currently have six skaters at a +10 or better. Erik Karlsson is a +9 and is on pace to have his best number in his career.

I bring this up because it's a great illustration of how shitty the Pens' special teams have been in the first half.


Regarding Guentzel - Here's some context around the numbers:

jake.PNG (35.59 KiB) Viewed 967 times

The Pens offer is definitely fair (It basically matches the remainder of Peter Forsberg's contract). But purely from a financial perspective, I can also see why Jake would reject it. Given the fact that he's the top LW on the UFA market and the expected increase to the cap, he could easily get another $1m/year from a team on the open market.

[fractalsteel]

I wasn't putting Sid down, it was a surprising stat.
He certainly has passed the eye test to date and is having one of his best season for sure.
His shooting % is 16.2 currently which is a high going back to 2016/17.

As to the PP, Malkin leads the team with 12 PPP to date. He had 36 last year. The rest of the core is in that range which just screams out how terrible the PP has been.

Get the PP going and the Birds will compete for a playoff birth if the other details remain the same. Don't get it rolling and they will be on the outside.

The year of the PP

[MWS71]

I’m not sure keeping Geno off the first PP is the solution for what ails them, but he’d be my last choice to be the one lugging the puck on zone entries. That gallop through the neutral zone isn’t quite there any longer.

If they can just get to league average on the man advantage they should make the playoffs. From there who knows? They seem to play more structured against better teams and the goaltending has been a positive this year. Maybe they can surprise.

[Pabst]

I’m not sure keeping Geno off the first PP is the solution for what ails them, but he’d be my last choice to be the one lugging the puck on zone entries. That gallop through the neutral zone isn’t quite there any longer.

If they can just get to league average on the man advantage they should make the playoffs. From there who knows? They seem to play more structured against better teams and the goaltending has been a positive this year. Maybe they can surprise.

I've noticed this as well. Can't quantify it, but just feels like every time the PP is out there Geno (more than others) is being lackadaisical in his puck handling and causes a turnover or he is constantly waiting for the perfect window to open.

[fractalsteel]

Yup, Malkin isn't the right player to carry the puck into the OZ.

And many fans are barking at the players for the dismal season long PP while coaching is not getting the criticism deserved.
The coaches set it up and decide the players roles.
Be nice to have another player who excels in puck retrieval in the OZ aside from Sid.

[bradshaw2ben]

I’m not sure keeping Geno off the first PP is the solution for what ails them, but he’d be my last choice to be the one lugging the puck on zone entries. That gallop through the neutral zone isn’t quite there any longer.

If they can just get to league average on the man advantage they should make the playoffs. From there who knows? They seem to play more structured against better teams and the goaltending has been a positive this year. Maybe they can surprise.

Sorry to continue to beat the dead horse but: the biggest change in the PP from last year to this is replacing Letang with Karlsson. Why won't they at least try to go back to the lineup that was so much more successful last year?

[fractalsteel]

I’m not sure keeping Geno off the first PP is the solution for what ails them, but he’d be my last choice to be the one lugging the puck on zone entries. That gallop through the neutral zone isn’t quite there any longer.

If they can just get to league average on the man advantage they should make the playoffs. From there who knows? They seem to play more structured against better teams and the goaltending has been a positive this year. Maybe they can surprise.

Sorry to continue to beat the dead horse but: the biggest change in the PP from last year to this is replacing Letang with Karlsson. Why won't they at least try to go back to the lineup that was so much more successful last year?

Coaching