Pens v Preds

[bradshaw2ben]

missed the start of the game but the Pens failed to convert a 5 min PP

here in the 2nd, Fleury robbed the Preds of 3 goals in the first 5 minutes

Pens are doing most everything right except putting the puck in the net.

[Legacy User]

Nice to see a win. But man wtf is up with Crosby these days. I can probably think of 10 players (or more) I'd trade him for in a heartbeat. If you were to take the names and numbers off the players you couldn't pick him out, he looks that average these days. And he's seemingly getting worse. I never dreamed he'd fall off so quickly. Maybe he'll work through it and turn a corner. Maybe he won't.

I was watching some of his career highlights on YouTube tonight and id almost forgotten how spectacular he used to be. He looks nothing like that guy anymore. Dude's still in his 20's.

[Ice]

Crosby's style has changed since the nasty concussions, but let's not forget, the whole team has gotten off to a slow start, and despite being clutched, grabbed and bashed on as much or more as any player in the league, was in the running for the Art Ross until the last game of the season last year. It's a little early to speculate on The Captain's demise.

[bradshaw2ben]

but you can't argue Sid looks like a different player right now-- it's a part of why they haven't been as good at winning.

Another couple games like last night and I'd pull the trigger on making Malkin-Kessel-Kunitz the top line.

[fractalsteel]

Last night was about Fleury and his awesome performance. He stole us 2 points, bailing out the team time and time again.

This team has it problems for sure and a lot of that has to do with certain members of the team. But 8 games in and a .500 record is too soon to panic or toss away what is ahead.
I think Captainfantastic mentioned a 20 game water mark as a point to start to worry or consider change. Sounds fair to me.

[Legacy User]

It just looks to me like that ultra competitiveness is gone from Sid. I'm not even talking about scoring because that works itself out when he used to be like a jealous possessive lover with the puck. Anything to keep possession, anything to win that battle for the puck along the boards or behind the net. All that looks completely gone to me. And this is dating back to last year in my eyes.

Or maybe he's just sick of this organization and completely over it.

[Legacy User]

Another couple games like last night and I'd pull the trigger on making Malkin-Kessel-Kunitz the top line.

Kunitz doesnt belong in the top six, yes he scored last night, that doesnt change the fact that he's constantly floating around and cant keep up with the rest of his line, watch him away from the puck, he just doesnt have the wheels anymore.

MAF was incredible last night

Bonino controlled the faceoff circle

Sprong is making his case to stay

Geno and Kessel look good

The problem with Sid, at least what I believe, is that he's frustrated with whatever our system is, which seems to be some variant of a dump and chase. I'm not blaming it all on MJ, Sid hasnt been good, but this system is not a good fit for his skills.

Also, someone was keeping track of how much time he's spent in his own zone retrieving pucks, and its way up compared to last year, which I think points to our dmen not moving puck as well as we have in the past.

I think he'll adjust, I hope he does anyway, as we need that line to produce to have any chance at the cup

[Legacy User]

Looks like Rust is out a while after being injured by a shot. And hilarity ensues as it comes out that BB was injured celebrating a goal.

Tidbit from Yohe's report.

• The Penguins have placed left wing Bobby Farnham on waivers. Should he clear, Farnham will go to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he will play for the team’s AHL affiliate.

Farnham has failed to produce a point in 14 NHL games though is a favorite of Penguins coaches because of his willingness to kill penalties, provide a physical element and aggravate the opposition.

There are some other changes coming to the lineup.

• Bryan Rust was hit by a shot in Nashville on Saturday and appears to have suffered a significant injury.

“Rusty’s going to be out,” Mike Johnston said. “It’s not going to be day to day. I’ll have a better timeline in the next day or two.”

• Eric Fehr is very close to returning to the lineup. Fehr, signed this summer by the Penguins, hasn’t played yet because of elbow surgery. He has been practicing with the Penguins for about a week and Johnston is encouraged by what he’s seen.

According to Johnston, Fehr could play this weekend or next week. The Penguins play in Toronto on Saturday before traveling to Western Canada.

• Brian Dumoulin was hit from behind early in Saturday’s game in Nashville but seems to be fine.

http://dkpittsburghsports.com/2015/10/2 ... wednesday/

[bradshaw2ben]

hey. believe me I'm no Kunitz fan-- it's just that he's playing with Geno and Kessel.

Point remains: Geno is our #1 player and he should be anchoring the top line, whomever his linemates are deemed to be.

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

no reason for MJ to still be employed at this point. This team is unwatchable

[Legacy User]

There's a rumor floating out there, a player supposedly said that no one is playing the system that MJ wants, and that everyone is freelancing.

I'm not saying I buy into this rumor, but thats sure what it looks like. The only time we score is on individual effort, and there is no cohesion in the offensive zone and the PP is a joke, with quite a few players playing out of position.

I wonder how far the front office will let this scoring drought go before something is done? The problem is, there's enough talent on this team to win enough games to allow MJ to stick around, this is kind of frustrating...

[Legacy User]

Farnham claimed off waivers by the Devils. No big loss IMO.

[fractalsteel]

With the Pens up for sale one could only guess that the more stable the organization(no coaching changes, player trades,etc) the more it could fetch in the sale.

Sometimes, hell, a lot of the time the Pens do look like they are freelancing.

Farnham claimed off waivers by the Devils. No big loss IMO.

Maybe in Shero's mind this is some kind of cold dish revenge...ha ha ha. Would not be surprised to see Farnham out of the Devils system by the new year.

When I look at the Pens conference and taking into account what we have seen so far, getting into the top four of the seeding is just a dream, right now.

[Ice]

If they're trying to get HCMJ fired, they're going through the right motions.

[Legacy User]

There was no spot for Farnham with Bennett supposedly back on Wednesday and Fehr back for this weekend.

You have to love the tenacity that Farnham plays with, but he just doesnt have the skill or size you want in an NHL player.

Maybe if we wave Scuds Shero will pick him up too, after all its Shero who stuck us with that shit show of a contract

[Donnie Brasco]

Farnham claimed off waivers by the Devils. No big loss IMO.

For a team full of "meh" players, I think Farnham brought something different to the table and was sad to see him go. Is he a terrible hockey player? Yea, his points and possession numbers bear that out but his ability to irritate the other team and be an ass/draw penalties/stick up for teammates is something that can't be quantified.

[Legacy User]

Ownership will want to keep it patched together until the sale goes through. Wouldn't be surprised if a change is made immediately after the sale.

It's quite clear at this time that:
- Disco Dan's system leveraged our strengths, but couldn't cover our weaknesses and was exposed come playoff time
- MJ's system offsets our weaknesses, but doesn't leverage our strengths.

MJ's system is the bigger problem, since when a team's best players aren't playing well, everything else tends to go to shit. We now have nearly a full season's evidence of Crosby and Malkin producing at well below their previous output. I think MJ's system doesn't work as well as in junior where the goaltending and team defense wasn't as successful at keeping pucks on the outside.

[Donnie Brasco]

Is a sale imminent? I haven't heard much on that front and won't be surprised if nothing happens until next year.

[Legacy User]

The guy on the HF boards with the inside source says nothing is imminent with the sale

[fractalsteel]

Are you sure there are no serious offers right now?

https://www.gofundme.com/buythepens

At least there was enough decency to give it to charity when it came up short.
Paint the interior of Consul Flyer colors. Erect a Statue to Claude Giroux(just remove Mario from the current one, add Giroux but have him fondling the two Islanders).

Seriously the asking price I heard was $750 million.

I wonder if the FO cares that Farnham had to clear to get back to WBS or were they happy with the depth that should be present when the injured return?

[Legacy User]

Farnham claimed off waivers by the Devils. No big loss IMO.

For a team full of "meh" players, I think Farnham brought something different to the table and was sad to see him go. Is he a terrible hockey player? Yea, his points and possession numbers bear that out but his ability to irritate the other team and be an ass/draw penalties/stick up for teammates is something that can't be quantified.

I hear you but to me he was more entertaining as a sound bite than anything he did within the whistles. I respect that he stood up for his guys but he usually got worked whenever he did, kinda kills it for me. I don't think he brings actual hockey value. IMO he's a guy you can pick up on waivers throughout the year.

[Legacy User]

I wonder if the FO cares that Farnham had to clear to get back to WBS or were they happy with the depth that should be present when the injured return?

If anyone is truly pissed about Farnham, its the WBS fans, from what Ive read, they loved him there

I dont think the FO cared, with Bennett and Fehr ready, and Sundqvist waiting his turn, we should be ok depth wise

[Donnie Brasco]

FYI- Farnham registered a goal and assist Sat night