Random Thoughts at the Halfway Point

[Pabst]

The Pens are 26-10-5 through 41 games. Currently they are sitting in the #2 spot in the Metro.

Thoughts on the Pens:
- Team MVP thus far is either Tristan Jarry or Kris Letang
- Really glad to see this team didn't skip a beat with Malkin rejoining the lineup
- Barring injury, I leave the F and D rosters as is at the deadline.
- Backup goalie is an issue. The good news is that there are a few decent players that should be available come deadline time.
- Pens have yet to play the Rangers or Hurricanes. You all know my thoughts on NY, but Carolina looks like the class of the division, and they'll be a tough out come playoff time.


Looking around the league:
- That gap between playoff/non-playoff teams in the East looks to be getting wider. None of NJ, Columbus, or Detroit can get any momentum going. The Isles are on a nice little streak (playing Philly twice, NJ, Buffalo, and Arizona will do that), but they need to maintain something like a .700 win percentage over the 2nd half to get back in the hunt.
- Haven't watched much of the Caps, but they've been struggling since the calendar flipped to December
- The Florida Panthers suck on the road.
- Tampa looks pretty dang good, but man....they give up a ton of goals, and they just seem so up and down.
- If Colorado figures out their goaltending, lookout.
- Looks like Edmonton's garbage depth finally caught up with them (again).


For my money, the best team in the East right now is Carolina. It's crazy the Pens won't play them until Feb 20th, but what can you do. For my money, the Canes and Pens are the best teams in the Conference at the moment. Colorado is easily the best team out west, but how long can Kemper hold up?

[Ice]

I'm not sure I can say overachieved, but this Pens team has certainly, to this point, exceeded my expectations, in wins/losses and entertainment value. Great stuff so far.

[Pabst]

Ice! Haven't seen you over here in a bit.

Regarding the Pens being better than expected: In retrospect, I feel like the pundits greatly overvalued what Tanev, McCann, and Ceci brought to the team last year. Yes, they were all good players, but they were very much role players and, as it turns out, easily replaced.

News of Jarry's demise was also greatly exaggerated.


On the flip side, everyone got the Islanders wrong. Turns out that adding a bunch of old players to an already old roster isn't a recipe for success.

[DP39]

The Pens are 26-10-5 through 41 games. Currently they are sitting in the #2 spot in the Metro.

Thoughts on the Pens:
- Team MVP thus far is either Tristan Jarry or Kris Letang
- Really glad to see this team didn't skip a beat with Malkin rejoining the lineup
- Barring injury, I leave the F and D rosters as is at the deadline.
- Backup goalie is an issue. The good news is that there are a few decent players that should be available come deadline time.
- Pens have yet to play the Rangers or Hurricanes. You all know my thoughts on NY, but Carolina looks like the class of the division, and they'll be a tough out come playoff time.


Looking around the league:
- That gap between playoff/non-playoff teams in the East looks to be getting wider. None of NJ, Columbus, or Detroit can get any momentum going. The Isles are on a nice little streak (playing Philly twice, NJ, Buffalo, and Arizona will do that), but they need to maintain something like a .700 win percentage over the 2nd half to get back in the hunt.
- Haven't watched much of the Caps, but they've been struggling since the calendar flipped to December
- The Florida Panthers suck on the road.
- Tampa looks pretty dang good, but man....they give up a ton of goals, and they just seem so up and down.
- If Colorado figures out their goaltending, lookout.
- Looks like Edmonton's garbage depth finally caught up with them (again).


For my money, the best team in the East right now is Carolina. It's crazy the Pens won't play them until Feb 20th, but what can you do. For my money, the Canes and Pens are the best teams in the Conference at the moment. Colorado is easily the best team out west, but how long can Kemper hold up?

Thanks for the insights, Pabst. I don't see near as much hockey outside of the Pens as I do football outside of the Steelers, so, to a guy like me, your thoughts here are valuable.

[Pabst]

The Pens are 26-10-5 through 41 games. Currently they are sitting in the #2 spot in the Metro.

Thoughts on the Pens:
- Team MVP thus far is either Tristan Jarry or Kris Letang
- Really glad to see this team didn't skip a beat with Malkin rejoining the lineup
- Barring injury, I leave the F and D rosters as is at the deadline.
- Backup goalie is an issue. The good news is that there are a few decent players that should be available come deadline time.
- Pens have yet to play the Rangers or Hurricanes. You all know my thoughts on NY, but Carolina looks like the class of the division, and they'll be a tough out come playoff time.


Looking around the league:
- That gap between playoff/non-playoff teams in the East looks to be getting wider. None of NJ, Columbus, or Detroit can get any momentum going. The Isles are on a nice little streak (playing Philly twice, NJ, Buffalo, and Arizona will do that), but they need to maintain something like a .700 win percentage over the 2nd half to get back in the hunt.
- Haven't watched much of the Caps, but they've been struggling since the calendar flipped to December
- The Florida Panthers suck on the road.
- Tampa looks pretty dang good, but man....they give up a ton of goals, and they just seem so up and down.
- If Colorado figures out their goaltending, lookout.
- Looks like Edmonton's garbage depth finally caught up with them (again).


For my money, the best team in the East right now is Carolina. It's crazy the Pens won't play them until Feb 20th, but what can you do. For my money, the Canes and Pens are the best teams in the Conference at the moment. Colorado is easily the best team out west, but how long can Kemper hold up?

Thanks for the insights, Pabst. I don't see near as much hockey outside of the Pens as I do football outside of the Steelers, so, to a guy like me, your thoughts here are valuable.

Much appreciated, thanks!

[fractalsteel]

Combine last year and this season so far, has Letang been any better over that same amount of time at any point in his career?
Have to sign him.
I'd give Jake a few MVP votes as well. The guy takes a beating and still has the balls to the net even though he isn't big or Crosby strong.
Rodrigues has been the most pleasant surprise.

Right on about the guys who moved on and the gloom and doom about such. I never thought McCann lived up to his hype. Tanev was fun to watch but like you said he is replaceable. Sadly, most Penguin fans thought it was a terrible move to expose him but it was the right thing to do.
Glad to have Malkin back but he isn't close to 100% and may not for the rest of the year. My biggest concern with him is having him on the point on the PP.
He is shooting a lot more so far which is great to see. Keep him firing away.
Jeff Carter-if he wants to play next year try and keep him in Pittsburgh.

W/O Jarry, the Pens could easily be that team in 9th position in the conference. Or scratching above the playoff line by mere points.

[Ice]

@Pabst I've been lurking, but I'll be around a little more often for sure. Looking forward to seeing what the second half of the season brings.

Definitely agree on Letang, and Jarry, too. Nice to see them playing as well as they have.

Made it to a game in Philly recently, always an... interesting experience. Hopefully will make it up to Pittsburgh for a game or two before the season is out.

[fractalsteel]

Bluegar out 6 to 8 weeks
Surgery to his jaw.

[Ice]

Bluegar out 6 to 8 weeks
Surgery to his jaw.

#can'thavenicethings

[MWS71]

What an enjoyable season so far. There were questions about Jarry, Guentzel, the Petterson/Marino pair, and forward depth, not to mention the customary post playoff loss whispers about whether or not the 87/71/58 core is still good enough for to win a cup.

Well Jarry and Guentzel are all stars, they're one of the stingiest teams defensively in the league, and Heinen/McGinn/Rodrigues (!!) have more than replaced what McCann and Tanev brought.

As for The Core, Letang is playing some of the best hockey of his career, and after taking a few weeks to get fully up to speed Sid looks like Sid (which is to say one of the best winners the league has ever seen). Malkin is still playing his way into top form, but he's giving you a point per game still. If he eventually works himself into game shape the way Sid did, look out.

The East playoff field is pretty much set already. That might make the next few weeks of games seem a little meaningless, but its also a stress free opportunity to appreciate The Core while they're still performing at a high level. They have been capital G Great for 15 years now, and before long that time will be over. Enjoy it!!!

Lets go Pens!

[Pabst]

What an enjoyable season so far. There were questions about Jarry, Guentzel, the Petterson/Marino pair, and forward depth, not to mention the customary post playoff loss whispers about whether or not the 87/71/58 core is still good enough for to win a cup.

Good call bringing up these two. They have put together an under the radar very good season.

Neither was great last year, but they both caught way more shit than deserved from Pens fans. And remember, they are still only 25 and 24 years old.

[Ice]

Bloogs out 6-8 weeks, might necessitate a minor deadline move.

[fractalsteel]

I'd rather find another backup goaltender.

I think Boyle will fill Bluegar's role and you can throw in Rodrigues and Zorro there if necessitated.

[Pabst]

I'd rather find another backup goaltender.

I think Boyle will fill Bluegar's role and you can throw in Rodrigues and Zorro there if necessitated.

O'Connor has played C at times as well.

[DP39]

Bluegar out 6 to 8 weeks
Surgery to his jaw.

That really sucks, but doesn't surprise me at all. Based on the (dirty) hit, Blueger's reaction and the amount of blood out of his mouth, my first thought was his jaw is probably broken.

I always kept a close eye on Wilson and Dillon when we played the Caps last year and always felt like Dillon took on some of Wilson's calculated, dirty (shoulder) tactics -- even if to a lesser degree.

[Ice]

I'd rather find another backup goaltender.

I think Boyle will fill Bluegar's role and you can throw in Rodrigues and Zorro there if necessitated.

Oh, 100% on the need for a backup tender. Jarry is right up there with Vasilevsky for most games/minutes played already, I believe. That backup job needs solidified yesterday, they're already burning Jarry at both ends. I'd try to get something done before deadline if possible.

I was saying in addition to that, and minor.

[BethlehemSteel]

team for sale.............

location, east coast

value 1.2 B

fanbase, dwindling

management: all need replacing up to current owner

WOW that felt good!!

[Pabst]

team for sale.............

location, east coast

value 1.2 B

fanbase, dwindling

management: all need replacing up to current owner

WOW that felt good!!

Honest question - you think Giroux gets traded?

[Ice]

team for sale.............

location, east coast

value 1.2 B

fanbase, dwindling

management: all need replacing up to current owner

WOW that felt good!!

Honest question - you think Giroux gets traded?

You wanna talk about fanbase dwindling... sheesh. Makes logical sense, it's pragmatic, but holy white flag, Batman.

[Pabst]

team for sale.............

location, east coast

value 1.2 B

fanbase, dwindling

management: all need replacing up to current owner

WOW that felt good!!

Honest question - you think Giroux gets traded?

You wanna talk about fanbase dwindling... sheesh. Makes logical sense, it's pragmatic, but holy white flag, Batman.

He's UFA after this year and I'd be floored if he wants to stay.

[Pabst]

While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and pat myself on the back for this one:

Philly just gave up the 14th overall pick, a 2023 second rounder, and Rober Hagg for *squints* Rasmus Ristolainen.

Excuse me......

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


To recap, Philly has given up the following:
- 2021 1st Round Pick
- 2022 2nd Round Pick
- 2022 7th Round Pick
- 2023 2nd Round Pick
- Robert Hagg

All to basically swap Gostisbehere for Ristolainen. Ristolainen is quite a bit bigger and a better puck mover than Ghost, but the guy is every bit the defensive liability. That is a crazy price they paid to get him.

[Ice]

Good God, that's bad. Of course, this is a team that's also still paying Chris Pronger.

[BethlehemSteel]

team for sale.............

location, east coast

value 1.2 B

fanbase, dwindling

management: all need replacing up to current owner

WOW that felt good!!

Honest question - you think Giroux gets traded?

Actually, I’m about 50/50, leaning towards yes.....but he has most of the team records in grasp if he stays and plays a few more yrs

I’ve actually dumbfounded how bad the operations have become. Fletcher is awful and was in Minnesota when Clarke was there. Same old nepotism and walk together forever ruse

Comcast is as bad a company operationally as anything I’ve seen and they basically don’t care what happens to the hockey club

[BethlehemSteel]

While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and pat myself on the back for this one:

Philly just gave up the 14th overall pick, a 2023 second rounder, and Rober Hagg for *squints* Rasmus Ristolainen.

Excuse me......

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


To recap, Philly has given up the following:
- 2021 1st Round Pick
- 2022 2nd Round Pick
- 2022 7th Round Pick
- 2023 2nd Round Pick
- Robert Hagg

All to basically swap Gostisbehere for Ristolainen. Ristolainen is quite a bit bigger and a better puck mover than Ghost, but the guy is every bit the defensive liability. That is a crazy price they paid to get him.

Ghost is lighting it up in Phoenix

Another disaster of many disasterous moves

Clarke blasted Hextall a few weeks past

Clarke should detox and disappear

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b ... 0547511897

[Ice]

The shot at Hextall was mostly about Nolan Patrick, right? Unless he elaborated.

[BethlehemSteel]

The shot at Hextall was mostly about Nolan Patrick, right? Unless he elaborated.

Yes about the Patrick pick vs the AVS dman

This guy should take a bow. All the main flyer fans have dug in the trenches and are throwing up the rocket launchers

https://twitter.com/cptdavepoulin/statu ... 0&ref_url=