GDT: 2024-2025 Training Camp

[Sidney the Kidney]

Some additional observations from reporters:





And from Taylor Haase:

Mike Sullivan on what can be read into in the power-play work today, the first day they’ve worked on it: “Nothing.”

Literally every successful PP unit uses the bumper effectively. But apparently, if Kingerski is to be believed, we're the one team who seems to want to buck the trend and look smart doing our own thing.

f*** off, Sullivan, you arrogant jerk.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Literally every successful PP unit uses the bumper effectively. But apparently, if Kingerski is to be believed, we're the one team who seems to want to buck the trend and look smart doing our own thing.

f*** off, Sullivan, you arrogant jerk.

I will say it wouldn't surprise me for Kingerski to be wrong. Because, you know, track record with the guy...

That said, not bringing in an assistant coach as a power play specialist was a huge mistake by Dubas. If Sullivan wanted to bring in Dan Quinn, the compromise should have been that the Pens also add someone who can inject life into the power play.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

How can people not be utterly sick of this guy?

So sorry for asking what should be logical questions, Mike. This IS the time of year where teams generally work on things that they are going to... you know... use in-season.

Cool that they are just f***ing around, though. About what I expected. IF I believed that.

The bolded is the most infuriating part. Because during the season when the PP struggles, Sullivan gives his canned speech about how they haven't had a chance to work on it because they've had a stretch of 7 games in 13 days on the road and not much practice time. But apparently now, when they have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD, it's still not a priority.

The season hasn't even started yet and Sullivan's already doing shit that's going to make my head explode.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

The bolded is the most infuriating part. Because during the season when the PP struggles, Sullivan gives his canned speech about how they haven't had a chance to work on it because they've had a stretch of 7 games in 13 days on the road and not much practice time. But apparently now, when they have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD, it's still not a priority.

The season hasn't even started yet and Sullivan's already doing shit that's going to make my head explode.

It's just straight up ego and laziness at this point.

Dude doesn't have the energy or wherewithal to make even a halfhearted effort to explain loosely what they have planned to address the thing that cost them a playoff spot last season. Who cares, right?

 

[eXile3]

Acciari is the type of player that if NHL GMs were smart would have played 3-4 years in a limited role in his prime and then disappeared.

But since they’re not a 32 year old iteration of what was already a borderline player takes the roster spot of someone more deserving.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Im just exhausted tbh. Will watch this season to see Sid/Geno rise up the all time lists. Other than that, Sullivan will be doing his best to neuter the stars and give us boring and lifeless hockey

 

[SEALBound]

Called it earlier this summer.

Yeah, I mean it makes sense though to start him there. I think he's looking for a strong rebound being that he's on a 1x1. This may be one of his last chances to pull off a good season and get paid. Starting with Sid as your center is a prime position to be in that may not ever come around again.

Literally every successful PP unit uses the bumper effectively. But apparently, if Kingerski is to be believed, we're the one team who seems to want to buck the trend and look smart doing our own thing.

f*** off, Sullivan, you arrogant jerk.

The bar is low for us. Oh so very, very low.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I honestly have no issues with Beauvillier playing with Crosby to start. The only change I'd make to the expected lineup is bump Acciari out and Puustinen up to L3, giving them:

Beauvillier-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
O'Connor-Eller-Puustinen
Lizotte-Hayes-Glass
Acciari-Poulin

I'm fine with McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen and such starting in the AHL because I think dominating the AHL in a big role is better for their development than starting in a bottom-6 role in the NHL.

I have a bigger issue with Sullivan's powerplay lineup decisions because I think it would be set up significantly better with:

PP1: Crosby, Malkin, Bunting, Puustinen and Karlsson
PP2: O'Connor, Hayes, Rust, Rakell and Letang

I'm also totally good with Rakell on PP1 and Puustinen/Grzelcyk on PP2, depending on the game situation (Grzelcyk if they have a lead, Puustinen if they are trying to score).

 

[SEALBound]

I honestly have no issues with Beauvillier playing with Crosby to start. The only change I'd make to the expected lineup is bump Acciari out and Puustinen up to L3, giving them:

Beauvillier-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
O'Connor-Eller-Puustinen
Lizotte-Hayes-Glass
Acciari-Poulin

I'm fine with McGroarty, Ponomarev, Koivunen and such starting in the AHL because I think dominating the AHL in a big role is better for their development than starting in a bottom-6 role in the NHL.

I have a bigger issue with Sullivan's powerplay lineup decisions because I think it would be set up significantly better with:

PP1: Crosby, Malkin, Bunting, Puustinen and Karlsson
PP2: O'Connor, Hayes, Rust, Rakell and Letang

I'm also totally good with Rakell on PP1 and Puustinen/Grzelcyk on PP2, depending on the game situation (Grzelcyk if they have a lead, Puustinen if they are trying to score).

What's nice is that - I believe - with the combinations of the bottom 6 players we have, we can make two third lines. The only change I would like, out of pure tweaking for the sake of tweaking, is to shift Glass or Hayes to 3C (whichever one would be more offensive-minded and capable). Then run a 3rd line scoring line and a 4th line defensive shutdown line. Basically, eliminate the prototypical "4th line".

DOC-Glass-Puustinen
Lizotte-Eller-Hayes
Acciari-Poulin

for example.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnackl played bottom 6 minutes when called up in ‘15-16.

I don’t see the problem with playing prospects in the bottom 6, especially when we have 3-4 alright options for linemates in Hayes, Lizotte, Eller and potentially OC if he is not in top 6.

Puustinen is a very similar player and profile to Sheary, and more proven than Sheary was when he got the chance.

I just don’t understand why Sullivan has gotten so far away from what worked for him initially.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnackl played bottom 6 minutes when called up in ‘15-16.

I don’t see the problem with playing prospects in the bottom 6, especially when we have 3-4 alright options for linemates in Hayes, Lizotte, Eller and potentially OC if he is not in top 6.

Puustinen is a very similar player and profile to Sheary, and more proven than Sheary was when he got the chance.

I just don’t understand why Sullivan has gotten so far away from what worked for him initially.

They also didn't start in those roles, they weren't called up until the December/January timeframe. That's where I'm at with McGroarty and Ponomarev right now, I want them to get half a season with WBS and then go up to bigger roles (McGroarty L1 LW, Ponomarev 3C) rather than starting them in the NHL immediately in lesser roles.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnackl played bottom 6 minutes when called up in ‘15-16.

I don’t see the problem with playing prospects in the bottom 6, especially when we have 3-4 alright options for linemates in Hayes, Lizotte, Eller and potentially OC if he is not in top 6.

Puustinen is a very similar player and profile to Sheary, and more proven than Sheary was when he got the chance.

I just don’t understand why Sullivan has gotten so far away from what worked for him initially.

Those four were "his guys" when he was coaching in WBS. I think that's all there is to that. If you're not forcing your way onto the roster like Marino or there's no choice after a ton of injuries/waivers (Puusty), forget about getting a chance.