General Off-Day Thread (goalie talk, so hot right now)

[Randy Butternubs]

Breaking the Ice on Mental Health: Sam Poulin Opens Up | Pittsburgh Penguins

Two years ago, Sam Poulin decided to take a break from hockey and return home to take care of himself and his mental health, seeking the help he needed. It was incredibly brave of the young forward, who’s talked about his journey in the time since, wanting anyone else who

www.nhl.com

Good for Poulin. Glad he's doing better.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Breaking the Ice on Mental Health: Sam Poulin Opens Up | Pittsburgh Penguins

Two years ago, Sam Poulin decided to take a break from hockey and return home to take care of himself and his mental health, seeking the help he needed. It was incredibly brave of the young forward, who’s talked about his journey in the time since, wanting anyone else who

www.nhl.com

Good for Poulin. Glad he's doing better.

I understand we are on a hockey site... in particular one dedicated to prospects, mostly. And that we're disappointed that Poulin didn't pan out but I'm truly happy to see him choose to address his mental well being which is so much more important than a game. A decision wise beyond his years.

 

[SEALBound]

I don't want to overshadow the success of Poulin's break and his fight through mental health issues, but I'd really like to know the nature of how being sent down from Pittsburgh went. This would have been under Hextall and Sullivan. Sounds like the kid took it pretty hard, obviously, and he wanted to stop going to the rink. That's a pretty abrupt change in mentality and attitude. While I get professional athletes putting pressure on themselves to a potentially detrimental level, I can't help but see that as a red flag from the NHL front office / coaching standpoint. Like, what was said to him? Did Hex and Sullivan absolutely eviscerate this kid when they told him why they were reassigning him or what?

When I listen to SC, they talk a lot about how coaches have to communicate different with players today than what they did in their day. I would suggest it's potentially one more pin in the "fire Sullivan" voodoo doll.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I don't want to overshadow the success of Poulin's break and his fight through mental health issues, but I'd really like to know the nature of how being sent down from Pittsburgh went. This would have been under Hextall and Sullivan. Sounds like the kid took it pretty hard, obviously, and he wanted to stop going to the rink. That's a pretty abrupt change in mentality and attitude. While I get professional athletes putting pressure on themselves to a potentially detrimental level, I can't help but see that as a red flag from the NHL front office / coaching standpoint. Like, what was said to him? Did Hex and Sullivan absolutely eviscerate this kid when they told him why they were reassigning him or what?

When I listen to SC, they talk a lot about how coaches have to communicate different with players today than what they did in their day. I would suggest it's potentially one more pin in the "fire Sullivan" voodoo doll.

His demotion and panic attack were about a month apart.

 

[SEALBound]

His demotion and panic attack were about a month apart.

Yes but he indicated the demotion was when he started feeling it and the panic attack was the climax.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Yes but he indicated the demotion was when he started feeling it and the panic attack was the climax.

I guess I should learn how to read the whole f***ing article.

 

[Karl Prime]

I understand the players feel like they let Jarry down. Nobody is going to confuse the Pens for a good defensive team this year, but at the same time don't tell me they wouldn't have 23-25 wins right now with a better goalie than Jarry. Look at the SEA game. They start well, get a PP, and then Jarry lets in a goal that cannot go in. Even the second goal wasn't great. That wasn't Vince Dunn beating him, it was Oleksiak. That would be like Graves beating a guy clean. Even the shootouts they lost to FLA and CBJ - yes, the shooters didn't do their job either but neither did Jarry. Look at that bronze game at the WJC with both goalies making save after save.

This team has gone 7-2-1 in a 10-game stretch before this season. Maybe this is a turning point for Sullivan to change it up and get them playing a more balanced game. They are capable of it, they did it at times last season which is why they had some shutouts. We all know the talent is there to score, especially if Malkin has the legs like he did vs Seattle. The PP has been great. Now it's time to play better all around and hope that Ned and Blomqvist can give them timely saves.

PS - I do find it weird that Ned was the guy down the stretch last season when they went on their hot run, but Jarry has gotten the lions share of the starts this year despite being worse (and Ned hasn't been that good either, but Ned has the ability to make big saves).

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

I understand the players feel like they let Jarry down. Nobody is going to confuse the Pens for a good defensive team this year, but at the same time don't tell me they wouldn't have 23-25 wins right now with a better goalie than Jarry. Look at the SEA game. They start well, get a PP, and then Jarry lets in a goal that cannot go in. Even the second goal wasn't great. That wasn't Vince Dunn beating him, it was Oleksiak. That would be like Graves beating a guy clean. Even the shootouts they lost to FLA and CBJ - yes, the shooters didn't do their job either but neither did Jarry. Look at that bronze game at the WJC with both goalies making save after save.

This team has gone 7-2-1 in a 10-game stretch before this season. Maybe this is a turning point for Sullivan to change it up and get them playing a more balanced game. They are capable of it, they did it at times last season which is why they had some shutouts. We all know the talent is there to score, especially if Malkin has the legs like he did vs Seattle. The PP has been great. Now it's time to play better all around and hope that Ned and Blomqvist can give them timely saves.

PS - I do find it weird that Ned was the guy down the stretch last season when they went on their hot run, but Jarry has gotten the lions share of the starts this year despite being worse (and Ned hasn't been that good either, but Ned has the ability to make big saves).

This team isn't going anywhere. While I didn't like Jarry, Ned is not some big save Goalie either ... they are both bad. the teams bad, and the coaching is even worse.

This looks like the last few Sullivan teams with different rosters. Badly coached teams look like random dice rolls and that's what team is every game. Completely random.