Post-Game Talk: If only Sullivan could get goaltending.

[Honour Over Glory]

This game was totally on his shoulders brah.

This is precisely why he is 101st.

It’s that lack of intangibles.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Honestly I was thinking more bus-oriented myself due to the challenges posed by rail here and now. Though I DO think it's a shame that heavy and light rail, trolleys, etc used to criss cross this whole region not that long ago and we just... abandoned it wholesale. I live out in the boonies FFS and a trolley used to come all the way out here back in the day.

Heavy shipping over land without the benefit of enough rail to mitigate the burden has caused a lot of stress and added expense to maintaining our roads and highways. And air shipping never quite panned out the way people imagined years ago.

It is definitely a class thing. Buses are "low status" when in reality you could make some downright nice ones and people would pay $10 to ride on them. Especially with wifi. I think the Venture Capital subsidies to the rideshare companies distorted this for a while. Maybe it will come back.

 

[Zbynek]

This game was totally on his shoulders brah.

I swear Pittsburgh does not deserve Evgeni Malkin. Everything he's done for us and your average yinzer still screaming "Trade 71!!". Dark side of the burgh

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I swear Pittsburgh does not deserve Evgeni Malkin. Everything he's done for us and your average yinzer still screaming "Trade 71!!". Dark side of the burgh

I mean he's definitely not what he was and isn't exactly what I would call a defensive specialist in the regular season. But he's 36, beat to f***, has been one of this team's consistently best players somehow despite all that and is actually creating offense on a team that seems to often forget how that's done and in this one directly led to three goals. From the replays at least one against was a real stinker on his part but otherwise I don't really GAF about random minuses when he happens to be on the ice. The whole team blows... why is it Malkin's fault?

I don't really like to participate in the whole "woe is Malkin" stuff but going after that guy while watching the team this year is a bit of a head scratcher to me. But whatever. Nothing new and besides which at this stage of the game it was gonna happen regardless.

 

[BusinessGoose]

In April, Sully gonna release a TikTok claiming the last five years were a prank bro. They subverted our expectations of winning by losing. And fade off with some loud distorted doomer audio clip.



The pens marketing push to appeal to the new generation is just that intense.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Rail probably would help tourism all across the country. People may not be clamoring to go certain places but more tempted to go on a 3 day trip with everything included where you don't even have to think about the headache of driving all over.

I doubt it.

How many places would you visit more if you could go there at 100 mph on rail? The Jersey Shore? The Carolinas? Lake Michigan/Erie? And how do you then justify a 12 figure development cost on the basis of your incremental trips? And oh yeah, the prospect here is you but the reality is "people 10-15 years from now" are the ones who would actually see the benefit.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

This is precisely why he is 101st.

It’s that lack of intangibles.

If only we could get the great Johnny Toews and his -24 rating and 28 points on this team for the third line. Or maybe put Malkin on his wing for L2! Because FACEOVZ or something. That would fix everything!

(no really I've heard this from Penguins fans)

 

[ChaosAgent]

If only we could get the great Johnny Toews and his -24 rating and 28 points on this team for the third line. That would fix everything!

(no really I've heard this from Penguins fans)

I think 3bladesof5 steel actually believes this.

I blocked him but not Pixies, shockingly. 3Blades seems like a decent chap but I really grind his gears I guess, and all of his posts to me started becoming "Carter, Zucker, Kapanen and Johnny Toews are great and you're a loser wunna fight about it dude?" Really we were just oil and water.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think 3bladesof5 steel actually believes this.

I blocked him but not Pixies, shockingly. 3Blades seems like a decent chap but I really grind his gears I guess, and all of his posts to me started becoming "Carter, Zucker, Kapanen and Johnny Toews are great and you're a loser wunna fight about it dude?" Really we were just oil and water.

Haha... not just him. It's a little different here but the majority of the fanbase seriously believes (always believes?) that this team is just one hard-nosed, blue-collar third liner away from great success. Oh and goaltending.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Haha... not just him. It's a little different here but the majority of the fanbase seriously believes (always believes?) that this team is just one hard-nosed, blue-collar third liner away from great success. Oh and goaltending.

I think it's moreso that he believes the team was one piece away period because we were so "amazing" the past few years. And he does the Pixies thing of just calling out that a player paced for how many points they paced for as being the decider. Decider to what, I'm not sure.

He liked all of our current players, the core and everyone else, and also liked Toews. I wish I shared his optimism then or now.

 

[BusinessGoose]

I doubt it.

How many places would you visit more if you could go there at 100 mph on rail? The Jersey Shore? The Carolinas? Lake Michigan/Erie? And how do you then justify a 12 figure development cost on the basis of your incremental trips? And oh yeah, the prospect here is you but the reality is "people 10-15 years from now" are the ones who would actually see the benefit.

Rail is infinitely better than bus... Dedicated all weather route vs same shitty traffic jams as everyone else

BUT

People really forget how vast this country is.

Everyone wants a japan/euro model of rail here.

It just doesn't work when california is almost 2x the size of the entire UK. No one wants to spend three days going from Portland to Pittsburgh. We don't have enough PTO to even take a vacation let alone spend the entire week getting there and back.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I swear Pittsburgh does not deserve Evgeni Malkin. Everything he's done for us and your average yinzer still screaming "Trade 71!!". Dark side of the burgh

Wait? What? who said trade in here.

I suggest people follow the pattern, and that pattern leads to reasons why Geno "while great" still comes with warts, and while he does still come with pedigree, all the Geno fans will do whatever to deflect any blame Geno's way. It's the coach/line-mates and whatever else. It's a game where Geno was bad, really bad, but because he got points, you can't bad mouth him. Geno gets points in even his worst games. Just track his last so many games. Heck, just track his last so many years...

Pattern established.

This has to do with Geno actually being part of the problem, but hey, can't talk bad about, Geno.

Sensitive Nancey's.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think it's moreso that he believes the team was one piece away period because we were so "amazing" the past few years. And he does the Pixies thing of just calling out that a player paced for how many points they paced for as being the decider. Decider to what, I'm not sure.

He liked all of our current players, the core and everyone else, and also liked Toews. I wish I shared his optimism then or now.

I'll say this... this roster isn't nearly as bad as it's shown and the core are still very good players. For now.

What can realistically be done about that? Probably nothing. So I suppose it's not worth getting too granular with it haha

 

[Gurglesons]

I'll say this... this roster isn't nearly as bad as it's shown and the core are still very good players. For now.

What can realistically be done about that? Probably nothing. So I suppose it's not worth getting too granular with it haha

Apparently saying this is “thinking everyone is amazing” and “being a horrible person because you work in HR”.

But at least I have a high rating on Uber. That means I’m not a sociopath!

 

[Power Surge]

I doubt it.

How many places would you visit more if you could go there at 100 mph on rail? The Jersey Shore? The Carolinas? Lake Michigan/Erie? And how do you then justify a 12 figure development cost on the basis of your incremental trips? And oh yeah, the prospect here is you but the reality is "people 10-15 years from now" are the ones who would actually see the benefit.

Not that I disagree with your skepticism of it per se but maybe the same reason people like to go on cruises, it can be a similar experience and more accessible. And you can separate those using it as public transportation to the ones using for travel.

And to @BusinessGoose point (or idea) that the country is to vast, maybe the whole country doesn't have to connect. So say I'm from the east coast and want to go on California rail for a West coast vacation, maybe want to do a package from San Fran to Napa and experience wine country. You fly out to San Fran to catch it.

I honestly doubt we'd see this in our lifetime anyway

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I guess I just cannot be brought to believe that THIS many otherwise-good-to-great players are all looking utterly lost and listless all at the same time because they suddenly just suck. That's too much disbelief for me to suspend.

Obviously this roster should have started getting younger and cheaper years ago. But that kinda also goes back to coaching too, no?

 

[Ugene Magic]

I'll say this... this roster isn't nearly as bad as it's shown and the core are still very good players. For now.

What can realistically be done about that? Probably nothing. So I suppose it's not worth getting too granular with it haha

It's no different when they were younger. They needed help then, why wouldn't that be the case now? If they are serious about even just one more cup. They talk the talk, but will they walk the walk.

The walk doesn't even have to end in a cup. They at least put real effort to the cause is far better than what they are currently doing. Like, if you want to gain a chance at a top 10 pick, then do that, but if you want to compete they have to do that then. They've made their choice because, chasing a top 10 pick does not equate to $$$$$.

So load up and pay the piper, and let it ride.

Top picks will come soon enough. Get them real help, and that won't come throwing a conditional 3rd/4th or whatever they paid for Rakell. Those were two good trades, but neither were going to extend a window for the ultimate goal.

They need someone who can stretch the other teams attention and create a mismatch. Depth. The Pens had that and it spawn two B2B's. If you really think about it, 3 B2B's.

It's not impossible if you can do it that many times.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

It's no different when they were younger. They needed help then, why wouldn't that be the case now? If they are serious about even just one more cup. They talk the talk, but will they walk the walk.

I mean... all the best players need help. This isn't a failing. If anything Sid/Geno back in 09 did the most I've ever seen with the least.

I've said for years the top six is a stinky mix particularly when you factor in the rigidness of the coach and as Sid and Malkin get older they need more real, tangible direct help. So it's not like a disagree with you. Though I suspect you are looking for another HBK flash in the pan. Which I'm not really all about chasing.

 

[Gurglesons]

I mean... all the best players need help. This isn't a failing. If anything Sid/Geno back in 09 did the most I've ever seen with the least.

I've said for years the top six is a stinky mix particular when you factor in the rigidness of the coach and as Sid and Malkin get older they need more real, tangible direct help. So it's not like a disagree with you. Though I suspect you are looking for another HBK flash in the pan. Which I'm not really all about chasing.

Realistically this team missed the pooch when Mark Stone was available.

Still super pissed about that.

I’m excited for what Hextall does this summer. I know nobody else feels that way. But I feel like everyone here is just negative as hell and then says “I don’t care or watch the team” or “I don’t mind if they leave Pittsburgh”.

Buncha losers.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I mean... all the best players need help. This isn't a failing. If anything Sid/Geno back in 09 did the most I've ever seen with the least.

I've said for years the top six is a stinky mix particularly when you factor in the rigidness of the coach and as Sid and Malkin get older they need more real, tangible direct help. So it's not like a disagree with you. Though I suspect you are looking for another HBK flash in the pan. Which I'm not really all about chasing.

I am looking for a player who'll make a difference. They had Staal/Kessel be that for them, who cares how it's constructed as long as it works.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Realistically this team missed the pooch when Mark Stone was available.

Still super pissed about that.

I’m excited for what Hextall does this summer. I know nobody else feels that way. But I feel like everyone here is just negative as hell and then says “I don’t care or watch the team” or “I don’t mind if they leave Pittsburgh”.

Buncha losers.

Whoa whoa whoa.

I'm pretty low on this team right now. Tough not to be. Not only are they dropping games left and right to cellar-dwellers they are a downright bore to watch doing it. And I admit that I've de-prioritized watching them especially on weekends and stuff. But leaving Pittsburgh? f*** all that. Hockey is the only sport I give a shit about.

We'll see what Hextall does. I'm still kinda on standby with him. This offseason will tell the tale.

 

[Gurglesons]

Whoa whoa whoa.

I'm pretty low on this team right now. Tough not to be. Not only are they dropping games left and right to cellar-dwellers they are a downright bore to watch doing it. And I admit that I've de-prioritized watching them especially on weekends and stuff. But leaving Pittsburgh? f*** all that. Hockey is the only sport I give a shit about.

We'll see what Hextall does. I'm still kinda on standby with him. This offseason will tell the tale.

I’m not talking about you. I also don’t know how you could be high on this team with Sullivan, but realistically we are playing like absolute shit and still fighting for playoff spots against teams loaded with top picks.

Like anyone thinking the roster is awful is simply not watching the rest of the league..

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I am looking for a player who'll make a difference. They had Staal/Kessel be that for them, who cares how it's constructed as long as it works.

Well... they have BigJeff though!

I’m not talking about you. I also don’t know how you could be high on this team with Sullivan, but realistically we are playing like absolute shit and still fighting for playoff spots against teams loaded with top picks.

Yeah I mean... because the core is still really good.

It DOES frustrate me when people act like they are worthless geriatrics. Sid/Geno are 100/80+ point centers still scoring at like 30+ goal paces. That doesn't scream "washed" to me.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Well... they have BigJeff though!



Yeah I mean... because the core is still really good.

It DOES frustrate me when people act like they are worthless geriatrics. Sid/Geno are 100/80+ point centers still scoring at like 30+ goal paces. That doesn't scream "washed" to me.

Jeff wasn't big game fishing. They, Him and Rakell were bargain shopping.

 

[Gurglesons]

Well... they have BigJeff though!



Yeah I mean... because the core is still really good.

It DOES frustrate me when people act like they are worthless geriatrics. Sid/Geno are 100/80+ point centers still scoring at like 30+ goal paces. That doesn't scream "washed" to me.

Even having a group of wingers like Zucker, Rakell, Guentzel, Rust is pretty good when you have the top six center depth we do.

Jeff wasn't big game fishing. They, Him and Rakell were bargain shopping.

Worked out a lot better than the “big game fishing” by Rutherford outside of Phil.