Post-Game Talk: Penguins are the Penguins

[Pancakes]

I have some news for you that may come as a bit of a shock to the system. This team already real f***in' bad, and haven't made it to the 2nd round in half a decade.

There is no "address issues" anymore. JR and Hextall hemorrhaged assets and the team's been a barren wasteland of developing talent since the 2nd of the back to backs. It's over, my dude.

I am intrigued to see Dubas' approach to the rest of this season if things continue as they are.

I don't think that Kyle will pull a Hextall and throw his hands up about things. I expect that he has a plan in mind for what to do if the team sucks.

 

[metalan2]

Didn’t watch but checked stats.

When they look like this and you’re losing, it’s the goalie.

View attachment 759835

It is, but we still can't score no matter how many shots or chances we have. Been this way for years.

 

[Andy99]

Fr like Sid and Geno still got it. If we're gonna be shitty, I want them to try ridiculous plays and dekes, have fun out there

But they don’t anymore…Sid never goes hard to net and Geno can’t even stop and start lol…they rarely make fun plays because I don’t think they can much…we need more young talent

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

It is, but we still can't score no matter how many shots or chances we have. Been this way for years.

We are in the Endgame bro, Sullivan is going to pull his mission impossible mask rip and DB is just going to smile at all of us.

Then do a double finger to @Gurglesons .... hahah

 

[LOGiK]

I hope this team just nosedives all season and lands some top-3 pick, Sullivan's fired, Jake's dealt at the deadline for some kinda Staal-like return, and we go into next season with a coach who is just gonna let the old guys sling it around and try to do cool shit.

Watching this team try and pretend they're still any kind of relevant and preach this bullshit structured, slop hockey is so annoying.

I kind of expected that after the two cups and streak of failure... just let these guys have fun! Most of them are kids, NOT ON THIS TEAM they don't do well in the strict as can be robotic system with no emotion... get rid of this clown coach and get rid of the clown that gave the clown the contract, get rid of that guy who gave them contracts, burn the organization to the ground and build up from sid and geno (with their retirement in mind obviously).... the rest bring in the kids, and avoid any disastrously over-bloated contracts until you see plain as day, actual talent in front of your nose.

 

[Super Duper]

While Jarry has been an inconsistent mess this year, feels like much of the teams problems are coming from the coaching staff and their inability to make changes when things aren't going the Pens way. They need to make bold moves like placing Zohorna on Line 1 with Sid, and moving Smith to PP unit 1. Considering Geno/Smith have been our most dominant line, why not use that on the power play too?

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

We are in the Endgame bro, Sullivan is going to pull his mission impossible mask rip and DB is just going to smile at all of us.

Then do a double finger to @Gurglesons .... hahah

That would make Disco a 3 time cup winning coach with a back to back. Can't even hate at that point. Still want him gone though

 

[McGroarty2]

It's like trying to sell a 2007 VW Passat with 214,000 miles

I mean, sure, when it works it's comfy and nice

But... That check engine light is gonna pop on soon, that brake light is going to burn out again, the evap purge valve is gonna fail and yet another coil pack is gonna blow out

Then just as you get it all sorted, boom, the sunroof drains clog and water poors out of your overhead console every time you slow down

That's what trading Jarry is. An 18 year old Passat.

Don't forget the johnson rod is gonna blow at any minute.

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

I am intrigued to see Dubas' approach to the rest of this season if things continue as they are.

I don't think that Kyle will pull a Hextall and throw his hands up about things. I expect that he has a plan in mind for what to do if the team sucks.

This is probably the best we can hope for at this point.

 

[Tacitus Kilgore]

Don't forget the johnson rod is gonna blow at any minute.

Say what now?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I am intrigued to see Dubas' approach to the rest of this season if things continue as they are.

I don't think that Kyle will pull a Hextall and throw his hands up about things. I expect that he has a plan in mind for what to do if the team sucks.

I don't think there's a plan to be had. At some point, the team's gotta face reality. Pretty much all of the significant roles in this roster are locked up relatively long term, the core's old, the coach that's been a loser since 2017 is locked up for another, what, four years?

But this team loves to keep up its masquerade. They can't help but follow in the Wings' footsteps and make their post-contending era as wretched and painful as possible all because they just can't face reality.

But they don’t anymore…Sid never goes hard to net and Geno can’t even stop and start lol…they rarely make fun plays because I don’t think they can much…we need more young talent

Sid and Geno are pretty much the only redeeming factors of this team anymore. They're better than PPG players and have like 1/3 of the entire team's goals or some dumb shit. Guys like Sid and Geno never lose their hands or skill, it's the skating and gas tank that go. And while they're not what they used to be, they're far from dusted. I have no idea what you're even talking about tbh.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I just don't understand the whole "it's the stars fault!" thing. It's a super lazy narrative.

Like yeah... they are old, now. Nearly 40, in fact. Well past it in this sport and not what they were when they were in their 20s. Big newsflash, there. But remind me again who the team's best players still are? It's looking for something that isn't there. It's appeal to authority crap.

 

[Gurglesons]

I think we’d be better with the course of action you’re talking about. And EK in theory should be providing another layer of offense outside of 87/71.

I just think you have to account for 87/71 not being what they were in 16/17.

Middle ground would likely be using Jake in a Neal/PH type deal. Sid’s way more perimeter nowadays and as much as he could use another puck carrier on his line, he equally needs someone at the net and so does the PP.

They aren’t what they were in 16/17, but they are still point per game players.

The issue is there is no support and no players or willingness to bring up players when say the lines aren’t going.

Rakell has 0 goals yet for some reason is still played in the same role.

 

[LOGiK]

And all the losses with this team are full blown DEFEAT. No nail biter lost a bounce lost the game, cold hard defeat and destruction.

This team is sharing the bottom with buffalo.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like the problems on this team right now are in order:

1. The powerplay doesn't work
2. The goaltending has been wildly inconsistent

I really think this is it. People complain about the bottom-6 but I think that's mostly related to unreasonable expectations for what a "bottom-6" looks like from Penguins fans. Especially since Zohorna has come up, the bottom-6 has been playing well.

The argument to have is how much responsibility do the star players have for #1? I'd argue a notable amount, especially Crosby.

Note I'm not including coaching here, I'm just talking about specifically what is going on with the team. Coaching is heavily responsible for the mess they're in.

 

[Super Duper]

I feel like the problems on this team right now are in order:

1. The powerplay doesn't work
2. The goaltending has been wildly inconsistent

I really think this is it. People complain about the bottom-6 but I think that's mostly related to unreasonable expectations for what a "bottom-6" looks like from Penguins fans. Especially since Zohorna has come up, the bottom-6 has been playing well.

The argument to have is how much responsibility do the star players have for #1? I'd argue a notable amount, especially Crosby.

Current PP 1 unit has the same issue as last year. They always want to do some crazy fancy play or pass 100x before taking a shot into what always ends up being blocked. There needs to be more net front presence, redirecting, etc just as the sens did on their first goal.

With respect to bottom 6, 3rd line has been fairly impressive over these first games this year. They're a constant source of offensive pressure.

Carter on the other hand needs to retire. His play recently really feels like he just wants to get rid of the puck asap, resulting in constantly turning the puck over.

 

[mpp9]

They aren’t what they were in 16/17, but they are still point per game players.

The issue is there is no support and no players or willingness to bring up players when say the lines aren’t going.

Rakell has 0 goals yet for some reason is still played in the same role.

Rakell’s play makes no sense this year. He’d be effective regardless of production in the past. Hard along the boards, backchecked and would create turnovers. No idea what he’s doing this year. Even more insane because he’s playing with the best version of Malkin in years, with a quality LW and one of Letang/EK at all times.

I’d be down with using him to create cap space if this continues and no blockbuster move’s there using Jake.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Rakell’s play makes no sense this year. He’d be effective regardless of production in the past. Hard along the boards, backchecked and would create turnovers. No idea what he’s doing this year. Even more insane because he’s playing with the best version of Malkin in years, with a quality LW and one of Letang/EK at all times.

I’d be down with using him to create cap space if this continues and no blockbuster move’s there using Jake.

Sure it does.

Everyone on this team regresses. We've seen it for years. Start hot... slide into mediocrity.

Looking forward to The Mayor™ developing this team's talent down the road!

 

[Super Duper]

Hypothetically if Sully is fired, what options do the Pens have?

 

[Andy99]

 

[Gurglesons]

Hypothetically if Sully is fired, what options do the Pens have?

Not sure, but any fresh voice would help IMO.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like the fact that all but 7 teams in the NHL are below their expected goals should make people realize that the expected numbers should be adjusted.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

It's basically take your pick anymore. On any given night it could be the spitefully stubborn coach mismanaging TOI or refusing to shake up lines that aren't working. A f***ing headcase of a goalie who is like the world's shittiest MAF cosplayer. Special teams that just sucks the life out of the team, either on the penalty kill or power play. A severe lack of depth, both in terms of the bottom-6's inability to contribute much of anything, or supporting cast guys in the top-6 being unable to say "f*** it, I'll do it" and carry the load on nights when Sid or Geno aren't flying.

I dunno.

Hypothetically if Sully is fired, what options do the Pens have?

Probably Reirden or Vellucci on an interim basis until the summer. But it's fantasyland to even discuss Sullivan being fired, imo.

Feel like that chart could be from any year from like 2018 through present day. And it's exactly why we constantly hear the players and Sullivan talk about "We keep playing the way we're playing and the goals will come." -barf-

 

[LOGiK]

How does a team defeat a top tier contending team Colorado one night... then lose, and not just lose, get completely dismantled against Ottawa the next.

The answer to that will be the long standing detriment and also the impedance of this team having any solid foundation.

 

[Pancakes]

I feel like the problems on this team right now are in order:

1. The powerplay doesn't work
2. The goaltending has been wildly inconsistent

I really think this is it. People complain about the bottom-6 but I think that's mostly related to unreasonable expectations for what a "bottom-6" looks like from Penguins fans. Especially since Zohorna has come up, the bottom-6 has been playing well.

The argument to have is how much responsibility do the star players have for #1? I'd argue a notable amount, especially Crosby.

Note I'm not including coaching here, I'm just talking about specifically what is going on with the team. Coaching is heavily responsible for the mess they're in.

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect more than 2 goals through 8 games out of our bottom six.