Speculation: Penguins off day talk thread: Yes, Sully is still the coach

[Invalid cuz QoC]

hungover already…does not bode well for tomorrow night lol

Gotta blow their paycheck on Cleopatra slots.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

We’re like a 4-5 man offence. We can’t afford to play guys who only block shots and PK. And we doubly can’t afford to pay them more than the league minimum.

You must play NHL on XBOX a bunch and just trade and stack 4 lines with all-stars who score.

All kidding aside I get it, we need help on the score sheet and I completely agree but you still need those guys that do the dirty work come playoff time and come up big on the PK. Some of those guys are interchangeable.....yes and some aren't.

People bitched about Tanev, Archibald, Acciari. All players who didn't necessarily put up points but played their roles rather well and were willing to lay it out there (some of the better in the league). I'd rather we have guys willing to do that as we should instead of Sid laying down and blocking shots breaking a hand.

I've come to the realization that no matter the player many here are going to never be happy with tougher gritty bottom 6 players who play their roles really well but don't put up points and would rather have underachieving scorers who can't do some of the aforementioned things but also go on extremely long scoring droughts and are really no good to the team (it's what Tatar would have been this season) I've always said our middle 6 is weak and we don't have guys that can move up in a pinch to play with Geno/Sid when needed. (It looks like DOC is coming around to that)

 

[IcedCapp]

You must play NHL on XBOX a bunch and just trade and stack 4 lines with all-stars who score.

All kidding aside I get it, we need help on the score sheet and I completely agree but you still need those guys that do the dirty work come playoff time and come up big on the PK. Some of those guys are interchangeable.....yes and some aren't.

People bitched about Tanev, Archibald, Acciari. All players who didn't necessarily put up points but played their roles rather well and were willing to lay it out there (some of the better in the league). I'd rather we have guys willing to do that as we should instead of Sid laying down and blocking shots breaking a hand.

I've come to the realization that no matter the player many here are going to never be happy with tougher gritty bottom 6 players and would rather have underachieving scorers who can't do some of the prior mentioned things but also go on extremely long scoring droughts and are really no go to the team (it's what Tatar would have been this season) I've always said our middle 6 is weak and we don't have guys that can move up in a pinch to play with Geno/Sid when needed. (It looks like DOC is coming around to that)

Im not bitching about the player type on an individual basis. I’m unhappy with Acciari for the same reason I hated the Tanev signing: the player / need make sense, but when you throw it in with all of our other contracts, it’s too much money for something that isn’t killing us right now.

It’s always going to come back to the Carter contract, but if we had a legit offensive 3rd line player instead of carter, and DOC or Puusy could fill out the 2nd line AND smith could be an elite 3rd liner, I wouldn’t have an issue. But as it is, we’re littered with bottom 6 players who aren’t doing much to help score.

And no, it’s not an xbox/ps5 thing, and it’s not a real complaint, since I don’t think there’s any chance we move Acciari or Eller, it’s just a continuation of my gripes from the summer.

In general, I hate acquiring bottom-6/3rd pairing players in UFA. You’re always going to overpay in UFA, so overpay legit players. We should be able to fill out our bottom-6 and 3rd pairing from within.

It’s a massive failure (not Dubas’) that we can’t.

 

[pistolpete11]

Or you look at how Crosby and Malkin (especially Malkin) have looked after rest and after long stretches of play, and you think “maybe this is when we go on a run.”

Geno looked 25 at the start of the year and 95 by Christmas. All of this rest just as we’re sliding into playoff contention could be just what the doctor ordered.

I think their results have been at best mixed coming back from breaks, but even if that's true, I'd rather play a normal schedule, get 5 days at the All Star Break, play a normal schedule, and get 4-5 days off in March or something.

As it is now, they have this stop/start schedule for like 3-4 weeks and then they have almost no rest in March and April.

 

[IcedCapp]

I think their results have been at best mixed coming back from breaks, but even if that's true, I'd rather play a normal schedule, get 5 days at the All Star Break, play a normal schedule, and get 4-5 days off in March or something.

As it is now, they have this stop/start schedule for like 3-4 weeks and then they have almost no rest in March and April.

I agree it’s not ideal, but the schedule is the schedule and we can’t do anything about it, so we have to hope the rest helps. If it doesn’t, we’re probably screwed.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Im not bitching about the player type on an individual basis. I’m unhappy with Acciari for the same reason I hated the Tanev signing: the player / need make sense, but when you throw it in with all of our other contracts, it’s too much money for something that isn’t killing us right now.

It’s always going to come back to the Carter contract, but if we had a legit offensive 3rd line player instead of carter, and DOC or Puusy could fill out the 2nd line AND smith could be an elite 3rd liner, I wouldn’t have an issue. But as it is, we’re littered with bottom 6 players who aren’t doing much to help score.

And no, it’s not an xbox/ps5 thing, and it’s not a real complaint, since I don’t think there’s any chance we move Acciari or Eller, it’s just a continuation of my gripes from the summer.

In general, I hate acquiring bottom-6/3rd pairing players in UFA. You’re always going to overpay in UFA, so overpay legit players. We should be able to fill out our bottom-6 and 3rd pairing from within.

It’s a massive failure (not Dubas’) that we can’t.

I get the Tanev contract because it was a lot of years and was likely an overpayment in UFA. I also think we miss a player like him with his energy. He definitely singlehandedly shifted the momentum (it's definitely a thing in hockey) in games which resulted in some wins.

With Acciari I'm not super concerned about it. He's making 2 million a year. If we're complaining about him being overpaid by a million its not a big concern in my eyes, it's a million. There's other bigger issues. I also think he's pretty respected around the league and he wouldn't be to difficult to move if it was needed.

Im a big fan of the guys that lay it out and establish a credibility of it throughout the league so I lean to favor them.

 

[Fordy]

you'd like to think you can bank the rest and guys who have been banged up like rust are feeling stronger. smith will have ample time to recover from his head ass removal surgery and might decide he wants to play if we're fighting for the playoffs

 

[SEALBound]

Im not bitching about the player type on an individual basis. I’m unhappy with Acciari for the same reason I hated the Tanev signing: the player / need make sense, but when you throw it in with all of our other contracts, it’s too much money for something that isn’t killing us right now.

It’s always going to come back to the Carter contract, but if we had a legit offensive 3rd line player instead of carter, and DOC or Puusy could fill out the 2nd line AND smith could be an elite 3rd liner, I wouldn’t have an issue. But as it is, we’re littered with bottom 6 players who aren’t doing much to help score.

And no, it’s not an xbox/ps5 thing, and it’s not a real complaint, since I don’t think there’s any chance we move Acciari or Eller, it’s just a continuation of my gripes from the summer.

In general, I hate acquiring bottom-6/3rd pairing players in UFA. You’re always going to overpay in UFA, so overpay legit players. We should be able to fill out our bottom-6 and 3rd pairing from within.

It’s a massive failure (not Dubas’) that we can’t.

This is where I'm pretty much as well and I think Tanev is another good example. If Acciari was making Nieto money or slightly more, then whatever. I'd like to know what the initial plans were for him. Was he brought in to be 3C, 3W, 4C...? If the sole intent was to make him 4C, I would have offered him half and if he took it great, if not, move on to another 4C that honestly, could have the same impact. I would have tried for Sundqvist at 800k before I went to Acciari for $2mil for 3 years.

I think Sullivan's initial conversations with Dubas about his team philosophy certainly shaped who he went after in FA but that turned out to be to our disadvantage. They could have done different things and changed the way the bottom 6 was constructed if they took the Scoring Lines 1-3 and a defensive checking line approach (the approach that won them 2 cups).

Nieto is nice, but it could easily have been DOC or Zohorna. Acciari is nice but it could easily have been Sundqvist, Suter, Poulin, or any number of available 4Cs. Could have brought in Eric Staal. Steel, Boqvist, Bonino, Tierney. There were plenty of 4C options that don't cost $2mil. One thing that I was hopeful for was that, he could move up in the lineup if there were injuries and be productive but I don't think that's the case. I think we have a $2mil 4C that PKs. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and I like the play...I just don't think it was prudent to spend $2mil on him.

That why I said, if there is ANY team wanting him to bolster center position or want energy for the playoffs, that's a 100% done deal. I would take a 6th and move on happily if it came to it. Same with Nieto. It's the same with a number of guys because, at the end of the day, you'd not only get the cap space, but you get the roster spot to give to someone who might provide more.

 

[Josey Wales]

This is where I'm pretty much as well and I think Tanev is another good example. If Acciari was making Nieto money or slightly more, then whatever. I'd like to know what the initial plans were for him. Was he brought in to be 3C, 3W, 4C...? If the sole intent was to make him 4C, I would have offered him half and if he took it great, if not, move on to another 4C that honestly, could have the same impact. I would have tried for Sundqvist at 800k before I went to Acciari for $2mil for 3 years.

I think Sullivan's initial conversations with Dubas about his team philosophy certainly shaped who he went after in FA but that turned out to be to our disadvantage. They could have done different things and changed the way the bottom 6 was constructed if they took the Scoring Lines 1-3 and a defensive checking line approach (the approach that won them 2 cups).

Nieto is nice, but it could easily have been DOC or Zohorna. Acciari is nice but it could easily have been Sundqvist, Suter, Poulin, or any number of available 4Cs. Could have brought in Eric Staal. Steel, Boqvist, Bonino, Tierney. There were plenty of 4C options that don't cost $2mil. One thing that I was hopeful for was that, he could move up in the lineup if there were injuries and be productive but I don't think that's the case. I think we have a $2mil 4C that PKs. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and I like the play...I just don't think it was prudent to spend $2mil on him.

That why I said, if there is ANY team wanting him to bolster center position or want energy for the playoffs, that's a 100% done deal. I would take a 6th and move on happily if it came to it. Same with Nieto. It's the same with a number of guys because, at the end of the day, you'd not only get the cap space, but you get the roster spot to give to someone who might provide more.

Zohorna Blows

 

[Zirakzigil]

Acciari, Harkins and Nieto are all at the 4-point mark through 42 games.

Will be interesting to see who reaches 5 first.

It's crazy that these guys are even worse offensively than Blueger, Archibald, Poehling from last year.

Personally would of signed Poehling to an extension. Thought he was solid for us last year.

 

[SEALBound]

Zohorna Blows

He has 7pts to Acciari's 4. They both blow. Zohorna is just 60% less and a UFA at the end of the year.

Personally would of signed Poehling to an extension. Thought he was solid for us last year.

I think he was like Zohorna this year where you're so average and so vanilla that nothing you do on a given night stands out. I would rather have kept him at 800k over Acciari or even Nieto.

 

[Josey Wales]

He has 7pts to Acciari's 4. They both blow. Zohorna is just 60% less and a UFA at the end of the year.

I think he was like Zohorna this year where you're so average and so vanilla that nothing you do on a given night stands out. I would rather have kept him at 800k over Acciari or even Nieto.

Acciari is a Great PK guy, Zohorna doesn't play PP or PK & sucks ! Acciari has been in the NHL for years that is why he gets a lot more than a guy who can't stay in the NHL

 

[3ladesof5teel]

He has 7pts to Acciari's 4. They both blow. Zohorna is just 60% less and a UFA at the end of the year.

I think he was like Zohorna this year where you're so average and so vanilla that nothing you do on a given night stands out. I would rather have kept him at 800k over Acciari or even Nieto.

Poehling, Acciari and Zohorna are stylistically all different.

Acciari has regularly been in the tops in the league in hits and as mentioned lays out the body and blocks shots

Poehling has some good 1st round pedigree but has yet to put it all together. I liked him and thought he was getting better as the season went on and would have liked to see him back on the cheap.

Zohorna is fighting for his NHL career and might not see much moving forward. His dream is kept alive because of his size but I don't think there is anything there.

 

[SEALBound]

Poehling, Acciari and Zohorna are stylistically all different.

Acciari has regularly been in the tops in the league in hits and as mentioned lays out the body and blocks shots

Poehling has some good 1st round pedigree but has yet to put it all together. I liked him and thought he was getting better as the season went on and would have liked to see him back on the cheap.

Zohorna is fighting for his NHL career and might not see much moving forward. His dream is kept alive because of his size but I don't think there is anything there.

There is no good correlation between hits and wins. It certainly has not made much of a difference for us this year.

In a vacuum, yes Acciari is probably better than either but both are outscoring Acciari for significantly less.

 

[Josey Wales]

There is no good correlation between hits and wins. It certainly has not made much of a difference for us this year.

In a vacuum, yes Acciari is probably better than either but both are outscoring Acciari for significantly less.

& SOOOOOOOO why is Zohorna in the Minors & on a League Minimum Contract & will probably go back to Europe after this season ?

 

[3ladesof5teel]

There is no good correlation between hits and wins. It certainly has not made much of a difference for us this year.

In a vacuum, yes Acciari is probably better than either but both are outscoring Acciari for significantly less.

I never said there was but people definitely complain about the team not having enough sandpaper. I'm also not just talking about hits. I'm talking about blocked shots and penalty killing. The flexibility to play both the C and the wing and being able to be moved up in a pinch and not looking totally out of place. There's quite a few things he can do.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Some need to make up their minds.

You can have somebody in your bottom six that's a warrior out there plays tough and tough to play against. Or you can have some tweener who can pot some goals but might go 20+ games without scoring.

Also you might want to check the scoring. Z has 4 goals........ Poehling has 5

 

[3ladesof5teel]

If we are really getting worked up over a guy that does things on the team that many others don't and might be making a million too much I don't know what to say.

I got nothing else.

 

[SEALBound]

& SOOOOOOOO why is Zohorna in the Minors & on a League Minimum Contract & will probably go back to Europe after this season ?

Jeff Carter and Harkins are in the lineup over guys like Hinostranza, Poulin, and Puustinen (for the most part) so...who knows.

I never said there was but people definitely complain about the team not having enough sandpaper. I'm also not just talking about hits. I'm talking about blocked shots and penalty killing. The flexibility to play both the C and the wing and being able to be moved up in a pinch and not looking totally out of place. There's quite a few things he can do.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Some need to make up their minds.

You can have somebody in your bottom six that's a warrior out there plays tough and tough to play against. Or you can have some tweener who can pot some goals but might go 20+ games without scoring.

Also you might want to check the scoring. Z has 4 goals........ Poehling has 5

I'm not saying that Acciari hasn't earned his spot. I'm just saying I wish we weren't paying $2mil for 3 years for him. Given the performance, I don't find that to be prudent use of our limited cap space. Same thing with Carter. If their were each making $800k, this wouldn't be a discussion.

 

[tom_servo]

It has been widely known around the league that Acciari has been one of the better ones throughout his career. It's why he's making 2 million to do it.

He's been a fan/player favorite around the league because of it on the teams he's played.

If we want to grasp at straws and say we can get someone for a million less to try and do it better......sure go for it. All I am saying is Acciari has been towards the tops of the list in some of those other categories.

Acciari did seem to have a lot of admirers for what appears here as a very run of the mill player. Ultimately I'd have to deduce that it was a bit of a miss for $2 million. Or at least, there was little need for both him and Nieto.

I do like Acciari's physicality, so he's not an empty jersey at least

 

[Josey Wales]

Jeff Carter and Harkins are in the lineup over guys like Hinostranza, Poulin, and Puustinen (for the most part) so...who knows.


I'm not saying that Acciari hasn't earned his spot. I'm just saying I wish we weren't paying $2mil for 3 years for him. Given the performance, I don't find that to be prudent use of our limited cap space. Same thing with Carter. If their were each making $800k, this wouldn't be a discussion.

Hinostroza BLOWS , Poulin was Hurt & puustinen hasn't done much lately

 

[IcedCapp]

If we are really getting worked up over a guy that does things on the team that many others don't and might be making a million too much I don't know what to say.

I got nothing else.

My man, it’s a hockey forum to discuss the penguins. We have no control over anything. Not every discussion is “getting worked up,” it’s just a discussion.

No one is frothing over Acciari or Eller or Nieto.

Just like I don’t make a post about Jarry, log off, and go kick my dog. It’s just discussions on a forum. They’re all meaningless.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

My man, it’s a hockey forum to discuss the penguins. We have no control over anything. Not every discussion is “getting worked up,” it’s just a discussion.

No one is frothing over Acciari or Eller or Nieto.

Just like I don’t make a post about Jarry, log off, and go kick my dog. It’s just discussions on a forum. They’re all meaningless.

Pffft. Speak for yourselves. I'M making a big difference, here.

*checks last time I logged on and contributed anything*

See? They've been playing better since I've been gone, yeah? You're all welcome.

 

[IcedCapp]

Pffft. Speak for yourselves. I'M making a big difference, here.

*checks last time I logged on and contributed anything*

See? They've been playing better since I've been gone, yeah? You're all welcome.

Don’t worry, bro, we all know this is Mike Sullivan’s burner account

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Don’t worry, bro, we all know this is Mike Sullivan’s burner account

Well that's just mean. I don't even LIKE clam chowder!

EDIT: Also re: Acciari... thought that was gonna be a lowkey terrific signing. It has very demonstratively NOT been. Also lol to "PK specialists."

 

[IcedCapp]

Well that's just mean. I don't even LIKE clam chowder!

EDIT: Also re: Acciari... thought that was gonna be a lowkey terrific signing. It has very demonstratively NOT been. Also lol to "PK specialists."

Hate the chowdah, love the slow, skillless plugs?!?