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

[Andy99]

I was skeptical of the Puljujarvi project at first and I sincerely doubt he's going to be an impact player or anything but after seeing him do so well so quickly down on the farm... can't be mad about that. Eager to see what he can do.

Still dumb that they won't make room for Puus/Poulin or both, though. It's not like this bottom six is anything even close to special, Eller aside.

“They don’t PK. It’s a really special skill that requires a boatload of talent” — Mike Sullivan

 

[The Old Master]

Still dumb that they won't make room for Puus/Poulin or both, though. It's not like this bottom six is anything even close to special, Eller aside.

i think they will be trying to trade as many bottom 6 players as possible so some players can move up.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

i think they will be trying to trade as many bottom 6 players as possible so some players can move up.

I don't. I think this team LIKES scrubs like Harkins, White, Acciari, Nieto, ZAR, etc.

Low event eye poison hockey.

 

[Darren McCord]

Looking like Puustinen is staying in the AHL. Predictable.

Gotta keep up white and Harkins. They are providing so many intangibles I cant even count.

 

[Gurglesons]

Puustinen is either going to be the next Daniel Spring or Dominik Kahun.

Be interesting to see where he goes after we don't qualify him this off season.

 

[Darren McCord]

I don't. I think this team LIKES scrubs like Harkins, White, Acciari, Nieto, ZAR, etc.

Low event eye poison hockey.

Thats the Sullivan way

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Thats the Sullivan way

"Well you can't have 12 Sidney Crosbys out there!"

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Puustinen had a goal and an assist with 10:52 of ice time against the Islanders on Dec. 27. He had 1 point in his last 12 games. Whipping Boy Jansen Harkins has all four of his assists in that same time frame.

I think two things can be equally true - Puustinen deserved more consistent ice time on the third line with Eller. And he could have done a lot more with the ice time that he did receive.

I still question whether he can produce regularly in the NHL outside of being the third wheel on a top six line. But giving him a couple weeks to get his confidence back in the AHL isn't the worst thing compared to play 7 minutes a night in the NHL.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Puustinen had a goal and an assist with 10:52 of ice time against the Islanders on Dec. 27. He had 1 point in his last 12 games. Whipping Boy Jansen Harkins has all four of his assists in that same time frame.

And those are downright top six-like numbers, right there!

Well... if you're Bryan Rust.

 

[Fordy]

Puustinen had a goal and an assist with 10:52 of ice time against the Islanders on Dec. 27. He had 1 point in his last 12 games. Whipping Boy Jansen Harkins has all four of his assists in that same time frame.

I think two things can be equally true - Puustinen deserved more consistent ice time on the third line with Eller. And he could have done a lot more with the ice time that he did receive.

I still question whether he can produce regularly in the NHL outside of being the third wheel on a top six line. But giving him a couple weeks to get his confidence back in the AHL isn't the worst thing compared to play 7 minutes a night in the NHL.

confidence he lost when he was benched for the second half of multiple games. well at least colin white is lighting it up for us

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

And those are downright top six-like numbers, right there!

Well... if you're Bryan Rust.

Or Reilly Smith, or Rickard Rakell. Or Jason Zucker. Or...

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Looks like White is a healthy scratch and Ludvig is replacing POJ.

 

[Andy99]

Mike sure loves that 4th line lol…

 

[Trade]

Puusy we hardly knew ye

Maybe there will be room for him next year when Big Jeff takes over as an assistant coach

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Mike sure loves that 4th line lol…

In 23 games, they've scored 3 goals and given up 3 goals while maintaining a slight possession edge and high danger chances edge.

Is it a pretty low event line? Sure. But at least they're not bleeding chances, and it's the most productive of any combo of fourth line players, including substituting Nieto for Harkins.

Meanwhile, putting Smith back on Malkin's line and on the first power play unit screams, "OK, show us you want to be here and be productive or we'll ship your ass out at the deadline."

 

[wheelz87]

Harkins is far from a good 4th liner but he's actually been semi-decent of late. I just want Carter out of there. Poulin in for him woulda made me happy.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Malkin and Karlsson paying for this team's powerplay sins while Smith and Rust skate on the top unit seems asinine to me but whatever. When you are clicking at historically awful rates I guess you just kinda roll your eyes and move on.

EDIT: Also much respect for Letang playing well within a new role this season but 3 goals is 3 goals and he's never been an ace on the man advantage. Don't see the logic there, either.

 

[pistolpete11]

Puustinen had a goal and an assist with 10:52 of ice time against the Islanders on Dec. 27. He had 1 point in his last 12 games. Whipping Boy Jansen Harkins has all four of his assists in that same time frame.

I think two things can be equally true - Puustinen deserved more consistent ice time on the third line with Eller. And he could have done a lot more with the ice time that he did receive.

I still question whether he can produce regularly in the NHL outside of being the third wheel on a top six line. But giving him a couple weeks to get his confidence back in the AHL isn't the worst thing compared to play 7 minutes a night in the NHL.

First, if Puusy got sent down because he only has 1 point in his 12 games, why is Harkins here at all? He had 0 in his first 18 games.

Second, his production dropped only when he was removed from Malkin's line. Why wasn't he tried on there again? Maybe it was just a call-up adrenaline bump, but maybe it wasn't. Maybe he clicked with Malkin for whatever reason. I'd sure like to find out, but especially so when we keep icing that 4th line game after game when we can't score.

 

[Andy99]

In 23 games, they've scored 3 goals and given up 3 goals while maintaining a slight possession edge and high danger chances edge.

Is it a pretty low event line? Sure. But at least they're not bleeding chances, and it's the most productive of any combo of fourth line players, including substituting Nieto for Harkins.

Meanwhile, putting Smith back on Malkin's line and on the first power play unit screams, "OK, show us you want to be here and be productive or we'll ship your ass out at the deadline."

So,in other words, an entirely replaceable fourth line lol

 

[vodeni]

Malkin and Karlsson paying for this team's powerplay sins while Smith and Rust skate on the top unit seems asinine to me but whatever. When you are clicking at historically awful rates I guess you just kinda roll your eyes and move on.

EDIT: Also much respect for Letang playing well within a new role this season but 3 goals is 3 goals and he's never been an ace on the man advantage. Don't see the logic there, either.

Geno already almost killed Karl last game, one more game and Karl having blinkers on his head will cause major rupture by our Russian fella

 

[DesertedPenguin]

First, if Puusy got sent down because he only has 1 point in his 12 games, why is Harkins here at all? He had 0 in his first 18 games.

Second, his production dropped only when he was removed from Malkin's line. Why wasn't he tried on there again? Maybe it was just a call-up adrenaline bump, but maybe it wasn't. Maybe he clicked with Malkin for whatever reason. I'd sure like to find out, but especially so when we keep icing that 4th line game after game when we can't score.

He had four points with Malkin, three points with Eller. He was fine with Malkin, but it wasn't like he was lighting the world on fire.

So,in other words, an entirely replaceable fourth line lol

I think it's a line where if you can find inexpensive upgrades who fill similar roles, or if you can push guys down the lineup, then great. But it's not hurting you.

 

[Andy99]

He had four points with Malkin, three points with Eller. He was fine with Malkin, but it wasn't like he was lighting the world on fire.


I think it's a line where if you can find inexpensive upgrades who fill similar roles, or if you can push guys down the lineup, then great. But it's not hurting you.

There’s no reason we couldn’t try something else, change out a player or two. The only reason it’s the only line that has not undergone any changes is that our coach has an unjustifiable love of schlubs lol

 

[SomeDude]

Pool party is 100% our splash deadline move. Gonna miss playoffs by 3 points, Jake walks, Sullivan remains.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

There’s no reason we couldn’t try something else, change out a player or two. The only reason it’s the only line that has not undergone any changes is that our coach has an unjustifiable love of schlubs lol

I think the hope is to find some pieces that fit in the top nine and push some guys lower.

A fourth line of DOC-Eller-Acciari, for example, would be reliable with offensive potential.

 

[Darren McCord]

He had four points with Malkin, three points with Eller. He was fine with Malkin, but it wasn't like he was lighting the world on fire.


I think it's a line where if you can find inexpensive upgrades who fill similar roles, or if you can push guys down the lineup, then great. But it's not hurting you.

Lamo its cost like almost 6 million dollars. Its hurting you. You cant get rid of accari or carter but if you swap out Harkins maybe you can get more production.

For a 6 million dollar 4th line you better be getting more than that.