Post-Game Talk: Pens-2, Flames-4

[Ogrezilla]

but mom, other GMs messed up too so it's ok that Shero did too!

Dude, just stop. Nobody is defending it. But there is absolutely no reason to talk about it right now. It has nothing to do with the game we just played. Pouliot is on this team. He is one of the few players who looked good in it. Just stop turning every mention of him into a Shero ***** fest.

 

[Contender]

At least Crosby is now credited for both goals.

 

[Ogrezilla]

The issue here is, hope this is clear enough, It didn't matter the line-mates 'cause, Malkin did it all alone with his own stick. (before you even come in with "he tried to do it all alone because of his line-mates")He was messing up plays that he makes look like child's play any other game. Meaning his line-mates had no recourse of his play.

Geno made poor choices throughout the game.

That doesn't mean Kunitz wasn't terrible. He was. Just terrible. Here's the thing; we have seen Kessel and Hagelin produce together without Geno. So even if Geno was bad, the line could have a chance. Not with Kunitz there. I'm not absolving Malkin. He had a bad game. But we've seen Geno and Sid both have good games ruined by Kunitz all year. He's really bad.

 

[IcedCapp]

I've never seen people so insistent that a team game is an individual game.

Kunitz is ****. He's absolute ****. THAT HAS AN EFFECT ON THE PEOPLE HE PLAYS WITH. Hockey players are not automatons who live in vacuums. They are human beings who are affected by the variable around them. Kunitz is a negative variable.

This isn't high level thinking.

 

[Ogrezilla]

At least Crosby is now credited for both goals.

damn that means I lost a fantasy goal. Oh well, Horny got the assist still.

 

[EliteGoaltending]

I didn't notice that... plus all the shots Pens missed. The Flames deserve the credit, they were fast and they played very aggressive. But we had to play better.


You can't win many games with Kunitz and Kessel in your top 6. Well, better to say, with the way Kunitz and Kessel are playing.
Their combined cap hit is around 10M, you can find players that would be a better fit for your 1st line LW and 2nd line RW, for this money. Or two 1st or 2nd line wingers, if you're happy with Hagelin-Hornqvist combo (I wouldn't because Hags is only a third wheel). But it's thoughts for the offseason...we're stuck with them right now. Also, I wouldn't trust JR to make big moves. He's almost always overpays/doesn't get enough value back.
Bonino was invisible prior the injury and is invisible right now. I think they should roll the 3rd line of Wilson-Cullen-Rust or Bonino-Cullen-Rust(this line had some good shifts in the last game against the Rangers). Maybe it's time to send Kuhn to the AHL, because he's not showing anything right now. Simon or Jeffrey to call up.

 

[Malkinstheman]

Can we put together one long winning streak for ***** sake.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I didn't notice that... plus all the shots Pens missed. The Flames deserve the credit, they were fast and they played very aggressive. But we had to play better.


You can't win many games with Kunitz and Kessel in your top 6. Well, better to say, with the way Kunitz and Kessel are playing.
Their combined cap hit is around 10M, you can find players that would be a better fit for your 1st line LW and 2nd line RW, for this money. Or two 1st or 2nd line wingers, if you're happy with Hagelin-Hornqvist combo (I wouldn't because Hags is only a third wheel). But it's thoughts for the offseason...we're stuck with them right now. Also, I wouldn't trust JR to make big moves. He's almost always overpays/doesn't get enough value back.
Bonino was invisible prior the injury and is invisible right now. I think they should roll the 3rd line of Wilson-Cullen-Rust or Bonino-Cullen-Rust(this line had some good shifts in the last game against the Rangers). Maybe it's time to send Kuhn to the AHL, because he's not showing anything right now. Simon or Jeffrey to call up.

Yeah, Kessel playing like a 65 point winger lately is really our problem in the top 6. Seriously, you can say he's been underwhelming. But don't compare him to Kunitz.

 

[JakeNBake59]

If Bennett is in the top 6, it really should be with Geno and Kessel imo. And honestly, right now I would be thrilled to have the good version of KCD back vs what we have, especially if its followed up by Bennett-Geno-Kessel. The only reason I would consider moving Hornqvist away from Sid's RW is to put Kessel there. The two are really freaking good together.

no no no 4 periods deems them not to work together
4 periods deems Hagelin not to be good enough either for the top line but infinity periods determines that Kunitz still works with Crosby

 

[Ogrezilla]

no no no 4 periods deems them not to work together
4 periods deems Hagelin not to be good enough either for the top line but infinity periods determines that Kunitz still works with Crosby

yeah 4 periods and 2 goals

 

[Penguinator]

Anyone with Pens' record in afternoon games? Seems they never win those.

 

[Waffle Fries]

The issue here is, hope this is clear enough, It didn't matter the line-mates 'cause, Malkin did it all alone with his own stick. (before you even come in with "he tried to do it all alone because of his line-mates")He was messing up plays that he makes look like child's play any other game. Meaning his line-mates had no recourse of his play.

Geno made poor choices throughout the game.

And I hope this is clear enough. What Geno was doing was irrelevant. You do not break up the only thing that is working for you in a game.

Sid's line was rolling. Leave it alone. Geno's was not. Geno was struggling, yes. Don't make Sid struggle, too.

Now Geno was having a bad game. Kunitz is a bad player and wasn't helping. Geno's line needed to change. It did not need to also change Sid's

 

[IcedCapp]

yeah 4 periods and 2 goals

4 periods, 4 goals

 

[UnderratedBrooks44]

Maybe it's just that it's Saturday and I'm in a good mood but they just didn't have it today. I ain't mad.

 

[mpp9]

Yeah, Kessel playing like a 65 point winger lately is really our problem in the top 6. Seriously, you can say he's been underwhelming. But don't compare him to Kunitz.

Interesting question.

Would you rather have Kessel at 6.8 mil for the next 6 or so years with Kunitz still on the roster. Or had no salary retention and moved Kunitz.

If you're looking at production/$. Kessel at 6.8 is worse than Kunitz at 3.8.

 

[Nakawick]

Hagelin is a good shutdown guy on a 3rd line. Stamkos UFA 9.7M. Taylor Hall in MAF trade.


Hall - Crosby - Jagr
Stamkos - Malkin - Sprong
Hagelin - OPEN - Kessel


No Fleury. No Kunitz. You get Stamkos.

No Hornqvist. No Bonino. You get Hall.

Not rocket science.

You slide in Tavares at 3C and I like our chances. What would our PP set up look like?

 

[Speaking Moistly]

OH your HCB is Hornqvist-Sid-Bennett? I thought that was Hagelin.

I can see the confusion.

4 periods, 4 goals

HCH produced. Crosby-Kessel produced. Sullivan doesn't care, Kunitz is gawd and Hornqvist should be on the other side to double up on the grit.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Anyone with Pens' record in afternoon games? Seems they never win those.

ask 30 fanbases how they do in afternoon games and every one of them will tell you they never seem to win them. They are just any other game.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Interesting question.

Would you rather have Kessel at 6.8 mil for the next 6 or so years with Kunitz still on the roster. Or had no salary retention and moved Kunitz.

If you're looking at production/$. Kessel at 6.8 is worse than Kunitz at 3.8.

You need to look at more than production/$ though. And the retention shouldn't have prevented us from dumping Kunitz. Long term ovviously I'd have to say I want the retention. But if you're just talking this year I'd rather spend 1.2M to get rid of Kunitz.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I'm excited for Murray tomorrow. I forgot to say that, but I am.

 

[Ogrezilla]

4 periods, 4 goals

my mistake.

 

[IcedCapp]

my mistake.

like I told Kirk, I understood that, at some point in time, Sullivan was going to go back to Kunitz - Crosby - Anyone, but WHY in the middle of that line being the only line who can score?

If you're like "we need a spark!" you jumble every other line besides the one that's on a 4-goals-in-4-periods roll.

 

[mpp9]

You need to look at more than production/$ though. And the retention shouldn't have prevented us from dumping Kunitz. Long term ovviously I'd have to say I want the retention. But if you're just talking this year I'd rather spend 1.2M to get rid of Kunitz.

I think I'd rather not have Phil Kessel if he was making 8 million dollars/year for the rest of Sid/Geno's better years and this is the caliber of play we can expect.

I think that'd be far worse than having Kunitz for another year.

 

[Penguinator]

ask 30 fanbases how they do in afternoon games and every one of them will tell you they never seem to win them. They are just any other game.

Certainly not my impression this season though as i can't remember last time we won on an afternoon.

 

[Ogrezilla]

like I told Kirk, I understood that, at some point in time, Sullivan was going to go back to Kunitz - Crosby - Anyone, but WHY in the middle of that line being the only line who can score?

If you're like "we need a spark!" you jumble every other line besides the one that's on a 4-goals-in-4-periods roll.

Because Kunitz is not allowed to leave the top 6. I really don't get it. Three coaches in a row are doing it.

I think I'd rather not have Phil Kessel if he was making 8 million dollars/year for the rest of Sid/Geno's better years and this is the caliber of play we can expect.

I think that'd be far worse than having Kunitz for another year.

Well I did say I'd want the retention long term. And I also expect him to get better. I think he's mostly been better. Though the whole line was a mess today.