Salary Cap: Pens Salary Cap Thread: If we score 6 we win, its science!

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Zucker was F1 on that line…his job was to go in the Ozone first and establish a forecheck…not saying G and Rust weren’t doing any work but he had that task because he’s good at it…Rust probably will have to pick that up and that means play a harder game than he has been because he’s still floaty at times, and I don’t think is quick enough to get on the giddy up first…

That's fair enough. Like I said Zucker was playing his role very well on that line even if I think he's slipped a little offensively. But in theory Rust and Malkin should be picking up some of that goal production and neither have been terrific in that department. I just think saying ALL the work is a bit much. Maybe I'm picking nits.

 

[K Fleur]

I’d argue since Zucker - Malkin - Rust was put back together Rust has been the better player.

I’d argue I’m the better player. Because that line scores way more when I play NHL23 than it does in real life.

 

[IcedCapp]

1st for Ryan Reaves. Goals are cool and all but we need more punching.

I’m tired of getting pushed around in the playoffs by….. checks notes… the New York rangers. Jason Zucker’s amputated leg is the perfect opportunity to add some size… some meat… some thickness… some hard pushback to this team

 

[K Fleur]

I’m tired of getting pushed around in the playoffs ….. checks notes… the New York rangers. Jason Zucker’s amputated leg is the perfect opportunity to add some size… some meat… some thickness… some hard pushback to this team

Despres is retired man(I think?). The dream is over.

 

[IcedCapp]

Despres is retired man(I think?). The dream is over.

Oh man. Imagine converting Despres to a forward. Ovechkin who?

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Power Forward Despres would have simply eaten and/or high stakes gambled his way through the 2018 Capitals.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Power Forward Despres would have simply eaten and/or high stakes gambled his way through the 2018 Capitals.

Why does Despres, the largest player, not simply eat the 2018 Capitals?

 

[IcedCapp]

Power Forward Despres would have simply eaten and/or high stakes gambled his way through the 2018 Capitals.

Why does Despres, the largest of the forwards, simply not eat the rest of the league?

edit: goddammit

 

[Ugene Magic]

Despres is retired man(I think?). The dream is over.

Despres is 3 cubicles down on the right.

 

[The Old Master]

Zucker was F1 on that line…his job was to go in the Ozone first and establish a forecheck…not saying G and Rust weren’t doing any work but he had that task because he’s good at it…Rust probably will have to pick that up and that means play a harder game than he has been because he’s still floaty at times, and I don’t think Heinen is quick enough to get on the giddy up first…

are you sure about that? that would make them playing a very new system. i would like to know more, because i have never seen it before.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

are you sure about that? that would make them playing a very new system. i would like to know more, because i have never seen it before.

Yes, he absolutely was the primary forechecker whenever possible. Zucker's health and play has been critical to creating space for Malkin. Rust has been far more inconsistent, though he's played better of late.

I’m gonna guess: Petry is a broken wrist (2 months minimum with possible ligament damage, although could be an elbow I guess. Zucker is high ankle or knee sprain, partial ligament tears requiring healing on it own

Zucker is a broken/fractured foot. He blocked a shot late in the second period in the last game and went down the runway before the period ended. He finished the game, but that's common for those injuries. The fact that he is week-to-week hints at a fracture.

 

[The Old Master]

Yes, he absolutely was the primary forechecker whenever possible. Zucker's health and play has been critical to creating space for Malkin. Rust has been far more inconsistent, though he's played better of late.

Zucker is a broken/fractured foot. He blocked a shot late in the second period in the last game and went down the runway before the period ended. He finished the game, but that's common for those injuries. The fact that he is week-to-week hints at a fracture.

thats a first for me. it was always the first guy in the zone was f1. not one player pick to be f1. to me that would limit to the success of that system. by slowing down the play waiting for that player to attack. it would also change the style of play in the other zones. imo

 

[DesertedPenguin]

thats a first for me. it was always the first guy in the zone was f1. not one player pick to be f1. to me that would limit to the success of that system. by slowing down the play waiting for that player to attack. it would also change the style of play in the other zones. imo

That's still the style, but in certain scenarios, specific guys take on the role. The best example is a line change. Penguins dump the puck, have ability to make a complete change. Zucker is almost always the first forechecker in.

Obviously if it's a more broken line change and Malkin is the first guy on the ice, he's going to be the first one in the zone on the forecheck. But Zucker, Rackell, McGinn and Archibald all seem to be the primary forecheckers whenever the Penguins can arrange it.

 

[Gurglesons]

I feel like we are still really overblowing Zucker's impact. I'd prefer to have him on L2, but I think any of Poehling, DOC, Heinen or McGinn can fit in there and we will still get some production from L2.

 

[PensandCaps]

Worst medical staff ever, how did Zucker get back into the game and finish it?

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I feel like that happens all the time around the NHL, but especially for this team. Guys returning from injury to finish a game just to be ruled out for an extended period of time.

Remember when Bonino played with like a f***ing compound fracture in his leg?

 

[HandshakeLine]

Worst medical staff ever, how did Zucker get back into the game and finish it?

People play through broken feet all the time, especially if it's just a period or two. The boot holds the bones in place like a splint.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

What work? Floating around aimlessly, giving away the puck and having his production exist off of secondary assists?

Since the Winnipeg game he went back to same old Zucker as the past few years.

I think he is just getting old, and also knows that he can't play the way he needs to in order to be successful for 82 games. That's been his issue for years.

You get glimpses of him earning like 75% of his contract, and then you get the typical Zucker playing hurt or playing to try to avoid getting hurt, and being pretty much useless.

And yeah, the people trying to act like you can't find a guy who will forecheck effectively and go stand near the net on the powerplay, and score 12 goals a year for 3m are insane. Put Poehling there, you'd probably have the same or better outcomes per game, without the 40 games a year injured or useless.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Color me surprised Zucker is injured again.

The guy plays well when healthy usually. I do not want him back we already have enough injury prone players.

Zucker + Dumo gone.
Dumo replacement cheaper than him? Go after a big forward? Profit?

 

[ChaosAgent]

Awful that Zucker is out.

Time to promote the lil Brockstar.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

It's a shame that this will probably decide the Zucker 50 point bet I have going with Diego. Then again, injury expectation factored in to begin with on my end.

Week to week historically averages out to 28 days for us. Say that's the case this time...he would miss 11 games.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I had a bigger post all typed up. I'll just say I would like to keep Blueger but think he'll find greener pastures (for him) in Free Agency.

Blueger would only stay if Carter wasn't there next season I think. I think he knows and the league knows he's a 3C and even the Penguins but they refuse to put him there because Carter to them, provides the offense they want even if Blueger could also do the same with less restrictive usage, given more time to shake off the defense first and only mode he's always in because of the usage.

I mean at this point, I would be very very surprised if he signs with the Penguins after this season. I would think Bill Guerin would be all over bringing him to the Wild, honestly. A very good PK specialist that still provides decent production with the hardest 4th line usage in the league is something a lot of teams would covet and quickly utilize in a 3C role.

Much to the dismay of everyone that can't admit he's good.


I definitely see him ending up in Minnesota unless he magically signs with the Pens. They have Steel playing 1C (yikes), Ek is 2C (usual), and Gaudreau is UFA after this season and Hartman just started skating. That 3C spot with Boldy would be fun to watch Blueger be freed to produce.

Awful that Zucker is out.

Time to promote the lil Brockstar.

Week to week with a LBI isn't too bad, I think if anything they're finally learning maybe to err on the side of caution with a player that is playing very well (contract year) while finally being healthy. I mean he played over 17mins vs the Stars and put up 2 assists. A week or so off will do him some good.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Worst medical staff ever, how did Zucker get back into the game and finish it?

That's happened like 3x this year. This time it burned them.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Color me surprised Zucker is injured again.

The guy plays well when healthy usually. I do not want him back we already have enough injury prone players.

Zucker + Dumo gone.
Dumo replacement cheaper than him? Go after a big forward? Profit?

Zucker plays with the same reckless abandon that Kunitz plays but without the same strength (and size even if a couple of inches), it's why he gets hurt so much. I love the style he plays but it's a shame he's injured often because of it too.

That's happened like 3x this year. This time it burned them.

Just taking a page out of the Miami Dolphins book, two concussions? Pffft...get your ass back out there.

I think you blokes expect too much out of a league that still sees players as expendable assets rather than Humans.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I feel like we are still really overblowing Zucker's impact. I'd prefer to have him on L2, but I think any of Poehling, DOC, Heinen or McGinn can fit in there and we will still get some production from L2.

Possibly, but Heinen will have to bring last year's form for that to happen.
I am more optimistic about McGinn on Geno's wing. He's been engaged all year.