I think maybe some people still have their minds cast back years ago when guys like Malkin and Sid could just... will a goal on the powerplay. They've never been the swiftest on the man advantage and the issues with standing around too much have been going on for years.
I think Sid & Geno could still score goals on the powerplay, but if Sid is dictating who he wants on it as his Super Friends Team up with Rust and Letang, or whatever, then that's a problem. You have players that aren't typically your PP specialists that you would think of but they serve a purpose on the powerplay.
The real issue you nail though - Standing around too much.
They're entirely too static. Sid is parked where he always is, Malkin is getting zero direction for what he should do, Jake was parked on the other side but wasn't crashing the crease anymore, Rust also just floated in the same spot waiting for a shot. Rakell kind of just went up and down the left side waiting for a shot. The only f***ing player that was moving around all over the place is a young lad that Sullivan didn't really want to play in the top 6 or use correctly and had some weird hate by a select few wankers. Maybe Sid and Co didn't like that the player kept moving around creating openings for the PP and making it harder for the PK to block lanes, who knows. But the issue is - They're very static. They stand around and do the same thing hoping for a different result. We know what that is the definition of.
Also comical the ownership/Kindergarten Kyle want to keep Sully around thinking it'll change.
It's just that back then the talent just overwhelmed most obstacles. Malkin is 38, now. People keep telling me to adjust expectations... take your own advice.
Back then, Sarge had a bomb and Geno floated up in the higher slot for another bomb, then you had someone buzzing near the side of the net or near the front, it allowed havoc to ensue for the PK that was hard to manage. When you rarely, if ever, take a shot from the point, the PK doesn't need to bother even worrying about them and can pressure the shit out of the point - which they do, which leads to turnovers and Shorthanded opportunities, the Penguins kept doing that. They have players that can shoot but they won't use them at the point.
It's like the archaic - A D needs to be there because a D has a hard point shot, no. Rakell and Puustinen have a very hard clapper. Malkin used to but he had issues with his arm a few seasons ago and he can't release the clapper as quickly as he used to with the same accuracy and power, so he's more of a lower slot bloke that has a quicker snap or at best, you leave him off the PP and use him more 5v5.
You can't trick teams into thinking Malkin is a decoy anymore, they know.
They took him off the top unit last year and honestly if anything it looked even worse. If ya wanna scapegoat someone that's cool but just realize your views align with Mike Sullivan and he's a goof.
All that said Malkin will be lucky to crack 60 points next year. Not just because if the decline but because I'm assuming they will relegate him to second unit a lot of the year, again and that's where basically any offensive player banks points. The ~30 seconds you get on second unit isn't even enough to set up most times. None of this is complaining... just strikes me odd to single out one guy.
I think if Malkin is healthy, he tops 80pts. I think the weird hate for Malkin or underestimating of his talent is ridiculous here to be honest, there's no player that leaves more on the ice than Malkin does and yeah I know Crosby is the lord almighty to most of the Pens fans, but Malkin has literally given everything with a f***ed arm and leg and was still showing more heart than this entire roster and would still get called out for not producing while having the literal worst top 6 wingers of any team in the playoffs or season that is a contender.
If Bunting stays with Geno and they realize Rakell isn't the right fit on that line and is the right fit with Sid, then they move up Puustinen where the trio actually looked amazing together, we'd be fine. IF DOC has grown into this "potential top 6 winger!" well Puustinen showed the same production pace in his first f***ing season getting jerked around harder with less top 6 time, so why not use him where he's fit the best and where he's given the biggest boost in the line-up - with Geno.
Crosby's line is perfectly fine as Rakell-Crosby-Rust. Rakell with a healed arm/shoulder is a 60pt winger, Rakell with a f***ed shoulder was a 50pt winger, the Rakell hate is stupid and blokes should feel stupid for that. Raks gives Sid's line something it desperately needs - Balance defensively. With Rakell on that line, they give up less odd man rushes, allow fewer goals against and still produce well. So what's the issue? Sully has no qualms about using him on his off wing often, Rakell has traditionally been used that way since he came into the league with the Ducks, he's good on either side. Sid is also the best fit for Rakell's usage. Rust is whatever now, he's I guess some massive superstar in his own mind because defensively, he's a f***ing joke the last few years.
the bed defensively at 5v5 so badly that we had to move on.
