Post-Game Talk: Pens vs Preds: Secondary Sid Leads the way

[AuroraBorealis]

I just don't get why Sullivan won't even TRY Bunting with Crosby. It's the same as when he wouldn't TRY Zucker with Crosby. Is Crosby better with Rakell/Guentzel? Yeah, probably, but this one line nonsense leads to nothing but mediocrity. Gotta get L2 going more to sustain this recent surge.

I wouldn't screw with L1 until they drop off. They're doing great, at both ends. I'd try a bunch of combinations with the rest of the Forwards before doing that.
Get Puljujarvi back in there for example. Plus there's numerous good producers in Wilkes atm.

Bunting-Lizotte-Puljujarvi has potential imo.

Don't think L2's gonna get going until Malkin decides to moves his legs again, like in October. Sid is like doubling his work ethic atm. Unacceptable from one of our leaders.

 

[Icarium]

Don't think L2's gonna get going until Malkin decides to moves his legs again, like in October. Sid is like doubling his work ethic atm. Unacceptable from one of our leaders.

Malkin is 38, something tells me this isn't a matter of "deciding to move his legs again".

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah L2 lives and dies based on Malkin and Malkin is simply too old to be consistent. He'll have hot runs where he looks like his former self but will also be super quiet at other times. No one is at fault for that and they don't really have the players on the roster to do anything about it. Malkin has needed his own version of Guentzel for about the last 3 years and it's only getting more noticeable as he gets older.

With this team, I think it's just about enjoying it when they win and keep your expectations low. I think this team is fairly similar to what it was last year, they're a mediocre team that will be on the fringes for the WC2 spot. Dubas would need to do something drastic (and frankly stupid) to have them better than that.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah L2 lives and dies based on Malkin and Malkin is simply too old to be consistent. He'll have hot runs where he looks like his former self but will also be super quiet at other times. No one is at fault for that and they don't really have the players on the roster to do anything about it. Malkin has needed his own version of Guentzel for about the last 3 years and it's only getting more noticeable as he gets older.

With this team, I think it's just about enjoying it when they win and keep your expectations low. I think this team is fairly similar to what it was last year, they're a mediocre team that will be on the fringes for the WC2 spot. Dubas would need to do something drastic (and frankly stupid) to have them better than that.

No way dude he needs to be zooming around out there at all times at 38 years old with arguably the worst wingers he's ever had to play with.

 

[Empoleon8771]

No way dude he needs to be zooming around at there at all times at 38 years old with arguably the worst wingers he's ever had to play with.

Yeah even Crosby had a rough spell earlier in the year. These guys are just old so why get mad when they inevitably have bad runs? Letang was an even more extreme example, he was horrid to start the year and has been on fire recently.

I get frustrated when the good players are making dumb mental mistakes they shouldn't be making, not when they simply don't have the gas to be as consistent as in the past.

 

[pistolpete11]

Ah yes. When Malkin is struggling, he "just needs to play better".

When Crosby is struggling, they will throw everything into a blender until...well look at that...he ends up with the 2 best available wingers. Weird how that snaps him out of it.

Again, just try it. Having 2 competent top 6 lines is more important than the top line exploding against a couple of bad teams every once in a while.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Yeah even Crosby had a rough spell earlier in the year.

We don't talk about that. Or about how steps were immediately taken to shake him out of it and get him back on track.

Which to clarify is a GOOD thing to do.

Just... selective.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Ah yes. When Malkin is struggling, he "just needs to play better".

When Crosby is struggling, they will throw everything into a blender until...well look at that...he ends up with the 2 best available wingers. Weird how that snaps him out of it.

Again, just try it. Having 2 competent top 6 lines is more important than the top line exploding against a couple of bad teams every once in a while.

While they're winning i wouldn't change anything on the top line. 8-2-1 over the last 11 speaks for itself. If they start losing again sure switch it up.

 

[eXile3]

People really underestimate the need for talent to play with talent. It’s odd that they think hockey happens in a vacuum.

If Geno had the talent around him I’m sure his numbers would look better.

 

[Turin]

Malkin needs better linemates but it’s also clear he is physically declining, not just skating slower but his puck handling isn’t anywhere near where it was even 3 seasons ago. Still a good, above average 2C though.

 

[Icarium]

People really underestimate the need for talent to play with talent.

Yeah, it's not a coincidence any line that Rakell is on just so happens to be our best line because he has been our best winger by a mile. Malkin was always going to struggle because he is 38 but loading up L1 means that all other lines are going to be inconsistent at best and black holes of offense at worst that's exactly what we are seeing.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

People really underestimate the need for talent to play with talent. It’s odd that they think hockey happens in a vacuum.

If Geno had the talent around him I’m sure his numbers would look better.

Not just people but the team itself for going on the last like decade...

 

[IcedCapp]

what specific changes do people want to see to Malkin's line given the current roster?

 

[pistolpete11]

what specific changes do people want to see to Malkin's line given the current roster?

Bunting-Crosby-Rust
Rakell-Malkin-Tomasino

 

[Ugene Magic]

The team was to make Crosby comfortable, and that they have. Nothing was ever said about, Geno. Crosby's legacy is front and center, he's the one who can still hit major milestones.

Geno is far off of making anymore milestones, most unattainable for him within the Pens org.

1200 games played next.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

what specific changes do people want to see to Malkin's line given the current roster?

After the run Crosby's line has been on? Probably not much realistically.

I'd like to see them help the guy out somehow but sitting here thinking about it off and on the last hour or two there really isn't much outside a trade. And that's a whole other kettle of fish.

I like the above suggestion at least temporarily to get him a little confidence but it's not really worth seriously considering. They won't do it. Worth noting though that Malkin was playing lights out earlier this year when he had actual help. Some of that just having a full tank of gas... most certainly not all of it.

Maybe Lizotte? Try out Puus again? Poolparty(lol)? There's not much there. Frankly the team has kinda put him in a sink or swim situation and I dunno how "fair" that is given his age and deteriorating abilities. Were they FOR SURE rebuilding I guess I'd just kinda shrug and say "thems the breaks" but I don't think that's what they are doing here.

 

[IcedCapp]

After the run Crosby's line has been on? Probably not much realistically.

I'd like to see them help the guy out somehow but sitting here thinking about it off and on the last hour or two there really isn't much outside a trade. And that's a whole other kettle of fish.

I like the above suggestion at least temporarily to get him a little confidence but it's not really worth seriously considering. They won't do it. Worth noting though that Malkin was playing lights out earlier this year when he had actual help. Some of that just having a full tank of gas... most certainly not all of it.

Maybe Lizotte? Try out Puus again? Poolparty(lol)? There's not much there. Frankly the team has kinda put him in a sink or swim situation and I dunno how "fair" that is given his age and deteriorating abilities. Were they FOR SURE rebuilding I guess I'd just kinda shrug and say "thems the breaks" but I don't think that's what they are doing here.

Okay, so I have a question for you, as the resident torch bearer for Geno.

Earlier this year, when Sid and Geno were playing together (purely to help Sid, I guess. I guess it did nothing for Geno), people on this board were horribly offended, because Geno is a C and if he's not playing C, they may as well remove his testicles or something.

Would you be against playing him on Sid's wing, again?

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Okay, so I have a question for you, as the resident torch bearer for Geno.

Earlier this year, when Sid and Geno were playing together (purely to help Sid, I guess. I guess it did nothing for Geno), people on this board were horribly offended, because Geno is a C and if he's not playing C, they may as well remove his testicles or something.

Would you be against playing him on Sid's wing, again?

If that's how I come off then I suppose I'm not really qualified to answer this question.

 

[IcedCapp]

If that's how I come off then I suppose I'm not really qualified to answer this question.

wait what?

The torch bearer comment was a joke, and the rest didn't apply to you. Just curious if you'd be OK with playing them together again

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think Malkin is and always has been best at center despite some truly goofy commentary to the contrary. But if the choice is "Malkin at center with doorknob Bunting and whatever Cody Glass is supposed to be" or "Malkin at wing with Crosby and (whatever)" then the choice is very, very easy. That wasn't the choice earlier this season IIRC. I had hoped they would keep Rust or Raks with Malkin especially after Malkin jumped through all the hoops his coach wanted him to and thensome. They did not.

 

[orby]

I'm thoroughly unconvinced this is even close to being a playoff caliber team - the defense and goaltending need a total revamp, at minimum - but I am happy to see Sid back above a point per game.

 

[IcedCapp]

I think Malkin is and always has been best at center despite some truly goofy commentary to the contrary. But if the choice is "Malkin at center with doorknob Bunting and whatever Cody Glass is supposed to be" or "Malkin at wing with Crosby and (whatever)" then the choice is very, very easy. That wasn't the choice earlier this season IIRC. I had hoped they would keep Rust or Raks with Malkin especially after Malkin jumped through all the hoops his coach wanted him to and thensome. They did not.

I guess I'm partly wondering if, I keep seeing people saying he can't zoom night in and night out and age is getting to him... do we extend his career and make it easier on him if he's at wing? I understand the pluses of him as a C, and I understand that's his best position.

It's not a real solution right now regardless, our C depth is worse than our W depth, but if you have to solve the L2 problem, and you only get one try to fix it, is the best chance finding him a W or just making him 1LW and finding a new 2C?

I know that the vast majority of people on this board will say find him a W, and I'm in no position to argue, but I am curious if anyone thinks he's reaching an age and gas tank level where it's better to play him at W more than C

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I'm thoroughly unconvinced this is even close to being a playoff caliber team - the defense and goaltending need a total revamp, at minimum - but I am happy to see Sid back above a point per game.

It's more that the rest of the east is a tire fire after the top 6 teams than the Pens being any good. Just have to catch one of Boston or Ottawa who own WC1 and 2 at the moment. Looks a lot more realistic than it did two weeks ago. Philly, Buffalo, and NYR are imploding and Detroit is the worst offensive team in the league.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I guess I'm partly wondering if, I keep seeing people saying he can't zoom night in and night out and age is getting to him... do we extend his career and make it easier on him if he's at wing? I understand the pluses of him as a C, and I understand that's his best position.

It's not a real solution right now regardless, our C depth is worse than our W depth, but if you have to solve the L2 problem, and you only get one try to fix it, is the best chance finding him a W or just making him 1LW and finding a new 2C?

I know that the vast majority of people on this board will say find him a W, and I'm in no position to argue, but I am curious if anyone thinks he's reaching an age and gas tank level where it's better to play him at W more than C

I think there is certainly a good argument to be made there. Especially if he wants to actually play through this contract.

But I do not trust this team at ALL to make it happen for a variety of reasons.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Oh neat, Shirey discovered ChatGPT.