Post-mortem on the season

[Gold Diamond]

When the Pens tied the series 2-2, I thought they would go on to win in 6 or 7 - they just had that type of character for years.

When they ****ed away game 5 and played uninspired at home in an elimination game 6, I was taken aback. I'm still not over these last 2 games.

We need to trim the fat in the off-season and get rid of passengers. Letang is going nowhere, sadly, but he needs his minutes reduced and we need another reliable puck moving defenceman who can play top 4 minutes. What we have now isn't cutting it. Also, either Sheary or Rust has to go, preferably Sheary.

Also, bring in a capable backup for MM. He's not improving like he needs to in order to be a capable and reliable #1.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

When the Pens tied the series 2-2, I thought they would go on to win in 6 or 7 - they just had that type of character for years.

When they ****ed away game 5 and played uninspired at home in an elimination game 6, I was taken aback. I'm still not over these last 2 games.

We need to trim the fat in the off-season and get rid of passengers. Letang is going nowhere, sadly, but he needs his minutes reduced and we need another reliable puck moving defenceman who can play top 4 minutes. What we have now isn't cutting it. Also, either Sheary or Rust has to go, preferably Sheary.

Also, bring in a capable backup for MM. He's not improving like he needs to in order to be a capable and reliable #1.

MM had a lot of non-skill related issues this year. Injuries and his dad passing. I also think the steadiness of MAF as a mentor helped calm MM down and keep him steady. I have no reason to believe that he is digressing skill wise.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

What sorta annoyed me about losing in OT in game 6 was the whole Carlson running Murray thing.

Shouldn't he have gotten 2 for goalie interference???

 

[RizzleMcRib]

Yohe’s article for the Athletic has some interesting points.

Said something to the effect that Sullivan and Kessel butted heads about Kessel’s consecutive games played streak LAST April and that he wanted him to sit after a shoulder / wrist injury this year.

Also, Letang’s quote was extended saying he couldn’t skate until August which he thinks really effected his game this year. Would likely make sense given how many times he got beat one and one and he said the back to backs were difficult for him to establish consistency in.

Still put up 51 points in the regular season. 11 in the playoffs. Dude is trash.

 

[USMC607]

What is this "open letter" referring to? Where can I find it?

Google NBCsports Washington open letter to Pittsburgh.

Or this link

An open letter to the Pittsburgh Penguins and their fans

 

[billybudd]

What sorta annoyed me about losing in OT in game 6 was the whole Carlson running Murray thing.

Shouldn't he have gotten 2 for goalie interference???

Referee probably figured the Penguin who marked him Orpik'd his own goaltender.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Yohe’s article for the Athletic has some interesting points.

Said something to the effect that Sullivan and Kessel butted heads about Kessel’s consecutive games played streak LAST April and that he wanted him to sit after a shoulder / wrist injury this year.

Also, Letang’s quote was extended saying he couldn’t skate until August which he thinks really effected his game this year. Would likely make sense given how many times he got beat one and one and he said the back to backs were difficult for him to establish consistency in.

But letang is old and it's all in his head so he is never going to bounce back.

 

[Tom Hanks]

What sorta annoyed me about losing in OT in game 6 was the whole Carlson running Murray thing.

Shouldn't he have gotten 2 for goalie interference???

He got pushed/bumped by one of our defenders. It didn’t look intentional like others do when they get a nudge and collapse in the goalie.

 

[Peat]

Yohe’s article for the Athletic has some interesting points.

Said something to the effect that Sullivan and Kessel butted heads about Kessel’s consecutive games played streak LAST April and that he wanted him to sit after a shoulder / wrist injury this year.

Also, Letang’s quote was extended saying he couldn’t skate until August which he thinks really effected his game this year. Would likely make sense given how many times he got beat one and one and he said the back to backs were difficult for him to establish consistency in.

I'm slightly confused, I've gotta admit. Surely if Sully wants him to sit... he sits? He's the coach and not exactly one famous for being all touchy-feely. More shouty-angry. Is Kessel's star power such that he can just go "Nah"? I feel like Sully's gotta own some of that one.

But - if true, and I don't wanna sign onto it deffo being true - its pretty annoying. This team exists to win 16 games from April on, not have iron man streaks.

As for Tanger... I guess if it were playing on his mind and making him think too much, then yeah, that would explain the mistakes. And mostly getting better as he played. Does feel slightly odd as an explanation.

 

[Gold Diamond]

MM had a lot of non-skill related issues this year. Injuries and his dad passing. I also think the steadiness of MAF as a mentor helped calm MM down and keep him steady. I have no reason to believe that he is digressing skill wise.

I don't believe that MM is getting worse as a goalie, I'm concerned about his play improving with experience. If he doesn't get better whilst the skill level and play of the league improves, it'll pass him by.

 

[RizzleMcRib]

I don't believe that MM is getting worse as a goalie, I'm concerned about his play improving with experience. If he doesn't get better whilst the skill level and play of the league improves, it'll pass him by.

I think it will. I don't think his he was mentally 100% into it this year.

 

[DeadPuckEra]

What is this "open letter" referring to? Where can I find it?

Warning, it will make you cringe.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Also, Letang’s quote was extended saying he couldn’t skate until August which he thinks really effected his game this year. Would likely make sense given how many times he got beat one and one and he said the back to backs were difficult for him to establish consistency in.

This is why I lay some of the blame on the coaching staff for not easing him in to start the year. Letang was playing 27+ minutes quite often over the first dozen games of the season, including one game where he played over 30 minutes.

That's ridiculous for someone who had that long of a lay off. He should have been getting around 21 or 22 minutes for the first couple of months until his conditioning was at a point he could play his usual 24-25 minutes a night.

 

[USMC607]

When the Pens tied the series 2-2, I thought they would go on to win in 6 or 7 - they just had that type of character for years.

When they ****ed away game 5 and played uninspired at home in an elimination game 6, I was taken aback. I'm still not over these last 2 games.

We need to trim the fat in the off-season and get rid of passengers. Letang is going nowhere, sadly, but he needs his minutes reduced and we need another reliable puck moving defenceman who can play top 4 minutes. What we have now isn't cutting it. Also, either Sheary or Rust has to go, preferably Sheary.

Also, bring in a capable backup for MM. He's not improving like he needs to in order to be a capable and reliable #1.

Sheary for sure. Defense needs an upgrade, as far as who goes I have no idea.

I also agree on a backup for Murray but not because of his area of improvement, but because he has durability issues, and Jarry needs to play consistently to continue to develop not rotting on the bench.

So unless they are confident in Desmith as the full time back up. Then a vet goalie would be nice.

 

[Joejosh999]

I wonder how much MM needed the "backup goalie" chip on his shoulder to play at his highest level. Since he's been undisputed #1 he's not been the same. Obviously an inconsistent year for the whole team.
But will be interesting to see him next season. Esp if they bring in a G who can challenge him at all.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I wonder how much MM needed the "backup goalie" chip on his shoulder to play at his highest level. Since he's been undisputed #1 he's not been the same. Obviously an inconsistent year for the whole team.
But will be interesting to see him next season. Esp if they bring in a G who can challenge him at all.

Or maybe this season should be taken with a grain of salt given his father died?

I don't know why folks put so little emphasis on that actually contributing to his relatively poor performance (by his standards) than any other reason.

 

[Gurglesons]

Or maybe this season should be taken with a grain of salt given his father died?

I don't know why folks put so little emphasis on that actually contributing to his relatively poor performance (by his standards) than any other reason.

You mean like a wife going through a pregnancy after a miscarriage and coming back from major neck surgery?

 

[bambamcam4ever]

But letang is old and it's all in his head so he is never going to bounce back.

Yep, we should trade the guy after one down year. I heard that's what all the successful teams do.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

You mean like a wife going through a pregnancy after a miscarriage and coming back from major neck surgery?

I know where you're going with this, but this isn't the first off-season people wondered if we should move on from Letang due to his decision making. This is, however, the first season Murray looked vulnerable as a goalie.

 

[Riptide]

What is this "open letter" referring to? Where can I find it?

Google NBC Washington letter to Pittsburgh. Or something like that. It's pretty funny... and sad.

 

[Riptide]

I also agree on a backup for Murray but not because of his area of improvement, but because he has durability issues, and Jarry needs to play consistently to continue to develop not rotting on the bench.

So unless they are confident in Desmith as the full time back up. Then a vet goalie would be nice.

Which is why you play DeSmith, and if MM needs a rest or is hurt, call Jarry up for some games. Jarry will be in his final season without waivers next year, while DeSmith will need waivers next year. Not that I'm opposed to losing DeSmith, but I don't really have an issue with him being the backup next season - especially with TJ in the minors and showing a ton of promise along with an ability to play at this level.

 

[Gurglesons]

I know where you're going with this, but this isn't the first off-season people wondered if we should move on from Letang due to his decision making. This is, however, the first season Murray looked vulnerable as a goalie.

Give it a year or two.

Let’s be realistic about Letang if we are going to be realistic about Murray.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Or maybe this season should be taken with a grain of salt given his father died?

I don't know why folks put so little emphasis on that actually contributing to his relatively poor performance (by his standards) than any other reason.

Team defense was average over the whole year. So that will fall back on the goalie too. So it’s not surprising his numbers dropped then adding his Dad and concussion on top of that.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Give it a year or two.

Let’s be realistic about Letang if we are going to be realistic about Murray.

And if Murray struggles the next couple of years like he did this year, then it's a fair comparison.

My only point is you can't compare situations where one guy (Letang) has had fans questioning his worth in prior off-seasons, not just after this season, while the other guy (Murray) no one questioned until this season with the death of his father.

If Murray struggles with the same issues next year, then yeah, they're in the same boat.

 

[Gurglesons]

And if Murray struggles the next couple of years like he did this year, then it's a fair comparison.

My only point is you can't compare situations where one guy (Letang) has had fans questioning his worth in prior off-seasons, not just after this season, while the other guy (Murray) no one questioned until this season with the death of his father.

If Murray struggles with the same issues next year, then yeah, they're in the same boat.

Were these off seasons 2012 and 2015?

Interesting how the next two years went..