Line Combos: Pens 2022-2023 Training Camp thread: Its happenings

[Flying Dego]

DK again in his podcast this morning said that Dumo has looked terrible this preseason…

But he's part of the young core. Offer him 6 years 5M and let him work through this.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I know people are upset with it and some find it funny, but I'm already sick of the meme-ification of the Pens being the oldest team in the league.

 

[Flying Dego]

I know people are upset with it and some find it funny, but I'm already sick of the meme-ification of the Pens being the oldest team in the league.

Just wait til our guys turn 40

 

[Peat]

Maybe one day you can appreciate Long John Silver’s the Mike Sullivan of shitty food.

I appreciate it every day I compare it to White Castle.

Or canned asparagus.

 

[Empoleon8771]

DK again in his podcast this morning said that Dumo has looked terrible this preseason…

What would Donkey Kong know about hockey? He’s never even been in a hockey game.

Now if he wants to talk about baseball, I’ll head him out. He was a menace in Mario Super Sluggers.

 

[Andy99]

What would Donkey Kong know about hockey? He’s never even been in a hockey game.

Now if he wants to talk about baseball, I’ll head him out. He was a menace in Mario Super Sluggers.

I’m pretty sure this info is coming from his staff, Haase and Shirely, who have been covering the Pens for his organization….DK hasn’t even stepped foot inside the Pens practice facility all preseason lol…

 

[The Old Master]

Here's the thing I don't understand. If the Penguins do intend on keeping Smith in WBS for a bit longer, why did they try literally no alternatives to Smith-Rutta in the pre-season? It's just incredibly bizarre that they used that pair so much all through training camp, only to send him down with the intent of keeping him down.

If you're giving POJ a look in the NHL, why didn't they ever try POJ-Rutta? Or if they're playing Ruhwedel there, why didn't they ever try Rutta or Ruhwedel on LD to make sure that worked? It's just odd.

This just seems like this team has a very clear preference of what they want to do, but they're just being stubborn about not wanting to lose POJ for nothing and are digging into that. It's not the end of the world, I just don't understand it.

you still have the rest of the regular season to move some guys around. imo the real season is still a long way off.

 

[Peat]

What would Donkey Kong know about hockey? He’s never even been in a hockey game.

Now if he wants to talk about baseball, I’ll head him out. He was a menace in Mario Super Sluggers.

I would give someone else's soul for a Super Mario ice hockey game.

 

[Gurglesons]

you still have the rest of the regular season to move some guys around. imo the real season is still a long way off.

It’s because POJ isn’t playing.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

How much does the game #1 3LD matter though?

I feel like we always overreact to roster/lines/personnel and an entirely different set up is the norm by the new year.

 

[Gurglesons]

How much does the game #1 3LD matter though?

I feel like we always overreact to roster/lines/personnel and an entirely different set up is the norm by the new year.

I think the big issue in my opinion is we are purposefully not icing the best roster possible to keep an asset the staff and management don’t seem particularly sold on. Doesn’t make much sense to me.

 

[Deport Ogie]

I wonder if the claim of Zohorna spooked them a bit, I'd be curious if POJ were handled differently if Z cleared. Even if they don't particulary desire keeping POJ around it's more about not losing 2 players for nothing instead of 1.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

How much does the game #1 3LD matter though?

I feel like we always overreact to roster/lines/personnel and an entirely different set up is the norm by the new year.

Only matters if it's the difference in the game.

We're playing the Coyotes though. Just get some big goals from the top guys for the W, pack it up and get ready for Tampa.

 

[pistolpete11]

The Pens are a better, deeper organization by doing whatever they need to do in order to keep all of Smith, POJ, and Ruhwedel (and Friedman) in the organization.

 

[Gurglesons]

I wonder if the claim of Zohorna spooked them a bit, I'd be curious if POJ were handled differently if Z cleared. Even if they don't particulary desire keeping POJ around it's more about not losing 2 players for nothing instead of 1.

Who honestly cares? We have Friedman through waivers so we essentially are 8 defensemen deep in terms of depth of injuries hit.

Zohorna was waived by his new team. If they are scared of losing POJ for nothing it’s time to get over it. Sullivan isn’t going to play him. We’ve seen this story 99 times.

 

[Deport Ogie]

Who honestly cares? We have Friedman through waivers so we essentially are 8 defensemen deep in terms of depth of injuries hit.

Zohorna was waived by his new team. If they are scared of losing POJ for nothing it’s time to get over it. Sullivan isn’t going to play him. We’ve seen this story 99 times.

Oh I'm with you, just hypothesizing from an asset management point of view. They obviously don't have any plans for POJ at this point.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

I know people are upset with it and some find it funny, but I'm already sick of the meme-ification of the Pens being the oldest team in the league.

Yeah, but the boards are called "Hockey's Future", so it's probably not too surprising that the oldest team gets mocked for it.

Though I'm not disagreeing that the mockery is getting old.

Almost as old as the team.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Long story about Sullivan by Yohe in The Athletic. Basically that Sullivan's demeanor and intelligence helped make him a perfect fit for this franchise.

Interesting quote from Rust, which should pretty much end any thought that they've ever tuned Sullivan out:
“I wouldn’t know much about other coaches to even make a comparison,” Rust said. “It’s just that, trust me, when Sully talks, we listen. He knows who needs a push. He knows who needs a pat on the back. I think all of that stuff makes a good coach. He just knows. Honestly, you kind of realize it the second you meet him, how smart he is, how much he trusts what he’s saying. He just knows.”

How Mike Sullivan and the Penguins became a perfect fit: 'He's the only coach for this team'

Once upon a time, Mike Sullivan had a chance encounter with Sidney Crosby and a few other Penguins' stars. The rest is history.

theathletic.com

 

[Gurglesons]

So Poehling is obviously the 13th forward which is stupid as hell, but they don’t commit to a bottom pairing which is bizarre.

 

[Shady Machine]

I think the big issue in my opinion is we are purposefully not icing the best roster possible to keep an asset the staff and management don’t seem particularly sold on. Doesn’t make much sense to me.

Let’s see how things play out.

 

[Peat]

Long story about Sullivan by Yohe in The Athletic. Basically that Sullivan's demeanor and intelligence helped make him a perfect fit for this franchise.

Interesting quote from Rust, which should pretty much end any thought that they've ever tuned Sullivan out:
“I wouldn’t know much about other coaches to even make a comparison,” Rust said. “It’s just that, trust me, when Sully talks, we listen. He knows who needs a push. He knows who needs a pat on the back. I think all of that stuff makes a good coach. He just knows. Honestly, you kind of realize it the second you meet him, how smart he is, how much he trusts what he’s saying. He just knows.”

How Mike Sullivan and the Penguins became a perfect fit: 'He's the only coach for this team'

Once upon a time, Mike Sullivan had a chance encounter with Sidney Crosby and a few other Penguins' stars. The rest is history.

theathletic.com

The Tanger quotes are the most interesting to me - “You wouldn’t really want anyone else being your coach” - because his belief in Sully never came across as clear as Sid's or Genos'. But that's a real loud endorsement.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Let’s see how things play out.

Us? Wait? And be patient?

Preposterous!

 

[DesertedPenguin]

The Tanger quotes are the most interesting to me - “You wouldn’t really want anyone else being your coach” - because his belief in Sully never came across as clear as Sid's or Genos'. But that's a real loud endorsement.

So was the nugget that Kessel still respects Sullivan even after their somewhat messy split.

 

[Gurglesons]

So was the nugget that Kessel still respects Sullivan even after their somewhat messy split.

Probably gained some perspective after toiling in Arizona and he’s been relatively candid about that.

Say what you want about the Kessel era Leafs but they were at least attempting to win.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Oh I'm with you, just hypothesizing from an asset management point of view. They obviously don't have any plans for POJ at this point.

POJ is gonna get the Rikko treatment. Bank it