Post-Game Talk: Cole's Plus/Minus: Pens vs. Red Wings and it didn't go so well!

[Angrrus]

I'll say that the Pens have, at a minimum, 4 regular defensemen on their roster for whom they should listen to trade offers in the summer.

I just hope your list starts at Letang.

 

[Angrrus]

Pens are just not hungry and it shows up to often. Yes this was a mediocre effort and while hopeful Malkin and Letang come back to top performance, they are looking more like a wildcard team which will be a harder match up. Win Thursday and Saturday and play the Islanders.

Yes. This.

They aren’t hungry.

They aren’t hungry.

They just don’t care about winning anymore.

We should face this fact and stop treating Pens like some kind of real Cup contender.

 

[BHD]

I understand people use the last handful of games to see where the team is at, but it's one game. Yes, they were subpar against a team they could (should) have beaten, BUT... they've brought their A game against legit teams (e.g., Tampa) as well.

 

[RSPens]

Not a fan of Simon with Geno. Just not.

It looks like McCann-Sid-Jake, Rust-Geno-Phil, Simon-Bjugs-Horny, Blugs-Cullen-Wilson gets first crack. Can't say it's not the smart play.

You might not be a fan of it, but it's something that hasn't been tried, and if it doesn't work than slide Simon down to the 4th and move Rust over to the left and move Horny up. Or maybe even just try moving AJ up in Simon's spot. In fact the four wingers could possibly work in almost any combination.

Simon - Geno - Rust
Rust - Geno - Horny
AJ - Geno - Rust/Horny

The only combo that doesn't seem to work for me would be Simon and AJ together with Geno...but who knows

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

I just hope your list starts at Letang.

It doesn't because I'm sure he's not a purveyor of dumb ideas

 

[Gurglesons]

You might not be a fan of it, but it's something that hasn't been tried, and if it doesn't work than slide Simon down to the 4th and move Rust over to the left and move Horny up. Or maybe even just try moving AJ up in Simon's spot. In fact the four wingers could possibly work in almost any combination.

Simon - Geno - Rust
Rust - Geno - Horny
AJ - Geno - Rust/Horny

The only combo that doesn't seem to work for me would be Simon and AJ together with Geno...but who knows

Is tearing apart the best third line we’ve seen in nearly two seasons worth that?

Malkin and Kessel if we have solid depth on the other lines is good enough to win a cup.

 

[Ugene Magic]

One thing I can say is annoying is AJ getting dropped for Wilson.

AJ getting dropped for Simon is another.

 

[Ryder71]

Yes! We need more turnovers, lazy backchecks, blown PP opportunities and wasted scoring chances! Bring on the Geno!

PS And I don’t give a F if somebody thinks I bring up too many negative points.

I’m mad at Pens, and I don’t want to calm down, and I don’t care what you think!

I was thinking more along the lines of his offensive acumen, creativity and ability to accumulate points consistently, but yeah, he does turnover the puck more than he should.

 

[Gurglesons]

AJ getting dropped for Simon is another.

Why would we drop Simon? He was our best forward two games in a row like a game ago.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Has Mackey commented on Letang grimacing while skating yet?

Letang’s crossovers were off drill?

Mackey probably saw Letang cough and figured that's evidence of a massive setback.

 

[RSPens]

Is tearing apart the best third line we’ve seen in nearly two seasons worth that?

Malkin and Kessel if we have solid depth on the other lines is good enough to win a cup.

So...because Simon - Bjugs - Horny passes the eye test, you want to call them the best third line. I'll admit, they have looked good, they also have great possession stats. However Horny has like 1 ES goal since January and Simon hasn't been doing great either. So is it worth keeping the line together only because it works for Bjugs? Or is it better to find 4 lines that produce?

 

[Ryder71]

I wanted McCann get couple of game with him. Rust-Malkin-Kessel won't work if Kessel plays like he's been playing

I see, I myself really want Rust playing with Geno. TBH I would like to see a McCann-G-Rust line.

 

[Gurglesons]

So...because Simon - Bjugs - Horny passes the eye test, you want to call them the best third line. I'll admit, they have looked good, they also have great possession stats. However Horny has like 1 ES goal since January and Simon hasn't been doing great either. So is it worth keeping the line together only because it works for Bjugs? Or is it better to find 4 lines that produce?

They are averaging a GF per game in terms of average minutes and have 2 GA in nearly 130 minutes.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Why would we drop Simon? He was our best forward two games in a row like a game ago.

Well, dropped to the 4th then. Mostly because he is not consistent enough, certainly not enough to be in the top 6 playing with Crosby.

Not a real big Simon fan at all.

His game logs read like that of a 4th liner.

 

[Gurglesons]

Well, dropped to the 4th then. Mostly because he is not consistent enough, certainly not enough to be in the top 6 playing with Crosby.

Not a real big Simon fan at all.

His game logs read like that of a 4th liner.

Not really he’s basically Sheary from last year. Very useful top nine winger.

 

[SouthGeorge]

I just hope your list starts at Letang.

For some reason it's not. 1) Always injured. 2) 8-2-2 without him. 3) Makes 7.25 million. But unfathomable to even consider trading him. Some of these fans fall in love with players instead of the logo on front. It would be Flower situation x100.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Not really he’s basically Sheary from last year. Very useful top nine winger.

Sheary brought 18 goals to the table. I don't think Simon is at that level.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

SouthGeorge and Angrrus are this board's tiki torch-wielding frat bros when it comes to Letang, huh?

He's good, guys. He's very good. His injury situation is frustrating, but he's a legitimate stud defenseman.

 

[Gurglesons]

Sheary brought 18 goals to the table. I don't think Simon is at that level.

Simon isn’t a goal scorer though. Their point production is relatively similar and Simon has spent less time with Sid.

 

[JTG]

Phil Kessel needs to start playing like Phil Kessel.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Simon isn’t a goal scorer though. Their point production is relatively similar and Simon has spent less time with Sid.

A strictly 5 on 5 guy with a sprinkle of PP time with no PK time, who doesn't score goals. Just what they need.

I'd say that's part of the problem.

 

[Gurglesons]

A strictly 5 on 5 guy with a sprinkle of PP time with no PK time, who doesn't score goals. Just what they need.

I'd say that's part of the problem.

Do you think he’s leeching off other players? He’s been on the ice for 10GF without Malkin and Sid while putting up solid possession stats.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

I think Simon's a solid guy to keep around. I like him more than ZAR at least. Even if he doesn't work out long-term on that third line--which has been one of our stronger lines for a while--he'd be a solid fourth liner with Blueger and AJ imo.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Do you think he’s leeching off other players? He’s been on the ice for 10GF without Malkin and Sid while putting up solid possession stats.

Yes, some of them just monster efforts from guys like Bjugstad and such who actually do things like drive to the net rather than passing it around some more. He has decent board work. If he's to be trusted to be in the top 9/6 he needs to better that.

Since the new year 4 goals and 15 points in 3 months of work. Pretty much a half of a season.

I'm not all that impressed.

 

[Gurglesons]

Yes, some of them just monster efforts from guys like Bjugstad and such who actually do things like drive to the net rather than passing it around some more. He has decent board work. If he's to be trusted to be in the top 9/6 he needs to better that.

Since the new year 4 goals and 15 points in 3 months of work. Pretty much a half of a season.

I'm not all that impressed.

You must hate Kessel because him and Simon have the same amount of ES goals since Jan 1.

He’s also firmly out four best producing winger which is impressive considering he’s played nearly two times as many minutes away from Geno and Sid versus with them.