Crosby abuse

[shureshot66]

Bissonnette was released from his PTO with the Blues because of a groin injury, so he might not be an option right now.

I think it was one of Dejan's pieces this week that basically said the plan is to treat the third line as a scoring line rather than a checking line (at least when Bennett is healthy, that is), so that might be telling for the final roster makeup.

 

[mpp9]

Bissonnette was released from his PTO with the Blues because of a groin injury, so he might not be an option right now.

I think it was one of Dejan's pieces this week that basically said the plan is to treat the third line as a scoring line rather than a checking line (at least when Bennett is healthy, that is), so that might be telling for the final roster makeup.

It'll be interesting how they construct the 4th line when we're healthy. Goc is too good to be used with borderline NHL garbage. I like Sill, but even with him, that's a pretty gross misuse of Goc's talent.

I'd like to see us acquire the type of depth to allow us to throw a guy like Spaling down there and use Goc as a defensive specialist. Free Sid and Geno up to prey on lesser matchups.

 

[Your Boy Troy]

Anthony Peluso would be an awesome pick-up. With the amount of depth players that are on the Jets, I think he can be available for the right price.









Didn't score, but nice move in close.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Get rid of Adams, pick up an enforcer and I really like the makeup of the roster. A lot.

 

[Zen Arcade]

The Pens right now are 10x tougher than they were last year.
Relax everyone.

What? How do you figure?

The only tough player they've added is Downie.

 

[WayneSid9987]

What? How do you figure?

The only tough player they've added is Downie.

Bortuzzo or Engelland (Neither playing together in the same game)
Glass
Adams

vs

Downie
Bortuzzo
Despres
Comeau
Adams

and a tough/gritty top 6'er in Hornqvist

Thats just to start out. Who knows what JR picks up before the deadline.

 

[Ogrezilla]

a better mentality from the coach will be more important than any changes to the roster.

 

[billybudd]

I like what I saw from Simon Despres in camp, but he shouldn't be making a list with guys like Engelland and Bortuzzo. Have to understand Zucker is an undersized non fighter. Tuning him up means less than Whitney beating Wade Redden to a pulp vis a vis toughness.

SD's no coward, for sure, but he's not the type that can make a guy like Sid sleep easier, either.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Bortuzzo or Engelland (Neither playing together in the same game)
Glass
Adams

vs

Downie
Bortuzzo
Despres
Comeau
Adams

and a tough/gritty top 6'er in Hornqvist

Thats just to start out. Who knows what JR picks up before the deadline.

Hornqvist isn't really tough in the sense that he's going to put fear into people, he's tough in that he can absorb an insane amount of abuse and keep doing his thing. That's great, and I've always been a fan of him, but that's not the same thing.

Comeau is a pest and he's tenacious, but I wouldn't consider him all that tough.

Adams is useless, too slow to make a hit, and loses every fight he's in.

Borts and Despres playing regularly will add some snarl to the back end, I'll give you that, but I guess I'm not really looking at them as "additions."

I'd say the forward depth is improved, but not tougher. They could really use at least one more gritty player.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I like what I saw from Simon Despres in camp, but he shouldn't be making a list with guys like Engelland and Bortuzzo. Have to understand Zucker is an undersized non fighter. Tuning him up means less than Whitney beating Wade Redden to a pulp vis a vis toughness.

SD's no coward, for sure, but he's not the type that can make a guy like Sid sleep easier, either.

Despres can likely do as much to help against a guy like Dubinsky or Staal as Bort or Engo can. How often are heavyweights the ones who give us problems? Or even middleweight fighters? Its usually players who are good enough at hockey that you really don't want your 3rd pairing D-men on the ice with them; especially when they are distracted. You send Bort after Dubinsky and he's likely going to just keep playing; either creating an offensive chance or drawing an instigator/roughing penalty for Bort. Despres on the other hand can play with him. If he won't fight, Despres can do his best to play him extra physical against him instead of taking a stupid penalty to send a message.

Teams aren't sending guys like Colton Orr out to mess with Sid; they are sending agitators that Despres can most likely stand up to just fine.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Despres can likely do as much to help against a guy like Dubinsky or Staal as Bort or Engo can. How often are heavyweights the ones who give us problems? Or even middleweight fighters? Its usually players who are good enough at hockey that you really don't want your 3rd pairing D-men on the ice with them; especially when they are distracted. You send Bort after Dubinsky and he's likely going to just keep playing; either creating an offensive chance or drawing an instigator/roughing penalty for Bort. Despres on the other hand can play with him. If he won't fight, Despres can do his best to play him extra physical against him instead of taking a stupid penalty to send a message.

Teams aren't sending guys like Colton Orr out to mess with Sid; they are sending agitators that Despres can most likely stand up to just fine.

In my case, while I'm fine with another fighter, what I really want is a forward that can get under the other team's skin, get them looking over their shoulders by being physical and just be a menace overall to take some of the heat off of the stars. That's why I wanted Sill to stick around.

When the intensity ramps up and things start getting ugly, I'd like to be able to give it right back. I don't think the team has the players for that at this point. Ideally they'd be the team instigating, not reacting, but they're even further from that.

Also, the thread title makes me think of a preview for one of those alarmist news segments.

"Kids call it getting Sid or 87ing, Crosby abuse, and why your teenager may be at risk. Tonight at 5:30, only on WTAE."

 

[Honour Over Glory]

What? How do you figure?

The only tough player they've added is Downie.

The team did lose grit in regulars like: Engelland, Glass, Vitale, and Orpik.

They gained: Despres (full timer), Downie, Comeau, Hornqvist (in place of Neal), and Spaling.

It's kind of a trade off of losing some grit while adding some grit, but also losing a lot of dead weight for usable parts. Not sure if I would call Despres gritty, but he can play that game when the game gets that way with his size (insert usual Despres food joke) and when Bortuzzo is back, he's been turning into a pain in the ass to play against and will continue to be one.

The grit this team has, is more constructive grit, where as in previous years, it was grit for the sake of grit based on past experience on their resumes.

 

[Ogrezilla]

ya that would be nice. Hornqvist plays a physical game, but a very clean one it seems. It would be nice to see Kunitz get back to it a bit, but I think at his age its best he doesn't do it too much anymore. Hopefully Downie can play on the edge, but his health may also be a concern.

This is all why E Kane is still pretty much my dream acquisition. I just don't think we make good partners for them unless Maatta is going back.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

ya that would be nice. Hornqvist plays a physical game, but a very clean one it seems. It would be nice to see Kunitz get back to it a bit, but I think at his age its best he doesn't do it too much anymore. Hopefully Downie can play on the edge, but his health may also be a concern.

This is all why E Kane is still pretty much my dream acquisition. I just don't think we make good partners for them unless Maatta is going back.

I want the Pens to start talking to the Wild, work out an extension with Martin with discussions with what the Wild want in a sign and trade and get Coyle from them. Kane is a solid player, but there is no way we are getting him, defense prospects are not going to get it done. Their offense sucks and they need more top 6 players, so it makes absolutely no sense to move their winger with the most potential on a great contract for a defenseman in a d-pool that already has a lot of solid kids.

They create a MASSIVE hole to fill a hole where they have a tiny leak.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I want the Pens to start talking to the Wild, work out an extension with Martin with discussions with what the Wild want in a sign and trade and get Coyle from them. Kane is a solid player, but there is no way we are getting him, defense prospects are not going to get it done. Their offense sucks and they need more top 6 players, so it makes absolutely no sense to move their winger with the most potential on a great contract for a defenseman in a d-pool that already has a lot of solid kids.

They create a MASSIVE hole to fill a hole where they have a tiny leak.

except he wants to leave.

 

[Zen Arcade]

The team did lose grit in regulars like: Engelland, Glass, Vitale, and Orpik.

They gained: Despres (full timer), Downie, Comeau, Hornqvist (in place of Neal), and Spaling.

It's kind of a trade off of losing some grit while adding some grit, but also losing a lot of dead weight for usable parts. Not sure if I would call Despres gritty, but he can play that game when the game gets that way with his size (insert usual Despres food joke) and when Bortuzzo is back, he's been turning into a pain in the ass to play against and will continue to be one.

The grit this team has, is more constructive grit, where as in previous years, it was grit for the sake of grit based on past experience on their resumes.

I've already addressed Hornqvist, but Spaling isn't gritty at all. He had 42 hits last season, that would've put him at 19th among Penguins players. That's not his game at all.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I've already addressed Hornqvist, but Spaling isn't gritty at all. He had 42 hits last season, that would've put him at 19th among Penguins players. That's not his game at all.

I think the word you are looking for in terms of the attribute of which you'd like more of on the team is physicality/physical.

Dupuis is gritty, not physical. Same thing for Spaling. Hornqvist is both.


Also, even if Kane wants to leave, it doesn't change the fact that the Jets would likely move him for another forward, not a defenseman. Why on earth would they lose more offense to be better defensively? To shield Pavelec even more? HE sucks, they know, it is what it is. Kane creates a huge hole if traded, they'd likely look for another forward.

I think the team that has the best chance at landing him, is Philadelphia and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up getting him. Voracek and a small +.

No way in hell we can match that.

I also think the Flyers were kind of waiting on what Bobby Ryan was going to do, he took money over being on a contender, I have no doubt that the Flyers will go after Kane next, they were close before as far as I can remember rumors wise, they're ok with C (prospects, etc), wingers they need and they have cap space, Flyers don't. I could see something like Voracek + Grossman and a pick to take Grossman, for Kane.

I don't get why people keep force feeding the whole "They'll want a defenseman!"


On their current roster.

Enstrom
Trouba
Bogosian
Byfuglien
Postma

Prospects

Morrissey
Glover
Kichton
etc..

 

[Zen Arcade]

I think the word you are looking for in terms of the attribute of which you'd like more of on the team is physicality/physical.

Dupuis is gritty, not physical. Same thing for Spaling. Hornqvist is both.


Also, even if Kane wants to leave, it doesn't change the fact that the Jets would likely move him for another forward, not a defenseman. Why on earth would they lose more offense to be better defensively? To shield Pavelec even more? HE sucks, they know, it is what it is. Kane creates a huge hole if traded, they'd likely look for another forward.

I think the team that has the best chance at landing him, is Philadelphia and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up getting him. Voracek and a small +.

No way in hell we can match that.

I also think the Flyers were kind of waiting on what Bobby Ryan was going to do, he took money over being on a contender, I have no doubt that the Flyers will go after Kane next, they were close before as far as I can remember rumors wise, they're ok with C (prospects, etc), wingers they need and they have cap space, Flyers don't. I could see something like Voracek + Grossman and a pick to take Grossman, for Kane.

I'd say Hornqvist is gritty in the Dupuis sense, not very physical though. Spaling really isn't gritty at all though, he's a very safe player and most of his game is based on reading plays and positioning.

I like Hornqvist and I'm pretty neutral on Spaling, but I don't feel they add a whole lot in that regard.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I'd say Hornqvist is gritty in the Dupuis sense, not very physical though. Spaling really isn't gritty at all though, he's a very safe player and most of his game is based on reading plays and positioning.

I like Hornqvist and I'm pretty neutral on Spaling, but I don't feel they add a whole lot in that regard.

Well the good thing is that Comeau is fairly physical, 197 hits in 67 games. No way we are getting Matt Martin from the Isles, or Clutterbuck and those are two of the most physical players in the game.

The Pens could probably inquire about Clifford and land him, he's a physical guy, also adds a lot of size on the 4th line and the left side.

I still really want Coyle on this team, 3rd on his team in hits (108 in 70 games, is going to break out big time this year, but the Wild have some incredible depth on the wings now - Pominville, Parise, Vanek, Niederreiter, Haula, Fontaine, and Coyle).

 

[TNT87]

This.... Nothing would make me happier this season than someone going after Staal. What he did was not only cheap, but dangerous. He should see his own blood against the Pens this year.

First shift of the first game with those guys would be nice. There should be an immediate response for the BS he did last year. Set the tone quickly that they won't take that this season.

 

[billybudd]

Despres can likely do as much to help against a guy like Dubinsky or Staal as Bort or Engo can. How often are heavyweights the ones who give us problems? Or even middleweight fighters? Its usually players who are good enough at hockey that you really don't want your 3rd pairing D-men on the ice with them; especially when they are distracted. You send Bort after Dubinsky and he's likely going to just keep playing; either creating an offensive chance or drawing an instigator/roughing penalty for Bort. Despres on the other hand can play with him. If he won't fight, Despres can do his best to play him extra physical against him instead of taking a stupid penalty to send a message.

Teams aren't sending guys like Colton Orr out to mess with Sid; they are sending agitators that Despres can most likely stand up to just fine.

I am quite aware that Steve MacIntyre doesn't scare Brandon Dubinsky, since that's a point I've made repeatedly for years now.

Are you aware that Despres doesn't either?

 

[Ogrezilla]

I am quite aware that Steve MacIntyre doesn't scare Brandon Dubinsky, since that's a point I've made repeatedly for years now.

Are you aware that Despres doesn't either?

who do you think would? What kind of player should we be looking to bring in? I would love a guy like Kane or Stewart that can play in the top 6 and throw down when needed, but those guys aren't easy to come by.

Honestly, I don't think there's more than a handful of guys in the league that would actually scare someone like Dubinsky enough to prevent him from going after someone. But if he's going after Sid, Despres can physically step in and stop him. Nobody did that last year.

 

[The Old Master]

who do you think would? What kind of player should we be looking to bring in? I would love a guy like Kane or Stewart that can play in the top 6 and throw down when needed, but those guys aren't easy to come by.

Honestly, I don't think there's more than a handful of guys in the league that would actually scare someone like Dubinsky enough to prevent him from going after someone. But if he's going after Sid, Despres can physically step in and stop him. Nobody did that last year.

you don't go after Dubinsky, you go after johansen. he'll get the message.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Dubinsky is a rare case, because he's a pest but he's one of their better players.

It's not like going after Rinaldo or something.

Also, my phone autocorrected Rinaldo to "urinal." Seems fitting.

 

[Ogrezilla]

you don't go after Dubinsky, you go after johansen. he'll get the message.

so you still need it to be guys who can actually play against Johansen for that to be a real solution. That's the kind of stuff Downie should be able to do.

Dubinsky is a rare case, because he's a pest but he's one of their better players.

It's not like going after Rinaldo or something.

Also, my phone autocorrected Rinaldo to "urinal." Seems fitting.

So is Staal for the Rangers. Or Marchand in Boston. Schenn in Philly. These tend to be the guys who really get under the skin of our stars.