GDT: Florida Panthers @ Pittsburgh Penguins | 1.20.14 | 7:00 EST

[Michael8771*]

You really hold Jussi's skating in low regard.

Well, relative to Sid, yeah. Geno's better suited to accomodate him. Geno is more of an east west type of player. Sid is more north-south.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

You think Billy Guerin is a better skater than Jokinen? We need a wall of shame for comments like these.

In Guerin's prime? Absolutely without question. When he came to Pittsburgh? It's very close, imo.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I strongly disagree, Sid creates a lot in transition and a lot of that is due to having superior speed. He's smart, but he's also real fast, his speed is a huge asset. Not sure how you don't see that as an important element in his game.

its important in his game, but it doesn't mean his linemates have to be burners. Sid would do just as well with smart talented players as he does with fast players like Dupuis. We saw it with Billy G.

 

[Fordy]

In Guerin's prime? Absolutely without question. When he came to Pittsburgh? It's very close, imo.

I'm talking about in Pittsburgh, and I just can't agree with this.

 

[Michael8771*]

Crosby could never take a full stride and pick up two points a game. We saw him do that against Vancouver. It helps but his game has NEVER been predicated on speed and it's not essential at all.

We fundamentally disagree. I've even heard Sid mention speed several times and what a huge asset it is. It is an important component, not the only component mind you but important nonetheless.

 

[Get To Our Game]

Comment From Tim
So other than Bylsma's own biases, what advantages do you think playing Adams over Sill or Engelland presents?

Shelly Anderson:
Adams isn't playing ahead of Zach Sill. They're both on the fourth line. As for Engelland, he's done surprisingly well when used at winger, especially considering he shifts between that and a defenseman during shorthanded situations in-game. But Engelland isn't really a full-time winger.

Thanks for the insight, Shelly!

 

[Winger for Hire]

I strongly disagree, Sid creates a lot in transition and a lot of that is due to having superior speed. He's smart, but he's also real fast, his speed is a huge asset. Not sure how you don't see that as an important element in his game.

If you describe Sid's speed as "superior speed", how do you describe someone like Michael Grabner?

 

[billybudd]

Comment From RRP
I love Dan Bylsma and think he may be the greatest thing that's happened to the City of Pittsburgh. Do you think the way the team has performed this year has alleviated any concerns the organization and fans may have had about him after a few bad playoff defeats? Any chance of him getting a longer term extension after what seemed to be a lukewarm vote of confidence this past off-season? And any chance he may one day hold public office?

RRP get's a standing ovation for this question(s)

****, I meant to do something like that, but forgot about the chat.

If the chat's still ongoing, can someone who isn't posting from a phone write a long question praising Kris Letang from "Til_The_End_of_Time"?

 

[Fordy]

We fundamentally disagree. I've even heard Sid mention speed several times. It is an important component, not the only component mind you but important nonetheless.

Sid would never say that he needs his linemates to be fast, though.

 

[Ogrezilla]

We fundamentally disagree. I've even heard Sid mention speed several times and what a huge asset it is. It is an important component, not the only component mind you but important nonetheless.

We are talking about Jussi playing in that spot over Chuck Kobasew. Jussi's speed is NOT going to make him a worse fit with Sid than Kobe.

The question should be: is Kobasew better with Sid than Pyatt is with Geno? I think the answer is a clear cut no. But since Disco clearly intends to keep Jussi with Geno and Neal, it really isn't a question at all.

 

[Michael8771*]

its important in his game, but it doesn't mean his linemates have to be burners. Sid would do just as well with smart talented players as he does with fast players like Dupuis. We saw it with Billy G.

Well, I don't expect Sid to play with ''burners'' per se, but I would want a guy who's a better skater than JJ. IMO he's one of the slower guys on the team.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I have this image of Shelly popping some Xanax and getting an alcoholic beverage before doing these chats.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Agreed (mostly), but playing devil's advocate... with the solution to Sid's wing being "Wait for Beau" and there being no clear Plan C, wouldn't a game against a bottom of the conference team with a sizable lead in the division, be a good time to see what kind of chemistry Jucie-Sid-Koon have in the event that Beau doesn't come back or doesn't gel with that line or even gets injured again.

Megna has shown a decent fit for the 2nd line in some showings, along with some others (most recently Pyatt). So wouldn't getting some other players players a couple looks with some different lines be beneficial down the road?

Jokinen's not really a viable option there IMHO. People have cited speed, and the counter has been Guerin, but speed isn't the only issue. Jokinen's not only slow, he plays a soft East/West game.

I'd be fine with giving it a shot just for the hell of it because Jokinen is one of our few skilled wingers, but Geno's a much better fit.

 

[MeticulouslyDishevel]

I have this image of Shelly popping some Xanax and getting an alcoholic beverage before doing these chats.

So do I. I loved how she said "Bylsma seems to have struck a nerve" in response to a question that didn't really have much to do with him.

 

[Michael8771*]

We are talking about Jussi playing in that spot over Chuck Kobasew. Jussi's speed is NOT going to make him a worse fit with Sid than Kobe.

The question should be: is Kobasew better with Sid than Pyatt is with Geno? I think the answer is a clear cut no. But since Disco clearly intends to keep Jussi with Geno and Neal, it really isn't a question at all.

Why play JJ with him when the 2hd line has done so well as is? Kobasew wouldn't be my choice either but I don't want to disrupt Geno's line.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Sutter is the best fit for Jussi.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Comment From RRP
I love Dan Bylsma and think he may be the greatest thing that's happened to the City of Pittsburgh. Do you think the way the team has performed this year has alleviated any concerns the organization and fans may have had about him after a few bad playoff defeats? Any chance of him getting a longer term extension after what seemed to be a lukewarm vote of confidence this past off-season? And any chance he may one day hold public office?

RRP get's a standing ovation for this question(s)

Somebody made a funny.

Well, they tried anyway.

 

[Fordy]

Why play JJ with him when the 2hd line has done so well as is? Kobasew wouldn't be my choice either but I don't want to disrupt Geno's line.

Because the second line hasn't done well. Malkin and Neal have done well.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Why play JJ with him when the 2hd line has done so well as is? Kobasew wouldn't be my choice either but I don't want to disrupt Geno's line.

I want Jussi off of Geno's line. I'd play him with Sutter every game Neal and Kunitz are healthy. I don't care who Geno's and Sid's 3rd wheels are. Jussi would add more to this team as Sutter's number 2 than he does as Sid's or Geno's 3rd wheel. The only time Jussi should see top 6 time beyond a few random shifts is when he can take the main shooter role on a line.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Sutter is the best fit for Jussi.

Or the KHL.

 

[Michael8771*]

Jokinen's not really a viable option there IMHO. People have cited speed, and the counter has been Guerin, but speed isn't the only issue. Jokinen's not only slow, he plays a soft East/West game.

I'd be fine with giving it a shot just for the hell of it because Jokinen is one of our few skilled wingers, but Geno's a much better fit.

Exactly, he's more east west which fits in with Geno, couldn't agree more.

 

[Winger for Hire]

I want Jussi off of Geno's line. I'd play him with Sutter every game Neal and Kunitz are healthy. I don't care who Geno's and Sid's 3rd wheels are. Jussi would add more to this team as Sutter's number 2 than he does as Sid's or Geno's 3rd wheel. The only time Jussi should see top 6 time beyond a few random shifts is when he can take the main shooter role on a line.

That would most certainly make the 3C Model a more viable option.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Sutter is the best fit for Jussi.

This. I really do like those two together and Sutter gets a real NHL player on his wing. Three lines could be functioning, 4 if Gladams goes bye-bye. There's something to be said for every line having one skilled winger, Malkin has Neal and Crosby should have Bennett.

 

[Fordy]

Exactly, he's more east west which fits in with Geno, couldn't agree more.

What about Geno's game and his success with Talbot, Fedotenko, and Malone tells you he needs an east west guy on his line?

 

[Ogrezilla]

Exactly, he's more east west which fits in with Geno, couldn't agree more.

When Neal isn't there, I agree. But when Neal is there, what is Jussi's role? The same thing as Neal's role, only Jussi's not as good at it.