Line Combos: Is Rust The Problem?

[Khelandros]

Yes.

Guentzel gets hurt, 3rd period October 20th. Heinen moves up to take his spot, 2 goals in Columbus, 0 points in Edmonton. Sullivan panics and moves Rust up to line 1 while moving Rakell to LW, Heinen moved to LW on 2nd line and Carter moved to RW for Calgary game. Guentzel comes back and Rakell stays with Malkin, Rust stays with Crosby

Before this move:
Crosby - 4g 7a 11p +4
Rust - 3g 3a 6p +1
Malkin - 3g 3a 6p +2
Zucker - 1g 5a 6p +3
Guentzel - 3g 2a 5p +4
Rakell - 3g 1a 4p +8

After Sullivan panic moves the lines around:
Malkin - 4g 7a 11p +1
Guentzel - 5g 3a 8p -9
Zucker - 3g 5a 8p +4
Rakell - 4g 2a 6p +1
Crosby - 3g 3a 6p -9
Rust - 1g 1a 2p -10

There have been so many plays during the second segment where Rust has looked like he has no interest in even playing hockey. He's not taking the body, he is avoiding going into corners, he is missing assignments all over the ice. 9 times out of 10 when he gets the puck on the PP it results in a turn over. He is flinching from other teams players.



Dude got paid and now is just coasting. When is he going to get the Kapanen treatment? He needs to be taken off the top PP and Rakell needs to take his spot. Probably a couple of games in the press box will do him some good.

Maybe old JR would be willing to do a Rust for Horvat one for one.

Edit: Gonna resurrect this thread for any of the people that voted no that may now wish to change their vote.

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[HuskerTornado]

His play stinks this year.

 

[Gurglesons]

I don't think benching has any effect on players.

I think dropping him to L3 and off the powerplay is the correct move.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

He's part of the problem, but that doesn't excuse Sid playing like shit himself.
The point is Rakell on L1 and PP1 could be a big part of the solution.

 

[DearDiary]

It's not a coincidence that Rust started playing poorly once he got moved to the 1st line. Want to know the 1 thing that's been consistent from game 1? Crosby. You could replace Crosby with Rust in your post and it would mean the same thing

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I don't think benching has any effect on players.

I think dropping him to L3 and off the powerplay is the correct move.

This. Move him off the first line, move him off the top PP unit.

The thing that gets me is how lazy he is when he's on line 1. Put him on a line where he's got to get back to actually working hard and maybe he won't be such a liability.

 

[Gurglesons]

Sid

This. Move him off the first line, move him off the top PP unit.

The thing that gets me is how lazy he is when he's on line 1. Put him on a line where he's got to get back to actually working hard and maybe he won't be such a liability.

It’s weird because he looked great on L2.

I honestly am flabbergasted by the reluctance to go back to what was winning us games.

 

[reino]

Rust is playing way too many minutes. Give him 14-15min a game and I'm sure he'll get better

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

It’s weird because he looked great on L2.

I honestly am flabbergasted by the reluctance to go back to what was winning us games.

This is what makes watching these games so frustrating. Sullivan's unwillingness to go back to lines that were working really, really well.

Like, I'm actually just confused as f*** more than anything. Why is Sullivan so obsessed with Rust on L1 despite the fact the results aren't pretty?

 

[Gurglesons]

This is what makes watching these games so frustrating. Sullivan's unwillingness to go back to lines that were working really, really well.

Like, I'm actually just confused as f*** more than anything. Why is Sullivan so obsessed with Rust on L1 despite the fact the results aren't pretty?

I’d get it if they were like shutting down other teams but rough offensively, but they are like the laziest line on the ice every night.

L3 stinks, but they are working hard at least.

 

[dogthateats]

Who cares

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I’d get it if they were like shutting down other teams but rough offensively, but they are like the laziest line on the ice every night.

L3 stinks, but they are working hard at least.

Or even if they're giving up a lot of goals, but they're also scoring a truckload every night to offset that. Instead, that line is not only NOT scoring any goals but surrendering goals at an absurd rate.

I just don't know how bad that line has to play before Sullivan finally pulls the plug. Did Crosby scoring tonight (even though the goal had literally nothing to do with linemates) save that line from being broken up in Sullivan's eyes?

 

[Gurglesons]

Or even if they're giving up a lot of goals, but they're also scoring a truckload every night to offset that. Instead, that line is not only NOT scoring any goals but surrendering goals at an absurd rate.

I just don't know how bad that line has to play before Sullivan finally pulls the plug. Did Crosby scoring tonight (even though the goal had literally nothing to do with linemates) save that line from being broken up in Sullivan's eyes?

Yeah it’s absolutely infuriating and perplexing.

It’s kind of like the Powerplay being awful and no changes.

I really think Sullivan just thinks when healthy these are the best combinations and they will get it done, but it’s obvious they won’t. It’s going to be funny when we finally get depth scoring in Sid and Malkin’s older age on both lines but our coach is too stupid to adjust it to work.

 

[Bowski]

Decent to good goaltending would be nice to have to solve the "problem".

Some overpaid 6-year bum on the top line sucks, but not getting a clutch save and hoping CDS can prove himself as some kind of starter, is the bottom of the copium barrell.

Trading back for Murray would give a better boost than what they have with their goaltending garbage situation now.

 

[BusinessGoose]

It's not Rusts fault he's put where he is

 

[DesertedPenguin]

Decent to good goaltending would be nice to have to solve the "problem".

Some overpaid 6-year bum on the top line sucks, but not getting a clutch save and hoping CDS can prove himself as some kind of starter, is the bottom of the copium barrell.

Trading back for Murray would give a better boost than what they have with their goaltending garbage situation now.

While the goalies are not the main issue, it would be nice if one of them stole a game or two. Jarry has been awful. DeSmith was solid on the last road trip but he's been inconsistent.

When's the last time the team played like crap but a Penguins goalie stood on his head and pulled out the win?

 

[Pengu]

The most shocking part is that L1 plays 4 min more EVERY game not matter how garbage they look....

 

[AuroraBorealis]

When's the last time the team played like crap but a Penguins goalie stood on his head and pulled out the win?

I didn't do a systematic sweep, but I think it may be this one.

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[Pengu]

No other team in the league has such insane difference in the +/- cathegory.
How can Rutta and Rakell be +9 and Letang and Rust be -10 and -9.

And this is in 15-16 games!!!

 

[HandshakeLine]

Yeah it’s absolutely infuriating and perplexing.

It’s kind of like the Powerplay being awful and no changes.

I really think Sullivan just thinks when healthy these are the best combinations and they will get it done, but it’s obvious they won’t. It’s going to be funny when we finally get depth scoring in Sid and Malkin’s older age on both lines but our coach is too stupid to adjust it to work.

Coaching is the hardest job, like cleaning the bedroom, so that's why Sullivan doesn't like to do it.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Also, Rust is a problem, sure. But the problem? Hahahahahaha.

No.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

This is what makes watching these games so frustrating. Sullivan's unwillingness to go back to lines that were working really, really well.

Like, I'm actually just confused as f*** more than anything. Why is Sullivan so obsessed with Rust on L1 despite the fact the results aren't pretty?

Because being stubborn is more valuable to some people than being right?

 

[HandshakeLine]

When the TOI management is this bad I’m not sure who else you can blame but the coach. Rust needs to play better for sure, but he’s not choosing to go out there on his own.

 

[Sideline]

Benching is what you go to when demotion to the bottom 6 hasn't sparked a guy. Demotion to the bottom 6 is what you go to when shuffling the top 6 doesn't spark a guy.

Rust might need to be benched down the line, but the guy running the bench should try a few things before it gets to that point.

 

[pistolpete11]

No, but off L1, off PP1, and not getting close to 20min every night.

And if Crosby doesn't start getting his head out of his ass after that, then you've got to start finding ways to push his buttons, too. Cutting his ice time, not starting him at the beginning of every period, etc.