Speculation: Opening night line-up predictions?

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I haven't been on this board in awhile. So people on here still complain about Kunitz and Dupuis? STILL?? For 5 years now? Reading some of this stuff on here.....

True. We can't argue agt the playoff success this team has had the last 5 years.

Not like the coach and GM just got fired or anything.

 

[Fordy]

We had 5 forwards that put up 50 points.. we lost Jussi and Neal.. replaced them with Hornqvist/Spaling. So I doubt we will have the same amount of 50 point scorers, unless Spaling goes on an absolute tear.

so what, downie, goc, dupuis, bennett, and spaling won't add up to the other 50 points? all of those players are basically new additions, and i know replacing glass kobasew adams pyatt gibbons and megna's monstrous point totals might be a huge task but i think they can do it

 

[Klifton]

If this has been discussed then I am sorry, but Johnston seems to be flirting heavily with the idea of playing Geno on Sid's wing to start the season. (Or when he is ready to play.)

These are Johnston's words here. "The combinations, I talked to him a little bit [Tuesday], whenever he does come back we might even put him on the wing, might even put him on the right wing," Johnston said. "We're trying to see what is the best fit right now. Beau Bennett was going to be a factor in what we do with our lines heading into training camp, but Beau's obviously out for a little while.

"Just to get [Malkin] back and I like the way Sutter's playing right now … He [Malkin] is a great center and we can use him at center, we know that. But getting him in with the best people right now, we may look at him playing the wing."

I really don't know what to say to this.

 

[Whakahere]

all I can say is I am glad Orpik is no longer with us .... did anyone see this one TSN?

"Washington – It’s understandable that Washington wanted to improve defensively this summer, but a pile of money in the direction of always-outshot Brooks Orpik is just wildly confusing. Orpik’s minus-4.6% RelativeCorsi% over the last three seasons is 238th out of 251 qualified defenders, and more than a handful of the guys who rank below him have washed out of the league. It won’t be long before Orpik is jumped in the lineup by better options, much like Bolland in Florida."

http://www.tsn.ca/yost-analytics-storylines-for-each-nhl-team-this-season-1.101347

 

[Mordax]

just getting horny used to taking passes that come out of nowhere.

I had to read that sentence a good 2 or 3 times to figure out WTF you were saying

Is "Horny" the official nickname going around here?

 

[The Old Master]

I had to read that sentence a good 2 or 3 times to figure out WTF you were saying

Is "Horny" the official nickname going around here?

this is hf. there is nothing official around here.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I can't handle Dupuis' hands in the top 6 again. I don't know if they got worse, if I'd gotten used to them or if I just forgot how bad they are, but I can't do it again.

The top six, in general, doesn't inspire me with a lot of confidence. Obviously, there's still an entire season to go. Maybe JR will pull the trigger on a big deal between now and the trade deadline. But if this is the top six -- whichever variation of winger Johnston ends up using -- then I don't like our Cup chances.

It's kind of scary that, after all these seasons of talking about it, this club has two -- TWO -- legitimate top six wingers. At some point in Crosby and Malkin's careers, they'll both get to play with two good wingers, right? Right?

 

[Zen Arcade]

I had to read that sentence a good 2 or 3 times to figure out WTF you were saying

Is "Horny" the official nickname going around here?

Oh, it's official.

 

[Snapdragin]

Looks like it could be something like this now:

Kunitz-Crosby-Hornquist
Dupuis-Sutter-Malkin
Downie-Spaling-Kapanen
Adams/Sill-Goc-Comeau

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I want a Penguins version of that "Me So Horny" t-shirt.

Wait...the Pens marketing people would never be that clever.

 

[NatureBoy]

It looks like that this could be the lineup on Thursday, if Malkin is ready to go.

Kunitz-Crosby-Hornqvist
Dupuis-Sutter-Malkin
Comeau-Goc-Downie
Adams-Spaling-Sill

I´ve read that Johnston would like to play Comeau-Goc-Spaling together, but I doubt that Downie will be on the 4th line. Sill could play C as well, it will be interesting to see what Johnston will decide to do. Personally I´d like to see Kunitz with Malkin, but it won´t happen, at least not at the start.

 

[SidGenoMario]

Hi guys, can someone tell me if I should start Malkin on my fantasy team on Thursday? I have to go to work soon so you'll have to tell me really soon thanks for your help

 

[Ogrezilla]

Hi guys, can someone tell me if I should start Malkin on my fantasy team on Thursday? I have to go to work soon so you'll have to tell me really soon thanks for your help

we have no clue

 

[Vujtek]

Hi guys, can someone tell me if I should start Malkin on my fantasy team on Thursday? I have to go to work soon so you'll have to tell me really soon thanks for your help

No one knows yet. Not even Geno himself.

If your options are Malkin or Spaling, start Geno. If your options are Malkin or Hornqvist, start Hornqvist to be safe. You get the idea. If you have good replacement options, nothing wrong with playing it safe and get the guaranteed start. But if the replacement options are bottom-6'ers, go for the home run by starting Geno.

 

[SUBdrewgANS]

flame away, but I would like to try Downie with Sid and Horny
Re-unite Kunitz with Malkin (if they're really gonna try him on the wing....)

Downie - Crosby - Hornqvist
Kunitz - Sutter - Malkin
Comeau - Goc - Dupuis
Adams - Spaling - Sill

I'd rather see Malkin at center and Adams shot to the moon
Downie - Crosby - Hornqvist
Kunitz - Malkin - Sutter
Dupuis - Spaling - Kapanen
Comeau - Goc - Sill

 

[42]

No one knows yet. Not even Geno himself.

If your options are Malkin or Spaling, start Geno. If your options are Malkin or Hornqvist, start Hornqvist to be safe. You get the idea. If you have good replacement options, nothing wrong with playing it safe and get the guaranteed start. But if the replacement options are bottom-6'ers, go for the home run by starting Geno.

Solid advice. I am probably going to start Malkin as my other options are Kucherov(who I am considering given his pre-season performance), Conacher or Lindstrom. One game from Malkin(but even that is not guaranteed) is likely better than two games from the other guys.

 

[cheesedanish87]

It would of been interesting to see what def would of been the healthy scratch tomorrow had Bort stayed healthy, I'm guessing either Despres or Scuderi.

 

[Ogrezilla]

It would of been interesting to see what def would of been the healthy scratch tomorrow had Bort stayed healthy, I'm guessing either Despres or Scuderi.

or Bort

 

[WVP]

Opening night, top 6 appears to be:

Kunitz - Crosby - Hornqvist
Dupuis - Sutter - Malkin

If Johnston sticks with the Goc line, then the bottom 6 will look like:

Spaling - Goc - Comeau
Downie - Ebbett - Adams/Sill

 

[Speaking Moistly]

or Bort

Yeah, it only makes sense to scratch Scuderi, but it probably would have been Despres or Bortuzzo. Despres is the significantly better player, but Bortuzzo is a RHS, they're both physical. Scuderi does stuff.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Opening night, top 6 appears to be:

Kunitz - Crosby - Hornqvist
Dupuis - Sutter - Malkin

If Johnston sticks with the Goc line, then the bottom 6 will look like:

Spaling - Goc - Comeau
Downie - Ebbett - Adams/Sill

Poor Geno.

 

[WVP]

Poor Geno.

I am sure he'll survive for a few games.

 

[pensfan71]

Wait, so is Kappy still here? Sundqvist got sent back right?

Sorry, I've been out of touch for the last couple days

 

[gdsmack267]

Wait, so is Kappy still here? Sundqvist got sent back right?

Sorry, I've been out of touch for the last couple days

Sundqvist is gone. Kapanen is still on the offical roster but hes back in Finland so who knows

 

[pensfan71]

Sundqvist is gone. Kapanen is still on the offical roster but hes back in Finland so who knows

Huh....that's interesting...