Post-Game Talk: Penguins 3, Senators 1 - Hell Freezes Over . . . Sheahan Fails to Miss the Open Net

[Dipsy Doodle]

People need to pump the brakes on Sheahan a bit. The line looked good tonight, but he's clearly the beneficiary of a Sheary/Horny hot streak and he just inched ahead of Rowney's P/G by scoring his 3rd point in 12 games on a gift empty net.

 

[ColePens]

Double Stuf Oreo!

We only get a double stuffed if we go out and get a great 3C. We will call Sheahan the vanilla in the Oreo thins. Good when surrounded by great.

 

[ColePens]

People need to pump the brakes on Sheahan. The line looked good tonight, but he's clearly a passenger there production-wise and he just inched ahead of Rowney's P/G by scoring his 3rd point in 12 games on a gift empty net.

I think the majority of HFers are not giving Sheahan any credit for the 3rd line. Some are pointing out he deserves credit for the last 2 games. ZERO members of HF need to pump their breaks on Sheahan, as they are all at a complete stop or near a complete stop.

But my rule for PGTs - Sheahan gets credit because he was good in this game. That doesn't mean he's the answer. But he deserves his plus.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I think the majority of HFers are not giving Sheahan any credit for the 3rd line. Some are pointing out he deserves credit for the last 2 games. ZERO members of HF need to pump their breaks on Sheahan, as they are all at a complete stop or near a complete stop.

But my rule for PGTs - Sheahan gets credit because he was good in this game. That doesn't mean he's the answer. But he deserves his plus.

We've got some saying Sheahan's doing everything a 3C should but goal scoring. I'd expand that to include playmaking...which adds up to a pretty big chunk of a player's offensive arsenal.

He's still a 4C in 3C's clothing but at least he didn't hinder his wingers the last couple games, which is a welcome change.

 

[Clare2904]

I got to see Sheahan score and almost got a Dumo goal too. I feel blessed

 

[Shady Machine]

People need to pump the brakes on Sheahan a bit. The line looked good tonight, but he's clearly the beneficiary of a Sheary/Horny hot streak and he just inched ahead of Rowney's P/G by scoring his 3rd point in 12 games on a gift empty net.

Yup I agree but I do have to give him credit for 2 solid games in a row. That Horny goal happens in part because of a great screen. The empty net goal is cool just to say he scored, but I thought he was solid tonight. That's not going to mean much though as soon as Sheary/Horny cool off which they will. Still think they need a better 3C unless he starts driving play and finishing more than 3 times in 100 games.

 

[Ms Maggie]

Sheary is a joy to watch. Fast, smart, always a threat. 3rd line is really gelling so I don't care if Sheahan ever gets another goal. Murray, wow one spectacular and several very good saves.

Only real complaint is powerplay. Eeeekkk!

 

[vodeni]

Yup I agree but I do have to give him credit for 2 solid games in a row. That Horny goal happens in part because of a great screen. The empty net goal is cool just to say he scored, but I thought he was solid tonight. That's not going to mean much though as soon as Sheary/Horny cool off which they will. Still think they need a better 3C unless he starts driving play and finishing more than 3 times in 100 games.

I think I saw enough of him to form my own opinion of him. I don't care if he sits on the center ice and do nothing, while his line producing, he is part of that line and its great (exagarating but you got my point), what I see is a guy with a really good IQ, I see small, no panic short passes to an open man, I see a guy who protects puck OK once he gets to the puck.

I think he works well with these two guys because they are energized bunnies, they slow the game for him, allow him to get to the puck because they put so much pressure on the opposing defense. He does not have that burst and I get frustrated watching puck passing him by two feet away, that he could connect with but just doesn't have that push to get there. So I think this is what we can get out of him. As long as hobbit is hustling (horny will always do) this line will work and will chip offensivelyand have good possession numbers

 

[Deport Ogie]

Sheahan has proven to be pretty decent as a puck retrieval guy and his board play has been strong. We know what we have with Horny on those lines. It works because it allows Sheary to do what he always does when successful, hustle around the O Zone and find those little soft spots in the defense. When Sheahan and Horny are able to separate defenders form the puck and Sheary has time to find those spots, he gets open looks and good scoring chances. It doesn't hurt that Horny and Sheahan can also both provide strong net front presence.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

We've got some saying Sheahan's doing everything a 3C should but goal scoring. I'd expand that to include playmaking...which adds up to a pretty big chunk of a player's offensive arsenal.

He's still a 4C in 3C's clothing but at least he didn't hinder his wingers the last couple games, which is a welcome change.

So the give and go to Horny where he slid the puck between the defender's legs wasn't playmaking?
He set up both guys in various points last night, neither winger finished. I'm not sure what you guys are expecting here, but it's bordering on unrealistic

 

[SHOOTANDSCORE]

+ A win

- Me

I actually fell asleep before anything happened score wise.

Ottawa's mascot should be the Ambien Walrus

 

[Rakell67]

We only get a double stuffed if we go out and get a great 3C. We will call Sheahan the vanilla in the Oreo thins. Good when surrounded by great.

My daughter loves the Oreo thins, I can’t stand them, I need the double stuf ones (approx. 6/7) with 16oz. of milk and I’m set.

 

[ColePens]

Sheary is a joy to watch. Fast, smart, always a threat. 3rd line is really gelling so I don't care if Sheahan ever gets another goal. Murray, wow one spectacular and several very good saves.

Only real complaint is powerplay. Eeeekkk!

I think Sheay's career will be ebbs and flow of good and bad. He can look like an AHLer one week and a dynamic NHL scorer the next. The way he played last night was unreal refreshing. He was so strong and fast on the puck. He created and was confident. I still think he's terrific at 3x3.

 

[Empoleon8771]

So the give and go to Horny where he slid the puck between the defender's legs wasn't playmaking?
He set up both guys in various points last night, neither winger finished. I'm not sure what you guys are expecting here, but it's bordering on unrealistic

WC has NEVER treated Sheahan fairly, he has disliked him ever since before he came here. It should be of absolutely no surprise he's the one talking down on him right now, he just doesn't like the guy.

Want to know Bonino's production in his first 12 games with Pittsburgh? 2 goals and 3 points (he was at 4 points in his first 12 games in 2016-2017, too). Sheahan is at 1 goal and 3 points in 12 games.

Sheahan is playing very well defensively, winning a lot of faceoff, taking a ton of defensive zone draws and engaging in the dirty work for a 3rd line that is working right now. I genuinely don't know why people are complaining about him right now.

 

[ColePens]

My daughter loves the Oreo thins, I can’t stand them, I need the double stuf ones (approx. 6/7) with 16oz. of milk and I’m set.

I freaking LOVE Oreos.. but I work out and try to live a healthy lifestyle, so the thins are my treat every now and again. I actually love Golden Oreos. So i'll have one oreo thin as a treat here and there. I could probably eat a sleeve of oreos if i didn't care.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Sheahan looks like he’s making progress, which i think is all you can realistically ask for. We'll see where he ends up but he’s currently trending in the right direction.

I think Sheay's career will be ebbs and flow of good and bad. He can look like an AHLer one week and a dynamic NHL scorer the next. The way he played last night was unreal refreshing. He was so strong and fast on the puck. He created and was confident. I still think he's terrific at 3x3.

Sheary will probably always be a frustrating player but for that contract you take it and run. The little dude is a damn effective finisher who can do more when he’s on.

 

[ColePens]

WC has NEVER treated Sheahan fairly, he has disliked him ever since before he came here. It should be of absolutely no surprise he's the one talking down on him right now, he just doesn't like the guy.

Want to know Bonino's production in his first 12 games with Pittsburgh? 2 goals and 3 points (he was at 4 points in his first 12 games in 2016-2017, too). Sheahan is at 1 goal and 3 points in 12 games.

Sheahan is playing very well defensively, winning a lot of faceoff, taking a ton of defensive zone draws and engaging in the dirty work for a 3rd line that is working right now. I genuinely don't know why people are complaining about him right now.

I would say if you are claiming WC isn't treating Sheahan fairly, you are on the other side of the coin.

The fact is right now in the bottom 6 is that we have too many guys doing "dirty work" and all of them are average to good at best at it. It's not like they are dynamic at being a shutdown defender. Sheahan is far from that. He's also far from absolutely worthless. He's an average to good 4C who pivots to 3C on teams. That's where he is right now.

The make up of the bottom 6 has too many grinders who are average at their specialty. We are built on speed, tenacity, and skill to run 4 lines. Reaves is good at his role, but the enforcer role is so pointless on the Pens. Good regular season guy to have, but now how this team is built. Kuhn is an average PK specialist who blocks shots and is responsible. Rowney is an average 4th liner to grinds. Sheahan is an average to good 4C who grinds. Hags, without his scoring touch, is becoming average who grinds/plays defense. You can't have a full group of average specialist players.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I would say if you are claiming WC isn't treating Sheahan fairly, you are on the other side of the coin.

The fact is right now in the bottom 6 is that we have too many guys doing "dirty work" and all of them are average to good at best at it. It's not like they are dynamic at being a shutdown defender. Sheahan is far from that. He's also far from absolutely worthless. He's an average to good 4C who pivots to 3C on teams. That's where he is right now.

The make up of the bottom 6 has too many grinders who are average at their specialty. We are built on speed, tenacity, and skill to run 4 lines. Reaves is good at his role, but the enforcer role is so pointless on the Pens. Good regular season guy to have, but now how this team is built. Kuhn is an average PK specialist who blocks shots and is responsible. Rowney is an average 4th liner to grinds. Sheahan is an average to good 4C who grinds. Hags, without his scoring touch, is becoming average who grinds/plays defense. You can't have a full group of average specialist players.

I have sparingly made comments on Sheahan so far in his time in Pittsburgh. I pumped him up before he came in here, I haven't focused much time on him since he came in. Mainly because he has been unnoticeable in most of his games (not meaning that in a bad way, defensive guys not being noticeable is a good thing). People may think that I pump up Sheahan because I disagree with claims like "Sheahan is an average to good 4C". How could you say that Sheahan is just an average 4C? There aren't 15 teams with better 4th line centers than Sheahan. Sheahan is ideally on your 4th line because it means you have a really damn good 3rd line center if Sheahan is your 4th line center, not because Sheahan is only an "average 4C". I don't go into PGT after games where Sheahan plays terribly and say "Sheahan is good, you guys really gotta chill with saying that he is bad", which is exactly what WC did in this thread.

I'll reiterate it again, the Penguins having Cullen for the last 2 years has completely thrown the idea for what a bottom-6 center should be out of wack on here. Sheahan is a lower end 3rd line center playing well on a line that is working right now. I don't know why people are complaining about him. He's a little bit worse version of Sutter. That may not be good enough for the kind of 3C you personally want, but it is a 3rd line caliber player. Seeing how the names thrown around for the 3C spot here are guys like Duchene, RNH, Staal and Draisaitl (legitimately saw someone suggest this a couple days ago), I'm thinking this site doesn't have an accurate idea for what an actual 3rd line center is.

Edit: if the Penguins can add a better offensive bottom-6 center and slide Sheahan to the 4th line, I'd be completely happy with that move. I'd also be happy to add a center like Letestu to that 4th line and inject some offensive skill into that line. The Penguins need an additional skilled bottom-6 center regardless of whether Sheahan pans out as a 3C or not.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I freaking LOVE Oreos.. but I work out and try to live a healthy lifestyle, so the thins are my treat every now and again. I actually love Golden Oreos. So i'll have one oreo thin as a treat here and there. I could probably eat a sleeve of oreos if i didn't care.

Yes. God damn it, it’s been years and now I want some.

 

[ColePens]

I have sparingly made comments on Sheahan so far in his time in Pittsburgh. I pumped him up before he came in here, I haven't focused much time on him since he came in. Mainly because he has been unnoticeable in most of his games (not meaning that in a bad way, defensive guys not being noticeable is a good thing). People may think that I pump up Sheahan because I disagree with claims like "Sheahan is an average to good 4C". How could you say that Sheahan is just an average 4C? There aren't 15 teams with better 4th line centers than Sheahan. Sheahan is ideally on your 4th line because it means you have a really damn good 3rd line center if Sheahan is your 4th line center, not because Sheahan is only an "average 4C". I don't go into PGT after games where Sheahan plays terribly and say "Sheahan is good, you guys really gotta chill with saying that he is bad", which is exactly what WC did in this thread.

I'll reiterate it again, the Penguins having Cullen for the last 2 years has completely thrown the idea for what a bottom-6 center should be out of wack on here. Sheahan is a lower end 3rd line center playing well on a line that is working right now. I don't know why people are complaining about him. He's a little bit worse version of Sutter. That may not be good enough for the kind of 3C you personally want, but it is a 3rd line caliber player. Seeing how the names thrown around for the 3C spot here are guys like Duchene, RNH, Staal and Draisaitl (legitimately saw someone suggest this a couple days ago), I'm thinking this site doesn't have an accurate idea for what an actual 3rd line center is.

Edit: if the Penguins can add a better offensive bottom-6 center and slide Sheahan to the 4th line, I'd be completely happy with that move. I'd also be happy to add a center like Letestu to that 4th line and inject some offensive skill into that line. The Penguins need an additional skilled bottom-6 center regardless of whether Sheahan pans out as a 3C or not.

That's a fun debate. I would take letestu as our 3C, honestly, because he can play with skill and I think would work really well with Sheary/Horny. It wouldn't be perfect, but it'd be solid. Sheahan can move to L4, but we need better players around him. Kuhn/Reaves cannot flank him. Need speed.

 

[Empoleon8771]

That's a fun debate. I would take letestu as our 3C, honestly, because he can play with skill and I think would work really well with Sheary/Horny. It wouldn't be perfect, but it'd be solid. Sheahan can move to L4, but we need better players around him. Kuhn/Reaves cannot flank him. Need speed.

I think if the Penguins ended the season right now with all of their star players playing well and a forward lineup of:

Guentzel-Crosby-Sprong
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Letestu-Kuhnhackl/Archibald/McKegg/Reaves

I think people would be comfortable going into the playoffs. Not overly confident, but comfortable. I agree with you that the Penguins need more skill in their bottom-6, but it's just a question of how do you get that? I think if you trade Hagelin and bring in a better LWer for Malkin and Kessel, having Rust on that 4th line would be an incredible move. But is that going to happen? Do the Penguins even remotely think a LWer is a need right now? I've been saying Kane for a couple days now and I'm going to reiterate that, having Evander Kane on your 2nd line and Rust on your 4th line is a phenomenal way to ensure you have good ES scoring throughout the lineup, even if your centers are weaker.

In a completely ideal world, the Penguins trade for a skilled bottom-6 center depending on how Sheahan has progressed (either someone to push Sheahan to the 4th line or just someone to play on the 4th line), swap Hagelin for a better LWer for Malkin and Kessel and put Sprong on Crosby's RW. If the Penguins are struggling offensively at that point, it's going to be because of the star players.

 

[Rakell67]

I freaking LOVE Oreos.. but I work out and try to live a healthy lifestyle, so the thins are my treat every now and again. I actually love Golden Oreos. So i'll have one oreo thin as a treat here and there. I could probably eat a sleeve of oreos if i didn't care.

I try to eat healthy/work out as well. I’m more of a stocky muscular guy that used to have a six pack but now at 41, has a hidden six pack.
I use the logic that at least I’m getting protein and nutrients from the milk when I have a few. It’s been a while tho. Can’t say the same for the fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies I downed last night, they are so good, especially this time of year.

 

[ColePens]

I think if the Penguins ended the season right now with all of their star players playing well and a forward lineup of:

Guentzel-Crosby-Sprong
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Sheary-Sheahan-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Letestu-Kuhnhackl/Archibald/McKegg/Reaves

I think people would be comfortable going into the playoffs. Not overly confident, but comfortable. I agree with you that the Penguins need more skill in their bottom-6, but it's just a question of how do you get that? I think if you trade Hagelin and bring in a better LWer for Malkin and Kessel, having Rust on that 4th line would be an incredible move. But is that going to happen? Do the Penguins even remotely think a LWer is a need right now? I've been saying Kane for a couple days now and I'm going to reiterate that, having Evander Kane on your 2nd line and Rust on your 4th line is a phenomenal way to ensure you have good ES scoring throughout the lineup, even if your centers are weaker.

In a completely ideal world, the Penguins trade for a skilled bottom-6 center depending on how Sheahan has progressed (either someone to push Sheahan to the 4th line or just someone to play on the 4th line), swap Hagelin for a better LWer for Malkin and Kessel and put Sprong on Crosby's RW. If the Penguins are struggling offensively at that point, it's going to be because of the star players.

My main targets
- Haula
- Grabner

I feel like those 2 would game change our team so much. But Haula will probably never happen. Bozak, any LV 3C, Letestu, or the usual suspects would all suffice at 3C if available. In a PERFECT world, we add those 2 and a depth dman and call it a day. My expectations would be a third in a row.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

My main targets
- Haula
- Grabner

I feel like those 2 would game change our team so much. But Haula will probably never happen. Bozak, any LV 3C, Letestu, or the usual suspects would all suffice at 3C if available. In a PERFECT world, we add those 2 and a depth dman and call it a day. My expectations would be a third in a row.

Our window is open for a few more years, we HAVE to go for 3 in a row. That has to be the expectation organization wide. As you said, we need at least 2 bottom sixers and a depth D to be THE favorites. The core is in place, we can get what we need. Go to work JR

 

[ColePens]

Our window is open for a few more years, we HAVE to go for 3 in a row. That has to be the expectation organization wide. As you said, we need at least 2 bottom sixers and a depth D to be THE favorites. The core is in place, we can get what we need. Go to work JR

With that comment, and I think our window is more open than people realize, I assume you would risk moving Sprong? Because I'm not. Bengs/Sprong are off limits 100%. That'd be the sacrifice to grab an all-in move.

Now our first... f*** that. I'll gladly move it.