Post-Game Talk: Penguins 4, Islanders 0 - iPad Supplants Phil as Team MVP?

[PensandCaps]

Why is it only you and I see what Simon does? He was a huge reason that line was so dominant tonight and would have had three points if Letang didn't flub on a wide open net.

I swear some people don't know what they are watching if they don't see splashy plays and ****.

Simon is like a rabid wolverine on the boards and always finds ways to win those battles and make quick reads the moment he has the puck. It's a rare trait.

Hey. I've been a big Simon fan since his draft.

He reminds me of Names from Tampa. Skilled but does the dirty work too and is a fine 3rd wheel.

Another guy i lovee is Blueger. Hope he gets the call soon.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Looking at the Penguins roster, it's actually really awkward with the wingers. You have Sprong, Kessel, Sheary, Guentzel and Simon as skilled wingers with only Hagelin, Hornqvist and Rust as defensive/gritty wingers. You also only have 6 top-9 wing spots, and all of those guys should be playing in the top-9. I'm interested to see how JR moves forward, the Penguins have a problematic amount of NHL ready wingers right now it seems like.

 

[KIRK]

It's less than a sum of its parts and they haven't been producing at where they should be producing at, but they haven't been bad at ES this year. At least in terms of 2nd lines, they have been good in terms of producing. They should definitely be better, but they have been fine statistically on the year.

Nah, it's been pretty bad. Geno needs a guy presently not in the organization for one of his wings.

 

[ColePens]

Why is it only you and I see what Simon does? He was a huge reason that line was so dominant tonight and would have had three points if Letang didn't flub on a wide open net.

I swear some people don't know what they are watching if they don't see splashy plays and ****.

Simon is like a rabid wolverine on the boards and always finds ways to win those battles and make quick reads the moment he has the puck. It's a rare trait.

How dare you, again. But for real - it's not just me either. A lot of people gave him praise throughout the game.

 

[cygnus47]

It's too early for I told you so's but the system looked different last night against Carolina in our D zone and you could see what happened when the Islander D couldn't make the tough plays at the blueline that the Hurricanes managed. We got rewarded with puck possession for long stretches AND opportunities on the rush. We were also timing our support on 50 50 battles better tonight.

We're still sloppy and a long way off, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic that we're headed in the right direction now.

 

[Coastal Kev]

Looking at the Penguins roster, it's actually really awkward with the wingers. You have Sprong, Kessel, Sheary, Guentzel and Simon as skilled wingers with only Hagelin, Hornqvist and Rust as defensive/gritty wingers. You also only have 6 top-9 wing spots, and all of those guys should be playing in the top-9. I'm interested to see how JR moves forward, the Penguins have a problematic amount of NHL ready wingers right now it seems like.

I think you trade Sheary. He's good and will be great with the right team that needs a skilled scorer. But him and Jake aren't good options to have on the same team long term. I love Sheary to

 

[Common Sense]

Good to see Sprong building up his trade value.

 

[PensandCaps]

Looking at the Penguins roster, it's actually really awkward with the wingers. You have Sprong, Kessel, Sheary, Guentzel and Simon as skilled wingers with only Hagelin, Hornqvist and Rust as defensive/gritty wingers. You also only have 6 top-9 wing spots, and all of those guys should be playing in the top-9. I'm interested to see how JR moves forward, the Penguins have a problematic amount of NHL ready wingers right now it seems like.

I think the odd guys out are Sheary and Hags. Simon can take Sheary's spot. And someone like Di Pauli can take Hagelin's spot.

Simon-Sid-Sprong
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Hornqvist? -xxx- Kessel

 

[ColePens]

It's too early for I told you so's but the system looked different last night against Carolina in our D zone and you could see what happened when the Islander D couldn't make the tough plays at the blueline that the Hurricanes managed. We got rewarded with puck possession for long stretches AND opportunities on the rush. We were also timing our support on 50 50 battles better tonight.

We're still sloppy and a long way off, but I'm feeling a lot more optimistic that we're headed in the right direction now.

Boy if they would have won last night and then had this showing. I'd be through the roof right now.

 

[KIRK]

I think you trade Sheary. He's good and will be great with the right team that needs a skilled scorer. But him and Jake aren't good options to have on the same team long term. I love Sheary to

Sure. For what. He doesn't have a lot of value.

And, the 'I think you trade Hagelin' crowd is especially cute . . . if it were that simple, JR would've done it 11 months ago.

 

[SEALBound]

I thought everyone played really well. Very happy to see that SSS line (muahahahahahaha!) do well

Simon-Sid-Sprong
Horny-Malkin-Kessel
Jake-3C-Rust
Kuhn-Sheahan-Reaves

Assume Hags, Sheary, Cole (or some combo) out for a 3C

 

[KIRK]

Boy if they would have won last night and then had this showing. I'd be through the roof right now.

This one really makes it tricky.

What they've been watching the last week or so is to see if there's something worth saving for this year or if it should be about building towards next year. Last night, one thought the answer finally was obvious . . . and then tonight happened. Kind of puts them in a bit of a pickle.

PERSONALLY, I'd add a winger for Geno . . . see if that winger does for Geno what Sprong (and Simon BTW) did for Sid tonight.

If that takes and if it keeps trending positively for Sid, then things get interesting . . .

 

[Coastal Kev]

Sure. For what. He doesn't have a lot of value.

And, the 'I think you trade Hagelin' crowd is especially cute . . . if it were that simple, JR would've done it 11 months ago.

I have to believe Sheary holds value. The kid has scored a bunch of goals, big goals in playoffs as well. If he gets matched with the right team, he'll be a top 6 fixture for years.

 

[KIRK]

I have to believe Sheary holds value. The kid has scored a bunch of goals, big goals in playoffs as well. If he gets matched with the right team, he'll be a top 6 fixture for years.

How many big goals when he wasn't playing with Sid?

 

[cygnus47]

Boy if they would have won last night and then had this showing. I'd be through the roof right now.

Hurricanes were super impressive. Their passing was so crisp and their D are very poised.

Man, if Horny were a true LW it would make things so much more convenient.

 

[Ryder71]

We really need to follow up this performance on sunday with a strong performance. At least build a little momentum.

 

[UnrealMachine]

Looking at the Penguins roster, it's actually really awkward with the wingers. You have Sprong, Kessel, Sheary, Guentzel and Simon as skilled wingers with only Hagelin, Hornqvist and Rust as defensive/gritty wingers. You also only have 6 top-9 wing spots, and all of those guys should be playing in the top-9. I'm interested to see how JR moves forward, the Penguins have a problematic amount of NHL ready wingers right now it seems like.

Is it possible to *rent* Shero for a couple weeks? Or maybe put all of his previous trades into a computer code and produce some kind of automated version of him? Could take care of this abundance of skilled wingers problem mighty quick.

 

[cassius]

The whole travel delay thing is the definition of #firstworldproblems

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think the odd guys out are Sheary and Hags. Simon can take Sheary's spot. And someone like Di Pauli can take Hagelin's spot.

Simon-Sid-Sprong
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Hornqvist? -xxx- Kessel

The problem is that you have an imbalance on LW and RW, because Hornqvist isn't a LW. I'm also not sold on Simon being an everyday player yet. Sprong and Crosby sticking together without Malkin and Kessel together doesn't seem exactly feasible to me.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Hey. I've been a big Simon fan since his draft.

He reminds me of Names from Tampa. Skilled but does the dirty work too and is a fine 3rd wheel.

Another guy i lovee is Blueger. Hope he gets the call soon.

Ya I shouldn't cast a big net like that, but I made the mistake of reading the GDT to see reactions to Sprong's goals, and was truly rolling my eyes at how many people were pissing on Simon.

Maybe he doesn't stick, but if people didn't see what he was doing tonight all over the ice, I'm afraid there is a whole lot of nuts and bolts these people need to learn.

 

[SirBrad]

7-3, 2.17 GAA, .928 SV% for Jarry.

 

[cygnus47]

How dare you, again. But for real - it's not just me either. A lot of people gave him praise throughout the game.

Simon is a lot like Sheary but a bit less spastic and more of a playmaker. Both of them go straight at the puck and just try to make stuff happen at full speed.

 

[Coastal Kev]

How many big goals when he wasn't playing with Sid?

I think the kid can score, he is reliant on getting the right fit with linemates. He's not bring an elite wing, but we don't need one. We need an LW that will work with Geno, that's it.

 

[PensandCaps]

The problem is that you have an imbalance on LW and RW, because Hornqvist isn't a LW. I'm also not sold on Simon being an everyday player yet. Sprong and Crosby sticking together without Malkin and Kessel together doesn't seem exactly feasible to me.

Make up your mind on Simon. Lol. After game one of his this year, you were calling him a sure fire top 9 player. Now you're not sure? I think he can complement Sid well. Maybe even PK.

 

[Andy99]

This one really makes it tricky.

What they've been watching the last week or so is to see if there's something worth saving for this year or if it should be about building towards next year. Last night, one thought the answer finally was obvious . . . and then tonight happened. Kind of puts them in a bit of a pickle.

PERSONALLY, I'd add a winger for Geno . . . see if that winger does for Geno what Sprong (and Simon BTW) did for Sid tonight.

If that takes and if it keeps trending positively for Sid, then things get interesting . . .

Unless and until we have a trade for a LW for Geno, what's wrong with trying ZAR or Di Pauli there? It beats Hornqvist or at least it's worth a shot

S-C-S
ZAR etc- G- Phil
Sheary-Jake-Horny

I don't see much other options right now for a lineup that works. Hags has been straight up trash and needs to sit for awhile