I really don't think the Pens are even playing that good right now.
Their just getting great goaltending every game and some puck luck.
Its not going to last forever, but hopefully it lasts a little bit longer.
I thought Kessel and Pearson looked decent. They're masking these lacklustre games from Brassard.
I'm really torn. I don't see anything that Brassard is doing to help enable those players. I feel Pearson is better defensively than many give credit for. I feel Kessel is opportunistic, as he always is. I do not see Brassard making plays/passes/defensive plays/anything to help enable the players doing their job. He plays the softest game i've ever seen. I'm fine with skill, but he stays out of people's way defensively at times. It's strange.
I don't want to crap on the guy. I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. I'm just saying at this point I really don't care if he leaves. I'll just shrug my shoulders and say "yeah... i get it." Brassard @ 3M on paper seems like a dream scenario for the Pens. It hasn't been a dream at all.
Hey he's won a board battle. I saw it with my own two eyes@ColePens
I can live with players having off-games if they come through when it counts (e.g., Bonino). However, Brassard has not done anything since arriving here. He might be the most disappointing player in recent memory.
Im just so tired of making excuses for the guy.I still think there’s a good chance his groin is not 100% ...either that or he’s trying to avoid injury, maybe so as to not affect his FA value but his play here is not typical of him...
The thing is, no one ever does anything for Kessel. Kessel plays in a bubble. All of Kessel’s Good and all of Kessel’s bad is entirely dependant upon Phil Kessel. You could put him out there with Craig Adams and he’d still produce as he is meant to produce.I'm really torn. I don't see anything that Brassard is doing to help enable those players. I feel Pearson is better defensively than many give credit for. I feel Kessel is opportunistic, as he always is. I do not see Brassard making plays/passes/defensive plays/anything to help enable the players doing their job. He plays the softest game i've ever seen. I'm fine with skill, but he stays out of people's way defensively at times. It's strange.
I don't want to crap on the guy. I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. I'm just saying at this point I really don't care if he leaves. I'll just shrug my shoulders and say "yeah... i get it." Brassard @ 3M on paper seems like a dream scenario for the Pens. It hasn't been a dream at all.
The thing is, no one ever does anything for Kessel. Kessel plays in a bubble. All of Kessel’s Good and all of Kessel’s bad is entirely dependant upon Phil Kessel. You could put him out there with Craig Adams and he’d still produce as he is meant to produce.
I mean, that's what people said about the Steelers, and a 7-3 record turned into missing the playoffs entirely pretty quick.Hey brass can Suck all season, so long as he turns it on when it counts haba
wait. riikola is BLEEDING goals? hasn’t this team barely been scored on in the last month, period? where is this coming from
Disagree. This game? Yea. But most games have not been like this game.I really don't think the Pens are even playing that good right now.
Their just getting great goaltending every game and some puck luck.
Its not going to last forever, but hopefully it lasts a little bit longer.
wait. riikola is BLEEDING goals? hasn’t this team barely been scored on in the last month, period? where is this coming from
i guess i just don’t care. he looks good to me. he was a -1 twice in the month of december, none so far this year including last night. maatta on the other hand has had multiple big time minus nights since december startedIn the past 7 games, Johnson/Petterson/Letang/Dumoulin have all been on ice for less than 1 5v5 goal per 60, while Riikola's been on for 3.01. Close to every goal we've conceded in this run has been on Riikola-Maatta's watch (Maatta's on 2.74 ga/60).
Probably easier to do counts - 5 for the Finns, 2 for LeDump, 1 for the Sons.
Riikola has 91.7% goaltending as well. Not perfect, but he's not getting scored on because goaltending is collapsed. Although arguably the other two pairings can count themselves a tad fortunate with their 97+ goaltending save percentages.
Sid autographed a stick for a guy who was chirping him all game last night. What a legend.
The only redeeming quality of Brassard at center is that the Pearson-Brassard-Kessel line looks really good so far. But if you need Pearson and Kessel with Brassard for Brassard to be on an effective line, what is he providing that Sheahan didn't provide last year?
Riikola's been about as good as could have reasonably been hoped when we heard about the signing.
Certainly better than Oleksiak and the tools to continue to improve. When the D is carrying the puck effectively, the team looks a lot better.
You think so? I honestly think they looked really pedestrian together. And not trying to be rude, just voicing my opinion.
i guess i just don’t care. he looks good to me. he was a -1 twice in the month of december, none so far this year including last night. maatta on the other hand has had multiple big time minus nights since december started
hilariously johnson has also had more nights as a minus since december than riikola despite apparently never getting scored on
I still think there’s a good chance his groin is not 100% ...either that or he’s trying to avoid injury, maybe so as to not affect his FA value but his play here is not typical of him...