Post-Game Talk: Pens - 5, Isles - 0
- Thread starter IcedCapp
- Start date
Speaking Moistly
What a terrible image.
Sidney the Kidney
One last time
- Jun 29, 2009
- 55,759
- 46,791
I like the fact this team is winning without the big guns (well, Sid) going all God-mode out there. Regular contributions from lines 3-4 is something this team hasn't had in a long time.
When's the last time you actually felt comfortable about a game in which Sid (or Geno) don't score 2 or more points?
When's the last time you actually felt comfortable about a game in which Sid (or Geno) don't score 2 or more points?
Jaded-Fan
Registered User
Let's draft another Sprong.But an LW Sprong....
Both of the seconds will be in the bottom third of the second round, close to third round picks.
In fact I hope that ours is one pick away from a third.
MrBurghundy
I may be older but I'm never forgetting #47 & #41
Am I crazy for wanting to see what Kuhnhackl could bring to Crosby's line? Maybe when Rust gets back to keep some continuity to that 3rd line in the meantime.
WayneSid9987
Registered User
- Nov 24, 2009
- 30,054
- 5,676
With LW depth being the poorest, any of the young guys should get a shot but....KUNITZ so no experimentation for you!
Empoleon8771
Registered User
Let's draft another Sprong.
I think it's too early to talk about draft picks, but I think drafting Tyler Benson (jack of all trades LWer) and Clague or Green (PMD) would be really nice for the 2nd round this year.
Honour Over Glory
Fire Sully
- Jan 30, 2012
- 77,316
- 42,447
I hope the Pens try to move up in the draft. If there is someone within reach that could play soon.
Only minus was Lovejoy playing over Pouliot. I think Pouliot would work with Dumoulin. Its not a situation like having a DP-Schultz pairing. Lovejoy brings nothing
JTG
Registered User
- Sep 30, 2007
- 50,482
- 5,765
I have sort of left a few comments here about this subject - not so much right now, but in the future, and no one has engaged me. With Kuhnhackl's shot and his obvious hockey intelligence in knowing where to go to score goals, I think he could work well with Sid. I think Rust would work too. He has that speed and north-south game Sid likes. Rust really is a Kunitz type guy when he first broke into the league. I could totally see either player coming in here next year and just exploding on the NHL scene with a big year.
I think Kuhnhackl has a better chance of that because his shot is something serious, and he looks like a "hockey player" to me. He can read the game, and pucks seem to bounce right to him.
Ugene Magic
EVIL LAUGH
And now the board's if usage has peaked for the season.
That's the funniest thing I've seen in a good bit.
Ogrezilla
Nerf Herder
you wouldn't be crazy for wanting to see what any Not_Kunitz would do in that spot. You would be crazy to think it was a real possibility though
I'll be honest, I didn't think Kuhnhackl was going to stay in the NHL for very long, and I was pretty upset when they were playing him over Plotnikov (I know many on here thought the same). In hindsight, I'm so glad Sully kept him in the lineup and let him develop. I don't think he'll ever be a top 6 guy, but he can be an effective 3rd or 4th liner for years to come if he continues on this tremendous development path.
ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
I don't think you are the only one to have that opinion, either. I definitely saw the same thing. Kuhn struggled at first, but grew into his role and what to do at the NHL level. Now, he's chip passing at the NHL level, forechecking at the NHL level, backtracking at the NHL level, undertands how to get the puck deep, etc.
Really good job by Sully to know what type of player Kuhn was based on WBS and practice and let him feel out his NHL woes at first. He definitely far surpassed anything I imagined after first glance.
I guess that's why practice/knowing his game at the AHL level is important.
hooverdam
Registered User
- Feb 21, 2013
- 2,499
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Kuhnhackl's development path has been so strange to me, in a good way. How many players go through the defensive bottom sixer beatdown and come out of it to subsequently rediscover their scoring touch? And yet that seems to be exactly what's happening with him.
These aren't lucky, flukey goals he's scoring either. He looks like a goalscorer out there. He works his tail off for most of the goals but they all come from his smarts and talent. I definitely didn't think we'd see this from him but I see no reason why it shouldn't continue. Kuhnhackl is playing the right way, not the lucky way.
He kind of reminds me of Comeau's resurgence last season, except Comeau found his way on Malkin's wing. You can attribute much of this to Cullen, but a lot of it is just confidence and determination too. It's really fun.
These aren't lucky, flukey goals he's scoring either. He looks like a goalscorer out there. He works his tail off for most of the goals but they all come from his smarts and talent. I definitely didn't think we'd see this from him but I see no reason why it shouldn't continue. Kuhnhackl is playing the right way, not the lucky way.
He kind of reminds me of Comeau's resurgence last season, except Comeau found his way on Malkin's wing. You can attribute much of this to Cullen, but a lot of it is just confidence and determination too. It's really fun.
ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
I think you are right, hooverdam, about his scoring touch. They replayed Cullen's goal last night and I focused on Kuhn. He was ready to shoot the entire time while still owning his position on the ice to open up Cullen. That's NHL level stuff. Usually the game is too fast for guys to run interference while being ready to shoot. Kuhn was loaded for a one-timer just incase Cullen passed the puck over. That... is how a goalscorer goes about his game.
Nonetheless, the one constant in his development is Cullen. IMO, Cullen/Rust/Kuhn should be together until something doesn't click with those 3.
Nonetheless, the one constant in his development is Cullen. IMO, Cullen/Rust/Kuhn should be together until something doesn't click with those 3.
Penguinator
Kesselator
IcedCapp
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2009
- 35,933
- 11,544
I don't think you can praise the Pens for all of these things working out well.
I know this is going to be 'omg trust your eyes and forget everything else" sort of thing, but Kuhnhack hasn't been amazing at any pro level. Maybe they looked at him in the A and divined *something* (i mean, clearly they did), but I really struggle to believe they thought he'd be this good. Otherwise, he'd have been up sooner.
I think Sullivan had some attachment to young players and they got a bit lucky.
That's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's what they should have been doing every year for the past 7, but I just don't think this was part of a master plan.
Chuck Norris Trophy
Registered User
- Jan 22, 2015
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