You're like talking to a child. Round 3 is not always better than round 2, because not every series is the same, just like not every bill is the same.
Is every $2 bill worth more than every $1 bill?
Clearly. That's your problem.
Still can't make the designation, eh?
They were used to laying w/o SId and Geno. They had their own identity w/o them and they won many games w/o them. They didn't have to suddenly adjust to playing w/o them as the POs started. It makes a huge difference.
It doesn't take away from the fact that the team wasn't running at anywhere near its full ability, like any other team missing its two biggest stars.
I never said that other teams losses weren't embarrassing, I said that it didn't ****ing matter. The Hawks lose the in the 1st round for the next 10 POs after being up 3-0 and it wouldn't change how good or bad the Pens' wins or losses are.
"Mom, everyone was drinking so it's ok that was drinking too!"
If you call a team embarrassing, it has to be in relation to something besides your own arbitrary expectations that apparently shouldn't apply to any other team.
Maybe, but there are underachieving or one dimensional players who are called elite. The stats may tell you that they are talented but you'll never know what kind of player they are without watching them. Would you rather have Yzerman or Kovalchuk? Both were elite but only one is a winner.
I don't recall saying anything about what team I'd rather have, or what team is a "winner". Only that one can discern a certain degree of quality given results alone, subjective opinions on the "how" aside.
We certainly agree on some things, I see some good points on both sides.
Unfortunately, there is no trophy for being in the elite 8. For a team this talented I don't see much success in being 5th loser. Don't lose sight of the goal here, win the conference, win the Cup. When people criticize this team it isn't because it is fun, it is because they see weaknesses that they believe are holding the Pens back.
Before someone mentions it, it isn't about fans being spoiled, entitled, or not recognizing that there are 16 other teams trying just as hard. The fans just recognize that this team is immensely talented and the clock is ticking on the "core." The next few years could be our only chance at another Cup in our lifetimes.
Consider the Sharks. According to your metric, they have been much more successful than us in the playoffs in the last 4 years. They have 2 conference finals appearances and 5 series wins to our 3. Yet the Sharks have become known as perennial playoff failures and are the butt of jokes every April. They even picked up the wonderful nickname the "Chokes." Their fans certainly don't feel like being in those 8 teams is a success in and of itself. We shouldn't be happy with it either.
Nobody's lost sight of that. The point is that very, very few have done it more often than the Pens.
The Sharks are considered perennial chokers despite having had more success than the Pens the last 4 years. The Sharks also weren't just coming off consecutive Finals appearances and a Cup, which is why they've gotten that label.
You're delusional, man. This is a team that is capable of fielding "the two best players in the world" for ~67% of a game. If they're as good at coaching and GM as you keep vomiting relentlessly, then I'm pretty sure they should be capable of winning more than 1 cup in their tenure. Not doing so would be a complete and utter failure.
They are. But it's a cap world with many great players, and only one team has had more Cup wins post-lockout.
Re: Cooke - probably the only veteran they had who was 1) good in his role, 2) great in the playoffs in his role, 3) should have been brought back.
I would much rather have:
Kunitz - Crosby - Bennett
Jokinen - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Sutter - Dags
something-something-something
That actually is balanced and makes sense!
I'm much more comfortable giving Dupuis the money he got than giving 2.5 mil per to an older, less effective Cooke.
Re: young players. I don't think you actually read what I said. We're talking about replacing 4th liners who have little-to-no value with younger players. Apparently the only young players you think are capable or worthy of stepping in are top-end draft picks. The Penguins letting go of Glass and Adams would actually be much less risky than what the Bruins are doing.
Like Bortuzzo?
Last time I checked, Shawn Thornton was still getting playoff minutes over Jordan Caron and Carl Soderberg.
But I do like how you'll support the Penguins and the basis of your support is saying that the Bruins had to let those kids play in the playoffs due to injury.
Yep.
And those kids stepped up and performed over a very small sample. And the Bruins said, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS."
The Bruins had to do it because it was after the trade deadline, not because of a dedicated youth movement.
By the way, since you're God's gift to hockey minds, what's cheaper/easier to fill? A well-rounded top-6 player or a 3rd liner?
The Pens have both. /godsgifttohockeyminds
Okay, RRP, let's talk about results. If you're going to be beholden to them, then you're a hypocrite. The Penguins had the best record in hockey last year. They outplayed the Bruins completely in the regular season. And when the playoffs came around, they crumbled.
There's nothing hypocritical about it. Regular season success doesn't equal playoff success, it only ensures better playoff seeding.
If results are all that matter, stop hiding behind the empty meaninglessness of the regular season.
Is this real life?
What part of the OP, which outlines
nothing but playoff results, hides behind the regular season?
You know who cares about regular season records? People who don't win anything. The results that matter in sports are playoff results. What's your playoff record. How many championships do they win.
No ****, Sherlock. Open your eyes and read the OP.
