That has only happened once though. I don't know if you can use one series three years ago to define our weakness
O'k, I'll go the other way. When is the last time Sid and Geno both had two good wingers each (or the equivalent of two good wingers each). The answer is the 2008 playoff run. Pens ran through the East in 14 games. Yeah, they lost to Detroit, but that year Datsyuk was healthy and Geno was hurt (unlike the opposite the next year) and the rookie finalist jinx showed.
I don't think not having both Sid and Geno with two good wingers each precludes a cup run. I don't think both having two good wingers each insures a cup run. I simply think that giving both of them two good wingers each gives the Pens a better chance at a cup run. Sid and Geno should be a true pick your poison proposition, where you're screwed in a playoff series no matter what you do. They're not.
We need another scoring threat. A proper defensive team like the Rags would give us trouble in the postseason without one IMO.
I'm still hoping for one more scoring threat for Sid and Kunitz and one more Kunitz/Malone type banger for Geno and Neal, but I do agree one more scoring threat will be essential.
NOTE: When we talk scoring threat here, it's not just how many goals a guy has scored. We're talking about the ability to make a play one on one more than once in a blue moon, whether it's by skill or physical domination. How many guys to the Pens have who REALLY beat a guy one on one more than once in a blue moon? I remember watching the Ottawa games last year and thinking the Pens have 2 or 3 forwards who do that (depending upon how Neal played), and a team like Ottawa had about double that.
I still think in terms of adding another threat that Ryan Clowe is a good option, pure rental, gets paid no more than Kunitz. He is not an all star scorer. But the Sharks have to many question marks with their current roster. And need to clear a bit of space by next season. I think he would be a decent rental to place into the top 6 that could be had without a major package.
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I guess I just don't have the same lineup concerns as others do on here, especially in terms of offense. My only big concern is the D on the PK, but that could be alleviated to a great degree by committing to someone like Bortuzzo or Strait. Those two could (eventually) be the new Gill/Scuderi bottom pairing that everyone seems to be longing for.
O'k, I'll go the other way. When is the last time Sid and Geno both had two good wingers each (or the equivalent of two good wingers each). The answer is the 2008 playoff run. Pens ran through the East in 14 games. Yeah, they lost to Detroit, but that year Datsyuk was healthy and Geno was hurt (unlike the opposite the next year) and the rookie finalist jinx showed.
I don't think not having both Sid and Geno with two good wingers each precludes a cup run. I don't think both having two good wingers each insures a cup run. I simply think that giving both of them two good wingers each gives the Pens a better chance at a cup run. Sid and Geno should be a true pick your poison proposition, where you're screwed in a playoff series no matter what you do. They're not.
I have never disagreed about wanting the wingers. I'm just saying I don't think its strictly defensive teams that give us trouble. Philly sure as hell wasn't a defensive team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIRK
I'm still hoping for one more scoring threat for Sid and Kunitz and one more Kunitz/Malone type banger for Geno and Neal, but I do agree one more scoring threat will be essential.
NOTE: When we talk scoring threat here, it's not just how many goals a guy has scored. We're talking about the ability to make a play one on one more than once in a blue moon, whether it's by skill or physical domination. How many guys to the Pens have who REALLY beat a guy one on one more than once in a blue moon? I remember watching the Ottawa games last year and thinking the Pens have 2 or 3 forwards who do that (depending upon how Neal played), and a team like Ottawa had about double that.
I think the key is having a guy that the opponent can't just ignore. When Sid is with guys like Cooke and Dupuis the opponent is going to focus entirely on Sid and force those other guys to beat them. Sid then doesn't have any room to do his thing. Neal demands attention though, which makes space for Geno. Kunitz does as well, just to a lesser degree. Dupuis, Cooke, Kennedy etc, not so much. When Kunitz and Neal are both on the same line, now we really don't even force opponents to "pick their poison" as you've called it. One line had 3 threats, the other had Sid.
BB I can see being thrown into top lines over Dupuis. At least he brings a very different element to that line. I really think its a stretch to expect Jeffrey to take that spot from Dupuis though. He projects to maybe someday be as good as Dupuis if everything works out for him. As a Jeffrey fan and a pretty big optimist, I'm not holding my breath.
Has Bennett's nickname been established by Sid as Bennettsy yet?
For ****'s sake someone find that off-season article about Sid where he refers to every player as ------sy/my/ny. Think there was Staalsy, Sutsy, Army, Johnny, etc.
Need to know this type of info before I can get serious about line combos. I do believe Bennett was the only guy Sid named in non-nickname form, and it was in the style of saying both his first and last name together every time he mentioned him. That's not a good sign for Bennettsy's chances if you ask me.
Has Bennett's nickname been established by Sid as Bennettsy yet?
For ****'s sake someone find that off-season article about Sid where he refers to every player as ------sy/my/ny. Think there was Staalsy, Sutsy, Army, Johnny, etc.
Need to know this type of info before I can get serious about line combos. I do believe Bennett was the only guy Sid named in non-nickname form, and it was in the style of saying both his first and last name together every time he mentioned him. That's not a good sign for Bennettsy's chances if you ask me.
BB I can see being thrown into top lines over Dupuis. At least he brings a very different element to that line. I really think its a stretch to expect Jeffrey to take that spot from Dupuis though. He projects to maybe someday be as good as Dupuis if everything works out for him. As a Jeffrey fan and a pretty big optimist, I'm not holding my breath.
I'm not really either, but he has shown flashes of being a very good player.
He just isn't going to flourish and be successful being in a 3/4th line role.
It's about time since he is healthy to see what he can do in the top 6 and if not you have to finally trade him.
He is wasted in a 3/4 role. Then again I can't really be optimistic that Disco will do the same logical thing like give someone with top 6 potential a shot over a broken down aging plugger! ha
I'm not really either, but he has shown flashes of being a very good player.
He just isn't going to flourish and be successful being in a 3/4th line role.
It's about time since he is healthy to see what he can do in the top 6 and if not you have to finally trade him.
He is wasted in a 3/4 role. Then again I can't really be optimistic that Disco will do the same logical thing like give someone with top 6 potential a shot over a broken down aging plugger! ha
1. I think a 3rd line role is Jeffrey's ideal situation
2. Dupuis just had the best season of his career
Has Bennett's nickname been established by Sid as Bennettsy yet?
For ****'s sake someone find that off-season article about Sid where he refers to every player as ------sy/my/ny. Think there was Staalsy, Sutsy, Army, Johnny, etc.
Need to know this type of info before I can get serious about line combos. I do believe Bennett was the only guy Sid named in non-nickname form, and it was in the style of saying both his first and last name together every time he mentioned him. That's not a good sign for Bennettsy's chances if you ask me.
No way it should be "beau-ie(y)"!
I would shop BB's face on a Ziggy Stardust body but I am too tired and lazy right now!
