Disastrous offseason by trading Staal (not Shero's fault), giving away Michalek, not replacing Sullivan, actually thinking Tangradi could play in the top 6, drafting a defenseman with the 8th overall pick and waiving Strait. (Not in the offseason, but close enough)
How was this offseason not a disaster? I know her pursued Parise. But he failed to sign him. Shero should have realized Parise wasn't going to sign with the pens and move on. Plan B: Shane Doan. Shero was passed over twice. I'm glad he tried to sign these guys, but damn.
I don't know if it was disastrous, but I think the team is weaker without [a motivated and consistent] Staal and a healthy Michalek. I'm not sure what else could be done with Strait. I'm sure Shero tried to trade him, but didn't have any takers.
I don't think anyone had a realistic chance to pry Doan out of the desert, unless the team moved, or unless someone was willing to pay way too much. In his late thirties, on a pretty good team where he's played for a long time, why would he want to move from Phoenix to Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philly, or New York unless he got a huge bump in salary.
You mean aside from work hard in the offseason to add strength/speed, excel in the early part of his pro career (top 10 in rookie scoring when called up), and not look out of place playing 10 minutes a night in a top 9 role? His physicality has been a total surprise - he is more willing to paste guys than almost any other Pen. He's had the puck roll off his stick a few times but those nerves will be gone soon enough.
He could stay on the third line that's fine. He will get 3 weeks to show what he can do with Geno. I'm not expecting much, but I hope he proves me wrong. I want him to succeed. It just seems like a huge jump to go from missing a bunch of games at Denver to playing with Geno effing Malkin. I just don't want the pens to rush him, he is the first good looking forward prospect since Staal
Nope. Bennett has done nothing to warrant a top 6 role thus far.
Bennett's been playing a hard nosed, reliable game while showing very good vision in the limited ice time he's had. He's done all the right things- everything a guy like Bylsma would ask of him- to get a chance at the top six. What does ye have to do? Do you want him to light the world on fire playing limited minutes with Sutter?
And all of your crap about Shero is unwarranted given 1 his track record to make smart moves that improve the team and 2 the fact that you have not a clue what happened in the offseason regarding any free agent/trade opportunities. The Staal trade hasn't had time to settle yet, losing Michalek is a non-issue, and the Pens still have plenty of cap space to work with. But, again, the moves that Shero has made that HAVE settled, improve this team the vast majority of the time. You have no facts and only conjecture to support your argument.
Bennett's been playing a hard nosed, reliable game while showing very good vision in the limited ice time he's had. He's done all the right things- everything a guy like Bylsma would ask of him- to get a chance at the top six. What does ye have to do? Do you want him to light the world on fire playing limited minutes with Sutter?
And all of your crap about Shero is unwarranted given 1 his track record to make smart moves that improve the team and 2 the fact that you have not a clue what happened in the offseason regarding any free agent/trade opportunities. The Staal trade hasn't had time to settle yet, losing Michalek is a non-issue, and the Pens still have plenty of cap space to work with. But, again, the moves that Shero has made that HAVE settled, improve this team the vast majority of the time. You have no facts and only conjecture to support your argument.
Bennett also has a point in 3 of his last 4 games. He's improving a bit each game and is looking more and more like a legit NHL winger.
Not sure why you guys are still replying to all of his increasingly negative posts though, they've pushed past troll level at this point
I'm still not entirely convinced that Bennett can bring what this line needs, or that his own ability can shine through if he performs the role a LW on that line should.... but then again, nothing ventured nothing gained.
There should be some pretty plays there, and probably Malkin won't think.... "Sunshine not have skill, Geno no pass." .
I'm still not entirely convinced that Bennett can bring what this line needs, or that his own ability can shine through if he performs the role a LW on that line should.... but then again, nothing ventured nothing gained.
There should be some pretty plays there, and probably Malkin won't think.... "Sunshine not have skill, Geno no pass." .
I think it's basically a 1-month trial. Shero won't stop scouring the trade market, but nothing is out there anyhow. May as well see what the kid can do until things heat up.
Wow people really think a top 6 winger is the biggest need? Have you watched the games over the past two weeks? How about a top 4 d-man or some grit on the third or fourth line before considering a top 6 winger.
How am I trolling? Because most of you disagree with me? Sorry, I just haven't seen a lot from Dangles to justify playing him in the top 6. Again, it's because the pens have no other options.
I dont see why were still chasing a top 6 Winger. (likea really top tier one) We just need another Kunitz. We score tons of goals as it is, but our defense sucks. WE have no one who clears the crease, and no tough Dmen any more.
True, but when all you do is post the same complaint over and over after everyone keeps asking for his (or her) input then it gets kind of annoying.
To be fair, NoWingers is far from the only poster making the exact same complaint over and over again. How many times have we heard "stretch pass" in the last several weeks? The "Fire Bylsma" crowd has been just as relentless.
Disastrous offseason by trading Staal (not Shero's fault), giving away Michalek, not replacing Sullivan, actually thinking Tangradi could play in the top 6, drafting a defenseman with the 8th overall pick and waiving Strait. (Not in the offseason, but close enough)
How was this offseason not a disaster? I know her pursued Parise. But he failed to sign him. Shero should have realized Parise wasn't going to sign with the pens and move on. Plan B: Shane Doan. Shero was passed over twice. I'm glad he tried to sign these guys, but damn.
You have no concept as to how Shero is respected around the NHL. He offered Staal the opportunity of a lifetime with a rumoured 10 year, $58 mill deal and he turned it down for the opportunity to play with his brother, and in a more prominent role. Rutherford gave us a respectful hockey deal because of how Shero deals with people. Michalek wasn't working here, Shero went to him in the offseason (as he did Martin) as asked him what he wanted to do - stay or trade him. He may very well have said that his family loved it in Phoenix and would like the opportunity to go back. Sully was the reason we weren't going to beat anyone deep into the playoffs. TOO small - a great regular season guy but when the going got grinding, he's not the right type of player. Tangradi was an asset that the organization HAD to give a shot to just to see what they had. I have NO idea how you and your crystal ball can project anything into Pouliot's future - everything he's done this year (other than being injured) has shown him to be a very promising prospect. And as far as waiving Strait goes, get over it! Look at the other d-men (aka Hickey) being waived after being drafted what - 4th overall or something!?! You have NO idea what the market is like. Too many smart hockey people out there - you have to give to get! Shero's HUNTING for a winger, I can feel it. Parise was a perfect example. And they still have cap space, and quite a bit of it. If you can't respect how Shero manages then that's up to you. But I feel MUCH more confident with this regime than the last.
Wow people really think a top 6 winger is the biggest need? Have you watched the games over the past two weeks? How about a top 4 d-man or some grit on the third or fourth line before considering a top 6 winger.
If a top 6 forward contributes to Geno's line dominating ES, that in turn will mean less pressure on the defense.
It is easy to see that we score enough goals and allow too many, but whereas I agree that we must do something to cut down on the latter, I simply don't believe that it is first and foremost a personnel issue on defense. It is much more a team D issue.
However, I am also on the record since before the season began that Niskanen is not the right fit, because he shouldn't play with Letang, he is not fit for a shut down pairing and while surely a difference maker on a third pairing, that is not there we need him, as we have others coming in to own such spots. So, if he was replaced by a player who brings more of the qualities we are short on, that would be a benefit. Then that player is either one to play with Letang and solidify that pairing and the PK or we give Despres a real chance at that and play this new guy with Engelland. For the short term, I would absolutely play Despres-Letang and Niskanen-Engelland. Simply to check if Despres can carry that, or if we need to make a deadline deal.
As much as we moan about Brooks, we are not going to be a much tougher team by trading him and getting someone else to play with Martin. With Brooks it is about adjustments when it comes to boxing out/support from others when he does... and of course him getting his head straight. For the majority of the time with Martin this season, that pairing has been the least of our concerns, and I think that can be the case again. After all, Brooks latest two games are about his worst of the year, the Montreal game sure was, and there was no Paul Martin there.
You have no concept as to how Shero is respected around the NHL. He offered Staal the opportunity of a lifetime with a rumoured 10 year, $58 mill deal and he turned it down for the opportunity to play with his brother, and in a more prominent role. Rutherford gave us a respectful hockey deal because of how Shero deals with people. Michalek wasn't working here, Shero went to him in the offseason (as he did Martin) as asked him what he wanted to do - stay or trade him. He may very well have said that his family loved it in Phoenix and would like the opportunity to go back. Sully was the reason we weren't going to beat anyone deep into the playoffs. TOO small - a great regular season guy but when the going got grinding, he's not the right type of player. Tangradi was an asset that the organization HAD to give a shot to just to see what they had. I have NO idea how you and your crystal ball can project anything into Pouliot's future - everything he's done this year (other than being injured) has shown him to be a very promising prospect. And as far as waiving Strait goes, get over it! Look at the other d-men (aka Hickey) being waived after being drafted what - 4th overall or something!?! You have NO idea what the market is like. Too many smart hockey people out there - you have to give to get! Shero's HUNTING for a winger, I can feel it. Parise was a perfect example. And they still have cap space, and quite a bit of it. If you can't respect how Shero manages then that's up to you. But I feel MUCH more confident with this regime than the last.
If only the real world was as easy as the delusional world some fans live in. Shero tried his best to sign Parise!!!! A for effort and 1 gold star!
If I told my boss hey I reallllllly tried to win my case, but didnt, i would get fired or reprimanded. I wish I could live in a fantasy world. We have cap space and Sid continues to play with Dupuis.
What's the biggest need this team has in the minors? Forwards. What position are we loaded in. Defense. So we have 2 first round picks and we draft 2 dmen. Interesting....
Now it seems like we have 3-4 weak spots on this team. We could use a veteran big boy dman. That shouldn't be too costly.
We need a top 6 winger, as we have for the past 7 years.
We need to drastically improve our bottom 6. Kennedy and Glass are utterly worthless.
Now it appears Vokoun basically sucks. One bad game meh. Two bad game he's still decent. 3-4 straight bad games something is wrong.
Not all of these holes are going to be fixed this season. But it's just frustrating that the top 6 winger or veteran dman weren't addressed this offseason while Shero stalked Parise and Doan. I can't blame Shero for Vokoun playing like an idiot. But he did sign glass who has been absolutely horrible.
I just get the feeling the offseason plan was sign Parise. No plan B.
Not all of these holes are going to be fixed this season. But it's just frustrating that the top 6 winger or veteran dman weren't addressed this offseason while Shero stalked Parise and Doan. I can't blame Shero for Vokoun playing like an idiot. But he did sign glass who has been absolutely horrible.
I just get the feeling the offseason plan was sign Parise. No plan B.
Gotta remember as well the lockout pretty much threw a monkey wrench into things after the draft. No one knew what the cap would be or what the rules would be about buyouts and contracts etc
Get this discussion back on track guys. This is/has been a current lineup, and injury discussion thread. Get the topic back on lines you'd like to see, Malkin being healthy, Bennett getting a top six start, etc etc
But take the trade talk, Shero talk to ether the stickied lineup thread, or any of the trade threads.
This discussion has become way to close to user bashing or trolling, or has wondered off into circular and straw men discussion territory.
.
