Penguins *******!

[Spike]

I'm actually pretty proud of the effort(s) by the players through this series. Regardless of how this season ends I see help from the minors,,,,the return of Maatta, Dupers(?), Letang (again?), etc. give me hope for next year.

agreed

they battled hard, but found out early they couldn't run and gun with the Rangers, they had too much speed - that's why the Pens adopted that neutral zone crap trap, just to stay in the games

but at some point they still have to Shoot the dam puck!!!

 

[Spike]

Colossal change needed? Be serious


BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Jim Rutherford isn’t getting fired. Nor is he quitting, barring something unforeseen.

I’ve been told that definitively, right from the Penguins’ brass.

Mike Johnston isn’t getting fired, either.

Heard that tonight.

Neither Sidney Crosby nor Evgeni Malkin is going anywhere.

That comes from the very, very top.

You know, when it comes to the Penguins, maybe the most simultaneously star-laded and starcrossed franchise in professional sports, the solutions that tend to get suggested for any problem, large or small, are gargantuan. And that’s probably not a coincidence. For years, the public and press — I’m no exception — would coo with every one of Ray Shero’s larger-than-life trades, and he’d seldom disappoint, at least if measured by headline font size. The answers would come in the form of Marian Hossa, Jarome Iginla, so many others. It was all big, big, big.

Well, larger-than-life solutions aren’t coming. They won’t happen this offseason.

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2015/04/23/column-time-for-colossal-change-please/

 

[thumbring]

Pens have played hard but just don't have the horses. Malkin is clearly not right physically. Hoping next year this team's horrific injury/illness luck will turn around.

 

[Spike]

Why is DK getting all the "leaks"? Where's Rossi

 

[hamster]

Sorry guys.
Rangers are tough, we all know that.

Time to let it all hang out.

Go sell some ice cream.

 

[Spike]

They need a comeback miracle like the Bolts laid on the Wings

Down 0-2 with 4 min left they came back and won it in OT.

Wish we had a team like that.

 

[Steel G]

They need a comeback miracle like the Bolts laid on the Wings

Down 0-2 with 4 min left they came back and won it in OT.

Wish we had a team like that.

Have to be able to shoot the puck and score goals to do that. Pens aren't interested.

 

[Spike]

Sid has 8 shots in 4 games - I say the hell with the gameplan. You're facing elimination. Load up your top line and ride them all night.

 

[thesteelcity]

it's now or never boys! Let it all hang out! One more game!

 

[Djfan]

I'm not even watching. I just don't want to get that angry.

So far the highlight of this year is my new throw back Crosby jersey.

 

[thesteelcity]

it's not for the lack of trying. I just don't think the talent and speed matches the Rangers. One period to go. Tied 1-1.

 

[thesteelcity]

well, that's a wrap folks. Good effort, but not good enough. Sometimes, you're just not meant to win. That was this year.

This team needs toughness, speed, size and scoring. I would seriously entertain quality offers for Geno. I don't mean I would pull the trigger to shake things up for the sake of making a statement, but I'd listen. Maybe the injury was a problem, but he shouldn't have been out there if it was. They lost with him, they could lose w/o him. When he touched the puck in our zone, I'd hold my breathe because he has been careless and lazy with it. This series collapse is not on him. He is not my fall guy, but I wasn't impressed with him tonight or the whole series. We have many gold tickets and it may be time to cash one of them in. This team needs a change.

 

[hook]

I haven't been impressed with shrek all season.

My fall guy would have to be Rutherford.

Certainly can't blame Flurry this year. He was the only thing that kep them in this series.

I've said it before, it's time to break up the band. They are not getting better, they are getting worse. I just hope w e have a new GM calling the shots next year, but I doubt it

 

[thesteelcity]

MAF was pretty great. With the chances the Rangers got, they could easily have had 4, 5 & 6 goals in their wins. He deserved a better fate, but the Rangers are clearly better. They remind me of the 2008 Red Wings when the Pens just could not keep up with them in the SCF. Better passing, speed, game plan and discipline. They wait for the mistake and pounce.

 

[Spike]

Chalk it up to injuries and try again next season.

Fleury should be Pens MVP.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

At some point you have to break it up....the whole Sid and Malkin super-duo has been in rapid decline the last 5 years. What we thought would be the Pens gilded age has been a train-wreck. I'm still pissed the Pens selected Staal over Toews.

 

[thesteelcity]

not to mention, they drafted Joe Marrow when they could have had Brandon Saad. Then again, with our recent GMs, they no longer would be Penguins by now anyway.

 

[Spike]

and here's a list of players who should not be invited back

Kunitz
Lovejoy
Martin
Scuderi
Comeau
Downie
Winnik
Perron

bring up the whole baby Pens team as their replacements

and DK says - no changes at the top


Rutherford and Johnston are staying. Both of them.

I reported that in the Friday Insider, having heard it from the very top. I can report right here that I also was told that after this game, by David Morehouse, the team’s CEO and president. In emphatic terms.

The Penguins’ brass sees this season as one that was lost to injury

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2015/04/25/column-these-penguins-could-still-fly-with-wings/

 

[Spike]

almost forgot

Go Ducks!

 

[hook]

Chalk it up to injuries and try again next season.

Fleury should be Pens MVP.

Every team has injuries this time of year. That's a ****** excuse. What worries me is that's the excuse.that.will be used and coach and GM will be retained. This team is going downhill rapidly and a lot had to do with the boneheaded.moves.Rutherford made this season. I gained a.little respect for Johnston for getting this team to play hard agains the rangers, but I'm not sold on him either. He's too soft. We need a disciplinarian. WAY to many penalties.

 

[Rod Farva]

and here's a list of players who should not be invited back

Kuntiz - agree, unless he takes a severe pay restructure

Lovejoy - can't go fast enough for me

Martin - Has to stay....probably our best D man behind Letang who may or may not be back....major issue for Martin down the stretch was the big increase in TOI due to all the injuries.

Scuderi - see Kunitz

Comeau - no way imo. Pretty damn good all season and had one of the all too rare goals in this series. 31 pts. (16 G) in 61 games, +6

Downie - again, see Kunitz. Dude has more skill than I realized and provides the only "fear factor" the Pens have.....hopefully he can contain the dumb penalties.

Winnik- agree

Perron- 22 pts. (12 G) in 43 games BUT -8 for season. Neutral if they can get anything for him.bring up the whole baby Pens team as their replacements

and DK says - no changes at the top


Rutherford and Johnston are staying. Both of them.

I reported that in the Friday Insider, having heard it from the very top. I can report right here that I also was told that after this game, by David Morehouse, the team’s CEO and president. In emphatic terms.

The Penguins’ brass sees this season as one that was lost to injury

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2015/04/25/column-these-penguins-could-still-fly-with-wings/

Sorry for the "angry" red font....not meant that way just the only readable color available.

Rutherford should be arrested. Johnston seems to have a good head for hockey but not sure he is the disciplinarian this team needs and has needed for a while.

I agree that this was a season lost to injury....coupled with the trade of Despres it was just too much to overcome.

But despite all of their misfortune they gave the Rangers all they could handle and this series was a very good one. The entire East has to be counting their blessings that the Pens were so beat up heading into the PO's after watching this series.....I'll reiterate my belief that a healthy Pens team would have run through the competition on the way to the final. They also literally had 2 games stolen by poor officiating, last night's being one (the rags first goal came on an undeserved PP).

I'm as disappointed as anyone and let emotion override rationale in a few posts regarding this team this year, but the more thought I give it I believe this team is going to be just fine.

 

[thesteelcity]

Perron has to come back next year. They traded a #1 for him and he has a few years left on his contract. It's not like decent wingers are plentiful on this team. He started out fantastic then hit a brick wall. Rutherford has more constructing to do. I don't know what will be out there, but he will need to bring in some players to fill the holes that they will have when Winnik, Comeau, Downie and maybe Kunitz are not not re-signed or released. All have one-year deals or are FAs. Do you bring Pascal Dupuis back?
Just looking at the Rangers and Sens, they are very young and will be good for years to come. The Pens have a lot of problems all of a sudden. Not many players to bring up that will make a difference. Our D should be fine, but the lack of speed and scoring in the organization worries me. Going back to my suggestion to move Geno MAY be the way to start filling out the roster with some youth and speed. Sutter proved he is good enough to move into the #2 center role.

 

[Spike]

Every team has injuries this time of year. That's a ****** excuse. .

call Mario

The Penguins’ brass sees this season as one that was lost to injury

 

[thesteelcity]

Martin is gone or so he said earlier in the season. He's a FA and will test the market. Lovejoy could be one of the worst trades of the team of the past 10 years. If I never see his #12 jersey again, it will be too soon. Chorney was pretty good and outplayed the grizzly vet by far.

 

[Spike]

per DK, Lovejoy was on the ice for 10 of the 11 Rangers goals, including the one that won the series for them...

#experience