mikey's Thread of Penguin Randomness

[Trip McNeely]

I keep on hearing about how the Pens core is too old and not going to win, but I look at the “core” and for the most part the are playing around their pay scale or better.

Sid: way above pay grade
Rust: above pay grade but injury concerns
Letang: way above pay grade
Jarry: above pay grade
Malkin: below pay grade but not by much imo
EK: below pay grade but not terrible
Pet: way above pay grade

To me, it’s all about the next tier of guys: Smith, Rakell, graves, Carter, etc.

[skullman80]

The problem is you can't count on that happening again next year or the year after...as they are just going to get older and older. I don't disagree that the next tier of guys need to play better, but the dropoff from the core is coming sooner than later (and has already started).

[Morkle]

Sid: Probably expect same or better next year
Letang: Expect same or slightly worse
Geno: Expect worse, worse than "slightly worse."

[Trip McNeely]

Sid: Probably expect same or better next year
Letang: Expect same or slightly worse
Geno: Expect worse, worse than "slightly worse."

I’d argue that moving Geno to wing with an above average center will make him slightly better.

My point is we constantly have people saying they are done and I just don’t think they are. Maybe that’s just hope talking. But IF they can somehow have a better surrounding cast, maybe they improve significantly

[Morkle]

Oh I don't think they're done at all. I think Sid continues to perform at a 1C. Geno probably comes back down to an expected 2nd line player after performing at a 1C all these years.

Letang doesn't appear to really do much different, and he's seemed to have put a priority on his body for years.

[iamjs]

So no more shakes without Jake. Does Pittsburgh have the cake chain Nothing Bundt Cakes for Bunting goals?

they still have the shake.

The Moon location still had it on the board as the Jake Shake as of Saturday, but going forward it's going to be the Chocolate Caramel Brownie shake or whatever it is per the MilkShake Factory's FB account.

[Morkle]

Gruden on waivers.

[nocera]

Also expect to see a lot more "Will Crosby leave Pittsburgh!?" articles next year.

[NTP66]

We've already seen plenty, and all are dumb.

[skullman80]

Poulin has to see some time to to end the season no? Not sure about Canes prospects (Koivunen, Ponomarev etc), but there is no reason there shouldn't be auditions both from WBS and wherever else the rest of the season.

[King Colby]

There's no roster spot. Well rosters are expanded but there's no cap space.

The only way anyone gets time is if someone gets hurt. They'll be conservative with injuries of course but there are 13F plus Nieto plus gruden

[Trip McNeely]

There's no roster spot. Well rosters are expanded but there's no cap space.

The only way anyone gets time is if someone gets hurt. They'll be conservative with injuries of course but there are 13F plus Nieto plus gruden

It’s the healthiest the pens have been in a decade. Makes sense

[skullman80]

There's no roster spot. Well rosters are expanded but there's no cap space.

The only way anyone gets time is if someone gets hurt. They'll be conservative with injuries of course but there are 13F plus Nieto plus gruden

That makes everything even more meaningless these last few weeks then. Blah.

[Morkle]

Meh, I don't even think the Penguins care, tbh. He's only played 30 pro games in 2 years, they probably don't want to rush him back from the mental health stuff.

[JC2]

Also expect to see a lot more "Will Crosby leave Pittsburgh!?" articles next year.

Especially if he's playing like he's dying alive.

[mikey]

Man, I just watched the three Pens games from while I was in Europe...whew boy...not the best use of a nice afternoon...the 1st period against Washington was fine, everything else was frog butter...

What's the deal with the middle layer of the attack zone and even our own zone...? What a mess.

[JC2]

Yeah.... there's a reason the pens section has been so morose recently... and that includes myself.

[nocera]

Speaking of, has anybody checked in on @skullman80 lately?

[JC2]

I hear he's not watching games anymore...

... until he does

[Trip McNeely]

@Mikey

I know you mentioned the draft this year is really not good… but what do you do if the pens end up with say a top 8 pick in your opinion? Is it that bad that outside to top couple is a complete crap shoot?

[mikey]

If you're top 8, you keep that pick Even if you don't like the guys at the top, that's liquid gold in terms of asset value...

[Trip McNeely]

It seems like we are heading in that direction at this point in time

[skullman80]

Speaking of, has anybody checked in on @skullman80 lately?

I’m alive. Not watching games unless it’s on tnt or abc since no vpn and even then I may not. So tonight’s game is a def no go.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

I know I’ll get accused of being a fair weather fan but at this point I can’t really imagine spending 2.5+ hours of my life watching bad hockey

[Pavel Bure]

I know I’ll get accused of being a fair weather fan but at this point I can’t really imagine spending 2.5+ hours of my life watching bad hockey

It used to be like crack cocaine on OLN. Even when the Red Wings were on the PK and played 4 corners to kill the entire Pens power play… Rico Fata… those were the days.