Western Conference teams scouting Fehr?
The expected return of Chris Kunitz tonight will see Tom Kuhnhackl come out of the lineup and Jake Guentzel remain in the press box.
Kunitz as expected will go right back into his second line role with Evgeni Malkin.
Prior to his injury, Kunitz had 9 points in his last 11 games. While his goal scoring ability is no longer of a top-6 winger, Kunitz still thinks the game so well and the little things he provides with zone entries and keeping plays alive remain strongly valued by this coaching staff.
Kunitz is still one of the Penguins best nine forwards.
The more pressing issue is the Penguins dressing the best 12 forwards as Pittsburgh’s depth scoring has not been good this season.
Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, Eric Fehr, Tom Kuhnhackl, Scott Wilson have combined for 11 goals in 111 total games combined between the five. Jake Guentzel has 3 goals in five games.
With Bonino and Hagelin not producing like they did in the post-season, the Penguins are still not maximizing Matt Cullen who right now is a better offensive player than Bonino.
This lineup could become a lot more dangerous by putting more skill around Cullen. Eric Fehr just isn’t a good match to providing that.
With Guentzel looking out of the picture in top-6 for now with Kunitz back, there’s still a fit with Cullen there that wouldn’t hurt his development. Whether it happens remains to be seen.
More Buzz
— There continues to be push back from sources [hide] in the organization of some increasing talk outside of Pittsburgh in the last couple days that the Penguins are actively trying to shop Eric Fehr. They see value in him as mentioned before.
However, league sources say teams, notably in the West have been tracking Fehr in the last couple weeks and opportunities are there to move him which could mean Pittsburgh is actually showcasing him despite the denials privately.
Indications are Minnesota’s interest in Fehr is still there.
— The Penguins plan this season has been to keep Oskar Sundqvist in Wilkes Barre all season and give him one more full season to develop there. However, a few scouts believe he could help this hockey team down the stretch.
“He’s learning to use his size and looks stronger,” a scout said of an improvement for Sundqvist. “Billy [Guerin] has taken him under his wing and it’s paid dividends for him. Much better play along the wall and he’s protecting the puck like a young player should with his size to play at the next level.”
Sundqvist has been much better offensively so far this season in Wilkes Barre than the Penguins anticipated. He has 6 goals and 15 points in 17 games.
Scout on Dominik Simon whose production has dipped with 3 goals in 16 games.
“Playing with less talent [this season than last] is certainly a number one factor.”
— Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal for Penguins tonight. Penguins coached have wanted to map out some home starts for Fleury and through one game it worked with Fleury having a strong start vs the Stars.
While there is all this talk about management/ownership fixated on keeping Fleury happy because of how loved he is, some close to the situation have also had concerns that the two-goalie system could mess with Murray’s development.
Something to watch over the next month or so if Fleury starts stealing games from Murray.
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Sam. Why couldn’t sid score against a goalie making his first start?
His too busy being a team player and try and let others score because he know when there is a real legit goalie those frauds won’t score
I’m sorry but anyone passing up scoring to be a team player has missed the point of the game.
That noted what did you think of your new TK last night? I mean other than the fact that the kid can actually pick a corner as opposed to shooting it directly at the tender with each shot which fundamentally separates him from TK?
Sams new to hockey. He thinks you win the game by being a good faceoff guy. Stats are pointless. Sam sits at home with his back hair sprouting out through the pores of his Yanic Perreault jersey.
So he risked a loss to be a team player? That’s makes little to no sense.
He was too busy trying to add to his game winner assists total?
St bleury in, need 4 to win
Detroit scored first… pens were supposed to deflate… they were down three one. Should have continued to deflate. They didn’t, they won… two straight with MAF in goal. You’re dumb, fuck off
Ohhhh… how many goals did the Pens need in Murrays last win?
Hmmmm. Let’s try 4
Bingo, Sam is smarter than yoda lol
I’m shocked you haven’t given this a thumbs down yet
Is he late on his child support?
Has there been a game winner assist update? That’s how same determines a players worth and since he can’t do math, I’m sure he’ll find it useful.
Schultz was really strong tonight. I hope he can sustain it.
Yeah first time since trade
Not exactly. Dumbass.
Anyone see Natalie Lemieux in the box with Mario? Her hair is short. Looks like she had chemo and it’s growing back. Sad if true.
Whoa. I saw that. didnt recognize her.
How many times are you going to type “whoa,” Blossom?
Blossom! Tremendous!
Why would someone thumbs down this Sam?
Sid /Letang = 0
Kessel/malkin= +4.
Ah so we care +/- now so u should be worried last game or game before your Russian was -3
That goal had to be on the power play. As they’re both power play specialists. Chubby.
Yes shitt stain very impressive from chubby you must be proud for him scoring on a goalie playing his 1st NHL game wish he was more effective vs more experience goalies. And not just shoot in their logos
I’m impressed he’s a point per game player. And equally impressed that a novice fan like yourself couldn’t even notice. Slob
Whoa, slow down pot. #goaliesmatter #whatsapowerplay
Hey sam. Why can’t sid score on this goalie. I mean it’s his first NHL game!
Don’t pretend you know what a power play is now
Awww the janitor dek hockey guy wanted to give his $.02
Wait a minute, arent you the one who fessed up to playing adult Dek hockey in suburban Pittsburgh. I’m just a janitor.
#KeenDekHockeyEye #Zak
Fuck, here it comes… the career game from their back up haha
Nice to see the tender stop those early game odd man rushes… been absent from the team for a short while. Murray just hasn’t been able to do it lately 😉
There it is…. fucken forwards pour a bucket of pucks at a fucking nobody and suddenly a odd man rush results in a goal against!
Send Murray to the minors to get some work.
Penguins coached? Almost made it through a whole article without Fing up. Hack!
Hahahahaha… one job.