Penguins/NHL
TIOPS Inside Buzz
*Rumblings, Musings, Opinions*
1. More Leadership needed from Wideouts? Antonio Brown’s work ethic outside of game days to fine his craft is rarely matched by others. It’s what has made him into one of the NFL’s best receivers and saw him become the fastest receiver in NFL history to 600 receptions, doing it Sunday in his 96th career game.
But is Brown doing a good enough job in leading by example for an inexperienced wide receiver group?
Emerging is more and more talk in Steelers circles that Brown has been a bad apple at times and a bad influence on Sammie Coates, Eli Rodgers in critical areas such as attention to details and these inexperienced receivers learning to play the position the right away.
While Brown looks to the media and fan base as someone whose top priority is his stats, that’s how he’s also looked at by his teammates.
The organization lives with it because of how good Brown is but sources say coaches believe this group of receivers is strongly missing a Jericho Cotchery type for the young group of receivers to learn from.
Finding that type of veteran is surely going to be a priority this off-season.
2. McCutchen trade to lead to acquisition of Chris Archer or Sonny Gray?: Those close to Pirates manager Clint Hurdle say Hurdle has told members of the coaching staff he’ll be “stunned” as one source put it, if Andrew McCutchen is a Pirate when the team opens spring training.
The noise coming out of the organization is that a McCutchen trade could be a precursor [hide] to something bigger where the Pirates restock an already strong farm system with a McCutchen for mostly futures trade then turn around and acquire a Chris Archer or Sonny Gray, two pitchers the Pirates have strong interest in.
Gray is under team control through the 2019 season, Archer has team options that would have him under team control through 2020.
Those are scenarios the Pirates are looking at and why they’re open to a deal that will look on paper as more of a prospect driven return.
The key with this organization is always long-term flexibility.
3. The Penguins have been receiving trade calls on Nick Bonino since the summer. Told they even received what’s been described as a “significant” offer for Bonino in the summer. However, Jim Rutherford’s message to rival GM’s has been the same in that Bonino’s not available and he’s willing to lose Bonino for nothing.
Should that change?
One mistake the Penguins made during the Shero years and even in Jim Rutherford’s first season where the Penguins had options to move Paul Martin for a first round pick during the 2014-2015 season, is letting non-core plays walk via free agency when the Penguins have internal options who can fill their void that wouldn’t upset their chances of chasing a Stanley Cup.
Bonino has become an interesting scenario in how he should be valued from the Penguins end.
This summer the agent Peter Fish was looking at Frans Nielsen’s deal as an example of what could be out there for Bonino. He made himself a lot of money with his playoff run, has been the feeling in Bonino’s camp.
What Bonino brings to the table isn’t always measured with stats. Still, even Brandon Sutter could put up 20 goals in a third line role when playing with crap linemates.
Well the Penguins are confident that Jake Guentzel can make a smooth transition to left wing at the NHL level, scouts contend he likely projects to be a better center than winger.
When you have a player like Guentzel when there’s a pretty strong consensus among scouts, coaches he’s going to be an impact NHLer soon, you shouldn’t get backed into a corner with players who helped you win in the past. Pittsburgh should avoid any deal over $3.25 million per.
4. Interesting goalie decision coming up for the Penguins tonight. Since Matt Murray made his first start of the season, Marc Andre Fleury hasn’t made consecutive starts. Does Fleury get rewarded for his strong play in OT vs the Sabres as a sign of respect and get the nod tonight?
I can tell you that some in management hope to see it.
The Penguins had mapped out for Murray to start, per a source, but that is always subject to change.
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It was obvious pens will lose its easy to blame fleury but team was missing some important players and had some new faces. Also had a 9.5m fraud. That is payed like a 1st liner and performs like a 4th liner
Letang makes $9.5m?
well, who told you the pens would need 5 to win tonight? bow down to your prophet. although the saint didn’t appear to be horrible, he still gave up 4 and didn’t come up big yet again and there is some time to go.
Might be time to #tearitdown
maybe time to play the better goalie instead of playing favorites.
Always the goalies fault. You put yourself as a high end retard. Repeatedly. And I lovvvvvvvvvve it!
this loss is on coach sullivan. you don’t sit murray tonight. the loss was so effing predicaable. there were some flukey goals scored tonight, but the fact is your cult leader had a 2-0 lead and couldn’t shut the door. if murray is in net tonight the pens win. anyone who claims that st.bleury is better than murray is just a complete undeniable fan boy at this point.
You calling anyone a fan boy is like a dessert that keeps on getting bigger.
it’s never st.bleury’s fault when they lose but when they win he is on the path to the hall of fame. plus, how can you call me a retard when i was the one who told you the pens were giving up at least 4 tonight? it is another prophecy that has come to pass. it’s so predicatble it’s stupid.
You’re pretty much a full blown retard.
Second goal was the back breaker. Fleury misplayed puck. Players were tired and Instead of freezing it midget puts soft rebound behind the net. Game over.
sooooooo predictable.
Dumoulin doing his best “kris letang sans BO” impersonation there.
Letang has been assshole for about five games now. Sam. Why so silent on the fact? Is it because you both are French and refuse to shower more than twice a week?
YOur Russian and chubby has been assshole for about 15 games Stain why so silent.? Is its because you 3 are lovers and refuse to get drunk and eat hotdogs more than twice a week?
“Chubby” has another two points tonight pork chop. And he’s not afraid of a bar of soap.
Ps. You’re so bad at this.
Our Russian never disappoint
Our Canadian never disappoint.
This shows and was waiting to prove how stupid you are .as I said anyone can get penalties yeah sid got a penalty but you Russian at 9.5m takes penalty on nightly basis but you are a jabroni that puts them on same level now go sell some donuts you fat Democrat
Chubby. Don’t call other people fat. Not when you drink gravy as an aperitif.
Jay wants to remind everyone that Wilson and guentzel are on pace for the same number of goals.
In what league.
Wow… so much for Wilson lol. Guentzel making the most of this opportunity early!
Fleury looks sharp!
He can still ruin Guentzel’s debut.
So can the other 19 guys in uniform. (If you aren’t watching the game through the lenses of beer league dek hockey)
I am the kiss of death!
Murray sucks……Simply Dusty
Orpik sucks, Bylsma sucks and Shero can’t draft. Same was right.
What happened to all those clowns on here that wanted TK on the first line. Morons!
Gaydogg once tough he was a top 6 material when same wanted that clown be traded in 2010
When did I ever say he was top 6 material? Your stupidity just never ceases to amaze.
You tough it. Admit what you tough.
Who is my blame?
1 mistake pens did during Shero years is that a joke. The whole Era was full of mistakes DB getting a contract extension with a raise was a mistake. Burning young prospect for players that were miss used or did not fit system was mistake .need more mistakes D?
If anyone would know about mistakes, it would be you. Just ask your mom.
so the patron saint of clowns is getting the start tonight vs. the rangers…..chaulk this up as a loss.
Great insight.
yeah yeah management always wants to see the patron saint in goal. very proud of him that he can put up a good game against a garbage team. same old same old. regardless, the sabres goalie outplayed him and that is typical too. if st.bleury starts tonight, look for the rangers to put up their usual 4 goals tonight. that means the pens need 5 to win. that is highly unlikely.
Remember when you said the team had to be torn down to win again 6 weeks before they won a cup? #fraud
Interesting that you didn’t have similar things to say when Murray got out played by Halak and gave up 2 goals on 20 shots to a bad NYI team that is 1 of the worst scoring teams in the NHL. Can you say Fraud Alert?
I have absolutely no problem with trading McCutchen if the end results leads to them landing a Gray/Archer type pitcher, especially if it adds another prospect or 2 to the system as well.
you mean the water boy chris archer. he sucks. you don’t want him.
A playoff team doesnt trade a top 4 defenseman just because hes an impending FA
I’m still trying to figure out who the in-house replacement that would have replaced Marting without hurt their chances was.
daily 4