Penguins/NHL
With Evgeni Malkin out for the rest of the regular season and the start of the post-season, the Penguins as an organization now have an excuse if they miss the playoffs altogether or have a quick early exit.
That could be a good thing for some in upper management but injuries or not, no one in the organization should be happy with where the Penguins have been the last two seasons.
It was less than two years ago when the organization made major changes in firing the coach and General Manager and it wasn’t to start some retool/rebuild.
The move was made to go from good to great again in a short span as David Morehouse made it bright and clear.
“This is a lot different than a team that needs a complete overhaul,” Morehouse said on the day Ray Shero was fired. “We’re a good team. We just have high expectations. What we’re trying to do is get from good to great. We’re in the top quartile of the league in everything we do. A lot of teams would like to be where we are.”
Ron Burkle on that same day.
“We aren’t happy to be in the top quartile. If you make it to second round, you’re in the top quartile. That’s good enough for some. It isn’t where we want to be.”
After squeaking into the playoffs last season, the Penguins have been hovering around the 7th/8th seed all season and were already going to be a longshot to get into that top quartile (advance to the second round) with a healthy Malkin.
If Malkin has played his last game of the season, these numbers should be looked at more closely when evaluating this group.
When Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were each in the lineup this season, the Penguins are 29-20-7 on the season. That is just two games above .500 and a 95 point pace over 82 games. Under Mike Sullivan, the Penguins are 14-10-4 when Malkin and Crosby are both in the lineup and were 15-10-3 under Johnston with Malkin and Crosby in the lineup.
That is just not good enough and why ownership shouldn’t buy the injury excuse if things go south for the Penguins from here.
Missing the playoffs with Malkin would have been a total embarrassment for the organization but the team still deserves some heat if they don’t get in. There’s no excuses this group with a healthy Crosby, Letang, Fleury and Phil Kessel (if you consider him a core player still) shouldn’t be able to hold off on a rebuilding Flyers team that’s whole mindset as an organization has been getting younger and creating cap space for when that team has a chance to be really good in a year or two.
The Penguins have a history of winning without one of the star centers for a long stretch and both when that happened in 2010-2011.
In the 10-11 season, Evgeni Malkin missed 39 games and was lost for the season following a torn ACL in early February. Sidney Crosby missed the final 41 games due to a concussion.
Pittsburgh finished the season with 106 points, tied for the second most in the conference, one point from winning the conference and took a 3-1 series lead against the Lightning before losing in seven games.
That was with a forward group of Chris Kunitz, Jordan Staal, Pascal Dupuis, James Neal, Mark Letestu, Alex Kovalev, Max Talbot, Tyler Kennedy, Mike Rupp, Craig Adams, Arron Asham. The team was also playing without Matt Cooke who was suspended for the playoffs.
Without Crosby for the final 41 games, Pittsburgh went 23-13-5. That’s a 102 point pace over 82 games. Without both Malkin and Crosby for the final 29 games, Pittsburgh went 15-10-4, still a 96 point pace.
The following season Sidney Crosby played in just 22 games and Pittsburgh again finished with the second most points in the conference, 108, again just one point from being tied for the most points in the conference.
Anyone else notice that yoda came out, guns blazing, after the article but fell dead fucking silent after the win?
Trade Crosby Since he has registered a League-high 23-27—50 dating to Dec. 18 (37 GP)
Weedle and Ravens. 4 years
so we should see an instant buzz cut-and-paste blurb in about 20 minutes?
I hate when Balt, Clev or Cinn sign a player I like and wanted in Pittsburgh, hope he blows out his ACL in camp.
Trade Malkin and bennett to the oilers for Eberle and Nugent
Don’t you mean “Jordan and Ryan?”
Dumb trade
*Hopkins
Rust, Kuhnhackl and Wilson all signed to two year extensions.
I like the signings as long as they are 2-way contracts and low cap hits at the NHL level, which I am assuming they are both. Now if only we get the same type of players, exact same types including age range, but with all-star level talent. That would rid us of our problems in a hurry.
I’m actually better that they’re one-way deals. These guys were all RFAs, and would have yielded a higher NHL payout merely waiting for their qualifying offers if they were going to be two way deals.
I never understand why fans care about how GMJR spends Mario/Ron’s money when it’s irrelevant to the operations of the big club. Stan is right about the effect on their RFA status but who really cares how much they get paid in WBS.
I really don’t care how much they get paid in WBS, but I think the point is, knowing it’s a 1 way deal vs. 2 way means that the ultimate plan is to keep them with the big club. Additionally, and Jay, i’m sure you’re just as aware of this as i am, there’s this incorrect notion out there that “2 way” means that they don’t have to pass through waivers, which isn’t correct at all.
I like these signings, cheap young role players who have faired allot better than these retreads we been trading for every year like the winniks, gocs, and morrows of the world.
Bennett injured yet ?
Pens will take the 2nd position in the division and play the Rangers. Islanders will fall to the WC with Philly. Detroit will miss the playoffs. Book it!
Zatkoff has yet to allow a goal in Florida. Change of scenery appears to have served him well.
Glad you just discovered Florida has a NHL team. Next step attend to a game.
I live in Tampa chubs. Florida plays on the other side of the state. But maybe I’ll go watch them when Zatkoff is in net
Surprised your GPS finds that arena tough was missed the arena on the GPS based on the attendance they get. Who knows maybe if they go far in the playoffs they’ll have a new bandwagon fan join in and that would be you fat fucckk. Better go and Don’t miss out their deal 4 hot dogs 4 drinks
I would suggest you go to a playoff game, but there won’t be any Canadian teams in it. Then again, the Bell Museum is usually empty anyway, so it’s nothing new for Canadian bandwagons like your fat face.
Floridas attendance has been pretty good. Ladd Hudler has really recaptured the Florida fanbase.
Recaptured ? didnt know they had fans to begin with
You probably haven’t been following the sport long enough.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b154/spyboy1/TSG%20Blog/Orkin3.jpg
they probably tough they are in a diffrent sport throwing rats
I doubt they tough that.
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3432953.1454550052!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/bell-centre.jpg
its fun to post a picture before a game start
It wasn’t before the game, chubby. And we both know it. Best fans in hockey! Or they were too busy filling their gut with poutine.
hey NPL try this maybe your GPS will pick up for the directions http://panthers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=101430
panthers can add 4 new fans by you alone going to their game
Purchase a Florida Panthers Value Pack for select games this 2015-16 season! The Value Pack is a great and affordable way to take a group of four to enjoy all of the Florida Panthers action this season. The package includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and a parking pass
MARCH 31 NEW JERSEY DEVILS
I’m tired of Yoda always making correct predictions before everyone else so I’m putting this out there before anyone else, on Tuesday the Pens will lose to the Islanders…or they will beat the Islanders. Can’t wait for Wednesday so I can rub it in everyone’s face that I was right.
It’s funny because it’s so true….damn true.
20-10-6 last 36 (105 pt. pace)
Includes 10-3-1 vs Metro during that span with 2 of the regulation losses being by 1 goal (Wsh and NYI).
What happened to Maatta. Looked like he was skating in quicksand all game.
Glad you just realized that soon enough will also realize he is bust .then again clowns here were ready to trade Letang and have Matta their number 1 D. I’m sure those are the same clowns that were drooling over scuderi’s arrival when he was going to be the shut down guy for ovechkin and teach Letang become a better D
I remember there was clown drooling over a Zatkoff trade. I believe it was sametheclownman.
Wow! You’re out of your mind buddy! A bust Bahahahhahahha – ok!!!
He needs to work on that skating this offseason. Ceiling is sky high but mobility will help hip attain it
That game summed up Fleury’s career. Brilliance followed by a soft, momentum-swinging goal. Nice to see the Pens not fold.
“I need a minimum of 62 words for my headline” -DePaoli
D reminds me of Yoda. Negative shit all day long, then after they post something, the Pens performance shoves it right in their face.
I like how yogurt bragged about making an incorrect prediction.
D will never get hired by the NY Post.
They have Brooksie in NY
He’s a hack.
2 points behind the islanders who lost Halak for 6 weeks. Every team has weaknesses.
LOL, there you go yoda you festeringbleedingyeastinfectedcunt… The guys get the W here. So I guess you are unsure again at this point? MAF was huge for this team today you fuckinghalfwitgappingasshole
Yogurt clearly said they’ll miss the playoffs of maybe just get into the playoffs. Depending on what day it is.
Yeah what Zero said!
Cant let those type of shots go in
The KING!!!
Yoda has climaxed to that mess more than once.
Hey zerofool, who said the pens were going to miss the playoffs? That’s right, not you. You are a homer yinzer in love with a choke artist goaltender. Awesome season, hahaha. Wtf do you watch? Only a yinzer can claim a goalie with average numbers who team is going to miss the playoffs is awesome and going to the hall of fame. You have to be on the blogger payroll. Nobody could possibly have black and gold goggles so thick that they perceive the pens as if he was on a glorious acid trip. What dimension is your brain tuned… Read more »
I’m predicting the pens are a 2 seed to 14 seed. They have a 50/50 chance of making the playoffs.
Everyone is on the payroll! Meanwhile this moron can’t stop playing with Sid’s balloon knot and takes up the reigns to pick up Pitt’s tax bill! By the way. Another great save from behind the net by Cuntqvist. Your GOD.
What a fucken idiot… 1st off they are not out yet and second you needed a embarrassing bad start due to a horrible coach and a significant injury at the end of the year for that to remotely plausibly happen. That said you have also flip flopped on that ALL YEAr so you can get fucked you stupid twaat
So fucken predictable… Malkin hurt, apocalyptic story cuz if it and gumguzzler comes out to pat himself on the back for a so called prediction that needed several unpredictable events to even look that way at this point. At the end of the day… it hasnt happened yet so why the fuck are you even talking dumbass
Well rested Geno for round 2. Its gonna be a cup year!
Blow it up!
Remember how you pay for Pitt’s taxes?
MAF has been absolutely awesome so far. Schultz is silencing doubters early (Me for instance lol) as he has been decent. I was worried about the PP… He is helping it nicely early. Kunitz on the other hand… he has been up and down this year. More down recently but that play that lead to the offensive turn over is inexcusable. There was a few mistakes on the goal but if Kunitz didnt have his head up his ass there and put a low hard one on goal the other mistakes probably dont happen.
While Schultz hasn’t been the train wreck I expected, I’m still not sure if he’s worth $4 million next year. I’ll also add that I think Cole is playing much worse with Schultz, which i think will cost him his spot when Lovejoy is ready.
St blurry hasn’t been awesome. He’s been good. He wasn’t an all star, he is in the middle of the save % stats and he isn’t going to carry them on his back. Dominik hasek was awesome. Buffalo was an average team who were always a threat to win because he carried his team. Awesome was a very poor choice for your adjective.
Hall of fame performance today!
Proof you dont watch the fucking games. He seen 19 pucks in the 1st period vs queen Hank and we were in it. He was awesome you fucking twaatcicle
Wait for the playoffs Shultz will choke then
You could actually look at this year as sometype of retool. The bottom 6 is practically made of WBs players- and half of your defense is under 25, as well as your back up goalie. I agree that this year should come under the microscope regardless of how it turns out.
Fleury religiously makes yogurt look too dumb to live.
You guys honestly think even with malkin healthy this team has chance to go far in the playoffs. If soo then it’s time to you guys get off your high meds
Whats a high med? Fuckingmoron
Yes, because anybody other than Washington in the east is so unbeatable.
As I said yesterday this will be the new excuse this year
What’s bob hartley’s excuse? Or Therrien? What’s Canada’s excuse?
You clown if Calgary or Habs only had half the talent I pens roster and last I checked Habs have a lot of injuries
Ah. So the injury excuse is okay in Canada. So typical. Waive the white flag like a true frenchy!
Even pens have a star injury they have so many other star players.