Ongoing NHL thread - Part III

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I'm surprised that you didn't realize that I didn't select Shanny's stat line specifically because he was the best comparison, or even a good one. Hell I didn't even look for a good comparison, Shanny was literally the only guy I looked at.

I wasn't really looking to compare Phil to anyone.

I just know that if any other player were in discussion that had played worse for 2 consecutive years in his late 20's you'd be all over it as a warning sign, and that usually getting rid of the player before the warnings prove true would be the best play for a team would it not? But because it's Phil and because the team had to pay what amounts to cockroach food in order to get him off the books it's seen as...I don't even know. Unjust?

The only, and I mean only part about dealing Kessel that bugs me is that Lamoriello wasn't around to trade him. I wish they had hired him before the draft because maybe he would've gotten a better deal for him. Otherwise, it's worked out pretty well.

 

[DragonfromTO]

I wasn't really looking to compare Phil to anyone.

I just know that if any other player were in discussion that had played worse for 2 consecutive years in his late 20's you'd be all over it as a warning sign, and that usually getting rid of the player before the warnings prove true would be the best play for a team would it not? But because it's Phil and because the team had to pay what amounts to cockroach food in order to get him off the books it's seen as...I don't even know. Unjust?

The only, and I mean only part about dealing Kessel that bugs me is that Lamoriello wasn't around to trade him. I wish they had hired him before the draft because maybe he would've gotten a better deal for him. Otherwise, it's worked out pretty well.

Yeah, I'm known here for that type of shit. For instance I was all over Crosby, and I still am. Oh wait, that wasn't me... who am I thinking of?

You also forgot to mention something about hot dogs.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Yeah, I'm known here for that type of shit. For instance I was all over Crosby, and I still am. Oh wait, that wasn't me... who am I thinking of?

You also forgot to mention something about hot dogs.

You could argue that Phil was the reason Crosby was declining earlier this year lol

I mean, I was led to believe Phil's problem in Toronto was lack of true centreman. I guess Pittsburgh lacks those too?

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm actually surprised that Kessel isn't doing so well with the Pens (I argued pre-season he could challenge for 50 goals this year, an argument I regret very much), but at the same time you can't just blind yourself to the fact that for two years in a row the guy has seen a decline in his play. It's obviously not too late for him to get back on track, and he has been putting up better numbers recently (16 pts in his past 20 gms, although in the 11 of those games vs. playoff teams he only has 5 pts) but I'm much more comfortable without his deal on the Leafs' payroll save the token contribution.

And all things considered, if the Leafs hadn't re-signed him and Dion when they did and had waited a few weeks for that year's annual collapse to occur they would have traded both anyway and the team would be a year ahead in its rebuild. But that's ancient history.

He's a different player on the Malkin-Hagelin line. It's interesting to watch the difference actually. The speed is one thing, but he's fighting for the pucks and forechecking more with those two as well. He's just not good at battling on the boards. Which is okay with the current Pens team, because they're run and gun. Hagelin and Kessel when Geno was out were just above average, with him it's a great, great line.

 

[pixburgher66]

You could argue that Phil was the reason Crosby was declining earlier this year lol

I mean, I was led to believe Phil's problem in Toronto was lack of true centreman. I guess Pittsburgh lacks those too?

Mike Johnston resents you thinking that was anyone but him.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

He's a different player on the Malkin-Hagelin line. It's interesting to watch the difference actually. The speed is one thing, but he's fighting for the pucks and forechecking more with those two as well. He's just not good at battling on the boards. Which is okay with the current Pens team, because they're run and gun. KennyBanyeah and dash when Geno was out were just above average, with him it's a great, great line.

This is also true.

 

[dash]

Mike Johnson resents you thinking that was anyone but him.

Mike Johnson the TSN analyst or Mike Johnston the former Pens coach? I'm pretty sure it's the latter, but I don't really care much for the former either (is it just me or does he have a pretty high opinion of himself?)

 

[DragonfromTO]

He's a different player on the Malkin-Hagelin line. It's interesting to watch the difference actually. The speed is one thing, but he's fighting for the pucks and forechecking more with those two as well. He's just not good at battling on the boards. Which is okay with the current Pens team, because they're run and gun. Hagelin and Kessel when Geno was out were just above average, with him it's a great, great line.

The thing that seems like it's affecting his boxcars the most is the power play. When I watch Pittsburgh on the PP it seems like they don't really know how to use him out there, and the numbers back that up.

 

[dash]

This is also true.

I'm a crasher and banger, that's for sure.

/It's because I'm not that strong of a skater

 

[pixburgher66]

The thing that seems like it's affecting his boxcars the most is the power play. When I watch Pittsburgh on the PP it seems like they don't really know how to use him out there, and the numbers back that up.

Oh, they absolutely don't. Not sure why his teammates continue to force the one-timer on him. It's NOT his strong suit, never has been. There's so many tools on the Pens powerplay that SHOULD fit so perfectly together that it's maddening when it hits slumps. Crosby distributing from down low, Geno on the right wall rotating up top, Letang at the point, Phil on the left wall, Hornqvist net front. That's literally the strength of every player.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Mike Johnson the TSN analyst or Mike Johnston the former Pens coach? I'm pretty sure it's the latter, but I don't really care much for the former either (is it just me or does he have a pretty high opinion of himself?)

I'm surprised to hear you're not a fan of Johnson, now I feel stupid for giving that guy your number.

 

[pixburgher66]

This is also true.

You know who looks *really* great on that line? Fire Hydrant.

 

[dash]

I'm surprised to hear you're not a fan of Johnson, now I feel stupid for giving that guy your number.

I bet he's going to ask me to help him move.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Oh, they absolutely don't. Not sure why his teammates continue to force the one-timer on him. It's NOT his strong suit, never has been. There's so many tools on the Pens powerplay that SHOULD fit so perfectly together that it's maddening when it hits slumps. Crosby distributing from down low, Geno on the right wall rotating up top, Letang at the point, Phil on the left wall, Hornqvist net front. That's literally the strength of every player.

I've been thinking they should think about experimenting with making him a passer on the power play rather than a shooter. He's generally been characterized as a goal scorer for some reason but he's a fantastic passer too.

 

[pixburgher66]

I've been thinking they should think about experimenting with making him a passer on the power play rather than a shooter. He's generally been characterized as a goal scorer for some reason but he's a fantastic passer too.

Yeah...issue is that he's a member of the Pittsburgh Passing Penguins. Both Sid and Geno get passer-itis quite often.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Yeah...issue is that he's a member of the Pittsburgh Passing Penguins. Both Sid and Geno get passer-itis quite often.

Yeah but if you can make it happen that might make it even more effective since it's unexpected. Like when Kenan dressed up as a goalie and scored against Iceland. Hell, Phil's even from Minnesota so he should be familiar with this. Maybe the knucklepuck is the answer here... not surprising, there aren't many on-ice situations that can't be improved with the knuckle puck.

 

[Darkstone42]

You know who looks *really* great on that line? Fire Hydrant.

I'm partial to lamp post myself.

 

[Darkstone42]

The Phil--who is still and always will be my hero--has played a lot of good hockey lately. Looking at his early season numbers is kind of pointless since the whole team was inept at goal scoring early in the season, between Johnston's hyper-passive system and Scuderi failing to "The Piece" together any useful outlet passes. It's a different team under Sullivan, and the new game works better for The Phil, which is showing up on the stat sheet, even though Geno was out for a good stretch.

 

[dare2be]

I'm partial to lamp post myself.

I won't get rid of my Pylon jersey.

 

[dare2be]

It's a different team under Sullivan, and the new game works better for The Phil, which is showing up on the stat sheet, even though Geno was out for a good stretch.

Only against non-playoff caliber teams...