Penguins Acquire Lee Stempniak

[dare2be]

Simply getting rid of Kobasew, limiting Pyatt, adding another RW is great. Don't underestimate bringing in Goc. Getting Jokinen was overlooked last year, and it was the best move Shero made. Goc has a ton of intangibles. 14th in the league in FO%, had a decent Corsi on a bad team, kills penalties. Shero upgraded the bottom 6, that's all that could be asked for. I actually don't hate our depth right now. Consider that Megna/Zolnierczyk are the first two up from AHL, and that Bennett should be back by the end of the month. Bennett slots in on the first/third line, moves Gibbons to the fourth where he should be. All the sudden we have four respectable lines. I would've liked to have gotten a veteran D too, but the prices were really high on those. Heck, only one moved really, and that was Mezaros, and no way the Flyers would give him to us.

Well said.

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...8-trade-deadline-aftermath-2.html#post4613884

 

[pixburgher66]

Well said.

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...8-trade-deadline-aftermath-2.html#post4613884

Since when do people post on the Pens board?!

And I really disagree with the culture assessment. They haven't lost because they play in a big shiny new building (which wasn't said, but others have said it), they've simply been outplayed. If the issue is that the team isn't "hungry" for the Cup, why didn't they win last year with bringing in Iggy/Morrow who had never won? It's a silly argument.

 

[thedddd]

Since when do people post on the Pens board?!

And I really disagree with the culture assessment. They haven't lost because they play in a big shiny new building (which wasn't said, but others have said it), they've simply been outplayed. If the issue is that the team isn't "hungry" for the Cup, why didn't they win last year with bringing in Iggy/Morrow who had never won? It's a silly argument.

Too funny yeah there is a select few of us and you have to thank Doobster/evolver more recently to keep it alive.

As to your comment about complacency and being "hungry" those two alone last year couldn't change the core culture and I agree the building has nothing to do with it. And being outplayed is truly be a factor of being complacent, especially with the level of talent they have.

Also there is no question this team doesn't want to win a cup but is this team truly built to win in the current model? If it was then Crosby/Malkin should win every year.

But I do agree the moves they made truly made this team deeper at forward and the the chance of less Pyatt, Adams or Engelland in itself makes them a better team.

 

[pixburgher66]

Too funny yeah there is a select few of us and you have to thank Doobster/evolver more recently to keep it alive.

As to your comment about complacency and being "hungry" those two alone last year couldn't change the core culture and I agree the building has nothing to do with it. And being outplayed is truly be a factor of being complacent, especially with the level of talent they have.

Also there is no question this team doesn't want to win a cup but is this team truly built to win in the current model? If it was then Crosby/Malkin should win every year.

But I do agree the moves they made truly made this team deeper at forward and the the chance or less Pyatt, Adams or Engelland in itself makes them a better team.

There's too many things that go on to have a team win the Cup to pin it on "want/desire", and I just don't see complacency being the issue. I could come up with an excuse for every time they've lost, but never once did I think it was complacency. I suppose there's no sports cliche I hate more than "they wanted it more." If this were the NBA, I'd agree that a team with Crosby/Malkin should win every year, but it's not. Parity is great in this league, which is what makes it great. You need more than two guys to win it all. That SAID, while the team has those two, they're always a threat to win.

 

[element1286]

Since when do people post on the Pens board?!

And I really disagree with the culture assessment. They haven't lost because they play in a big shiny new building (which wasn't said, but others have said it), they've simply been outplayed. If the issue is that the team isn't "hungry" for the Cup, why didn't they win last year with bringing in Iggy/Morrow who had never won? It's a silly argument.

To me the 'culture' assessment comes down to the way the team reacts to adversity, which is not well, it kills them in the playoffs. No one seems to be attempting to correct said culture either.

 

[pixburgher66]

To me the 'culture' assessment comes down to the way the team reacts to adversity, which is not well, it kills them in the playoffs. No one seems to be attempting to correct said culture either.

I can't buy into that, sorry. It's not a toxic room, or anything like that.

 

[element1286]

I can't buy into that, sorry. It's not a toxic room, or anything like that.

It's not about the room, it's about their reaction to adversity on the ice.

 

[thedddd]

There's too many things that go on to have a team win the Cup to pin it on "want/desire", and I just don't see complacency being the issue. I could come up with an excuse for every time they've lost, but never once did I think it was complacency. I suppose there's no sports cliche I hate more than "they wanted it more." If this were the NBA, I'd agree that a team with Crosby/Malkin should win every year, but it's not. Parity is great in this league, which is what makes it great. You need more than two guys to win it all. That SAID, while the team has those two, they're always a threat to win.

Oh I would never pin it all on want/desire. If so then 15 teams each year could use that excuse each year. Yeah I agree it is way more of a team sport but the core of this team is not going anywhere and it seems like change does not bode well for them.

Hence becoming complacent or maybe it is more taking it too much for granted that they think they have too much talent where they think that alone they should win?

But something in the culture of this team needs a kick in the but.

 

[pixburgher66]

I think we all have different definitions of culture. There's nothing about the way our two stars play that lends me to think they take the talent on the team for granted. If the Pens are going to have success, it needs to stem from them stepping up to take over a series. The team goes as they go. I think what you are both alluding to is a coaching change, which I was for after the Boston series, but not because of a culture issue, because of an x's and o's issue.

 

[thedddd]

It's not about the room, it's about their reaction to adversity on the ice.

I agree with both of you not a toxic locker room and can't handle it on the ice.

But with the locker room we truly will never know. Also could it be the opposite where Bylsma keeps it too loose? Too much of a players coach?

Just think of the year he took over, Therrien was the exact opposite and when he took over this team changed in a positive way. Maybe it is to the point where they are too far the opposite now?

 

[pixburgher66]

I agree with both of you not a toxic locker room and can't handle it on the ice.

But with the locker room we truly will never know. Also could it be the opposite where Bylsma keeps it too loose? Too much of a players coach?

Just think of the year he took over, Therrien was the exact opposite and when he took over this team changed in a positive way. Maybe it is to the point where they are too far the opposite now?

When I see behind the scenes stuff I see a guy players want to play for because they want to win for him, sure, but I don't see a push over. He's in control. I thought that for a bit too, he's too buddy with them, but his nature doesn't keep him from being brutally honest or calling someone out.

 

[thedddd]

I think we all have different definitions of culture. There's nothing about the way our two stars play that lends me to think they take the talent on the team for granted. If the Pens are going to have success, it needs to stem from them stepping up to take over a series. The team goes as they go. I think what you are both alluding to is a coaching change, which I was for after the Boston series, but not because of a culture issue, because of an x's and o's issue.

Very true culture can be a very open ended.
And I don't think they take other teams for granted, but sometimes I think they take themselves for granted in the fact that they think they can score by doing the same thing over and over. I think this less in Crosby but more in Malkin and others.

 

[element1286]

When I see behind the scenes stuff I see a guy players want to play for because they want to win for him, sure, but I don't see a push over. He's in control. I thought that for a bit too, he's too buddy with them, but his nature doesn't keep him from being brutally honest or calling someone out.

In general I agree, although I'll put the caveat that there have been quite a few young players, Jeffery, Lovejoy, Strait, Tangradi off the top of my head who have publicly stated that there wasn't a clear level of expectation given, and they always felt they were one mistake away from being out of the lineup.

Contrast that with how he treats guys like Adams and Engo, and it worries me that plays favorites of terrible vets of young players.

 

[pixburgher66]

In general I agree, although I'll put the caveat that there have been quite a few young players, Jeffery, Lovejoy, Strait, Tangradi off the top of my head who have publicly stated that there wasn't a clear level of expectation given, and they always felt they were one mistake away from being out of the lineup.

Contrast that with how he treats guys like Adams and Engo, and it worries me that plays favorites of terrible vets of young players.

I agree with that sentiment. Then I see Olli Maatta and it all seems wrong. Lovejoy wasn't traded because of performance though, he was traded because of a logjam on D. He and Letestu were guys traded for their own good. Jeffery/Tangradi weren't going to be much anywhere I'm afraid. I hope that when Bennett is healthy he's used appropriately. Really need him to pan out.