Best player in the world....

[owtahear]

is not Claude Giroux. It is also not Sidney Crosby. It is Geno Malkin. He was Lemieux like in the World Championships. Hopefully, he takes that into next year and learns to just dominate and stop worrying about who else is on the ice.

[ivand87]

He should remain our #1 center until Crosby shows he's 100% over this concussion crap. And that also gives Malkin dibs on our only true sniper at wing, James Neal.

[Nizzy]

Agreed. Until Malkin doesn't win the Art Ross, and until Neal stops getting 40 goals/season, you don't touch that.

They should have just left Crosby with Cooke and terrible Kennedy. He never looked better than when he was playing with Sid, and I dispise TK.

[Kovy27]

Absolutely. Good to see Malkin saved his best for the World Championships. Go Russia.

[penny lane]

Again congratulations to Evgeni for becoming only the 2nd player to match Gretzky's record of scoring champ in the NHL and in the WC tournament. 30 years!

Gene took Pittsburgh with him!

Spoiler:

[no name]

I seen on the news this morning that Ovi was quoted as saying, "Evgeni he clearly proven himself as the best player in the world..." Something to that effect.

Congrates Geno!!!! And congrates to team russia.

Wish more fo those games were on TV.

[Idoit40fans]

He should remain our #1 center until Crosby shows he's 100% over this concussion crap. And that also gives Malkin dibs on our only true sniper at wing, James Neal.

Is ths retroactive to March?

[ville5]

learns to just dominate and stop worrying about who else is on the ice.

Ive said this in the past, but i still dont understand it. When Crosby is on the ice Malkin is not the same player. When Crosby is out, Malkin is possessed out there. Complete transformation, he's almost Lemieux like w/o Sid. I dont know if he feels it's Sid's "team" or what, but he's definitely on another level w/o him.

[penny lane]

learns to just dominate and stop worrying about who else is on the ice.

Ive said this in the past, but i still dont understand it. When Crosby is on the ice Malkin is not the same player. When Crosby is out, Malkin is possessed out there. Complete transformation, he's almost Lemieux like w/o Sid. I dont know if he feels it's Sid's "team" or what, but he's definitely on another level w/o him.

I think it is Evgeni not wanting to step on Sid's toes as captain. Evgeni is smart; he knows how russian hockey players are portrayed, to some in north america, as selfish, play only for themselves. But, I agree, Evgeni has to take on the penguins as his team.

[Jasmine]

learns to just dominate and stop worrying about who else is on the ice.

Ive said this in the past, but i still dont understand it. When Crosby is on the ice Malkin is not the same player. When Crosby is out, Malkin is possessed out there. Complete transformation, he's almost Lemieux like w/o Sid. I dont know if he feels it's Sid's "team" or what, but he's definitely on another level w/o him.

I think it is Evgeni not wanting to step on Sid's toes as captain. Evgeni is smart; he knows how russian hockey players are portrayed, to some in north america, as selfish, play only for themselves. But, I agree, Evgeni has to take on the penguins as his team.

You are so right with your assessment. However, Geno still remains an enigma to me . . . in WC he looks like the best player in the world, yet in SC playoffs 19 yo rookie Sean Couturier shuts him down. What am I missing here to be able to understand????

[Eismann]

While hitting has picked up in the I, NHL and IIHF are practically two different sports. Happy for Geno, looked great.

[owtahear]

learns to just dominate and stop worrying about who else is on the ice.

Ive said this in the past, but i still dont understand it. When Crosby is on the ice Malkin is not the same player. When Crosby is out, Malkin is possessed out there. Complete transformation, he's almost Lemieux like w/o Sid. I dont know if he feels it's Sid's "team" or what, but he's definitely on another level w/o him.

I think it is Evgeni not wanting to step on Sid's toes as captain. Evgeni is smart; he knows how russian hockey players are portrayed, to some in north america, as selfish, play only for themselves. But, I agree, Evgeni has to take on the penguins as his team.

You are so right with your assessment. However, Geno still remains an enigma to me . . . in WC he looks like the best player in the world, yet in SC playoffs 19 yo rookie Sean Couturier shuts him down. What am I missing here to be able to understand????

I think some of you touched on the points on how inconsistent he is. First off, Geno played with fairly non descript players, while the Russians also had a Datsyuk, Ovi and Semin line (awesome). I think this is why the PP is always unproductive and why Geno is inconsistent. I WANT HIM TO BE SELFISH! For those of us old enough to remember, during the WC, Geno was Mario vintage 1987 and 1988. He doesn't need Neal. I would put Neal out with Sid. And let Geno go on his own....and dominate.

Also.....one negative part of this, the Russians still have great pride in Mother Russia hockey. While the US and Canadians would love to win gold at international tourneys, the Stanley Cup dominates their effort and pales all other tourneys. I am not so sure that is the truth with some international players, especially the Russians.

[Streaks House]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

[CERV96]

Best player in the world = overly used term.

The only reason Lavy the hut brought this up was to take a shot at Crosby and/or Malkin. Has nothing to do with Giroux.

[Jasmine]

Defence21 wrote:

Basing this guess on your post-trend, it has to be Bylsma's fault, right?

Thanks for seriously reading all the board posts . . . makes for a wiser opinion for sure. Yes, I do blame HCDB's system. Sorry to repeat myself, but I believe he took Michel Therrien's defensively skilled team and turned the somewhat frustrated 'superstars' loose. At the time, it was the perfect storm. Since '09, this team has become increasingly easy to play against (which NEVER wins Cups) and any shutdown defense has disappeared (also needed to win Cups). Who do you blame? (Yes, there MUST be blame for this talented team to go out early 3 consecutive years.)

[meecrofilm]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin.

[owtahear]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

I think they were Alexander Perezhogin, Alexei Tereshenko. Definitely Perezhogin.

[owtahear]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin.

There ya go.

[Defence21]

Defence21 wrote:

Basing this guess on your post-trend, it has to be Bylsma's fault, right?

Thanks for seriously reading all the board posts . . . makes for a wiser opinion for sure. Yes, I do blame HCDB's system. Sorry to repeat myself, but I believe he took Michel Therrien's defensively skilled team and turned the somewhat frustrated 'superstars' loose. At the time, it was the perfect storm. Since '09, this team has become increasingly easy to play against (which NEVER wins Cups) and any shutdown defense has disappeared (also needed to win Cups). Who do you blame? (Yes, there MUST be blame for this talented team to go out early 3 consecutive years.)

Not saying Bylsma and his system aren't to blame...in part. But I can say that last season's early exit had nothing to do with Bylsma, and everything to do with major injury issues. In fact, it can be argued -- and quite convincingly -- that Bylsma was the biggest reason the team even made the playoffs last season. So, while there is blame to be placed on Bylsma, the blame should be shared by many. Malkin's lack of success in the playoffs likely had something to do with Bylsma's system. It also likely had something to do with Malkin himself underperforming, linemates/teammates not playing to the fullest of their abilities, Couterier as a singular opponent knowing how to defend against Malkin, and the Flyers overachieving as a team.

[MRandall25]

I don't think Bylsma's system is what makes Malkin "suck" when Crosby is healthy and great when he's hurt. Therrien was the coach when Malkin scored 106 points when Crosby was out for 30 games (44 points for that stretch), but Malkin won the Art Ross with a healthy Crosby the next year.

[Jasmine]

Defence21 wrote:

Basing this guess on your post-trend, it has to be Bylsma's fault, right?

Thanks for seriously reading all the board posts . . . makes for a wiser opinion for sure. Yes, I do blame HCDB's system. Sorry to repeat myself, but I believe he took Michel Therrien's defensively skilled team and turned the somewhat frustrated 'superstars' loose. At the time, it was the perfect storm. Since '09, this team has become increasingly easy to play against (which NEVER wins Cups) and any shutdown defense has disappeared (also needed to win Cups). Who do you blame? (Yes, there MUST be blame for this talented team to go out early 3 consecutive years.)

Not saying Bylsma and his system aren't to blame...in part. But I can say that last season's early exit had nothing to do with Bylsma, and everything to do with major injury issues. In fact, it can be argued -- and quite convincingly -- that Bylsma was the biggest reason the team even made the playoffs last season. So, while there is blame to be placed on Bylsma, the blame should be shared by many. Malkin's lack of success in the playoffs likely had something to do with Bylsma's system. It also likely had something to do with Malkin himself underperforming, linemates/teammates not playing to the fullest of their abilities, Couterier as a singular opponent knowing how to defend against Malkin, and the Flyers overachieving as a team.

You make good points . . . and round and round we go. I'm sure all these same things are rattling around in Ray Shero's brain right now. WHAT IS THE ANSWER????? Good luck, Ray . . . we're counting on you.

[penny lane]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin.

There ya go.

Perezhogin played briefly with the canadiens, I had to look him up.

[Defence21]

Defence21 wrote:

Basing this guess on your post-trend, it has to be Bylsma's fault, right?

Thanks for seriously reading all the board posts . . . makes for a wiser opinion for sure. Yes, I do blame HCDB's system. Sorry to repeat myself, but I believe he took Michel Therrien's defensively skilled team and turned the somewhat frustrated 'superstars' loose. At the time, it was the perfect storm. Since '09, this team has become increasingly easy to play against (which NEVER wins Cups) and any shutdown defense has disappeared (also needed to win Cups). Who do you blame? (Yes, there MUST be blame for this talented team to go out early 3 consecutive years.)

Not saying Bylsma and his system aren't to blame...in part. But I can say that last season's early exit had nothing to do with Bylsma, and everything to do with major injury issues. In fact, it can be argued -- and quite convincingly -- that Bylsma was the biggest reason the team even made the playoffs last season. So, while there is blame to be placed on Bylsma, the blame should be shared by many. Malkin's lack of success in the playoffs likely had something to do with Bylsma's system. It also likely had something to do with Malkin himself underperforming, linemates/teammates not playing to the fullest of their abilities, Couterier as a singular opponent knowing how to defend against Malkin, and the Flyers overachieving as a team.

You make good points . . . and round and round we go. I'm sure all these same things are rattling around in Ray Shero's brain right now. WHAT IS THE ANSWER????? Good luck, Ray . . . we're counting on you.

I wish the answer was as simple as the coach not fitting. But it's much more. As you said, the team is much softer than in the past. It's lacking in the battle-tested, grizzled veteran department. Size and physicality are needed. On defense, systematic tweaks are a must. Bylsma's system clearly isn't working as well as theorized -- then again, last year, he proved he can implement a strong defensive system. The question is, where is the balance of free-wheeling offense and sound defense? Like you said, all of this surely is eating at Shero and Bylsma. Fortunately they have a full summer to make adjustments in many areas.

[Streaks House]

#PerezhoginWatch

#PopovWatch

[viva la ben]

For those who followed the WCs, who were Geno's linemates?

I think they were Alexander Perezhogin, Alexei Tereshenko. Definitely Perezhogin.

SIGN THEM SHERO!