Game 1 vs. Rangers - Thought from the Morning After

[Admin]

Ugh...

[KG]

Jarry set the tone for the game after he gave up that goal to Laffreniere.

Team gave up pretty much after the first.

The lack of pushback by the team is alarming. Again zero physicality on the team. Dubas mentioned the word "grit" in his press conference. Still waiting for the players to show a little.

Sullivan panicking and scrambling up the lines on game 1 is strange. Basically what he said by doing that was everything we did and practiced in pre-season meant nothing. Let's throw this against the wall...

Not a good look. Horrible showing game 1. Lets see what they bring tonight. If Blomqvist gets the nod, hopefully they tighten up defensively.

[largegarlic]

In a way, I'm not that disappointed, since I was expecting a similar season to the last two. They have the same coach, mostly the same roster except shuffling around spare parts and adding McGroarty, and the same starting goalie. And the promising younger prospects are probably a year away from being real contributors (assuming they develop as we hope).

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener. At least they still have their 2025 1st round pick.

[Admin]

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener.

Felt the same. Wasn't really expecting to beat the Rangers but was hoping they'd at least be competitive.

[FLPensFan]

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener.

Felt the same. Wasn't really expecting to beat the Rangers but was hoping they'd at least be competitive.

Samesies.

Dejan had an article talking about a big problem that still exists with this team....finishing. last night they had over 70 shot attempts, but the blocks and missed shots added up. They out attempted the Rangers.

[SkoBuffs]

I've loved reading this board over the years. Decades.

Just seems to me that they don't do anything well. Obviously.

Its kind of like we all know its over but no one wants to see the blowup.

But putting it off only makes it worse.

[Puck-Lurker]

"Ouch"

[penny lane]

Messy. 35 is bad and 65 is a bad fit.

*They were dropping straw cowboy hats to the fans last night. I don't know what to think. Of course I didn't get one.

[largegarlic]

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener.

Felt the same. Wasn't really expecting to beat the Rangers but was hoping they'd at least be competitive.

Samesies.

Dejan had an article talking about a big problem that still exists with this team....finishing. last night they had over 70 shot attempts, but the blocks and missed shots added up. They out attempted the Rangers.

Yeah, I feel like it's the same story going back these past few years. They'll have good offensive zone shifts with good pressure and at least decent shooting opportunities, but they don't cash in on them. And then the opponent gets a little bit of zone time or one good rush up the ice, and the puck is in the back of the Pens' net.

[KG]

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener.

Felt the same. Wasn't really expecting to beat the Rangers but was hoping they'd at least be competitive.

Samesies.

Dejan had an article talking about a big problem that still exists with this team....finishing. last night they had over 70 shot attempts, but the blocks and missed shots added up. They out attempted the Rangers.

This team has never replaced Kessel, now throw into the mix losing Jake. They lack high end goal scoring badly. That's why someone like Laine would have been worth a gamble to take on. We have to work so hard to score, it's ridiculous. DOC is a fine 3rd line winger. He is not a top 6 player on a good team. KD should have brought in a top 6 for Sid to play with.

[Wyopen]

So when does MP28 go on the market? Lol.

[Pens4Life]

Dissapointing opening night for sure.. they need to show fire in their eyes tonight,otherwise Sully needs to be in hot seat super fast, not 20 games down the road.. I hope he leaves at least 3rd line intact, they were the bright spot from what I gathered.

but wth, I thought Graves is 25-26yrs old, not 29?! damn..
Is there a team in league that could be for swapping struggling Graves for one of their forwards , that we could potentialy insert in top 6?

[KG]

So when does MP28 go on the market? Lol.

He probably already is. There's no reason for this team to give MP a 7 year extension. Get some young assets.

[Admin]

So when does MP28 go on the market? Lol.

Letang has "mentored" him enough on two-on-ones so he's good to go...

[Dynasty1970]

this roster has declined and lost players for the last half DECADE. Other teams have done their rebuilds during that time. Our rivals have gotten stronger as we have become weaker. Let Croz walk and strive for the cup one last time because it won't be coming here! Also he may not extend that point per game streak on this team. He needs one guy on his line he can work with. And that will be with every opponent stacking up their best line against his. We don't have another line that will carry the team. Let him walk, and then let Sullivan have ZAR back as his replacement. HE IS a top 2-3 Coach in this league! Don't forget that!!!

[dark_forces]

this roster has declined and lost players for the last half DECADE. Other teams have done their rebuilds during that time. Our rivals have gotten stronger as we have become weaker. Let Croz walk and strive for the cup one last time because it won't be coming here! Also he may not extend that point per game streak on this team. He needs one guy on his line he can work with. And that will be with every opponent stacking up their best line against his. We don't have another line that will carry the team. Let him walk, and then let Sullivan have ZAR back as his replacement. HE IS a top 2-3 Coach in this league! Don't forget that!!!

I'm still of the opinion that dealing Matheson and Marino back in 2022 was a mistake. They both could skate and move the puck, and would have given our defense quality depth. I think Karlsson is not the type of player we need right now and Grzelcyk is just okay at this point in his career. And don't get me started on Graves...

[Daniel]

In a way, I'm not that disappointed, since I was expecting a similar season to the last two. They have the same coach, mostly the same roster except shuffling around spare parts and adding McGroarty, and the same starting goalie. And the promising younger prospects are probably a year away from being real contributors (assuming they develop as we hope).

That said, I didn't expect them to be THAT bad in the home opener. At least they still have their 2025 1st round pick.

Well, perhaps a 6'3 200lb RW might be on the radar? Porter Martone.....but does he PK?

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/players/porter-martone

[Pitts]

this roster has declined and lost players for the last half DECADE. Other teams have done their rebuilds during that time. Our rivals have gotten stronger as we have become weaker. Let Croz walk and strive for the cup one last time because it won't be coming here! Also he may not extend that point per game streak on this team. He needs one guy on his line he can work with. And that will be with every opponent stacking up their best line against his. We don't have another line that will carry the team. Let him walk, and then let Sullivan have ZAR back as his replacement. HE IS a top 2-3 Coach in this league! Don't forget that!!!

I'm still of the opinion that dealing Matheson and Marino back in 2022 was a mistake. They both could skate and move the puck, and would have given our defense quality depth. I think Karlsson is not the type of player we need right now and Grzelcyk is just okay at this point in his career. And don't get me started on Graves...

Truthfully, Marino and Grzelcyk appear to be the same exact player if you go by stat lines. I do not think Marino makes this defense any different.

[maopens]

this roster has declined and lost players for the last half DECADE. Other teams have done their rebuilds during that time. Our rivals have gotten stronger as we have become weaker. Let Croz walk and strive for the cup one last time because it won't be coming here! Also he may not extend that point per game streak on this team. He needs one guy on his line he can work with. And that will be with every opponent stacking up their best line against his. We don't have another line that will carry the team. Let him walk, and then let Sullivan have ZAR back as his replacement. HE IS a top 2-3 Coach in this league! Don't forget that!!!

I'm still of the opinion that dealing Matheson and Marino back in 2022 was a mistake. They both could skate and move the puck, and would have given our defense quality depth. I think Karlsson is not the type of player we need right now and Grzelcyk is just okay at this point in his career. And don't get me started on Graves...

Protecting Jeff Carter and losing Jared McCann to the expansion draft was a mistake then, and looks even worse now that McCann is still only 28 while Carter is on Medicare. Since that move, the stats are bad:

Jeff Carter 43 goals, 46 assists, 89 points in 3 seasons
McCann 96 goals, 86 assists, 182 points in 3 seasons

Ouch

[Daniel]

this roster has declined and lost players for the last half DECADE. Other teams have done their rebuilds during that time. Our rivals have gotten stronger as we have become weaker. Let Croz walk and strive for the cup one last time because it won't be coming here! Also he may not extend that point per game streak on this team. He needs one guy on his line he can work with. And that will be with every opponent stacking up their best line against his. We don't have another line that will carry the team. Let him walk, and then let Sullivan have ZAR back as his replacement. HE IS a top 2-3 Coach in this league! Don't forget that!!!

I'm still of the opinion that dealing Matheson and Marino back in 2022 was a mistake. They both could skate and move the puck, and would have given our defense quality depth. I think Karlsson is not the type of player we need right now and Grzelcyk is just okay at this point in his career. And don't get me started on Graves...

Truthfully, Marino and Grzelcyk appear to be the same exact player if you go by stat lines. I do not think Marino makes this defense any different.

I think the only thing Marino would have is age, size, familiarity with the system, and chemistry with the defense partner.

[Weegie]

Watched the first period and shut it off in disgust after it hit 3-0, did something more productive than watching this clown show. Later went upstairs and turned it back on right as the second period horn was blowing signaling the end of the second period, saw it was now 4-0 and turned it off again.

What can we really say except this is how they are going to be, they still hold out hope that the "big 3" can lead them to the promised land again if they only add some "younger" players here and there and we all see it's not going to happen. I think most of us already feel like we have felt at the end of the last many seasons and it's only after the first game! Imagine what we'll feel like a month into this? 3 months?

Ugh....