It is that time for the annual Penguins thread. I have never seen anything like it, as far as injuries go.
So far, we are what, 27 games into the season? The Penguins have gone long stretches without:
1) Sidney Crosby
2) Geno Malkin
3) Bryan Rust
4) Patrick Hornquist
5) Nick Bjugstad
6) Alex Galchenyuk
Out of your forwards, that is your #1 Center, HOF, top 10 all time great, your #2 Center, HOF, all time great, a Top 6 winger, and your 3rd line Center and 3rd line winger. Plus Galchenyuk who hasn't been great but was definitely slotted for a top 9 role.
7) Kris Letang
8) Justin Schultz
9) Brian Dumoulin
That's your #1 Dman, an All Star, your other top pairing, a guy who is always among the top 5 in Plus Minus and your 3rd DMan, and also other point man for the PP.
Wow. To even be treading water is amazing. With the injuries to the other Pittsburgh teams, 2019 can't end fast enough.
Now, there is a song by the band called the National, called "Mr. November". Well this is the second November in a row that Matt Murray has been bad. They need him to be good. Luckily Tristan Jarry has been good, and he has a bit of a pedigree which makes it more hopefully sustainable. Also, Casey DeSmith has been killing it in WBS. I would ride Jarry for awhile. But the Pens are going to have to lean on the goaltending, play a simple game.
Schultz should be getting back, but Sid is out until likely the All Star break, Dumoulin probably until February, who knows with Rust and Hornquist. By the way, I can confirm that the rumors that Hornquist crashed into a specific spot along the boards that caused him to go into the NCAA transfer portal and ended up as a Tight End on UTEP is not true.
The Pens need to basically stay close. They really need to play 3-2 type of games, really simple, boring hockey. I hope Jim Rutherford doesn't even think about trading their #1 pick to fill a role right now, because there are no guarantees that they will make the playoffs, let alone contend for a Cup. Get to the All Star break in a similar position as they are now, get Sid back, others healthy and then see what happens.
So far, we are what, 27 games into the season? The Penguins have gone long stretches without:
1) Sidney Crosby
2) Geno Malkin
3) Bryan Rust
4) Patrick Hornquist
5) Nick Bjugstad
6) Alex Galchenyuk
Out of your forwards, that is your #1 Center, HOF, top 10 all time great, your #2 Center, HOF, all time great, a Top 6 winger, and your 3rd line Center and 3rd line winger. Plus Galchenyuk who hasn't been great but was definitely slotted for a top 9 role.
7) Kris Letang
8) Justin Schultz
9) Brian Dumoulin
That's your #1 Dman, an All Star, your other top pairing, a guy who is always among the top 5 in Plus Minus and your 3rd DMan, and also other point man for the PP.
Wow. To even be treading water is amazing. With the injuries to the other Pittsburgh teams, 2019 can't end fast enough.
Now, there is a song by the band called the National, called "Mr. November". Well this is the second November in a row that Matt Murray has been bad. They need him to be good. Luckily Tristan Jarry has been good, and he has a bit of a pedigree which makes it more hopefully sustainable. Also, Casey DeSmith has been killing it in WBS. I would ride Jarry for awhile. But the Pens are going to have to lean on the goaltending, play a simple game.
Schultz should be getting back, but Sid is out until likely the All Star break, Dumoulin probably until February, who knows with Rust and Hornquist. By the way, I can confirm that the rumors that Hornquist crashed into a specific spot along the boards that caused him to go into the NCAA transfer portal and ended up as a Tight End on UTEP is not true.
The Pens need to basically stay close. They really need to play 3-2 type of games, really simple, boring hockey. I hope Jim Rutherford doesn't even think about trading their #1 pick to fill a role right now, because there are no guarantees that they will make the playoffs, let alone contend for a Cup. Get to the All Star break in a similar position as they are now, get Sid back, others healthy and then see what happens.