2024-2025 Season Random Penguins Fodder

[Pens4Life]

I liked Larsson pick up by Dubas, but after we resigned Ned and also fill out goalies spots in AHL, I really dont know what will happen with him. He for sure didnt came here for ECHL,that would be bizarre.. even AHL is a bit of stepback from being goalie no.1 in Swedish League?!

[Coffey Break]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

[dark_forces]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

I agree. When he played angry, tossed his weight around and battled for the puck, he was a beautiful blend of force and Russian skill that was a thing to behold.
I'll never forget his 2008 and 2009 playoffs. He was in rarified air during those months.

[Tico Rick]

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

Prime Geno isn't even the most physically dominant and gifted Penguin the league has ever seen.

[FLPensFan]

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

Prime Geno isn't even the most physically dominant and gifted Penguin the league has ever seen.

That honor would go to Gary Roberts:

[Pitts]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

Jaomir Jagr would like a word with you...

[KG]

Yesterday, apparently Madden said this is going to be Geno's last season...

Hopefully it's just for clicks because Geno is on the books for 2 more seasons if he plays or doesn't.

[FLPensFan]

Yesterday, apparently Madden said this is going to be Geno's last season...

Hopefully it's just for clicks because Geno is on the books for 2 more seasons if he plays or doesn't.

And Taylor Haase said the exact opposite yesterday. Not from an article, just their live feed:

No idea why the idea of Evgeni Malkin leaving the NHL after next season is a thing people are talking about today, but here he is literally this week to Russian outlet Tacc.ru while at an event in Magnitogorsk after being asked if he'd ever play there again.

"It's hard to make plans about a return, I still have two years left on my contract with Pittsburgh. I need to play these two years and see how it goes," he said. "If I come to Metallurg and take the place of a young player, maybe a future star, it will not be nice. If I feel good, then, of course, I would like to play another season on my home ice here. I spent three days here, many people came up to me, took pictures, wished me luck."

From the guy's own mouth. At least two more seasons in Pittsburgh. Not even sure if he'll play in the KHL at all after. Move along.

[Coffey Break]

Yesterday, apparently Madden said this is going to be Geno's last season...

Hopefully it's just for clicks because Geno is on the books for 2 more seasons if he plays or doesn't.

Ah yes...straight from the guy whose been conducting the train to drive Geno out of town since 2011....

[Coffey Break]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

Jaomir Jagr would like a word with you...

That's fair - there's some recency bias in there from me but certainly in recent modern history, there aren't too many players (if any) I would put above 71 that have the true physical presence with the God-Given skill level/talent.

[dark_forces]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

Jaomir Jagr would like a word with you...

That's fair - there's some recency bias in there from me but certainly in recent modern history, there aren't too many players (if any) I would put above 71 that have the true physical presence with the God-Given skill level/talent.

To put it in perspective, Geno ranks as our fourth-best player of all time, which is truly incredible. On 85% of NHL teams, he would be the best player in their franchise's history. That's how lucky we have been, and you could go on and name the next 4 who would all be all-star HOF calibre as well.

[Puck-Lurker]

We don't need to diminish anyone to appreciate Evgeni Malkin. If he retires, #71 will be up in the rafters. Right beside Lemieux, Crosby and Jágr.

I don't think you need to compare the folks whose numbers get retired, to be honest.

[Antonio]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

He was superb player and a force in his prime for sure. A true star. However he was nowhere near the most physically dominant and gifted player the league has ever seen and not by a long shot. Frankly that's a comically absurd assertion. His biggest tarnish is the reality that his skills have diminished aggressively as he has aged and his fall from top tier star to above average started earlier than anyone would have liked and has been far more impactful on his game, partially due to his inability or unwillingness to adjust accordingly. No way to take away from his stellar career and superlative stardom though, but some people see him and are perpetually stuck watching him through 15 year old glasses. Being realistic about where he is and has been going for years is not in any way an insult or reduction of his great career.

[Coffey Break]

Happy Birthday Geno. What a great moment and memory this goal was!

Top 20-25 player of all time. And still to this day, the most criminally under-rated and under-appreciated hockey player of all-time. Ironically, most under-appreciated by Penguins fans themselves. What a player.

Prime Geno was arguably the most physically dominant and gifted player this league has ever seen.

He was superb player and a force in his prime for sure. A true star. However he was nowhere near the most physically dominant and gifted player the league has ever seen and not by a long shot. Frankly that's a comically absurd assertion. His biggest tarnish is the reality that his skills have diminished aggressively as he has aged and his fall from top tier star to above average started earlier than anyone would have liked and has been far more impactful on his game, partially due to his inability or unwillingness to adjust accordingly. No way to take away from his stellar career and superlative stardom though, but some people see him and are perpetually stuck watching him through 15 year old glasses. Being realistic about where he is and has been going for years is not in any way an insult or reduction of his great career.

For me, it's always been this whole desire for so many Pens fans (and spear-headed by a specific bone-headed local radio host) that have been waiting to drive this guy out of town since 2011. I mean, there were serious articles out there about how the Penguins have to keep Jordan Staal over Evgeni Malkin to have any chance of remaining a contending team. All the way up through trading Malkin for David freakin Backes and TJ Oshie as of 2015. And the Pens went back-to-back immediately (with Evgeni Malkin on the team of course).

And no one will ever deny that his skills have diminished but people still find ways to make claims as if he himself is a problem on the current roster. Evgeni Malkin isn't even in the Top 100 of problems for this Penguins team (along with the rest of the core). Just this past season, he had the 5th most goals and 6th most points of all 2C in the league. I'll take that all day.

[FLPensFan]

Beauvillier had his media availability session today. Some highlights:
--Grew up in same town as MAF; first game he every attended was a PIT vs MTL playoff game; rooted for Penguins and MAF
--Played midget AAA hockey with Letang, and they have skated together in some past summers.
--Last season was tough playing for 3 NHL teams, different systems, different teammates.
--Being from East Coast, playing mostly in Eastern Conference should help him settle in a bit.
--Thought playing with speed and skill as a team was a good fit for him.
--Has played LW and RW, even played a few games at center. At his best when playing with speed, playing with a good stick, strong on the forecheck.

[KG]

I know all of the local pundits keep saying there are no issues with Sid's extension....not like they really know.

But if he doesn't sign by his birthday of 8-7 then I would start to get skeptical. What's the holdup at that point? Looking at KD's history of giving out big contracts, I don't see money/term being an issue with getting Sid done. Borderline blank check at this point.

[KG]

Beauvillier had his media availability session today. Some highlights:
--Grew up in same town as MAF; first game he every attended was a PIT vs MTL playoff game; rooted for Penguins and MAF
--Played midget AAA hockey with Letang, and they have skated together in some past summers.
--Last season was tough playing for 3 NHL teams, different systems, different teammates.
--Being from East Coast, playing mostly in Eastern Conference should help him settle in a bit.
--Thought playing with speed and skill as a team was a good fit for him.
--Has played LW and RW, even played a few games at center. At his best when playing with speed, playing with a good stick, strong on the forecheck.

Beauvillier actually fits the Pens game under Sullivan to a tee. I'm bullish on this signing.

[FLPensFan]

In Taylor Haase's Q&A today, I thought it was interesting that she too believes the goalie situation, to start the season, will shake out as follows:

NHL: Jarry and Ned
AHL: Blomqvist (1A) and Murashov (1B)
ECHL: Larsson (1A) and Gauthier (1B)

It's all speculation, but man, I'd hate to be Larsson, signing a 2 year deal at age 25, hoping to show that you can be an NHL level goalie....or Gauthier, ECHL goalie of the year last season with little to prove at that level. She did say that the Penguins could try a mid-season trade at some point, especially if Gauthier is playing well again at the ECHL level. She hinted a bit that he deserves a spot in the AHL at this point.

Some other quick hits from the Q&A:
--Big things she wants to see at camp were 1) Murashov vs NHL talent 2) Any sign Graves will be better this year 3) Will come later in the season, but how the PP looks with different personnel.
--Asked about the 3rd line, she said Beauvillier-Hayes-Puljujarvi/Puustinen on paper looks like it could contribute more offense than last year. (I had mentioned Lizotte and Puljujarvi on a 4th line would be good, but Beauvillier is a strong forechecking guy with speed, too. Beauvillier and Puljujarvi flanking the slower Hayes may be able to help cover up for his slow skating speed.)
--Taylor did not think the Crosby contract was complete, and they were holding off just to sign it on 8/7. She didn't buy the whole "holding off to be cute" thing. She said many people don't realize Crosby was on vacation for a good part of the summer. Says there's no real rush, but thinks both Dubas and Crosby would like to get it done before the season to avoid it as a distraction.

[Tico Rick]

Good stuff. Thanks, FPF.

[FLPensFan]

Penguins defenseman chosen in 3rd round of 2023...

[Cow_Master66]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

[FLPensFan]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

Well for one, Guentzel isn't here. When not injured he was a staple on that PP1 unit. I still wish they would just go with two units and go with the hot hand, and maybe use the overloaded PP unit on rare occassions.

PP1 - Sid, Rust, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson
PP2 - Geno, Rakell, DOC, Letang, Pettersson
Overload - Sid, Geno, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson

Use the overload unit when PP1 and PP2 have been crap all game (or for multiple games in their case) and you actually need a PP goal to get back in a game.

But, the team will probably go with Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting and Karlsson/Letang as PP1, and Hayes/Eller, Rakell, Puustinen, Letang/Karlsson, Pettersson as PP2, and continue throwing out PP1 for 1:45 seconds of chasing the puck into their own zone, resetting, and chasing again.

I may even revise those a bit so that Puustinen and Karlsson aren't on the same unit. While you aren't just going to feed pucks to one guy all the time, Puustinen may have the best shot of the forward group, and Karlsson from the backend. When Puustinen is out there on the PP, they should be looking to get him the puck in the left circle to let him rip his shot, which he feasted on in the AHL. Karlsson has not only a very accurate shot that hits the net, but he is great at that slap shot/pass to someone in front for the redirect. Utilize those 2 strategies as the main focus, but, obviously work the puck around to other for openings, too.

[Puck-Lurker]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

Well for one, Guentzel isn't here. When not injured he was a staple on that PP1 unit. I still wish they would just go with two units and go with the hot hand, and maybe use the overloaded PP unit on rare occassions.

PP1 - Sid, Rust, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson
PP2 - Geno, Rakell, DOC, Letang, Pettersson
Overload - Sid, Geno, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson

Use the overload unit when PP1 and PP2 have been crap all game (or for multiple games in their case) and you actually need a PP goal to get back in a game.

But, the team will probably go with Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting and Karlsson/Letang as PP1, and Hayes/Eller, Rakell, Puustinen, Letang/Karlsson, Pettersson as PP2, and continue throwing out PP1 for 1:45 seconds of chasing the puck into their own zone, resetting, and chasing again.

I may even revise those a bit so that Puustinen and Karlsson aren't on the same unit. While you aren't just going to feed pucks to one guy all the time, Puustinen may have the best shot of the forward group, and Karlsson from the backend. When Puustinen is out there on the PP, they should be looking to get him the puck in the left circle to let him rip his shot, which he feasted on in the AHL. Karlsson has not only a very accurate shot that hits the net, but he is great at that slap shot/pass to someone in front for the redirect. Utilize those 2 strategies as the main focus, but, obviously work the puck around to other for openings, too.

Spreading the PP around seems sensible, but I think they're going to give it another go with Sid, Geno and Karlsson on PP1. I figure the Quin hiring had three points to it, most crucially improving the power play.

I'm predicting
PP1: Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting, Karlsson
PP2: Hayes, Rakell, Beauvillier, Puustinen, Letang

I think Beauvillier over DOC, since Beauvillier doesn't PK.

[Cow_Master66]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

Well for one, Guentzel isn't here. When not injured he was a staple on that PP1 unit. I still wish they would just go with two units and go with the hot hand, and maybe use the overloaded PP unit on rare occassions.

PP1 - Sid, Rust, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson
PP2 - Geno, Rakell, DOC, Letang, Pettersson
Overload - Sid, Geno, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson

Use the overload unit when PP1 and PP2 have been crap all game (or for multiple games in their case) and you actually need a PP goal to get back in a game.

But, the team will probably go with Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting and Karlsson/Letang as PP1, and Hayes/Eller, Rakell, Puustinen, Letang/Karlsson, Pettersson as PP2, and continue throwing out PP1 for 1:45 seconds of chasing the puck into their own zone, resetting, and chasing again.

I may even revise those a bit so that Puustinen and Karlsson aren't on the same unit. While you aren't just going to feed pucks to one guy all the time, Puustinen may have the best shot of the forward group, and Karlsson from the backend. When Puustinen is out there on the PP, they should be looking to get him the puck in the left circle to let him rip his shot, which he feasted on in the AHL. Karlsson has not only a very accurate shot that hits the net, but he is great at that slap shot/pass to someone in front for the redirect. Utilize those 2 strategies as the main focus, but, obviously work the puck around to other for openings, too.

They will have the same units they finished last season with would be my guess. Swapped out Guentz for Bunting. I am a big believer that their inept PP is on the players, not the coaching. Now that the coach took the fall, we can see if the approach changes. I bet it doesn’t….

[FLPensFan]

Different players on the PP? Wonder what makes her think that will happen.

Well for one, Guentzel isn't here. When not injured he was a staple on that PP1 unit. I still wish they would just go with two units and go with the hot hand, and maybe use the overloaded PP unit on rare occassions.

PP1 - Sid, Rust, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson
PP2 - Geno, Rakell, DOC, Letang, Pettersson
Overload - Sid, Geno, Bunting, Puustinen, Karlsson

Use the overload unit when PP1 and PP2 have been crap all game (or for multiple games in their case) and you actually need a PP goal to get back in a game.

But, the team will probably go with Sid, Geno, Rust, Bunting and Karlsson/Letang as PP1, and Hayes/Eller, Rakell, Puustinen, Letang/Karlsson, Pettersson as PP2, and continue throwing out PP1 for 1:45 seconds of chasing the puck into their own zone, resetting, and chasing again.

I may even revise those a bit so that Puustinen and Karlsson aren't on the same unit. While you aren't just going to feed pucks to one guy all the time, Puustinen may have the best shot of the forward group, and Karlsson from the backend. When Puustinen is out there on the PP, they should be looking to get him the puck in the left circle to let him rip his shot, which he feasted on in the AHL. Karlsson has not only a very accurate shot that hits the net, but he is great at that slap shot/pass to someone in front for the redirect. Utilize those 2 strategies as the main focus, but, obviously work the puck around to other for openings, too.

They will have the same units they finished last season with would be my guess. Swapped out Guentz for Bunting. I am a big believer that their inept PP is on the players, not the coaching. Now that the coach took the fall, we can see if the approach changes. I bet it doesn’t….

The big question I have is...Did David Quinn run the PP as the HC in SJ? Their team was awful and they were 25th on the PP in Karlsson's 100 point season, but 25th was 18.4%. 19% and 22nd overall (3 spots below PIT) in 21-22. And SJ had A LOT less talent to work with. I'm hoping Quinn quickly realizes that Karlsson on the top PP, for his ability to carry the puck and his ability to get shots on net, is given at this point. Then we'll see how the personnel shakes out.