The fourth Line is looking good!
by cyroose on Aug 28, 2010 11:19 AM EDT
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PrintThe Pens' recent signing of Asham has got me thinking. Though the Pens have a shortage of top-6 guys, they have quite a few good grinders. I think the Pens will end up with a fourth line something like Rupp-Adams-Asham. This line is pretty solid on its own, with everyone playing physically, but what really interests me is what will happen if/when the Pens throw Sid or Geno out on this line?
With Rupp-Crosby-Asham on the ice, the Pens have one superstar, and two grinders with decent hands. They could roll from the Staalkin line to that, and the other team would be forced to use their better defensemen against Geno. Maybe this will make up for having Dupuis/Talbot type guys in the top 2 lines.
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I think Asham would be best suited on the third line. Maybe something like Asham-Talbot/Letestu-Cooke.
by Mario's Mullet on Aug 28, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
yes, Asham has the most offensive skills of the group and he could be plugged on the 3rd line.
I think if he plays well and gets into some kind of scoring groove he might even get some chances to skate with Sid or Geno…
You have to see it for yourself...
Yeah, looks like Stars (11/3), Ducks (11/5) and Coyotes (11/6) is as bad as it gets.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Aug 29, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretend that I actually replied to your below comment about west coast road trips.
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Aug 29, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
What I predict for the start of the season
Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Talbot-Staal-Malkin
Cooke-Letestu-Kennedy or Tangredi
Rupp-Adams-Asham
Letang-Orpik
Big Z-Martin
Lovejoy-Gogo
Godard as F-13 with no 7th d-man, except maybe on extended road trips, especially when they venture west.
Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying
With Rupp-Crosby-Asham on the ice, the Pens have one superstar, andtwogrinders with decent hands.
Fixed
With Rupp-Crosby-Asham on the ice, the Pens have three grinders, one who happens to be the best player in the league and two others with decent hands.
Indeed...
far and away the most skilled grinder in the history of the sport.
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
Toews isn’t bad in that regard either. Just sayin’.
Look upon my 62% faceoff win rate, ye mortals, and despair!
Does Toews consistently score 100 pts a year?
Yeah, he’s great, but he’s not even really close to being on Sid’s level.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
But will he get 100 pts the next year and 100 consistently (barring injury) for the next 5-10 years after that? No way.
Unless you were joking…
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Never Say Never
I don’t think he will but I learned a long time ago to never say never…..
it usually comes back to bite us on the ass!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Aug 31, 2010 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Toews
Toews is a darn good player. He had some injuries last year, and still almost got 70 points—although his goal total was down by 9 from the year B4.
He’s younger than Malkin
and Crosby.
He still has plenty of upside.
He's Only 6 Months Younger than Crosby
Geez, he sounds like an old man now…
I think Toews will have a very good season but I can’t guess what his point totals will be.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 1, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Even if he does score 100 points one day, he’ll never do it consistently.
He’s never going to be up there with Sid and Ovechkin.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
My lines prediction:
Kunitz – Crosby – xx
xx – Staal – Malkin
xx – xx – xx
xx – Adams – xx
I really doubt that this team is best with defined lines. Just rolling players through may give them the best chance night in and night out. Playing the Flyers? Put Asham or Cooke in the first group for physical defense. Tampa? Put in Dupuis to try to skate around their defense and get shots on goal. Washington? Talbot or Cooke might work best because they can skate with most of the Caps and still provide some offense. The Pens now have enough specialized grinders to counter whatever any other team might throw at them.
It’s counter to building chemistry, but I think it might be what the Pens could do best next year.
i like your lines predictions Justin K!
with all Bylsma’s talk about “accountability” and no Billy G returning, there will be a lot of competition and opportunities for any player to get time on any line. that can only be good.
that said, i do think the team will eventually settle on a semi-regular 3C and also a winger to pair w/ him — kind of like the top 2 lines have their pairs — and you may also see Rupp as a regular w/ Adams on the 4th.
ie, thinking of terms of PAIRS of players per line, instead of complete lines, to provide some consistency along w/ the flexibility/added competition.
I’d go -
Kunitz – Crosby – Kennedy
Dupuis – Staal – Malkin
Cooke – Talbot – Asham
Rupp – Letesu – Adams
Mix Tangradi in for Letestu bumping Asham to 4th line -
Kunitz – Crosby – Kennedy
Dupuis – Staal – Malkin
Cooke – Talbot – Tangradi
Rupp – Adams – Asham
If Tangradi is really good , put him with Sid -
Kunitz – Crosby – Tangradi
Dupuis – Staal – Malkin
Cooke – Talbot – Kennedy
Rupp – Adams – Asham
main sub – Letestu
Of couse lines can be jumbled in game or from game-to-game , we wouldn’t be the Pens if we didn’t mix it up.
lines, lines, lines
Kunitz – Crosby – 1RW
2LW – Staal – Malkin
3LW – 3C – 3RW
4LW – 4C – 4RW
too many combos to even post WAGs at this point
competition from multiple players at every open spot:
1RW – Dupuis/TK/Asham/Talbot/NJohnson/Craig/Conner
3RW – Asham/TK/Dupuis
4RW – Adams/Asham/TK/Wallace
2LW – Cooke/Tangradi/Jeffrey/Dupuis/Talbot/Asham/Sterling
3LW – Tangradi/Cooke/Asham/Jeffrey/Rupp
4LW – Rupp/Tangradi/Jeffrey/Asham
3C – Talbot/Letestu/Jeffrey/Adams
4C – Adams/Letestu/Jeffrey/Talbot
I agree
The bottom six just makes me think of how many options we have on the PK, and why we are so good. Basically anyone in bottom 6 knows how to do it…
Our bottom 6 is just nasty.
I love Craig Adams for diving headfirst onto the puck after that rebound skittered around on the right side of MAF in 2009…I also love his playoff presence and I will always remember the sick, sick SICK backhander he had in 2010.
Every day is a great day for hockey!
We're always focused on a Top 6 Winger
but the Pens “Bottom 6” can match up now with anybody (especially if Staal is the 3C), and that should not be discounted—these guys are the difference makers in the playoffs. This will be proven this year with the Blackhawks, who basically have their core back but have lost their bottom 6. They will be pretty decent, but gone in the 1st or 2nd round.
when asham signed
he was told he is playing on the 3rd line
shero on asham
“he can play up and down the lineup”
3rd line looks like the best fit for Asham
he’d add much needed physicality w/ Staal likely bumped up to 2C
yet with very few exceptions, not much is settled w/r/t the forward corps
Stalkin or not?
As mush as I love the idea of the Stalkin line, I don’t know if that is going to be in the cards right now. With all this winger depth, i don’t we should necessarily have a fairly good center play wing. I think the line will look like this.
Kunitz-Crosby-Tangradi (TK if Big dog doesn’t mesh)
Dupuis-Malkin-Talbot
Asham-Staal-Cooke
Rupp-Adams-Kennedy
Of course I’m not sure if TK and Asham will be switched, but i really like what Asham brings to the table so i am hoping he gets a decent amount of playing time, maybe even top 6 forward. Honestly though I have no idea whats going to happen.
i don’t we should necessarily have one of the best players in the game play wing.
Fixed it for ya.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
It's ok
just don’t let it happen again or Malkin will “shoot everybody.”
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
what about keeping a good thing good ?
I would never break up Kennedy- Staal – Cooke unless they prove they cant continue to produce.
I like the idea of Rupp – Adams – Goon from Philly as a 4th line
Bring up some of the young talent, particularly Tangradi and Conner
I really like the idea of two speedt skaters ( Dupuis and Talbot ) playing on Malkin’s line
2nd line won't happen
Crosby has already mentioned that he likes playing with Dupuis due to his speed. I think as of now the 1st line is the only line we can be 99.99% sure of what its going to look like. Here’s to hoping Kunitz actually produces and stays healthy
by Geno McFleury on Aug 29, 2010 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Aye i hope so, I just drafted him last night.
There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
by Sid the captain on Aug 29, 2010 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty early for a fantasy hockey draft.
by Mario's Mullet on Aug 29, 2010 10:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Kunitz
That he stays healthy and scores a few goals this season; that would be super!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Aug 29, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This is IT!
Kunitz – Sid – Tangradi
Kennedy – Staal – Geno
Cooke – Max – Cooke
Rupp – Adams – Asham
Or maybe not.
I wouldn't put Kennedy on the 2d line
That is very generous of you. He really needs to prove himself at camp to get upgraded to that spot.
I can’t wait to see what happens……….will October just get here!!!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Aug 29, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Pssh
I wouldn’t put Tangradi on the 1st line. That was very generous of you. He really needs to prove himself at camp to get upgraded to that spot. I can’t wait to see what happens……….will October just get here!!!
Boom. I love doing that. =D
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
You forgot.....
DUPUIS lol you put Cooke twice
I have….
Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Tangradi-Staal-Malkin
Asham-Talbot-Cooke
Rupp-Adams-Kennedy
Orpik-Letang
Michalek-Martin
Lovejoy-GoGo
Godard gets put on waivers and Connor makes a push. Engelland IS the 7th Dman
And Despres WILL compete for the 7th man job this year and Lovejoy’s or GoGo’s roster spot next year. Take it to the bank!!!!
by Geno McFleury on Aug 29, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
DUPUIS lol you put Cooke twice
I know, I’m dopey. Always rushing and not checking what I’m typing.
I actually wanted Dupuis on the 3rd line with Max & Cooke.
I would like to see what Kennedy could do with Sid and/or Geno, also what he can do on the PP. He has shown at times to have a very deft scoring touch around the net. I think this is a make or break season for him.
As far as Tangradi, he’s a skilled foward who needs to play with other skilled players. If he’s not on a scoring line than he’s probably useless. I don’t see him in a checking role. I know he’s got to earn it, but I was kind of hoping he would in camp then HCDB would give him scoring line shifts as opposed to 4th line shifts..
With no legitimate goal-scoring wingers (35g) on the team, I beleive it’s wide open and everybody has a shot at playing on the top two line. It will be fluid all season.
lines
The pens went to back to back finals and won the cup on strength down the middle and defense. Shero and Bylsma know this. The three headed monster of Crosby, Malkin and Staal must stay down the middle. Our D must improve.
Kunitz 20+Crosby 45+Dupuis 20=85goals
Tangradi 20+Malkin 45+Talbot 20=85goals
Cooke 15+Staal 20+Kennady 15=50goals
Rupp 5+Adams 0(he’s consistant)+Asham 10=15goals
by threeheadedmonster on Aug 29, 2010 10:17 PM EDT reply actions
The day that both Talbot and Tangradi have 20 goals in one season is the day that I will buy the Penguins.
Sorry, but I think your second line totals are pretty far fetched.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
by PensFan8725 on Aug 30, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I love the absurdity of actually guessing goal totals when we don’t even know the line combinations.. I’ll have a go at it!
Kunitz 25-30 Crosby 45-50 Dupuis 20 = 90-100 goals
TK 20 Staal 35-40 Malkin 40-45 = 95-105 goals
Cooke 10-15 Talbot 10-15 Asham 10-15 = 30-45 goals
Rupp 5-10 Letestu 5-10 Adams 1 (I have faith) = 11-21 goals
That’s 211-271 goals, assuming everyone stays healthy. Those projections are also at or very near career season-highs for every single one of your top 9 forwards, including 35-40 goals for a guy in Staal that hasn’t been able to skate at all this summer and may not be in tip-top condition at the beginning of the year.
Pretty hopeful.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Obviously one or more of those aren’t going to live up to the expectations, but I don’t really see how I can even begin to predict who. Just pinning goal totals on players is a stretch, when we don’t even know how Bylsma intends to roll the lines, actually guessing who will have an off-year is even further out there.
I’ll also concede, that I may be overly optimistic with TK, Staal and Malkin. But, I feel both TK and Staal have a lot of untapped offensive potential. IF the line works out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see goal totals in that area for that line.
As for the other top9 players, I’d frankly be surprised if they don’t achieve those goal totals. That’s assuming Kunitz stays health, Dupuis keeps up his form and Crosby keeps shooting. But, as I said, I really can’t take into account who might have an off year or injury plagued year. Otherwise you’d see wacky guesses like 15-30 goals for Kunitz, which really isn’t a guess at all.
I guess I should have said I also expect one or two forwards in the lineup to have off-years and one or two to be injury plagued. Which would bring the goal totals down to more realistic levels.
Line 1
Sid’s line will score more goals —beating line 2.
I’ll wager on it!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Aug 30, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d wager on it too. Especially since Crosby basically knows who he’s playing with Kunitz (and vice versa). So that way, when Sid’s up at night thinking about how he was a failure this year because he didn’t win the Cup, he can think about Kuni’s tendencies.
Well, that comment veered off in a totally different direction that I had originally intended it to.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I love the absurdity of actually guessing goal totals when we don’t even know the line combinations..
Lol…you can tell when we’re in the “in between” stages (past the prime of free agency and not quite to camp). The only reason I had confidence enough to actually post the statement was because even with if both Big Dog and Superstar play with Geno, I have a very hard time seeing them both score 40. Even though Malkin is crazy good and all…I just don’t see it. I couldn’t see it with Crosby either.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Staal scored 29 with with Malkin at the age of 18. Tangradi has compairable skill. Talbot scored 13 goals splitting time on 3rd & 4th lines. I think playing with Malkin on the 2nd line around 20 is doable. Much better lime mates.
by threeheadedmonster on Aug 30, 2010 12:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe Talbot can do it. But having both Tangradi and Talbot score 20 goals? Don’t see it happening. Don’t count on Tangradi even making the team this year, much less the second line.
Oh, and by the way, there is a “reply” button under whatever comment you want to reply to. Just fyi.
Welcome to Pensburgh! It’s very fan friendly around here…There are some good, knowledgeable folks here, who love the Pens as much as anyone.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Thanks! I’ve been a reader for about a year and i thought i’d join in on the fun. I love the sight and all of the posts. Tons of info. Love it!
by threeheadedmonster on Aug 30, 2010 8:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Really? A year? Wow…I guess you just never know who’s reading what you write.
We like to talk a lot here, so if you like to do that, you should be just fine haha.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
by PensFan8725 on Aug 30, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
come by the game threads. good times.
we're not trading jordan staal.
by katielynn906 on Aug 30, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
i hear there’s going to be a cover charge this year
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Aug 31, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
but, but, but i’m broke!
we're not trading jordan staal.
by katielynn906 on Aug 31, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
there might be a student rate
.
Follow me on twitter, Picasa or at Pens Through My Lens.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Aug 31, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Just spit balling. However when you break down last years players/goals into last years lines my predictions arent far off. except for line 2.
by threeheadedmonster on Aug 30, 2010 12:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Indeed, they certainly weren’t far off. Tangradi and Talbot were perhaps overly optimistic, but that’s what the off-season is for. Just as I’m (perhaps) overly optimistic for my second line!
In fact, I think you may have shot lower than necessary with Kunitz. If he stays free of injury, which is not unreasonable to think, considering he played 81, 82 and 82 games the three seasons prior to this one, I’d actually be VERY surprised if he only scores 20.
I believe your guesses for Crosby, Dupuis and Malkin, as well as your 3rd and 4th lines, are right on the money.
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