Our boy Letang has been playing some really good hockey would you agree. If we can keep Geno from his blind, center ice, drop passes, we may make a deep run.
He's still all over the place, the puck is just bouncing his way.
Pens Jan 2019
- Thread starter torontoeers
- Start date
He's still all over the place, the puck is just bouncing his way.
Daniel Sprong is a simple, 21-year-old Dutchman just trying to score a few goals in the cruel world of professional hockey. It’s not his fault the Pittsburgh Penguins got off to a poor start to this season.
Marcus Pettersson is a humble, 22-year-old Swede just trying to establish himself as a trustworthy member of an NHL defense corps. His arrival didn’t magically turn things around for the Penguins.
But man, it sure wouldn’t be hard to accidentally come to those conclusions, would it?
Before trading Sprong for Pettersson on Dec. 3, the Penguins were off to a mediocre 10-10-5 start. Since then, they’re on an impressive 14-3-1 run heading into a Friday night matchup with the Anaheim Ducks.
In general, the deal is working out pretty well for all parties involved.
Sprong is off to a perfectly acceptable start to his tenure with the Ducks, scoring five goals in 15 games. Pettersson, meanwhile, has been a revelation with the Penguins.
Using his 6-foot-3 frame to his advantage, Pettersson has been on the ice for only four even-strength goals against in 18 games since the trade.
Lately, he’s been adding some offensive numbers to his resume as well. Pettersson heads into Anaheim on a four-game scoring streak. During that stretch, he has five assists and a plus-8 rating.
“Ever since coming here, I feel more and more trust from the coaches,” Pettersson said. “That’s the path you’ve got to go on. You’ve got to make sure your teammates trust you and your coaches trust you. I can always improve, but I’m on the right path.”
It’s fair to say the Penguins lucked into Pettersson to a certain degree. General manager Jim Rutherford’s main motivation in making the deal was to move Sprong along, not to see what it was going to take to pry Pettersson away from the Ducks.
That said, the team’s scouting report on Pettersson has been dead-on. The day the trade was made, Rutherford said his game was reminiscent of Brian Dumoulin’s, and the comparison hasn’t been too far off.
Pettersson isn’t as strong a skater, but he uses his reach and makes a good first pass under pressure a lot like Dumoulin does.
Pettersson, incidentally, considers the Dumoulin comparison a great compliment.
“His poise, his understanding of the game, he can play in all situations,” Pettersson said.
He also understands the value of those first passes he is making.
“It’s the case with every team. You always want to play a fast-paced game. But we’ve got forwards that are so skilled,” Pettersson said. “When the D play simple and when we play fast, I think the forwards read off us well, and it just clicks.”
Perhaps the greatest impact Pettersson’s arrival has made on the Penguins is the way it’s started defense partner Jack Johnson’s game moving in the right direction.
In the 25 games before the trade, the Penguins were getting outscored 27-13 at even strength when Johnson was on the ice. In the 18 games since, the Penguins are outscoring their foes 12-6 when Johnson plays at even strength.
Johnson said he doesn’t consciously change anything about his game based on his defense partner, but he admitted he likes having Pettersson around.
“He’s a good player,” Johnson said. “I think he’s easy to play with. He handles the puck well, makes good outlet passes. If he gets the puck in the corner, he helps get us out of trouble pretty quick.”
In general, Johnson said he’s become more comfortable since Pettersson arrived.
“You just really focus on your own game because part of having a partnership is you don’t want to let your partner down,” Johnson said. “I think we just get along really well on the ice"
Marcus Pettersson is a humble, 22-year-old Swede just trying to establish himself as a trustworthy member of an NHL defense corps. His arrival didn’t magically turn things around for the Penguins.
But man, it sure wouldn’t be hard to accidentally come to those conclusions, would it?
Before trading Sprong for Pettersson on Dec. 3, the Penguins were off to a mediocre 10-10-5 start. Since then, they’re on an impressive 14-3-1 run heading into a Friday night matchup with the Anaheim Ducks.
In general, the deal is working out pretty well for all parties involved.
Sprong is off to a perfectly acceptable start to his tenure with the Ducks, scoring five goals in 15 games. Pettersson, meanwhile, has been a revelation with the Penguins.
Using his 6-foot-3 frame to his advantage, Pettersson has been on the ice for only four even-strength goals against in 18 games since the trade.
Lately, he’s been adding some offensive numbers to his resume as well. Pettersson heads into Anaheim on a four-game scoring streak. During that stretch, he has five assists and a plus-8 rating.
“Ever since coming here, I feel more and more trust from the coaches,” Pettersson said. “That’s the path you’ve got to go on. You’ve got to make sure your teammates trust you and your coaches trust you. I can always improve, but I’m on the right path.”
It’s fair to say the Penguins lucked into Pettersson to a certain degree. General manager Jim Rutherford’s main motivation in making the deal was to move Sprong along, not to see what it was going to take to pry Pettersson away from the Ducks.
That said, the team’s scouting report on Pettersson has been dead-on. The day the trade was made, Rutherford said his game was reminiscent of Brian Dumoulin’s, and the comparison hasn’t been too far off.
Pettersson isn’t as strong a skater, but he uses his reach and makes a good first pass under pressure a lot like Dumoulin does.
Pettersson, incidentally, considers the Dumoulin comparison a great compliment.
“His poise, his understanding of the game, he can play in all situations,” Pettersson said.
He also understands the value of those first passes he is making.
“It’s the case with every team. You always want to play a fast-paced game. But we’ve got forwards that are so skilled,” Pettersson said. “When the D play simple and when we play fast, I think the forwards read off us well, and it just clicks.”
Perhaps the greatest impact Pettersson’s arrival has made on the Penguins is the way it’s started defense partner Jack Johnson’s game moving in the right direction.
In the 25 games before the trade, the Penguins were getting outscored 27-13 at even strength when Johnson was on the ice. In the 18 games since, the Penguins are outscoring their foes 12-6 when Johnson plays at even strength.
Johnson said he doesn’t consciously change anything about his game based on his defense partner, but he admitted he likes having Pettersson around.
“He’s a good player,” Johnson said. “I think he’s easy to play with. He handles the puck well, makes good outlet passes. If he gets the puck in the corner, he helps get us out of trouble pretty quick.”
In general, Johnson said he’s become more comfortable since Pettersson arrived.
“You just really focus on your own game because part of having a partnership is you don’t want to let your partner down,” Johnson said. “I think we just get along really well on the ice"
Just getting to this now briefly...long week! TGIF.
YES this is common nowdays in the O as it was the 'overage' trade deadline this week. I believe 19 or 20 years old for that...The dirtbags from the Shwa are very adept at these type trades and this year was no exception. Traded the Captain but imo actually strengthened their lineup. Petes made a few deals but mainly to rid themselves 2 guys who seemed to be either lazy or wanted out. I actually think the deals 'we' made, were ok especially toward the future. DeGenerates and Petes are neck and neck in the standings, although they beat us on our turf last night. Heading down to the big dirty early Feb for a game in their barn. I will likely encounter the usual verbal assault's (until you stand up in their drunken faces that is), throughout the game but I will relish watching the knuckledragger crowd attempt to look smart...
The good thing is GM is pulling out of The Shwa for good (after millions and millions in bailouts the sum bitches), so maybe the derelicts in that town might actually learn a vocation rather than putting rivets into their brains....and that millions dollar arena will be half empty ...ah I am on a tangent here :wink:....but then you have known how I feel about that shithole and their fanbase for awhile...Lets get one in Anahiem tonight!
I've noticed it seems that way with him too...it's the ones you don't seem to expect go right through him, meanwhile he is fully capable of making the acrobatic save, and is positionally sound (to my eyes anyway), he needs to sort that (lapse of concentration?) a bit if anything....he has proven thusfar however that I no longer worry about who might start. I guess that sign of him today has proved it as well.
At least he doesn't decide to wander about like a blindman behind the goal line...those episodes drove me apoplectic...
Oh and BTW gents...yours truly called in yet again to fix the scoreboard at Scotiabank/ACC whatever...shoddy workmanship (electrical contractor awarded the install contract) on that thing to say the least. Panasonic is pulling their hair out every time I'm on the blower with em...
I wish I had a more in depth knowledge of the PLC programming on the thing however. Could pull out the laptop and slide a porn film in there rather than the pre-game hype video. I'd be out of a job but damn...worth it?
I wish I had a more in depth knowledge of the PLC programming on the thing however. Could pull out the laptop and slide a porn film in there rather than the pre-game hype video. I'd be out of a job but damn...worth it?
Who's alive???? Anyone? Anahiem gives us fits (I never know to place I after E or what, and frankly I don't give a shit)....get it done...metro is still on fire with the wins.
Man, down 0-3 after one, then outscore the Ducks 7-1 in the last 40....wonder when the Guins had a comeback exactly like THAT one.I heard this past week that Randy Carlyle was in trouble......and 9 losses in a row for a team that's looks pretty damned good on paper will do that.....but THIS is the kind of loss that might well knock him over the cliff.
Meanwhile, as I begin my nitpicking, is anyone else frightened to death the second Ducks goal made Murray look depressingly like he regressed back to the beginning of the season ?? And did Geno's latest bonehead turnover (leading directly to the 4th Ducks goal) find you asking yourself if there's ANYONE in the League even remotely close to him for sheer number of brain farts in a single season (which still has 3 months to go) ??
Now that I got that out of my system, good to see Geno with 4 points (and big games of both Jake and Kessel). And you have to wonder how many they'd have scored had Gibson not been SO good in the 1st period.??
Meanwhile, as I begin my nitpicking, is anyone else frightened to death the second Ducks goal made Murray look depressingly like he regressed back to the beginning of the season ?? And did Geno's latest bonehead turnover (leading directly to the 4th Ducks goal) find you asking yourself if there's ANYONE in the League even remotely close to him for sheer number of brain farts in a single season (which still has 3 months to go) ??
Now that I got that out of my system, good to see Geno with 4 points (and big games of both Jake and Kessel). And you have to wonder how many they'd have scored had Gibson not been SO good in the 1st period.??
From my recollection, this isn't the first time you've been down there for Service work. If I'm interpreting your message correctly, the issue is more the install than the Board itself.
If that's not the case, then DON'T let me know about it. ....because strictly speaking, I'm a Panasonic employee (by acquisition, 2 years ago) and I don't want to feel forced to call Japan and inform them the trade in Toronto thinks they downright suck
![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
100% the install...done by a butcher crew.From my recollection, this isn't the first time you've been down there for Service work. If I'm interpreting your message correctly, the issue is more the install than the Board itself.
If that's not the case, then DON'T let me know about it. ....because strictly speaking, I'm a Panasonic employee (by acquisition, 2 years ago) and I don't want to feel forced to call Japan and inform them the trade in Toronto thinks they downright suck
I nearly threw the iPad at the tv. I need a new tv. The iPad is brand new though.
The question about Geno and brain farts. While I was grazing in the fridge between the 2nd and 3rd, I was wondering how many times his center ice turnovers lead directly to goals against? He must lead the world in that stat for forwards. Most would agree that he isn’t a great hockey mind but my God he is not a rookie.
To make the league fairer and more worthwhile for the fans and players, the OHL must aggressively address the widening financial disparity among teams. This obviously comes about because of the varying sizes and amenities offered by the arenas of teams, the advanced marketing programs teams can afford, the population base they draw from as well as the depth of pockets of owners.
One of the most serious financial obligations facing OHL teams, especially those with smaller rinks and fan bases, is the cost of paying for education packages for their players not going on to professional hockey.
I'd characterize myself as having some reasonable degree of familiarity with roughly half the League teams......say, Ottawa, Shwa, the Petes, and Barrie in the East and London, Sarnia, Windsor, Kitchener, and Erie in the West. Regarding Don Barrie's description of the haves and have nots in his piece, which of them would fall under the general category of having to deal with "small rinks and fan bases" ??One of the most serious financial obligations facing OHL teams, especially those with smaller rinks and fan bases, is the cost of paying for education packages for their players not going on to professional hockey.
Not sure if this was mentioned on last night's broadcast (though I myself guess it was)......FYI, I was dozing on and off from the opening faceoff after a very long week.....but the Ducks last win indeed was in Pittsburgh back before Christmas
I would say Owen Sound Attack would lead that charge at somewhere around 3000 capacity. However...they consistently sell out and always draw quite well. I would consider them a stellar model for a small market team.
North Bay fairly recently aquired the Battalion out of Brampton and went through a fairly major reno of their facility to the tune of an intially reported 12 mil, which in actual fact ended up at about 17 mil because of some rather 'shady' business. Their capacity is still lower on the scale at around 3500 I think? And they are having significant trouble drawing fans to the rink after being there 3 or 4 years now.
Hamilton (the old Belleville Bulls) although they won the O last year is another that suffers from a low draw. They play in an antiquated 'First Ontario Centre' which if you can believe it is the old 'Copps Colliseum' that was built back in the 80's in an attempt at pulling in an NHL team. They tarp off the upper bowl (Hello Pitt), reducing capacity to 9000 and are lucky to draw about 3-4000 on an average. This stat is also based on an awful lot of school groups getting dirt cheap seats to try and fill the stands...
The ultimate dog of the league is the Mississauga Steelheads. They play out of the old Hershey Centre (I think the name has changed now, and I actually managed a project putting solar panels on the arena roof there about 10 years ago lol), which is just under 5000 I believe. They dont draw flies. Maybe 1500 a game. They also artificially inflate their numbers A LOT. Why they keep attempting the O there I have no clue. There is nothing around that arena to draw people in , its essentially smack dab in a subdivision for god sakes...and they care about the Leaves out there, nothing more. They will move soon imo, the talk is to Brantford. A decent hockey town (we all know who was born there), with a smaller 3500 seat facility that would need upgrades.
Lastly our Petes. Still owned by the city, who struck a deal with mgmt to alleviate some of the debtload for a few years. No question a new facility is needed, and would bump attendance. Unfortunately the city isn't shelling out for that so they would imo have to be sold to a private investor for that to happen. Capacity on the Mem Centre is listed at 4300, when in reality it's actually closer to 3900. Attendance has climbed this year so far to a few hundred more (maybe 3000 avg), but needs to be better for any long term sustainabilty.
There was an article I read last year I think on attendance, capacities, tix prices etc that I will try and locate for you. It was quite informative, although with imo a few errors in it. Written by a Gens scribe...
Other teams that need somewhat of a revamp in order to remain competitive imo?
Sarnia
Sudbury
Barrie
Saginaw
Hope this explains some of the dynamics...
Found the article
https://thegenslens.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/ohl-attendance-going-or-growing/
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Lets go boys! Keep this EXPRESS train rollin...
FYI I was actually only musing on this a few weeks back BUT...I KNOW who Irwin wants to deal lol, but realistically who gets dealt?
https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2019/01/pittsburgh-penguins-likely-to-be-sellers-on-defense.html
FYI I was actually only musing on this a few weeks back BUT...I KNOW who Irwin wants to deal lol, but realistically who gets dealt?
https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2019/01/pittsburgh-penguins-likely-to-be-sellers-on-defense.html
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Well, there's the typical DeSmith GA off the nobody-in-sight slapper......setup by the obligatory miserable defensive TO (this one by Petterson) at the blue line.
Letang dancing a jig at the blue line on the PP; turnover, and Kopitar cashes in short handed......3-1 Kings, who were the better team in the 2nd.
What annoyed me more that the childish turnover was the fact nobody came back to support. Kopitar had time to friggin get up off the ice and score. My god somebody skate.
Am I the only one around here significantly more pissed-off after back-to-back bad losses than I am happy after back-to-back good wins ??
Speaking of losses, was looking......from anyone who saw any of the Sharks game......for some review of Murray's performance last night. No matter how you slice it, 5 GA is a bad look; but we all know this can easily be the result of problems in front of him.
DK's Chris Bradford made what I thought was a key observation coming off the loss.....that Marcus Pettersson had an exceptionally rough night, and that his trade by Anaheim might very well have had to do with problems he (at 177 pounds) was having in the bigger Western Conference. I also read recently.....might have been from DK himself.....about how skinny Pettersson's legs were; in fact, that he couldn't recall anyone having toothpicks quite that thin in skates.
Meanwhile, Tomas Hertl's HT brought to mind something I distinctly recall from the 2016 SCF. I personally never felt like enough was made by fans on either side over the fact he was injured early in the series and missed most of the 2016 Finals......and that his injury removed a really important scorer from the Sharks lineup.
On paper, the guy has never put up anything even approaching great numbers (22 GF in his best season); but given some of the high-level plays I've seen him make, he's always struck me as having legitimate sniper capability. But those numbers indicate he must struggle with consistency, and must have at least as many invisible games as he does good ones.
Still, three years later, I still thought he was keenly missed by the SJS in the Finals.
Speaking of losses, was looking......from anyone who saw any of the Sharks game......for some review of Murray's performance last night. No matter how you slice it, 5 GA is a bad look; but we all know this can easily be the result of problems in front of him.
DK's Chris Bradford made what I thought was a key observation coming off the loss.....that Marcus Pettersson had an exceptionally rough night, and that his trade by Anaheim might very well have had to do with problems he (at 177 pounds) was having in the bigger Western Conference. I also read recently.....might have been from DK himself.....about how skinny Pettersson's legs were; in fact, that he couldn't recall anyone having toothpicks quite that thin in skates.
Meanwhile, Tomas Hertl's HT brought to mind something I distinctly recall from the 2016 SCF. I personally never felt like enough was made by fans on either side over the fact he was injured early in the series and missed most of the 2016 Finals......and that his injury removed a really important scorer from the Sharks lineup.
On paper, the guy has never put up anything even approaching great numbers (22 GF in his best season); but given some of the high-level plays I've seen him make, he's always struck me as having legitimate sniper capability. But those numbers indicate he must struggle with consistency, and must have at least as many invisible games as he does good ones.
Still, three years later, I still thought he was keenly missed by the SJS in the Finals.
Agree with you on Hertl...underated imo, or at least he looks to my (and apparently your) eyes like a snipe when he scores...
Read on the score sheet 4g against on 28 for MM , assuming one was an empty netter? Of course you I and everyone else that desires a sleep after 10 or 11 may never know lol...regardless 4 g on 28 is not much better imo. Stop nine of 10 on a consistent basis has always been my yardstick over the last decade or so. And YES I AM PISSED OFF. Perhaps that will change on Fri night...it better, NOBODY wants to lose to Zona, home or away...
Well, if you missed it late last night, the Yotes shattered the Sharks 7-game winning streak with a 6-3 home win; their 4th win in the last 5 games. I assume the Sharks just weren't ready to play after their big win over the Pens on Tuesday night. But this result does give me pause that our Friday game will be anything but a walkover.
BTW, DK is reporting that Horndog is flying to Arizona......indicating he may well play there (or perhaps in Vegas). I'm obviously happy he's close to returning, but I myself would personally prefer him to remain out of the lineup until they return from their bye week.
But with the top of the Metro (outside the Craps, who've lost 3 straight) continuing to play so well......the Pens are tied for 3rd this morning with the Isles (who have a game in hand)......they must feel as though they don't have the luxury of playing it conservative.
There will be no World Cup of Hockey in 2020. The NHL and NHLPA issued a joint statement Wednesday.
According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, this isn't a great sign for hockey CBA negotiations.
"The NHL was dead set on avoiding a repeat of 2004 when, two days after Team Canada topped Finland in the final, the league locked out the players and announced suspension of the 2004-05 season," Seravalli wrote. "What Wednesday's announcement really means is there will be no quick and dirty extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement."
"The NHL has been straightforward in its approach: No labour peace, no international puck."
what a bunch of bullsh*t.
According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, this isn't a great sign for hockey CBA negotiations.
"The NHL was dead set on avoiding a repeat of 2004 when, two days after Team Canada topped Finland in the final, the league locked out the players and announced suspension of the 2004-05 season," Seravalli wrote. "What Wednesday's announcement really means is there will be no quick and dirty extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement."
"The NHL has been straightforward in its approach: No labour peace, no international puck."
what a bunch of bullsh*t.
Fantastic news imo...that conjured up crap from little Napoleon made me wanna barf. Glad it's DEAD.
Columbus wants to deal for Brass? Hmmm...fine with me so long as we get an adequate C replacement from somewhere. As much as Brass has not lived up to his 'Big game' name, I don't wanna see them simply move the next guy (Sheahan I assume) up. He is good as a 4th (sometime 3rd) C IMO.
not surprised at this response. I love rooting for usa hockey. gives me a nice change of pace from this team full of stars I love to hate.
And I dont blame you...I'm same. Love rooting for The Maple Leaf...just not vs some half assed team Euro etc. If that jackoff hadn't of made that Junior NA Team nonsense we would have had a better chance at seeing the ACTUAL two best teams in the final. Gimmie best on best all day long...I could give two $hits if Zdeno Chara , Anze Kopitar or some cocksure 19 year old plays or not...
@COOL MAN ...remember that OHL BullDOG Hamilton I was discussing the other day and their garbage arena? Lol....oh and D'Angelo and Andlauer are a couple of fast talking idiots...that rink is a disgrace.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/jun...mporary-move-ice-quality-deteriorates/sn-amp/
