Malkin and the Penguins

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

man is this dude on fire or what.....21 points in 10 talk about picking it up with Crosby gone...what are your guys thoughts on him?

[Bravada 442 0]

I used to think that outside of Crosby, the Pens had a chance to sign 2 of the other big 3 (Malkin, Staal, and Fleury), and I always figured they would definitely sign Staal and have to decide between Malkin and Fleury.

That has changed. This kid has shown he has the ability to absolutely lead this team. It is incredible the tear he has been on.

[Fury of One 6]

He's alright.... :P

Pretty strong showing for the Pens considering both Crosby and Fleury are out and I guess you could even throw Roberts into the mix.

[RadioGaGa 162]

As long as they can find a way to keep him at this level when Sid gets back. I assume they will move him back to the Wing with Crosby. That will probably affect his production a little bit...

[Jake 0]

Doubt it, I think they're keeping him and Crosby at C.

[Chadd 916]

Doubt it, I think they're keeping him and Crosby at C.

Not enough quality wingers now that Roberts is out and Recchi was run out of town.

[camhockey16 5]

with how much chemistry malkin and sykora have i would assume they will keep them together for a while..

the sad part is for as hot as malkin has been he still hasn't caught up to ovechkin.

[Bravada 442 0]

Doubt it, I think they're keeping him and Crosby at C.

Not enough quality wingers now that Roberts is out and Recchi was run out of town.

Did you just use "quality wingers" and Roberts and Recchi in the same sentence?

They have to leave him at Centre. He is too much of a natural there. Staal is the big, physical force that can play on the wall. I think Crosby can make pretty much anyone a top flight goal scorer, so if Malkin is producing with Staal and Sykora, you leave them there. Maybe top line be Crosby at centre, Armstrong on the right wing and Malone on the left wing. Malkin with Staal on the left and Sykora on the right, then fill in the 3rd and 4th lines as needed.

[Chadd 916]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

[Bravada 442 0]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

He's doing great for the Thrashers, you're 100% right on that. But he was not producing here in PGH. There were a lot of rumors flying around that he would get in almost daily disagreements in the locker room with Crosby.

I think that Recchi was used to a leader like Mario and Crosby for certain is not that type of leader. Probably caused a rift. But, that being said, he was not a top 6 guy in Pittsburgh. No chance.

[Trooper 8]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

From all accounts, he was the problem in the locker room. Sometimes a new setting recharges a guy, like what is happening in Atlanta.

The Pens need one winger now. Malone is on a tear, Sykora is putting up numbers, and now you need one more guy so you can keep Malkin and Crosby on their own lines. Crosby with whoever they get and a fill in like Armstrong or Roberts.

[mik3 1]

I guess Crosby will play with Christensen and Malone again then you go Talbot/Malkin/Sykora on line two, possibly Kennedy instead of Talbot.

[Bravada 442 0]

I guess Crosby will play with Christensen and Malone again then you go Talbot/Malkin/Sykora on line two, possibly Kennedy instead of Talbot.

Kennedy wouldn't play on a line with Sykora because they are both right wingers. When you are as short on right handed shots as the Penguins are, you can't afford to waste him playing out of position on the Left wing.

I don't think Christensen will play with Crosby. The Christensen/Staal/Talbot line has been playing excellent hockey and I think that they should stay together.

I think the lines will be

Top Line - LW - Malone C - Crosby RW - Armstrong

2nd Line - LW - Roberts C - Malkin RW - Sykora

3rd Line - LW - Christensen C - Staal RW - Talbot

4th Line - LW - Ruutu C - Taafe RW - Laraque

Kennedy and maybe Beech on the pine in case of injury or rotating in. If Kennedy comes in, you play him on the RW on the 3rd line, move Talbot to the 2nd line at LW, then decide who you want to sit out of Ruutu, Taafe, Laraque, or Roberts.

Just my opinion.

[Chadd 916]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

He's doing great for the Thrashers, you're 100% right on that. But he was not producing here in PGH. There were a lot of rumors flying around that he would get in almost daily disagreements in the locker room with Crosby.

I think that Recchi was used to a leader like Mario and Crosby for certain is not that type of leader. Probably caused a rift. But, that being said, he was not a top 6 guy in Pittsburgh. No chance.

Recchi put up points in Pittsburgh until he was put on the third or fourth line. I'm sorry but Leclair, Recchi, Sydor, Roberts and Palffy were all known as good team guys and leaders until Crosby came along. All of their minutes diminshed and attempts were made to tarnish their reputations after they went to the Penguins. So either all of those guys suddenly developed attitude problems or someone else has no respect for older players.

[sk8n 0]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

He's doing great for the Thrashers, you're 100% right on that. But he was not producing here in PGH. There were a lot of rumors flying around that he would get in almost daily disagreements in the locker room with Crosby.

I think that Recchi was used to a leader like Mario and Crosby for certain is not that type of leader. Probably caused a rift. But, that being said, he was not a top 6 guy in Pittsburgh. No chance.

I definitely agree that Recchi was not a top 6 guy here in Pittsburgh. I think with all the injuries he could have contributed but overall things have worked out well.

I thought he played well the 2006/2007 season but at the beginning of this season was playing more like he did the 2005/2006 season. I believe in 2005/2006 he had one of, if not the worst, +/- ratings in the league (-36 including his time at Carolina). I remember cringing everytime he touched the puck that season. I was quite happy when he left for Carolina.

I am happy that things are going well for him in Atlanta.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Recchi wasn't even catching passes here in Pittsburgh, he couldnt keep up with the plays Crosby was making. I'm sure after Sid spoon fed Rex pass after pass and he missed 9 out of 10 that would cause some stuff to happen in the locker room for a frustrated team that wasn't winning.

That being said the pens are on a tear now and when Fleury went down I did not expect this at all. Even less when Sid went down, but this shows alot of character for these young kids.

I agree with those that say you gotta keep Crosby and Malkin apart for awhile until Malkin slows down.

I think these will be the pairings when Sid first gets back.

Once Gary Roberts returns it throws a wrench into things. Depth is nice but if the Pens continue to win, I think you roll with the younger kids down the stretch.

Malkin/Sykora/Malone

Crosby/ Armstrong/Kennedy

Talbot/Staal/Christensen

Ruutu/Laraque/Taffe

[Trooper 8]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

He's doing great for the Thrashers, you're 100% right on that. But he was not producing here in PGH. There were a lot of rumors flying around that he would get in almost daily disagreements in the locker room with Crosby.

I think that Recchi was used to a leader like Mario and Crosby for certain is not that type of leader. Probably caused a rift. But, that being said, he was not a top 6 guy in Pittsburgh. No chance.

Recchi put up points in Pittsburgh until he was put on the third or fourth line. I'm sorry but Leclair, Recchi, Sydor, Roberts and Palffy were all known as good team guys and leaders until Crosby came along. All of their minutes diminshed and attempts were made to tarnish their reputations after they went to the Penguins. So either all of those guys suddenly developed attitude problems or someone else has no respect for older players.

Recchi didn't score on any line this year, 1st or 4th. And when did Sydor and Roberts turn into attitude problems? The leaps of logic made to blame stuff on Crosby are amusing.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

There was rumors that Sydor, Recchi and Roberts, especially Sydor and Rex though were very unhappy that the young kids were getting ice time over the vets or that the vets were being scratched at all. I feel Roberts knows he's here for depth and the playoffs so he may not be as upset about being scratched, but Recchi and Sydor were very unhappy. Once Sydor was inserted back into the lineup, he was still upset that Rex and Roberts were sitting out games.

Atleast, thats how I understood it at the time. I have no idea how Sydor feels now. I had heard he wanted traded at the time and the Blue Jackets were looking into a deal. Now that he's back in the lineup, and playing well and full time, I don't know what his thoughts are. Havnt heard much lately.

[Bravada 442 0]

Recchi put up points in Pittsburgh until he was put on the third or fourth line. I'm sorry but Leclair, Recchi, Sydor, Roberts and Palffy were all known as good team guys and leaders until Crosby came along. All of their minutes diminshed and attempts were made to tarnish their reputations after they went to the Penguins. So either all of those guys suddenly developed attitude problems or someone else has no respect for older players.

Recchi didn't do anything the last 20 games or so of last season and the entire time he was in Pittsburgh this season. I think he had 1 goal in the last 20 games last year and then continued that slow streak into the playoffs and this season.

LeClair lost it. He didn't have it anymore. He couldn't play.

Sydor was upset because he was being played with Whitney when he was under the impression he was going to play with Gonchar. That is a fact. Once Eaton went down with his yearly major injury, Sydor was even more upset because Scuderi was moved to play with Gonchar and he stayed with Whitney.

Roberts has been nothing but a positive influence in that locker room. If he had such a problem, he would of left for Ottawa over the off season to be closer to his daughter in Toronto.

Palffy wasn't in Pittsburgh long enough to rent an apartment, very well have a rift with anyone on that team.

Part of the issue that veteran guys have isn't with Crosby, its with Terrien. He isn't going to kiss the ass of some veteran when a younger player is just as good or better.

What you have is a lot of guys past their prime that come here to play with kids and realize that these kids are a lot better than they are. All these players have egos. It's a dent in your ego to get smoked up and down the ice by a kid half or 3/4 of your age.

If you have some facts to back up what your saying Chadd, I'd love to hear them. It's just some of the things that you are saying directly contradict some things I've heard from people that are within or at least attached to the organization.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I agree. The only thing that diminished those vets reputations was their piss poor play in Pittsburgh before they left. Nothing Sid or the organization did as far as I'm concerned.

Facts is they're pro athletes and if they're made because they're not playing on their friends line, sorry, thats why you make 5 million dollars a year. Make it work.

Anyways, back on topic. Malkin, 7 points in 2 games. He's carrying this team right now, playing like a man possessed. I have thought to myself before "Wow, Malkin would be sooo good if he just tried." Sometimes it would look like he was in la la land out there, he didn't seem to battle to well last year. This year, and especially in the last 10-20 games with and without Sid, he has looked like he's ready to go to war each night to get the job done.

If he continues to play at this level when Sid gets back the penguins will have 2 great lines as well as a great enforcer line with Laraque and Ruutu.

[Chadd 916]

Recchi was putting up almost a point a game for the Thrashers last time I looked. I'd call that quality at any level. Then again, he's now playing for a team that doesn't have a major problem in the locker room between kids and vets.

He's doing great for the Thrashers, you're 100% right on that. But he was not producing here in PGH. There were a lot of rumors flying around that he would get in almost daily disagreements in the locker room with Crosby.

I think that Recchi was used to a leader like Mario and Crosby for certain is not that type of leader. Probably caused a rift. But, that being said, he was not a top 6 guy in Pittsburgh. No chance.

Recchi put up points in Pittsburgh until he was put on the third or fourth line. I'm sorry but Leclair, Recchi, Sydor, Roberts and Palffy were all known as good team guys and leaders until Crosby came along. All of their minutes diminshed and attempts were made to tarnish their reputations after they went to the Penguins. So either all of those guys suddenly developed attitude problems or someone else has no respect for older players.

Recchi didn't score on any line this year, 1st or 4th. And when did Sydor and Roberts turn into attitude problems? The leaps of logic made to blame stuff on Crosby are amusing.

Recchi had seven points in his first nine games, when he was getting 18-20 minutes of ice time on most nights. His production all but dried up when his ice time was reduced to 13-15 minutes per game. In Atlanta he only had one game where he played less than 16 minutes and his production is back up.

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

I think that with Malkin heating you just go with the players that are hot until they aren't.....why would you change up a good thing that has you winning?? Recchi wasn't doing anything in Pittsburgh anyways so why not let him go, it isn't like they really could of got anything for him, he is on his last stand....i don't really see him playing past next season, I'm glad the dude is doing well with Atlanta but i don't see anyone even Atlanta trying to sign him for anything more than a year, his better days are well beyond him.

[Trooper 8]

Recchi had seven points in his first nine games, when he was getting 18-20 minutes of ice time on most nights. His production all but dried up when his ice time was reduced to 13-15 minutes per game. In Atlanta he only had one game where he played less than 16 minutes and his production is back up.

He had two goal the entire year with the Pens. A few assists. He was slow. The Pens aren't winning a Cup this year, there was no reason to play him instead of young guys just so he could get a second assist per night.

[camhockey16 5]

im glad to see malkin playing as well as he is with the extra time he is getting since crosby is hurt.

i think he is starting to turn into a true power forward and i think he might even have better hands than rick nash. (just my opinion though)

[Chadd 916]

I have no problem with releasing him because they want to develop younger players, more teams should be doing things like that. The only problem with that is the Penguins don't have any potential top line wingers on the team to develop at the NHL level. Eventually they are going to have to move one of their three stud centers to pick up some top-level wingers. It's going to be hard to bring in a veteran via free agency given the way the last few guys have been treated.