Eastern Conference Playoffs - Round 1: Rangers vs Penguins (Rangers win 4-1)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Crosby and Malkin make less than Toews and Kane...

You can argue they also win less than Toews and Kane.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You can argue they also win less than Toews and Kane.

It's just that PJ Stock was arguing that the Pens have a worse supporting cast than the Toews and Kane because Crosby and Malkin make so much money.

That's obviously not true. The Pens are underperforming because they have an awful management team.

[dammage79]

Rangers look like they're going to be the class of the East this year. Should be a given for the President's trophy winners. Pens had nothing. Crosby showed up for one game maybe.

Malkin seems too banged up to be the guy he once was. Holy moly. I for one am glad though, never been a huge fan of the Pens.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It's just that PJ Stock was arguing that the Pens have a worse supporting cast than the Toews and Kane because Crosby and Malkin make so much money.

That's obviously not true. The Pens are underperforming because they have an awful management team.

The Pens are underperforming because they have an average team with a couple of superstars on the decline.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The Pens are underperforming because they have an average team with a couple of superstars on the decline.

Okay okay, I can partially agree here perhaps in regards to Malkin, but as much as I dislike Crosby, he's still the best player in the game. Calling either of them declining players is a bit extreme.

27 and 28 years old respectively I think it's safe to say there's a ton of tread left on those two. Really though, they need to surround them with better options.

Brandon Sutter is a gem IMO. Perfect fit for their third line/PK. And inexpensive-ish.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It's just that PJ Stock was arguing that the Pens have a worse supporting cast than the Toews and Kane because Crosby and Malkin make so much money.

That's obviously not true. The Pens are underperforming because they have an awful management team.

Their extensions don't kick in until next year. This year Crosby and Malkin make approximately $7m more than Kane and Toews combined. Chicago is headed towards the same problems Pittsburgh has, because starting next year they will make approximately $3m more than the Pittsburgh duo.

[saillias]

The Pens are underperforming right now because of their luck with injuries.

Imagine if we lost our #1, #2, #4, defenseman. So Gio, Brodie, Wideman. Tell me we'd compete whatsoever.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Okay okay, I can partially agree here perhaps in regards to Malkin, but as much as I dislike Crosby, he's still the best player in the game. Calling either of them declining players is a bit extreme.

27 and 28 years old respectively I think it's safe to say there's a ton of tread left on those two. Really though, they need to surround them with better options.

Brandon Sutter is a gem IMO. Perfect fit for their third line/PK. And inexpensive-ish.

There is a lot of hockey mileage on both of them and while they are still going to be elite players for likely another 5 years both of them have mightily struggled in the post season for years now as they aren't the game changers in the playoffs they used to be. Definitely the supporting cast is playing a role here but neither guy looks like the player they were five years ago. Maybe a change of scenery will do Malkin some good while Crosby could benefit from playing with some higher quality wingers.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I was really hoping that Pit would go to the ECF. Now that pick that the coilers got from the Perron trade could be as high as #15.

#1, #15, #33

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by saillias

The Pens are underperforming right now because of their luck with injuries.

Imagine if we lost our #1, #2, #4, defenseman. So Gio, Brodie, Wideman. Tell me we'd compete whatsoever.

That, and outside of Malkin and Crosby they have nothing up front.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I was really hoping that Pit would go to the ECF. Now that pick that the coilers got from the Perron trade could be as high as #15.

#1, #15, #33

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Let's hope they get #15.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Crosby and Malkin make less than Toews and Kane...

They should. Toews and Kane show up more when the games' matter.

[Philly06Cup]

Pittsburg kept the whole series close. NY won all their games 2-1. Pitt without 3 of their top 4 D. Malkin playing injured.

All the narrative about Pittsburg needing to blow up their team are crap. They could tinker, but they will continue to be a solid playoff team with Crosby/Malkin/Fleury as their core.

[devo22]

General manager Jim Rutherford and coach Mike Johnston will return for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16, CEO David Morehouse told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Saturday.

The Penguins did not secure a place in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs until the final day of the regular season, then lost to the New York Rangers in an Eastern Conference First Round series in five games.

"I know there's been a lot of speculation out there, but [co-owners] Ron [Burkle] and Mario [Lemieux] never once considered a change," Morehouse told Jason Mackey of the Tribune-Review. "Jim Rutherford's our general manager, and Mike Johnston's our coach."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=765156

[dino7c]

Kane and Toews make 6.5M each this year far less than Crosby and Malkin

next year when their deals kick in Chicago will be in a similar spot

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Let's hope the oilers waste McDavid the same way the pens have wasted Crosby and Malkin the last 6 years.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Kane and Toews make 6.5M each this year far less than Crosby and Malkin

next year when their deals kick in Chicago will be in a similar spot

Probably worst off, cap hit of 63m for 13 players, Saad and Rundblad are notables that need to be signed.