Sidney Crosby takes aim at Thomas Greiss on a two-on-one drill today at Consol. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Sights, sounds and the scene at Consol Energy Center today …
• The Penguins practiced for an hour, with the only notable absences being Evgeni Malkin and Mike Johnston. The former took what assistant coach Gary Agnew called a ‘maintenance day,’ which was logical following back-to-back weekend games coming off an injury. And for what it’s worth, Malkin passed through the locker room in workout gear, which wouldn’t happen if anyone were hiding something. Johnston remains in Nova Scotia for his mother’s funeral. He’s expected back tomorrow in time for the home game with the Flyers.
• Agnew, asked about facing Philadelphia: “I think this time of year, it’s about us.”
• Zero updates from Agnew on Kris Letang or Christian Ehrhoff, neither of whom was visible. There also was zero indication from Agnew that anything will be done to address playing a defenseman short, as he repeatedly referred to working with five D.
“We’re just trying to manage their minutes as best we can,” Agnew said. “We’re still trying to get the proper matchups and using the timeouts as much as we can. Short shifts. Changing one man at a time. Mixing and matching. The guys are handling it really well. They’re making the right changes. We’re getting off early. And our forwards certainly have done a great job, as well, making sure our D isn’t getting into too much trouble.”
Johnston was similarly effusive on the latter count after beating the Sharks two nights ago.
• Minute and a half just now with Steve Downie …
• Enjoyed my first good, long talk with Ian Cole since the trade. Somehow just hadn’t gotten around to much more than hello since it happened. In specific, we discussed his terrific point shot from either side and how much emphasis he placed on velocity.
“It’s nice to have, but not much, to be honest with you,” Cole replied. “The priority is getting the puck through, and that’s harder than ever these days. You look up as a defenseman, and it’s very rare that you even see the net. I don’t mean spots on the net. I mean the net itself. There’s a forward right on you, there’s your own guy down there, and there’s someone on him, and sometimes there’s even someone else in the mix. That’s three, four bodies every time. So all you’re trying to do is get it through, especially past the first guy. That’s where you really don’t want to get blocked.”
At which point I reminded Cole that he nearly destroyed poor Matt Nieto of the Sharks with a slap shot that struck Nieto in the ankle and knocked him out of the game.
“Yeah, got that one flush, too. Really hard,” Cole said. “That’ll happen, too.”
Unspoken in that sentence: Next time, that lane just might be conceded. Word gets around.
Agree.. Seems like he really found his role with the team. Gotta love when guys like him prove people wrong
amberemorgan
3-31-2015, 1:53 pm
I think a lot of people underestimate him. He has great hands and can produce when he's not busy being the enforcer. He's far more versatile than I realized. Really glad he's with us.
Jay Baileys
3-31-2015, 2:16 pm
I agree with what you all have said. The guy is one goal away from the most goals ever by a player leading the league in Penalty Minutes. He's about 1/2 the PIM as Mcsorely and 100 away from Barnaby. Interesting they were all Pens. This team needs him in the worst way. But I think most fans will be ready to pounce when/if he looses it in the playoffs and costs the team.
JC
3-31-2015, 2:00 pm
Great interview with Downie. He is a consumate team player, and his skills and value to the team get underrated.
I'm guessing it's not a very good sign that neither Letang nor Ehrhoff were at Consol today.
I like the guy, but ease up on the gas there… he's made mistakes, and done things that do not help the team, and he'll probably do more of those things. He's also done quite well to add scoring, etc. I think it was a good signing to this point particularly if he can continue to be a little bit calmer like he has recently, but "the consummate team player" is a stretch.
chuckinrlp
3-31-2015, 2:01 pm
Glad Agnew gave some input to GMJR to acquire Cole. He has played very well since coming over. I wouldn't mind seeing him back next season (I believe he is a restricted FA).
DK - why is the current medical staff still with this team? I wouldn't want them as my Doc? What gives?
Also in your 12 questions seems like we are stuck with the current core given salary constraints - what can be done in the offseason to upgrade the team? Sign Cole is a good start...what else given limited funds? Let the young guys figure it out???
Can you name one person on the medical staff?
Do you know how many there are?
Have you or any member of your family been treated by them?
Do you know how many MD's or PhD's are working directly with players?
Nurses, specialists, trainers, therapists?
Pretty strong indictment of people you don't even know!
Maybe you are a genie or snake handler and can PREVENT hockey injuries better than those experts trained to treat.
iacas
3-31-2015, 3:00 pm
I think DK has commented far too strongly on the medical issues the Pens have faced this year. His only legitimate concern is perhaps Maatta, and this is the same kid who came back from having surgery to remove cancer in near-record time… so I don't even know that it's ridiculous to think he might heal from shoulder surgery earlier. DK also has presented no evidence that I'm aware of that the later shoulder surgery is a result of coming back too soon.
And beyond that, what? What legitimate issues are there? The mumps? They tested and the tests came back negative. That was like a two-week blip where many players in the NHL had the mumps. They can't intuit things - if the tests say "no mumps" what are they to do?
teh319
3-31-2015, 3:04 pm
Groat - why would I need to know names? Per DK - Matta returned two months early, mumps cases not handled correclty, Crosby's head injuries etc...seems like a pattern to me. Its not about preventing injuries, its about treating properly, seems like the pens fall short here which is suprising given the $amount invested in their assets, I'd get the best and pay accordingly...again, I stand by my comments, I would seek treatment elsewhere which if I remember correctly, that is what Crosby did.
Jay Baileys
3-31-2015, 3:07 pm
iacas,
They did just let Ehrhoff come back from a concussion a few weeks ago to be sat right back down for ......... concussion symptoms! The medical staff did a great thing finding Maatta's cancer and PD blood clots. In the shoulder injury, mump issue, not so well. They have proven several times they struggle with head injuries, i.e. the whole Sid fiasco a few years ago is a constant reminder.
A. Lane
3-31-2015, 3:27 pm
Groat it is pretty easy to get a PhD is Hindsight, a lot people on the internet have them.
Arriba Wilver
3-31-2015, 4:30 pm
I think they replaced the people who were in charge of handling Crosby's head injuries. If so, that obviously can't be held against the current guys.
People have claimed here on this site all year that the regular season is just Prequel; that the real season is the Playoffs.
The Real Season is about to begin . . . . . I have no space in my head to contemplate what will happen to roster before NEXT season's Prequel time.
IT'S PLAYOFFS TIME!
Jay Baileys
3-31-2015, 6:22 pm
I wouldn't be surprised barring a miracle trade of Kunitz or Scuds they buy them out if they make sense with the cap hits. I know the compliance buyouts are gone, but DK or Sarah may know how the typical buyouts work and cap ramifications. Sure wish CapGeek were still around.
Sarah
4-1-2015, 8:32 am
Yes RIP Capgeek, he will be missed.
I'm no cap expert, but I "thought" there was a clause where if they could not field 18 healthy skaters for a game, they were allowed to bring someone up (I.e. Harrington maybe) , therefore the decision to allow Perron to play in Sunday instead of keeping him off sick, now results in 5 D indefinitely. Or until somebody else gets hurt, which I guess could be tonight.
It is a complicated rule, however, not sure I got it right. If so, they perhaps should have sent Perron back to bed, GWG notwithstanding. Playing 5 D indefinitely does not rest them for the playoffs. At all.
Jay Baileys
3-31-2015, 2:19 pm
Interesting about Cole, when he 1st came over he was throwing bombs from the Blue line, most were on net and I believe one was tipped for a goal on that West Coast trip. He faded for a few weeks, but hopefully is getting his mojo back. The Pens get nearly nothing outside of Letang from an offensive standpoint. Cole has a hard shot that is usually on target, rare from a defender on this team, 58 included.
Downie can play hockey, and I'm always left wondering what his goal production would look like if he decided to do just that. The issue is he is a loose cannon, always has been and that doesn't look like it is changing.
March 31, 2015
Coverage: Downie finds that fine line
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
Sidney Crosby takes aim at Thomas Greiss on a two-on-one drill today at Consol. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Sights, sounds and the scene at Consol Energy Center today …
• The Penguins practiced for an hour, with the only notable absences being Evgeni Malkin and Mike Johnston. The former took what assistant coach Gary Agnew called a ‘maintenance day,’ which was logical following back-to-back weekend games coming off an injury. And for what it’s worth, Malkin passed through the locker room in workout gear, which wouldn’t happen if anyone were hiding something. Johnston remains in Nova Scotia for his mother’s funeral. He’s expected back tomorrow in time for the home game with the Flyers.
• Agnew, asked about facing Philadelphia: “I think this time of year, it’s about us.”
• Zero updates from Agnew on Kris Letang or Christian Ehrhoff, neither of whom was visible. There also was zero indication from Agnew that anything will be done to address playing a defenseman short, as he repeatedly referred to working with five D.
“We’re just trying to manage their minutes as best we can,” Agnew said. “We’re still trying to get the proper matchups and using the timeouts as much as we can. Short shifts. Changing one man at a time. Mixing and matching. The guys are handling it really well. They’re making the right changes. We’re getting off early. And our forwards certainly have done a great job, as well, making sure our D isn’t getting into too much trouble.”
Johnston was similarly effusive on the latter count after beating the Sharks two nights ago.
• Minute and a half just now with Steve Downie …
• Enjoyed my first good, long talk with Ian Cole since the trade. Somehow just hadn’t gotten around to much more than hello since it happened. In specific, we discussed his terrific point shot from either side and how much emphasis he placed on velocity.
“It’s nice to have, but not much, to be honest with you,” Cole replied. “The priority is getting the puck through, and that’s harder than ever these days. You look up as a defenseman, and it’s very rare that you even see the net. I don’t mean spots on the net. I mean the net itself. There’s a forward right on you, there’s your own guy down there, and there’s someone on him, and sometimes there’s even someone else in the mix. That’s three, four bodies every time. So all you’re trying to do is get it through, especially past the first guy. That’s where you really don’t want to get blocked.”
At which point I reminded Cole that he nearly destroyed poor Matt Nieto of the Sharks with a slap shot that struck Nieto in the ankle and knocked him out of the game.
“Yeah, got that one flush, too. Really hard,” Cole said. “That’ll happen, too.”
Unspoken in that sentence: Next time, that lane just might be conceded. Word gets around.