Things I think I think

Well we are five games into the season and true to form, after the first two games, many Pens fans were changing late June vacation plans so they would be around to watch the Pens hoist Lord Stanley's Cup for the fourth time in their history.  After ugly losses to Toronto and Winnipeg, those same fans were calling for Bylsma's head, planning on killing Eric Tangradi, taking down their Letang posters, and selling their remaining seats.  After a shootout win against Ottawa in which many of the bad puck management mistakes, ugly turnovers, and Geno pouting like a petulant child when he did not get the puck passed to him, well Pens nation is just confused as hell!  Are we ecstatic that the Pens pulled out a much needed road win to stop the bleeding, and Fleury looking like a franchise goalie, or are we pissed that the power play looked as vital as an 80 year old man in bed room, and our superstars continued to pass instead of shoot?  What is a yinzer to do?  The Pens are 3-2, in second place in the Atlantic Division, so they are probably pretty much where you thought they would be if they had not teased us by running over two powerful division rivals in the first two games.  Some things I think I think from watching these games:

The Pens have a wealth of offensive talent BUT they do not seem to have learned their lessons that led to a very early exit from the post season last year.  Too many turnovers, too many behind the back passes, and too many passed up shots to make that cute little pass are killing them AGAIN;


Sid and Geno despite having 6 and 5 points respectively are two of my biggest disappointments.  87, you are the captain and leader of this team.  You are one of the two best players in the world, but it is time to lead by example.  When you are guilty of thinking offense first, even with the lead, when you make careless behind the back passes instead of getting the puck deep, and when you pass up great shots in favor of highlight reel extra passes (often ending in turnovers), you as the LEADER set the wrong example.  Geno, after a monster year, and a head start by playing in the KHL while others stayed home, you should be the dominant player on the ice in the early going.  And at times you are, your point total is not too shabby.  Again, though, you are a turnover machine, you are taking dumb penalties at bad times, you look rattled, and at times pissed when you don't have the puck, and you are also passing up shots to make stupid passes.  The two of you turn what should be a killer power play into a Chinese clusterfuck at times.  Nobody can complain about your point totals, but your leadership has not been there guys.  The game is played in three zones, not one, and it is played not only with skill, but intelligence and poise too.   This team is built to go as far as you two take them, but it needs your maturity and leadership as much as it needs your skill.  Stand and deliver men, we know that you can!
Kris Letang, another guy who has points but to me has been a disappointment to some degree thus far.  Tanger has had Norris Trophy like stretches in each of the past two seasons, and his breathtaking speed and physicality makes him a beauty at times to watch.  His loss for stretches last season underscored his value to the team, which is right up there with 71 and 87.  Like the two of those guys, Tanger needs to play a simple game, be more consistent and be a leader on the back end.  Kris, you are no longer the wild eyed young buck whose potential is limitless.  You are now a veteran seeking to be paid right behind the two best players in the game, so guess what?  With that comes great responsibility, and your responsibility is to harness that immense talent for the whole season, make simple smart plays, hit when the hit is there, get the puck out of the zone, and use your skills in all three zones EVERY night on EVERY shift.  You three players along with the goaltending will largely determine whether the Penguins finish another disappointing season, which will be the fourth in a row or rekindle the magic of the 2008 and 2009 runs.

Some other thoughts include the fact that to me, James Neal for the most part has been what you want.  A sniper who puts the puck on the net when possible and in the net quite often.  He was the first star in each of the first two games, and has nearly a goal per game.  He has mostly played solid in all three zones, and has delivered his share of hits to go with the goals.   He has had some off periods this season, but by and large he has been what you need from him pretty consistently.

I told you how much you would love Sutter, and after a really good game one and two, he has not been exactly what I had hoped....but he will be.  I have complete faith in that, and when he is, if the other two centers play to their potential, that is one lethal group of center ice men.  Be patient, he like James Neal is the real deal.
Paul Martin has been one of the best Penguins this season, thus far, and I expected a bounce back year from 7, and he is giving it!  Matt Niskanen has been solid as well, and I hope he is not out for long.   Brooks Orpik looks like the nasty old player he used to be, and I think Tanner Glass will add a dimension the team was missing last season.  The goaltenders have been hung out to dry a lot, but all in all, I still feel like we are looking at a top tandem, though if I am Bylsma, I give Fleury more rope and allow him to be the number one goalie except for back to back nights, or if he falters  Let him find his groove Disco!

All in, as this team gets its legs and gels, I still think they have more than enough talent to go the distance.  What remains to be seen is if they can learn the lessons of last spring, and remember to play smart, not fancy, and protect a lead rather than try to pile on with one.  The ability to lead by example shown by 87, 71, and 58 will largely dictate how this season ends.  It is early, but it is time men to be more than world class players, be world class leaders and do it by example not words.