Yeah this implosion has been going on since, really, last year. We're hamstrung by contracts Shero & Co. signed like Kunitz, Scuderi, etc.
Crosby's tied for the lead in the scoring race, yet every fan here's asking why Crosby has sucked of late (so, so spoiled). He, and Malkin as well, are playing with 3rd liners at this point... Hornie and Perron are the only legit wings for them, while Kunitz is a shell of his former self, and Comeau is the $700k/yr player he is and not the "Wow, what a bargain!" he was at the start of the season. Duper looked to be on a roll at the start of the season despite his age, so his contract looked more easy to take but obviously his clot we were without a key guy there. Same for Daniel Winnik... A bottom 6 guy now playing on a top 2 line because, WTF else? Steve friggin' Downie has been more of an offensive machine, and more deserving of 2nd or 1st line play, than any of the other bottom 6 guys... Of course, he'll kill you with a dumbass penalty.
Letang, another concussion, Erhoff concussion... Our blue line mobility is basically non-exisant, as Derrik Pouliot is nowhere near ready for primetime. Oh, and the current regime traded some of our mobility/youth to get Ben Lovejoy back, who I like, but who hasn't found solid footing here yet and I'm not sure the price we paid was worth it.
Cole, he's one bright spot. Plays great... Martin has been steady for the most part but is starting to show wear on the treads (be careful what you'll pay for him next year, Jeff, because he's not what he once was). Tack on Scuderi who has been dismal... We've got a lot of $ in the latter two and they're not exactly shutting people down, but at least Martin's giving us a little mobility. He's guilty of some ugly turnovers too though, in this skid.
Beau Bennett, our only "prospect" at forward (again, courtesy mostly of the Shero era) has been a bust for the most part under two regimes now. He looked better tonight, more confident, doing the right things, but who knows. I feel he's not getting enough of a shot on a top two line, but maybe I'm wrong. I dunno.
Kasperi Kappanen is being brought over, but he's no Jagr who will just flip the team on its ear and they're suddenly amazing with him.
So, that's that... And the current regime pissed away some draft picks too, and probably shouldn't have. Pens will not be a power next year IMO. I think this team, as it stands, will be blown up in the off-season. I wouldn't be surprised to see a top 2 center traded, either. It'll hurt.
