A word on Malkin.

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moosejaw

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I realize Malkin is not playing well, and absolutely gave the Wings 3 or 4 direct scoring chances in game 5.

Why isn't anyone suggesting he is hurt? In my opinion, after watching game 4 and 5, he must have a broken hand/arm or hurt shoulder. His shots have been non-existant/brutal. The same goes for his passes. I think the truth will eventually come out, and that guy will deserve a huge apology.'

Anyone else think this?
 
he just looks completely spent out there..
bent over after every rush and looks like he's gasping for air all the time..

probably just ran out of gas after a long playoff run and regular season
 
aaronlo said:
he just looks completely spent out there..
bent over after every rush and looks like he's gasping for air all the time..

probably just ran out of gas after a long playoff run and regular season
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This is what I think. He has looks totally gassed since the drop of the puck in game 1. He has not been a victim of any huge hit that would lead us to believe he's seriously injured. And if he was, he wouldn't be getting the ice time he's getting now. He's just tired and doesn't seem willing to fight through the tough checking of the Wings
 
moosejaw said:
I realize Malkin is not playing well, and absolutely gave the Wings 3 or 4 direct scoring chances in game 5.

Why isn't anyone suggesting he is hurt? In my opinion, after watching game 4 and 5, he must have a broken hand/arm or hurt shoulder. His shots have been non-existant/brutal. The same goes for his passes. I think the truth will eventually come out, and that guy will deserve a huge apology.'

Anyone else think this?
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I've been trying to excuse it with being hurt. The symptoms you mention would match his performance - especially a right shoulder injury. I don't want to believe his performance has tanked this hard at the wrong time of the year.

-m.
 
I believe it's a combination of both. In the end, Malkin is in his 2nd year? We're expecting too much from such a young team. However, I hope Malkin turns it around in games 6...and 7;)
 
he's been in the tank since early in the Philly series... IF he's hurt (and I don't think he is), he got hurt in that series.

He just doesn't want it bad enough, IMO... more blind behind the back passes than you can count, he's had more turnovers than a Costco bakery in this series... I don't know why Therrien keeps playing him... he's not helping them at all...
 
He might be hurt, but if he is not, he is proving that when they can no longer afford him and Crosby, he will be out the door if thats the case. Crosby is way more valuable in every situation or so it seems.
 
Being gassed doesn't explain not getting wood on your shots or passes. You aren't gassed at the beginning of each game.

This guy isnt getting enough credit for the AMOUNT of hockey he has played in the past. Unfortunately, he told the press he was tired, but I still think he must've hurt his upper body somehow. COuld even be a rib injury effecting his breathing, passing, shooting.
 
At this point, I think pretty much everyone is playing hurt. If he is injured enough to explain his play as of late - he shouldn't be on the ice. His assist in OT notwithstanding - he is killing them at times.

I don't think its an injury, mainly because most of his most glaring mistakes have been mental. I stopped counting when I got to double digits the times when he just passed the puck either to nowhere or right onto a Red Wings stick. Not that the puck got away from him - they were just stupid passes.
 
Last year was the first time Malkin had ever played more than 60 games in a season. This year, he's at what? over 100 right now?

He's 21-22, gone through 4 tough rounds, and played probably 30+ more games than he has ever played- not to mention the level of intensity in those games.

I just think he's gassed.
 
It's probably a combination of being exhausted (both physical and mental) and nagging minor injuries. Keep in mind he put the Pens on his back for weeks and dragged them to second place in the conference while "The Kid" nursed his ankle. That's probably also why he continues to get ice time ... he earned it back in the stretch run.
 
Tricia,

I should've said injured, and not hurt. He must have a serious injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, as this is the most hockey most of these guys have ever played. It would make more sense if a veteran player was fatigued and shutting it down.

You don't go from being a dynamic player to a guy who starts shying away from hits, and shooting and passing poorly overnight.

Here is his stats following game 2 against philly in which he took that huge hit from Richards.

11-May-08 Pit Phi 0 0 0 -1 0 3 0 0 0 0
13-May-08 Pit Phi 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
15-May-08 Pit Phi 0 0 0 -1 0 2 0 0 0 0
18-May-08 Pit Phi 1 0 1 +1 2 2 0 0 0 0
24-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 -1 2 1 0 0 0 0
26-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 -2 2 0 0 0 0 0
28-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0
31-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
02-Jun-08 Pit Det 0 1 1 +1 0 2 0 0 0 0

I am going with a rib injury, since they take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to fully heal.
 
Hurt, Semi-Hurt or just plain gassed from a schedule he has never seen before........
I do not care.


For all of the pens people that think he sucks and needs to go - I will take him on the Wings and get him off your hands. Cripes - we are talking about a young kid here, not a seasoned vet. Argue that there are other youngsters on the team that are just as young and have played almost as much as Malkin as - does not matter!!! Second year player - from a country that counts its' season as about 45/50 games max usually - I think that this kid has hit the wall.

Not everyone can get the 4th and 5th wind to keep going. This is the same crap I listened to about Datsyuk and even Zetterberg the first few years (and Pavel was a older 23-25 at the time!). Anyone turning down either of these two players as an addition to their team???? I've said it previously and I think it is ridiculous to have to say it again - quit crucifying the kid. He is still a top-notch talent and will be for years to come.

I am fairly certain that not many of you have ever played any sport at a level where you are entering your 10th month of continuous play. I am sure that more than a few of you may have had a job where you had to work 6 or 7 days a week for 8-12 months with no vacations ( I know as a former owner of my own business - that I have) - think how you felt after 10 months: Your mind is on auto-pilot, you make a mistake here and there just from the fatigue. Not to mention how your body feels some days as the alarm goes off and you have to drag your self out of bed. And then think that - at least no one is trying to body slam you every 2 minutes as you get on the ice for your 35 second shift.


Tell me again how an athlete should not have any similarities???
Some can find the reserves... some can't.
And then remind me - how hard it is for the Stanley Cup Champs to make it back to the Finals the next year - because their season ended sometime in June.

As Forrest said.... 'That's all I have to say about that' !!!!

bruce
 
Combination of gassed and banged up no doubt. The guy tried to play physical in the playoffs which was nice to see, but he missed some full speed hits and went into the boards awkwardly many times. I can't imagine he is any better then 60-70% physically right now.
 
4Ant4 said:
Combination of gassed and banged up no doubt. The guy tried to play physical in the playoffs which was nice to see, but he missed some full speed hits and went into the boards awkwardly many times. I can't imagine he is any better then 60-70% physically right now.
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And who is 100% on either team right now? Yet you don't see those guys handing the puck to the opponent. Sure, I agree he's gassed but the effort just isn't there anymore. If I'm Therrien, I seriously consider reducing his ice time for the last 2 games. Give him lots of PP time but less 5 on 5 shifts
 
I agree with everyone by the way.

There is a HUGE difference still of being hurt or injured. Everyone plays through it when they are hurt. When they are INJURED you can barely play, or cannot play at all.

A good football example is Ladainian Thomlinson. He is and was amazing all season, and in that final playoff game he wasnt gassed. His knee was wrecked and made him ineffective.

I think Malkin is actually injured, and is playing through it. Detroit probably has a good idea of this, and continues to put a man on him at all times(although they seem to be doing that to every player.)

Malkin playing with some bumps and bruises is one thing, but if he has bruised/fractured ribs, hand, shoulder...he should be seriously commended.

This is a kid who was leading the Russian league in scoring at 18 and 19 years old, playing against seasoned veterans.

I played enough hockey through junior and college to know the best players just don't disappear without a reason.

I am not saying anyone is 100%. However if he is playing at 30% due to a serious injury, versus everyone who is banged up at 80%...there is a huge difference that needs to be recognized.

The big thing to remember is Malkin's 30% is better than many guys at 100%.
 
gamebreakers said:
And who is 100% on either team right now? Yet you don't see those guys handing the puck to the opponent. Sure, I agree he's gassed but the effort just isn't there anymore. If I'm Therrien, I seriously consider reducing his ice time for the last 2 games. Give him lots of PP time but less 5 on 5 shifts
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I see it from Stuart, Drake, and Lilja quite a bit, but that is to be expected from those 3 plugs. :D
 
There's actually been a vast amount of speculation that he got hurt on that hit.

Following that hit, he scored the breakaway slap shot goal, but, since then has been iffy at best.

Back, knee, or something else has been suspected,
I assume we'll find out tonight.

moosejaw said:
Tricia,

I should've said injured, and not hurt. He must have a serious injury. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, as this is the most hockey most of these guys have ever played. It would make more sense if a veteran player was fatigued and shutting it down.

You don't go from being a dynamic player to a guy who starts shying away from hits, and shooting and passing poorly overnight.

Here is his stats following game 2 against philly in which he took that huge hit from Richards.

11-May-08 Pit Phi 0 0 0 -1 0 3 0 0 0 0
13-May-08 Pit Phi 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
15-May-08 Pit Phi 0 0 0 -1 0 2 0 0 0 0
18-May-08 Pit Phi 1 0 1 +1 2 2 0 0 0 0
24-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 -1 2 1 0 0 0 0
26-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 -2 2 0 0 0 0 0
28-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0
31-May-08 Pit Det 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
02-Jun-08 Pit Det 0 1 1 +1 0 2 0 0 0 0

I am going with a rib injury, since they take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to fully heal.
Click to expand...
 
I hate the fact that everyone is just blaming everything on Malking. Yes, he's made some stupid passes and stupid plays. But, so has Gill (giving it away in their zone) so has Letang (letting the Wings player walk right around him and score), and so have numerous other players on the Pens.

The Pens, while having all the talent in the world are getting crushed by Detroit. I'm a Pens fan, but the way they are playing they should barely have a goal. Thank God, that Osgood is in net, and not an actually good goalie or they won't have scored a goal all series.

The Wings defence has been amazing. The pens have no clue how to set up in the zone and so MAlking (et al.) resort to fancy tactics to try and screw with the Wings but they still break them up. Stuff that had been working all year (Malkin's behind the back pass, etc.) that you guys would have screamed about, "WHAT A PASS!" aren't working right now because of the caliber of the team defense they're against.

And, I'll say it again. You put many of the top Eastern scorers on a Western team and they wouldn't score nearly as much. Put Cindy on the Canucks and he might lead them in scoring, but he wouldn't lead the league.
 
jerrysandastak said:
I hate the fact that everyone is just blaming everything on Malking. Yes, he's made some stupid passes and stupid plays. But, so has Gill (giving it away in their zone) so has Letang (letting the Wings player walk right around him and score), and so have numerous other players on the Pens.

The Pens, while having all the talent in the world are getting crushed by Detroit. I'm a Pens fan, but the way they are playing they should barely have a goal. Thank God, that Osgood is in net, and not an actually good goalie or they won't have scored a goal all series.

The Wings defence has been amazing. The pens have no clue how to set up in the zone and so MAlking (et al.) resort to fancy tactics to try and screw with the Wings but they still break them up. Stuff that had been working all year (Malkin's behind the back pass, etc.) that you guys would have screamed about, "WHAT A PASS!" aren't working right now because of the caliber of the team defense they're against.

And, I'll say it again. You put many of the top Eastern scorers on a Western team and they wouldn't score nearly as much. Put Cindy on the Canucks and he might lead them in scoring, but he wouldn't lead the league.
Click to expand...

Nobody is blaming it all on Malkin, we are all just saying he's been brutal in this series and he has! Detroit is dominating the Pens and Malkin has disappeared. His giveaways have not come on "trick" plays like behind the back passes and such. He has, on more than one occasion, simply given the puck to a Wings' player without even attempting to make any kind of play.

As for him being at 30%, if that's the case, why the hell is Therrien giving him all that ice time? No one at 30% should play that much. My guess is he's tired, nothing more
 

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