When You're Too "Old" For The NHL

#nhl #hockey #pittsburghpenguins
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin & The Pittsburgh Penguins are on fire right now. We discuss how the oldest team in the NHL has adjusted their system to tilt the game in their favour.
Also check out Jesse Marshalls piece on the Pittsburgh Penguins forecheck: theathletic.co...

[@judeau9151]

crazy how my days of playing hockey have come and gone and these guys are still at this level. It’s like I aged faster than them

[@RussO_1-x6d]

Also puts into perspective just how hard these guys are working in the offseason to still be able to keep pace with people half their age.

[@stpierreorama]

When you take into account their full time job is to stay in optimal shape on top of making millions every year and having every top notch resource you can think of at their disposal its not at all hard to believe. People put these guys on such a high pedestal but you also have to consider most NHL players grew up in stable high socio economic households with two loving parents. Sure there are exceptions but Hockey has always been a mostly rich kid sport.

[@mac7256]

@@stpierreoramait is crazy how many sons and relatives of former NHL players are in the league now. It happens in other sports too but not to the extent of the NHL. It’s definitely a rich kid sport in North America, but there are a lot of European players who come from humble beginnings.

[@HarrisonHollers]

@@mac7256hockey is the most family oriented sport? Maybe it’s because of the expense, games usually being early mornings, lots of traveling? I always admire players who go to great lengths to acknowledge the support and dedication of their families to make their hockey dreams come true.

[@Leonard_27]

@@mac7256 For europeans that would be en exception too. For Finnish and Swedish people hockey is the most stereotypical choice for young people from well off families.

[@abrahamben-dayan9843]

Absolutely brilliant breakdown. It shows how good coaches like Mike Sullivan know how to leverage the strengths of their top players. The penguins are blessed to have him.

[@Midge1k]

Well Sully couldn’t make adjustments on blowing many leads last year and he can’t figure out how to correct the power play currently. Kyle Dubas’s new additions are starting to gel with their line mates and hopefully Sully can fix the PP. Zohorna in front of the net for screens may be a start

[@erikthered9670]

@@Midge1k Sullivan just lets the team go out and play. Never makes any changes. But since we have Crosby, Guentzel, Karlsson, etc of course we are going to have hot streaks and win some games, but it's not because of sully

[@cfjlkfsjf]

It took him years but he's finally starting FINALLY STARTING to change his strategy to closing off more of the neutral zone so younger faster teams have a harder time getting in.

[@abrahamben-dayan9843]

@@erikthered9670 with all due respect, did you watch the video? He went through how Sullivan made an adjustment and it’s paying dividends

[@brianbarefoot6574]

What are you talking about? They are under 500 and right now out of the playoffs?

[@braedonmorrissey7548]

"father time catches up to everyone" Jaromir Jagr:

[@treygray2817]

Well, it caught up to Jagr as well, albeit significantly later than for most players.

[@braedonmorrissey7548]

@@treygray2817 bro is still playing pro hockey just not the NHL lol

[@jessewheinrichs]

And Ilya Kovalchuk

[@treygray2817]

@@braedonmorrissey7548 I'm fully aware of that. However, if he were 10 years younger he'd still be a 50+ point NHL player as opposed to a Czech league player who plays sporadically.

[@braedonmorrissey7548]

@@jessewheinrichs think I saw on reddit Tomas Plekanec as well still chugging away somewhere as well

[@thenextguest3230]

"Father time comes for everyone" Joe Pavelski, 39 years old, still on point per game pace:

[@davidbowden6407]

Jarimir Jagr is another example.

[@hypn0298]

Joe Sakic had 100 points in 2006-07 at 37 as well.

[@dana102083]

​@hypn0298 one of my fav all time players!! 🇨🇦

[@jerrybuck9236]

I was a 4th liner in high school. Our coach had us run this exact forecheck, we called it the "passive forecheck." It was wildly effective. We didn't score as much as the other lines, but by the end of the season our line had the best +/- on the team.

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

Great video, so glad you mentioned Malkin. Guy’s game is aging better than ovechkin’s

[@jfkst1]

Malkin's game was never dependent on explosive mobility and physicality like Ovechkin.

[@TS-ew5sm]

@@jfkst1ovechkin sucks

[@jamaldee2355]

@@jfkst1yeah that’s true

[@brettrossi034]

Man, it is sad to see the end of an era coming closer every year. For me, being a devils fan, the older generation of players gon. Now, Ovechkin, Malkin and Crosby era is closer to ending in some years. Crazy to think that was almost 20 years ago

[@markbuckley4546]

Also pit is alot better than washington. Other thatn backstrom caps dust

[@willstuart4504]

It's gonna be a long-time before we see another player like Crosby. His commitment to a complete game throughout his ridiculous career is evident in the shear amount of Success he's had. Success at all levels. Malkin has always been an underrated superstar in this league but the Perfect #2 man for the Pens during the Crosby era. Many games he's been the best forward and he's always elevated his game when Crosby's been injured. Love both these Legends....

[@nathanguillaume1247]

Great video, but Crosby is 36 not 35. I guess that makes it even more impressive

[@Brubarov]

Very interesting thank you. I remember 20 years ago when Lemieux made a comeback at 40+ years old alongside Sid the Kid and it blew me away. He was so slow, but somehow made the play and players go slower, and made them look like fools. Youngsters are quick and agile, but mature people have this slow confident strength. I hope the same for Crosby and Malkin, they can do it for sure.

[@basedsilly]

as a new hockey fan your vids have really helped me understand the game. keep up the great content!!

[@arnettrabaker4872]

@basedsilly Same!

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

bring all your freinds lol more fans the better!

[@chancejackson833]

this video was practically copied and pasted but with nhl stats lol. watch "we thought this was impossible" by jxmy highroller

[@jeremylin593]

I feel like more people should be talking about Pavelski who is still putting up absurd numbers at 39.

[@mrrmunden5163]

He’s definitely a similar case. Man’s game has aged like fine wine. Fits so well with what Dallas likes to do.

[@dylanr8481]

I agree, he doesn't age.

[@blitzace17]

His departure decimated the sharks.

[@Jidds]

Crosby's hockey IQ could let him play till hes 50

[@severed111]

Yeah, Wayne and Mario both stopped because of things they couldn't control, but they it was like they had eyes on both sides of their heads with seemingly blind passes being right on the tape of their linemates. For Mario in 2005-2006, it was apparently his heart, at least he got to play with Sid in his first season, I remember him doing an interview after his last game and his whole face was red and was out of breath, cut the interview short even if he had a great game. Next day, after all he had been through, it was understandable. Wayne had slowed down in his last 2 years by a lot, and he admitted it was because familial arthritis was catching up. Malkin is older than when 99 retired now by a year, but apparently his physical conditioning is incredible and thankfully it seems his brush with injuries (that Sid also lived, when hockey still had dirty blindiside hits...DAVID STECKLE's name is etched in my mind, if it wasn't for him, Sid wouldn't have just play 40 games in 2 years, that one season in 2011 he was on his way to get 160-170 points if he kept that rhythm, he came back good, but never exactly as good as he was before that concussion.

[@FUCKTHEFASCISTSCONTROLLINGYT]

​@@severed111 Agreed, but Gretzky retired at 38 and Geno is 37, so he's a year younger.

[@treygray2817]

​@@severed111No he isn't. Wayne retired at 38, Malkin is 37.

[@severed111]

@@treygray2817 Sorry, yeah, you're right, but he was nowhere as effective as Malkin at 37 so that changes little. I remember the season following his retirement he acknowledge familial arthritis being a reason why his 2 last seasons were not up to par with what's expected of him and that he thankfully had a contract with the Rangers just long enough to retire before it became embarrassing. Small error, but it needed correction nonetheless, yes.

[@treygray2817]

@@severed111 Just looked it up. First time hearing about arthritis issue, thanks for information. Wow, so he led the league in assists as a 36/37 year old with a bad back and arthritis? Extremely impressive.

[@captbloodbeard]

Love that your videos often talk about the systems being implemented. Very few hockey channels on youtube break it down like you do. Thank you for that. Keep 'em coming.

[@josephwirtz8352]

This video almost makes me want to root for the Pens!

[@jamaldee2355]

You missed the good times already lol

[@Treasureson78RPM]

Me too, I hope they still have one more cup in them.

[@emmanuelowino9626]

You should. Best team in the league 🐧Go Pens!

[@filelps1178]

So? What a better time to root for a team when there’s uncertainty!! I find it very fun :)) u never know whats gonna happen

[@kbo572]

Go Pens 🐧

[@pocarimodel]

god i hope a few years down the line we'll get a last dance docuseries for this team too

[@jamaldee2355]

Ohh that’s a great idea!!!!

[@beneasler8868]

If we can get the power play figured out the Pens could definitely be a top team in the league

[@Hail2Pitt412]

Power play has always been the Penguins weakest part of their game. Amazes me after all these years they still can't seem to get that figured out.

[@reversesltch2808]

You can tell me if you think I'm wrong cause i could be, but comparing this PP to the 2017 with Schultz, they don't get shots from up top enough, EK has a very good shot/one-timer, they have been more recently, but they really need to start letting him take the shots with a screen in front and in the high slot. (like i said i could be completely wrong but thats just my take.)@@Hail2Pitt412

[@chrismaxwell6192]

It was only elite when they had Hornqvist. Once they lost him it regressed again. If Zahorna moves to the 1st unit the magic might return to that PP they’ve missed since Hornqvist moved on.

[@beneasler8868]

@chrismaxwell6192 Get some grit back in front of the net. Guentzel is great, but he's not a great net front presence

[@davybeardshall3709]

0-37 later . We haven’t figured it out😐

[@sierrag8412]

Wow Crosby was drafted when I was 5 years old and now Im graduated from college with a full time job and he's still dominating the league playing against guys that were in diapers when he made his debut

[@dickbiggerjr3613]

He's not dominating anything lol

[@NoxisYT]

I remember my parents going nuts when the Pens got him. I being 5 was just happy to see other people happy. I didn't know I'd be cheering for him with everything I had at 23 years old

[@munch3405]

Man back then he was sid the kid. Now he is one of the older players in the NHL. Time flies.

[@king--kang.]

That's the circle of life my friend. I was thinking the same when Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman were at the dusk of their career.

[@kpw1320]

@@NoxisYT I went absolutely nuts when the Pens won the lottery. My favorite thing though was all the people who had no clue what was coming and you'd get to say "just you wait"

[@patrickbaklava7297]

Crosby golden goal will always be one of my favorite hockey memories

[@dana102083]

ZIGGY!!! 🇨🇦 ❤❤❤❤

[@sports2hedz542]

This channel just getting better and better, to weave a nostalgia laden story like that with hard core analysis? Unreal! Great stuff ❤❤❤

[@the1andonly759]

Always learning with these vids, keep them coming

[@toke7342]

Crosby looks like 25 on the ice, while Ovechkin looks like 45 on the ice.

[@flyerman5357]

Ovie used his body to crush other players more often lol

[@toke7342]

@@flyerman5357 he likes to complain though when someone hits him

[@flyerman5357]

@@toke7342 Yeah. Unlike Malkin, who gets hit and turns into a beast.

[@jmarshfof]

Thank you for linking to my article and pointing people back to my original work. I appreciate it.

[@hockeypsychology]

Great article with visuals. Keep up the good work!

[@williamfischer3990]

If you see Sids work ethic it reminds me a lot of Nolan Ryan, he doesn’t take no for an answer from his body. You take that ethic and combine it with the best hockey IQ in the league, and he’s just masterful.

[@oatmealtruck7811]

I just started watching hockey with the playoffs last year. This season, I’m ENGROSSED, and I just can’t get enough. Videos like this are so helpful to understand the game at a deeper level. It just brings a greater love for the game when you see how the coaches squeeze every ounce of play out of their players, and how they tailor the game to THEIR players. Brilliant. I so admire the passion.

[@CloakingDonkey]

I can't believe some Pens fans were asking for Sullivan to be fired. Very glad the organization didn't listen to them. Let's go Pens!

[@wutangalex]

Just found your channel after someone recommended you on Reddit. This is terrific content, great to see someone breaking down the psychological elements of the game.

[@Stonecold724]

Imagine how epic these guys' farewell tours are going to be. Ovie, Sid, Malkin...

[@LoreTunderin]

Pittsburgh today reminds me of Detroit in the late 90s / early 2000s.

[@northhaven2501]

Finally a hockey channel that rewards you with great content. Cheers

[@shawnk1899]

as a knights fan, and even more so a hockey fan, i would not be disappointed to watch these guys lift another cup.

[@johnbarckhoff1627]

Not to mention our bottom six has been playing some solid hockey as well. This takes pressure off of Crosby and Malkin since they don’t have to carry the offense. If Jarry can stay healthy and consistent, things will look good for us

[@tylerjennings8242]

Sid certainly isn’t close to being too old to out skate the opposition. I’m sure we’ll see him breaking a couple young defensemen’s legs with his edge work behind the net this season.

[@turtleextra4128]

his agility and acceleration is still strong its just his long term speed that is weak he cant really go end to end anymore

[@crazysoundman]

@@turtleextra4128 well he still can, he just can't get the same separation as he use to

[@justingarman6980]

This was insanely awesome! Thank you! And I’m sure Sid has a lot to do with how they all play. He’s just unreal.

[@christopherkuzek9816]

this is such a great story for the season go pens!!

[@lylenagy5776]

Great breakdown. Always loved Crosby and Malkin. I'm going to be bummed when they retire.

[@refverhoog]

This is an excellent video! Really interesting stuff! And it goes back to something I read a couple of years ago about elite senior amateur leagues where former NHLers play, where they said "well, these guys can still play, they're just not as fleet of foot anymore" which was an eye-opener for me.

[@ryanlauzon177]

as a penguins fan, this is very well done

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

With smart adaptations like these, I think they can keep going until injuries come for them.

[@mitchellvanauken1664]

Malkin has been insane this year

[@d00tpilot]

What a great analysis!

[@hunterxbox11]

What an amazing video, you don't see this quality on ESPN or anything

[@katelyn7635]

You did this more Justice than they deserve….well done for an amazing video

[@texasstorm3979]

with the penguins giving it a good go right now, this dude knew last thanksgiving. crosby, malkin and letang. legendary core unlocked. and i heart the sens lol

[@fakeaccount6425]

The fact Crosby and Malkin are producing as they do at their age stuns me every time.

[@basicmeme1040]

Crossby still looks good. But prime crossby makes current crossby look silly

[@gershomtan5879]

Prime Sid makes everyone look silly.

[@zachdoran10]

no shit 😂

[@sakusammakko6435]

I feel so old. Crosby was once my favourite player after Selanne retired. Feels like it was yesterday and now they talking hes old

[@thepissfountain]

Hockey Psychology has one of the best analysis. Lots of respect to you.

[@sportsbettingpicks3331]

As always your take is Spot on. Really Enjoy taking in your Knowledge of the Game.

[@jacobjanek9244]

ANOTHER excellent breakdown. I learn so much from these videos you make. Keep up the great work!

[@dblevins343]

Theyve essentially switched up the Defense to concede a bit of the mid space to take away the long passes. As a soccer player, I know this setup all too well. Its funny how much soccer and hockey overlap with formations and movement.

[@tttoasterr8923]

Mike Sullivan is such an underrated coach

[@st0rmchild]

He's one of the best for sure.

[@dereksendrak]

As I lifelong Pens fan I was very scared of what you were gonna say from the thumbnail. I know people love dumping on Crosby, but he always finds a way

[@marksutter182]

I was at the Penguins/Blue Jackets the other night. Pittsburgh dominated as long as they were executing this well. They are more cohesive as a team and do well in all zones. The goals that Columbus scored all came on the backs of players being out of place or missing passes. All of Pittsburgh's goals (except for Crosby's empty net hat trick), all came on the backs of solid plays with great passing and carefully planned teamwork.

[@johnclaudevondon5333]

Call me crazy but I can see Sid the kid & Mr. 101 playing until they are in their 40’s like some of the other greats. Their hockey IQ/ experience winning is the at the precipice of the league. Dubas has to get young & fast through the draft. I feel like free agents would favor pgh as a destination. But what do I know? I only won 37 Stanley cups in a row on chel franchise lol. Nasty video content! Keep ‘em coming!

[@peteyoung3124]

Can you imagine if on top of all this if we still had Fleury in goal? That'd be insane! Hard to believe it's been 6 years since we won the Cup.

[@10kratz]

Love Geno glad he’s having a good start of the season

[@patman2193]

this was a phenomenal video. would love to see more on all the other teams around the league and what they're doing. i'll def watch a PIT game when i get the chance and see how this plays out. will be fun to watch.

[@VIGLounge]

The change to a more passive defensive playstyle is a huge change for sure, but the personnel change that I feel is making a big difference is swapping Vinnie Hinostroza and replacing Jansen Harkins with Radim Zahorna. The cycle game on the third line has shown periods of excellent cycling, and prior to Hinostroza coming into the lineup against San Jose, the 4th line didn't have pulse. As a Penguins fan, I'm genuinely thrilled with the play of Malkin and Crosby, the additions of Smith and Karlson, and it is genuienly nice to see this team get some secondary scoring, which did not happen last year.

[@AdamarV]

This works well with development teams aswell 👏 just bring a second forward up to crash the net after a shot and you will be suprised how well it works for slower teams and learners. Great video, more breakdowns please!

[@mikejurnak4253]

Now all we need is to keep NED in goal and we got one last shot 🙏🏻

[@benjaminmiller788]

We'll see how that passive defense fares against a heavy, dump-and-chase forechecking team when they play Vegas on Sunday, November 19.

[@FindingFlorida24]

pens fan here, yes, this will be a huge test...

[@gregorymichelangelo7847]

Terrific breakdown of the Penguins play as of late.👍👍👍

[@boby3256]

as a Pens fan thank you for this video. Personally i loved how you did describe there game style! Greate video!

[@Sabotage_Labs]

Just playing mostly Rec hockey since I was a kid, some kinda semi pro....even I had to hang up my skates at 38 yrs old. Eight sports related surguries. Knees, spine, nose, shoulders and a hernia. Just couldn't play at the level I was used to and being so competitive...playing in D beer leagues...just can't do it. Amazes me how guys like Gordie Howe and Chellios went so long. I literally hung up my favorite Easton stick and last pair of CCM skates on a wall in the house...lol. my orthopedic surgeon was disappointed. Helped put two of his kids through Ivy Leauge Schools lol.

[@faysamcface7872]

Wow! Great breakdown.

[@tifpo33]

At the approx. 3 min mark Malkin is shown taking a penalty with it mentioned that this happens as he is getting slower and older. I find it interesting that the faster, younger player is Claude Giroux, who is just 1.5 years younger than Malkin.

[@Tylorgng.]

Claude Giroux is a great player, he is very underrated, but Malkin even more so. Malkin has about 30 less games played than Giroux but has over 200 more points it's astounding.

[@abrahamben-dayan9843]

I really wonder what happens after the big three retire. And I wonder if they keep Mike Sullivan/Dubas through the inevitable rebuild

[@willyupshaw]

That's probably why they got Dubas.

[@jfkst1]

FSG won't fire Dubas unless it gets really bad. They don't really get rid of their staff easily.

[@HippieP629]

I've watched pretty much every min since 87s 2nd yr. Wow it's been a while. He's just built differently

[@DocIPA]

I know very little about the minutia of hockey but this strikes me as very 1990's play, should be interesting to see how long this holds up and how they fare. Love the channel and the comments are just as informative as the videos.

[@bearfangmedia]

Excellent video! I really want to see them do well 🥺

[@arik5888]

What is the background music in the intro?

[@jacki630]

Very informative video, thank you!

[@charlesmurphy1840]

There is a guy in Ottawa that looks like he is beating Father Time right now .girouex hasn’t slowed down at all

[@elliottryan13]

I love this channel!

[@BodyofWater_]

Personally, I would argue that they are able to do this because the way the league is changing, similar to how smaller guys can flourish a little more than they used to. Older guys can continue if they have high hockey IQ and can adjust their game accordingly as they age since physicality has gone down a bit. Everything from nutrition to injection therapies, surgeries, PT, etc. have gotten much more advanced as well.

[@PusswhipBanggang69]

Im not a Pens fan..but i NEVER count them out. They are an amazing franchise.

[@Nsdus5676]

I enjoy listening to you. All the best ….

[@Tjd1982]

As a Wings fan, I dislike them. As a hockey fan they're still producing, and now Karlsson is heating up.

[@sedi859]

This video is so good!! Thank you man✌️

[@Sandbaghery89]

Age is a number. These guys still got it

[@AdrianWan]

Awesome breakdown!

[@nomercy43]

It’s easy to get hot at the beginning of the season when everyone is fresh. Old age/mileage gets you near the end. Let’s see how this team holds up by the 50 game mark. They’ll be tired, injured and likely straddling a wildcard spot. It’s 16 games into the season, it’s a marathon…

[@gregoreo1826]

Playstyle reminds me of how the Red Wings defeated the young Pens in '08. I remember seeing the passive wings defense and thinking the Pens could not generate any offense. Now the aged Pens are using the same style to great effect against the league's youth

[@czecktj2229]

There's still a good chance age reversal will exist in Ovie, Sid, Letang and Malkins lifetime's. Certainly hope so, I'd love to see all these guys back to NHL Superstardom again by then. Especially as a Pens fan myself, I know all 4 of these guys would take such a product if its to exist during their lifetime's, unlike earlier generations.

[@narius_jaden215]

I really do think that Crosby and Malkin play a more timeless style of hockey. They are a cerebral breed of hockey player.

[@MotiveFusionHub]

I agree but Crosby is still performing like a stud.

[@nonyabusiness-f9e]

how amazing would it be if crosby just kept playing for like another decade and ended up breaking some of gretzkys records.

[@donbrink5540]

The wings won the cup as the oldest roster on the league. So don't count them out. It's always possible

[@darrelladams4886]

Terrific video. I often find myself wondering lately how much some players actually get and adapt to systems play. Sometimes it feels like guys get to the top level through their natural talent and opportunities with only some actually having good hockey sense and understanding of the game. Up here in Edmonton players seem lost when it comes to defensive play and learning new systems. Almost as though it was something they never really had to get good at as they progressed through the hockey system

[@nedcramdon1306]

As a Habs fan I'll admit these Penguins are in the elite category!

[@288theabe]

I’m a 40-something minor hockey ref and I can definitely say your foot speed WILL decline season over season with the kids. 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@sharkusvelarde]

Great adjustment by Sullivan, but I'm gonna be surprised if the age/injury bug doesn't catch up. Especially with Malkin.

[@Totschlagen1799]

I mean it's early, but they still have the most shutouts, which is a huge for confidence.

[@GRChrzak]

Do you happen to have a link to Marshall's article that isn't behind a paywall?

[@Stacey_-bf2mb]

Tha k you for this video, I may not have realized what was happening before I missed it. Hockey evolves faster than the other major sports, it’s always the 19 year olds who light up the league and push the game forward. I think this may be our last chance to see a flash of the old days. I’m a rangers fan, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the Pens win it

[@pensavspatsfandom98]

Excellent hockey breakdown!

[@Ferd_Turgeson]

Man, your content is great. 🎉

[@hosatk]

Father Time is unbeatable... Jaromír Jágr has entered the chat

[@Teeder]

Old Hockey adage: The puck moves faster than the fastest skater. Make the other team chase after the puck. Play to your strengths to minimize your weaknesses, but work on your weaknesses to become a more complete, stronger player. Pittsburg has a number of smart, playmaking players: Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Karlsson. If they let the puck do the work, they’re playing to their strengths. If they try to do it all as an individual by hogging the puck, they’re not going to succeed. Sullivan is a smart Coach, but the players have to adapt their game in order to continue playing in the NHL. Within two years, all aforementioned players, with maybe Crosby the exception, will be retired (just an opinion based on their age. They’ll always be great, intelligent, gifted players/athletes). I hope they know when to call it a day, and that they can retire without serious, life altering injury. Go Pens

[@Kinvarus1]

I'm a Rangers fan but I've been watching hockey for the entire time Sid and Geno have been in the league and it's gonna be real weird when those two retire, same with Ovi when he hangs up the skates.