is it time to be more cautious with the future of the franchise? An overly aggressive approach may prove to be costly in the long run. The long term decision on the health of Sidney Crosby should be at the forefront of this discussion. The lessons we have learned from seeing the effects of a concussion on Mark Savard may lead the Penguins to be ever more cautious with the decision of how and when to bring Crosby back into the lineup. If they decide to shut his season down the Penguins will be less likely to sell the farm for a championship run this season. However, if Crosby is destined to return at 100% this season, some serious changes at forward could be completed by the end of the month. The focus will then shift to filling holes in the offense left by the Evgeni Malkin knee injury. With the playoff picture slowly beginning to paint itself we are now left with some clues as to who could be potential suitors. Some of the clear-cut sellers so far are Toronto, Ottawa, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Edmonton, Florida,and Columbus. Buffalo and defending champions Chicago are on the seller bubble. Toronto is currently dangling many players in the market but in house dictator Brian Burke is probably asking for too much in return for any of them. New Jersey is looking to unload Jason Arnott but it is unlikely they would support an intra-division title run. The Islanders may be division rivals but they have worked with the Penguins on many occasions before on deadline deals (i.e. Bill Guerin). The name P. A. Parenteau continues to show itself in Penguins rumor mills replacing Matt Moulson's name who recently signed a 3 year extension with the Isles. Ottawa could prove to be an all-out seller this season. The frustration of another underachieving season could lead to big names in new places. This list of names includes Spezza, Fisher (oh great, another cheesy celebrity husband in town), Phillips, Alfredsson , and even a familiar face in Alex Kovalev. Maybe it's time to dust off that old Penguins Kovi the cosmonaut jersey, the Penguins have been mentioned as the only possible suitor for him if the Sens do let him go. He could come as cheaply as a 3rd round pick and fit soundly into the Penguins newly-found salary cap space. Among the remaining sellers, the Penguins have been connected with players such as Tim Connolly, Stephen Weiss, Tomas Kopecky, and even local boy R. J. Umberger, any of which would add some scoring touch to a team that has had to focus on a defense first mentality as of late. More names will show themselves in the coming weeks, it will just be a matter of the level of a player Ray Shero will be in the next 3 weeks up to the trade deadline.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Pens Panic Mode?
With the injuries mounting for the Penguins is it time for an overhaul, or 
is it time to be more cautious with the future of the franchise? An overly aggressive approach may prove to be costly in the long run. The long term decision on the health of Sidney Crosby should be at the forefront of this discussion. The lessons we have learned from seeing the effects of a concussion on Mark Savard may lead the Penguins to be ever more cautious with the decision of how and when to bring Crosby back into the lineup. If they decide to shut his season down the Penguins will be less likely to sell the farm for a championship run this season. However, if Crosby is destined to return at 100% this season, some serious changes at forward could be completed by the end of the month. The focus will then shift to filling holes in the offense left by the Evgeni Malkin knee injury. With the playoff picture slowly beginning to paint itself we are now left with some clues as to who could be potential suitors. Some of the clear-cut sellers so far are Toronto, Ottawa, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Edmonton, Florida,and Columbus. Buffalo and defending champions Chicago are on the seller bubble. Toronto is currently dangling many players in the market but in house dictator Brian Burke is probably asking for too much in return for any of them. New Jersey is looking to unload Jason Arnott but it is unlikely they would support an intra-division title run. The Islanders may be division rivals but they have worked with the Penguins on many occasions before on deadline deals (i.e. Bill Guerin). The name P. A. Parenteau continues to show itself in Penguins rumor mills replacing Matt Moulson's name who recently signed a 3 year extension with the Isles. Ottawa could prove to be an all-out seller this season. The frustration of another underachieving season could lead to big names in new places. This list of names includes Spezza, Fisher (oh great, another cheesy celebrity husband in town), Phillips, Alfredsson , and even a familiar face in Alex Kovalev. Maybe it's time to dust off that old Penguins Kovi the cosmonaut jersey, the Penguins have been mentioned as the only possible suitor for him if the Sens do let him go. He could come as cheaply as a 3rd round pick and fit soundly into the Penguins newly-found salary cap space. Among the remaining sellers, the Penguins have been connected with players such as Tim Connolly, Stephen Weiss, Tomas Kopecky, and even local boy R. J. Umberger, any of which would add some scoring touch to a team that has had to focus on a defense first mentality as of late. More names will show themselves in the coming weeks, it will just be a matter of the level of a player Ray Shero will be in the next 3 weeks up to the trade deadline.
is it time to be more cautious with the future of the franchise? An overly aggressive approach may prove to be costly in the long run. The long term decision on the health of Sidney Crosby should be at the forefront of this discussion. The lessons we have learned from seeing the effects of a concussion on Mark Savard may lead the Penguins to be ever more cautious with the decision of how and when to bring Crosby back into the lineup. If they decide to shut his season down the Penguins will be less likely to sell the farm for a championship run this season. However, if Crosby is destined to return at 100% this season, some serious changes at forward could be completed by the end of the month. The focus will then shift to filling holes in the offense left by the Evgeni Malkin knee injury. With the playoff picture slowly beginning to paint itself we are now left with some clues as to who could be potential suitors. Some of the clear-cut sellers so far are Toronto, Ottawa, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Edmonton, Florida,and Columbus. Buffalo and defending champions Chicago are on the seller bubble. Toronto is currently dangling many players in the market but in house dictator Brian Burke is probably asking for too much in return for any of them. New Jersey is looking to unload Jason Arnott but it is unlikely they would support an intra-division title run. The Islanders may be division rivals but they have worked with the Penguins on many occasions before on deadline deals (i.e. Bill Guerin). The name P. A. Parenteau continues to show itself in Penguins rumor mills replacing Matt Moulson's name who recently signed a 3 year extension with the Isles. Ottawa could prove to be an all-out seller this season. The frustration of another underachieving season could lead to big names in new places. This list of names includes Spezza, Fisher (oh great, another cheesy celebrity husband in town), Phillips, Alfredsson , and even a familiar face in Alex Kovalev. Maybe it's time to dust off that old Penguins Kovi the cosmonaut jersey, the Penguins have been mentioned as the only possible suitor for him if the Sens do let him go. He could come as cheaply as a 3rd round pick and fit soundly into the Penguins newly-found salary cap space. Among the remaining sellers, the Penguins have been connected with players such as Tim Connolly, Stephen Weiss, Tomas Kopecky, and even local boy R. J. Umberger, any of which would add some scoring touch to a team that has had to focus on a defense first mentality as of late. More names will show themselves in the coming weeks, it will just be a matter of the level of a player Ray Shero will be in the next 3 weeks up to the trade deadline.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Free Agency Round 2
There is a giant hold-up in the NHL free agent forward market. Ilya Kovalchuk's fate will most likely determine the fate of the remainder of his fellow free agent forwards. So until then here is a list of possible forward acquisitions the Penguins may work on.
1. Paul Kariya - His name has been coming up more and more. He is rumored to be looking for a cup win more than more money this year so he my provide a discount. His age though suggests that he might not contribute as much as needed. a paring with Crosby or Malkin could provide one last good season for him though.
2. Eric Belanger - One of the best 2 way centers in the game. If the Pens decide to move Staal up to center Malkin on the second line he would prove to be an excellent 3rd line center.
3. John Madden - One of the best penalty killers of all time. Madden is a many time stanley cup winner and would also fit well on the Pens 3rd line with his experience. However, at his age the Pens may do just as well to let young legs let Letestu take the position.
4. Marek Svatos - An underachiever as of late, Svatos had twice hit the 25 goal mark. Being hidden on the Avs 3rd line may bring his price down just enough to fit into the Pens cap space. He is still in his prime at only 28 years old.
5. Lee Stempniak - His name has not yet been connected to the Pens but would seem to be a great fit. He had an impressive 14 goals in 18 games after being traded to Phoenix. A good skater that isn't afraid to go to the net, he was the beneficiary of many deflections and rebounds. His poor showing in the first round of the playoffs against Detroit may be just enough to bring his price down to a manageable level.
6. Ilya Kovalchuk - I know what you are thinking, no way the Pens can afford him. However we have seen Shero do some pretty amazing things before. The Pens aren't considered to be a front runner for Kovy but the possibility has been mentioned on them offering a 1 year deal.
7. Trades for Simon Gagne or Patrick Sharp - These 2 are being dangled on the market to cut cap space. Both are long shots: The Flyers probably will not trade Gagne within the division, and Sharp is best served as a 2nd line center.
1. Paul Kariya - His name has been coming up more and more. He is rumored to be looking for a cup win more than more money this year so he my provide a discount. His age though suggests that he might not contribute as much as needed. a paring with Crosby or Malkin could provide one last good season for him though.
2. Eric Belanger - One of the best 2 way centers in the game. If the Pens decide to move Staal up to center Malkin on the second line he would prove to be an excellent 3rd line center.
3. John Madden - One of the best penalty killers of all time. Madden is a many time stanley cup winner and would also fit well on the Pens 3rd line with his experience. However, at his age the Pens may do just as well to let young legs let Letestu take the position.
4. Marek Svatos - An underachiever as of late, Svatos had twice hit the 25 goal mark. Being hidden on the Avs 3rd line may bring his price down just enough to fit into the Pens cap space. He is still in his prime at only 28 years old.
5. Lee Stempniak - His name has not yet been connected to the Pens but would seem to be a great fit. He had an impressive 14 goals in 18 games after being traded to Phoenix. A good skater that isn't afraid to go to the net, he was the beneficiary of many deflections and rebounds. His poor showing in the first round of the playoffs against Detroit may be just enough to bring his price down to a manageable level.
6. Ilya Kovalchuk - I know what you are thinking, no way the Pens can afford him. However we have seen Shero do some pretty amazing things before. The Pens aren't considered to be a front runner for Kovy but the possibility has been mentioned on them offering a 1 year deal.
7. Trades for Simon Gagne or Patrick Sharp - These 2 are being dangled on the market to cut cap space. Both are long shots: The Flyers probably will not trade Gagne within the division, and Sharp is best served as a 2nd line center.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Penguin's Announcer Woes
Ever Since I can remember I loved watching the Penguins on tv, but now, FSN is continuously making that more difficult. They are showing how much big business is more important than the love of the game itself. The firing of Mike Lange from the tv side of broadcasts would rank a close second in all time worst days in Penguins history (behind 1993 game 7 vs the Islanders). We don't know for sure whether he was fired over a cheaper replacement or because of his sometimes newsworthy personal life. The replacement turned out to be nothing but cheap. We went from the days of great one liners and such original content that the game almost became a story in itself to days of useless banter, tasteless jokes, and a bulk of content that was stolen from his "mentor". Maybe we were spoiled by hall-of-fame quality announcing all of these years. The puck never officially dropped until we heard the energetic vocal chords of Lange announcing that it was a hockey night in some small but proud city. Since his move to radio his performance still sparkles. He paints such vivid pictures with his vocal swagger that it nearly matches the quality of any 1080p monitor on the market. For those of u that are lucky enough to own a radio delay devise to match up your tv and radio broadcast, I am sure that you welcome the sight of the mute button. For the rest of us the tv broadcasts are incomplete, a bastardization of its former self. For now I continue to watch the game I love. They have us right where they want us. They have the product we love and a cheap second-rate way of delivering it to us.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Pens Vs. Ducks 11-16-09
It may be a team sport but the addition of the most prolific scorer in the world back into the Penguins lineup in the last two games has made all of the difference in the world. Even when a game like tonight is taken into account where Evgeni Malkin was held off the score sheet, his presence was felt in helping the Penguins score 5 goals against the Ducks. The way the opposing team has to consider line matchups and defensive posture completely changes when he is on or off the ice. This change surely opens play for other lines to score as well. Even a player such as Chris Bourque, who has been little more than a shadow on the ice this season, played with noticeable desire this evening. He was creating passing lanes as seen on his near breakaway attempt and caused havoc on the opposing team while they struggled to clear their own zone. Malkin really is the star that forces everyone around him to play on the next level. He is the Lemieux and the whole team is his Robbie Brown.
Friday, September 4, 2009
really?!?
Why do coaches drink gatorade too? I don't see them working up a sweat. Have they checked their insulin levels lately?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
You Know What I Hate? #3
ESPN and its numerous sports writer shows seemingly spent the entire afternoon commenting on how ridiculous David Wright's helmet looked yesterday. I don't care if it makes him look like a little kid or the Great Gazoo for that matter, the focus should have been on the courage he exuded in order to step back to the plate with a head injury. Making fun of someone for how they look, not funny. Making fun of the Mets for sucking even with one of the highest payrolls in baseball, now that's funny.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
You Know What I Hate? #2
Great stats do not make for a "Top Play of the Night" nomination. Last time I checked a "Top Play" involves one singular highlight not a 3 for 5 night at the plate with 2 homeruns. Sportscenter impresses yet again...
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