Sounds to me like Letang may hold out on the Penguins to see if he can get signed to a big offer sheet. Read this article on the Penguins web site and let me know what you think.
Kris Letang is one of my favorite players and I believe we need to keep him. But if he trys to hold the Penguins hostage for a 6 million dollar a season contract Shero will have to consider trading him. Lets hope it doesn't come to that and we are able to sign him to a long deal that both sides can be happy with.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Penguins 4, Rangers 2
Last night the Penguins did what good teams are suppose to do, they beat a less talented team that is struggling right now. They did a good job defensively of keeping the Rangers to the outside and forcing them into low percentage shots specifically Gaborak. Despite all the talk of the Penguins bad play recently they have quietly won 5 0f their last 6 games and their PP has been red hot over the last 3 games.
Another positive from this game was the play of the two call ups Nick Johnson, and Chris Conner. These two both played really well, Conner scored 2 goals and shot the puck every opportunity he had. I was really impressed with his speed, he clearly doesn't have the talent of a Bill Guerin, but he also didn't force Crosby to slow the play down like Guerin does. This was the second straight game for Johnson, he didn't show up on the score sheet but he was in the right place a lot last night and was just unable to finish. I hope both players get a couple more games up here so we can get a better idea of what they can do, but I believe with Johnson's size he is more likely to be the guy that has a chance to stick with the big team.
Crosby had two points last night to bring his total to 68 on the year, this puts him 6 points behind Sedin, and two points behind Ovie for the scoring title race. Who do you think will win the scoring title this year?
Another positive from this game was the play of the two call ups Nick Johnson, and Chris Conner. These two both played really well, Conner scored 2 goals and shot the puck every opportunity he had. I was really impressed with his speed, he clearly doesn't have the talent of a Bill Guerin, but he also didn't force Crosby to slow the play down like Guerin does. This was the second straight game for Johnson, he didn't show up on the score sheet but he was in the right place a lot last night and was just unable to finish. I hope both players get a couple more games up here so we can get a better idea of what they can do, but I believe with Johnson's size he is more likely to be the guy that has a chance to stick with the big team.
Crosby had two points last night to bring his total to 68 on the year, this puts him 6 points behind Sedin, and two points behind Ovie for the scoring title race. Who do you think will win the scoring title this year?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Cooke takes a bite out of the Flyers
The Penguins beat the Flyers 2 - 1. After watching the first period I thought the Flyers were going to run away with this game. Then the Penguins seemed to settle in and began to play the kind of hockey we expect from them the next two periods, they were strong defensively and kept the puck in the offensive end for long periods of time. I would have liked to have seen them get more shots on net, but it turns they had enough to win the game. Both Penguins goals were scored on the PP which i still thought looked bad despite scoring two goals.
Talbot was a scratch for this game and Nick Johnson was brought up for his second game with the big team. I am very impressed with the way this guy plays the game, he is a good skater, throws his body around, and isn't afraid to carry the puck. To me he looks like a much better candidate to become a true power forward than Luca Caputi does.
The best story that came out of this game was Cooke taking a revenge bight out of Ashams finger. If you remember earlier this season Hartnall bit Letangs finger, and then refused to admit or deny that he did it after the game fearing he would be suspended. However his smile and body language clearly let everyone know that he did it. Fittingly enough Cooke's comment after the game when being asked if he bit Ashams finger was " If Hartnall didn't bight Letangs finger than I guess I didn't bite his (Asham)".
Talbot was a scratch for this game and Nick Johnson was brought up for his second game with the big team. I am very impressed with the way this guy plays the game, he is a good skater, throws his body around, and isn't afraid to carry the puck. To me he looks like a much better candidate to become a true power forward than Luca Caputi does.
The best story that came out of this game was Cooke taking a revenge bight out of Ashams finger. If you remember earlier this season Hartnall bit Letangs finger, and then refused to admit or deny that he did it after the game fearing he would be suspended. However his smile and body language clearly let everyone know that he did it. Fittingly enough Cooke's comment after the game when being asked if he bit Ashams finger was " If Hartnall didn't bight Letangs finger than I guess I didn't bite his (Asham)".
Friday, January 22, 2010
Penguins Give a Lack Luster Performance in Loss to Capitals
When the Penguins schedule came out this year I looked through it and said this going to be the best game of the season. I waited patiently for the last couple of months for this game to come, changed all of my plans so that i could make sure i was able to go to this game and then the Penguins come out and have a performance like that. Sure glad I decided not to play in my Adult league game so i could sit at the Mellon and watch the Penguins play some very uninspired hockey.
A lot of fans calling into the post game radio show were blaming this loss on Johnson, saying he had a terrible game and we would have won if MAF was in the net. I honestly didn't think Johnson played a bad game. It is hard for a goalie to keep pucks out of the net when we give up tons of quality opportunities to the very gifted players Washington has. And yes we would have had a better chance of winning with MAF in the net, that is why he is our starting goalie and Johnson is the back up. You can't believe how many people were calling saying we should trade for a better back up goalie. There is a reason they are called "back up" because they are only there to spell the starting goalie when he needs a rest, and to fill in if the starting goalie is injured.
The reason this team is losing right now is our defense is terrible. I am beginning to wonder if the Penguins have completely forgotten the defensive responsibility that Therien taught them before Bylsma took over last year. In the last two games the Penguins have given up 5 break aways (Johnson stopped 4 of them by the way). I bet the Penguins have not had 5 break aways all season. It seems like teams constantly come in our zone on odd man breaks and then once they gain the zone we cannot get the puck out. When we finally do gain possession we ice the puck after guys have been stuck on the ice for over two minutes. This forces us to keep tired players on the ice while the other team gets to bring out fresh troops. This happened 5 times in the first period last night.
I believe it is time for a major shake up with this team. Some people may say this is crazy considering the Penguins are the defending champs, but remember Craig Patrick made some huge moves at the dead line the year after the Penguins won their first cup and those moves resulted in another cup that season. I would not trade any of our core players being Crosby, Malkin, MAF,Staal,Letang. any other player i would be willing to deal. here are the players i think the Penguins will shop and why.
Talbot: He is not essential to this team winning and is a natural center which is a position we are deep at. Other teams value Talbot fairly high because of his intangibles and timely scoring. But the biggest reason I put his name into this discussion is his name has came up in countless trade rumors.
Gonchar: The only reason the Penguins might consider trading Gonchar is they will probably be unable to re-sign him after this season, so they may want to get something for him. I don't think they will trade him though because it will be hard to get a player that can help the Penguins more than he can considering he would only be a rent-a-player for any team that would trade for him. It would have to be another play off team that needs PP help and has a rent-a-player scoring winger they are willing to part with. That being said I expect Gonchar to be in a Penguins uniform for the entire season.
Gogo: Trading him makes a lot of sense to me, he has a three year contract, can bring PP help to a team that needs it, and he is only 27 years old. I think he is the player that can bring us the highest return that I am willing to part with. I am willing to see him go because his defensive play is terrible, and Ben Lovejoy is ready to be a full time NHL player and is also a much better defensive player than Gogo.
Kunitz: This is just wishful thinking, I don't think the Penguins will trade him but he is overpaid and will never be a real top six winger. Dupuis contract is a third of the price of Kunitz and his play is much better.
A lot of fans calling into the post game radio show were blaming this loss on Johnson, saying he had a terrible game and we would have won if MAF was in the net. I honestly didn't think Johnson played a bad game. It is hard for a goalie to keep pucks out of the net when we give up tons of quality opportunities to the very gifted players Washington has. And yes we would have had a better chance of winning with MAF in the net, that is why he is our starting goalie and Johnson is the back up. You can't believe how many people were calling saying we should trade for a better back up goalie. There is a reason they are called "back up" because they are only there to spell the starting goalie when he needs a rest, and to fill in if the starting goalie is injured.
The reason this team is losing right now is our defense is terrible. I am beginning to wonder if the Penguins have completely forgotten the defensive responsibility that Therien taught them before Bylsma took over last year. In the last two games the Penguins have given up 5 break aways (Johnson stopped 4 of them by the way). I bet the Penguins have not had 5 break aways all season. It seems like teams constantly come in our zone on odd man breaks and then once they gain the zone we cannot get the puck out. When we finally do gain possession we ice the puck after guys have been stuck on the ice for over two minutes. This forces us to keep tired players on the ice while the other team gets to bring out fresh troops. This happened 5 times in the first period last night.
I believe it is time for a major shake up with this team. Some people may say this is crazy considering the Penguins are the defending champs, but remember Craig Patrick made some huge moves at the dead line the year after the Penguins won their first cup and those moves resulted in another cup that season. I would not trade any of our core players being Crosby, Malkin, MAF,Staal,Letang. any other player i would be willing to deal. here are the players i think the Penguins will shop and why.
Talbot: He is not essential to this team winning and is a natural center which is a position we are deep at. Other teams value Talbot fairly high because of his intangibles and timely scoring. But the biggest reason I put his name into this discussion is his name has came up in countless trade rumors.
Gonchar: The only reason the Penguins might consider trading Gonchar is they will probably be unable to re-sign him after this season, so they may want to get something for him. I don't think they will trade him though because it will be hard to get a player that can help the Penguins more than he can considering he would only be a rent-a-player for any team that would trade for him. It would have to be another play off team that needs PP help and has a rent-a-player scoring winger they are willing to part with. That being said I expect Gonchar to be in a Penguins uniform for the entire season.
Gogo: Trading him makes a lot of sense to me, he has a three year contract, can bring PP help to a team that needs it, and he is only 27 years old. I think he is the player that can bring us the highest return that I am willing to part with. I am willing to see him go because his defensive play is terrible, and Ben Lovejoy is ready to be a full time NHL player and is also a much better defensive player than Gogo.
Kunitz: This is just wishful thinking, I don't think the Penguins will trade him but he is overpaid and will never be a real top six winger. Dupuis contract is a third of the price of Kunitz and his play is much better.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Crosby Leads Penguins Past Islanders
This was a very entertaining game to watch, and any hockey fan had to enjoy watching the Penguins stars rack up huge point totals in this game. But I have to tell you the way the Penguins kept letting the Islanders come back in this game really left a sour taste in my mouth. If it wasn't for Sutton taking a 5 minute major for trying to decapitate Dupuis I think the Islanders would have tied this game up again.
So what went right for the Penguins in this game. First we got one of our goalie's back in Johnson who i thought played a pretty good game despite giving up 4 goals. Malkin had a hat trick and was absolutly bombing the puck on the PP which went 4 - 7 in this game. If our PP can stay that hot we will be unstopable. Sidney Crosby is playing out of this world hockey right now, he picked up 6 points in this game and is quickly closing in on the leading scorer in the league. He is also on pace to shatter his career high goal numbers. The Penguins third line continues to play extremely solid hockey and is chipping in more than the occasional goal.
Area of concern:
I can't believe I have to say this after we have heard so much over the last two years about how deep this team is on D men, but our defense has been terrible this season. That includes our forwards helping out on the back check but mostly pertains to our D men who are constantly giving up break aways, two on ones, leaving men unattended in the slot, and turning the puck over in our own end. It has to be the system we are playing, because when you look at the Penguins D men individually they are all good players. The only person on the D who I don't trust is Gogo, he has been a huge disappointed to me. We constantly hear that he is a young offensive talent, but he is not that young at 27 years old.
lets look on the bright side, if the PP continues to score 4 goals a night and we can get a 6 points out of Crosby on a consistent basis the Penguins won't have to worry about playing defense. It will be interesting to see what happens against Washington tonight. If the Penguins are to win they will need to have another offensive performance like they did against the Islanders.
So what went right for the Penguins in this game. First we got one of our goalie's back in Johnson who i thought played a pretty good game despite giving up 4 goals. Malkin had a hat trick and was absolutly bombing the puck on the PP which went 4 - 7 in this game. If our PP can stay that hot we will be unstopable. Sidney Crosby is playing out of this world hockey right now, he picked up 6 points in this game and is quickly closing in on the leading scorer in the league. He is also on pace to shatter his career high goal numbers. The Penguins third line continues to play extremely solid hockey and is chipping in more than the occasional goal.
Area of concern:
I can't believe I have to say this after we have heard so much over the last two years about how deep this team is on D men, but our defense has been terrible this season. That includes our forwards helping out on the back check but mostly pertains to our D men who are constantly giving up break aways, two on ones, leaving men unattended in the slot, and turning the puck over in our own end. It has to be the system we are playing, because when you look at the Penguins D men individually they are all good players. The only person on the D who I don't trust is Gogo, he has been a huge disappointed to me. We constantly hear that he is a young offensive talent, but he is not that young at 27 years old.
lets look on the bright side, if the PP continues to score 4 goals a night and we can get a 6 points out of Crosby on a consistent basis the Penguins won't have to worry about playing defense. It will be interesting to see what happens against Washington tonight. If the Penguins are to win they will need to have another offensive performance like they did against the Islanders.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Ray Whitney to the Penguins
ESPN has a rumor listed that Ray Whitney is going to be traded to the Penguins. Now there are rumors floating around every year and almost none of them actually happen, but this one would make a lot of sense for the Penguins. Whitney is an ageing player at the end of his contract who is still putting up good numbers but won't cost the Penguins an arm and a let to trade for. Picking Whitney up could happen for a price similar to, but probably a little steeper than what the Penguins gave up last year for Geurin. Whitney would be a great scoring winger to add to this team as a rental player for this years playoff run. I hope the Penguins can make this work and then clear both him and Geurin off the books after the season is over to clear some room to sign a real winger. The Penguins could clear some nice cap space by trading away Kunitz for him and then letting him go at the end of the season.
Max Talbot being shopped?
There is a rumor floating around from some pretty creditable sources that Max Talbot along with a prospect will be traded to the LA Kings for Jack Johnson. If this happens it will be hard to replace Talbots intangibles but Johnson would be a nice addition to our young defensive core and this would almost certainly mean either Letang or Gonchar wouldn't be back for the Penguins next season.
Personally i would rather see the Penguins trade kunitz for a bag of pucks.
Personally i would rather see the Penguins trade kunitz for a bag of pucks.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Penguins beat Oilers 3-2
Quietly the Penguins have won 3 0f their last 4 games despite playing poorly. Last night the Penguins played two terrible periods of hockey before the third line lead by Jordan Staal decided to bail the Penguins out in the third period. MAF also played a good game showing some intensity when he attacked the Oilers forward he ran him over while going to the net. I don't know if the Penguins winning 3 of their last 4 while playing poorly should be viewed as a good or a bad thing but I will take the points and hope they improve soon.
Anybody else think Staal is the leading Canidate to win the Selke trophy this year. Click here to learn more about the Selke trophy and its past winners
Anybody else think Staal is the leading Canidate to win the Selke trophy this year. Click here to learn more about the Selke trophy and its past winners
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sidney Crosby
Below is a paragraph out of Rob Rossi's article in the Trib today about Sidney Crosby's recent goal scoring.
"Primarily a playmaker through his first four NHL season, Crosby hit the 30-goal plateau only 47 games into his fifth season. His previous fastest start was 30 goals in 63 games four years ago, his rookie season."
Can anybody remember who Crosby's winger was his rookie season, do you think he might have helped Crosby score all those goals as a rookie? I think his name was Mario Lemieux also known as the "magnificent one", and the guy who holds the record for points per game in the NHL. Could you imagine the numbers Crosby would put up now if he played with a winger even half as good as Mario. Crosby put up a total of 39 goals that season (most he has ever scored)he is on pace to destroy that number this year.
"Primarily a playmaker through his first four NHL season, Crosby hit the 30-goal plateau only 47 games into his fifth season. His previous fastest start was 30 goals in 63 games four years ago, his rookie season."
Can anybody remember who Crosby's winger was his rookie season, do you think he might have helped Crosby score all those goals as a rookie? I think his name was Mario Lemieux also known as the "magnificent one", and the guy who holds the record for points per game in the NHL. Could you imagine the numbers Crosby would put up now if he played with a winger even half as good as Mario. Crosby put up a total of 39 goals that season (most he has ever scored)he is on pace to destroy that number this year.
Penguins Beat the Flames 3-1
The Flames are such an old school team, and i mean that in a good way. They play very physical. I saw guys taking long runs at people in neutral ice, most of the time they missed but the Penguins were definitely aware that they stood a good chance of getting ran over every time they got the puck.
Great to see the Penguins get a win, and more importantly MAF looks to be breaking out of his mini slump, and the PP had a goal. The PP was very interesting last night with people moving around all over the place. The big change we saw was Malkin took Crosby's spot and GoGo took Malkin's spot while Crosby is now lurking in front of the goalie. I liked this move, Malkin clearly can't play on the other side of the ice and we know how affective Crosby can be infront of the cage. But you have to wonder if it is a good idea to put your star player infront of the net taking a beating from the D and getting hit with shots from the point. The other thing I really don't understand is why the coaching staff uses Gogo on the left point rather than Kris Letang. Letang is right handed so he could take the one timer, plus he has a great shot and moves the puck extremely well. Hopefully the Penguins and there PP continue to roll tonight in Edmonton.
Great to see the Penguins get a win, and more importantly MAF looks to be breaking out of his mini slump, and the PP had a goal. The PP was very interesting last night with people moving around all over the place. The big change we saw was Malkin took Crosby's spot and GoGo took Malkin's spot while Crosby is now lurking in front of the goalie. I liked this move, Malkin clearly can't play on the other side of the ice and we know how affective Crosby can be infront of the cage. But you have to wonder if it is a good idea to put your star player infront of the net taking a beating from the D and getting hit with shots from the point. The other thing I really don't understand is why the coaching staff uses Gogo on the left point rather than Kris Letang. Letang is right handed so he could take the one timer, plus he has a great shot and moves the puck extremely well. Hopefully the Penguins and there PP continue to roll tonight in Edmonton.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sidney Crosby with Shaun Majumder
We know Crosby is good on the ice but how is he at math. Click here to watch the video
Phil Bourque
I heard on the radio this morning that Phil Bourque was arrested while crossing into Canada with the Penguins for drug possession. Has anybody heard anything about this, and is there any truth to it? I really hope this is not true, I really liked him as a player and he is also a pretty good color man for Mike Lang
Lowell MacDonald Jr. True Penguins Fan.
Anybody who watched the Flyers Penguins game last Thursday will remember the Flyers goal that was reviewed and called no goal, then suddenly after play resumed another angle of the shot was shown that clearly showed it was a goal. Apparently Lowell MacDonald Jr. who works for FSN Pittsburgh is the person who is responsible for sending all replays available to Toronto for review. He just happened to forget to send the definitive replay to them and then put it on the air after the no goal call was made. Click here to read story in the Trib. By the way this guy is the sun of Pittsburgh hockey legend Lowell MacDonald who scored 140 goals as a Penguin.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Penguins Fall to the Wild
After this season started off very promising the Penguins are beginning to look like the team that almost missed the playoffs last year before making a couple of trades and going on a tear in March to bring the Penguins back into the playoff picture. You have to wonder how the cup champions could possibly have so many holes in there lineup after looking invincible during the playoffs with basically the same roster. We did lose Gill and Scuderi to free agency, has that been what has caused the terrible defensive play over the last month? There replacements have been Mckee and Gogo. Mckee has done a great job taking over for Scuderi, but Gogo has been terrible on the defensive end. Gogo needs to put on some muscle and learn to play a more defensive game.
What else has been going wrong:
The PP continues to be bad, this plagued the Penguins for a large part of last season as well but I don't remember it being this bad. I just don't understand how a team with as many super stars as the Penguins have can be this bad on the PP.
Evgeni Malkin can't seem to break out of his goal scoring slump. This is a guy who won the scoring title last year in both the regular season and in the playoffs. This season he is not even in the top 25 point getters. I don't know why he is struggling so bad but the Penguins really need him to snap out of it.
The Penguins top line wingers can't score. We are getting more production from 3rd and 4th line wingers like Rupp, Kennedy, Dupuis, and Cooke than we are from our top line wingers. The only top line winger we have who has not been a disappointment is Bill Guerin.
Positives:
Crosby and Staal have been great for the Penguins, these two have carried this team so far this season. Crosby has reinvented himself as a goal scorer, he is 12 goals away from breaking his career high of 39 and we are only half way through the season. Jordan Staal is also finding his offensive touch, to go along with his already great defensive skills. I can't believe I wanted him to be traded last year, this guy should held onto by the Penguins at any cost.
What else has been going wrong:
The PP continues to be bad, this plagued the Penguins for a large part of last season as well but I don't remember it being this bad. I just don't understand how a team with as many super stars as the Penguins have can be this bad on the PP.
Evgeni Malkin can't seem to break out of his goal scoring slump. This is a guy who won the scoring title last year in both the regular season and in the playoffs. This season he is not even in the top 25 point getters. I don't know why he is struggling so bad but the Penguins really need him to snap out of it.
The Penguins top line wingers can't score. We are getting more production from 3rd and 4th line wingers like Rupp, Kennedy, Dupuis, and Cooke than we are from our top line wingers. The only top line winger we have who has not been a disappointment is Bill Guerin.
Positives:
Crosby and Staal have been great for the Penguins, these two have carried this team so far this season. Crosby has reinvented himself as a goal scorer, he is 12 goals away from breaking his career high of 39 and we are only half way through the season. Jordan Staal is also finding his offensive touch, to go along with his already great defensive skills. I can't believe I wanted him to be traded last year, this guy should held onto by the Penguins at any cost.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Dr. Lovejoy in The Lineup for the Penguins Tonight
The Penguins have called up both Ben Lovejoy and goalie Jon Curry from the baby Pens. I am excited to see Lovejoy play again because he was really good when he was up earlier this year but disappointed that he is here because Orpik is hurt. Not sure why Curry was called up but i did hear a rumor that MAF has been dealing with a left arm injury so maybe he will be on the shelf for a while. As long as MAF's injury doesn't take to long to heal I believe Johnson can hold the fort in his absence.
Is anybody impressed with Caputi? Everyone in the media talks about his great hands and net front present he provides. What they fail to tell you is he can hardly skate, by the time he gets to the net to provide a presence Malkin has already shot the puck twice and it is already on the way out of the zone or we are lining up for a face off. If he is truly the best offensive talent we have at the minor league level we are never going to have a scoring winger in Pittsburgh.
Is anybody impressed with Caputi? Everyone in the media talks about his great hands and net front present he provides. What they fail to tell you is he can hardly skate, by the time he gets to the net to provide a presence Malkin has already shot the puck twice and it is already on the way out of the zone or we are lining up for a face off. If he is truly the best offensive talent we have at the minor league level we are never going to have a scoring winger in Pittsburgh.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Jordan Staal vs Evgeni Malkin
Here is an interesting question. Assuming Sidney Crosby stays healthy over the course of his career and stays with the Penguins who would you rather have Malkin or Staal as a career Penguin?
I have been thinking about this and could see positives and negatives of keeping both of them. If you didn't have Crosby and your choice was either Malkin or Staal the choice would be Malkin with out a doubt in my mind.
Here are the advantages to keeping Malkin over Staal.
- Malkin has much more scoring ability than Staal and also sets plays up much better than Staal.
- Malkin is a true superstar and can take over a game.
Advantages of keeping Staal over Malkin.
- Staal is an amazing defensive center who is second to none on the PK
- Staal uses his frame to wear down opposing teams defense with his cycling game.
- Staal can be put on the ice in any situation and not be a liability.
- Staal is getting better every game and will be a true power forward once he grows into his frame.
- Staal will never make the same kind of money that Malkin does which would allow the Penguins to spend more money on quality wingers.
Advantages that both players have.
- They stay healthy, neither of them have missed many games due to injuries.
Disadvantages of both players.
- When things are not going their way their confidence disappears.
All this being said if I was Shero I would do everything i could to keep both of these players.
I have been thinking about this and could see positives and negatives of keeping both of them. If you didn't have Crosby and your choice was either Malkin or Staal the choice would be Malkin with out a doubt in my mind.
Here are the advantages to keeping Malkin over Staal.
- Malkin has much more scoring ability than Staal and also sets plays up much better than Staal.
- Malkin is a true superstar and can take over a game.
Advantages of keeping Staal over Malkin.
- Staal is an amazing defensive center who is second to none on the PK
- Staal uses his frame to wear down opposing teams defense with his cycling game.
- Staal can be put on the ice in any situation and not be a liability.
- Staal is getting better every game and will be a true power forward once he grows into his frame.
- Staal will never make the same kind of money that Malkin does which would allow the Penguins to spend more money on quality wingers.
Advantages that both players have.
- They stay healthy, neither of them have missed many games due to injuries.
Disadvantages of both players.
- When things are not going their way their confidence disappears.
All this being said if I was Shero I would do everything i could to keep both of these players.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Kunitz to Undergo Surgery
Chris Kunitz will be out for the next 4 - 6 weeks after having abdominal surgery. I am not sure the Penguins offense can survive this blow (haha). This may be the best thing that could have happened for the struggling Penguins offense. While Kunitz is out Luca Caputi will get a chance to fill his spot on the first line along side Sidney Crosby. I hope this works out, but i was not very impressed with Caputi's skating abilities this year during training camp. However he has put up some very good numbers in the AHL and most of his goals come while posting up in front of the net which is something the Penguins could really use especially on the PP. Though I would like to see the Penguins give Rupp a chance in front of the net on the PP. Also I love the umbrella Format on the PP but Malkin and Gogo need to shoot the puck more and they need to spread out. When they pass the puck to each other on the PP it is essentially a hand off considering they are standing 5' apart. This allows one defender to cover both of them and eliminates our man advantage. When Gogo floats Malkins way Malkin needs to slide down the boards closer to the hash marks.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Penguins Losing Streak Continues
This was not a good weekend for Pittsburgh fans, we got to watch the Steelers get eliminated from post season contention and the Penguins lose two more games to teams that they should beat 9 out of 10 times. The best part of any of these games was listening to Bob Errey make an ass out of himself again. when the Penguins were stuck in their own end for an extended period of time and one of our guys finally got the puck Errey yelled out get the Fuck out of there. He quickly apologized saying he meant to say "puck" which i believe he did but it was still hilarious. You may recall two seasons ago when he proclaimed the only black player on our team "George Laraque" looked like he tripped over his own lip when trying to carry the puck out of the corner, that one he did not apologize for but left Stiegy speechless. I don't think it was intended as a racist remark but was for sure a poor choice of words. So heres to Bob Errey may he continue to make Penguins Television interesting.
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