Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Pens Final Report Card
Pens Front Office: B
Shero did what he could, given salary cap constraints, to give this team a chance to compete for the cup. #72 didn't work out but it was worth the risk. Jury still out on #18, #2 for GoGo, but I still like that trade.
Coaching: C
I know everyone has been on HCDB's bandwagon, but he deserves criticism for the PP, which wasn't even mediocre with #87 and #71 and abysmal in the playoffs. Also, not dressing #5 in playoffs over #6 is extremely questionable in hindsight.
Goaltending: B+
Can't pin game 7 loss on #29. Had no chance on the lone goal scored. Can't cover both posts at the same time.He made three spectacular saves along the way--end of 1st period toe save, glove hand right after goal scored, and another pointblank one with a couple minutes to go. I'd like to see more consistency from him, but as long as he remains healthy, the Pens are set between the pipes for another decade.
Defense: C
Probably deserved an A going into the postseason, but did a poor job of clearing out rebounds in postseason.
Forwards: C-
Held their own for the most part 5v5, but didn't score enough big goals after the two-headed monster was sidelined...for that matter didn't score any goals in game 7.
PP: F
in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, April.
Penalty Kill: B-. If the season was a class, it's like they Aced the midterm but flunked the final.
Pens PR dept: F
The mixed signals for the past month regarding #87'status has done IMO some real damage to the fan base. People could deal with #87 not being able to play because of a career/life threatening injury, but when the Pens promoted video showing #87 dazzling everyone on the ice, wearing headsets during the games, etc... it led to some not-so-insignificant grumbling among the fan base. Don't think there is going to be a surge in the size of the season ticket waiting list.
Overall assessment of the season. Opportunity Lost
Had the framework to get all A's, hoist the cup. IMO second most disappointing season in franchise history, topped only by the David Volek finish.
Shero did what he could, given salary cap constraints, to give this team a chance to compete for the cup. #72 didn't work out but it was worth the risk. Jury still out on #18, #2 for GoGo, but I still like that trade.
Coaching: C
I know everyone has been on HCDB's bandwagon, but he deserves criticism for the PP, which wasn't even mediocre with #87 and #71 and abysmal in the playoffs. Also, not dressing #5 in playoffs over #6 is extremely questionable in hindsight.
Goaltending: B+
Can't pin game 7 loss on #29. Had no chance on the lone goal scored. Can't cover both posts at the same time.He made three spectacular saves along the way--end of 1st period toe save, glove hand right after goal scored, and another pointblank one with a couple minutes to go. I'd like to see more consistency from him, but as long as he remains healthy, the Pens are set between the pipes for another decade.
Defense: C
Probably deserved an A going into the postseason, but did a poor job of clearing out rebounds in postseason.
Forwards: C-
Held their own for the most part 5v5, but didn't score enough big goals after the two-headed monster was sidelined...for that matter didn't score any goals in game 7.
PP: F
in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, April.
Penalty Kill: B-. If the season was a class, it's like they Aced the midterm but flunked the final.
Pens PR dept: F
The mixed signals for the past month regarding #87'status has done IMO some real damage to the fan base. People could deal with #87 not being able to play because of a career/life threatening injury, but when the Pens promoted video showing #87 dazzling everyone on the ice, wearing headsets during the games, etc... it led to some not-so-insignificant grumbling among the fan base. Don't think there is going to be a surge in the size of the season ticket waiting list.
Overall assessment of the season. Opportunity Lost
Had the framework to get all A's, hoist the cup. IMO second most disappointing season in franchise history, topped only by the David Volek finish.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Let The Beards Begin
1st Round Predictions
WEST
Vancouver > Chicago
San Jose > Los Angeles
Detroit > Phoenix
Nashville > Anaheim
EAST
Washington > New York
Philadelphia > Buffalo
Boston > Montreal
Pens > Tampa Bay
—BigL
WEST
Chicago > Vancouver
San Jose > Los Angeles
Detroit > Phoenix
Anaheim > Nashville
EAST
New York > Washington
Buffalo > Philadelphia
Boston > Montreal
Pens > Tampa Bay
—R~
WEST
Vancouver > Chicago
San Jose > Los Angeles
Phoenix > Detroit
Anaheim > Nashville
EAST
Washington > New York
Buffalo > Philadelphia
Montreal > Boston
Pens > Tampa Bay
—Mendy87
Friday, April 8, 2011
Waiting Game
"No change in that status, just continuing that progression and on the ice. Again, his interaction is with the doctors, not with the coaching staff or training staff. So he gets his daily activity and progression from somewhere else, not us."
On if it’s getting a little late for people to hope #87would be around for the start of the playoffs just based on the calendar:
"We’ve said it before and continue to say it, he has a couple more steps to go in his rehabilitation before he can even think about returning to play. I don’t know how fast that’s going to happen, I don’t know if that’s going to happen. There’s no way to even make a timetable. And considering that he has two more steps to go through, it would seem like anything in the immediate future is out of the question."
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Will He or Won't He
According to Pens' Web site, nine players are participating in the Pens' optional Wednesday morning skate. Crosby, Letestu, Comrie, Conner, Godard, Tangradi, Lovejoy, Engelland and Cooke.
Good sign #87 is among them but tomorrow will be the day (full practice w/ contact) to find out if #87 received medical clearance he needs to have a week of practice and a chance to make his return for Game 1 of Round 1.
(If that happens, think there will be a cheer or two in Consol when
team steps on the ice?!)
Fingers crossed.
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