(click on photos to enlarge)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Welcome to Pittsburgh James Neal & Matt Niskanen!
First glimpse of them in Pens' garb (at morning skate) before their debut tonight:
Neal Niskanen
(click on photos to enlarge)
(click on photos to enlarge)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Breaking News
Wonder who will get #27, he or Adams?
Can a signing of #68 be far behind...
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow
"You know what? That could happen," Crosby said today of missing the rest of the season. "But am I sitting here packing it in? No. I hope I'm back and, geez, I hope I play this year."
Wow, there hasn't been so much doom and gloom permeating Pittsburgh blogs and talk shows since Monday's Super Bowl coverage!
Is there a chance #87 won't be back this year... yes. But if you consider all his remarks or even just that quote above, he seems optimistic that he will return.
For the long-term paranoia, it's true concussions did derail the careers of Lindros, Primeau, LaFontaine, and perhaps Savard, but they were all in their 30s, and all took much more ferocious hits than #87. Remember, #87 (unwisely in hindsight) finished both the Winter Classic and the Tampa Bay game. My point being, he didn't get carted off like the others (and Heath Miller for the Steelers).
Look, too, at Patrice Bergeron for the Bruins. He had two concussions 2007 (knocked unconscious) and another in 2008. Today, he is the alternate captain of the Bruins, their leading scorer, and arguably their best player. Relax with the career-ending apocalyptic predictions posters!
As for the season being over without #87 and #71, boy when the going gets tough, some fans reach for the remote. This team can still win (8-5-1 since the concussion), and can still do damage in April, May, June by tweaking its game slightly and riding #29 as far as he can take them. That means HCDB reigning in the ferocious forecheck (i.e., my Rope-a-Dope post) to make sure there are no odd-man breaks that no goalie can stop consistently. #29 has shown us he may be the best in the NHL between the pipes right now, let this be his team until further notice. (Remember with #87 and #71 and no commitment to defense, the team didn't get beyond the 2nd round last season).
Sports doesn't always play out the way we'd script it. That's what makes it so appealing to follow.
Is there a chance #87 won't be back this year... yes. But if you consider all his remarks or even just that quote above, he seems optimistic that he will return.
For the long-term paranoia, it's true concussions did derail the careers of Lindros, Primeau, LaFontaine, and perhaps Savard, but they were all in their 30s, and all took much more ferocious hits than #87. Remember, #87 (unwisely in hindsight) finished both the Winter Classic and the Tampa Bay game. My point being, he didn't get carted off like the others (and Heath Miller for the Steelers).
Look, too, at Patrice Bergeron for the Bruins. He had two concussions 2007 (knocked unconscious) and another in 2008. Today, he is the alternate captain of the Bruins, their leading scorer, and arguably their best player. Relax with the career-ending apocalyptic predictions posters!
As for the season being over without #87 and #71, boy when the going gets tough, some fans reach for the remote. This team can still win (8-5-1 since the concussion), and can still do damage in April, May, June by tweaking its game slightly and riding #29 as far as he can take them. That means HCDB reigning in the ferocious forecheck (i.e., my Rope-a-Dope post) to make sure there are no odd-man breaks that no goalie can stop consistently. #29 has shown us he may be the best in the NHL between the pipes right now, let this be his team until further notice. (Remember with #87 and #71 and no commitment to defense, the team didn't get beyond the 2nd round last season).
Sports doesn't always play out the way we'd script it. That's what makes it so appealing to follow.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Rope-a-Dope
What's painfully clear, given #71's apparent season-ending knee injury and the uncertainty of #87's return (and what will be his level of play if/when he does return?),is that the personality of this team may need to change completely come the playoffs. (We'll know better by the trade deadline, based on whether #87 has returned and his level of play.)
As it stands now, in all likelihood Pens will only have one forward (other than #87) with 50+ points: #14. Adding a high-priced winger won't help (ask New Jersey). For a playoff run with a less-than-100% #87, this team will need to be built around #29 so Pens can win games in April, May, June by scores of 1-0, 2-1. Thankfully, #29 looks like he is up to the challenge if Pens play conscientious defense. #4, #7, #44, #58 are fine. I've been especially pleased with the play of #7 of late. Pens could use one or two more quality defensemen, using #3 as trade bait. Best ones would be:
Ryan Suter, Nashville (signed though 2011-12 season at $3.5 million)
Adrien Aucoin, Phoenix (signed through 2011-12 season at $2.2 million)
I know this doesn't sound glitzy, but it's the team's best chance to win the cup without #71 and if #87 doesn't return this season or if his level of play drops (which would be understandable, given he hasn't had intense workouts in more than a month).
As it stands now, in all likelihood Pens will only have one forward (other than #87) with 50+ points: #14. Adding a high-priced winger won't help (ask New Jersey). For a playoff run with a less-than-100% #87, this team will need to be built around #29 so Pens can win games in April, May, June by scores of 1-0, 2-1. Thankfully, #29 looks like he is up to the challenge if Pens play conscientious defense. #4, #7, #44, #58 are fine. I've been especially pleased with the play of #7 of late. Pens could use one or two more quality defensemen, using #3 as trade bait. Best ones would be:Ryan Suter, Nashville (signed though 2011-12 season at $3.5 million)
Adrien Aucoin, Phoenix (signed through 2011-12 season at $2.2 million)
I know this doesn't sound glitzy, but it's the team's best chance to win the cup without #71 and if #87 doesn't return this season or if his level of play drops (which would be understandable, given he hasn't had intense workouts in more than a month).
Monday, February 7, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Super Bowl Weekend Quiz
Which of these events will happen this weekend:A) Kim Kardashian reveals she’s engaged to Big Ben.
B) Rex Ryan & John Harbaugh record a remix of Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow.”
C) Brent Johnson replaces Eric Godard on the 4th line as Pens’ enforcer.
D) LeBron vows that if he doesn’t win the NBA title this year, he will enroll at Pitt.
E) Steelers not only cover the 2.5 pt spread, they win an unprecedented 7th Super Bowl.
Look for the correct answer on Monday.
But here is a hint:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
We're Number One!
among US teams
(source: Nielsen)
1) Pittsburgh Penguins 8.0 rating
2) Buffalo Sabres 6.3
3) Detroit Red Wings 3.9
4) Chicago Blackhawks 2.6
5) Boston Bruins 2.3
-) St. Louis Blues 2.3
7) Philadephia Flyers 2.2
8) Minnesota Wild 1.7
9) Washington Capitals 1.6
10) Colorado Avalanche 1.4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)