Official Pittsburgh Penguins thread

[Brutus1]

Three more days until the '07 opener. It should be a pretty good season in the Igloo.

The biggest question mark for me is still Fluery's play in the pipes. He needs to get more consistent this season. If not, it could be another first round exit.

Sid will enjoy having Big Georges around all season.

Oh yea, screw the Flyers and Rangers!!

[NastyDogg72]

The play of Conklin is going to make it very hard to put anyone back in goal, including Fleury. When it comes to netminders you have to stick with the hot hand and Ty has been a [censored]in wall ever since he came up from Wilkes-Barre. The Pens are getting hot at the right time and have a great chance in the East.

[daveeb]

The shootout today was not Conklin's fault. Anytime you stop a team 3/4 times a shootout, your team should win.

I really like the impact Tyler Kennedy has made. I remember hearing about his performance at WB-S, and getting excited about how his 2-way play could positively impact the team.

Speaking of 2-way play, or a lack thereof, what has happened to Jordan Staal's play on both sides of the ice this year? People were throwing around the word "Selke" in reference to him just a year ago.

In reference to the scoring race, Sid is now 2 behind Vinny Lecavalier.

[daveeb]

ESPN - Crosby out indefinitely with high ankle sprain - NHL

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby injured an ankle while crashing into the rear boards leg-first midway through the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins' 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time.

...

Until now, Crosby has missed only four games to injury during his three-season NHL career. The Penguins' record without him is 0-2-2.

...

The injury -- a high ankle sprain -- can sideline an athlete for a month or longer. Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury sustained the same injury Dec. 6 and has yet to return, and it may be well into February before he comes back.

...

Crosby initially got to his feet and began to limp toward the Penguins bench, only to turn around and enter a doorway that leads to the tunnel to the Penguins locker room. He bent over after reaching the walkway and had to be helped to the dressing room.

Panic.

The team is a playoff team without Sid, but an 8th seed team. With Sid, they are capable of being tied for the division lead.

Time to see what Malkin is really made of. Everyone wants to see what he does without Sid. Now, we get that chance. He's been showing a lot more guts and fire since he learned English. I really liked when he knocked Rosival on his ass on Monday with a clean check, after he grabbed Malkin by the jersey. People questioned if he had that (Similar to how Ohio State fans questioned if Beanie was a warrior or some silly business. Boy, that looks dumb now).

[h0bb3s]

With Sid out Evgeni Malkin has stepped his play up BIG TIME. He is now the NHL points leader, which is amazing since he was some 15 or so points behind the points leader before Sid got hurt. It should be interesting what they do with him and Sidney when everyone gets healthy. I think at this point you have to keep them on separate lines.

Also, another shocker is the play of Ty Conklin! He leads the NHL in save % at .932 and is 5th in goals against at 2.18. This can't be the same goalie that played for the Blue Jackets last year can it??



GO PENS!!!

[Brutus1]

That looked like a playoff game last night against the Habs.

Not only has Malkin grabbed the bull by the horns, so has Malone. Both have played complete games in both ends of the ice.

Everyone has stepped up in Crosby's absence and that is great to see.

That was a BIG win last night, especially after being down in the third period, with the way the crowd was going crazy in that barn.

[3074326]

I must admit, I was a bit concerned when Sid went out. I know the Pens have a ton of talent, but anytime you lose a player like Crosby, it's going to hurt. But it hasn't hurt. Malkin is just insanely good.

I really need to get back to Pittsburgh to watch a game.. last time I was there was Mario's last home game the first time he retired (1997).

Stat from today's game:

Game Information Arena: Mellon Arena
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Attendance: 17,132 (101.0% full)

It would be great to get that kind of attendance everywhere.

[3074326]

Pens just traded Armstrong and Christensen for Marian Hossa. I liked both of those guys, but the addition of Hossa is awesome.

[Brutus1]

Army, Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a first for

Hossa and Dupuis.



Hal Gill for a 2nd. ( like that too)

[h0bb3s]

Did not expect to get Hossa. WOW if nothing else, we will have the best offense in the league. And Hal Gill should be a good pickup as well, big crease clearing d-man. He's slow, but if you put him with Letang or Gonchar, that should be fine.

LET'S GO PENS!

[BuckeyeMike80]

you guys paid quite a bit for what is essentially a 3 month rental...just saying.....

[Jake]

Originally Posted by 3074326

Pens just traded Armstrong and Christensen for Marian Hossa. I liked both of those guys, but the addition of Hossa is awesome.

That's the kind of trade that better yield a Cup. Two young guys and two future first round draft picks for an expiring contract?

I like Hossa but that's a steep price, and I'm still not convinced journeyman Ty Conklin can keep up this level of play into summer. I was hoping to get some goalie help. Fleury is coming back but he's been a disappointment, so far.

The idea of seeing a Malkin, Crosby, Hossa line is intriguing, though...unless you're an opposing goalie.

[Brutus1]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

you guys paid quite a bit for what is essentially a 3 month rental...just saying.....

I don't mind giving up Army and EC, but hate to give up Esposito and a first for, like you said , a 3 month rental.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by Brutus1

I don't mind giving up Army and EC, but hate to give up Esposito and a first for, like you said , a 3 month rental.

Yeah and as Jake said, you guys needed help in goal or on the back end more than scoring punch.

Unless the plan is to win in the playoffs by out-scoring people, which hasn't been the case even in the "new" NHL, I'm not sure the Pens really helped themselves in the playoffs so to speak. the regular season will be interesting to watch though, that's for sure.

[3074326]

It is indeed very expensive for three months, but it could potentially be worth it. I can't wait to see these guys play together, should be exciting to say the least.