Da 'Guins Blog

Moving

2011-06-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Greetings yinz,

I just wanted to let anyone know who may still read this blog, that I will be writing for faceoff factor from now on and will only post occasional updates on this blog.

http://www.faceoff-factor.com/

Thanks,
Nick

This site will be revived soon.

2011-05-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Sorry for the long delay, way too long if you ask me, but I have been unbelievably busy in the past few months, planning a wedding in 5 months and now moving to enemy territory. Once I settle in and find some permanent employment, the blog will be back up and running at full speed, hopefully.

I might be looking for another writer interested in getting their opinions out there regarding the Penguins.

Thanks and Lets go Pens!

Jordan Staal out 6+ weeks with broken bone in hand

2010-11-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Word has it that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jordan Staal, who was set to return on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars has another setback, but this time with his hand. Staal left practice 45 minutes early today and it has been speculated that its a hand injury and preliminary reports put him out 6-plus weeks.

Pictures from First Win at the CEC vs. the Isles

2010-11-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Our end of the ice prior to warm-ups.

Pens vs. Isles, October 15, 2010

Dipietro during warm-ups (Also, the last time he was seen standing for the entire game)

Former Penguin Mark Eaton

Black and Gold Men in the CEC

Good to go from IceBurgh

Tonight's Officials

Anthem

Opening Faceoff

Big Dog's first career goal.

Aftermath of Letang's LEGAL hit on Comeau

Overtime Faceoff

GOGO WINS IT IN OT!!!

Where are they now? Former Penguins in Europe and Russia

2010-10-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of players who have at one time been part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organizations in some way or another. I doubt that this list is 100% complete or updated, as some of the information is a little sparse involving some teams, so feel free to comment and let me know if I missed anyone and I'll definitely update. Future posts will include statistics and updates for those playing in the KHL and other notable former Penguins.

Enjoy!

Kontinental Hockey League:

Jaromir Jagr - Avangard Omsk
Martin Skoula - Avangard Omsk
Michal Sersen - Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
Aleksey Morozov - Ak Bars Kazan
Janne Pesonen - Ak Bars Kazan
Chris Bourque - Atlant Moscow*
Konstantin Koltsov - Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Sebastian Caron - Traktor Chelyabinsk
Martin Strbak - Dynamo Moscow
Sergei Zubov - SKA St. Petersburg
Tomas Surovy - Dinamo Riga
Richard Lintner - Dinamo Minsk
Ville Nieminen - Novosibirsk Siber

Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL):

Conner James - Augsburger Panther
TJ Kemp Augsburger Panther
Michel Ouellet - Hamburg Freezers
Sven Butenschon - Adler Mannheim
Rene Corbet - Adler Mannheim
Patrick Ehelechner - Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers
Ross Lupaschuk - Cologne Sharks (recently cut)
Karl Stewart - Straubing Tigers
JS Aubin - DEG Metro Stars
Matt Hussey - Ingolstadt ERC
Eric Meloche - Straubing Tigers

Elitserien:

Dick Tarnstrom - AIK IF
Nils Ekman - Djurgardens IF Hockey
Kris Beech - HV71
Josef Melichar - Linkopings HC
Hans Jonsson - Modo Hockey
Matt Murley - Linköping HC (recently released)

SM Liga:

Jani Rita - Jokerit

Swiss National League A:

Chris Bourque - HC Lugano
Rico Fata - EHC Biel
Shawn Heins - Fribourg Gotteron
Richard Park - Geneve-Servette HC
Micki Dupont - Kloten Flyers
Joel Kwiatkowski - Bern
Niklas Nordgren - Rapperswil Jona
Jeff Toms - Geneve Servette
Alexandre Daigle - No longer playing in NLA

Czech Extraliga:

Petr Nedved - HC Bili Tygri Liberac
Milan Kraft - HC Plzen
Martin Straka - HC Plzen
John Slaney - HC Plzen
Petr Sykora - HC Plzen
Guillaume Lefebvre - Trinec Ocelari HC

Slovak Extraliga:

Ziggy Palffy - HK 36 Skalica
Miro Satan - HC Slovan Bratislava

Norwegian GET-liga:

Dan Lacouture - Lorenskog
Drew Fata - Sparta Warriors

Italian Serie A

Shane Endicott - SG Pontebba

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (Austria)

Ramzi Abid - Salzburg
Jonathan Filewich - Zagreb Medvescak
Andy Chiodo - Klagenfurter AC

Polish 1st League
Roman Simicek - GKS Tychy

Recently Retired:
Jiri Slegr
Robert Dome
Jan Hrdina
Michal Sivek
Vladimir Vujtek Jr.
Josef Beranek
Alain Nasreddine (now Assistant Coach with WBS)

Winners and Loser for the Penguins through 10

2010-10-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Winners:

Brent Johnson - What more can be said about Brent Johnson's performance 10 games into the season? Outside of Tim Thomas, Johnson is currently the most dominant goaltender in the league through 10 games, and it couldn't have come at a better time, with the less than stellar performance by starting goaltender, Marc Andre Fleury.

Pascal Dupuis - Talk about underrated role players on the Penguins, especially those who do more than just play their roles. Dupuis has already racked up a few goals on the season and consistently works hard. To me, he has definitely earned a spot on the first line this season so far and hopefully continues to produce alongside Sidney Crosby. I'm not saying Pascal Dupuis is a long term solution to the lack of scoring on Sid's wing, but in the meantime, he definitely seems like the best option. Love the stache, too.

Alex Goligoski - Another hot start for Gogo. Until he got injured in the earlier part of last season, Gogo was playing lights out, but was underwhelming in his return later in the season. Well this year, he has definitely regained his form so far, including time spent on the top powerplay unit.

Deryk Engelland - Eric Godard who? I'm sorry, I like Eric Godard, he's a great fighter, he's supposed to be a good teammate, he's a hard worker, but he has no use on this team with Deryk Engelland picking up the slack. Engelland has gone toe to toe with heavyweights Colton Orr and Jody Shelley and has done more than just hang in there, he's won. In addition to this fighting prowess, he's also played solid defense.

Mark Letestu - 2nd in rookie scoring and has been playing great so far. He wins faceoffs, he's works in the corners, he has great vision, and a quick surprising shot. I'd say he earned his spot on the team for now.

Losers:

Marc Andre Fleury - Anyone who knows me knows I support Marc Andre Fleury, he is the starter on the team and will be for years to come. He hasn't got off to the great start we all hoped, and Brent Johnson's performances haven't helped his cause either. Fleury has to pick up his play, but also needs help from the rest of the team.

Mike Comrie - Probably the one player I'm most disappointed in so far this season. Unfortunate turn of events for the one player I was most excited about during the pre-season. He has 5 assists through 9 games played and has been about as underwhelming as it gets. He hasn't shown his speed or scoring touch and has looked terrible defensively. He better hopes he improves or he could be fighting for a spot when Jordan Staal returns.

Tyler Kennedy - He holds on to the puck too long, shoots the puck into the chest of the goalie and hasn't scored since opening night. He's another one on the bubble right now when Staal returns.

Dan Bylsma - Another person that has been upsetting me through 10 games is HCDB. He doesn't seem to be able to adjust well on the fly to certain systems, especially the trap. Not to mention the dismal powerplay the pens have had so far.

The Powerplay - Yuck.

Looking into the future

2010-10-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here's whats coming up in the next week and some:

Today: Penguins winners/losers after 10 games.
Fri: 1st KHL overview, including updates about former Penguins
Sat/Sun: Pics from First Win in the CEC
Next week: Report from trip to Glendale

Pens finally unveil Winter Classic Jerseys

2010-10-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Pens unveiled their Winter Classic Jerseys today, here are some pics:

Things I like:

- Return to real sweater jerseys, not similar to anything in the league today.
- Font.
- Angry Skating Penguin with Scarf logo.
- Colors

Things I don't:
- End of sleeves
- placement of stripes/size

What say you?

Pens to unveil WC Jersey after practice tomorrow

2010-10-27T14:25:00.001-07:00

The Penguins are planning to unveil their Winter Classic jersey tomorrow (Thursday) after practice at the Consol Energy Center. Some players will be on hand, but only media will be attending.

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of doing it this way, but on the other hand, the Pens do everything for their fans, so this is a small complaint at that. The Capitals unveiled their WC jerseys at a Caps Convention, similar to the Pirates Fan Fest and it included appearances from former Capitals, wearing the jerseys.

More hints on WC Jersey for the Pens

2010-10-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

From Icethetics:

Johnny B. Goode

2010-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Brent Johnson has been solid throughout all three of his starts this year and is looking to earn some more time between the pipes this year for the Penguins.

Some notes from the last two games (vs NYI and vs Philly):

- The defense has really stepped up in the absence of Michalek and Orpik, the teams two most defensively sound d-men. Particularly Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland. They both look like NHL ready players. Besides being defensively solid, Lovejoy doesn't miss an opportunity to throw pucks towards the net and Engelland looks tough. Following his fight against Colton Orr, Engelland has looked more confident with and without the puck and has been making hits and playing great defense.

- Kris Letang - After a less than enviable start to the season, especially in his own end, Letang has recovered nicely in the last two games. The CLEAN hit that he laid on Comeau, along with a superior defensive effort against the Flyers, breaking up multiple odd-man rushes and scoring chances, makes me believe that he's really starting to hit a good groove.

- How good is Gogo? Wow. This is very similar to the start he had last season, but he's playing pretty well defensively this time to back up his outstanding offensive play.

- Comrie has failed to impress me throughout the regular season, after an extremely impressive preaseason.

- Mark Letestu has been the most impressive forward through 6 games this season and I don't see him going anywhere for a while, if he keeps up this play. The Front Office will have a tough choice to make when Jordan Staal returns.

- Good to see Crosby and Malkin get going a little bit. They are the engine of this team, the team goes as they do.

- DiPietro and Comeau deserve oscars after their performance the other night. Comeau's hands were the first thing to hit the ice, his head never came close and he still curled up and bought a 5-min major. Despicable. DiPietro fell everytime a strong wind came through and the refs kept buying it, because he did it anytime Matt Cooke, who reputation bought him those penalties, was near.

- Crosby Sucks. Right Philly? Which is why not a single player on your team, can boast half the accomplishments that Sid has had in 5 years. So if Crosby sucks, what does that say about your team?

- If Mike Richards is Leadership, then Leadership is a joke in Philly. Its hard for Crosby to make it up to the press box to fight Carcillo!

The site has been having some problems recently, but there should be a post of pics/video from the Isles game coming soon.

Dman Andrew Hutchinson recalled from WBS

2010-10-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from the WBS Penguins of the AHL. This most likely signifies that one of Orpik or Michalek (shoulder) will not be ready to go tomorrow against the Leafs.

In one game with the Baby Penguins, Hutchinson recorded a goal and an assist, was a +1, had 2 PIM, and had 3 shots.

Goaltender Controversy

2010-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm only kidding. Johnson played a superb, but simple game tonight, but the team also played much stronger defensively in front of him, than they did in front of Fleury either of the last two games.

This game was a must win. Not for the points or the standings, but for the confidence and morale of the Penguins. Without one of their Alternate captains, Brooks Orpik, the Penguins faced one of the best teams in the league last year, who gave them fits winning all 6 games against the Pens last year, which included Brodeur setting the shutout record against the Pens. After the first two games, the Pens did everything in their power to win against an opponent who was disappointed in their most recent effort, a 7-2 loss against the Washington Capitals.

The Penguins starting goaltender is Marc-Andre Fleury and he will recover, because that's who he is.

Lets Go Pens.

Trade Fleury: Pens Lose

2010-10-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Trade Fleury.
Trade Malkin.
Trade Crosby.
Trade Letang.
Trade Orpik.
TRADE EVERYBODY!!!

Come on people. It's 2 games into the season and its not exactly the start we all hoped for, but its only 2 games. Nobody wins the cup after 2 regular season games. The loss was a result of defensive and goaltending lapses. It happens. The last team to go 82-0 or even 81-1 is...
noone. Its never happened and has never even been close. The Penguins are missing Jordan Staal and Arron Asham, two guys who figured to receive a bunch of minutes each game. Asham is the grit that this team lacked in the game against the Flyers and Staal is a very strong forward offensively and an amazing forward defensively.

If you want to point a finger at anyone tonight, its the coaches. There are players on this team who are afraid to shoot the puck and there have been multiple instances, where they have passed the puck, but missed the mark and put the opposition on an odd-man rush. That can't happen.
Don't get me wrong, the Pens had a ton of shots tonight, but they passed up some great scoring chances.

Lets go Pens.

About last night: PIctures from the Red Carpet Entrace and Home Opener

2010-10-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures from last night's home opener at the Consol Energy Center between the Pens and the Flyers...Jagoffs. Not you, the Flyers. All the pictures are 4000 x 3000, all you need to do is click on them to make them that size. I hope you enjoy.

NHL Faceoff Logo

Rolling out the Red Carpet...

Iceburgh Puttin' on the Ritz

Head Coach "Disco" Dan Bylsmagic

Brent Johnson, "Big Dog" Eric Tangradi, and Mr. Hilary Duff

MR. KENNEDY! and the Good Reverend Lovejoy

Superstar in his element.

Sir Sidney

Matt "Hollywood" Cooke

Kris Letang

Geno Malkin

Nice face, Kunitz...

Mike Rupp being interview by Katie O and Steve Mears

The Red Carpet almost folded up when Orpik and Adams showed up.

Goodbye, Old Friend

The Doors are open!!!

Action shot of Sid shooting on Fleury during warmups.

Sideshow Bob was in the house.

Crosby finally gets a chance to meet the owner after all these years..

Opening Faceoff

Opening Night Ceremonies Video

2010-10-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a video from the Opening Night Ceremonies from last night's game.

You'll have to excuse the camerawork here, but if you weren't able to see the opening ceremonies then this is for you.

The video includes the player introductions, Mellon memories, and Mario.

Enjoy!

No post tonight, check back tomorrow

2010-10-07T20:40:00.001-07:00

Just got back from the game and besides being less than thrilled with that performance, I will not be posting a game recap with analysis until tomorrow.

Check back for a bunch of pics and a complete video of the opening ceremonies.

Tangradi sent to Wheeling; Kileen recalled

2010-10-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins have assigned Eric Tangradi to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and have recalled Goaltender Patrick Kileen from there.

This is most likely a temporary roster move to ensure that the Penguins have 2 healthy goaltenders for tomorrow.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=539767&navid=DL|PIT|home

The 2010-2011 Penguins: Defense

2010-10-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

Time for some Penguins math:

Subtract

Add:

And what does that equal?

Hopefully solid defense and puck movement that doesn't allow the opposition to walk into the zone and get a clear shot, especially if the opposition is named Ovechkin or Cammalerri. The 2009-10 Pittsburgh Penguins defense can only be described in one word from a former coach, "soff." They let the opposition have every chance possible to get off a clear shot when they entered the offensive zone.

Projected Defensive Pairings:

1st pairing:
Orpik-Michalek

We all know what Brooks Orpik brings to the table. A lot of hits, very hard hits. Last year, Brooks stepped up the offense a bit, playing alongside now Ottawa Senator, Sergei Gonchar. The unknown of this pairing is Zbynek Michalek, the Czech player came over from the Phoenix Coyotes, who played a close first-round series with the Detroit Red Wings. As luck would have it, over the past few years I have caught quite a few 'Yotes games and Michalek was one of the ones who stood out the most in a good way. He is extremely strong defensively, ala Rob Scuderi and Mark Eaton build, blocks everything in his path, ala Jay McKee, has a pretty solid shot and can occasionally lay a massive check on the unsuspecting forward.

2nd pairing:
Martin-Letang

Kris Letang is entering another year as a Pen and he looks better than ever. Faster, more physical, and with a harder shot. He still needs to work on hitting the net, but when he does, there's a good chance it will be in the back of the net. The signing of Paul Martin was the big Free Agency news of the offseason for the Pens and with good reason. Buyer be warned, he is not Sergei Gonchar, he's better, but in a much different way, he actually plays defense. The former Devil only played 1/8 of the season last year after being injured in a game against the Pens, but is looking to come back with a strong year. He'll get some time alternating as PP QB on the top unit with Gogo and should have a career year for points.

3rd pairing:
Goligoski -Lovejoy

Well, I don't know where to begin with this pairing. Gogo is still young and unsure defensively, but will be the top PP QB. He still needs to work on positioning and stickwork, but his offensive skills should more than make up for it. It looks like at this point, 2 days away from the Home Opener, Ben Lovejoy has won the 6th spot and he's earned it through hard work and dedication, but it is yet to be seen whether he'll stay.

7th defenseman:
Engelland
Big, physical defenseman, who could substitute for Lovejoy in the 6th spot or fill in for an injured player.

Overview:
This is a different defense than this team is ever used to having. If you were a fan of the 2008 defense with Eaton, Gill, and Scuderi, you will probably love this defense. This is one of the best defensive squads the team has ever had on paper and it looks like the Penguins could provide some solid support for the offensive firepower that runs the team. The biggest benefit to this improved defense is that Fleury will see a lot fewer pucks and the ones that are seen should be from low-percentage angles. The 2009-10 Penguins team biggest weakness has now improved to one of the team's biggest strengths, which makes this team beyond dangerous.

Chris Bourque leaves the KHL

2010-10-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

Former Penguin/Capital/Hershey Bear alum Chris Bourque, son of NHL great Ray Bourque has left HK Atlant of the KHL after only 8 games to sign with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A, even though he had a 2-year contract with Atlant.

Through 8 games, Bourque only had 1 goal and 0 assists.

Unbelievable turn of events for the most recent Calder Cup MVP winner.

http://www.hclugano.ch/welcome.cfm?lingua=en

2010-2011 NHL/Penguins Predictions

2010-10-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Here's what this blog see happening this year, including some pretty bold predictions:

Penguins:
Record = 49 - 25 - 8 106 pts
Leading Scorer = Evgeni Malkin, 108 pts
Fleury's Record = 65 gp, 39 w, 19, 7ot
Longest Win Streak = 8 games

NHL:
Stanley Cup Winner = Pittsburgh Penguins
Runner-up = San Jose Sharks
Conn Smythe = Marc-Andre Fleury

Playoff Teams:
East = 1) Capitals 2) Penguins 3) Sabres 4) Flyers 5) Hurricanes 6) Bruins 7) Devils 8) Canadiens
West = 1) Vancouver 2) Chicago 3) San Jose 4) Colorado 5) Los Angeles 6) St. Louis 7) Nashville 8) Calgary

NHL Awards:
Hart = Backstrom
Vezina = Fleury
Norris = Mike Green
Calder = Magnus Paajarvi
Lady Byng = St. Louis
Selke = Crosby
Adams = Lindy Ruff
Masterton = Cam Ward
Lindsay = Malkin
Messier = Richards
Richard = Stamkos
Art Ross = Malkin
Jennings = Rinne

Miro Satan signs contract with HC Slovan Bratislava

2010-10-02T01:14:00.000-07:00

Former Penguin and Bruin winger Miroslav Satan signed a weekly contract with HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga, the highest league in Slovakia.

http://www.hcslovan.sk/Default.aspx?Cat ... ewsID=2709

Penguins versus Blackhawks Video Streams?

2010-10-01T16:09:00.001-07:00

Here are two potential places to watch the Penguins versus the Blackhawks on October 1 in Chicago.

http://www.nenggeulis.com/watch.php?livestream=1619

http://channelsurfing.net/watch-nhl-7.html

The Curse of St. Patrick

2010-09-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

The Curse of St. Patrick

“I remember when I started my first game for Montreal," Roy said. "I said not to be Jacques Plante, or Ken Dryden, or Georges Vezina, but be Patrick Roy. Jocelyn Thibault can't be Patrick Roy. He has to be Jocelyn Thibault,” stated Patrick Roy one day after “Le Trade,” which sent Roy and team captain Mike Keane to Colorado for goalie Jocelyn Thibault and forwards Andrei Kovalenko and Martin Rucinsky in December 1995. Approximately fifteen years later, Montreal is once again faced with a goaltender situation that is less than pleasant, but who’s to blame? Is it the goaltenders themselves? What about the team’s management and front office? Or is it the fans?

With Carey Price’s less than stellar performance in his first two starts of the 2010-2011 NHL Pre-season, allowing 4 goals on 9 shots in the first game and allowing 6 goals on 30 shots in his second start, the Montreal fans and media have not been afraid of voicing their disappointment with the young goaltender’s performance. Carey Price is 23 years old and is entering his 4^th season as a member of Les Habitants. In 2007, only three years ago, Carey Price led Team Canada to its third consecutive gold medal at the World Junior Championships, even earning tournament MVP honors. That wasn’t the only honor that Carey Price has received in his young career so far, his other honors include:

· WHL West First All-Star Team in 2007.

· Won the Del Wilson Trophy (WHL Top Goaltender) in 2007.

· Won the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award in 2007.

· Won the Calder Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2007.

· Won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy (Calder Cup MVP) in 2007.

· NHL Rookie of the Month in March 2008.

· NHL All-Rookie Team in 2008.

· NHL All-Star Game in 2009 (starter)

· NHL YoungStars Game in 2009

Quite an impressive resume for a 23 year old that has yet to start more than 52 games in a season, but still cannot shake the Bronx cheers and jeers that have haunted him throughout his short career in Montreal. Alright, so Price’s problem doesn’t seem to be a result of poor pedigree, so let’s look at his stats in comparison to other goaltenders in the league.

2007-2008:

Carey Price

42 GP: 24 W, 12L, 3OT

GAA: 2.56

SV%: 9.20

Tim Thomas

55GP: 28W, 19L, 6OT

GAA: 2.44

SV%: 9.21

2008-2009:

Carey Price

49 GP: 23, 16L, 10OT

GAA: 2.83

SV%: 9.05

Mikka Kiprusoff

76GP: 45W, 24L, 5OT

GAA: 2.84

SV%: 9.03

2009-2010:

Carey Price

39 GP: 13, 20L, 5OT

GAA: 2.77

SV%: 9.12

Michael Leighton

31GP: 17W, 9L, 2OT

GAA: 2.83

SV%: 9.05

So what was the point of these statistics, you ask? To show that although Price may have regressed from his rookie season, he still improved from 2008-2009 during the next season, even though his win-loss total doesn’t reflect that. So if a goaltender gets better from one year to the next, but ends up losing more games, is that on the goaltender, or the team/management? What we see is that in comparison to 3 other goaltenders, one of which has won the Vezina, while another made it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals with a worse regular season performance, is that Price’s statistics show the development of a solid goaltender who has similar, if not better statistics than some of the more successful goalies in the game.

Okay, so its not his pedigree and it doesn’t appear to be regressing play, so what is the problem? The Curse of St. Patrick. Since 1995, when the Montreal Canadians traded away future Hall of Famer, 4-time Stanley Cup Champion, and 3-time Conn Smythe winner to the Colorado Avalanche, it wasn’t because Roy’s overall play was regressing, but because the expectations held by the Montreal faithful far exceeded reality. Goaltenders have bad games and sometime have bad games on consecutive nights. It’s a fact of hockey. As with quarterbacks in football, the psyche of a goaltender is largely dependent on the confidence of that individual, and constant attacks on that person’s ego will not help anything. Once Roy was no longer playing under the watchful eyes of the Montreal fans, he started to regain his confidence and led the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in that same year, once again winning the Conn Smythe. Clearly, Patrick Roy’s play in Montreal had less to do with a regression in talent, but was the result of the constant hounding from the fanbase and media. The Montreal faithful booed one of the best goaltenders in the history of the NHL, right of the ice, and it would come back to haunt them.

Since the departure of Roy from Montreal, the team has lacked a franchise goaltender until the emergence of a 21-year-old Carey Price. Before he had even played the majority of games in a season, he had already been baptized as the next Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy by the fans and media. Its beginning to look as if they were half right, as it seems like Price will meet a fate more similar to Patrick Roy, than that of Dryden. The situation was only exacerbated by the breakout play of Jaroslav Halak during the 2009-2010 season and especially during the 2010 playoffs. Simply put, the fans, the media, and the organization are all to blame for the current goaltender situation that they face. Price has only started 2 games this season, but has already heard a season’s worth of boos, but what good does that do to anyone, especially Price. First, the organization is at blame, for not surrounding their “franchise goaltender” with the proper talent to help that goaltender out. Second, media and fans are to blame for attempting to run Price out of town, before he’s even old enough to rent a car in most states. Every miscue or puck that gets by is immediately blamed on the play of the young goaltender, but it’s hard to imagine that Price is content in his current situation, as he can do no right. If he gets booed after every goal he allows, he will have no confidence by opening night and that will only leave the situation worse than it started. As the saying goes, history repeats itself. 15 years ago, Patrick Roy gave up 4 goals on 16 shots and was traded the next day after being booed off the ice and now Carey Price is consistently facing the same pressure, but will it have the same result? If Montreal Canadien fans want to see Carey Price succeed as a goaltender and become the franchise goaltender that so many hope he will become, then my suggestion, as an outside observer, is to support your goaltender, through bad times and good, give him the confidence that he can do it. Here’s my challenge to the city of Montreal, its media and its fanbase: Give Carey Price one year of support, instead of the usual harassment that he currently receives night in and night out and see if his play improves? If it does, then its on you, otherwise, your gripe with the play of Carey Price might be well-founded.

The 2010-2011 Penguins: Forwards

2010-09-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is part 1 of a three part series that will explore what this blogger thinks the Opening Night lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins will look like against the cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.
Projected First Line:

Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis

The first line brings a ton of speed and solid defense to the Penguins. Kunitz provides a hard-hitting up-tempo game, while Crosby is one of the best players in the NHL. He can score, pass, play defense, and win faceoffs. The other winger that I think will make up this line, is the speedy and hard-shooting Pascal Dupuis.
Projected Second Line:

Eric Tangradi - Mike Comrie - Evgeni Malkin

I can't express how excited as a Pens fan I am at the potential for this line. Comrie looks completely reinvigorated centering Malkin and Tangradi, through training camp and the Preseason, so far. It already appears that Malkin and Comrie have a great read on one another and are quickly building a great deal of chemistry. Tangradi is a long needed and missing component of the Penguins offense, a net presence, who can actually score. This blogger believes that Tangradi will get a legitimate shot on the 2nd line, until Jordan Staal returns from his injury.

Projected Third Line:

Matt Cooke - Mark Letestu - Arron Asham

What a scary line this could be for the opposition. Asham and Cooke are dangerous players on the ice, and not just in the physical way. Letestu will most likely get a chance to prove his worth on this line, until Staal comes back, which will provide a shakeup between the 2nd and 3rd lines, depending on performances up to that date.

Projected Fourth Line:

Craig Adams - Max Talbot - Mike Rupp

This is what you want out a fourth line. Hard-hitting and aggressive, with a bit of a scoring touch.

Extra Forwards:
- Jordan Staal (IR) - out until further notice.
- Tyler Kennedy - I just don't think he currently has a spot or need on this team to fill.
- Eric Godard - He'll be inserted in certain games when necessary.