So I figure the best way to start the offseason for the PPB is to make a couple posts listing who I think the Pens should keep, who needs to go (from the team period, via free agency or just plain letting go of them), and then who we should target in the free agent market.
For today, I'm going to go with who we should keep -
Forwards
Sidney Crosby - I mean if you want to cut him then you're a moron and obviously a Flyer sympathizer.
Geno Malkin - See Sidney Crosby.
Jordan Staal - I know a lot of people wanted us to trade him or Geno this season to get a scoring winger, but let me tell you, there's no finer defensive forward in the game and he can certainly score if needed. Oh yea, and he's something silly like 22. Don't be fools.
Mike Rupp - His grit and early scoring touch were a great thing for the Pens, and you could tell he brought energy to the ice every time he played. And he can fight, which is nice because maybe we won't have to carry a horrible, horrible hockey player just to be an enforcer.
Matt Cooke - He became a real leader on this squad, and whether you love or hate him, no one (except maybe our old buddy Rutuu) can get under the skin of the opposition like him. Plus, his 15 goals this year were a career high, so we definitely need to resign him.
Craig Adams - I hate saying it (because he's Little Snack's favorite player), but Adams is a great penalty killer, and he wins faceoffs, which is something we desperately need. And his two Stanley Cup rings certainly brings some experience and clout that this team needs.
Pascal Dupuis - He's a very strong penalty killer, and has the speed needed to get in on the forecheck. He's proven that he can play on any line, and Coach Dan Bylsma loves trying different line combinations.
Chris Kunitz - He also fits into the Dupuis mold, but he's not as strong on the PK. I'd still keep him though because he's fast, gets the pucks in the corners, and has a little more offensive punch then Dupuis.
Bill Guerin - If he doesn't retire, this old gray beard can still get the job done. His minutes will have to be limited as there's not a whole lot of jump left in his legs, but on the PP no one on our team can get in front of the net like him. Plus, his wrist shot isn't bad for someone who probably played juniors without a helmet.
Max Talbot - He had an injury filled year, so I'm willing to give him a pass for this season, especially after his game 7 theatrics in 2009. But if he doesn't show early in the season that he's back to the old "Mad Max" I would not think twice about unloading him and his pricey (for a player of his style at least) contract.
Defensemen
Brooks Orpik - His physical play is a must have in today's NHL, and he logs a lot of minutes on the PK. We all saw him play in the Olympics for the USA, so I don't think I need to say much else.
Sergei Gonchar - I'd like for the Pens to keep him if he's willing to take a home town discount, because I think he runs the PP better then anyone else on the team, but if he still wants elite money at the age of 36, we may have to take a pass.
Mark Eaton - Eaton is nothing spectacular, but he's a sturdy, stable NHL defenseman who won't make many mistakes in his own zone and has become a leader on the team. The other players like his style, and he's definitely an asset we need to hold onto.
Alex Goligoski/Kris Letang - I would keep one of these two, because they both possess rare speed and offensive talent for a defenseman and are definitely assets on the PP. However, they are both absolutely horrible in their own end, and they have a nasty habit of turning the puck over at inopportune times. I would probably try to keep Go Go, because it seems Letang makes more stupid mistakes then he does, but some in the organization may think Letang has better offensive potential. I guess we'll find out...
(Sidenote - the Pens will almost certainly keep both Go Go and Letang, this is just what I would do)
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury - Sure, he didn't look great during the playoffs this season, but after going to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, not to mention representing his country in the Olympics, I think we'll let this one slide. He is still maddeningly inconsistent at times, but maybe this year's early exit from the playoffs will recharge his batteries somewhat and get back that competitive edge he seems to have been lacking this season.
Well, that's about all I'd for sure keep...hope you enjoyed the list, and I'll be back soon with the players I'd dump (I realize you can tell who they will be, but I'll explain why in the post).
Until lata...
Showing posts with label Evgeni Malkin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evgeni Malkin. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Live Blog
I decided to try and live blog the game tonight...not too sure how it will go, but hey, how will I know if I don't try? Anyway, enjoy the show...I'll try and post the time I make the comment next to the post, but be forewarned I may get lazy by the end if it's a route...lol
And with that, enjoy the game...puck drops in about 30 minutes!
7:16 - Puck drops...Let's go Pens!!!
7:24 - Go Go gets a tripping minor for the Pens...not exactly the start we were looking for boys. Come on PK!!!
7:27 - Good PK by the boys, although we're still not looking very sharp...hopefully that works itself out soon...
7:34 - The Pens literally have one shot through eleven minutes of action...you gotta be kidding me.
7:38 - Pens power play on a cheap shot by LaPierre..cheating Canadiens....lol
7:41 - Our power play stinks...we couldn't get the puck in the zone, let alone get a shot. All in all, pretty poopy start for the Pens. Only six total shots in the game, although Montreal looks a lot busier then that.
7:51 - The period ends, mercifully, at 0-0. The Pens played some very uninspired hockey, but luckily the Canadiens couldn't put the biscuit in the basket. There was pretty much no offense to speak of coming from the Pens' side of the ice, and those crazy Canucks finished very strong. I'm thinking "Awww" Craig Adams will get his gray beard in a bunch and start inspiring the boys Herb Brooks style, but only time will tell. See yinz in the second...
8:08 - Puck drops on period 2. God I hope this goes better then the first...
8:18 - Cooke had a break away, but it's Cooke, so he misses. Still 0-0, but the pace has picked up a little bit for the Pens. I think we still only have five or six shots though, and Halak made that last save look easy...
8:25 - Pens power play...boy do we need a goal
8:28 - No goal on the PP, but at least the Pens are showing some signs of life. And this Letestu has been a pleasant surprise thus far in his first playoff game.
8:34 - Great chance by Go Go to net the opening goal, but Halak says no. We're starting to get our game going, throwing more pucks at Halak and taking the body more often. Now we just need to get on the board.
8:41 - There's only eleven seconds left in the period but the Pens have earned a power play. They just kept the puck in the zone for about two minutes which made the Canadiens tired and brought about the penalty.
8:43 - The period is over, still no score. Things get a bit chippy at the end of the period, with a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle. Still don't know if there's any penalties resulting, but I have to think this game is starting to turn towards the Pens' liking..all they need to do now is put the puck in the net!!!
9:03 - The puck drops on period three with the Pens on the power play for almost a full two minutes. This PP is key - if we can get a goal it may just be the series, but if not...well let's just say we need this goal.
9:05 - WHOOOO HOOOO Goal Malkin!!!! It's a power play goal, and the Pens' showed great patience. Great one timer. 1-0 Pens
9:07 - I failed to mention it was Hal Gill in the box when Geno scored. I think that may have helped the cause...
9:10 - Steigerwald's first reference to Hal Gill's big stick. Hahaha
9:23 - Flower just robs Cammellari on a one timer. My goodness, what a save. The Canadiens are pushing hard for the tying goal, we really need to keep it simple and just get the puck out of our zone.
9:26 - Crap, the Canadiens just got a call on Jordan Leopold. Huge PK upcoming.
9:30 - Halfway through the PK, so far so good, Montreal just called timeout. I'll let ya know how the PK ends up...
9:32 - PK is over, and Flower just made another crazy save to keep it that way. He's playing an excellent game thus far...
9:37 - Pascal Dupuis throws in an empty netter. 2-0 Pens and as Mike Lange would say, "Elvis has just left the building!!!" Be back shortly with some observations.
Go Pens!
Observations - Well, first and foremost, Flower was amazing in net. In the third period he made two spectacular saves to keep the Pens ahead, and if he continues to play like this it's going to be very, VERY difficult to beat us. As for which skaters impressed me, I'd have to say Mark Letestu played very well for his first NHL playoff game. He put a couple shots on net and was very responsible defensively, which is always your first concern with rookies. I also thought Alex Ponikarovsky had a little more speed and grit then he's showed thus far in playoffs, which is certainly an added bonus.
As for who didn't impress, I'd have to go with Ruslan Fedotenko. I don't know if he's injured, old or both, but he's not nearly the player he was last season when we won the cup. I realize he's in because of injuries to Jordan Staal and Bill Guerin, but there has to be a better alternative somewhere on the taxi squad. He's played very uninspired hockey, rarely finishing checks off and not contributing at all in the offensive zone. Not only is he not getting shots, but it seems like he's losing his place in the cycle, and that's the Pens' bread and butter.
I certainly think the Pens earned this one, and Montreal is on their heels. A win on Thursday could cause the Habs to pack it in, and a close defeat like this (hopefully) will make a little doubt creep into Montreal's head. We need to play more then two solid periods of hockey to win a championship, and I'm sure that's something that will be adressed, but all in all it could've been a lot worse, and a win is a win.
Go Pens!
Until lata...
And with that, enjoy the game...puck drops in about 30 minutes!
7:16 - Puck drops...Let's go Pens!!!
7:24 - Go Go gets a tripping minor for the Pens...not exactly the start we were looking for boys. Come on PK!!!
7:27 - Good PK by the boys, although we're still not looking very sharp...hopefully that works itself out soon...
7:34 - The Pens literally have one shot through eleven minutes of action...you gotta be kidding me.
7:38 - Pens power play on a cheap shot by LaPierre..cheating Canadiens....lol
7:41 - Our power play stinks...we couldn't get the puck in the zone, let alone get a shot. All in all, pretty poopy start for the Pens. Only six total shots in the game, although Montreal looks a lot busier then that.
7:51 - The period ends, mercifully, at 0-0. The Pens played some very uninspired hockey, but luckily the Canadiens couldn't put the biscuit in the basket. There was pretty much no offense to speak of coming from the Pens' side of the ice, and those crazy Canucks finished very strong. I'm thinking "Awww" Craig Adams will get his gray beard in a bunch and start inspiring the boys Herb Brooks style, but only time will tell. See yinz in the second...
8:08 - Puck drops on period 2. God I hope this goes better then the first...
8:18 - Cooke had a break away, but it's Cooke, so he misses. Still 0-0, but the pace has picked up a little bit for the Pens. I think we still only have five or six shots though, and Halak made that last save look easy...
8:25 - Pens power play...boy do we need a goal
8:28 - No goal on the PP, but at least the Pens are showing some signs of life. And this Letestu has been a pleasant surprise thus far in his first playoff game.
8:34 - Great chance by Go Go to net the opening goal, but Halak says no. We're starting to get our game going, throwing more pucks at Halak and taking the body more often. Now we just need to get on the board.
8:41 - There's only eleven seconds left in the period but the Pens have earned a power play. They just kept the puck in the zone for about two minutes which made the Canadiens tired and brought about the penalty.
8:43 - The period is over, still no score. Things get a bit chippy at the end of the period, with a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle. Still don't know if there's any penalties resulting, but I have to think this game is starting to turn towards the Pens' liking..all they need to do now is put the puck in the net!!!
9:03 - The puck drops on period three with the Pens on the power play for almost a full two minutes. This PP is key - if we can get a goal it may just be the series, but if not...well let's just say we need this goal.
9:05 - WHOOOO HOOOO Goal Malkin!!!! It's a power play goal, and the Pens' showed great patience. Great one timer. 1-0 Pens
9:07 - I failed to mention it was Hal Gill in the box when Geno scored. I think that may have helped the cause...
9:10 - Steigerwald's first reference to Hal Gill's big stick. Hahaha
9:23 - Flower just robs Cammellari on a one timer. My goodness, what a save. The Canadiens are pushing hard for the tying goal, we really need to keep it simple and just get the puck out of our zone.
9:26 - Crap, the Canadiens just got a call on Jordan Leopold. Huge PK upcoming.
9:30 - Halfway through the PK, so far so good, Montreal just called timeout. I'll let ya know how the PK ends up...
9:32 - PK is over, and Flower just made another crazy save to keep it that way. He's playing an excellent game thus far...
9:37 - Pascal Dupuis throws in an empty netter. 2-0 Pens and as Mike Lange would say, "Elvis has just left the building!!!" Be back shortly with some observations.
Go Pens!
Observations - Well, first and foremost, Flower was amazing in net. In the third period he made two spectacular saves to keep the Pens ahead, and if he continues to play like this it's going to be very, VERY difficult to beat us. As for which skaters impressed me, I'd have to say Mark Letestu played very well for his first NHL playoff game. He put a couple shots on net and was very responsible defensively, which is always your first concern with rookies. I also thought Alex Ponikarovsky had a little more speed and grit then he's showed thus far in playoffs, which is certainly an added bonus.
As for who didn't impress, I'd have to go with Ruslan Fedotenko. I don't know if he's injured, old or both, but he's not nearly the player he was last season when we won the cup. I realize he's in because of injuries to Jordan Staal and Bill Guerin, but there has to be a better alternative somewhere on the taxi squad. He's played very uninspired hockey, rarely finishing checks off and not contributing at all in the offensive zone. Not only is he not getting shots, but it seems like he's losing his place in the cycle, and that's the Pens' bread and butter.
I certainly think the Pens earned this one, and Montreal is on their heels. A win on Thursday could cause the Habs to pack it in, and a close defeat like this (hopefully) will make a little doubt creep into Montreal's head. We need to play more then two solid periods of hockey to win a championship, and I'm sure that's something that will be adressed, but all in all it could've been a lot worse, and a win is a win.
Go Pens!
Until lata...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Pens Report
As I get ready to watch the Capitals-Canadians game, I figured I'd make a little post about what I see as the Pens' biggest strengths and weaknesses going into the second round. It'll be a short and sweet post, but give me a break, there's not much to write about until we know who we're facing...lol
Anywho, I see our biggest and most glaring weakness as our maddening inconsistency. Some periods and stretches we look absolutely unstoppable, with Crosby and Malkin flying through the neutral zone and our third and fourth lines back checking like crazy and disrupting every attempt by the opposition to clear the zone. These are the times that remind people why they won the Stanley Cup in the first place, but the problem is this used to be how they played all the time, not part of the time.
There are times now where the Penguins aren't the fastest team on the ice, and with the talent and overall team speed they have that's completely unacceptable. They always play hard, if not desperate, and as we all know desperate is how you have to play if you're planning on lasting long in the playoffs. The sense of urgency with them seems to come and go and really doesn't get turned on until they're in trouble, and sometimes that's too late.
The biggest strength of the offense has been that we're getting contributions from people of all sorts, including Matt Cooke scoring two goals in game 6 and Pascal Dupuis scoring the game winner. Obviously Crosby and Geno run the show offensively, and they are both playing well (Crosby on a record setting pace in fact), but the fact that everyone has been chipping in is a great sign for the rest of the playoffs.
Our defense is good on one side of the ice, not so good on the other. Losing Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi were bigger hits then most people expected, and Jay McKee has been an adequate but not exceptional replacement for them. There are certainly times where our lack of another bruising defenseman to help punish people in front of the net really hurts us, and those two were very good at clearing out the garbage. We also seem to be moving the puck more side to side as opposed to the up the ice style that we have favored since Disco Dan Bylsma likes, which is causing more turnovers and better scoring chances for the opposition.
On the positive side, our defense has never been better in the offensive zone. Sergei Gonchar has been his usual skillful self, and Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski have shown why they were prized prospects. Letang and Go Go could certainly be better in the defensive zone, but their offensive skills have certainly helped the team thus far this season. And let's not forget the skills of Jordan Leopold, who missed most of the last series with a concussion. He's an excellent two way player and will certainly be a boost over McKee when he comes back into the lineup.
Finally, our goaltending has been adequate, but not stellar. The Flower has been solid, and has really limited his soft goals, but there are still games where he gives up 3 or 4 goals and those games are very difficult to win. But overall he's been very good about not letting things get out of hand and has always kept us in the games, which in the playoffs is definitely a good thing. Plus his big game experience and the relative lack of quality goaltending left in the Eastern Conference playoffs certainly point to him being a strength.
So overall, I'd say we're not at the top of our game but we're getting better. I think our offense is a force to be reckoned with, and our defense is coming along. And having 2 of the 3 (or possibly all 3) teams seeded ahead of us getting knocked out has to make us the odds on favorite. Hopefully these guys won't get complacent and get so far behind that we can't come back, but luckily for all of us, even when we're down by three goals you can't count these Penguins out.
Until tomorrow...
PS - Go Canadians...hahahaha
Anywho, I see our biggest and most glaring weakness as our maddening inconsistency. Some periods and stretches we look absolutely unstoppable, with Crosby and Malkin flying through the neutral zone and our third and fourth lines back checking like crazy and disrupting every attempt by the opposition to clear the zone. These are the times that remind people why they won the Stanley Cup in the first place, but the problem is this used to be how they played all the time, not part of the time.
There are times now where the Penguins aren't the fastest team on the ice, and with the talent and overall team speed they have that's completely unacceptable. They always play hard, if not desperate, and as we all know desperate is how you have to play if you're planning on lasting long in the playoffs. The sense of urgency with them seems to come and go and really doesn't get turned on until they're in trouble, and sometimes that's too late.
The biggest strength of the offense has been that we're getting contributions from people of all sorts, including Matt Cooke scoring two goals in game 6 and Pascal Dupuis scoring the game winner. Obviously Crosby and Geno run the show offensively, and they are both playing well (Crosby on a record setting pace in fact), but the fact that everyone has been chipping in is a great sign for the rest of the playoffs.
Our defense is good on one side of the ice, not so good on the other. Losing Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi were bigger hits then most people expected, and Jay McKee has been an adequate but not exceptional replacement for them. There are certainly times where our lack of another bruising defenseman to help punish people in front of the net really hurts us, and those two were very good at clearing out the garbage. We also seem to be moving the puck more side to side as opposed to the up the ice style that we have favored since Disco Dan Bylsma likes, which is causing more turnovers and better scoring chances for the opposition.
On the positive side, our defense has never been better in the offensive zone. Sergei Gonchar has been his usual skillful self, and Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski have shown why they were prized prospects. Letang and Go Go could certainly be better in the defensive zone, but their offensive skills have certainly helped the team thus far this season. And let's not forget the skills of Jordan Leopold, who missed most of the last series with a concussion. He's an excellent two way player and will certainly be a boost over McKee when he comes back into the lineup.
Finally, our goaltending has been adequate, but not stellar. The Flower has been solid, and has really limited his soft goals, but there are still games where he gives up 3 or 4 goals and those games are very difficult to win. But overall he's been very good about not letting things get out of hand and has always kept us in the games, which in the playoffs is definitely a good thing. Plus his big game experience and the relative lack of quality goaltending left in the Eastern Conference playoffs certainly point to him being a strength.
So overall, I'd say we're not at the top of our game but we're getting better. I think our offense is a force to be reckoned with, and our defense is coming along. And having 2 of the 3 (or possibly all 3) teams seeded ahead of us getting knocked out has to make us the odds on favorite. Hopefully these guys won't get complacent and get so far behind that we can't come back, but luckily for all of us, even when we're down by three goals you can't count these Penguins out.
Until tomorrow...
PS - Go Canadians...hahahaha
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