THN Predictions

by FrankD on Feb 13, 2008 1:24 AM EST in News Comment 4 comments

There's always this adolescent sort of giddiness channeling through my nervous system when I see the newest edition of The Hockey News resting idly in my mailbox. Whether it's the pristine pages of an otherwise hot off the press issue, or the otherwise soggy and matted edition that awaits when my mailman fails to securely place the magazine far enough into the mailbox during a rainstorm, I always have this child-like anticipation when the pages hit my hands.

It's like - Christmas morning. Only instead of asking "What did Santa bring me" you ask, "What stupid thing are they going to say this time?"

I suppose one has to define stupid in this sense, seeing as how the word, similar to a four letter article of vocabulary can take on countless meanings. In this case, stupid means outrageous; outlandish. It means fictious rumors to fill pages. Stupid stands for the exasperated and yet contemplative "really?!" that eminates from your vocal chords when you wonder where these ideas come from.

Stupid is how I feel when I get billed for the magazine. Stupid is how I feel when I can't resist renewing my subscription. Stupid is a way of life, and I live the life proudly.

So, what stupid element of this week's edition of THN awaits the Penguins? I ask the question every week, and I soon get my answer. Now, I shall share those answers with you guys.

According to this edition that places emphasis on the trade deadline, the Pens rumors are as follows.

The Penguins get Nashville's netminder Dan Ellis, in exchange for a second round draft pick. I can't say much on Ellis's part, since I haven't seen him play all that much, but I'd think base on stats he wouldn't be a bad consideration. Ellis is 13-5-2 in 24 appearance this season for the Preds and a respectable 3-0-2 in his last five. I don't know why the staff of THN zoned in on Ellis. There are many quality goalies around the league taking on the role as backup.

Throughout the season the Pens have had a few rumored discussions with the Blue Jackets. Well, Fredrik Norrena wouldn't be a bad choice.

But let's stop the distraction of reviewing the league's valuable backups. What about Conklin? What has he done that warrants a replacement? Fleury is due back by March. Sabourin will most likely get the demotion, although his play in the last few appearances has been acceptable.

Conklin is 14-3-3 on the season. Considering no one would have guessed (including Conklin) he'd be playing for the parent club this season, I'd vouch to say he's done a stellar job. Above expectancy. In fact, THN agrees. (Yet why they'd suggest Ellis is beyond me.) An article titled "No Time for New Losses in Pitt" discusses the Pens' goalie situation in full detail. It even says, and I quote:

Ty Conklin has earned the right to hold on to the starting job after Fleury's return.
THN - Joe Starkey

Now granted, that's Starkey's statement and not that of THN. I'd also like to go on the record as saying I've hardly ever disliked anything Starkey writes. It's always highly factual and backed up with his own highly regarded insight.

But getting back to the topic at hand. Do people consider the fact there is already an existing three goalie situation in Pitt, and now THN is throwing Dan Ellis into the mix as well? Come on. It has the same chance of developing as one of Eklund's rumors from hockey buzz.

As the deadline approaches, THN also speculates that the Pens are looking to offer up Ryan Malone and Brooks Orpik in exchange for veteran leadership. I guess they print these things before Malone goes on a tear and warrants the alternate captainship. As for Brooks, well there's been some speculation surrounding him all season anyways. Does he hate Therrien, does he like Therrien? Does he want to leave Pitt, stay in Pitt; the list goes on.

At least THN and I can agree on something, and that is working out deals to keep Malkin and Fleury around after this summer. They also mention Staal, but I'd have to say I'm going either way on that one. If he keeps up his play as of late, I say he's a keeper. Moving a guy like Christensen might not be a bad offer for a vet.

As far as my agreeing with THN on the re-signing topic, let's allow one of America's finest songwriters to sum it up for me:

"Two out of three ain't bad."
Meatloaf

Thoughts? I KNOW YOU GOT EM.

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Comments

trades

I like Brooks Orpik, but I don't really see whether it's a huge debate to keep him or trade him. If you can get something worthwhile for him, send him on his way.

As of right now, I think you can get some leadership out of Ryan Malone. If he keeps the pace that he's had lately, I say hold onto him for at least the rest of the season (I honestly don't know what his contract is).

In my mind, it's ridiculous to think about the Pens getting another goalie. With Conklin's unprecedented surge, Fleury's imminent return and the question (in my mind, at least) on what to do with Sabourin, why would you add another goalie to the mix? Of course, I am one of the few who has little confidence in Fleury, but surely I'll be proven wrong, right?

by JDunman on Feb 13, 2008 10:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fleury

That's funny, because I have very little confidence in Fleury is well. Perhaps it comes with the notion that the Pens are working with the youngest goalie in the league in a starting role. I do, however, feel he can be a great goalie in the next 4-6 years.

I have pretty much the exact same views on Brooks Orpik as you do. The guy doesn't score, hardly tallies up any points of any kind and rarely fights. If the Pens can pick up a better, all around defenseman in his absence than I'd totally look at it as an upgrade.

The whole goalie thing in THN was really a bit too much. On one hand they're talking about the competition for the role IN Pitt, and then the next thing you know they're throwing Dan Ellis into the mix. It made so little sense.

by FrankD on Feb 13, 2008 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

trades

For the last three years, I've been highly critical of Malone, but his play as of late has begun to change my opinion. For years he's teased us with occasional flares of adequacy, but this year I think he truly has shown what he's about. He will NEVER be a franchise-type player, nor will he even be a consistent 30 goal guy. What he can be is a consistent 20 goal threat who can play in all situations, and has the ability to maintain puck control for more talented linemates. If he's one of your top three forwards, you're in trouble. If he's top six-seven, you've got a pretty good team. Players like him don't grow on trees, and tend to be overpaid (i.e. Shane Doan, Ethan Moreau, Martin Lapointe). I don't think we should trade him, because of the role he plays given the current construct of the team and also given the fact we might be able to retain him via a true "hometown discount".
I do think that Orpik is absolute trade bait at the moment. I'm thinking that Shero probably has offered him in a package deal with Christensen. What would bother me is that unless we get an equal or better player in a trade of some kind, I'm not sure I'd want to go into the playoffs with Nasreddine or Lannon as our #6 d-man.
As for trading Fleury, I would not. We haven't seen his best yet, his inconsistency this season (when healthy) should knock his pricetag down, and most importantly, we have no other goaltending prospect in the system anywhere close to being ready to be even a backup in the NHL. That is, unless Detroit offers Zetterberg in a deal for him. Then send him packing!

by killer93 on Feb 13, 2008 5:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Fleury

The best thing about the Fleury price-tag that you mentioned, is his injury and lack of playtime this season will DEFINITELY lower the $. The best thing he did for the team, but the worst thing he did for himself, was not settle on a contact at the beginning of the season. Instead, he opted to play this season and let the numbers speak for him. Unfortunately, he could not have predicted an injury would render him useless for two months, putting the starting position in staunch competition with Conklin and ultimately lowering his value.

I'd say Orpik is a marked man. His playing style doesn't have much a place with the offensive assault of the Pens. Sure, every team needs defenders, but a nice offensive contribution from those guys wouldn't hurt either.

I too feel very uncomfortable with Nas being in the area of D-man 7, but still remain positive in thinking that whoever the Pens get for Orpik or an Orpik/Christensen deal, could fill his skates more competently than any of the WBS guys could.

I'm thinking along the lines you mentioned : Orpik/Christensen for a solid defender who can also contribute offensively. Or, perhaps, even a veteran defender like Rob Blake. Either way, I definitely see a 2-for-1 coming out of this.

Malone - he isn't going anywhere. He's putting up some numbers now and that's what the Pens need. Will he do so again to a greater degree in the future? That's yet to be determined, on a 'wait and see' approach. But I think locking him up in a three to five year deal could only benefit the team in the future.

by FrankD on Feb 13, 2008 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs