Penguins fans are 'knuckleheads'

by FrankD on Jul 20, 2008 9:31 PM EDT in News

Or so we've been told.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called Penguins fans 'knuckleheads' because we apparently just can't wait to boo Hossa.

Fairly accurate assessment combined with a mildly lame insult.

Personally I'm not all that insulted by it. I've been called worse things in life, which I'm sure all Penguins fans would've been labeled in the paper if the Gazette didn't have to censor out the obscenities.

A few Pens blogs are bringing light to the issue in a more prominent way. I for one don't plan to take this for more than what it is - another example of a journalist trying to get attention on a slow day in the middle of the summer.

But as a loyal blogger, reader and fan it's only right to extend the option for Pensburgh loyalists to join the fight should they desire to do so.

One of the newest Pens blogs, Steel City Sports fan, is starting a movement with proceeds going to the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

ThePensBlog does what they do best here.

Just for the record I plan on booing Hossa...

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All I have to say is, DON’T LOOK AT THE FRONT PAGE OF
WWW.DETROITREDWINGS.COM, not unless you want to set your blood a-boilin’

And yes, I was shouting, you really should not point your browser there.

And if you’re now morbidly curious, and must do it anyway, don’t say I didn’t warn you….

by ahtrap on Jul 21, 2008 11:06 AM EDT 0 recs

Actually, this is a real question...

Did Hossa ever actually indicate that he was going to stay with the Penguins after the season was over, or did Pittsburgh pick him up knowing full well he could end up being a rent-a-player for a shot at the Cup.

Obviously, I’m picking up this story from your perspective, after the season, and only recall the Pens-thrashers trade as a nice move by the Pens, second hand knowledge story from around the trade deadline.

Did he promise the Pens anything, or, as Smizik says, are you hating the guy solely on the basis of taking less money for a shot at the cup, something you’d be cheering in any player who donned the black and gold?

Not trying to be antagonistic here, just curious….

by ahtrap on Jul 21, 2008 11:11 AM EDT 0 recs

Nah you’re not being the antagonist. Fact is, I never perceived Hossa as more than a rental player. I was willing to accept his move to any team in the NHL – except the Red Wings. That’s where it really turns into a low blow to Pens fans. Allegedly Hossa was offered something like 7 years for $60 mil before the UFA deadline but turned it down to test the market. Rob Rossi, a writer in Pittsburgh papers, claimed Hossa would stay with the Pens and may have even sensationalized a few quotes out of context.

So, in the case of Smizik, we are not hating the guy solely on his contractual moves. It really just comes down to being a little more personal that he went to the team that defeated the Pens in the finals.

Now, while Ty Conklin also went to Detroit, I think I speak for a lot of Pens fans when I say good for him. We all knew he was more than a backup. And even though he’s backing up Osgood for a year there may be a chance for him to win a starting role with the team if Ozzie decides to call it quits the following year or Conklin just lands in a starting role on another team. It’s not the same with him because he didn’t tease the club/fans and turned down a significant offer to test the market. But with Hossa, he turned a mildly interesting situation into head hunt.

Oh – and I saw the Red Wings site. It doesn’t make my blood boil or anything. It just gets me fired up and anxious for the first regular season match this season…

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 21, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eh, I still can boo him. I’m fine with the shallowness of the whole thing.

And thanks for the sweet Vs. hat, Frank.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Jul 21, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

No prob man…my pleasure.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 21, 2008 10:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

I take it this is my signing bonus for fight coverage next season. If so, then I accept your offer!

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Jul 22, 2008 1:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

Indeed it is. I’m glad we’re settled then and came to terms. I’ll just tear up this check here and worry about it again next year.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 22, 2008 4:52 AM EDT up 0 recs

I guess I just defeated myself there, didn’t I?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Jul 24, 2008 9:56 AM EDT up 0 recs

What’s a six-digit check compared to a hat, really?

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 24, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up 0 recs

Would you like me to count my tears?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Jul 24, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

A Fan's Reaction

WOW! Isn’t this what Hockey’s all about for ME, US, the FANS. I think we have the right to feel shat upon by Mr. Hossa. He’s one hellofa player from where I sat. I won’t boo him.PROMISE! I’ll just chuckle if he thinks a bunch of old farts are going to win it next year- AIN’T HAPPENING. I won’t commit Sidney and the boys to winning, BUT, mark my words, DETROIT WON’T WIN THE STANLEY CUP. So I actually feel sorry for Hossa, he made an incredibly bad decision. for more, go to: http://www.dukespal.blogspot.com

by dukespal on Jul 21, 2008 9:27 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree dukes. Some are saying it’s like the Jagr situation all over again, but I tend to disagree. Jagr left for Washington and no one cared. Plus it kind of felt good to see him really just go to hell in D.C. But Hossa going to the Wings is just treacherous. I agree with you – Detroit is not going to repeat.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 21, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

I wouldn’t speak so soon. Detroit’s a dynasty; let me put it this way, I haven’t been alive a year they haven’t been in the playoffs. Most of those years they were serious contenders. For this reason great players take the “Red Wings Discount” just like Hossa did, because they know they are going to the best team in hockey. You can say they are not going to repeat because you are bitter, but the Wings are the front runners. They are the best coached, have some of hockey’s premier players (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, HOSSA, Franzen, Lidstrom, Filpulla, Rafalski, Osgood), and have the confedence and experience to do it again. Guys like Hossa that do not have a cup spark teams to repeat by inspiring teammates. The Pens will probably win a cup in the Crosby era, but don’t count Hockeytown out yet.

At least you can buy one of these…

GO WINGS

Go Tigers!
Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

by Tony K on Jul 22, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well well well. Looks who’s back.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 22, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

The Hossa picture was uncalled for, and I’ll admit I was immature on the game threads during the finals, but how can you all be so attached to a guy who didn’t even play a complete season in Pittsburgh? He was an asset, but the big, bad Illich family had more to offer.

Go Tigers!
Detroit Red Wings - 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

by Tony K on Jul 22, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Nah that’s the thing – we’re not attached. I think it’s just the fact he could’ve gone to any other team…ANY other team, but he chose to go to Detroit. That’s like if you break up with your girlfriend and your best friend could’ve gone after any other girl…ANY other girl, but he chose to go for her. It’s not an attachment, it’s more like one of those dramatic scenes in a movie where the woman goes, “How could you?” and slaps a dude in the face.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jul 22, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up 0 recs