A look inside Pittsburgh Penguins camp

by FrankD on Sep 19, 2008 6:52 AM EDT in News Comment 6 comments

Camp was underway as soon as 8:30 am yesterday morning. With nerves most likely on overdrive, or maybe it was just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Michel Therrien took the bad end of a slip on the ice. Camp hopeful Keven Veilleux stepped on a puck and lost his balance, but on the way down clipped Therrien and sent them both to the ice. Therrien left practice - but you have to laugh (nervously or otherwise) at how the subject of an injury has already worked its way into camp talk.

Miroslav Satan scored on Marc-Andre Fleury in a 2-0 scrimmage win yesterday. There's been constant talks of his production throughout the offseason, and if anyone wants to put them to rest I'm sure it's Satan himself. Of course there's the glowing puck to stick passing from Crosby that will no doubt help any forward. Satan, however, is remaining humble on the subject.

"It was only my first practice with (Crosby). I have to play with him more to see how he operates, how fast he's moving and how fast he makes decisions."

Miroslav Satan
Trib-Rev

Fan favorite and eternal prankster Max Talbot is highlighted in today's Trib-Review for his on-ice play and off-ice morale. For those who ever thought it would pose as a difficult task to replace Colby in the locker room, Max seems to have that taken care of. Also a funny note; for those who may have satellite radio and listen to the Opie and Anthony show, the hosts put together the top 10 worst sports commercials ever. Max's acting debut in the infamous BMW commercial got a much deserving nod. Chicuk-chee-chikuh-chee-chee.

You may also remember Max's joke on (Toronto?) fans last season, when he dressed up in Sid's jersey and helmet and skated onto the ice for a stick raise. This drew plenty of criticism from waste-of-breath pundits like Don Cherry, but it was no doubt hysterical.

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Miro Satan

One of the things I’ve noticed about Miro is that he seems a bit timid in regards to his comparisons to that guy who bolted for Detroit. He’s no more like that guy, than I am, and I don’t play for anyone. He needs to find his role, his comfort level, and just jam hard. I don’t think he lacks confindence from the years I’ve been watching him play, and hope that that continues here in Pitt. I just don’t think it’s wise for the fans to put that kind of pressure on him. He needs to play his type of game, and certainly GM RS thinks he has the type of game to not only contribute to the Pens, but to maybe silence some people who think that he can’t. I for one wouldn’t bet against him having a break-out year, and I anxiously look forward to it. Next year should be an extremely interesting year with Jordan, Ruslan, Miro, and several other forwards that are up for contracts. But just as we got that guy who bolted for Detroit at the trade deadline—which no one expected and look how far we went in the SCF, it has given me hallucinations of seeing Marion Gaborik in a Pens uniform. Seriously dreaming here, but please don’t take a whiz on my parade.

by batmanok on Sep 19, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

During the UFA signing period, Gaborik was heavily rumored to be in talks with the Pens. I think his holdout had a lot to do with the team’s decision to pass on him, unlike say – the Rangers with Mats Sundin while keeping Shanahan on hand just in case. I think it’s pretty classless how they’re treating Shanny and I’m (obviously) not a Rangers fan. Show the man some respect and just give him a yes or a no.

I think Miro has a solid chance of posing as the Sykora move before last season. The kind of pick up you say “Alright, not bad to” but really don’t think twice about it. Clearly Sykora came up huge for the Pens this past season, especially when Sid was down with his ankle. I have high hopes for Satan, but don’t mistake that as pressure on him. I just want to see him slip in here like Sykora did and take it at his own pace.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Sep 19, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hardly a Rangers fan myself, and the GM moves in the last couple of years are clueless. Paying Redden the same as Ottawa did is boggling the mind—and those knees aren’t getting any younger. To see what they would pay Sundin pending his comeback, and what they would pay Shanny has me more than puzzled. No surprise there. It was also rumored that the Pens might talk to his agent about coming here but his demands for playing time, combined with him being on maybe a third or fourth line—I don’t think the mix was there, or was going to be there quite frankly. Which brings me to an outstanding point: isn’t it comforting to know that the style of play on this team is the envy of the league?? Everyone wants to come here, and nobody wants to play against them. I think it carries it’s own type of prestige.

Completely agree with the Sykora move, and I would look for him to re-sign next year, so I guess we can add him to the list of forwards up for contracts. He was a steal for $2M or thereabouts. Awesome blog by the way, thanks.

by batmanok on Sep 19, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Rangers’ move for Redden still baffles me. If you ever needed further definition to what Billy Joel meant when he sang New York State of Mind, you just have to look at how NY teams operate. Yankees overpay for broken down players, Rangers go after the guys on their last leg and overpay for mediocre-at-best defenseman. It’s almost comical.

I agree – this team compared to, say, the New Jersey Devils is on the other side of the coin. A guy like Zach Parise, as talented as he is, is dying a slow, miserable death in NJ. Maybe if they turn their system around after Brodeur leaves it will change, but until then he’s just going to toss up 60/70 points and call it a year. Toss him on a line in Pittsburgh and he’d be 80/90 point material.

Thanks for the compliments. I enjoy the conversation and hope to see you around here more often.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Sep 19, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That BMW commercial has to be my favorite of all time. Talbot is a funny man. Also did you guys catch Malkin’s reaction (or lack of one) when he got the keys. I hope the Pens sign Colby next season. I know people say get over it, but he was my favorite player and I hated to see him go.

Satan is either goning to work or not. I don’t think there is an in-between. If he can’t score along side with sid then I dont know what he will bring to the team.(no defense/checking) from what I have seen. We’ll see

by steelcitykid on Sep 19, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know how Colby is doing down in Hotlanta, but they just made Christensen a top-line center. I’m not surprised though. I always knew the kid had talent, I guess he just needed the confidence to do it. Kinda hard to fight your way to a top scoring position when you have guys like Sid and Malkin doing it.

That commercial is great though. Have you ever seen the one where someone re-did it with “that guy from Detroit’s” face? Funny stuff.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Sep 19, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs