Pen Pals: Talbot's blog, best bargains, in-team fighting and more!
by Hooks Orpik on Oct 22, 2009 1:46 PM EDT
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Translation of Max Talbot's French blog where he discusses returning to practice, his pal Marc-Andre Fleury and Sergei Gonchar's injury [PSAMP]
Put Crosby on defense on the power-play while Gonchar's out? Personally, I'm not a fan. Crosby's style is to play down low and score from 3 feet away more than 23 feet away. But it is an interesting idea. [Faceoff Factor]
Finally on the Gonchar front, Rob Rossi posts a transcript with an interview he had with Sarge. [Trib Review blog]
One Penguin makes it on the "Top 10 Bargains list" and surprisingly his name isn't Tyler Kennedy ($725,000 cap hit) [The Hockey News]
Take a survey for the Penguins and enter for a chance to win an autographed Jordan Staal jersey if you so choose. [Penguins.com]
Goalies are getting bigger and bigger. [From the Rink]
A look at French-Canadians in the NHL, pretty cool for a team that employs Messrs. Fleury, Talbot, Dupuis and Letang. [Behind the Net]
Ilya Kovalchuk could be the NHL's second "$100 million dollar man" if he re-signs in Atlanta. [CBC - Friedman]
John Buccigross says that Pavel Datsyuk (31 years old) and Henrik Zetterberg (29 years old) are no longer at their peaks. [ESPN]
As you'd expect, didn't take long for Detroit media to snap back "bull" [Mlive]
Scott Gomez and Sergei Kostitsyn reportedly got in a physical altercation at Gomez's house after a "night on the town" with several teammates. Little Tits was later demoted to the AHL and now has gone AWOL after not being traded or recalled to the NHL. Big Tits remains in the same lockeroom with Gomez. Aaaawkward. [TSN]
This year's class of top rookies -- once feared maybe to not have much high-end talent, is shaping up for a tough Calder race since guys like the Rangers' Michael Del Zotto and Buffalo's Tyler Myers have been great. [Puck Daddy]
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Kovalchuk is going to make bank in Atlanta. I think it’s all going to come down to his faith in the team and management, but with the way they’re playing right now it would be pretty devastating to lose him.
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As for the rooks, Del Zotto is going on a tear in NY. He finishes with 50 points easily, maybe 60. I think they asked the other day on Versus if he’ll get the over/under on 71 (Brian Leetch’s total as a rookie), but I have to say under.
And I like how MLive says Bucc went “off the deep end.” I don’t think it’s fair to say Zett and Dats are past their prime.
As for putting Sid on defense, I don’t agree either. Last season they worked Malkin into Gonch’s vacancy and that came back to hit them pretty hard on a few shorthanded goals. Anyone else remember Mike Richards breaking free on a Penguins power play?
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by FrankD on Oct 22, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Buccigross makes an overall valid case: hockey players, for the most part, tend to have their peak performances by a certain age. Some guys (like Lidstrom and Chelios) are timeless and can continue to be the best players at their position into their late ’30s. But many do not…
Check this out, Mario’s last Cup came when he was 26 years old. Gretzky didn’t lift Lord Stanley after he was 27, Gordie Howe didn’t win it after the age of 26 and Bobby Orr won two Cups by the time he was 23 and then no more.
That isn’t to say the above named players weren’t sensational after those ages (they were) but the fact remains hockey players peak young. Datsyuk is 31, Zetterberg is 29. That’s past “peak” age. They may be plateaued, which is still a higher level of play than 99% of the league.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Oct 22, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d agree with Bucci… Datsyuk and Zetterberg are still great players, but they no longer have the power to dominate the game… like Sid, Geno, Ovechkin, Getzlaf, Nash, Kovalchuk…
On the bargains… TK is far more of a bargain in my opinion and Gogo is playing right above his price tag this year… if he continues to develop he’ll be a bargain next 2 seasons…
You have to see it for yourself...
by Bla Razor on Oct 22, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Kovalchuk. Here in Bruins country, the rumor that the B’s would trade their boatload of Leafs draft picks to rent Kovalchuk for some portion of the season started about 9 seconds after the Kessel trade.
I often don’t agree with Buccigross – his fawning over Boston’s “depth” really helps to remind me that he works for ESPN – and I’m not sure I agree with his assessment of the Wings. Based on their very recent play, I don’t see Datsyuk or Zetterberg slowing down for a few years unless injuries intervene. And based on what I saw in last year’s Finals, I’m not convinced that the flow of quality young players into Detroit’s system (e.g., Helm, Abdelkader, Ericsson) is slowing down all that much. This may be the year that handling their goaltending on the cheap finally burns them, however.
P is for Latrobe.
by holiday park on Oct 22, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would agree with you, hp (my above comments may not make it clear) about HZ and PD…They may not be “peaked” but their current level of play — and where they should be at for the next five or so years — is set very exceptional.
I would, however, bet both have already set their career highs for goals and points in a single season.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
by Hooks Orpik on Oct 22, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN is dumb
Never listen to anything they say
As for Crosby on the point, he can work there as a playmaker. Though when he’s up front, he can score goals and make plays.
Kovalchuk will make bank with Atlanta, as long as they can keep winning. If they make the playoffs (and advance), He’s gonna be ballin for sure
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by Space Weed on Oct 22, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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