PensBurgh: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Jeff Sullivan's MLB Trade Deadline Primer

Christmas special: Giving gifts to the Penguins

Resident SB Nation blog Canes Country had a great idea and wanted to hand out some gifts to their players.  So what do we do with great ideas?  That's right, shamelessly rip them.

After the jump, what I'd give to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Star-divide

Craig Adams: A goal.  Dating back to his time in Chicago, Adams has gone 66 games in the regular season without lighting the lamp.  It's not a necessary facet of his game, but it sure would be nice for him to get one.

Matt Cooke: A silent night or two.  Cooke's always in the middle of something, be it a non-stop forecheck or suspect hit -- both giving, or receiving.  He's the busiest guy that's hands are always in the dirt, a nice relaxing breather is in order.

Sidney Crosby: An Olympic gold medal, another scoring championship and a second Stanley Cup in as many years.  You know, just to put a nail in the coffin about who the best hockey player in the world really is.

Pascal Dupuis: Hands to match his feet.  One of the hardest working players in the NHL, if he only had the skill to finish the chances his speed and motor earns him.

Mark Eaton: A little recognition.  It aint sexy being a defensive defenseman in the NHL and Eaton may fly under the radar more than any player the Penguins have.

Ruslan Fedotenko: The power the grow the most badass playoff beard ever.  And the chance of a long playoff run to be able to do so.

Marc-Andre Fleury:  The chance to play in the Olympics and show the world (again) why there's no better goaltender in the world right now when it comes to winning.

BIll Guerin: The fountain of youth.  The grizzled veteran is having the time of his life and keeping up with all the young bucks.  It can't last forever, but it sure is enjoyable for everyone right now.

Eric Godard: An exercise bike. He only plays 4:46 a night on the nights he even gets in the lineup.

Alex Goligoski: His groove back.  The Goose was on the loose in the beginning of the season, but since he suffered an injury he hasn't scored a goal since November 3rd and only has 4 assists in his last 12 games.

Sergei Gonchar: Sustained health.  The Pens are an amazing 36-9-8 with Gonchar in the lineup since the beginning of the 2008-09 season and a dreadful 34-29-5 without him.  That's a trend that's not a coincidence and not likely to change.

Brent Johnson:  An iPod loaded with all the Led Zepellin songs.  Give Johnny some of his beloved music to hear while he's backing up Fleury.

Tyler Kennedy:  A shave.  That mandated mustache (for losing the shootout competition) is looking pretty ragged.  It'll be gone when December's over, thankfully for everyone.

Chris Kunitz: A second chance amongst Pens fans.  A lot of vocal people jumped on Kunitz's back early in the year for his lack of production, but with 7 points in his 4 games, can he turn the corner and warm the detractor's hearts?

Kris Letang:  A new contract at a reasonable rate that keeps him in Pittsburgh for a long time.  Afterall 22 year old defensemen with 200+ NHL games (reg and post-season) don't just grow on trees and Letang has so much more still to offer for many years to come.

Evgeni Malkin:  Some of Momma Malkin's home-cooking.  Geno's followed his Conn Smythe season with uneven results, getting his parents back to America would be a blessing that could only lift his spirits on the ice.

Jay McKee: A bullet-proof vest.  He's taken more shots than a diabetic.

Brooks Orpik: A full head of steam to meet a forward entering the zone with the puck on his stick and his head down.

Mike Rupp:  That his legend as the Noted one doesn't die down in the new year.

Martin Skoula:  A couple nice suits and ties that he can wear in the press box.  Nothing personal, his play has been more than sufficient but Skoula watching from above would mean the top 6 defensemen are healthy.

Jordan Staal:  A healed up beak.  It hasn't stopped his iron-man streak, and hopefully nothing else will.

Maxime Talbot: Momentum.  It's been tough for everyone's favorite Superstar to come back from off-season shoulder surgery.  He hasn't been able to gain any traction jupming back into the action, but once he gets his legs under him those customary clutch goals will surely follow in the spring months.

And let's not forget about the coaches and management...

Mike Yeo: A comprehensive book and video about power-play strategies, for his own good to take a little heat off a guy who's trying his best.

Tony Granato:  The chance to run an NHL team of his own sooner than later.

Dan Bylsma:  A bottle.  To capture that magic that has him above all other coaches in his brief time behind the bench.

Ray Shero:  This year's title of NHL Executive of the Year for all his wise choices that have set the table for all the on-ice success we've seen and that is still ahead.

Mario Lemieux:  What do you get the guy that has almost everything?  How about another bottle of fine wine and the knowledge of appreciation from Pens' fans around the world for his unparalled contibutions to a single franchise in NHL history.

 

Finally, a big tip-cap to Pensburgh readers and commenters, who've made this blog one of the fastest growing hockey blogs in the past year.  You're the reason that Frank, Dunman, Lavender and myself strive hard to bring you the best and freshest content and perspective around.  A joyous, safe and fun holiday for you all, surrounded by those you love the most.

1 recs  |  Comment 11 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Excellent Post Hooks

I’m rooting for Santa to give Adams a goal.

Bleeding blue and white and black and gold.

by raimman on Dec 24, 2009 11:25 AM EST reply actions  

Too bad Santa left the building last night after Malkin’s hat trick

by SlayerGhaleon on Dec 24, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Lol that’s pretty good….
I LOVE what Billy G said to the Trib last night:“I know those three power-play goals are going to make Mike Yeo’s Christmas.”
Always so honest…just keep telling it like it is Billy!
I would (and I’m sure his teammates would too) love it if Adams got a goal…I hope Sid and Flower get their gold medals just because the games are in Canada, then Geno and Sarge (and OV….) can (hopefully) get theirs in Russia.

871

by PensFan8725 on Dec 24, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Mario Lemiux:

for Crosby to move out of his house?

by BDON911 on Dec 24, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions  

I don’t know; when Lemieux was asked about it after the guys won the Stanley Cup, it looked like he really wants Crosby around for a while.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast the fact that we're not Flyers fans!

by GreenEyedLilo on Dec 24, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Terrific post! I know I’d enjoy those gifts, too. :-)

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast the fact that we're not Flyers fans!

by GreenEyedLilo on Dec 24, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions  

I think all Pens fans got an early Christmas present… Chris Borque’s one-way ticket out of Pittsburgh

by stoopidtom on Dec 24, 2009 3:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

absolutely… I think I would never be able to understand why we had to go through the whole Bourque experiment… but thankfully it’s over

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Dec 25, 2009 6:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Oh I forgot Miroslav Satan… a team (and maybe a different last name)

by stoopidtom on Dec 24, 2009 4:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Great list Hooks!

I really hope Eaton gets his present… may be from RS?:)

Thanks for all the efforts you(the Pensburgh authors team) put in and I wish you all the best and hope that you also get the presents you’ve wished for:)

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Dec 25, 2009 6:39 AM EST reply actions  

lol
Jay McKee: A bullet-proof vest. He’s taken more shots than a diabetic.

and i couldnt agree more about kunitz

" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Dec 26, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Pensburgh.com - a Pittsburgh Penguins blog dedicated to building a community of, by and for Pittsburgh Penguins fans
Start posting about the Penguins »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Copy_of_mario_5_goals_5_ways_1_small
2009-10 Pittsburgh Penguins Yearbook - "The Games"
Marc-andre_fleury_small
Hockey Experience: Getting Personal

Recent FanPosts

Small
Leftover forwards we could potentially chase?
37005_438799372641_634837641_6015703_2094150_n_small
Training Camp
37005_438799372641_634837641_6015703_2094150_n_small
Wins, Losses and Equality
Fatkidazdsafas_small
Chris Bourque?
Pens_ring_small
Kovalchuk's Contract
Cal_football_2005_09_16_roll_07_012_small
Kovalchuk on the Pens - what couldn't have been
Picture_019_small
Heads up gang, we got some reading on the horizon
Evgeni-malkin_small
Staal is big time!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

In this photo taken on Monday, July 19, 2010, Atlanta Thrashers forward Andrew Ladd, formerly of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, spends his day with the Stanley Cup atop Crown Mountain, British Columbia., north of Vancouver. Ladd, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was flown by helicopter to the top of Crown Mountain to watch the sunrise. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,  Mark L. Johnson) +54 updates

NHL Free Agency: Andrew Ladd Avoids Arbitration, Signs With Thrashers

FILE - In this May 7, 2009, file photo, Milan Michalek, front left, of the Czech Republic attacks Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson, right, during a quarterfinal at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Bern, Switzerland. Sweden's Carl Gunnarsson is seen behind on left. The Toronto Maple Leafs landed Gustavsson with a one-year contract on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. The 24-year-old netminder, nicknamed "The Monster," was also heavily pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File) link

Euro Hockey For Dummies: A Primer On How European Hockey Leagues Work

PITTSBURGH - JULY 27:  Pittsburgh Penguins President David Morehouse addresses the media at the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic press conference on July 27 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) +2 updates

Penguins, NHL Unveil 2011 Winter Classic Logo At Pittsburgh's Heinz Field

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Penguins_cup_08__small FrankD

Editors

The_aviatorm1hdetail_small JDunman

Me2_small Hooks Orpik

Authors

Duuuuper_small Lavender

Article_28131_2_small JustinM

Pens_ring_small GoPens!

Moderators

Photo_small tehchico