Morning links: The minor league yo-yo, Shero at the deadline and Talbot on notice?

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 27, 2010 7:00 AM EST

Jonathan Bombulie gets the thoughts from Chris Conner and Nick Johnson on how it feels to be a human yo-yo. With the Pens injury situation, expect one (if not both) to wear an NHL uniform tomorrow night. [Penguins Insider]

Pens Universe got to interview Ben Lovejoy [PU]

Max Talbot is the next target in Ron Cook's cross-hairs. Hopefully this means the Superstar is about to breakout like Evgeni Malkin did. [Post Gazette]

Dave Molinari does what he does so well and throws some cold water on the dreams of Penguin fans, this time about Ray Whitney [PG]

Dan Bylsma and the nifty 50. [Empty Netters]

Looking towards the deadline, does Ray Shero need to pull another rabbit out of his hat? He's been active for three years now, perhaps more importantly would the team have a subconcious let-down if he doesn't make a move or two? [Tribune Review]

Some joke writer fills Mirtle's shoes (skates?) by talking about Rick DiPietro's mega-long contract. (we kid because we care, Frankie) [From The Rink]

There's momentum to give hockey coach's challenge flags, like their football counterparts. [SLBD]

Even with a lackluster PP, the Pens rank high in an advanced look at how to judge NHL teams. [Japers Rink fanpost]

A good look at why Ilya Kovalchuk might not get traded until after the Olympics -- if he gets traded by Atlanta at all. [Puck Daddy]

Then again, has Nik Antropov been the best Thrasher forward this season? [Bird Watchers Anonymous]

Patrick Kane is at it again. [Puck Daddy]

Sheldon Souray could be on the move from Edmonton, but with his salary, no-trade clause and desrie to remain close to his kids in California, don't expect him to land in Pittsburgh. [Fanhouse]

Jonathan Toews is becoming a face of Canadian hockey, but of course not THE face. [The Hockey News]

Carolina, Edmonton fans and draftniks alike rejoice: Bob McKenzie has released his 30 top prospects. [TSN]

Stick around Pensburgh, today at around 11 a new and exclusive interview with Penguins prospect Andy Bathgate will hit the presses...

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Really good article on challenge flags. I hope the NHL never resorts to that to satisfy the fanbase—they may work in football, but hockey is a different beast altogether.

by Hatt the Moople on Jan 27, 2010 12:31 PM EST reply actions

I think it’s a dumb idea too, hope it doesn’t happen…Just improve the camera angles and review in Toronto for any questionable goals, don’t see what’s wrong w that mentality.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 27, 2010 12:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agree. Can’t say I’m sold on the challenge flag either. I think the league does a pretty good job of determining when something should go to the booth or not. The flow of the game is important. It works in football because of all the whistles and stoppages in play. Don’t know how that would work in hockey but it would kill the flow.

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by FrankD on Jan 27, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

For me its a question of whether getting the call right outweighs the traditional flow of the game. There is an inherent appeal to letting the ref’s authority be the final call (or the ‘war room’, whatever).

The speed of the game is definitely quite important to the league office, since that is what alot of the reformation the last decade or so has been trying to move towards.

I don’t mind in the slightest letting the TV audience have 20/20 hindsight…its worked so far. “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.”

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jan 27, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Some joke writer fills Mirtle’s shoes (skates?) by talking about Rick DiPietro’s mega-long contract. (we kid because we care, Frankie) [From The Rink]

Jerk!

Actually, the entire time I was typing that thing up I wondered what it would be like if the pens offered the same sort of contract to Fleury. Can’t say I’m a big supporter of the 15 year contract for anyone. If anything I think the sort of deal Luongo got is just about as good a long-term deal as you can get for a goalie. Of course he’s also proven his durability over the years, but the financial breakdown of it is also pretty important for the Nucks.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jan 27, 2010 2:42 PM EST reply actions

Fleury got 7 years, which I think is perfect….Wouldn’t want to go too much more for a butterfly goalie (almost all of them have to have hip surgeries at some point), but at the same time they locked down a 25 year old SC winning goalie at a reasonable $5 million salary (considering what some other starting netminders are making)

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 27, 2010 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely. The contract will look increasingly intelligent if/when contract rates continue to go up over these next 6 years.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jan 27, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

The breakdown on Japer’s Rink of the pp%, pk% and weighted even-strength goals was quite interesting.

One of the comments on there talked about how the AMOUNT of penalties should be factored in somehow, and I would agree. Maybe even something as simple as multiplying the # of penalties to the (pp%+pk%) portion.

Nice to see the pens in the top 6 of the values despite their struggles. Though I have thought that the PP has looked more dangerous over the last 5 games or so, even when we don’t score.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jan 27, 2010 3:19 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I think it PP is coming around, in actual results, as well as how good it looks. Gonchar’s health, plus moving Malkin back to a more natural spot has made all the difference.

Sykora scored an assload of PP goals as a triggerman when he was in PItt, so we aren’t seeing the pure sniper, but if they work it around Gonchar-Malkin-Crosby (all looking for shots) with like a Guerin screen and a Letang/Goligoski cutting for a passing lane, it’ll work. That’s been the general theory of late.

Pensburgh.com

"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 27, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

I watched a replay of the Philly game from Sunday, and noticed (as well as the announcers) that GoGo had a lot of looks from that left point position when he cracked down towards the net.

Sid – Geno – Sarge can really move the puck and create problems for the PKers, and Gogo (or TheTang for that matter) should be able to capitalize on the chances from the open side. I’m glad that all three of the stars on the first unit aren’t afraid to let it rip, but I do get the feeling sometimes that they are waiting for the “sure” shot instead of just letting it go and looking for a juicy rebound.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jan 27, 2010 6:03 PM EST up reply actions