Notes and Thoughts Leading Up to the Flyers
by FrankD on Dec 14, 2010 8:01 AM EST
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Print- All signs would suggest that Evgeni Malkin is back in the lineup for the Pens tonight. After missing the last four games, Geno was back at practice yesterday, sharing a line with Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis.
- Chris Kunitz was not in practice yesterday but this isn't the first time that he's missed a practice and played in the following game. Many times last season while struggling through an injury, Dan Bylsma would give Kunitz practice off if it meant he'd be good to go come game time. Here's to hoping it was just a maintenance day and nothing too serious.
- Speaking of injuries, the bug just keeps popping up on the Flyers, who just the other day announced Ian Laperriere has been placed on the long-term injured reserve. The shuffling of players to and fro has caused a bit of a cap concern for the Flyers. Geoff Detweiler has a great piece on the Flyers' cap mismanagement.
- For those hoping to see Philly's Jody Shelley mix it up with Eric Godard/Mike Rupp/Matt Cooke, it looks like that will have to wait until the next meeting between the teams on March 24th. Shelley received a two-game suspension for this hit on Boston's Adam McQuaid. I'm sure someone somewhere will have something to say about no-touch icing again..
- Another interesting note to come out of the season series so far: neither team has won on its home ice in any of the three previous meetings. For the sake of Pittsburgh extending its win streak to 13, let's hope that rhythm continues for at least one more game.
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Big Test Tonight
This will be a test tonight to see how we fare against the hated flyers. As a Fleury basher most of last season and the beginning of this, he has been playing very well and even his stick handling has gotten a bit better. the Team has been playing better too which helps but MAF has been solid and I wonder why he looked so bad early, cause he looked pretty good in the limited preseason action he had oh well keep it up MAF and I will quit bashing on you. I hope kunitz can go and geno but you got to play your healthy players.
So does anyone know if Staal broke his hand again or if it is just calcification? Either way this guy can’t catch a break (no pun intended)
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
I'm not done with finals yet,
I have one at 7:45 AM tomorrow and a take home due Thursday at 10:00 AM. I would literally need to be jumped and lit on fire to miss this game. Nothing like having the first game I see this season come against the Flyers away.
LET’S GO PENS!!!!
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Dec 14, 2010 11:43 AM EST reply actions
From Pens fans favorite media member…
Rob Rossi Rossi_on_Pens Kunitz skating with crosby/dupuis; malkin line rushes with Dmen-@am skate
Seems to suggest:
-Kunitz IN
-Malkin OUT
But definitely not set in stone.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
On the other hand...
emptynetters Malkin not skating on any lines but is manning the left point on the top power play
Who knows at this point
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 14, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
It should be interesting to see how they use Malkin, if he does play
Also if Engelland plays, I say sit Godard because Shelley’s suspended. Plus you have to play Jeffrey after that kind of first game.
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
Malkin says he is playing. My take of what lines will probably look like:
Dupuis-Sid-Kunitz
Cooke-Talbot-Malkin
Kennedy-Letestu-Conner
Asham-Jeffrey-Rupp or Adams
—If they dress Engelland, use Adams instead of Rupp. Think Godard sits no matter what
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I think Geno should be switched over to center or maybe even put with Sid for this game, but other than that, good choices.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
Post-Gazette said that Geno says he’ll play tonight. Great news!
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
? on Despres
He’s tearing up the Q.
Any sense on whether he’ll get an audition this year?
Or whether he’ll make the team next year out of camp?
He won’t play this year. I would love to see him make it out of camp next year, but it’s going to be tough with the way our D is playing.
I’m just hoping he makes the WJC team, to be honest.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
According to Bob McKenzie’s twitter, Despres is not having a great World Junior camp so far. I’m not sure what the problem is, but I hope he manages to step it up a bit and clinch a spot.
Next year who knows. It would be great to see him make it out of camp, but I will not be even a bit surprised if he starts in WBS and has to work his way up.
I'm looking forward to reading Crosby's novel.
McKenzie’s also a guy who said he liked the Rolston contract when it first was signed….
Just saying, McKenzie knows a lot of people who knows things, and he is a smart hockey man, but not every one of his opinions are right on the money…We’ll just have to wait and see how the cuts shake out.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
He’s also a great motivator. Remember in ‘93 after the Kings lost to the Leafs in game 5 of SCCF, he said about Gretzky "he’s playing like he has a piano on his back". Gretzky responded with the OT winner in game 6 and a hat-trick in game 7.
I still think he’s one of the best out there right now.
Well. Yeah. He scored the winner after not being penalized for his blatant high stick.
Which was probably missed because that piano got in Fraser’s way.
I'm looking forward to reading Crosby's novel.
Awww, come on, just playin’. We’re all Pens’ fans here in Pensburgh. We’re in it to wim it. Right? Buddy? ;)
Well … you may be “in it to wim it”. I prefer winning.
I'm looking forward to reading Crosby's novel.
Any sense on whether he’ll get an audition this year?
Since the Pens sent him back, Despres can’t play professionally until St. Johns season is over. If that happens early (and the Baby Pens are still playing) I’d expect Despres would join them. He may play, but he’ll at least practice.
Or whether he’ll make the team next year out of camp?
Gonna be an uphill battle- 6 one-way contracts next year (Martin, Michalek, Orpik, Letang, Goligoski, Lovejoy) and it’s usually a good idea to let young d-men get some time in at the AHL level. Nothing wrong with that.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Agreed not a huge hurdle or problem for the team to make it disappear, but a one-way contract is a one-way contract.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Yes, but right now Engelland is playing better than Lovejoy, so if he’s got a one-way contract and Engo is still the 6th guy most of the time, with Despres looking NHL ready, the Pens have a decision to make.
It’s still a long ways away, though.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
if they carry 7 again though, that means that Despres would only need to beat out ONE of those 2.
he almost made the team out of camp this year.
they are paying him 900k/year—next year is the 2nd year of his 3-year ELC
it would be nice to get some quality play out of one of the team’s top prospects before having to pay big $$$.
any other thoughts on this?
seems to me that he is the favorite to make the team as the #6
Engelland’s on a two-way contract (meaning only the team would save $$ if he was in the minors). DE would still have to clear waivers.
I’m not sure they’d bring Despres up just to be a #6 guy. Better to get used to the speed of the skill game playing big minutes for a year in the AHL and then transition later to me. Then again, if Despres plays very well, it’d be hard to keep him out forever.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Yeah, but beating one of those two would still mean that the Pens would have a decision to make. He may be the favorite in a lot of people’s minds, but he’s got to prove it first. Since a physical defensemen is something that the Pens lack compared to the plentiful bounty of puck moving d-men that we have, Despres may have to really pull away from Engelland in next year’s training camp. Otherwise, I think they put Despres in the AHL for a while.
And I don’t think his ELC has started yet. That’s the whole reason that teams do the “9 game experiment”—on the 10th game the ELC kicks in. As far as I know, next year will be his 1st contract year, if he makes it to the AHL/NHL.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
The Price is Wrong Bob
Sid and OV on the price is right at least thats what the AP is reporting. Monday, with a trip to the winter classic as a prize. Also JR wil be on it too.
Lets go Pens good news about Kunitz playing, I would let Geno rest another week or so to ake sure he is 100% or as close to it as he is gonna get this year.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
Devils place Rolston on waivers
Any chance here for the Pens?
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
Why would we?
Beej is solid and MAF is out of his mind. Never mind the price tag Rolston comes with.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
OMG…what a brain fart.
Rolston….not Roloson, who is the Isles goaltender anyways. Wow. LOL
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly.
That’s why I pretty much implied that the Pens would be crazy to acquire Roloson, which is the name I thought I was reading when you said “Rolston has been put on waivers.”
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Now, that I’ve figured that out…haha…there’s still no way. We have no cap space and why would we?
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
The cap space is the issue but why wouldn’t we want a guy like Rolston at a reasonable price?
That's like a pumpkin pie right in the face!
Because there’s a difference between wanting and needing.
First of all, he’s old, which something that the Pens obviously strayed away from this summer. We’re on a 12 game win streak 1/3 of which came without Malkin and all without Staal—thinking about how the well the 3rd and 4th lines are playing right now, combined with the 1st line’s expected production, the second line will be scary once Staal and Geno arrive again. I just don’t see a need for a winger right now.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
- - It helps New Jersey out, saving them $2.5 million dollars
- - It would cost $2.5 million dollars to the Pens cap (money they don’t have at this point)
- - He’s getting ready to turn 38 years old
- - His stats have basically fallen every year since the lockout from 79 to 64 to 59 to 32 to 37 to this year a pace of 11.
Other than that, I love it.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I’m really looking forward to tonight’s game, although it’s admittedly in that “I feel a bit uneasy because I don’t ever want anything good to happen to the Flyers, and I certainly don’t want them to play a role in ending any of the Pens’ streaks” sort of way. It’s kind of exciting to see how close the two teams are in the standings, too (even if it’s early yet). Whichever team wins jumps to the top of the conference (unless it’s an overtime Philadelphia win, in which case the tie-breaker goes to Pittsburgh), and the loser drops to/stays at 4th. As much as I hate the Flyers, it’s nice to have another top team in the same division: it makes things exciting.
That said, let us never forget that the Flyers are stupid.
I'm looking forward to reading Crosby's novel.
I too am nervous about tonight’s game. It’s sure to be intense.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
they could really use Kunitz tonight, but if he needs time to get right, i hope he sits — seen too much of him playing banged up and not being nearly as effective
by Diomedes7 on Dec 14, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Malkin’s going, and if Kuni can’t go, Geno will slide into the first line wing spot. A more than adequate replacement haha.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
I just got word that Kunitz is going to play tonight, hopefully he isn’t hurt and its just some minor bumps and bruises.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Where’d you hear that?
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
From the fan talk show on 93.7 my co-worker listens at work and thats what they said when I was in his office.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
WTF is TIOPS?
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
insider on pittsburgh sports (the schmuck who said Staal’s hand is broken again)
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
haha yeah. what a guy
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Oh okay. So does anyone know if its just calcification for sure? Staal just can’t catch a b… well you know. I wish Jordan was back playing. ANd I am not a sports writer not even close, you guys just get on me cause I bashed Fluery when obvioiusly something was bothering him, I still think its personal but what do I know.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Pretty sure he was joking, dude. =]
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I will let it go that you are calling me a schmuck.. Been called worse… Thats okay I try to call them like I c them.
Lets go Pens beat them there Philly Cryers..
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Hey I didn’t call you a schmuck-on-wheels, did I?
(And I was joking the whole time)
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
No not on wheels. LOL No problem I like to throw it out too and no worries here I can take it and dish it.
Big test tonight, the streak is impressive and the Pens play has been stellar for the most part but a top notch team tonight.. Almost feels like a playoff game.
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
Did you see the Broad Street post asking the Flyer’s fans to stop chanting “Crosby sucks!”?
The reason why they hate Crosby:
The Penguins were able to do the complete opposite. Lose, lose some more, lose even more, drive the fans away, stockpile draft picks, scare the state into paying for most of your new arena, get young stars, win a Cup. That’s not the “right” way to do things, and that’s why we hate the Pittsburgh Penguins. That’s why we hate Sidney Crosby.
You’ve got to be kidding….that’s why you hate him? Wow.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
What a joke who cares about Philly and their mayor/governor? I believe it was Clarke back in the 70’s slashed a top player of the other team in a playoff series might have been the finals so hard he broke the dudes ankle. When asked why he said " because we needed to win"
Go Pens crush the Cryers flyers I mean
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
He did that playing for Canada against Russia
by Prometheus74 on Dec 14, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
You’re half right. It was against the Soviets/Russians, but he was playing for Philly during that game. I believe it was during the ’75 Super Series.
That was when teams from the USSR would come to North America and play teams in the NHL. They did it every couple of seasons from ’75 until about ’91.
I would ask any Philly Cryer fan, who if they know how much money the state put into the new Arena. Not in the form of cash only, but by giving Comcast a tax free building for several years. I can’t believe those guys in Philly are crying about something done in PGH. when for years they have been getting most of the tax dollars. And now they are spending money like crazy on their team, and at this time they are over the cap.
The Hockey Dr.
When we relentlessly say that he does, it makes us look bad. It makes us look like the fans that can’t recognize a great player, no matter what team he plays for.
LMAO! Because you can’t.
Aweome.
Kuni
that’s the thing w/ Kuni — he’ll play very banged up
its admirable, and this is Philthy and the streak and all that, but its also just one game
would rather him be his usual self
as we’ve seen this year, when he’s healthy, he’s damn good
I can get it on my BlackBerry, but not with an app (as far as I know). It’s not bad for reading articles, but participating in any comment threads is a pain because it doesn’t have the same read/unread comment distinctions, and doesn’t auto-refresh.
I'm looking forward to reading Crosby's novel.
Thanks
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
My iTouch automatically takes me to the mobile site, so yes.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
Yep, I get the mobile site on my iPhone all the time.
The only thing that sucks is you can’t scroll through comments to easily see new ones since your last visit, other than that I think it’s a pretty good mobile version.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Thanks I just got it and posted this response from my phone
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 4:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I know…I guess it has something to do with the Flash?
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
"A player's game is a composition. Sometimes it's a line, sometimes a paragraph. Right now, Crosby's game is a novel." -Scott Burnside
by AllieLXXXVII on Dec 14, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
Versues just said Kunitz is out Malkin is out
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 7:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oops malkin is in
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Dec 14, 2010 7:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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