Penguins Sign Mike Comrie to One-Year, $500K Deal
by FrankD on Sep 3, 2010 12:29 PM EDT
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Mike Comrie's officially a Penguins, which means we will all, for good or bad, see the occasional boxed seat camera shot of Hilary Duff cheering in the crowd.
But on a personnel level, this move is just what the Penguins needed. Priced just right ($500K, a tremendous discount from last season's $1.25 mill in Edmonton), Comrie will likely play right along with Sidney Crosby and more or less "resurrect" his career, for lack of better terms.
Since registering 60 points with the Coyotes in 2005-06, Comrie's play has been on the decline, and his resume has certainly added a few employers along the way.
In 06-07, Comrie split the season with Phoenix and Ottawa, tallying 45 points over 65 games before losing to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals, 4-1. The Islanders picked him up off the market in 07-08, where he played until 08-09 when a trade sent him back to Ottawa. Edmonton brought him back to town in 09-10, where he registered 13 goals and eight assists in just 43 games. He was on the injured list for three months with...mono.
If he's looking for a place to potentially win a Cup, he's found it. We've seen a number of players over the past three seasons take significant discounts for the chance to raise the hardware (Ruslan Fedotenko, Bill Guerin, Jay McKee to name a few). Although he's been in the league since 2000, this also poses as a good opportunity for him to raise his stock again for a potentially bigger contract with another club in 2011-12.
No sense in getting too far ahead of ourselves though. Overall, this is a solid, dirt-cheap signing for the Pens. It may shuffle a few lines here and there, but this ultimately means that Sid has more weapons to work with.
After the jump, Derek from Copper N Blue chimes in on the signing.
Update:
Here's what Derek Zona from Copper N Blue has to say:
Mike Comrie's game has changed significantly, but he remains an extremely effective even strength player. He only signed with the Oilers last year after they agreed that he would play left wing, not center. His time in Edmonton was limited by a bout of mono, but Comrie's role was as a left wing, and his time was split nearly evenly between playing Edmonton's toughest minutes and Edmonton's easiest minutes. His two most common linemates last season were Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton's tough minutes center and second in Oiler qualcomp, and Zack Stortini, Edmonton's agitating right wing who was last among all forwards in quality of competition ranking.
Comrie ran into some bad luck last season, even by Edmonton standards. Edmonton had the league's worst goaltending in 2009-2010, but even then, they put up the third worst even strength save percentage behind Comrie, which skewed his +/- somewhat significantly.
Dennis King of MC79Hockey tracks scoring chances for the Oilers and I compiled the season totals in a post earlier in the summer. Notice that Comrie tracks really well among the forwards and his -8 differential is very solid on that team.
Comrie has slowed down with age, but he's become a cerebral player, capable of winning the puck and moving it in the right direction without a big hit or contact. He remains an excellent passer and loves to get to the net to find his goals. Comrie's not a strong power play option, but his even-strength play should be an asset to the Penguins, no matter who centers him. It's a great signing by Ray Shero, in my opinion.
EDITAlso, Mike will find himself a willing combatant sometime early in the season and endear himself to Pittsburgh fans for a very long time. It might be hard to believe, but Mike Comrie is easily the best lightweight fighter in the NHL over the last decade -- and it's not close.
To wit:
Which led to this fantastic quote when he was asked if he's ever hit anyone as hard as he hit Scott Nichol: "Not counting my older brother."
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I’m impressed, that’s quick typing. Good job!
Excellent signing… after I had some time to digest it and do some soul-searching.
heh thanks. I enjoy writing about hockey (obviously), which is why the summer is always a killer. So when anything like this breaks, I’m all over it.
There is more upside to this signing than downside. It costs the Pens nothing and it has the potential to work out. Really, my approach has always been this when it comes to minimum contracts: What’s the harm? In the end, if nothing works out, it cost the team nothing.
Comrie wants to work and he wants to win. I’ll take it.
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I’m happy with the signing, even if he used to be a Senator.
I’m guessing this is solely a move to get someone on Sid’s line.. if he doesn’t work there, he won’t be back (unless he works magic with Geno or someone else)
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
That was really quick Frank…
I’d like to see him in a dog fight with Max & TK for that opening night spot next to Sid… He seems solid & a real low risk bargain but I doubt the spot next to Sid & Kunitz is his by default. A straight race between the 3 can only mean good things for the Pens regardless of who wins…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
He’s a lot better than Talbot and TK…
If there’s a competition going on, either TK and Superstar have really stepped it up or we’ve got a problem.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
A little friendly competition can bring out the best in everyone. I support that theory through and through, but I don’t think TK and Talbot are going to be at risk of losing a spot, or vice versa. I’d say the battle is more between Comrie and Dupuis.
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Comrie
Id say its more between TK, Tabot and Dupuis on who actually makes the team.
Comrie is penciled in next to Sid at this point. Comrie has much more pure talent than Talbot, Dupuis or Kennedy. He was sick most of last year and still put up better numbers (PPG) than the three musketeers.
I like this signing if it means TK, Dupuis and Talbot realize they aren’t guaranteed anything on this team. I believe alot of the Pens got complacent last year and needed to be reminded that there are plenty of people who can play the game just as well, if not better than they can.
Well they’re all going to “make” the team (unless there’s a trade we don’t know about yet), but I think it’s more about where they’re going to fall in terms of lines.
But again, this is a good thing. It’s nice to know this is hard to decision with potential, rather than one in which the Pens are trying to fill the lines with a lack of talent.
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"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Botterill bringing in a Michigan man
Enjoyed watching Comrie play back in college, wish he’d stuck around more than just 2 years. He’s had a pretty twisty pro career, maybe he’s due for another big season.
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
Of, and of course, you can't mention Comrie without linking to this bit of fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiM_5cO8-WM
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
by ahtrap on Sep 3, 2010 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
haha that’s awesome
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Potentially a good signing
Comrie is a small guy by today standards, bu he as good hands and smart player Could do well alongside Sid. For the money it could be the best deal by Shero..
The Hockey Dr.
No no, no potential..
Because this is for only $500,000, this is a darn good signing. Shoot, get a guy like this for that much? I’ll take it any day of the week. Either way, I get what your saying.
by Wags24 on Sep 3, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
With the exception of Mike Rupp, who’s one of the tallest players in the NHL, the Penguins are shaping up to be a pretty small team at forward and defense, which is concerning to me. I’m afraid with the loss of Bill Guerin that they’ve lost a lot of their grit. Although the pick-up of Asham did partially address that issue, one of the fears I have is that their lack of size compared to other teams not only in their division, but in the league at large, will make their small skill players prone to being pushed around.
I don’t have those worries. I actually think the Pens, with Kunitz, Cooke, Asham, Rupp and Adams will have one of the toughest and most active group of checking forwards in the East.
Size, doesn’t mean that much to me. Dupuis and Kunitz have decent size, but even the ones that aren’t tall are some of the meanest players on the team. On defense, Lovejoy and Michalek are both legit 6’2, don’t think that’s much of an issue either.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
the Pens have gotten a lot tougher to play against over the course of the summer. Theres no doubt about that….on paper anyway
by genomachine-O on Sep 3, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
ehh Dupuis and Kunitz have decent size?? Not a chance, they both play scrappy because that’s really the only way they can make it in this league. I think the Pens will be tough enough this year with Rupp, Adams and Asham. Not to mention the other grinders they have like Kunitz, Dupuis, Cooke et. al.
by StripesForLife on Sep 3, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
ehh Dupuis and Kunitz have decent size??
What I meant was they’re both 6 feet, and not short. That’s not great height, obviously, but they’re not shrimps.
The Pens won’t be the most towering team out there, but it’s hardly going to be a roster of Chris Bourque’s and Theo Fleury’s out there either.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Agree with you Hooks, size may be overrated if the player has no hockey ability or has strong legs. I was referring to the fact that while Comrie, may not be a “big power wing”, by today standards j, he has good hands and is smart (as far as hockey goes). Therefor People did not interpret my remarks correctly. Bottom line as I said in my comment. Could be the best signing, for the money.
The Hockey Dr.
That was very nice!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 3, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i’m sure this was done on the original post, but i just wanted to throw my 2 cents in:
Comrie-Crosby-Kunitz
Dupuis-Staal-Malkin
TK-Talbot-Cooke
Rupp-Adams-Asham
I’m guessing Comrie beats out Dupuis for that top winger spot, and the rest fills in. I’d like to see TK step up and make a charge for a top-6 role, but we’ll see.
i also like how this buys more time for Tangredi to develop. i wasn’t high on bringing him in right away (unless he had an insanse camp)
Comrie Projections.
Hockey News’ Projections for Duffman.
70, 15-21-36
-——————————————————————————-
Keep in mind these projetions were made when he was an unsigned free agent playing alond side some hypothetical third or fourth line center. One has to expect a very descent jump in these numbers now that he’ll be playing with the best centerman in the world.
Given that he scored 13 goals in half a season last year, I’d hope he tops 20 if he gets to play on Crosby’s line.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
If he plays 75+ games on the first line with power play time. I think with his talent 25-35-60 is not a stretch. It would be a very good season though. In fact,one of his best ever. But playing with Sid that could be expected. No?
Yeah, but it was expected that Miroslav Satan, Bill Guerin, Colby Armstrong, Ryan Malone and so many others would have good years with Sid and that didn’t always come to happen.
I agree that you’d hope they mesh and he produces big-time, but if he essentially replaces Guerin’s year, it’s a good deal for the Pens since Comrie’s $1.5 million cheaper than Guerin’s salary.
Just saying he doesn’t have to score 30 to be a success.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Bang Bang
There goes my lofty expectation. You just shot them down with your level headed thought process and the past results of similar players.
Now Duffman ends up with 54, 9-13-22 .
Damn you Hooks. ;)
In that case, he is a failure!
I think the 25/35/60 you wrote above is attainable. Probably on the high end, but certainly not out of reach.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
he scored 30 on a bad Phoenix team
as much as chemistry is important, so is his health
i think 25 is totally reasonable
and 30 a real possibility if he’s healthy and if he plays w/ Crosby
he’s fiesty and he’s got skills — can finish
GREAT signing by Ray Shero
I have to be honest I didnt see him a whole lot in EDM. From what Ive seen of him in the past tho, and seeing he score 13g for EDM last year, I would have to think that would translate to somewhere around 20-25 goals for the Pens. 25 might be a little high, but if he stays healthy, he will have more than enough chances to score 25, he just has to finish.
by genomachine-O on Sep 3, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
even if he scores 20g that would be some great bang for your buck as they say.
by genomachine-O on Sep 3, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Smelling Stanley!
Wow with these great affordable signings i am really smelling another Stanley Cup coming our way!
shhh
me and you have a backup ;D
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Comrie-Crosby-Kunitz = KC and the Sidshine Band…
by biggoron on Sep 3, 2010 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Here's the truth
Mike Comrie is capable of putting up decent numbers BUT he’s played 569 out of 984 potential regular season games thats 58% and the last few years with his hip, sickness, and other injuries its been bad; 40 game seasons!!! I don’t think he makes the roster for October like most of you project. I may be wrong he may push Superstar, Dupuis, anyone really, I wouldn’t be surprised but its hard to say what these new signings roles will be. IF he plays with Sid and Kunitz and plays at least 70 games I have him at 22-29-51, Kunitz 24-33-57, Crosby 46-61-107. Kuntiz and potentially Comries numbers rely heavily on their health and if DB doesnt shift lines often
What cloud?
Those are all reasonable numbers and numbers those players should put up playing together all year. Comrie has reached the 50 point and 60 point plateau before and Kunitz has done so too…they are obviously higher than I anticipate realistically Crosby will get 100+, Comrie 35, Kuntiz 40. But if healthy and chemistry develops I’d hope for higher numbers. Projections are estimates from previous experiences and learnings so thats how I got those numbers.
I think it’s possible too, especially with Crosby, but given Comrie’s injury history, I’m a little hesitant.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
According to Perez Hilton, the reason Comrie took a pay cut is because he thought he could help make the Penguins a better team. How sweet of a player who has never won anything to help a recent Stanley Cup winner be a better team.
Getting your hockey new from Perez Hilton?
I think he CAN make the Pens better though. He gives them a winger with the threat to score 20+ goals. They don’t really have that, outside of shifting Malkin to wing and praying that Kunitz stays healthy all year.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
No. The Pensblog Adam tweeted a link to it. I followed it, but it didn’t work, so I searched for stories on Mike Comrie and found the correct link to the article. It was the first, and probably last, time I’ll ever visit that website.
It's ok to admit you read Perez Hilton
I read him too, on occasion. I used to be an avid reader, though.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
1st line will remain
I don’t think the Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis line will be shifted if anything Comrie will center the 3rd line since he is a center. I’m having a hard time scratching someone from the roster but right now I have
Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Talbot(Tangradi)-Staal-Malkin
Cooke-Comrie-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Asham
ESPN (not credible) has projected Tangradi 20-30-50 which means they are thinking hes going to play with Malkin
I feel like it may come down between Tangradi, Talbot, and Comrie. Conner’s chances have slimmed same with Jeffrey’s but Letestu still has a legitimate chance in my books.
I’ve heard he can play wing…
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Yaa...
Comrie can easily shift to the wing but I wouldn’t want to split the 1st line up and who would centre the 3rd line? Does this mean Staal won’t move down to 2nd and remain on the 3rd or does Letestu bump someone off and centre the 3rd? Theres so many scenarios but right now I’d predict the 1st and 4th line are the ones we can predict the best.
I’d like to see what other people have right now. It seems like every time we predict the lines Shero adds another piece to the puzzle lol
by Geno McFleury on Sep 3, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
:)
If you read the officialPens website there a few different articles which speculate what the first two lines will be and they are as followed:
Comrie – Crosby – Kunitz
Cooke – Staal – Malkin
Kunitz can easily transition to RW, Staal will be moved to 2nd C once healthy…They have been saying it ALL SUMMER long! Comrie may be used as a center here or there (specifically with Staal still healing) but he was NOT signed to the team for that position, their intentions are to have him replace Guerin on the top line on wing! Dupuis will not be on the top line unless Comrie fails but I highly doubt that because he has more natural talent then ANY of the other wingers they have as of now! Dupuis is good defensively so he will be on the checking line…Letestu does not stand a chance of making the team now UNLESS there are injuries..
ESPN (not credible) has projected Tangradi 20-30-50 which means they are thinking hes going to play with Malkin
There’s a reason why ESPN and hockey don’t mix…
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I literally laughed out loud when I read that. I don’t think even the craziest of fanboys honestly believes that Tangradi will net 20g and 50p this season.
by Hatt the Moople on Sep 4, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I know right
ESPN, specifically Scott Burnside is just pathetic when I saw that 50 points for a guy whos played half a season in the pros. I could see him getting double digit goal totals though. If he even makes the roster
by Geno McFleury on Sep 4, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I love these last few low risk signings!
This only builds Pittsburgh’s depth which will allow for a lot of studs in the AHL. Since I will be doing a monthly report keeping you guys up to date on WBS’s affairs lets take a look at their top 6…
Sterling – Letestu – Johnson
Tangradi – Jeffery – Conner
Thats IMO 6 NHL ready forwards stockpiled in the minors. If everyone stays healthy the little pens are gonna look real good. Add that great top 6 to the mountain of good defenseman in the minors (Wagner, Bortuzzo, Potter, Hutchinson to name a few) and this could be a very good year for WBS.
But lets not get ahead of ourselves yet there could be moves made or more signings but so far so good for WBS in my opinion.
this is a great signing, if he scores 20 that’s all we need, anything beyond that will be a bonus.
Will he wearing #91? if so, he might be the 1st Penguin ever to wear that number.
I don’t recall any other Pittsburgh Player wearing 91.
"Great Balls of Fire".....Mike Lange
Nedved wore 93. That’s the first thing that came to mind and probably the closest we’ll get. The old Penguins site used to have a history of players who wore certain jersey numbers. Too bad that doesn’t still exist.
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91 or 89
If my memory serves me correctly I believe he always wore #89 until his second stint with the Oilers. When he went back to the Oilers they had already drafted Sam Gagner and he took 89 (his birthyear, all the kids are doing it) so Comrie switched to 91.
Player numbers - my rules
No offense to Comrie, but no player should wear a number higher than Sid as long as he is here. For that matter, with McKee gone, no one should select a number higher than 71 either. Whenever the Pens do player intros, which are typically always in ascending numeric order, Geno and Sid should always be last:
.
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 3, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
I started to say no one should go higher than 58, but then I realized that was just my own pro-Letang bias at work.
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
He's got a long
way to go before we start, but it sure is exciting (and, at times, frustrating) seeing all the potential the kid has. Fabulous skater. Needs to work on his shot, but his D is pretty decent for a young guy.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I think people have a tendency to forget just how young Kris Letang is. He’s only twenty-three years old, but the fact that he became a regular at the NHL level at such a relatively young age has led to heightened expectations that aren’t always fair. Defensemen, as a general rule, often take more time than forwards to hit their stride, and rare is the defenseman in his late teens or early twenties with the ability to make an NHL roster. People often take for granted how hard learning to play defense really is. Give Letang a few years and I’m sure he’ll evolve to meet the great expectations that have been thrust onto him.
Oh I’m not expecting him to win the Norris Trophy next year (although it would be nice). My expectations for him are several years down the line, at least.
But I do believe he has the potential for it, some day.
Definitely.
He’s my guy to watch this year. I think it’s going to be a big season for Tanger. Not a Norris one, but one where we see him really improve.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
He doesn’t need to have an elite season to win me over—I just want to see some consistency. There are times when he looks great, then there are times when he is a real defensive liability out there.
by Hatt the Moople on Sep 4, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but I think Tanger almost has to step it up this year with Gonch gone. Hopefully, he’s been laying of the fashion shows lol and putting more effort into training.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
It’s funny you think that he has to step it up with Gonch gone. Just a few hours ago I was thinking, that with M&M in the fold perhaps Tanger would blossom even more, due to some of the pressure and expectations being lifted from his young shoulders.
Last season he played top line minutes with top line responsiblities, but the addition of M&M allows him to take a step back and work on his game a little more.
I meant in the offensive sense.
On defense, he’s got at least 5 more years to be like a sponge and learn from two top notch guys.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
He certainly has the opportunity to claim top PP minutes. But, as things stand, I believe Martin and GoGo are ahead of him. His main advantage over the other two, is that he’s a rightie.
I disagree. Between Gogo and Tanger, Tanger got the most time on the top PP unit last season. Plus, he should easily become a better PP QB than Martin in the future. He certainly has the potential and the skating ability.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Tanger’s option 1 on our PP behind Sid & Geno…
But I like what Martin & Z bring to the table too. Martin never really had a proper unit in NJ & Michalek had too much to do defensively to play real PP. That and factoring in GoGo’s growth (say that 10 times fast) this PP unit might have more options than Sarge’s unit…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
Don’t expect us to make up what Sarge left. I think I’ll be missing him by the end of the 1st PP.
However, I think Tanger is going to make up for some (but not all) of it.
Martin should be a nice player to slot into the PP, but I think Tanger will still end up being a better PP man than him. Even with the offensive team that Martin is now on. And, to be honest, I think Z will pretty much have to be put in as much of a defensive role as he was in PHX. I hope his shot surprises us though!
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I’m gonna miss Sarge this season… Season after, I’ll probably be laughing at Ottawa but this season I’m gonna miss him.
But still I really don’t think our PP is going to be as bleak as some of you guys make it out to be. We still have a lot of offensive talent, plus we got Sid, Geno & Tanger… We’re gonna miss Sarge but once Bylsma settles on a system, we’re gonna be golden…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
I’m not so sure.
Isn’t that what everyone says? “The Pens PP will be fine because they have Gonch, Tanger/Gogo, Sid, Geno, and Billy/Kuni”?
On paper, our PP looks great, but the guys have yet to consistently execute in almost two seasons.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
The post-season is what matters, right? They’ve put up 20%+ each of the last three post-seasons. If they keep that up, it doesn’t really matter that it took them most of a season to get it rolling on the PP.
I’ll take regular season PP woes with post-season PP success over what the Caps pulled last season.
I think we’ve been around 17% for the past two post-seasons.
Look that up; I’m not sure.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Nope, they’ve been 23%, 20% and 26% the last 3 postseasons.
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 7, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
In a couple of games against the Habs last year, our PP seemed fine. Potent even…
Just by losing a key piece of our PP in Sarge & getting more pieces demands a shuffle in our system. That can only be a good thing.
If anything our PP has gotten predictable since our cup run. A chance to shake things up might be just what the doctor ordered.
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
Another Side Note
I know theres still debate about rather or not Tangradi will make the team opening day but besides his skills and potential I’ve read some posts about the Pens being a little smaller with the exception of Rupp. Cooke is like Carcillo a middleweight hence Philly bringing in Shelley. Right now I’d say Asham is our number one enforcer, Cooke 2nd. Tangradi is 6’4" 220+ at 21 years old. I say develop him now extend his contract and make him into a star power forward!!!!! IS IT OCTOBER YET!?!?!?!?
Cooke isn’t an enforcer, he’s an agitator. The dude almost never fights. Well, at least compared to the number of times guy ask him to go, he rarely fights.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Good bargain at 500k/season
even if he turns out to be a bust it’s such a low risk it can’t really go bad…
This means Tangradi will almost certainly spend the season in WBS.
You have to see it for yourself...
I almost feel like....
Comrie will make the team come October but if he doesn’t perform Tangradi will get the call and maybe Kennedy even spends a few days down in WBS if he doesn’t perform to his standards and the Pens expectations
Comrie & Kennedy have already “made the team”. And TK can’t be sent to WBS without being waived. Unless he really regresses, that’s not something that’s likely to happen.
It will be interesting, though, what the Pens do. The only one I see them potentially wanting to purge from their roster is Godard, which leaves them with 12 NHL-proven forwards. Unless there’s some sort of trade in the works, that means a lot of competition for the 13th spot, not to mention some ongoing competition at the bottom end for a spot in the lineup each night. I do feel kind of bad for the guys trying to crack the roster, but it is a pretty good situation for the team as a whole.
Ummm. Mr. Burke? Could you maybe hire some forwards?
Yaa for sure
Its a good situation as whole for the organization it feels good knowing that theres several spots open and several contenders to fill those holes. Kennedy really needs to step it up though I could see him as trade bait especially since he’s going to be a RFA. Godard is easily the man out, I think we’ve known that for awhile. To be honest I don’t even think Engelland’s 7th man spot is remotely safe. Right now, the same centre depth chart looks intact though I was excited about Staal playing with Geno again the chances of that happening are about 20% now. Unless like I said before Comrie or Asham centers the 3rd line
by Geno McFleury on Sep 3, 2010 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s hard to imagine them trading TK unless he were to step it up — since that’s the only way they’d get decent value for him. But if he returns to form/steps it up, they won’t want to trade him. Well … you see where I’m going with this?
Ummm. Mr. Burke? Could you maybe hire some forwards?
Haha yaa..
It’s highly unlikely but Shero is able to pull amazing things I see Kennedy earning a new contract; his work ethic seems to be there. He’s very young and capable of putting up respectable 3rd line numbers and some. It’s also a make it or break it year for Superstar as much as I like Mad Max those 2 goals are only going to get him so far and I don’t care what anyone says, he is what Shero considers an expendable. Everyone loves him, who wouldn’t with that corky personality but if he hurts the team more than helps then hey its business guys. TK and SS please, pleaseeee step it up so you can stay in the Steel City
by Geno McFleury on Sep 3, 2010 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Superstar and Godard
If Talbot doesnt step it up this year I PROMISE you he will be traded alongside Godard by the end of the trade deadline..Shero has signed enough replacements for these 2 guys over the summer and then some! They are VERY disposable now and would help to bring in a decent winger at trade deadline!
I don’t buy it. If Talbot doesn’t step up, his trade value is going to be shot due to two poor season in a row. The same goes for TK, for those who like to speculate about trading him. As for Godard, he’d be worth even less.
Well, you never know. There are some crazy GMs out there.
I think it’d be a waive more than anything.
Unless, Talbot gets put in a trade with someone considered more of an “asset.”
But Talbot and Godard to who knows where? Lol I don’t think anyone would want that for another player…probably the most we’d get is a draft pick.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Wow
that sounded a lot harsher than I meant it to be.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Harsh, but true. I believe that if Talbot doesn’t strike true this season, his trade value would be either a draft pick (and not a high one, mind) or an underachieving player who might blossom under different circumstances.
As for Godard, do teams even trade enforcers? Waive or keep, I don’t really see a trade happening there.
You’re right about Talbot. As much as I like the guy, that’s definitely the reality. Luckily, the main thing the guy is known for is coming up big in big situations.
As for Godard, if they want to get rid of him, they’ll probably have to waive him.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I think btwn him & TK, this has to be a big bounceback season… After their injuries last year, we can let last season slide but if they can’t do good work this year, we have more than enough in WBS plus our new guys to take their bottom 6 slots.
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
Love it, love it, love it!
But the best lightweight fighter in the league is Rick Rypien….it`s really not even close.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Sep 3, 2010 10:08 PM EDT reply actions
First off, Rypien is a fighter by trade. Secondly, look at who he fights, Rypien is not a lightweight. Comrie, on the other hand, is a skill player fighting other lightweights.
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
oops...
Doesn`t matter WHO he fights, it matter that Rypien is all of 5`11, 184lbs! I think that qualifies as a lightweight (considering Comrie is 5`10, 185lbs….), and the fact that he fights REAL fighters like Brad May just proves that he`s the baddest….
Unless you are talking experience and not actually ``fighting weight``.
Still, its pretty unanimous around the league that Rypien is a little guy that`s not to be F`d with….
by LastSonOfKrypton on Sep 4, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If anything, him being married to Hilary Duff means that my friends here are finally hearing about the Pens for the first time… Even if it is in passing… and barely at all… in fact, it’s like a footnote… BAH!
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
I’m surprised to hear so much about Hillary Duff. I really didn’t think (not being mean) that she had that much of a career. I thought I had heard she did a spot on one of the Law and Order shows, which usually isn’t a sign that you’re still on the a-list.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
She’s not really all that famous anymore, but she was absolutely huge for about 6 years. Her career is sort of coming back, but you can tell that she wants to do more mature roles and isn’t willing to go back to the kid’s stuff. I admire her for that (basically code for “I’m not a sell out and I’m not going work on a piece of shit movie for the money”).
That doesn’t mean that the paparazzi doesn’t still follow her…it seems like there’s always pics of her. More magnified because her and Comrie got married less than a month ago (congrats to the couple, btw!). Trust me, if we were to have a celeb wife on our team, you’d want it to be Hilary Duff. She’s a level-headed girl who just doesn’t do scandalous things. I might even be brave enough to say that Pittsburgh might even like her.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Cool, sounds promising. I, too, can respect her for not just doing the same old thing that made her famous to begin with, and wanting to grow as an actress and all that.
This from someone who has basically been in the same position with the same company for the last 12 years.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
You are very lucky!
To have been with the same company for 12 years!!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 4, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, well, we’ve been “for sale” for the last year or so. Not sure how it will shake out if that ever happens. We’re kind of big, though, so the list of potential buyers is pretty short.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
she’s been in some pretty awful movies lately, though. but i agree, if we had to get a “celeb wife”, it’s nice to have someone who isn’t absolutely insane.
we're not trading jordan staal.
Yeah, but that’s probably because they’re low budget than anything.
Over the past three years, she’s been in low-budget indies mostly. In more adult roles, too.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
In more adult roles, too.
I misread that the first time through and started getting maybe a little more interested than I should have been.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
OMG.
I don’t know whether to laugh or….
Ok, fine…lol!
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I remember when I was in grades 4-8ish all te girls were in love with her and/or Avril Lavigne. I hadn’t thought of it this way before, but if I were to pick a Hannah Montana of my generation, I’d choose her
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Oh yeah she basically was Hannah Montana 5-10 years ago.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
My thought exactly.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol no not me!
haha, I just remember her being famous back then.
I am young, though.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
makes me wanna have a real childhood… I missed those Duff/Lavigne days and went straight for Bon Jovi, Springsteen, the Ramones & ACDC…
I was the only 8 year old in my school who knew the lyrics of Highway to Hell…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
no offense Justin but I’m 21… Kids my age were nuts about the Backstreet Boys then…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
Lol I remember that!
It was only fast and furious for about 2 years though.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
What I mean is that when I was in 4th grade, I totally skipped over what was popular with the kids and moved on to what my dad listened to. At the time, New Kids on the Block were all the rage. I couldn’t have cared less. :)
I am not going to tell you what grade I was in when I decided that I didn’t care about MJ’s Thriller album …
Ummm. Mr. Burke? Could you maybe hire some forwards?
I saw that video when I was 4.. and had nightmares for days
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
4th Grade
When I was in the fourth grade most of the kids were into Romper Room and Capt. Kangaroo, not me. I was into the Bee Gees and Saturday Night Fever. Disco dhanged my life forever.
“You can tell by the way I use my walk, I’m a woman’s man no time to talk….”
Junior High
When I got in the 7th grade I started to listen to the Bronx’s party music that would eventually blow up with in the next decade. My 2 favorite’s were a) “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel”, which ironically wasn’t a rap song, but just DJ Flash tearin’ it up. And b) “It’s Nasty” by Flash & The Furious Five.
People call me crazy, people call me sneak
Just because I’m nasty, they call me a freak…
I have no idea how I got into classic rock… It wasn’t family that’s for sure… But I took a lot of crap from my classmates for not liking, say, Britney Spears…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
plus my teachers were concerned about me listening to rap… Taught me how to swear in ways 9 year olds in my country didn’t… lol
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
I moved from New Kids at 8 to Guns N’ Roses at 11. Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 had just come out and MTV Asia had been launched. Once I got a hold of Appetite For Destruction, I was a fan for life. Listening to music at hockey games brings back great memories.
yeah it does… especially when they break into AC/DC staples like TNT…
For some reason, not of lot of people in Singapore here even recognize Springsteen’s music…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
No shame in that, the best times of your life will be in the first quarter of it. Besides, whenever you screw up, you got a built in excuse “oh they’re young, they’ll learn”. That shit don’t fly in your 40’s, believe me-I know.When you’re older it’s just" …asshole!…
Lol but I wasn’t in 4th grade ten years ago!
Yeah, I am young, but I wasn’t in 4th grade ten years ago. I will say this, I’m younger than Sid.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Sid and the 80's
Yeah about that. Sometimes I feel a bit weird rooting for my favorite player when I realize he has no memory of the 80’s. Very weird.
Lol…I don’t really have that problem, as you can imagine.
At least your favorite player is pretty good, huh?
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I wasn’t in grade 4 10 years ago either (more like 7… I know big difference), and I guess I’d be lumped into the same generation as Hannah Montana’s fans,,,
the way I see it, if yu’re older than me, you’re old; if you’re older than Sid, you’re ancient ;)
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
12th… Hmm, I should check my math. I was in grade 8 when Sid got the triple trophies.
Ah, the crappy math was my mistake, I skipped grade 6 so I didn’t count it
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Senoir Year!!!!!
Big year, hah? You got your prom, pick a college and all that other great stuff. Anyway, enjoy it because you’re only young once.
Or, go a different route and see how many drugs you can get into your system and still function at a relatively high level.
On second thought, go with what Lindas1st said.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
I’m still lost on college/university though :(
So much to do, so little time (although I can imagine I’ll miss this time when I’m older)
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Holy Crap!,
I remember the six team league. In which, by the way, I was a Leaf fan. That’s why the first game I saw at the Civic Arena back in 69 was against the Leafs.
Now, where the hell is my walker?
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
Now, where the hell is my walker?
LOL, Yeah Right.
I’m not that old, I do have vague memories of Bobby Orr though.
You can't remember!?
That’s thw first sign of old age…..
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
"the"!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
the way I see it, if yu’re older than me, you’re old; if you’re older than Sid, you’re ancient ;)
If it wasn’t for our common interest in the Pens/Sid I would clearly be the irrelevant creepy old man to you.
Hey, ancient people can be cool too. But then sometimes they tell me weird stories, like how a long time ago there were apparently years that started with “19”..
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Most of us
On this blog are………ancient, then.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
like how a long time ago there were apparently years that started with "19"..
I literally el oh el-ed at this.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
I had to give you a thank you present for all your LOL moments, didn’t I?
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
Thank you!
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
An interesting article by Josh Grove of The Globe and Mail on Mike Comrie, including details about his career thus far and quotes from himself and his wife. Take a look if you’re as bored as I am and will read anything that is even remotely hockey-related to pass the time between now and the start of training camp. Link provided by James Mirtle via Twitter.
Good read, and I’m actually kind of relieved that it was mono and not an injury that made him miss so much time last season.
That was my thought exactly. And the recovery time on that for the typical person would likely be shorter, but seeing as how the spleen swells with mono and Comrie was throwing his body around in hockey games, the recovery time was probably a bit longer to just be on the safe side.
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Yeah, true, but even a guy who doesn’t check often should wait a long time before returning just in case he gets leveled at some point. Either way, better mono than a knee or shoulder.
Agreed. I think this is also a reason behind his interest in taking a low salary this season. He doesn’t have much to really bank on over the past few years that would warrant a bigger salary.
Well, that and the fact that his wife makes like, $200 million a year.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Well, that and the fact that his wife makes like, $200 million a year.
Plus, his father is the founder and majority owner of “The Brick,” a major furniture outlet store up here in Canada. His family is estimated to be worth $500m right now.
In fact, Mike Comrie is worth so much that he had his lawyer draw up a prenup for Hilary to sign, not the other way around.
by Hatt the Moople on Sep 4, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, cool, we do financing for The Brick. I’ll be waiting for those luxury suite tickets to start trickling down any day now ;-)
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, man, I’m going to miss that. I wonder if the team held on to some of those seats behind the bench. They still have the Line Change VIP Experience this year, but that only specifies seats “near the opponent’s bench”.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Not at all, but the key in the past was they had those packages that included seats behind the bench, and if the package didn’t sell, then the seats would appear on ticketmaster the day (sometimes 2) before the game.
So now it’s a question of whether or not the team still has any seats right behind the Pens bench, and then with the new arena and all, it becomes less likely (I think) that the package would go unsold, especially given the lack of weekend games this year.
Another big blow for me was suite 66. I got to know the guy who owned the seats right next to the bench, but now those seats no longer exist because that area is part of suite 66.
It’s a tough year for those of us coming in from out of town. We only have 6 Saturday home games and 3 of those are in January, including the Winter Classic. Combine that with my wife’s on-call schedule, which sadly is going to prevent us from making the back-to-back Thanksgiving weekend games, and I’m probably only looking at making 10 games this season.
On the bright side, I’ve locked up tickets for 4 games so far, including the WC, and I was happy to find that tickets behind the visitor’s bench in Raleigh were fairly cheap and easy to get.
For those of you who live across the country/world or can’t make it to games for various other reasons, I’m sure I sound like a very, very spoiled fan. You’re right. I am. I apologize for whining about it. I guess you’ll have to put up with me for more game threads this year.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hell, I live about half an hour away, including traffic, and I still can’t make it to more than a couple games a year. I figure, if you got it, flaunt it.
I’m just taking advantage of how lucky I was to marry someone who loves hockey, the Pens and road trips. Also, making up for the years we spent in Phoenix where there was no real hockey.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
You Lived in Phoenix?!?
Me too, unfortuntely…..uck. worst place on earth.
But I did meet my husband there. Oh, and he agrees with you—the same—he married someone who LOVES
Hockey.
I guess great minds all think alike.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, that’s funny…yes, lived there 5 years and LOVED it, but I can see how some would feel differently about it.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 5, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Ohh, I loathe the heat.
Just hate high heat extremes but can deal with the cold and snow with no problem.
One Who Lives And Breathes All Things Penguins
by PensFanInDenver on Sep 5, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope you’re right. I had a fairly serious case of mono in my early 20s and while I was over the worst of it after about 3 months, it still took me about a year to start feeling ‘normal’ again.
Of course, I wasn’t a professional athlete surrounded by trainers, doctors and nutritionists, so there’s that. And he did start back with regular season play at the end of January, so hopefully by now he is fully recovered.
Here’s hoping!
Ummm. Mr. Burke? Could you maybe hire some forwards?
Welcome back to the wonderful world of electricity!
.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 4, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Comrie at 3C?
Evgeni Malkin might serve as a right winger this season.
With Mike Comrie signed and capable of centering the third line, the Penguins are believed to be seriously considering moving Jordan Staal up to the second line to play with Malkin.
That’s a change Malkin is reportedly looking forward to, even if it means shifting from his natural position. Malkin did spend the better part of the Penguins’ 2009 Postseason run as a right winger and he went onto score 14 goals and 36 points en route to being named the Playoff MVP. He also served as a winger for Russia in the 2010 World Championship. Stay tuned.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Related: Jordan Staal
Honestly, I think it’d be a waste to have Comrie at 3C when he can play a position that we’re so short on (wing).
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
agreed… he can easily slot on the LW on one of the top two lines…
You have to see it for yourself...
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