Question of the Day: Who is your favorite non-superstar Penguin player throughout history and why? (i.e. No Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, Malkin level players allowed)
over 1 year ago
Hooks Orpik
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It was tough to even narrow it down to five for me.
-Brooks Orpik (duh)
-Jiri Slegr
-Matt Barnaby
-Martin Straka
-Gary Roberts
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
To go into it further, I have his Pen’s Jersey…I loved the way he got under player’s skin, and still wouldn’t back down from a fight…He also every once an a while he showed a glimpse of skill that was surprising. I totally modeled my play after his style for a few years when he was on the Sabres…That’s before I was forced to become a stay-at-home defenseman (defenceman). cough cough no talent cough cough
"Let the Rabbits wear glasses"
Great choices
My list also includes:
-Tom Sandstrom
-The Kovy/Lang/Straka line
-And Nils Ekman for some reason. I was never sure why.
by Mario's Mullet on Sep 9, 2010 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m a big fan of righthanded, puck-moving defensemen with numbers in the 50s:
55 Larry Murphy
56 Sergei Zubov
58 Kris Letang
Not sure of specific reasons other than that I really like their game and back when I used to play street hockey I definitely patterned my play after #55 and #56.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 1:51 PM EDT reply actions
Also love dudes with sick wristers, so Kovalev and Nedved make the list.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Darius Kasparaitis
hands down.. just loved his attitude and toughness. not to mention the way he destroyed Lindros.
honorable mention goes to the SUPERSTAR himself, Max Talbot. Love the toughness, grit, heart etc etc not to mention he seems like a great guy off the ice. Of course there’s that whole game seven of the finals thing too.
Kasparaitis juuust missed the cut on mine.
Loved the effort in every single shift. He busted his ass every game and that’s what I remember even more than the splashy knockout hits.
Kaspar’s OT Game 7 goal on Hasek is probably a Top 5 highlight in franchise history, at least in my eyes. Other than Cup clinchers, I can’t remember feeling much better after a goal.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Darius Kasparaitis
Dude he was the man. That game seven against buffalo unforgettable
I don’t know if Sergei Gonchar and Tom Barrasso count as superstars…if not, then they would be my favorites. But if they are classed as stars, I’d go with Rob Scuderi, Ziggy Palffy and Joe Mullen.
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http://marcyhockey.blogspot.com/
They were definitely stars, but not on the level of 66,68, 71, 87, so I think you’re safe picking them.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Love this thread...
1. Ulf Samuelsson
2. Rob Brown
3. Brooks Orpik
4. Ian Moran
5. Shawn McEachern
Honorable Mentions – Zarley Zalapski and Darius Kasparaitis
Zalapski…does the name get any better?
Kasparitis…Who can forget the OT goal VS Buffalo?
by Wags24 on Sep 8, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Takes some guts to put Ian Moran up there he had some brutal games….
But then again, I always felt bad for him because they had no one better than him and Moran always had to play a little above his level and look pretty bad at times against the other team’s #1 players.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I put Moran because...
I just loved the guys attitude. He was a squawker and I loved it. When they had him mic’d up on Fox or whatever it may be, those bites were awesome. Just liked the guy.
by Wags24 on Sep 8, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Jan Hrdina
Jagr’s personal assist(ant). Jagr was my favorite player so I guess I can include Kip Miller too.
I thought about including Jiri Hrdina since he was so helpful to Jagr in the beginning.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody here...
Wish we hung on to Mikael Samuelsson? He would surly be a nice addition to this team now. Who would have known.
by Wags24 on Sep 8, 2010 2:18 PM EDT reply actions
You win...
I know Fleury lets up softies, but you can’t win unless you have a good goalie and he is one that is for sure! I’ll take Fleury. Samuelsson would have most likely priced himself out of Pittsburgh by now anyway.
by Wags24 on Sep 8, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Having only watched for 5 years, I don’t have much “history,” but I’ll say Bill Guerin. Acted like the team’s cool uncle, wicked uppercut he’s not afraid to use (2 fights in a row last season!), capable of really clutch goals. And the fact that he’s funny, has a nice voice, and isn’t hard to look at doesn’t hurt in the slightest.
I didn’t even think of Brooks Orpik as a non-star, but to non-Penguins fans, he is. Definitely the most valuable defenseman on the team. Good leadership capability, honest without being completely tactless, and of course, the hits keep on coming!
"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 victories and drown defeats.
What's this???
No votes for MILAN KRAFT?
Goodness I kid!
by Wags24 on Sep 8, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe that’s the next question: which player never panned out that you really thought was always on the verge of it.
(And if anyone wants to recommend any questions, feel free to post ideas here or email me: Hooksorpik at gmail. Seems like most are enjoying these and gives us something different to talk about until training camp.)
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Least favorite Pens of all time?
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
My answer to Hooks’ question and your follow-up question:
Aleksey.F*cking.Morozov
by Link_Gaetz on Sep 8, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You don’t Morozov? Are you kidding me? I loved the Devil killer. I’ll never forget that game in 2003 when he scored a goal in overtime and kept pointing to the Penguin on his chest with pride, regardless that we were the worst team in the league and the win snapped some five- or six- game losing streak. The pride he showed in our team was awesome.
My least favorite Penguin is a tie between Shane Endicott and Eric Meloche
by Mario's Mullet on Sep 9, 2010 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions
For me...
Bob Errey – He was always solid
Also like,
Brooks Orpik
Larry Murphy
Rob Brown
Not sure if Recchi & Kevin Stevens might be considered “stars” for this lists.
No offense to 8 and 25, but if they are stars that shouldn’t be included, then HOFer Murphy eclipses them big time.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess all three are kind of border line, but after checking with Referee Mills Lane; I’ll allow it!
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
LOL
I thought you set the bar pretty high with the four names you mentioned in the original post.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
My favorite hockey player, whose name isn’t Artus Irbe, is Kevin Stevens and I was a huge fan of him coming back even after becoming a coke head. If I had to pick less of a star I’d say Ulf Sammuelson
by Steve In on Sep 8, 2010 2:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Matthew Barnaby sticks in my brain as one of my favorites too
by Steve In on Sep 8, 2010 2:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ulf…nice, surprised it took this long for him to be named (though now I see that Wags24 named him above, but whatever).
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 8, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Your mom is my favorite role-player.
by French for The Tang on Sep 8, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions
Weak sauce. You have less game than candymanfan44, and that is saying something.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
No reason to bring my fellow defenseman, the Candyman, into this.
by French for The Tang on Sep 8, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
BOB ERREY
Why?
Because he’s just that awesome.
There are two theories on hitting a knuckleball - unfortunately, neither of them work.
One of my favorite Mike Lange goal calls
91 Cup clinching game:
“And Bob Errey scores for the first time since the 8th grade picnic!”
by RuthenianCowboy on Sep 8, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I always try to avoid picking current players with this sort of thing. I guess I feel they’ll have their chance to be picked once they’ve served their time.
Well, in that spirit I’m going to have to jump on the Ulf bandwagon.
If I were to include current players, I’d probably have to go with #44, although Talbot definitely deserves honorable mention.
What can I say? I like tough guys who will do whatever is necessary for the sake of the team.
Recchi. Easy for me.
Talbot because he is clutch when you least expect it and, when he’s not, he’s a guy that you want on your team for the PK and locker room presence.
Brooks Orpik. Do I even have to explain?
Jarrko Ruutu. On the ice he was an absolute pest. Off it, he was a leader and (dare I say it) a bit of an intellect?
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
Kasparaitis
Morozov – OT winner against Carolina when he showed off his Jersey logo was sweet. Its on youtube
Robert Lang
Hedberg
Nice Morozov pick!
I might reference to that instance in the comment section above to a few people that hated Morozov. I tried finding the link for this video but I couldn’t. I know it’s out there because I’ve seen it before. Do you happen to have it?
by Mario's Mullet on Sep 9, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Great Q, Hooks,
I gotta go with Darius Kasparaitus for the past….
and Kris Letang for the future….
by LastSonOfKrypton on Sep 8, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
I grew up a Lemieux fan. However, I didn’t watch many games in the early 90s, as I was still in elementry school. Therefore I’m going to have to pick guys that play today.
I am a big fan of MAF. He seems like a really funny guy, and I’m jealous of his athleticism.
I also like Pascal Dupuis. He seems like he’d be an guy that’s easy to talk to. Plus dude can grow one mean playoff beard.
From Pittsburgh
(I’m on the left)
I dont know if you guys would consider Staal a superstar
but id pick him or tyler kennedy or maybe barnaby
"HOLY JUMPIN!"
1. Ulfie
2. Staalsy
3. Kaspar
4. Koon
5. Free Candy
by stoopidtom on Sep 8, 2010 9:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hmm
Keeping in mind that I’m a relatively new Pens fan, in order:
- Roberts (though it’s mostly because of his time as a Leaf)
- Staalsy
- Max (does he count as a superstar?)
- Flower
- Army
My only justification is that I love them and I don’t really care about their stats because, well.. I love them
"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.
also
Gonch.. he’d probably go just above Flower
"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.
Definitely Kasparitis!
I didn’t have much opportunity to watch pens in the 90’s (before satellite&cable andliving in upstate NY) but judging from what I know now… I’d have to say Errey and Caulfield
Got Crosby?
Katie300
by katie300 on Sep 8, 2010 9:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Colby Armstrong. I wish there was some way we could get him back..
"Great Balls of Fire".....Mike Lange
Lol I loved Army, but for the $3 million he’s making, no way in hell.
So when's October you ask? Well, here's your answer.
1. Bob Errey
2. Joe Mullen
3. Larry Murphy
4. Paul Coffey
5. Ulf Samuelson
*Honorable mention – Gonchar, Kovalev, and Orpik
"I've always been very open in my desire to come to come to North America and be one of the best here." - Geno
I suppose Ron Francis is a superstar (or at least he should be), but he was always my favorite Pen during the 90s.
I like Joe Mullen a lot, too, because he skated with those short, quick strides and had a great shot. If he was 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, he could’ve been one of the greatest scorers of all time.
Of recent players, I always like Erik Christensen for some reason. He could do almost anything with the puck (except for score).
Chris Bourque and Brent Johnson (well done, BJ, nice inside job).
I really like Ron Francis, but truth be told I never even knew he was a Pen—for as long as I’ve been into hockey he was a Hurricane. I like Letang’s game quite a bit (except OTs in the playoffs in the second round). Scuderi I liked a lot too. Conklin too. Guy could really sport the hat in the WC.
I’m not sure if you’re serious. He didn’t know Ronnie Franchise won 2 Cups with Pittsburgh and his favorite Penguin is Chris Bourque? ;-)
(Just kidding, RAL. I know you know your stuff).
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 9, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Oddly Enough
How about Shean Donovan? Nicest guy I ever met while he was a Penguin… worked his ass off. When you were a student rush regular, going to get post-game autographs nightly, after a while the signatures got to be worth a little…
Ference always came out with extra sticks for the girls and younger fans, which was nice.
Joe Melichar, Moose Hedberg, and some of the others would always take some extra time out to sign, pretty much every night.
But Shean Donovan’s the one guy who just stopped and had a hockey conversation with me… and, at that time, it meant a lot. Was only for a couple minutes, but when it’s with an NHLer, that’s a big deal to a high schooler. He’ll always be high on my list.
So, basically, from memories and enjoying their on ice play, has to be a mix of:
Tyler Wright
Johan Hedberg
Shean Donovan
Max Talbot
Robert Lang
by Stephen Catanese on Sep 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
No Beranek? No Kippy? No Flying Ferraro brothers? For shame
No but seriously, Donovan was a cool guy, I always respected him too. I remember I went to a practice one time and he totally wiped out (didn’t have the best balance) and then some dude was chirping Donovan on it when he was signing afterwards. I couldn’t believe that.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Why you gotta bring up Josef?
Always classy picking on someone for a practice blunder… Donovan was so highly regarded hitting the NHL, for how mediocre his career has been on a whole, that has to be a pretty grounding experience. I can’t imagine something like that wouldn’t impact him in a way that, when someone actually shows some genuine interest and respect for his ability, he wouldn’t be at least a bit appreciative.
by Stephen Catanese on Sep 9, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Current era: Talbot, Ryan Malone
Era I grew up with: Joe Mullen, Paul Coffey (though he probably doesn’t count, being in the HOF), Ulfie
P is for Latrobe.
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