What Does the Mark Letestu Trade Mean for Sidney Crosby's Return?

by FrankD on Nov 9, 2011 10:23 AM EST

People have been talking about Sidney Crosby's return to the lineup all season long, but the recent Mark Letestu trade has certainly fueled a few more rumors that the roster move has created a vacancy for Crosby to return.

On Monday, two days before the Letestu move, Rob Rossi suggested Crosby would not be ready for a Friday return. Then again, Crosby also projected his typical candid maybe-so, maybe-not response:

"I haven't really thought about that. I've thought more about just getting through this week. (Playing Friday) is a possibility, just like the other however many games left there are (is a possibility)."

On Wednesday, moments after the trade, GM Ray Shero cut out any ties to Letestu's trade and Crosby's return:

"[The trade] doesn't affect anything [with Crosby]," he said. "I know people might read something into it. ... This isn't a precursor to anything imminent. Nothing has changed with [Crosby]."

Post-Gazette

Dave Molinari went on to add that although it's not being ruled out, there hasn't been anything said or done in the team's front office to suggest Friday is the day.

Given the Pens' history of not being very forthcoming with injuries or roster moves/intentions (after all - do they have to be?), we won't know if Crosby is ready to play until...Crosby is ready to play.

But hasn't that been the case all along?

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Even say Jeffrey and MacIntyre aren’t back from conditioning (they can only be there for 14 days)….Tyler Kennedy has been cleared on the baseline tests, has been practicing. I don’t even have to say that you never know with a concussion return, but all is pointing to TK coming back on Friday.

So even without Sid, a possible Friday lineup could look like:

Sullivan-Malkin-Neal
Kunitz-Staal-Kenendy
Cooke-Park-Dupuis
Adams-Vitale-Asham

Of course, if TK could not go, the Pens would have to bring back Jeffrey or possibly even give Tangradi the call.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Nov 9, 2011 10:42 AM EST reply actions

You're on a roll, Hooks.

Tangradi is getting the call.

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

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by wg1of5 on Nov 10, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

It’s interesting that even though the Pens are tight lip about Sid’s return, a rather large number of national media will be at the game. Of course you can say that it’s the match up of the best team in the west at the moment with one of the top teams in the East. Also the game will be on the NHL network, while their web site (NHL.com) has been the main source of unproven headlines suggesting Crosby’s return. Of course an increase in the TV ratings for this game wouldn’t hurt the NHLN

The Hockey Dr.

by Outcast on Nov 9, 2011 11:21 AM EST reply actions

intriguing observations indeed…

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Nov 9, 2011 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

The Flyers are trolling the Lightning’s 1-3-1 trap by not even entering the middle of the ice. Awesome.

by SlayerGhaleon on Nov 9, 2011 7:51 PM EST reply actions

1-3-1?

How exactly are they doing that? Someone on Facebook mentioned that too but didn’t explain.

Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying

by Dr Tre on Nov 9, 2011 10:30 PM EST up reply actions

One “forechecker” by the offensive blue line, three guys lined up between the red line and their blue line, and one defender in their zone ready to retreave dump ins.

Three separate times in the first period the Flyers d-men just stood in their own zone and waited for the Bolts to make a forechecking move, which they didn’t. Twice the ref just blew down the play.

I hate the Flyers, but respect them for refusing to play into Tampa’s hand.

In this video the defenceman held the puck for literally 29 seconds before the whistle blew. The other two times the defenceman at least skated around with the puck.

Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!

by The Malk-Man on Nov 10, 2011 1:08 AM EST up reply actions

Funny

But still, its not Tampa’s obligation to forecheck, but its the opposing teams obligation to try to advance the puck….

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 10, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

If the Flyers were winning it would be a different story…

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 10, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

True, but it’s Tampa’s obligation to sell tickets. Why they would do this to absolutely bore their home fans is crazy.

Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!

by The Malk-Man on Nov 11, 2011 2:35 AM EST up reply actions

If it gets wins, the fans will be happy though! I’m sure they enjoyed the Stanley Cups in NJ quite a bit, lol!

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 11, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Absolutely. The onus is on the home team to entertain their fans. Philly did good (euph.. saying that..).

by Skyff on Nov 11, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Kerry Frasier gives his take:

In his ‘Cmon Ref!’ column on TSN.ca, former ref Frasier broke it down from the ref’s standpoint:

i) The first time that a player abstains from advancing the puck I would shout at that player to move/advance the puck and if no movement results blow the whistle to conduct a face-off on the spot nearest to where play was stopped! (Rule reference: 72.1 – This would take place after no longer than 10 seconds of inactivity NOT 30 seconds.)

ii) Prior to the linesman conducting the face-off I would both go to the offending team’s coach at his players’ bench. This is what we would say, "Coach whether you hate the other team’s defensive system or not they are entitled to defend however they wish so long as their players don’t violate any rules while doing it. The team that has puck possession must advance the puck through continuous motion as per rule 72. Please advise your players to do so when they gain possession of the puck.

The next time (and each subsequent time) that we have to stop play because your team refuses to advance or play the puck a delay of game penalty will be assessed under rule 63! If you have any issue with this you can take it up with the League but right now this is how it is going to be. We are going to give you a moment to call your players over and advise them of our decision before we drop the puck so you can avoid a delay of game penalty if you choose.

iii) Make good on this promise if it were to recur. As the referee it is incumbent on us to enforce the current rules that are at our disposal to produce continuous action.

There is no rule in the book that dictates how a team must play defense or how they fore-check. There is a rule however that applies to the team that has puck possession.

iv) If the need results for us to assess a delay of game penalty and following that the coach protests from the bench (which I expect would happen) immediately assess a bench penalty. If the coach persists- eject him from the game!

This is how I as a referees in that game would have taken control of the situation and not let it get even close to the tidal wave that resulted. If we did our job, I am sure that the game and the fans would enjoy "continuous action’ ’

Pretty much how I saw it too…

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 11, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Though I must admit

that making offensive studs like Stamkos, St.Louis etc. play trap hockey is a waste of talent!

by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 11, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

I was watching that as well. It was rather amusing, but obviously not something anyone wants to see catch on. I believe the Capitals did this against Tampa last year (reg season), although not to the same extent.

by King Oskar on Nov 10, 2011 8:43 AM EST up reply actions