Buckle down here in the 3rd boys and get us a playoff spot...never know what can happen but admittedly a tall order....
OT: Sid has been workin his a$$ off tonight...
- Thread starter torontoeers
- Start date
Sid worked and worked and worked. Got to give him credit. He tried to pull this team out of the funk the last 4-5 games. Too many guys not willing to work as hard as he does. Not expecting much against the NYR. But you never know if MAF can stand on his head, there is a cbance
Playoffs is brand new season. Unlike the NBA, the Stanley Cup Playoffs is unpredictable and intense, upsets tend to happen.
Penguins should also get back Pouliot and Ehrhoff. They will be without Letang but at least they get 2 back so the defense should be better.
And the Penguins have went into past 5 seasons being favored in most seasons, only to flame out and do nothing.
Last time the Penguins had no home ice advantage? 2009 which was same year they won the Cup
Penguins should also get back Pouliot and Ehrhoff. They will be without Letang but at least they get 2 back so the defense should be better.
And the Penguins have went into past 5 seasons being favored in most seasons, only to flame out and do nothing.
Last time the Penguins had no home ice advantage? 2009 which was same year they won the Cup
Playing with 5 defensemen no doubt led to the third period collapses the last 14 days or so. But my God even with the defensive issues the lack of intensity from 6-7-8 of their forwards was disgusting to watch. I never saw a Penguin team where Sid didn't make his line mates better. Sure Hornquist had a pretty good year but his lack of movement and his straight line skating made him an easy mark. Perron is just a mess lately. Same for Kunitz and that issue was made worse simply because he doesn't get close enough to the cage most night to grab a dirty goal any longer. With his lack of speed and lack of desire to do the dirty work, he adds nothing to the team.
Any idea why Adams was sitting? At least the dude works hard and hits. It's likely his last year. I would have liked to see him get a few a few more shifts. Last night he dressed and never saw the ice. As he was the 13th forward. Friday he had one shift in the PK. I doubt we see him dressed again as Lapierre has taken his role on the PK.
Last night and against Ottawa the Pens didn't have 20 hits. Last night Sid had one of the biggest. That's telling isn't it?
Johnston is dead man walking unless they upset the Rangers.
Any idea why Adams was sitting? At least the dude works hard and hits. It's likely his last year. I would have liked to see him get a few a few more shifts. Last night he dressed and never saw the ice. As he was the 13th forward. Friday he had one shift in the PK. I doubt we see him dressed again as Lapierre has taken his role on the PK.
Last night and against Ottawa the Pens didn't have 20 hits. Last night Sid had one of the biggest. That's telling isn't it?
Johnston is dead man walking unless they upset the Rangers.
Was in the car last night and didn't see the game.....though I listened to most of it on XM. Sounded to me they took full advantage of playing the worst team in the League, and were simply fortunate the schedule maker gave them someone they could actually beat.
Of course, we all know there's nothing about this particular team which indicates they can even win a single game versus the Rangers, let alone beat them 4 out of 7. I guess we'll all fall-back to the "anything can happen" mantra, while trying to concurrently convince ourselves that a middling MAF can single handedly steal the series.
Now, don't misunderstand; I'm not giving up on them.....and will root for them as I've done my whole life (especially versus any of those miserable NY teams). But, even in light of the injury and bad luck issues with which they've has been dealing, I just can't come up with a scenario that has them winning a single game against the NYR; that is, unless the Lord all-of-a-sudden decides he's a Pens fan.
Meanwhile, check out the attached from this morning's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by columnist (and former long-time Pens beat writer).....and to Pitt fans, infamous WVU grad/homer.....Rob Rossi. He's a pretty-renown Pens homer; making this (by his standards) fairly-scathing piece about their behind-the-scenes far more troubling than what we've seen on the ice the last month.
Linky
Of course, we all know there's nothing about this particular team which indicates they can even win a single game versus the Rangers, let alone beat them 4 out of 7. I guess we'll all fall-back to the "anything can happen" mantra, while trying to concurrently convince ourselves that a middling MAF can single handedly steal the series.
Now, don't misunderstand; I'm not giving up on them.....and will root for them as I've done my whole life (especially versus any of those miserable NY teams). But, even in light of the injury and bad luck issues with which they've has been dealing, I just can't come up with a scenario that has them winning a single game against the NYR; that is, unless the Lord all-of-a-sudden decides he's a Pens fan.
Meanwhile, check out the attached from this morning's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review by columnist (and former long-time Pens beat writer).....and to Pitt fans, infamous WVU grad/homer.....Rob Rossi. He's a pretty-renown Pens homer; making this (by his standards) fairly-scathing piece about their behind-the-scenes far more troubling than what we've seen on the ice the last month.
Linky
So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Guess this clears the Leafs' track to give Babcock and his agent both the keys to their safe, and 20 blank pages on which to write whatever contract language they want/need in order to run the team both on and off the ice. I'm also wondering if they'd go as high as 5 years $30 million US in order to ensure Buffalo, Detroit, and Philly were all trounced in the upcoming bidding war.
Of course, neither of those other 3 teams have an opening at both GM/Director of Hockey Ops and HC.......though Pittsburgh could potentially have both.......and I don't think Babcock is going anywhere only to be a HC. Meanwhile.....and not that anyone asked me.....it wouldn't surprise me if Dan Bylsma ends up as HC in Buffalo, especially if Conner McDavid is in their pocket.
Guess this clears the Leafs' track to give Babcock and his agent both the keys to their safe, and 20 blank pages on which to write whatever contract language they want/need in order to run the team both on and off the ice. I'm also wondering if they'd go as high as 5 years $30 million US in order to ensure Buffalo, Detroit, and Philly were all trounced in the upcoming bidding war.
Of course, neither of those other 3 teams have an opening at both GM/Director of Hockey Ops and HC.......though Pittsburgh could potentially have both.......and I don't think Babcock is going anywhere only to be a HC. Meanwhile.....and not that anyone asked me.....it wouldn't surprise me if Dan Bylsma ends up as HC in Buffalo, especially if Conner McDavid is in their pocket.
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
I think they'd be foolish to not at least offer a more than competitive bid...BUT, still hearing Babcock and Shanahan hate each other...can Shanny put his feelings aside and do what's best for the team? Also wondering what about Mark Hunter in the GM spot? I believe this is why he was hired initially (to wait in the wings)...If they don't offer him the spot now...how long will he wait? People around here are dancing a jig today...mind you many of them are the same one's that were singing the praises, and riding the Nonis 'express' for years...amusing to watch from the sidelines for this guy lol....
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Now that you mention it, you MAY indeed have told me previously that Shanny and Babcock didn't have any use for one another. OK, then what about a package deal of Ray Shero and Disco Dan in Toronto ??
Now that you mention it, you MAY indeed have told me previously that Shanny and Babcock didn't have any use for one another. OK, then what about a package deal of Ray Shero and Disco Dan in Toronto ??
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Lol...those days are starting to look absolutely jovial compared to what we're dealing with now...I hope Botterill gets a fair chance for the position should it come available (seems like a smart fella when I hear him chat in the interviews)...was reading your post on the other thread and it sure seems as if wholesale change is on the way doesn't it....I must say these injuries have been devastating however...what team could compete with 3 or 4 of their top D out for months? Need a BIG sandpaper winger still...have ever since Stevens imo...
Lol...those days are starting to look absolutely jovial compared to what we're dealing with now...I hope Botterill gets a fair chance for the position should it come available (seems like a smart fella when I hear him chat in the interviews)...was reading your post on the other thread and it sure seems as if wholesale change is on the way doesn't it....I must say these injuries have been devastating however...what team could compete with 3 or 4 of their top D out for months? Need a BIG sandpaper winger still...have ever since Stevens imo...
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Milan Lucic ??? I think he's at least 33% overpaid at $6 million US; but the Pens have nothing even remotely like him (unless you want to count a MUCH smaller Steve Downey).
But Lucic is most likely Boston's most likely trade candidate this off-season; I just can't figure out how the Pens force the B's to take Kunitz (along with whoever else) to make the deal.
Milan Lucic ??? I think he's at least 33% overpaid at $6 million US; but the Pens have nothing even remotely like him (unless you want to count a MUCH smaller Steve Downey).
But Lucic is most likely Boston's most likely trade candidate this off-season; I just can't figure out how the Pens force the B's to take Kunitz (along with whoever else) to make the deal.
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
BINGO there...I think he's got some gas left in that tank...he turned it up a bit by mid season...I hate him, which is exactly why I want him, and I keep hearing he is on the block for the right price. BTW how satisfying is it seeing the B's on the outside looking in?!?...
To read this thread I'd think that some of you don't believe The Kid had been putting out 100% effort before last nights game.
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Meanwhile. have you heard about the rumored late season fights in the Kings locker room ?? Apparently, Lombardi confirmed it earlier today.
Amen.....the world is a better place when the almost incredibly self-righteous (and I realize the rest of the hockey world feels this way about the Penguins) Bruins and their pain-in-the-ass fans are dead and buried off the side of the road in the ditch. Still bothers me, however, as to how much the hockey media has been suffering this season for the Bruins, while they can't stop yukking it up when the Pens have similar problems. Of course, in the ditch is the best place for the Flyers and their offensive fan baseOriginally posted by torontoeers:
BINGO there...I think he's got some gas left in that tank...he turned it up a bit by mid season...I hate him, which is exactly why I want him, and I keep hearing he is on the block for the right price. BTW how satisfying is it seeing the B's on the outside looking in?!?...
Meanwhile. have you heard about the rumored late season fights in the Kings locker room ?? Apparently, Lombardi confirmed it earlier today.
I think the effort has been there....just at this point with a paper thin supporting cast and the chips are down it's good to see or perhaps more noticeable to see the Captain gives a crap...now I HOPE the fire in his belly can outlast the pounding the Rangers will surely deliver...
This post was edited on 4/13 7:53 AM by torontoeers
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
Saw the comments from Lombardi...kinda strange a year after winning the Cup imo? He sounds as though he's personally defeated, and regrets his decisions to lay out all that cash? The Richard's and Brown contracts certainly seem awful at this juncture!Originally posted by COOL MAN:
Amen.....the world is a better place when the almost incredibly self-righteous (and I realize the rest of the hockey world feels this way about the Penguins) Bruins and their pain-in-the-ass fans are dead and buried off the side of the road in the ditch. Still bothers me, however, as to how much the hockey media has been suffering this season for the Bruins, while they can't stop yukking it up when the Pens have similar problems. Of course, in the ditch is the best place for the Flyers and their offensive fan baseOriginally posted by torontoeers:
BINGO there...I think he's got some gas left in that tank...he turned it up a bit by mid season...I hate him, which is exactly why I want him, and I keep hearing he is on the block for the right price. BTW how satisfying is it seeing the B's on the outside looking in?!?...
Meanwhile. have you heard about the rumored late season fights in the Kings locker room ?? Apparently, Lombardi confirmed it earlier today.
Re: So long, Dave Nonis, it's been good to know you
I wonder where MR will end up, since now we all now.....and as the Horton for Clarkson deal confirmed.....there's a taker somewhere these days for pretty much any contract.
The Richards contract was ludicrous when the Flyers gave it to him, and I was shocked the Kings took it (even though he did contribute to their first Cup). I always thought Dustin Brown was a pretty solid and stand-up guy from a distance; but his number looks almost.....but not quite.....as bad as Richards'.
I wonder where MR will end up, since now we all now.....and as the Horton for Clarkson deal confirmed.....there's a taker somewhere these days for pretty much any contract.
