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Pens -- NOV 2019

Unfortunately, the B's largely leveled the ice in the 3rd......and worse, we didn't get the good 3rd period we needed from Jarry. Just a dirty shame to waste a period like that 2nd.
My question is now....who do ya start next game? Had Jarry stayed solid it woulda been an easy choice to put pressure on 30....now I don't think ya do it...my next question is, I assume we don't have enough $$$ available to recall Casey? ....don't get me wrong there, I think Tristan did a pretty good job in holding things for awhile but IMO Casey is the better goalie to push Murr....
 
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5 points for Rat......say what you will about him, you just don't see THAT happen very often in this League. Amazing how right things seem to go for him in the attacking zone.
 
My question is now....who do ya start next game? Had Jarry stayed solid it woulda been an easy choice to put pressure on 30....now I don't think ya do it...my next question is, I assume we don't have enough $$$ available to recall Casey? ....don't get me wrong there, I think Tristan did a pretty good job in holding things for awhile but IMO Casey is the better goalie to push Murr....

IMO, Murray...... after the Gudbranson trade, they could easily bring back DeSmith. But I doubt this will happen right now.
 
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Morning after......and I know everyone around here probably doesn't concur......but sure I'm hoping Letang isn't going to be joining Horndog on LTIR
 
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No word from Sully in his PC today on Letang......I'm inclined to think that's not a good sign.
 
A source close to the Pens (whatever that is) is claiming to PHN that GMJR is talking to Minnesota about Kevin Fiala. Deal is not said to be imminent, but talks supposedly are alive. Fiala just signed a 2 year/$6 million contract in September, but only has 2 points in 9 games thus far this season.
 
A source close to the Pens (whatever that is) is claiming to PHN that GMJR is talking to Minnesota about Kevin Fiala. Deal is not said to be imminent, but talks supposedly are alive. Fiala just signed a 2 year/$6 million contract in September, but only has 2 points in 9 games thus far this season.

not sure what the reasoning is here.

seems like a talented guy but not sure why the pens need him at this point.
 
Hey t, here's some news from DK which will impact your area of the universe:

Ulf Samuelsson's youngest kid, Adam, committed to the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. Samuelsson, 19, is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound defenseman. He began his freshman season at Boston College last season but left after seven games to play in the USHL, where he's also been playing this season
 
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Something a little OT from the Pens on an off day; in attempting to uncover a little more info on Ulf's son going to Sudbury, I dialed up the local newspaper.....the Sudbury Sun.....and came across the following anaysis on the Senators' (and Gene Melnyk's) financial issues. From a distance, I found it a compelling piece which answered a few questions for yours truly (and one which t is presumably very familiar):

Bagnall: Can Senators break early pattern of historically low attendance?

The loss of spectators represents serious money. Forbes estimates gate receipts accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the Senators’ $124 million U.S. in revenues two years ago, with television and radio rights, advertising and other revenues accounting for the rest.

The Senators organization is well aware that more fans are staying home. Melnyk noted that ticket buyers in coming weeks will be treated to “an enhanced experience” involving theme nights, live music and fresh offerings of food and beverages.

Assuming the Senators can get their paid attendance back up to at least 14,000 per game this year, that could still represent more than $5 million in lost revenue compared with the 2017-18 season. The potential losses might be smaller depending on what percentage of seats sold are in the more expensive rows closer to the ice surface.

Can Melnyk cover additional losses ?

In recent years, he has certainly been careful with his cash. The Senators’ payroll, according to capfriendly.com, is significantly below the amount permitted under NHL rules. A year ago, Melnyk aggressively sought an arrangement that would have seen him pay relatively little upfront for a new arena on LeBreton Flats. More recently, the Senators’ owner has been defending himself vigorously against a lawsuit launched this summer by a Connecticut casino that is attempting to recover $1 million US in gambling debts and related interest.

While Melnyk’s liquidity does not appear to be as strong as when he ran Biovail more than a decade ago, he’s not lacking in assets. He bought the Senators in 2003 out of bankruptcy court for a bargain $93 million US, and the team and arena are now worth an estimated $450 million US plus. Most years the Senators lost money, causing the debt to rise from $45 million US to an estimated $200 million US. Despite those losses, Melnyk has netted roughly $200 million US in additional assets during his tenure with the Senators.

Looking ahead, the Senators owner can also anticipate improved revenue streams from broadcasting rights. The NHL’s multi-year deal with NBC expires in 2021, and according to Forbes will generate substantially more cash for each team — up to $400 million US annually split among the 31 teams, or double the current arrangement. (Even more lucrative deals featuring Rogers Communications and TSN do not expire until 2025.) Melnyk can also look forward to a piece of the $650 million US franchise fee to be paid by Seattle, which begins play in the 2021-22 season.

All of which suggests Melnyk may be biding his time while rebuilding the team with inexpensive young talent
Except the slumping attendance figures suggest a somewhat obvious danger with this approach.

From the beginning, Melnyk has understood the national capital region is a tough sell for professional hockey. It’s a small market — one-quarter the population of greater Toronto — in which the biggest employer, the federal government, discourages its workers from accepting tickets to games. And Ottawa remains the only Canadian city without a downtown NHL arena.

Little wonder that Senators’ ticket prices are the lowest among Canadian teams.
Melnyk also suffers a political disadvantage compared with owners in other small-market cities. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson shares with his counterparts in Toronto and Montreal the conviction that municipal taxpayers shouldn’t contribute to NHL teams.

And yet, until recently, the team has consistently filled seats. The initial fan enthusiasm related to reacquiring an NHL franchise carried the team through the 1990s. By 2002-03, the Senators were attracting full houses based on talent. That season, the team led the league in the regular season in points and came within one game of reaching the Stanley Cup finals.

That was also the year the Senators slipped into bankruptcy for reasons that had nothing to do with on-ice performance. When Melnyk acquired the team and arena for a song in August 2003, a Cup seemed just a matter of time. Led by captain Daniel Alfredsson, the Senators had a profound connection to the community.

The team topped 100 points in 2006-07 for the fourth straight season — when more than 19,000 fans filled the stadium on average each night. That was the year the Senators reached the finals only to lose to the Anaheim Ducks. It would be the last time the team topped 100 points in the regular season. It has yet to earn another spot in the Cup final.

Enthusiasm ebbed. Trips to the playoffs were no longer a given. Alfie left in 2013. Then, in 2016-17 the fans began to drift away
Melnyk did not help his cause by musing late in 2017 that he might consider moving the team to another city if the economics became a “disaster.”

In his email Tuesday to this newspaper, Melnyk distanced himself from that sentiment, noting, “I have been very clear about my commitment to the city and the hockey club,” adding that “I plan to be in Ottawa for the duration of the journey towards winning a Stanley Cup.”

Assuming he does stay, it may take a little time for Ottawa residents to look past the collapse this year of the Rendezvous LeBreton partnership — selected by the National Capital Commission to remake LeBreton Flats with an NHL arena as its centrepiece.

Last February, 69 per cent of Ottawa residents surveyed by Ekos Research Associates said they believed Melnyk was “very responsible” for the impasse over the development of LeBreton Flats while just 38 per cent felt the same was true of Melnyk’s then-partner, John Ruddy.

Whether that’s a fair perception or not is beside the point. In a small market such as Ottawa-Gatineau, many things have to go right for the franchise to succeed. It starts with a solid, real connection between the team and its fans, and this includes players, managers and owner. The team must also offer an experience worth making the drive to Kanata, one that at least offers hope the wins will come.

Those empty seats suggest hope is not yet there. But Melnyk remains convinced the fans will return “as they come to know this young team both on and off the ice.”
 
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Hey t, here's some news from DK which will impact your area of the universe:

Ulf Samuelsson's youngest kid, Adam, committed to the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. Samuelsson, 19, is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound defenseman. He began his freshman season at Boston College last season but left after seven games to play in the USHL, where he's also been playing this season
Hmmm...did he inherit his Dad's big brass knee? If so I'm a little concerned for my young Petes, seeing as they will meet up often this season. Btw both clubs are doing VERY well thusfar this year. Neck and neck with the DeGenerates along with Ottawa, whom I will see The hometown boys destroy this Sunday :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:....The East truly is a beast this year in the O....
 
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Something a little OT from the Pens on an off day; in attempting to uncover a little more info on Ulf's son going to Sudbury, I dialed up the local newspaper.....the Sudbury Sun.....and came across the following anaysis on the Senators' (and Gene Melnyk's) financial issues. From a distance, I found it a compelling piece which answered a few questions for yours truly (and one which t is presumably very familiar):

Bagnall: Can Senators break early pattern of historically low attendance?

The loss of spectators represents serious money. Forbes estimates gate receipts accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the Senators’ $124 million U.S. in revenues two years ago, with television and radio rights, advertising and other revenues accounting for the rest.

The Senators organization is well aware that more fans are staying home. Melnyk noted that ticket buyers in coming weeks will be treated to “an enhanced experience” involving theme nights, live music and fresh offerings of food and beverages.

Assuming the Senators can get their paid attendance back up to at least 14,000 per game this year, that could still represent more than $5 million in lost revenue compared with the 2017-18 season. The potential losses might be smaller depending on what percentage of seats sold are in the more expensive rows closer to the ice surface.

Can Melnyk cover additional losses ?

In recent years, he has certainly been careful with his cash. The Senators’ payroll, according to capfriendly.com, is significantly below the amount permitted under NHL rules. A year ago, Melnyk aggressively sought an arrangement that would have seen him pay relatively little upfront for a new arena on LeBreton Flats. More recently, the Senators’ owner has been defending himself vigorously against a lawsuit launched this summer by a Connecticut casino that is attempting to recover $1 million US in gambling debts and related interest.

While Melnyk’s liquidity does not appear to be as strong as when he ran Biovail more than a decade ago, he’s not lacking in assets. He bought the Senators in 2003 out of bankruptcy court for a bargain $93 million US, and the team and arena are now worth an estimated $450 million US plus. Most years the Senators lost money, causing the debt to rise from $45 million US to an estimated $200 million US. Despite those losses, Melnyk has netted roughly $200 million US in additional assets during his tenure with the Senators.

Looking ahead, the Senators owner can also anticipate improved revenue streams from broadcasting rights. The NHL’s multi-year deal with NBC expires in 2021, and according to Forbes will generate substantially more cash for each team — up to $400 million US annually split among the 31 teams, or double the current arrangement. (Even more lucrative deals featuring Rogers Communications and TSN do not expire until 2025.) Melnyk can also look forward to a piece of the $650 million US franchise fee to be paid by Seattle, which begins play in the 2021-22 season.

All of which suggests Melnyk may be biding his time while rebuilding the team with inexpensive young talent
Except the slumping attendance figures suggest a somewhat obvious danger with this approach.

From the beginning, Melnyk has understood the national capital region is a tough sell for professional hockey. It’s a small market — one-quarter the population of greater Toronto — in which the biggest employer, the federal government, discourages its workers from accepting tickets to games. And Ottawa remains the only Canadian city without a downtown NHL arena.

Little wonder that Senators’ ticket prices are the lowest among Canadian teams.
Melnyk also suffers a political disadvantage compared with owners in other small-market cities. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson shares with his counterparts in Toronto and Montreal the conviction that municipal taxpayers shouldn’t contribute to NHL teams.

And yet, until recently, the team has consistently filled seats. The initial fan enthusiasm related to reacquiring an NHL franchise carried the team through the 1990s. By 2002-03, the Senators were attracting full houses based on talent. That season, the team led the league in the regular season in points and came within one game of reaching the Stanley Cup finals.

That was also the year the Senators slipped into bankruptcy for reasons that had nothing to do with on-ice performance. When Melnyk acquired the team and arena for a song in August 2003, a Cup seemed just a matter of time. Led by captain Daniel Alfredsson, the Senators had a profound connection to the community.

The team topped 100 points in 2006-07 for the fourth straight season — when more than 19,000 fans filled the stadium on average each night. That was the year the Senators reached the finals only to lose to the Anaheim Ducks. It would be the last time the team topped 100 points in the regular season. It has yet to earn another spot in the Cup final.

Enthusiasm ebbed. Trips to the playoffs were no longer a given. Alfie left in 2013. Then, in 2016-17 the fans began to drift away
Melnyk did not help his cause by musing late in 2017 that he might consider moving the team to another city if the economics became a “disaster.”

In his email Tuesday to this newspaper, Melnyk distanced himself from that sentiment, noting, “I have been very clear about my commitment to the city and the hockey club,” adding that “I plan to be in Ottawa for the duration of the journey towards winning a Stanley Cup.”

Assuming he does stay, it may take a little time for Ottawa residents to look past the collapse this year of the Rendezvous LeBreton partnership — selected by the National Capital Commission to remake LeBreton Flats with an NHL arena as its centrepiece.

Last February, 69 per cent of Ottawa residents surveyed by Ekos Research Associates said they believed Melnyk was “very responsible” for the impasse over the development of LeBreton Flats while just 38 per cent felt the same was true of Melnyk’s then-partner, John Ruddy.

Whether that’s a fair perception or not is beside the point. In a small market such as Ottawa-Gatineau, many things have to go right for the franchise to succeed. It starts with a solid, real connection between the team and its fans, and this includes players, managers and owner. The team must also offer an experience worth making the drive to Kanata, one that at least offers hope the wins will come.

Those empty seats suggest hope is not yet there. But Melnyk remains convinced the fans will return “as they come to know this young team both on and off the ice.”
Oh ya, much of this has full merit...my Sens buddies have knives for Gene like never before.
And ya sure Gene...Phil Kessel hot dog specials, with a concourse 4 piece Jazz band may work in Zona but in Ottawa??? LMFAO. Best of luck with that fella...what a dumpster fire he has turned that franchise into...
 
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Toronto do you remember these Kessel moments?
Oh I sure do! I actually can stand Phat Phil a lot more than most. I remember the daily media grenades thrown his way here. Some fair and some not so much. It was that bozo Jerkie Burkie that cast him in a position he was plainly NOT built for.
Torts lol what a wank....and Ilya actually humoured me an awful lot with his interviews over the years...particularly his feelings on the Cosmos or telling the media how garbage he was lol.
 
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Oh I sure do! I actually can stand Phat Phil a lot more than most. I remember the daily media grenades thrown his way here. Some fair and some not so much. It was that bozo Jerkie Burkie that cast him in a position he was plainly NOT built for.
Torts lol what a wank....and Ilya actually humoured me an awful lot with his interviews over the years...particularly his feelings on the Cosmos or telling the media how garbage he was lol.
Having torts as a coach. Not sure what would be more entertaining the game or his press conference.
 
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Well, here comes the game everyone has been looking toward.......right ?? Anyway, if you were wondering, here's the basic bio on the Isles' current winning streak:
  • FLA 3-2 OT at Uniondale
  • STL 3-2 OT at Uniondale
  • WPG 3-1 at Winnipeg
  • CBJ 3-2 OT at Columbus
  • ARI 4-2 at Uniondale
  • OTT 4-2 at Ottawa
  • PHL 5-3 at Uniondale
  • TBL 5-2 at Uniondale
  • BUF 1-0 at Buffalo
  • OTT 4-1 at Brooklyn
Wouldn't say it's been a run through a powerhouse schedule with two wins versus the Senators; but wins over STL and TBL plus wins in WPG. CBJ, and BUF seem representative enough. Meanwhile, after tonight's game, the Guins and Isles play again twice the week after next (NOV 19 and 21).

No word yet on his availability tonight in Brooklyn, but Dave Molinari reporting that Letang appeared to be walking without any "apparent difficulty".....though he qualified the comment with a "whatever that's worth". Letang evidently did not skate this morning; meanwhile, Murray is expected to be in goal.
 
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Hey brothers, have any of you out there cut the cord and stream TV? I’m trying to find Root/AT&T on a streaming service.
 
I hear you. I literally watch nothing on TV except Hockey so I grew tired of paying Direct TV money. I was hoping ATT would offer a streaming service since I use them mobile.

I have no idea bro. I hate the thought of giving up tv as I know it.
 
I hear you. I literally watch nothing on TV except Hockey so I grew tired of paying Direct TV money. I was hoping ATT would offer a streaming service since I use them mobile.
Could be worse I have the NHL Centre Ice package to the tune of $250 a year plus my regular cable package price in order to get the Pens...not only that I get the freakin Isles broadcast crew tonight? Who the heck are this chick and dude ? I've never seen em before in my life...my ears are gonna bleed I can feel it lol...
 
Hey brothers, have any of you out there cut the cord and stream TV? I’m trying to find Root/AT&T on a streaming service.

I could be convinced I'm wrong, but I've seen NO evidence whatsoever that AT&T Sportsnet is available anywhere as a streaming service. From everything I know, it's 100% broadcast.
 
Who the heck are this chick and dude ? I've never seen em before in my life...my ears are gonna bleed I can feel it lol...

No clue who the PbP guy is, but the gal sounds like Deb Placey......she's been doing Islanders/MSG TV for at least a decade.......though I could have sworn I read she left MSG for the NHLN.
 
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good lord.
Ya that second one was as weak as they come on what SHOULD be his strong point. I'm not sure what's goin on with him these last two...he is right outta sorts imo though and better find it quick. As well as the team in front of him who are equally responsible....gsus man. I don't think we see the same bam, bam, bam we did in Btown the other night in 3 here....disturbing.

Here is an idea? Give the keys to the building back to the kids that were playing with some jam....
 
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I think they're still moving their feet pretty well, but there's just something about this Islanders team......the Trotz system.....and borderline mistake proof defense and goaltending.....that just gives the Pens fits.

Meanwhile, we just heard the broadcast gal is this AJ Mleczko, who also did some of last year's Pens-Islanders playoffs for NBCSN
 
I think they're still moving their feet pretty well, but there's just something about this Islanders team......the Trotz system.....and borderline mistake proof defense and goaltending.....that just gives the Pens fits.

Meanwhile, we just heard the broadcast gal is this AJ Mleczko, who also did some of last year's Pens-Islanders playoffs for NBCSN
Well...she sounds like a robot that has smoked for 40 years...it's awful.
 
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