Free_Candy

In one respect, the comparison between the 08 Wings and 16 Pens is correct -- not on paper or matchups -- the 08 Wings were probably the strongest roster in recent memory. But the 16 Pens won in very similar fashion in the series: held serve at home, split on the road, were unable to win the Cup at home but did win it on the road in game 6. The Sharks also reminded me of the 08 Pens in terms of lack of experience showing, especially in the first 2 games. You guys know as well as anyone -- there is hockey, then there is playoffs hockey, and then there is Cup Finals hockey. By the time SJ found their legs it was too late and probably not enough anyway. I was pulling for Phil to win the Smythe, just because the guy really put up with a lot of crap and got snubbed by USA hockey, and I liked the idea of him getting the last laugh. But I don't think the media was willing to buy into that, though I doubt he cares about that at this point. In many respects, an often overlooked dark horse in my book, at least how valuable he is to the team -- is Letang. He really is like a rudder for the team and the Pens often follow suit with how he does in a game, and they struggle a great deal when he's not in the lineup.

My condolences to Wings fans and the Wings organization on such a huge loss. Rest in Peace, Mr. Hockey.

For some reason being back in the finals brought back the memories of 08 and 09 and thought I'd stop by and say hello. Surprised so far the Sharks haven't really brought it the way you guys did back in the day. The first couple of games, the Sharks reminded me of the way the Pens were the first couple of games in 08 where they were a bit stunned by the experience of being in the finals and forgot what to do... But it ain't over until Bruce Boudreau sings. "You are making an ass of yourself for all eternity! You are going and handing them the 2x4 to beat you with!" Never forget.

Meh. Good luck guys. My expectations are almost nil. We'll play...somebody, lose composure, and Bylsma will stand there with this blank look on his face and just parrot the same old "We didn't get to our game" s***. Please beat the Bruins if you play them. Thanks.

He got injured in the last game, not really sure what happened. There was a play where he was tripped up, went into the boards got up pretty slow. He's scratched with an unspecified upper body injury. Bylsma is supposed to address it after the game, which basically means we won't learn anything new. hahaha

Our Top 4 D are out...I expect an enjoyable game for you guys, have fun

Toby I think you make some good points, to be honest. From his perspective as a veteran in his last days who has just lost a critical playoff game, he was likely feeling really disappointed and probably didn't feel like blowing sunshine up everyone's butt. I guess it is what it is. But I expect the Sens won't just roll over and die. The Pens haven't been all that great at closing a series at home in recent years, for what it's worth. But then again they have been playing a much calmer and more focused game with Vokoun in net as opposed to Fleury and reducing some (but not all) stupid habits, maybe that trend for us will change this year. I guess we'll see.

http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-5&id=250467&cmpid=embed-share-video You guys should see MacLean's presser. It was about 20 seconds long and really something else. I like him though. And he did seem to show more fight and resolve than Alfie did. Jeez..

Probably just me as your friendly neighborhood Pens fan... but I just check in here and other team forums from time to time to get other fans perspectives on the league and game so I don't know if I count.

That Tocchet fight is a classic. Jaw, what jaw? Crosby was in good spirits. Not having to wire it shut is good news for him. I personally don't believe in karma, not in this life anyway. If it existed, somehow a guy like Lafontaine would have had more luck than he did and his name on the cup several times, because as far as players go, he is as good of a person as they come. Sometimes s*** just happens. Like when Orpik tries to shoot the puck. If he aimed for Sid's head he'd probably put up Norris numbers.

Probably one of those Rick Tocchet do dads when he gets back.

The well wishes are appreciated, I'm actually pleasantly surprised to see that. There's a number of players in the league that I'm not a fan of but wouldn't want to see them hurt. For me personally I can't get too worked up about what people say about a player but I draw the line at injuries. They're still living, breathing human beings. From all I've heard his teeth pretty much just got annihilated, the surgery was for his teeth (yes, many "oral" jokes abound) Didn't hear anything about a break in the jaw (that is what worries me most right now) but they would likely want to take precautionary measures with the concussion as well though I am hoping that's not going to be an issue. The guy may as well just go and make the full turn to heel and just come back with a damn grill, hopefully that's all it will come to.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/penguins/penguins-land-seasoned-forward-iginla-681335/ This article talks a little bit about the timeline in Pittsburgh that day. Feaster apparently had given the Bruins the impression that they had a deal, but Pittsburgh was still very much in play and still negotiating with the Flames and waiting to hear back from them. At some point, Chiarelli requested permission to speak to Iginla to pitch for the Bruins, but Feaster declined and told Chiarelli they wanted to give Iginla space. I'm not sure why the gun would be jumped by the GMs here (scratching players, thus stirring up the media) when the negotiation process amongst all three clubs involved was still ongoing, and most of all it's a player with an NTC and they have the final say. And with the media reporting early and erroneously on this, it got a lot uglier than it needed to be.

For me it sheds a whole new light and perspective on what had gone on with Hossa in 08. At the time I understood his decision, but felt a little miffed that he had indicated an interest in staying with Pittsburgh and gave people that impression but ended up going elsewhere. I think what I didn't understand at the time was that players aren't always trying to just "screw GMs over" -- they are looking out for themselves just as much as GMs look out for their team. I guess now I can understand that Hossa just wanted what was the best choice for him at the time but wanted all of his options open if possible.

Hello everyone, from your friendly neighborhood Pens fan. Maybe you guys can help me out here, I recently got in a very bizarre discussion with another Penguin fan about what NHL teams were the most popular in Sweden. He is an American expat that lives in Sweden, I just have in-laws there but visit from time to time. He told me that after the Rangers (especially Lundqvist) -- that the Pens had the biggest following, even moreso than the Wings. I suspect he is mostly basing this on wherever he happens to be and perhaps his local experience. But I think that sounds completely absurd. It would seem to me that the Red Wings would be the most popular team in Sweden, given that there are a lot of Swedes that have been on your team, especially Lidstrom. Everytime I ever happened to be in Sweden and they had hockey highlights on TV the Wings got a lot of coverage, understandably so. But I think he just had this "well I *LIVE* here, YOU just visit, you don't actually know" kind of attitude that got on my nerves, but whatever. I could see the Rangers having interest, but he acted like the Wings weren't even on the radar in his experience and that just didn't make any sense to me at all. Now maybe you guys and especially some Swedes even on here that can help me out. Anyway this question is going to drive me nuts because what I've been told flies in the face of convention and looking at it doesn't make any sense. (But I can finally get back to work now that I got that out of the way.) Thanks (tack så mycket)

That's why he didn't make any sense. Many teams that have exposure and success are going to get fans, but I would expect someone to particularly enjoy watching someone from their own country play on a team. We haven't had any Swedes since about 07. But whatever. He was a dick.

That makes sense, thank you. He made it sound like the Wings weren't all that popular in Sweden but it always seemed to me that there still would be a following. I had spoken to a couple of Pens fans in Sweden and even they mentioned the Wings popularity so I guess that's why I was confused. The generational shifts would certainly make sense as well.

Say "howdy" to Jaromir for me. (Contrary to the avatar's jest, I still like the Old Mullet King) but beat his team and bring me a smile.... Happy Hockey New Year and good luck

Just stopping by to offer well wishes for Helm and hope he has a fast but good recovery.

Nothing is guaranteed, key injuries, Fleury getting tired or sloppy D could cause problems. And if the Pens have to face the Flyers in the first round they will make life miserable.

I'm doubtful that any particular incident set Crosby back. The collision with Kunitz banged up his knee and there wasn't any contact with the head. Most people suspect the Krejci elbow but to me it seemed pretty garden variety. In any case, he was not re-concussed, which is good. Seems to me the more likely scenario is the symptoms from the previous one returned when he was back in full game speed taking on hits and contact from opposing players rather than just teammates. As what he suffered in January was pretty bad, having a setback the following fall probably shouldn't be a surprise. He's apparently still having problems with his balance, for what it's worth. The media, especially in Pittsburgh, always stirs up a bunch of s*** and blows things out of proportion when they don't get their Crosby fix, but really there isn't much to say if there's no updates to give. It was especially bad this week, Crosby finally gave an update and said something along the lines of these things always coming up when a team is losing...that and he said something along the lines of the media and people caring so much only because the Steelers lost, which I thought was pretty funny. Last night, in response to the rumors and media (and one article in particular) all the players came out on the ice in practice with a "C" taped on their jerseys in support of Crosby, which I thought was a nice gesture. Seeing guys do things like this when times are harder and uncertain mean just as much to me as the times they're winning games and scoring highlight reel goals. For those of us that have followed the team long term, it always seems like things are either really really great OR really crappy. I'm still pretty concerned about him and it's a frustrating situation for everyone, but there's not much you can do, really. I'd be very sad if he has to hang up his skates but he has the rest of his life to think about. He's spoken to a lot of older players that had suffered several concussions and if I were in 87's position I'm more inclined to listen to them than anyone else on the matter.

Haha, I don't really hate Jagr, I had that up before he signed with Philly, just some picture I found online. The coincidence is pretty funny now, though.

I am doubtful we will see him until after the new year, but would be surprised if he didn't come back before the playoffs. Though trying to pin down a timetable is pretty pointless as far as concussions are concerned. I find the recent developments pretty troubling as far as his long-term career is concerned and I'm not optimistic at the moment. I guess only time will tell.

Here I am! Nothing I can say on my end, really. Enjoy the game! LOL