Hank 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 (edited) I'm tired of hearing all these 'experts' saying how the Penguins will win their division and probably have a shot at the Cup again. No they won't. They were lucky to have beaten us last year. We were physically and mentally drained from the previous season. Babock (and countless other coaches) have spoken about how winning the Cup makes for a short tiring summer because of the party's etc. And then when you start up you're reminded of how tough that climb is again. Pittsburgh will suffer the same fate. However, unlike the Wings, the Pens don't have nearly as much depth along the wings or defence. After their two 20-goal scorers in Kunitz and Guerin who's their next best wingers? 15-goal scoring sensations Fedentenko and Kennedy? OOOH! Yes, they have amazing depth down the center position (even though Staal is overrated), but their also thin on the blueline. After Gonchar and Letang they have a collection of 6th and 7th dmen. And lets not forget who just joined their division - Chris "F*** YOU" Pronger. How do you think Sid and Shrek are going to like tasting his elbows 6 times a year? You don't think that's going to wear on them? Or what if they meet them in the playoffs? I can't wait to hear Pens fans ***** and moan when they get to watch Pronger's 'physics' at work when he's body-slamming, elbowing or checking them into oblivion 80' feet away from the puck with no call. I know I had a blast watching Zetterberg receive more minor penalties than Pronger in last years 2nd round matchup with the Ducks. We're used to seeing that trash. Pittsburgh's players and their fans are going to have a stroke when they get to witness the Pronger double-standard in person. It also doesn't help that a lot of teams got tougher in the offseason while the Pens got weaker. Gill and Scuderi are both gone. That's quite a bit of sandpaper that flew the coop. I'm also not sold on Fleury being able to remain mentally stable for an entire year. In the end, I think Pittsburgh will make the playoffs but it won't be easy. And I see them getting bounced very early on in the playoffs. Too thin, too tired, and too many other teams got better around them. Edited September 30, 2009 by Hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMAC 25 18 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 i'm the same way. but others have to listen to the same thing about the wings but at least the wings continue to be dominent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 screw sucksburg,there i feel better now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 They won the Cup. It happens. At least the commercials this year will show us beating them, and will appear that we won! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 i'm the same way. but others have to listen to the same thing about the wings but at least the wings continue to be dominent That's the difference. The Wings suffered a bad 1st round exit after the lockout. But they've been near perfect the next 3 seasons. If not for fatigue and injuries we'd have 3 Cups in a row. Pittsburgh isn't nearly as deep as the Wings so I don't see them repeating this year. In fact, I'll be impressed if they even make it back to the conference Finals. The East isn't as defensively skilled as the West, but they're meaner. So unless the Pens draw an easy opponent in the 1st round it's going to be tough sledding. Imagine if they got Philly first? FINISHED. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 It better be hell on earth when they go into Philly, no matter how much some people here are slapping it to the flyers lineup if they don't get it done and beat the crap out of Pittsburgh it will all be for nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 All I see are excuses, they won the Stanley Cup last year. The core of their team is young and will be more mature and have more experience. They didn't make any big moves except in bottom pair defensemen, they gained Jay McKee which replaces Scuderi pretty well. IMO if they can overcome the Cup hangover there is no reason to believe they won't contend again this year. Guerin was acquired at the deadline and will have a full season of playing with one of the best play making centers in the game(Crosby). And you say Staal is overrated? Really? He is probably the best 3rd line Center in the game. Orpik is a very physical defensemen who plays a huge part in big games. Also about Pronger and Philly sure they got better but that's practically the only team and they sure haven't shown good playoff performances like Pittsburgh has, but New Jersey got worse, Rangers' season is gambling on a player made of glass, NYI are a good couple years away all in all I don't see what's wrong with picking the Penguins? Every fan in the NHL has to deal with the Wing's winning practically every year for the past 15 years, welcome to the real world where last years champion is still the best team in the league until next year's Stanley Cup Champion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Imagine if they got Philly first? FINISHED. That's the thing...Philly's basically building their team around the idea of matching up with Pittsburgh. I'm just glad that we don't have to deal with Pronger on a regular basis. Hate the guy, respect his talent. I say there's no way the Pens get by them three years in a row. Last year, I said that the Pens would be hurt from losing their best wings (Hossa, Malone) and I turned out to be right until they went out and got Guerin and Kunitz. This year, I'm saying that they'll feel losing Gill and Scuderi more than most people think. Scuderi did a great job on Ovechkin for a lot of that series, and Gill was frustrating for us to deal with. I look at their D right now and laugh at the idea that they might shut anyone down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 All I see are excuses, they won the Stanley Cup last year. The core of their team is young and will be more mature and have more experience. They didn't make any big moves except in bottom pair defensemen, they gained Jay McKee which replaces Scuderi pretty well. IMO if they can overcome the Cup hangover there is no reason to believe they won't contend again this year. Guerin was acquired at the deadline and will have a full season of playing with one of the best play making centers in the game(Crosby). And you say Staal is overrated? Really? He is probably the best 3rd line Center in the game. Orpik is a very physical defensemen who plays a huge part in big games. Also about Pronger and Philly sure they got better but that's practically the only team and they sure haven't shown good playoff performances like Pittsburgh has, but New Jersey got worse, Rangers' season is gambling on a player made of glass, NYI are a good couple years away all in all I don't see what's wrong with picking the Penguins? Every fan in the NHL has to deal with the Wing's winning practically every year for the past 15 years, welcome to the real world where last years champion is still the best team in the league until next year's Stanley Cup Champion. Yes Staal is overrated. He makes $4M to put up 45 points. And watching him on the ice his thought process is extremely slow. I couldn't give a crap if he's considered the leagues best 3rd line centre. Big freakin' deal. In the exhibition game on Sunday he was their best player. But he screwed up at least 8 quality chances from making poor decisions or hanging onto the puck too long. And when you consider he'll be dishing the puck to highly regarded players such as Matt Cooke or Pascal Dupius his threat as an offensive player diminishes even greater. I don't believe for one second that the Cup winner is automatically considered the best team in hockey when the next season comes around. It's a case-by-case scenario. I don't recall anyone singing praises for the '94 Habs. I recall New Jersey not even making the playoffs in '96. Pittsburgh is a solid team, no doubt. But they have a lot of holes. Guerin is old and will need Crosby to basically bank shots off his ass to score more than 30. They better rely on Fluery and a lot of PP goals to save energy over a compacted 82 games this year - not to mention the Olympics. If anyone truly believes that the Pens are still the favorite to win the Cup, I say put your money where your mouth is. Bet me a case of beer or $20 that they win their division or make it past the 2nd round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 I think the Pens will get a decent draw in the first round of the playoffs. In my mind the Pens finish top 4 in the East (with Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington). After those 4 teams it's kind of a log jam with the Rangers, Devils, Hurricanes, Canadiens, Senators, etc etc. It seems like each of the top four in the east should have an all right draw in the first round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 I think the Pens will get a decent draw in the first round of the playoffs. In my mind the Pens finish top 4 in the East (with Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington). After those 4 teams it's kind of a log jam with the Rangers, Devils, Hurricanes, Canadiens, Senators, etc etc. It seems like each of the top four in the east should have an all right draw in the first round. I agree. After the top 4-5 teams in the East the rest are garbage. In the West, it really doesn't matter what seed you are, you're a good team. From 1-12 the West is extremely strong. There aren't any Islanders, Lightning, Senators, Thrashers, Leafs in the West to beat up on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 I've had itr with the Sitsburgh lovefest. They will make the playoffs, but I see them no better than a 5 seed. They might squeak by in Round 1 but they will get bounced by hungrier, meaner teams in Round 2. They do not have the depth that will be necessary to return to the Finals. Their D and goaltending will be the big question marks. I am so looking forward to the Philly games. Please let Crosby skate towards Pronger with his head down. I can picture it already ala Kronwall on Havlat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 (edited) Hank are you a critic of Filppula as well? Both are paid to be shut down defensive centers, that provide secondary scoring. I'm not sure how you can't like a talent like Staal who already is a very good 3rd line center who scored a pivotal shorthanded goal in the Stanley Cup finals to help his team win a Stanley Cup at 21 years old? Am I missing something? Edit: I'll correct my statement that the Stanley Cup winner is the best team the next year isn't right, what I meant was they should still be considered strong contenders. Edited September 30, 2009 by Carman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yak19 303 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 They lucked out by playing a gassed Canes squad and not having to play (what would have been) a physically tolling series against the Bruins. Pens will be in the playoffs but they are not winning their division or the cup. No way they should be ranked in the top 5 in power rankings but then again most of these so called experts are on the buttman train and love their criesby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted September 30, 2009 I'm tired of hearing all these 'experts' saying how the Penguins will win their division and probably have a shot at the Cup again. No they won't. They were lucky to have beaten us last year. We were physically and mentally drained from the previous season. Whereas I don't see them repeating, simply b/c I gamble a s***load and that's a pretty fair bet historically, I do see them as being a great team again. Winning the Cup is hard as we all know. But Pitt has a couple of things going for them. 1. Fleury is good 2. Crosby and Malkin are very good and in the East, having those 2 scoring machines is big 3. Age It's one thing to recover from a long season when you are 34 or 39. It's another when you're 24 or 29. Crosby 22 Kennedy 23 Malkin 23 Staal 21 Talbot 25 Those legs are going to be fresh. And carry that offense. The oldest guy on their roster is Adams and he's only 32! Defensively, they don't have the high powered dcorps that carries the puck alot and is going to be all over the ice. They're very unspectacular as a group. Gonchar, Letang and Gogo will run the offense, McKee, Orpik, Eaton are stay at home. They're not going to be that run down. In the end, I still think they will have a hard time getting by Philadelphia. The Flyers have this intriguing mix of talent, size and toughness. But do they have any goaltending? The Caps have alot of O, not so sure about that rookie goalie yet. My pick for the East champs is still Boston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 The thing is the Cup does require a bit of luck in addition to a plethora of skill to win. The year that we won the Cup we were lucky. We didn't have to verse any of Calgary, Anaheim, Vancouver, or San Jose, and we ended up versing a depleted and worn out team (Dallas) who did have to go through those trials. When we made it to the finals we were still relatively healthy and energized. Pittsburgh was immature and wasn't capable of properly handling the pressure at that point so we steamrolled them. Fast forward one year and everything is totally different. We fought through an incredibly mentally and physically demanding Anaheim team early in the playoffs. The fatigue that we got in that round was given time to grow by versing Chicago before making it to the finals, and along the way the Wings suffered through some untimely injuries. Besides facing Washington, Pittsburgh didn't have much pressure in reaching the Finals (a bit like us two years ago), and were a more experienced team when they got there than a year before. Sure, on paper the Wings were the better team, but the Cup isn't handed out the team who is best on paper. The way I see it there are two types of teams in the nhl. Cup-competing teams and non Cup competing teams. All the Cup-competing teams are the ones that make the playoffs. From there, anything can happen, and a Wings fan should know this better than most. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Refs/league will favor them, plain in simple. I still don't buy the whole turnaround last year they had late in the season, and after watching their games during the playoffs and seeing the stat "least penalized" team it just doesnt add up for me. Ducks/Bruins/Wings were all better teams than the penguins last year.. in my opinion so was the caps if you break down that series. Im so sick of seeing refs make the"its the red wings what the hell" calls but let penguins slip on soo many things. Its BS and theres no reason to believe that any of it will change this year.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Refs/league will favor them, plain in simple. I still don't buy the whole turnaround last year they had late in the season, and after watching their games during the playoffs and seeing the stat "least penalized" team it just doesnt add up for me. Games Minutes Majors PIM PIM/G Pittsburgh 24 97 7 279 11.8 Detroit 23 86 6 224 9.8 Looks even to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Right and it shouldnt be even, their so undisciplined and play too much reckless "young hockey" too be the least penalized team or second least. Like i said it doesnt add up for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 The Pens had a lot of things fall in their favor last year. Everything from teams collapsing late in the season, that helped them go from 10th to 4th. Soft playoff schedule against tired teams. Lets face it, if they play NJ or Bos, they're not the defending champs. Playing against an injured Wings team. Getting lucky breaks. Even with all that falling in their favor it took them 7 games to beat us. With a Stanley Cup hangover, I wouldn't be that surprised to see them miss the playoffs. I doubt that'll happen, but it wouldn't it be sweet to see the Wings knock them out of playoff contention in that game in the Joe in March. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieY'sguy 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Refs/league will favor them, plain in simple. I still don't buy the whole turnaround last year they had late in the season, and after watching their games during the playoffs and seeing the stat "least penalized" team it just doesnt add up for me. Ducks/Bruins/Wings were all better teams than the penguins last year.. in my opinion so was the caps if you break down that series. Im so sick of seeing refs make the"its the red wings what the hell" calls but let penguins slip on soo many things. Its BS and theres no reason to believe that any of it will change this year.. Maybe the Caps and Wings really were the better teams than the Pens last year, but they sure showed they didn't deserve it by losing games 7 on their own ice.....Pitt has a solid top 4 D with Gonchar, Letang, McKee and Orpik, they are the best team down the middle in hockey and they have a good young goaltender. Their youth will no doubt help them as has been mentioned on here, and although everyone will be gunning for them they will most certainly make the playoffs, I see Boston as the only team complete enough to shut them down. Washington does not have any role players or leaders in their lineup and Philly has no goaltending. As far as Pitt not deserving it and having an easy road to the Cup, etc. The way I look at it is they had a MUCH tougher road than the 2008 Wings who had to beat decent Nashville, Dallas, and Colorado teams, then face a team full of inexperienced kids in the Finals with Pitt. Last year Pitt had to face an in state rival in a physical first round series, then played Ovie and the Caps and had to win that series in a game 7 ON THE ROAD, got a bit of a break with the Hurricanes in the ECF, but then had to beat last years wings team (which according to everyone here was apparently the best thing since sliced bread) in another game 7 ON THE ROAD for the stanley cup.....the 2009 Wings had a tougher path to the Finals than the 2009 Pens, i would agree...but the 2008 Wings certainly had an easier road to the Cup that the 2009 Pens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Pittsburgh won the Cup last season. They got a lot of young talent and things going for them. Of course they are going to be hyped up because they won last year, regardless of who the names are on the roster. It's obvious they get plenty of attention and I hate that they beat Detroit and the Wings had two chances in a row to win the Cup. But what's also pretty damn irritating is fans acting all bitter or paranoid and not accepting that their team lost or making up reasons why the other's team trophy is tainted for whatever reason, or my team was the better team because of A,B,and C or X,Y,and Z and the other team's champiosnship doesn't count because of that. Pittsburgh won. Detroit lost. It's as simple as that. NHL higher ups may have been rooting for Pittsburgh to win but there were no conspiracies or referees that cost the Wings the series are any of that b.s. Calls are going to be made/missed for both teams in a playoff series and officiating will always be inconsistent no matter what. None of that or the scheduling or other crap didn't cost the Wings the series. The Wings themselves blew it the final 2 games. Pittsburgh will probably have another good year in all likelihood. Whether that results in another deep playoff run or a Stanley Cup, who knows... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedisappearer 291 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 Stop with the sour grapes. They won, they are young, of course they are gonna be favorites to contend for the Cup. Who cares? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 4,951 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 at least we wont have to hear how the Sharks are the favorites any longer, eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
