NHL Playoffs '08

[.Walt]

sure we lost in 1991, but now we have our day in the sun. (this is the avatar)

[getinthevan]

I went and saw Death Cab For Cutie in Detroit and at the end of the show, we walk out into the street, right across from Hockeytown (big Red Wings sports bar) and there were people running down the street cheering and a growing mass of people in the streets watching the outdoor big screen at Hockeytown as the Wings carried the Cup around the ice.  Very cool moment that I'm glad I got to be apart of.

[joey_rogo]

Just read an article that 'hockey night in canada' is changing their theme song. :-/ I only had cbc for my four years in college and watched hnic every saturday. This comes as a shock to me. Cant imagine how I would feel if I had grown up with the show.

[brkndwnbus]

Detroit was the better team and there's no arguing that. They capitalized on every chance they had, while the Pens kept falling short. Two 5-3 chances and nothing to show for it. Detroit got off a ton more shots. It would be nice if this turned into a rivalry and a rematch next year. If the Pens can stay together, then expect them back a couple times in the upcoming years. It will be interesting though. Crosby took a smaller deal than he could have and when Malkin's contract comes up, the Pens can't pay him more than Crosby (at least they shouldn't) so who knows if he will stay. Re-signing Hossa would be key...very key.

[Jaimoe]

Just read an article that 'hockey night in canada' is changing their theme song. :-/ I only had cbc for my four years in college and watched hnic every saturday. This comes as a shock to me. Cant imagine how I would feel if I had grown up with the show.

Imagine how a nation that ties part of its identity to hockey feels by having some idiot at the CBC dumping an iconic song?

[capt. scotty]

Detroit was the better team and there's no arguing that. They capitalized on every chance they had, while the Pens kept falling short. Two 5-3 chances and nothing to show for it. Detroit got off a ton more shots. It would be nice if this turned into a rivalry and a rematch next year. If the Pens can stay together, then expect them back a couple times in the upcoming years. It will be interesting though. Crosby took a smaller deal than he could have and when Malkin's contract comes up, the Pens can't pay him more than Crosby (at least they shouldn't) so who knows if he will stay. Re-signing Hossa would be key...very key.

-DET was clearly the better team teh first 2 games, but I think the last 4 were almost dead even. Theyre going to outshoot anyone, so I dont necessarily judge by that

-I dont think they capitalized on many of their chances really, but we capitalized on almost none, esp our best ones at even strength. Our PP couldnt even control offensive possession half the time, and those 2 5-on-3's were killers.

-FA this year will be VERY interesting. Malkin and Fleury will clearly be resigned this offseason, and I say Malkin gets anywhere from 8-8.7 which is what Sids getting. But we have a lot of FA's this year outside of them - Orpik, Ruutu, Malone, Dupuis, Eaton, Hall, Laraque, Roberts. Obviously were not keeping all those guys. Id say Roberts retires, Laraque gone for sure. Malone, Orpik, and Ruutu will be hot commodities in that order. I think well def keep Dupuis at a cheap price, but Eaton's a wildcard since they proved they can win without him (Orpik staying or leaving may dictate this). Not to mention Staal is up next year (Id rather see them sign Malone and let Staal go next year). But obviously, the big wildcard is Hossa. Ive heard he hated ATL bc the fans were terrible - he likes PIT because its the opposite and he's playing with Crosby, not to mention he should be on a perennial cup contender if he stays here. Id say his play in the playoffs almost boosted his contract a mill a year, but the only way he stays here is if he takes a pay cut because of those above stated reasons. I think well offer him 6-6.5/yr, whether thats enough to keep him, well see. I def want him to stay in the Burgh

[ItStillJaimoe]

You'd let Malone stay over a 19 year old in Staal that has all the earmarks of being a superstar, not a quality role-player like Ryan? Teams don't trade players like Staal unless they know they can't resign him, and I think he'd resign for less money: those Staal kids are all quality too. Staal was Pitt's most consistent and reliable forward during the playoffs; he was the Pens' best defensive-forward by a mile, best faceoff man and best penalty-killer - all this from a kid that will only get better as he approaches 21 (you just don't find kids that can do all those things out of the gate). I knew the Hossa deal would handcuff the Pens if they didn't win it all - if you don't resign him, you essentially got nothing in the trade.

[capt. scotty]

You'd let Malone stay over a 19 year old in Staal that has all the earmarks of being a superstar, not a quality role-player like Ryan? Teams don't trade players like Staal unless they know they can't resign him, and I think he'd resign for less money: those Staal kids are all quality too. Staal was Pitt's most consistent and reliable forward during the playoffs; he was the Pens' best defensive-forward by a mile, best faceoff man and best penalty-killer - all this from a kid that will only get better as he approaches 21 (you just don't find kids that can do all those things out of the gate). I knew the Hossa deal would handcuff the Pens if they didn't win it all - if you don't resign him, you essentially got nothing in the trade.

No doubt Staal is great defensively, but he lacks the speed and shot to be an outstanding offensive player. Hes not Eric Staal. Id have a tough time saying he was out most consistent forward through the playoffs, but he def elevated his game. He only had 12 goals in the regular season, but had 4 in the playoffs. His point total actually went down by 14 from his rookie year as well (partially bc he had a ton of shorthanded goals last year). I like him, I just dont think hes worth over 4 mill at this point.

The Hossa deal essentially did what it was supposed to do. I think when it happened Shero even said he'd consider it a success if we made it to the Eastern Finals. Even if we dont resign him, Dupuis is better than both Christensen and Armstrong, Esposito apparently lacks work ethic, and the 1st round pick will be something like the 29th pick. I questioned it at first, but I didnt realize how good Dupuis was either. Like I said, Hossa likes playing here and wants to win, so its not out of the question we resign him at a discount. If we do, consider Malone, Orpik, and Ruutu all gone - but Id still do it if it came down to that (Though I really want to keep Orpik bc he's our only real physical presence on D and all our Dmen in the minors are offensive  :'()

[ItStillJaimoe]

Esposito is only 18 and is a junior star. He has lots of time. Staal is projected to be a better player than Eric (and don't forget his older brother Marc in New York was fantastic as a rookie this year). Don't forget he had a great offensive rookie year and is a legit power-forward; coaches don't rush kids like him, plus power-forwards often take 5 years to blossom (Cam Neely and John LeClair took 3-5 years before they broke-out). Staal's ice-time dropped off in the regular season for some reason this year not to mention his linemates were less than stellar in the talent department. Staal is a good skater though. Bad skaters don't play on the penalty-kill or average over 20 minutes per-game of ice-time in the playoffs. He's lanky, but wait 'til he fills out.

On a side note, CBC reported that Malone was seen crying after the final game in the dressing room, resigned to the fact that he likely played his last game as a Pen.

[capt. scotty]

Alright Jaimoe! well see how Jordan 'Birdman' Staal is looking in 5 years because despite what I said earlier, I think he will be a Penguin for at least 5 more years. And I didnt mention Marc because he's a defenseman, but Im somewhat surprised scouts expect Jordan to be better than Eric, though he probably already is defensively.

Similar to Hossa, but this time a hometown discount since Bugsy Malone is from Da Burgh, Im hoping Malone would resign with us for 2.5-3/yr rather than the 4-4.5/yr hell probably get, but since its likely his last opportunity for a big contract, im not counting on that. Signing Evgeni and Fleury make it difficult to begin with, but Hossa would guarantee. Either way, I wish Bugsy well

Edit to add: I dont care about Esposito. We already have 3 great centers (Staal being included  ;) ) so what, is he going to play on the 4th line?! I also think he was that last piece that was added to make the deal go thru, so fine by me

[ItStillJaimoe]

I love Malone. Every team needs one.

One more thing about the Staal clan, there's one more on the horizon: Jared Staal. He's 17 years old and just finished his second season with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL (coached by ex-NHL standout Mike Foligno).  Jared is expected to go in the 2nd round of this year's draft since he's a late-bloomer.

[capt. scotty]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3429820

Hossa, who had a team-high 12 goals during the playoffs, is likely on top of Shero's must-keep list. But Hossa also figures to be the most expensive free agent to re-sign, and that may make it difficult to give Malkin, Staal and Fleury the kind of money they could make on the open market.

A year ago, Sidney Crosby re-signed for less money -- an average of $8.7 million per season through 2012-13 -- to help keep the Penguins together. Hossa, who meshed so well with Crosby after being added at the Feb. 26 trading deadline, is willing to do the same thing.

Hossa expects his agent, Rich Winter, to start talking with Shero soon.

"I'd rather take less and play on a good team," Hossa said. "Hopefully, I can return here and be part of this organization but, with the salary cap, I know how hard it is. There's lots of players to be signed, so we'll see what's going to happen."

---------------------------------------------------------------

After a couple days of disappointment, this brought a smile to my face...as I said in a post a few hours ago, I really hope Hossa takes a discount to have perennial runs at the cup..And I really hope Shero doesnt disrespectfully lowball him

[ManNamedTruth]

You'd let Malone stay over a 19 year old in Staal that has all the earmarks of being a superstar, not a quality role-player like Ryan? Teams don't trade players like Staal unless they know they can't resign him, and I think he'd resign for less money: those Staal kids are all quality too. Staal was Pitt's most consistent and reliable forward during the playoffs; he was the Pens' best defensive-forward by a mile, best faceoff man and best penalty-killer - all this from a kid that will only get better as he approaches 21 (you just don't find kids that can do all those things out of the gate). I knew the Hossa deal would handcuff the Pens if they didn't win it all - if you don't resign him, you essentially got nothing in the trade.

I agree he'll keep getting better offensively, he's already well- rounded everywhere else. He shouldn't cost too much to keep either.

[Jaimoe]

Just read an article that 'hockey night in canada' is changing their theme song. :-/ I only had cbc for my four years in college and watched hnic every saturday. This comes as a shock to me. Cant imagine how I would feel if I had grown up with the show.

Imagine how a nation that ties part of its identity to hockey feels by having some idiot at the CBC dumping an iconic song?

This is fresh off the TSN wire: CTV (Canada's second biggest TV network) just bought the rights to the Hockey Night In Canada theme. What this means is that TSN will play the hell out of the song for every regular season and especially every playoff game, in essense, throwing egg in the collective faces of the CBC brass and employees of HNIC. Shame on you CBC. BTW, TSN is a parter with ESPN, so I guess whenever ESPN gets around to showing games again, they'll be able to use the song too. The thought of that make me sick.

[petemoss]

I'm with you man.
This, this is screwed up.
Don't get me wrong, I like Tsn.
But this is ridiculous.
CBC is slipping...I thought it was hilarious that RDS got more viewers for pretty much every Habs playoff game this year.
But dumping the HNIC theme song, and on top of that losing it to their rival?? What the heck were they thinking.
I feel sick too.
Pass the barf bag.

[Jaimoe]

The CBC was short-sighted and arrogant in thinking the song was untouchable. One thing that may have hindered them in the re-bidding for the song is that the CBC is government-funded, i.e., they use Canadian tax money for their budget. Of course this doesn't explain Air Farce's long run on TV does it?

[petemoss]

The fact is, eventually Don Cherry is going to have to retire. Then what are they going to have - a crappy nickleback cover and Kelly Hrudey????

[Jaimoe]

Don won't retire. He'll want to go out swinging, so they'll have to fire him.

[petemoss]

Don won't retire. He'll want to go out swinging, so they'll have to fire him.

heh heh, that was my polite way of saying eventually the ol bastard is going to croak...

[Jaimoe]

Don won't retire. He'll want to go out swinging, so they'll have to fire him.

heh heh, that was my polite way of saying eventually the ol bastard is going to croak...

Nope. He wants to go out with a good firing.