...Is your team NOT playing? Don't Fret, we are here for you! ONLY 49 Days until UFA DAY '08.
Click on The RUMOUR Chart now to see over 140 potential free agents...
with real-time updates!
A few sources are telling me that Teemu Selanne to Montreal is a "very interesting and strong rumour" right now. I think it makes sense on many levels of course, but Saku I am quite sure is playing a major role.
Hainsey to Boston is also intriguing right now. A great fit
And Rozsival could be a great #2 in Tampa with Danny Boyle...
stay tuned.
from earlier today.
The Penguins are absolutely amazing me. The maturity level of Sidney is often talked about, but it isn't until you sit across from this guy at one of these press conferences in person that you see just exactly how "real" that maturity is.
It is not an act folks. I have talked to a ton of players from his age group, and ALL of them,even the incredibly mature ones like Mike Richards, feel like you are talking to someone who you would swear is younger than Sidney.
Many players of his age "say" all the right things, but have a hard time masking that "Bull Durham" scene where Tim Robbins is spewing off cliches he was taught. Some are better actors than others of course, but even players five-ten years Sidney's senior are often so obvious in the fact that they are playing "Mr. Hockey Guy" and saying what they are supposed to be saying.
Sid is NOT acting. I so would like to tell you that I can see some crack in his persona when he says he isn't satisfied or even pleased with being only the fourth team in NHL history to go 11-1 in their first 12 games of the playoffs....but I am telling you, as sure as eggs are eggs...I can't see that crack. His focus is so genuine. So oddly real. So rare. It is absolutely may be more amazing than his play on the ice.
The other quick note I wanted to mention is that that I am amazing by the coaching on this team. You want to know that secret to what the Penguins are doing?
With all this firepower, all these young guns, all these skilled players.....
The Penguins are actually COUNTER-ATTACKING the Flyers. It is a remarkable strategy. And an amazing accomplishment to get these kinds of players to buy into it.
The Penguins aren't using their skill to attack like the Oilers of old that they so often are compared to. The Penguins are allowing the FLYERS to dictate the play.
And the Flyers are afraid to do so.
The Penguins know that a team can't forcheck if it is afraid to pinch.
That a team can't dump and chase if they can't forecheck.
And a team can't rush the puck through the neutral zone if they are being trapped.
The Penguins aren't forechecking at all. How many times have you seen Malkin waiting at the blue line for the Flyers outlet passes and picking them off.
The Penguins are playing the style that we come to expect from teams who feel they are outclassed and have to wait for the other team to make mistakes and hope that they can score off of the turnovers.
And this plays right into the Flyers game plan right now. Coach Stevens is very big on getting his players to ALWAYS make a play. The Flyers defense use their boards less than any other team in the NHL. The Flyers work the puck up the center of the ice. That style works amazingly well against teams that are also in attack mode like Montreal or Washington.
The Pens scouted the Flyers to a T. The Flyers all year were awful against teams that trapped them, especially teams that came into Philly and trapped them.
So here you have this Penguins team that is playing this patient game and counter attacking. But since they have all this skill, their counter attack is ridiculous in its potency.
And this explains why I felt the Flyers best period of the series was last night's second period. The Flyers were only credited with three shots, but they had 5 good scoring opportunities. And what was more impressive is they didn't attack the Pens and therefore allow the Pens to counter attack them...All very counter-intuitive, but you have to think outside the box when a team that logically should be firing at you on all cylinders is waiting for you in the Neutral Zone.
Great Coaching and Great Maturity on the Pens side.
more to come
TIRED OF THOSE AUTOPLAY ADS??
Support Hockeybuzz for $20 a year and they will vanish!
We only have them on the site to help pay for the site...However, there is a way to get rid of them.. Buy a
HOCKEYBUZZ SEASON TICKET BENEFITS AND HOW TO JOIN FOR ONLY $20 PER YEAR
You will also get all the other benefits like..Access to
The Rumour Chart , Free Fantasy Games, Insider Emails for Life, and More... Those of you who are already Season Ticket Holders, we thank you for all your support and keeping the site ALIVE. To see all the other benefits of becoming a season ticket holder (and the benefits continue to grow as you help us grow) go to
HOCKEYBUZZ SEASON TICKET BENEFITS AND HOW TO JOIN FOR ONLY $20 PER YEAR
Join the Discussion:
»