You know when you go fishing you might want to use better bait.
- powerhouse

Not fishing, just stating what i think. I've enjoyed watching the pens from afar for along time. I only started to really dislike them when they fired/let go craig patrick and crosby cried that forsberg picked on him.

Thats a good point that you make, but being the time we live in and he knows how the media works i can't give him a pass on it. I can't deny his skill but to me he hasn't shown the leadership that's been written about.
- twotoekenn

He wears a letter for Team Canada, important decision makers in hockey disagree with you.

He wears a letter for Team Canada, important decision makers in hockey disagree with you.
- Gunner Staal

Purely political.
Can you honestly tell me he's a better leader than max talbot, who should still be a pen and the captain?

Purely political.
Can you honestly tell me he's a better leader than max talbot, who should still be a pen and the captain?
- twotoekenn

Like mentioned before, you need better bait.

I'd be in but Pitt is a few thousand miles and a passport away from me.
- Ben37

Appreciate the thought. It seems you're as far away from Pittsburgh as the NHL and NHLPA are as far apart from each other.

Tomorrow should be interesting, with lots of fluff. (Oops, I've tried to write as little about the CBA as possible.)

Appreciate the thought. It seems you're as far away from Pittsburgh as the NHL and NHLPA are as far apart from each other.

Tomorrow should be interesting, with lots of fluff. (Oops, I've tried to write as little about the CBA as possible.)
- the-mitch-wilsons

It's all nice and good that the nhlpa is so united this time around but what they are failing to remember is that they really have no leverage.

Like mentioned before, you need better bait.
- Gunner Staal

Thats great that you guys just want to drink kool aid and hitch your wagon to sid, but when you wake up and realize that he has flaws, let me know.

It's all nice and good that the nhlpa is so united this time around but what they are failing to remember is that they really have no leverage.
- Gunner Staal

Bettman even said today that the players were united in 2004-05, missed the whole year and look where that got them. Some of the ownership demands sound totally unreasonable and yet I still find myself backing them as much as I do the players.

Thats great that you guys just want to drink kool aid and hitch your wagon to sid, but when you wake up and realize that he has flaws, let me know.
- twotoekenn

of course he has flaws... very few people in pittsburgh can stomach the fact his face is splashed all over the websites and magazines. But he is without a doubt the best player in hockey (you can add in his position if you like). The crap about the "whining" is so stupid. People complain about sid talking to the refs... but he is the captain. start female dogin about how your captains arn't sticking up for your team enough. all the press he gets creates a staggering amount of jealousy. and the jealousy creates this image of him that is fundamentally untrue

On the topic of Capt Crosby, I kinda agree with the flyer fan. He was at his best as a captain when Roberts and Billy G were on the ice.

I think OV is a terrible capt because he is so individual, but that is what makes him great, his ability to make something out of nothing, and being Capt takes that focus away.

Orpik should be capt, he has no issues stating the problems of the team in the media and calling guys out, himself included, the most talented players are not always great leaders. Often they are sub par, due to not being vocal enough and being a follow my example kind of guy. Or like OV, just not built to lead. I think Crosby tries to lead by example rather than get up and make players accountable and to me with men, that is a leader, someone you respect enough to take poop from and still follow them to the trenches because you know they'll take the first hit for you.

On the topic of Capt Crosby, I kinda agree with the flyer fan. He was at his best as a captain when Roberts and Billy G were on the ice.

I think OV is a terrible capt because he is so individual, but that is what makes him great, his ability to make something out of nothing, and being Capt takes that focus away.

Orpik should be capt, he has no issues stating the problems of the team in the media and calling guys out, himself included, the most talented players are not always great leaders. Often they are sub par, due to not being vocal enough and being a follow my example kind of guy. Or like OV, just not built to lead. I think Crosby tries to lead by example rather than get up and make players accountable and to me with men, that is a leader, someone you respect enough to take poop from and still follow them to the trenches because you know they'll take the first hit for you.
- walshy66

Sid is a very good captain and now that he is in the locker room daily and able to compete it will be further solidified. Tough to lead when you miss as much time as he did. It makes for an awkward situation as other people try to step up and do a good job when there is an extended absence. When that player comes back it takes an adjustment period.

Sid is a very good captain and now that he is in the locker room daily and able to compete it will be further solidified. Tough to lead when you miss as much time as he did. It makes for an awkward situation as other people try to step up and do a good job when there is an extended absence. When that player comes back it takes an adjustment period.
- Gunner Staal

I agree, Sid is a great captain and leads by his work ethic and determination everytime he steps on the ice. I also would agree some veteran leadership is important to this team. They seemed to rally around guys like Roberts and Guerin. for that reason I thought Doan would have been the perfect fit...right up until his price tag went beyond ridiculous.

On the topic of Capt Crosby, I kinda agree with the flyer fan. He was at his best as a captain when Roberts and Billy G were on the ice.

I think OV is a terrible capt because he is so individual, but that is what makes him great, his ability to make something out of nothing, and being Capt takes that focus away.

Orpik should be capt, he has no issues stating the problems of the team in the media and calling guys out, himself included, the most talented players are not always great leaders. Often they are sub par, due to not being vocal enough and being a follow my example kind of guy. Or like OV, just not built to lead. I think Crosby tries to lead by example rather than get up and make players accountable and to me with men, that is a leader, someone you respect enough to take poop from and still follow them to the trenches because you know they'll take the first hit for you.
- walshy66

Thanks, i agree with much of what you said. If i had to pick a player o. Pitt to be capt now it would be orpik. I never said crosby didn't have talent, in my opinion he's not a great leader. Neither is ov. Very rarely is the best player on a team the best fit to be capt.

Don't listen to daman he's even a troll on the flyers board. The reason the flyers beat the pens in the playoffs is easy, they have no leadership anymore. Crosby is not a good captain. He may be a marquee attraction but he seriously lacks what it takes to lead a team. If he did his quotes after game three would've been "we lost our cool and we beat ourselves.", not "I don't like them."
- twotoekenn

I find your comments highly insulting. Unfortunately for you, I have been more accurate in my predictions than anyone.

So show a little more respect champ.

Bettman even said today that the players were united in 2004-05, missed the whole year and look where that got them. Some of the ownership demands sound totally unreasonable and yet I still find myself backing them as much as I do the players.
- the-mitch-wilsons

It's difficult to generate too much support for either side given the $'s involved and the fact that many of us are struggling to save for college for kids, retirement, etc. However, I don't see how anyone could support the owners this time around.

It's difficult to generate too much support for either side given the $'s involved and the fact that many of us are struggling to save for college for kids, retirement, etc. However, I don't see how anyone could support the owners this time around.
- MadCap2008

I support the players but it reeks of desperation when they are posting things to twitter like what our buddy Biznasty posted today.

"Fans. The players understand your frustration. But at the end of the day we are fighting for our futures, not yours. That's the reality."

It's tough for a guy who makes less than 50K a year to feel sympathetic for this bum who can barely skate but is making well over 500K.

I support the players but it reeks of desperation when they are posting things to twitter like what our buddy Biznasty posted today.

"Fans. The players understand your frustration. But at the end of the day we are fighting for our futures, not yours. That's the reality."

It's tough for a guy who makes less than 50K a year to feel sympathetic for this bum who can barely skate but is making well over 500K.
- Ben37

It is revealing more about the state of the game that neither side can agree to the realities of the present market. There are limited TV contracts and resources for some teams. They get the short end of the stick, generally. Hockey has a limited appeal that is growing. Fighting for a few pennies might make the players feel good about themselves but it will not help hockey in the long run IMO. Guess I will have to turn my attention to other things to entertain myself and so will the public.

It would be interesting to find out whether the Malkin-Crosby playoff collision actually did any damage to Sid. That was a major bash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ivdVRpEpto

Fortunately, Sid appears to be 100 percent now.



- the-mitch-wilsons

Zero responses for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Kickball Tourney so far. I refuse to believe there are no kickball stars floating around

!

Sounds like a lot of fun. Unfortunately I am not local anymore or I would love to join.

Purely political.
Can you honestly tell me he's a better leader than max talbot, who should still be a pen and the captain?
- twotoekenn

Wow---Talbot? I loved him, but he was NOT captain material. If this is bait---it tastes bad. Orpik is the only player on the Penguins that I feel takes as much responsibility with every aspect of the team/franchise and thats Brooks Orpik. But there is no doubt Crosby is the captain. I have to ask---are you in the room? Plenty of players have gone off the handle, including your Flyer's Claude Giroux. Have you forgotten him fighting with Crosby and breaking his stick after game 5? I don't know if you give him a pass or not....how does that taste?

Just curious how many of you living room coaches would have sid on your team and not put him on the power play? Listen to yourselves that just sounds stupid.
And also Crosby is a great leader. You don't always need to be vocal. And saying I don't like them was refreshing to me. I'd play my ass off for a guy like that

Just curious how many of you living room coaches would have sid on your team and not put him on the power play? Listen to yourselves that just sounds stupid.
- dbell646

Hindsight is 20/20---and fortunately I have it. He would be on the PP. He would just be on the 2nd unit. He knows Malkin/Neal/Letang/Sullivan were dominant on the 1st unit. Byslma got greedy and it threw everything off. They allowed short handers when they shouldve been tearing nets at the other end.

Hindsight is 20/20---and fortunately I have it. He would be on the PP. He would just be on the 2nd unit. He knows Malkin/Neal/Letang/Sullivan were dominant on the 1st unit. Byslma got greedy and it threw everything off. They allowed short handers when they shouldve been tearing nets at the other end.
- HopintheCordoba

You wouldn't last very long as a coach

You wouldn't last very long as a coach
- dbell646

Yeah, okay, say whatever you want. Numbers trump everything. They failed miserably on both ends when they added him to the PP. There is no excuse for SH goals given up while you are on the PP. No. Excuse.

Yeah, okay, say whatever you want. Numbers trump everything. They failed miserably on both ends when they added him to the PP. There is no excuse for SH goals given up while you are on the PP. No. Excuse.
- HopintheCordoba

Perhaps in the extreme short term you could leave Crosby off the #1 PP because of the super unique injury situation, but moving forward it is not an option to leave him off that #1 PP. Crosby and Malkin HAVE to work, and can.

Perhaps in the extreme short term you could leave Crosby off the #1 PP because of the super unique injury situation, but moving forward it is not an option to leave him off that #1 PP. Crosby and Malkin HAVE to work, and can.
- Gunner Staal

With Sullivan gone yes. He had such a knack for carrying the puck into the offensive zone and working off Letang to set everything up for Neal and Malkin. As long as we are talking about using 2 defensemen on the PP to avoid SH goals then I am all for giving Crosby and Malkin 1st PP unit opportunities. The issue is who takes the half wall? They both love to play it. Its certainly a good problem to have when trying to fit them both in but they cannot go 4 forwards on that unit again. Depres/Niskanen and Letang would be ideal because they can defend physically while also rarely missing the net.