Praying for another miraculous turnaround like 2009-10, but so far all I'm getting is a busy signal.
- BulliesPhan87

Just busting chops, you don't need a miracle in this division.

Just busting chops, you don't need a miracle in this division.
- canadianpenfan

That's our saving grace right now. But if there's one thing I've learned while being stapled to the couch, it's that the hype about western conference hockey is entirely justified. It's a whole different league out there, the east is nothing in comparison. I honestly don't think any team on our side of the continent can run with the Hawks or the Kings.

Also, Gamecenter is pretty rad. I really wish local games weren't blacked out, or I'd ditch cable and subscribe every year.

people can blame orpik for thortnon being a POS and doing the dirt deed he did, but the refs during the game and the league at any point since could have very well suspended orpik or at least reviewed the hit(on erikson) just to make it known they were considering it, and they didnt. It was an unfortunate hockey play. orpik plays hard, sometimes borderline for sure, but I dont think hes dirty

people should be blaming bartkohski or krug or whoever put that suicide pass in front of erikson...

now neal kneeing marchand in the head, sure it was dirty, no respect there, but in my book does marchand deserve any respect, my only issue is that he didnt knee him harder...if you are going to get suspended at least make it worth it, marrchand is the dirtiest POS and biggest p*ssy out there
- JLT168

talk about having it both ways

Yeah, I get it. The frustration is easy to give into, especially on the net. I just look at the after effects & think about what it does to the game.

I mean, Thorton is a 4th-line nothing that plays a poor 8min a night. Marchand may be a pest, but the guy is a capable NHL player, similar to Cooke in my book. Meanwhile, Neal is a scored 10G in 16gms & helped the Penguins PP sky-rocket since he got into the lineup. Orpik is a steady Dman that plays ~22min a night.

Sure, taking Thorton off the ice & throwing him in the Press Box for 15-20gms makes the NHL better, but the loss of Neal, Orpik, or Marchand doesn’t. It just isn’t worth it. Just play the game within the rules & let the result on the ice dictate the result. Better that than thuggery.
- s0rcerer1984

Thornton actually does have some skill and in no way hurts the Bruins when he is on the ice.

Cooke and Marchand are not close in comparison in terms of behavior or talent.

I will give you that Marchand is a rat. So is Neal for that matter. Rat on Rat crime. There's no need for hysteria over this.

Thornton actually does have some skill and in no way hurts the Bruins when he is on the ice.

Cooke and Marchand are not close in comparison in terms of behavior or talent.

I will give you that Marchand is a rat. So is Neal for that matter. Rat on Rat crime. There's no need for hysteria over this.
- glove_was_stuck

Sorry, but I disagree. Any guy who averages ~8min/night, but takes between 120min-155min in penalties a year isn't a positive in my book. At best he is a thug who drops the gloves constantly in either staged fights or in attempts to revenge-injure someone or at worst he is undisciplied and puts the team down a man too often. Either one takes up a roster spot from a better hockey player.

hoping the new jersey is an old jersey....say 91-92 style.....

Sorry, but I disagree. Any guy who averages ~8min/night, but takes between 120min-155min in penalties a year isn't a positive in my book. At best he is a thug who drops the gloves constantly in either staged fights or in attempts to revenge-injure someone or at worst he is undisciplied and puts the team down a man too often. Either one takes up a roster spot from a better hockey player.
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah...you're right we're not going to agree at all.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/gallery.htm?id=41133

Well.....they're not horrible, lol

Pens outdoor jerseys:




Whatevs... Not crazy about the striping, but they aren't terrible. They're just a money grab for the league anyway (as are the outdoor games).

Stuff like this raises the salary cap, so who cares.

talk about having it both ways
- Fountain-San

yea that was more of an emotional rant than thought provoking post...happens sometimes my bad hahaha

What time is the Thornton hearing?

What time is the Thornton hearing?
- ryman1566

Been going on for an hour or so.

Pens outdoor jerseys:




Whatevs... Not crazy about the striping, but they aren't terrible. They're just a money grab for the league anyway (as are the outdoor games).

Stuff like this raises the salary cap, so who cares.
- rival22

Agree. I like outdoor games, but the NHL doesn't need to release alternate jersey's every year for every team. Just seems like overkill.

Been going on for an hour or so.
- nbartley9

Yeah and I just now read that a decision may not come until tomorrow.

Yeah and I just now read that a decision may not come until tomorrow.
- ryman1566

Where?

Yeah and I just now read that a decision may not come until tomorrow.
- ryman1566

wtf

Where?
- s0rcerer1984

Twitter

Kevin Paul Dupont‏@GlobeKPD12m
At this hour, not expecting the Thornton ruling til Sat. Could change, but...

Amalie Benjamin‏@AmalieBenjamin17m
Seems very likely that we won't hear @NHLShanahan's decision on Shawn Thornton's suspension until tomorrow. Will take the time to decide.

They had all week to look at the tape of Orpik incident ? That's stupid that they can't make a decision. What more can they discuss ?

Twitter

Kevin Paul Dupont‏@GlobeKPD12m
At this hour, not expecting the Thornton ruling til Sat. Could change, but...

Amalie Benjamin‏@AmalieBenjamin17m
Seems very likely that we won't hear @NHLShanahan's decision on Shawn Thornton's suspension until tomorrow. Will take the time to decide.
- ryman1566

While they are at it they can suspend Kevin Paul Dupont indefinitely as well.

Twitter

Kevin Paul Dupont‏@GlobeKPD12m
At this hour, not expecting the Thornton ruling til Sat. Could change, but...

Amalie Benjamin‏@AmalieBenjamin17m
Seems very likely that we won't hear @NHLShanahan's decision on Shawn Thornton's suspension until tomorrow. Will take the time to decide.
- ryman1566

I can undertsand that. The fact that the attack occured outside the normal course of a game (ie, Thorton attacked Orpik from nehind during a stoppage) is kinda a new wrinkle to the situation.

I mean, it's pretty clear that Thorton wasn't trying to play hockey. He was going for the a revenge injury via sneak attack. Can't say I can recall ever seeing that in any the NHL or any other pro sport for that matter.

While they are at it they can suspend Kevin Paul Dupont indefinitely as well.
- Ryan_Wilson

Part of me thinks that they are trying to drag this out so the not-so-stern punishment kind of blows over with the masses not directly involved (Pit-Bos).

Part of me thinks that they are trying to drag this out so the not-so-stern punishment kind of blows over with the masses not directly involved (Pit-Bos).
- ryman1566

My feeling on Dupont is independent of the Orpik/Thornton situation, I just think he sucks.

Part of me thinks that they are trying to drag this out so the not-so-stern punishment kind of blows over with the masses not directly involved (Pit-Bos).
- ryman1566

Agreed

They had all week to look at the tape of Orpik incident ? That's stupid that they can't make a decision. What more can they discuss ?
- Bradlee3

Yeah, what possibly could be said at the hearing that would change anyone's mind about this type of incident?

A bad hit, yeah.... maybe the player can argue the other guy moved, or that he thought his angle was better, etc... but this is pretty cut and dry.

Shanny: Did you go after a guy after the whistle and yank him down and punch him in the face and knock him out?
Thornton: Yes

Shanny: Do you feel sorry about it?
Thornton: Yes

Shanny:Ok, thanks for coming...


Talk about a pointless trip anyway.... You figure the team paid for Thornton and likely Chiarelli to go, the NHLPA paid for a player rep to be there, and his agent was probably there too. What a bunch of money wasted on flights, meals, transportation, etc.