I just don't know what's gotten into this guy
- Giroux_Is_God

What a piece of shyt

I don't know what Neal's prior rap sheet looks like, so I'll trust your judgement on this.

The thing that troubled me, and I have no emotional stake in the player, is the non-chalance in the action.
- johndewar

hes had a few incidents, that each on their own, can maybe be rationalized, or not taken as dispositive of a total scumbag. but, when you put on 3 or 4 of these things, eventually you lose that benefit of the doubt.

see, i think the pens have an identity. they just dont recognize it. i will be the first to say it. the players, at least over the last few years, dont have a ton of heart. and when they do try to display it, its just stupid undisciplined antics.

i love them and am a huge fan of the team and the vast majority of the guys on it. but im not going to be biased about it. they suck mentally.
- stayinthefnnet

To me, it's not that they aren't brave; they are brave in the wrong ways.

When they get frustrated, they lash out. That's where they get pulled into a dark place.

I don't know how to fix this, to be honest and it's stupid to just pin it on 87 or 71.

I don't know what Neal's prior rap sheet looks like, so I'll trust your judgement on this.

The thing that troubled me, and I have no emotional stake in the player, is the non-chalance in the action.
- johndewar

Well the big ones that come to mind are the kneeing incident a few months ago, the circus against the Flyers where he went after Coots and Giroux on the same shift, and then I'm fairly certain I remember something in the beginning of this season- some sort of board. I could be wrong about the last one.

Well the big ones that come to mind are the kneeing incident a few months ago, the circus against the Flyers where he went after Coots and Giroux on the same shift, and then I'm fairly certain I remember something in the beginning of this season- some sort of board. I could be wrong about the last one.
- Giroux_Is_God

like i said, if say player X did one and only one of each of those things. its hard to be totally dispositive. but when you had all of them up, with the same player, youre painting a picture that is hard to rationalize by bad circumstance.

i repeat, suspend his ass. rest of the year, and 3 playoff games.

To me, it's not that they aren't brave; they are brave in the wrong ways.

When they get frustrated, they lash out. That's where they get pulled into a dark place.

I don't know how to fix this, to be honest and it's stupid to just pin it on 87 or 71.
- johndewar

it is. but to an extent, they do need to set the tone. i understand they cant do everything. but hey malks, someone took the puck off of you. it happens, no need to slash the back of his legs repeatedly because youre angry.

there are moments (rarer and rarer it seems) when he channels that into just pure machine mode. the year they won the cup, malkin and crosby were both incredible. malkin especially had entire shifts where the puck would not leave his stick.

Well the big ones that come to mind are the kneeing incident a few months ago, the circus against the Flyers where he went after Coots and Giroux on the same shift, and then I'm fairly certain I remember something in the beginning of this season- some sort of board. I could be wrong about the last one.
- Giroux_Is_God

Don't forget they did that thing where anything that happened under the previous CBA doesn't count.

Regardless, as good as Neal is, he's got a rep.

To me, it's not that they aren't brave; they are brave in the wrong ways.

When they get frustrated, they lash out. That's where they get pulled into a dark place.

I don't know how to fix this, to be honest and it's stupid to just pin it on 87 or 71.
- johndewar

Well I think 71 embodies that ideology more than 87.

Frankenstein gets visibly frustrated, and when he gets frustrated, he pulls stupid poop, analogous to the Pens that we see a lot when they play the Flyers, for whatever reason.

I don't watch the team closely enough to know this for sure, but I'm pretty sure Crosby is one of the hardest workers in the NHL. He dives and whines, but he also shoved it up all his critics' asses 3 times: 1) when he came into the league and was "only a passer", he works on his shot and it is wicked (his backhander is just like wut). 2) After that, his downfall was his faceoff ability. Now he's one of the best in the league. 3) "He might not be the same player after his head issues". We all know how that played out.

it is. but to an extent, they do need to set the tone. i understand they cant do everything. but hey malks, someone took the puck off of you. it happens, no need to slash the back of his legs repeatedly because youre angry.

there are moments (rarer and rarer it seems) when he channels that into just pure machine mode. the year they won the cup, malkin and crosby were both incredible. malkin especially had entire shifts where the puck would not leave his stick.
- stayinthefnnet

If I had Tanner Glass skating on my wing, I might get pissed too.

Really, it reminds me of when Clarkie put minor league-rs like Mike Maneluk on Eric's wing.

It doesn't inspire confidence or hope.

Well I think 71 embodies that ideology more than 87.

Frankenstein gets visibly frustrated, and when he gets frustrated, he pulls stupid poop, analogous to the Pens that we see a lot when they play the Flyers, for whatever reason.

I don't watch the team closely enough to know this for sure, but I'm pretty sure Crosby is one of the hardest workers in the NHL. He dives and whines, but he also shoved it up all his critics' asses 3 times: 1) when he came into the league and was "only a passer", he works on his shot and it is wicked (his backhander is just like wut). 2) After that, his downfall was his faceoff ability. Now he's one of the best in the league. 3) "He might not be the same player after his head issues". We all know how that played out.
- Giroux_Is_God

i think i show enough to not be some unbiased homer, but yeah thats it exactly. thats why i love crosby so much. the dude is a ridiculous worker. came in and sucked on faceoffs, now one of the better guys at it. he has G mentality where he never looks to shoot, but he has really improved his shot. hands down the best backhand in the game.

the dude is pure dedication to his craft.

If I had Tanner Glass skating on my wing, I might get pissed too.

Really, it reminds me of when Clarkie put minor league-rs like Mike Maneluk on Eric's wing.

It doesn't inspire confidence or hope.
- johndewar

i understand that. but thats what happens when you have a lot of stars. your depth suffers, and when injuries happen, youre absolutely depleted.

then you have DB, who sees glass, and says well youll get the nod instead of a young kid with at least a little speed like megna, because youre a grinder and work hard.

like i said, im all for rewarding effort, but DB just has different priorities than what is necessary sometimes.

Well I think 71 embodies that ideology more than 87.

Frankenstein gets visibly frustrated, and when he gets frustrated, he pulls stupid poop, analogous to the Pens that we see a lot when they play the Flyers, for whatever reason.

I don't watch the team closely enough to know this for sure, but I'm pretty sure Crosby is one of the hardest workers in the NHL. He dives and whines, but he also shoved it up all his critics' asses 3 times: 1) when he came into the league and was "only a passer", he works on his shot and it is wicked (his backhander is just like wut). 2) After that, his downfall was his faceoff ability. Now he's one of the best in the league. 3) "He might not be the same player after his head issues". We all know how that played out.
- Giroux_Is_God

You crushed this. I couldn't have said it better.

I love to boo Sid and he did do all the bad things we said he did, but he really doesn't do them now and he's fortified his game to the point to a point where we might have to stop straight up thinking he's a total diva.

I mean, we all thought Jagr was a diva until we had him here and we loved him inside of 5 weeks after practically decades of hating him.

/will still boo Sid
//can't help self

What a piece of shyt
- aightwebang17

he's my new avery

i hope he's on dancing with the stars within two years

i understand that. but thats what happens when you have a lot of stars. your depth suffers, and when injuries happen, youre absolutely depleted.

then you have DB, who sees glass, and says well youll get the nod instead of a young kid with at least a little speed like megna, because youre a grinder and work hard.

like i said, im all for rewarding effort, but DB just has different priorities than what is necessary sometimes.
- stayinthefnnet

I hear you.

Couldn't help but remember how hard Clarkie tried to fit a team together around that one line they had (Bill disagrees, but I feel like they were a one line team).

Regardless, Sid is a generational talent and he'd probably appreciate his own personal John LeClair.

You crushed this. I couldn't have said it better.

I love to boo Sid and he did do all the bad things we said he did, but he really doesn't do them now and he's fortified his game to the point to a point where we might have to stop straight up thinking he's a total diva.

I mean, we all thought Jagr was a diva until we had him here and we loved him inside of 5 weeks after practically decades of hating him.

/will still boo Sid
//can't help self
- johndewar

haha ill still boo claude. but its impossible to have anything but respect for him. they are both more similar than either fan base will actually care to admit.

I hear you.

Couldn't help but remember how hard Clarkie tried to fit a team together around that one line they had (Bill disagrees, but I feel like they were a one line team).

Regardless, Sid is a generational talent and he'd probably appreciate his own personal John LeClair.
- johndewar

id love for him to have a prime time dude with him. but thats just not really realistic with the team structure. hes made due just fine with kunitz and dupuis. the problem is, once one guy goes down. the fact that brian gibbons got to play on crosbys line for like 6 games shouldnt happen outside of a made a wish foundation type scenario.

haha ill still boo claude. but its impossible to have anything but respect for him. they are both more similar than either fan base will actually care to admit.
- stayinthefnnet

Don't forget: Philly fans boo Kobe Bryant and he's from here. And he's got the kind of work ethic we profess to love.

It'll be tough for Sid to get the love that Mario got from Philly folks because of his early career antic, but it's not out of the question. The dude has clearly removed some female dog from his game. It's obvious.

haha ill still boo claude. but its impossible to have anything but respect for him. they are both more similar than either fan base will actually care to admit.
- stayinthefnnet

I think the biggest difference is Giroux has that....fire.

Not to say Crosby doesn't, but here's what I mean.

Crosby is business as usual, all the time. He just marches out there and takes control of the game like it's nothing. He's calm, he's collected...he just doesn't show any emotion when he "flicks the switch".

Giroux though- jesus. If he gets pissed, the whole world knows it, and the other team knows it too. Or at least, realizes it after they watch Clode go apepoop and single-handedly win the Flyers the game.

They both can take over games, but it's interesting in how Giroux seems to wear his emotions on his sleeves a little bit more.

id love for him to have a prime time dude with him. but thats just not really realistic with the team structure. hes made due just fine with kunitz and dupuis. the problem is, once one guy goes down. the fact that brian gibbons got to play on crosbys line for like 6 games shouldnt happen outside of a made a wish foundation type scenario.
- stayinthefnnet

That's the Eric Lindros thing I was quoting.

Trade Mikael Renberg? Here's Mike Maneluk. Or Keith Jones. Or someone else less talented.

Depth gets bled out when you're top heavy. Chicago will deal with this shortly. Toews and Kane's contracts are both up shortly.

Don't forget: Philly fans boo Kobe Bryant and he's from here. And he's got the kind of work ethic we profess to love.

It'll be tough for Sid to get the love that Mario got from Philly folks because of his early career antic, but it's not out of the question. The dude has clearly removed some female dog from his game. It's obvious.
- johndewar

a lot of the philly fan mentality is just flat out stupid. love the passion, but some of it is so misguided. crosby will never achieve anything but boos in philly. it is what it is. nothing wrong with a good healthy rivalry.

Don't forget: Philly fans boo Kobe Bryant and he's from here. And he's got the kind of work ethic we profess to love.

It'll be tough for Sid to get the love that Mario got from Philly folks because of his early career antic, but it's not out of the question. The dude has clearly removed some female dog from his game. It's obvious.
- johndewar

Why did Mario get so much love from us?

I was about 6 so I actually want to know

I think the biggest difference is Giroux has that....fire.

Not to say Crosby doesn't, but here's what I mean.

Crosby is business as usual, all the time. He just marches out there and takes control of the game like it's nothing. He's calm, he's collected...he just doesn't show any emotion when he "flicks the switch".

Giroux though- jesus. If he gets pissed, the whole world knows it, and the other team knows it too. Or at least, realizes it after they watch Clode go apepoop and single-handedly win the Flyers the game.

They both can take over games, but it's interesting in how Giroux seems to wear his emotions on his sleeves a little bit more.
- Giroux_Is_God

i definitely agree. but i meant even their styles. both smaller guys. pass first type centers with decent shots of their own. more finesse than grit. giroux, especially when he is pissed, brings a hit of his own here and there. crosby, without actually being very physical, is better at retrieving pucks along the boards. they both make players around them better. like it or not, they both are prone to dive. they also are both more likely to female dog to the ref, although its a valid point that captains in general are more inclined to speak to the refs.

I think the biggest difference is Giroux has that....fire.

Not to say Crosby doesn't, but here's what I mean.

Crosby is business as usual, all the time. He just marches out there and takes control of the game like it's nothing. He's calm, he's collected...he just doesn't show any emotion when he "flicks the switch".

Giroux though- jesus. If he gets pissed, the whole world knows it, and the other team knows it too. Or at least, realizes it after they watch Clode go apepoop and single-handedly win the Flyers the game.

They both can take over games, but it's interesting in how Giroux seems to wear his emotions on his sleeves a little bit more.
- Giroux_Is_God

I think Crosby CAN do that. I just don't think he can control it when it happens.

Clode had the problems of last year and early this year to make him realize how he can and should act.

They've been through different stuff.

Why did Mario get so much love from us?

I was about 6 so I actually want to know
- Giroux_Is_God

the illness had a lot to do with it. mario also didnt really have a lot of perceived diva drama. i was young as well, but from what i remember and remember being told, i think it was more of just respect for a great adversary and an all time great, going through and coming out on top of a foe that went above hockey.

I think Crosby CAN do that. I just don't think he can control it when it happens.

Clode had the problems of last year and early this year to make him realize how he can and should act.

They've been through different stuff.
- johndewar

the most on ice emotion i have ever seen from crosby was his backhand goal against the isles in his first game back.