This is true.. But can we afford to have no first for a forward? Depends on the return...
- znagle

Ideally, the Penguins pick is going to be in the late 20s, hopefully 30. I would gladly trade the last pick in the first round to get somebody that will help now. That late first round pick wouldn't crack the lineup for at least 3-4 years.

That post was just the most stereotypical penguins fan post ever is all. Everything people hate on you guys for (arrogant, entitled, whiny, etc.) was on display there. Like do you actually believe refs don't give you guys more PPs than your oppenents because they want to keep it fair?
- rangerdanger94

that's funny coming from a rangers fan.

1. crosby talks to the ref = he's automatically whining
2. penguins get a call = league wants the pens to win
3. call goes against the rangers = league hates big market teams

Ideally, the Penguins pick is going to be in the late 20s, hopefully 30. I would gladly trade the last pick in the first round to get somebody that will help now. That late first round pick wouldn't crack the lineup for at least 3-4 years.
- cap1681

It will be mid 20s at the worst, you can still pick up a solid forward then but they will take a few years. It all depends if the top 6 we would acquire is locked up for a few years

That post was just the most stereotypical penguins fan post ever is all. Everything people hate on you guys for (arrogant, entitled, whiny, etc.) was on display there. Like do you actually believe refs don't give you guys more PPs than your oppenents because they want to keep it fair?
- rangerdanger94

Look at it objectively. The same actions that are being called penalties on the penguins are presently, for the past few weeks, not being called on their opponents. Even in direct sequence from one another. There is no other conclusion to come to at that point. A hook is a hook no matter who the offending party is. And obstruction is obstruction, no matter who the offending party is. If this is not the case, then there must be a reason for it.

I don't care how good or bad the calls are, as long as they're equally bad going both ways. They presently are not. For whatever reason. I don't care what the end result of the penalty count is because different teams play more or less dirty than their opponent. However, when penalties are called one way and not the other, there is a problem. that's what I'm complaining about.

that's funny coming from a rangers fan.

1. crosby talks to the ref = he's automatically whining
2. penguins get a call = league wants the pens to win
3. call goes against the rangers = league hates big market teams
- SuperHenderson13

+1

Maybe not for that reason, but for some reason the Penguins are not getting power plays. You can let it go for a few games and right it off as coincidence or random, but after 14 games, it seems like something more.
- cap1681

Maybe your oppenents are conscious that you have the best powerplay in the league by far and are playing as disciplined as possible?

and st louis totally embelished the interference call in which he wasnt even touched...i wish tochett would of jumped off the bench and taken it to him

the refs were oblivious, st louis has always been a diver

Look at it objectively. The same actions that are being called penalties on the penguins are presently, for the past few weeks, not being called on their opponents. Even in direct sequence from one another. There is no other conclusion to come to at that point. A hook is a hook no matter who the offending party is. And obstruction is obstruction, no matter who the offending party is. If this is not the case, then there must be a reason for it.

I don't care how good or bad the calls are, as long as they're equally bad going both ways. They presently are not. For whatever reason. I don't care what the end result of the penalty count is because different teams play more or less dirty than their opponent. However, when penalties are called one way and not the other, there is a problem. that's what I'm complaining about.
- ScienceJesus

You want to talk objectively? How about that Hayes delay of game. They gave you a powerplay for that when our opponents seemingly do that every game against us and it never gets called.

There are inconsistent calls in every game for every team in this league.

Maybe your oppenents are conscious that you have the best powerplay in the league by far and are playing as disciplined as possible?
- rangerdanger94

Except they are not. The calls are not being made evenly when it comes to action, not penalty totals. Similar actions are not being treated similarly. That's my objection. I am not a believer that penalty totals should be even, simply that penalties that are called one way should be called both ways. They presently are not.

You want to talk objectively? How about that Hayes delay of game. They gave you a powerplay for that when our opponents seemingly do that every game against us and it never gets called.

There are inconsistent calls in every game for every team in this league.
- rangerdanger94

He was holding the puck on the ice with his glove. That's as automatic of a penalty as shooting it over the glass in the D-zone.

It was also the only thing you were called for all night.

And inconsistent calls happen, however as someone else said... a handful of games is something to chalk up to "whatever"... a string of 14 straight where it's been obviously inconsistent, conveniently right after a team puts themselves on a pace to blow away PP efficiency records, is not just "whatever". It's called a trend.

He was holding the puck on the ice with his glove. That's as automatic of a penalty as shooting it over the glass in the D-zone.

It was also the only thing you were called for all night.
- ScienceJesus

Luke Schenn did the same thing last week against us an no call. The ref stopped play and had a faceoff. Hayes hand passed the puck out of the zone.

Luke Schenn did the same thing last week against us an no call. The ref stopped play and had a faceoff. Hayes hand passed the puck out of the zone.
- rangerdanger94

Alright. I didn't see that play so I can't comment on it. I can only assume Schenn's hand was on top of the puck (like Hayes) and not along the side of it. Because there's a difference. But assuming it was the same situation, then you've got every right to complain.

However, I'm (we're?) not complaining about 1 game. I'm complaining about the trend of the past 14 games. 1, 2, 3 or 5 games is a fluke. 14 games is a trend. Trends have causes. What those causes are, are subject to speculation. My original post was a fairly reasonable speculation as to the cause of the trend.

That post was just the most stereotypical penguins fan post ever is all. Everything people hate on you guys for (arrogant, entitled, whiny, etc.) was on display there. Like do you actually believe refs don't give you guys more PPs than your oppenents because they want to keep it fair?
- rangerdanger94

I think what is driving this line of thought at the moment is that over the past 14 games, Penguins opponents have gotten 50 PP's to 30 for the Pens, and there has been dramatic dropoff from the number of PP's the Pens were getting out of the gate...all while there has not been a corresponding dropoff in the quality of play the Pens are generating on a given night. I personally don't believe that the league or the refs are capable or organized enough to pull what he proposed, but it is puzzling nonetheless, and I DO see plays that were originally being called that no longer called. Its a garage league, and I think we can all agree the refs can be petty and vindictive because there is little accountability to what they do on a given night.

Isnt ROR a center?
- sammy87

He's played both center and wing. Similar to Kesler in that he's very good at both positions.

Jesus, now we can't even complain some calls aren't getting called our way. Nice.

Coming up next blog: Ryan writes a blog about Crosby's scoring slump and other teams fans call us arrogant, entitled and whiny.

I think what is driving this line of thought at the moment is that over the past 14 games, Penguins opponents have gotten 50 PP's to 30 for the Pens, and there has been dramatic dropoff from the number of PP's the Pens were getting out of the gate...all while there has not been a corresponding dropoff in the quality of play the Pens are generating on a given night. I personally don't believe that the league or the refs are capable or organized enough to pull what he proposed, but it is puzzling nonetheless.
- Emperor Filonius

I don't believe it's anything coordinated or anything like that.

I simply think that the individual refs, historically not ones to like being accused of "affecting the outcome of a game", have opted to be more restrained in their likelihood of blowing the whistle when they know that the Pens PP had been ripping apart the league when given the chance. Therefore, giving the Pens a PP is "affecting the outcome of the game" when 2 or 3 power plays was very likely to essentially be the same as handing the Pens a goal.

I don't believe it's anything coordinated or anything like that.

I simply think that the individual refs, historically not ones to like being accused of "affecting the outcome of a game", have opted to be more restrained in their likelihood of blowing the whistle when they know that the Pens PP had been ripping apart the league when given the chance. Therefore, giving the Pens a PP is "affecting the outcome of the game" when 2 or 3 power plays was very likely to essentially be the same as handing the Pens a goal.
- ScienceJesus

I think if anything its punishment for Crosby slamming his stick on the glass and showing up the refs a few weeks ago when he got mugged without a call. There is a direct correlation to that game and the drop in PP's. I REALLY don't want to believe that, but sometimes I wonder.

Ron Francis was easily one of my favorite Penguins of all-time. The consummate pro. So consistent and an excellent two-way center. It was asked if that was the best trade in Penguins history and it definitely is.

He should have his number retired.

Mike Richter is still having nightmares about the goal Francis scored in the playoffs.

Scored what ended up being the Cup winning goal against the Blackhawks and Dominik Hasek.

and other teams fans call us arrogant, entitled and whiny.
- Conse

hate to break it to you but that is the perception

Jesus, now we can't even complain some calls aren't getting called our way. Nice.

Coming up next blog: Ryan writes a blog about Crosby's scoring slump and other teams fans call us arrogant, entitled and whiny.
- Conse

Complain all you want. All fans do. But when you say that its because the league wants to keep it fair because your PP is too good, legitimately believe that, write a short essay supporting that, and then continue to seriously argue that statement, you look pretty conceded.

I think if anything its punishment for Crosby slamming his stick on the glass and showing up the refs a few weeks ago when he got mugged without a call. There is a direct correlation to that game and the drop in PP's. I REALLY don't want to believe that, but sometimes I wonder.
- Emperor Filonius

I think there might be some truth to this.

I think if anything its punishment for Crosby slamming his stick on the glass and showing up the refs a few weeks ago when he got mugged without a call. There is a direct correlation to that game and the drop in PP's. I REALLY don't want to believe that, but sometimes I wonder.
- Emperor Filonius

The pens are ranked 21st in the league in PPs. I guess the league doesn't give a lot of teams like Edmonton, Buffalo, Florida, NJ, etc. PPs either because they have such potent offenses.

I think if anything its punishment for Crosby slamming his stick on the glass and showing up the refs a few weeks ago when he got mugged without a call. There is a direct correlation to that game and the drop in PP's. I REALLY don't want to believe that, but sometimes I wonder.
- Emperor Filonius

I definitely don't think that helped at all. Pens brought it on themselves a bit at first. Between that, and the "not liking to affect the outcome" philosophy, and the complaining about the lack of calls as punishment, as I said... I think it became a vicious cycle.

Pens draw calls, pens get PP, pens score on PP at insane rate, refs don't like affecting the outcome, they hold back some calls, Pens complain, Sid slams his stick, refs punish them for trying to "show them up", they hold back more calls, pens complain more, they keep holding back the calls to continue the punishment. And then we're stuck in this trend of essentially not being able to buy a call that isn't completely automatic like covering the puck or shooting it over the glass or too many men.

They either have to shut up, tough it out & wait for the "punishment" to end or have a coach blow up about it in the media and not just to the refs on the ice. Really, no other approach will work.

I think there might be some truth to this.
- all-pgh

x2. I'm pretty sure this disparity in calls began right after that little "display of frustration". I know the guy is hyper competitive, but he needs to zip it when it comes to the refs.

You want to talk objectively? How about that Hayes delay of game.
- rangerdanger94