I remember reading the ticker on hte lovejoy trade on my Iphone. I kept refreshing thinking that more to the Pens was loading and it never came. Like Despres for SIlverberg and Lovejoy seems fair.

I'm back



F Sutter
- freeBartley

Love this!!! Is it really you?

I'm back



F Sutter
- freeBartley

Ok so turns out we do see eye to eye. You shouldn't let other people's stupid opinions on a payer affect what you think of a guy. Martin isn't a game breaker, but he was exactly the kind of guy you need in the top 4. Reliable, sound positioning, good stick work, good skating, and good passing. It'd be awesome if Martin had one more season on his contract but it was a no brainer letting him walk. He'll start declining soon. Not good value.
- Victoro311

I thought his last yr here was not looking good. But a mid pairing guy yeah, but some here acted like he was amazing and there will be a statue of him outside the arena for his contributions. I think in 5 yrs most will say oh yeah Martin was on the Pens, dont remember much.

I thought his last yr here was not looking good. But a mid pairing guy yeah, but some here acted like he was amazing and there will be a statue of him outside the arena for his contributions. I think in 5 yrs most will say oh yeah Martin was on the Pens, dont remember much.
- sammy87

I still think he was a really good Pen, he's just not star caliber so he can't replace what we lose in Letang when he goes down. If I could make a top 4 of Kris Letang and three Paul Martins I would be very happy.

So im "servicing Scuds" because I pointed out that he was "decent, not good" last night... Even RW numbers show that he been ok... I'm "servicing him" or your just filled with blind hate toward the man regardless of what he does in 60 minutes?????? (Falling down twice is evidence of nothing... he made a nice play to nix breakaway.. funny you did not site that!!!?)
- Brianandr1

You're definitely playing with his balls at this point. It's not blind hatred it's X-ray vision with digital zoom. He's terrible and he's playing waaaay too many minutes. There was at least 2 times in the first period here he hot potatoed the puck at Dumoulin and came an inch from getting intercepted. Dumoulin looked at him like "have ever you played this game before?" The Dumo skated around 3 guys in the neutral zone and.carried the puck into the corner for the forwards.

Our boys got a dynamic superstar this off season, you can clearly see Sid is deferring to Kessel. Which I don't mind right now, they will eventually be unstoppable together. Kuni looks healthy and that's a great thing considering that he and Plotnikov are the only 2 guys on this team that can lay the body at all. I have loved a lot small things I've seen so far this season, recognizing that we were spread to thin was so telling, after the second period they actually adjusted their game plan; MID GAME!!!! Bylsma literally would have shat himself on the bench before he would have ever made that move, and it actually worked. No it didn't result in a goal but it was tremendous progress. Once our guys get accustomed to playing a 4 line finesse game we are going to roll teams.

Something that does concern me is how soft our D is right now. I have no doubt that this will not be our D heading into the Stanley Cup final this year. We need 2 bigger meaner Dmen. Lovejoy is a really bad hockey player; Scuds is what he is slow, old, weak, and uneffectful. Just imagine if he didn't have one of the smartest hockey minds in the game.

Lastly it will take time for this team to get out from under the horrible mindset that was instilled my its most verbal leader that they have had over the past few years, but I have no doubt that it this year will be a success after we shake off the growing pains.

Compare how Plotnikov plays on the wall to how #16 used to, he has no past affiliation of how this team used to work and play, neither does Kessel or Sprong. It is not a coincidence that those 3 guys have been our best forwards. Once the tide starts to drift towards hard nosed work along the wall like it should have been for the past 5 years(which it will) we are going to be absolutely dominant.


F The Habs

IDK, when you go and trade away 2 first rnd picks for the 2nd best goal scorer in the league and you still cant score....I'd say things are bad.

The D isnt good. Cole never in his career was more than a borderline NHL player and now he has top minutes with 58 and we expect more out of him. Maata looks really rusty. He may never be the player he could have been, or he just needs more time. Dumo needs more time, but the Pens dont have a ton of it.
- sammy87

The defense is really not that bad. Aside from the obvious 2 guys that need a reduction in their minutes and negative impact( potential and real) of the game. There is 4 and a half guys that have a real place in the lineup, obviously the half could be upgraded to a whole. I still think the Lovejoy and Kunitz to Vancouver for Hamhuis is the way to go. The trade could be sold as a Kunitz is a much better option to play with the Sundin sisters and Sutter could become the Nucks 3c

The Penguins outhit the Coyotes and the Stars. They arnt soft, that's not the problem and having "tougher" players is not the solution. The goon days of the NHL are gone. John Scott was the last of the old WWF style hockey players that couldn't play hockey but were good for at least one staged side show a game. And a lot of those types of players are now living really awful lives in poor health and mental condition for being punched in the head too many times. A lot of them can't find work even and did not handle their money correctly.
- Dcoms

Many of those guys, as you mentioned, are now facing tough life situations. Those guys paid a high price w/out ever earning much in return. Fighting (NHL) is slowly being eliminated and should vanish w/in 5 to 7 yrs.

As for the Pens, I'm not asking for a goon-squad. Someone on the blue-line (e.g. younger Orpik, or Kronwall) that puts some fear into the opposing team's forwards (especially protecting zone entries) would be a nice to have. Active sticks and deflections serve their purpose, but sometimes a team needs to defend/ claim their space on the ice. Remember the Scuds hip check? I know it been many years, but.... he used catch a player from time to time. The same for the offense (or the inverse). Someone to fore-check/ grind the other team's defense down low. Put some fear into them when they go back to play loose pucks below the goal line. Even Ovechkin keeps the opponent honest. Maybe I'm guilty, over the years, of watching/ being influenced by too many Pac Div games, but I don't see this dynamic w/ the current Pens line-up.

Pens will almost certainly have the fewest fighting majors this season. Not that its right or wrong, just saying....w/ the current line-up that's the expectation.

Ok so turns out we do see eye to eye. You shouldn't let other people's stupid opinions on a payer affect what you think of a guy. Martin isn't a game breaker, but he was exactly the kind of guy you need in the top 4. Reliable, sound positioning, good stick work, good skating, and good passing. It'd be awesome if Martin had one more season on his contract but it was a no brainer letting him walk. He'll start declining soon. Not good value.
- Victoro311

Just ask the Sharks, Martin has stabilized Burns and is making him into a superstar.

Love this!!! Is it really you?
- Brianandr1

Oh yeah it's me, I am however under some new stipulations. I had to
Use a different user namer name, and I cannot enter the Rags room, or post from my work IP address, other than that I'm back baby!!!!!

I'm back



F Sutter
- freeBartley

F YOU!

The defense is really not that bad. Aside from the obvious 2 guys that need a reduction in their minutes and negative impact( potential and real) of the game. There is 4 and a half guys that have a real place in the lineup, obviously the half could be upgraded to a whole. I still think the Lovejoy and Kunitz to Vancouver for Hamhuis is the way to go. The trade could be sold as a Kunitz is a much better option to play with the Sundin sisters and Sutter could become the Nucks 3c
- Dcoms

I liked Hamhuis and was excited when we got his rights, but theres nothing to say he would bolt after this season again and I doubt VAN would want Lovejoy and 1 yr left of old man Kuni during a rebuild. Hamhuis would cost a bit at the deadline. If Phaneuf's contract wasnt so stupid, I'd say f it....I cant really think of any upgrades on D that can realisticaly be had. Pens finally have F depth and they cant really afford to move any of them.

F YOU!
- Guile

Admit it your happy.


I know RW will be happy I'm going to line his pockets just a bit more now that I actually bring an interesting prospective to a dull as a dried up duck turd blog, get ready boys the time has come.



#23 forever


guess how many Downs jerseys and shirts I got after FA day??? For a great price, over under 5??

Many of those guys, as you mentioned, are now facing tough life situations. Those guys paid a high price w/out ever earning much in return. Fighting (NHL) is slowly being eliminated and should vanish w/in 5 to 7 yrs.

As for the Pens, I'm not asking for a goon-squad. Someone on the blue-line (e.g. younger Orpik, or Kronwall) that puts some fear into the opposing team's forwards (especially protecting zone entries) would be a nice to have. Active sticks and deflections serve their purpose, but sometimes a team needs to defend/ claim their space on the ice. Remember the Scuds hip check? I know it been many years, but.... he used catch a player from time to time. The same for the offense (or the inverse). Someone to fore-check/ grind the other team's defense down low. Put some fear into them when they go back to play loose pucks below the goal line. Even Ovechkin keeps the opponent honest. Maybe I'm guilty, over the years, of watching/ being influenced by too many Pac Div games, but I don't see this dynamic w/ the current Pens line-up.

Pens will almost certainly have the fewest fighting majors this season. Not that its right or wrong, just saying....w/ the current line-up that's the expectation.
- out_of_market

Who cares about fighting? If it happens during the course of the game it's fine, I have no problem with it. But if it's used as a sideshow or as a way to purposely injure the other team then it has no place in the game. The lower the fighting majors we have the less PIMs we will have and the less injuries and concussions we will have. Look how Minnesota beat St Louis in the playoffs last year. The Blues spent all their effort trying to be physical with the Wild and the Wild ignored them completely and in doing so through the Blues off of their game so much they lost the series. If the Wild go punch for punch with the Blues they lose.

Admit it your happy.


I know RW will be happy I'm going to line his pockets just a bit more now that I actually bring an interesting prospective to a dull as a dried up duck turd blog, get ready boys the time has come.



#23 forever


guess how many Downs jerseys and shirts I got after FA day??? For a great price, over under 5??
- freeBartley

Under, you're a cheap ass

I liked Hamhuis and was excited when we got his rights, but theres nothing to say he would bolt after this season again and I doubt VAN would want Lovejoy and 1 yr left of old man Kuni during a rebuild. Hamhuis would cost a bit at the deadline. If Phaneuf's contract wasnt so stupid, I'd say f it....I cant really think of any upgrades on D that can realisticaly be had. Pens finally have F depth and they cant really afford to move any of them.
- sammy87

Who cares if he bolts after the season? All we lose is guys we don't want after this season anyways. Use the cap space to sign Buff in the summer and have a legit top 4 dman to play with either Maatta or Cole. Dion has way too much term left to even consider him if the Leafs retained. I think if the trade halls soon the Canucks will think they are getting team Canada/ Crosby's long time winger. Time to act now.

I liked Hamhuis and was excited when we got his rights, but theres nothing to say he would bolt after this season again and I doubt VAN would want Lovejoy and 1 yr left of old man Kuni during a rebuild. Hamhuis would cost a bit at the deadline. If Phaneuf's contract wasnt so stupid, I'd say f it....I cant really think of any upgrades on D that can realisticaly be had. Pens finally have F depth and they cant really afford to move any of them.
- sammy87

You never know with Benning. He literally traded Kassian for Prust. And then there's this:http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=774502

A team that trades Lack for a third when teams are calling in about Miller and his bad contract is the exact type of team that could overpay for Chris Kunitz.

The goals will come guys. It's only been 2 games. None of these guys have played together much with the exception of Sid and Kuni. Hornquist was here last year by he played with Sid. Bonino is new, Bennet was always inured, Sprong was still in the 8th grade. They should have been playing these guys together all preseason instead of playing guys they knew were never going to make he team. Once they get familiar they will light it up. And once they get these lines settled for good.

Maatta is going to get better game by game

Lovejoy is going to get worse

Scuds and Cole are exactly as advertised

I still look at the 6th dman job as a work in progress, maybe just let the young guns rotate until someone either jumps out (Maatta style) or we make a move.

The blue line in Pittsburgh now belongs to Tanger; this is finally his time to shine; and he will; if he can stay out of the hospital. Tanger needs 1 or 2 more troops on that blue line, we need size and nastiness on the back end; I have come to terms with the fact we are going to roll 4 skill lines.

For us to get to exactly where we should be this year we need 1 or 2 Dmen that will bite your nose off and swallow it.

Maatta is going to get better game by game

Lovejoy is going to get worse

Scuds and Cole are exactly as advertised

I still look at the 6th dman job as a work in progress, maybe just let the young guns rotate until someone either jumps out (Maatta style) or we make a move.

The blue line in Pittsburgh now belongs to Tanger; this is finally his time to shine; and he will; if he can stay out of the hospital. Tanger needs 1 or 2 more troops on that blue line, we need size and nastiness on the back end; I have come to terms with the fact we are going to roll 4 skill lines.

For us to get to exactly where we should be this year we need 1 or 2 Dmen that will bite your nose off and swallow it.
- freeBartley

Ok, which Dmen would fit the bill and how do we get them?

Ok, which Dmen would fit the bill and how do we get them?
- chimpira

When all is said and done we are going to have a few extra skaters Bennett, Cullen (who blows) Sprong, even Perron fits that bill.

I like Methot and Stuart, and I believe Big Z will be dealt this season, which we can't afford but he would be perfect.

When all is said and done we are going to have a few extra skaters Bennett, Cullen (who blows) Sprong, even Perron fits that bill.

I like Methot and Stuart, and I believe Big Z will be dealt this season, which we can't afford but he would be perfect.
- freeBartley

Chara? Are you kidding? He is 1) too damn old, and 2) on a Big Decline with all the injuries. Why would anyone want that?

When all is said and done we are going to have a few extra skaters Bennett, Cullen (who blows) Sprong, even Perron fits that bill.

I like Methot and Stuart, and I believe Big Z will be dealt this season, which we can't afford but he would be perfect.
- freeBartley

Are you really advocating trading Sprong right now? Not a hot start to your return, Barts.

Chara? Are you kidding? He is 1) too damn old, and 2) on a Big Decline with all the injuries. Why would anyone want that?
- chimpira

With the right D partner he can be effective, he is still a freaking mountain that can't be moved infront of that net. He is just as smart of a player as Scuds and is a monster.

I would take Brooksy back in a heartbeat, but that would change the dynamic of Tangers D.

Tangers D can be scary as hell, if he gets some more muscle. Letang loves to hit, I think more than he likes shooting the puck, but he has that aspect to his game. Maatta is never going to be a rough and tumble Dman, but he doesn't need to be. But he will be remembered as Letang-Maatta; because he will be #58s best partner he has ever had.

Think of the last 2 years, "stick on puck D" was created specifically for Paul•Mart. Martin is a great Dman, but not great enough for him to be your core and build a D to best suit him. Think of the crazy hybrid D system Tanger would flourish in, that system needs a bit of toughness.

Despres would have been PERFECT for that defense.