While I agree that moving him was/is beneficial to the Leafs, he is still a good hockey player, and has shown no indications of being a CANCER in the locker room, that part is just not true! With that being said, in hindsight, I wish the Pens had done other things this past offseason, its still not to late though.
- Weisenheimer

I'm actually waiting for him to literally explode in a locker room interview! Pressure is building inside & it has nothing to do with hockey.

I mean Jussi Jokkinen looked better with Malkin than Kessel does. I see his effort, but I just dont see him ever being a difference maker out there. They traded for Kessel at his peak, its really only down hill from here. Even I had higher expectations for him.
- sammy87

I wanted Jussi to stay bad... but I think he just skipped town due to the coach and unknown GM situation that offseason. I don't think he was worth the 4 mil a year (would pay it now out of our need for another Malkin winger), but I think had we said... "hey, 3.5 mil a year for 5 more years", he'd have jumped and stayed... contract ending when hes 35 or 36 btw on that deal. Yes, another Kunitz... but then we KEEP that 1st rounder instead of buying Perron.

I'm actually waiting for him to literally explode in a locker room interview! Pressure is building inside & it has nothing to do with hockey.
- Aussiepenguin

Havent seen any interviews, are they getting to him? Or is his play?

Havent seen any interviews, are they getting to him? Or is his play?
- Weisenheimer

From day 1 he has this artificial smile he throws after a comment then turns his head & it's back to a poopty grimace waiting for the next dumb question. He just can't wait till it's finished - rarely does he have eye contact & is really edgy through the interviews. Looks like he just hates being interviewed which is fair enough I suppose.

There's been a couple where someone's aske a stupid question or repeats a question the exact same way another asks it, & he just looks away searching for someone to call him away! Or he just so gives an agitated chuckle & says "pretty sure I just answered that"! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It's classic! (I think it's funny anyway).

From day 1 he has this artifice smile he throws after a comment then turns his head & it's back to a poopty grimace waiting for the next dumb question. He just can't wait till it's finished - rarely does he have eye contact & is really edgy through the interviews. Looks like he just hates being interviewed which is fair enough I suppose.

There's been a couple where someone's aske a stupid question or repeats a question the exact same way another asks it, & he just looks away searching for someone to call him away! Or he just so gives an agitated chuckle & says "pretty sure I just answered that"! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It's classic! (I think it's funny anyway).


- Aussiepenguin

Gotcha. Might just be his chubby face that conforms to those reactions.
But seriously, your millionaire athlete, how can you not expect this at this point in your life?

Gotcha. Might just be his chubby face that conforms to those reactions.
But seriously, your millionaire athlete, how can you not expect this at this point in your life?
- Weisenheimer

Yes I'm sure they all get media coaching as well - all the stars do here. But it's just painful to watch (read that as funny to watch), but there are some real stupid questions out there!

I saw McDavid get interviewed after his first game I think & he ended up laughing after being asked the same question (which was idiotic mind you), 3 times from 3 different people!!

Yes I'm sure they all get media coaching as well - all the stars do here. But it's just painful to watch (read that as funny to watch), but there are some real stupid questions out there!

I saw McDavid get interviewed after his first game I think & he ended up laughing after being asked the same question (which was idiotic mind you), 3 times from 3 different people!!
- Aussiepenguin

Yeh it is messy business, the media. Not sure precisely how it works, but dont they have to get their own sound bite/video bite in order to play it?

well just let phil be. he hates media and rightfully so. so let him be and only think about playing...

So, how are you guys liking Phil?
- As_I_See_It

he is good. just the team that sucks. mind your own buissnes being a bottom dweeler and laughing stock of the entire league instead

Just seems odd that every fan base is happy he's gone and Babcock ships him out the door as soon as he gets to TOR. Seems to me there more to the story and we probably should not have traded all that for him and paid him 6.8 while Cole, Lovejoy and Scuds were on the roster.
- sammy87

how are you sure that babcock didn't want him? they are rebuilding and phil would get the best package for that. it's the same if malkin would be traded. would you say the coach didn't want him? why are you even here? go back to facebook or something where the stupid "fans" are.

well just let phil be. he hates media and rightfully so. so let him be and only think about playing...
- martox

Look it's just simmering under the skin.....


Edit: I should give credit to "the glove was stuck", & other wonderful posters on Eks blog for the above & other gifs of our wonderful Philbo Baggins - it's an absolute Philbo montage!

People seem to be frustrated but honestly, when we heard Zatcoff was going to be in goal we were all afraid this could happen.

People seem to be frustrated but honestly, when we heard Zatcoff was going to be in goal we were all afraid this could happen.
- powerhouse

They still didn't score enough (2 goals on 38 SOG) even if someone else played in net. They continue to piss away points in a season where they claim they want to make the playoffs and most of the EC is weak.

Yes Phil sucks at one timers. But his shot is still lethal. He ate last is hitting the net (and post) unlike some guys we have/had on the team.

I would like to see him with Sid and horn with geno for a couple of shifts

If kessel stops working hard and back checking will he start scoring goals? Ge lookss like an overpaid brian gibbons out theere.

People seem to be frustrated but honestly, when we heard Zatcoff was going to be in goal we were all afraid this could happen.
- powerhouse

I didn't realise Zatts would go & try & show our 'weak' D how to get the puck out of our zone on his own! Wtf was that?

There should be a fine for Goalies when they get caught 100 feet out of their own net!

People seem to be frustrated but honestly, when we heard Zatcoff was going to be in goal we were all afraid this could happen.
- powerhouse

Their worst players are costing them games. They removed Suckderi, but still have Cole, Lovejoy and Zatkoff.

Elliot played a great game. But then again, every goalie seems to play great against us.

I've had my fill of Phil. Dude is not a 7mil player. People talking about Hags contract.....Phill's contract is a noose if he plays like this.

how are you sure that babcock didn't want him? they are rebuilding and phil would get the best package for that. it's the same if malkin would be traded. would you say the coach didn't want him? why are you even here? go back to facebook or something where the stupid "fans" are.
- martox

Im sure if Babcock wanted to rebuild around Phil they could have moved Phaneuf, JVR and still acquired enough pieces to start over in 2-3 years and still have plenty of time with Kessel.

Their worst players are costing them games. They removed Suckderi, but still have Cole, Lovejoy and Zatkoff.

Elliot played a great game. But then again, every goalie seems to play great against us.

I've had my fill of Phil. Dude is not a 7mil player. People talking about Hags contract.....Phill's contract is a noose if he plays like this.
- madmike71

Yeah starting the season 1/2 their D was borderline NHL talent. But oh no Cole played 5 good games with the Pens Blues were crazy for making him a healthy scratch half the time.

My concern with Hags is if he peaks at a 15g scorer he is essentially a 3rd line guy at $4mil. His speed is welcome, but adding his deal on top of $4.4 for Daley will make necessary changes difficult.

And yeah a $7mil player is paid to separate himself from the pack and close out games. JVR would have been a better target from TOR.

Yeah starting the season 1/2 their D was borderline NHL talent. But oh no Cole played 5 good games with the Pens Blues were crazy for making him a healthy scratch half the time.

My concern with Hags is if he peaks at a 15g scorer he is essentially a 3rd line guy at $4mil. His speed is welcome, but adding his deal on top of $4.4 for Daley will make necessary changes difficult.

And yeah a $7mil player is paid to separate himself from the pack and close out games. JVR would have been a better target from TOR.
- sammy87

Daley and Hags contracts don't bother me at all. Both getting a mil too much and the length isn't bad. 7mil for Phil playing like this for 6 more years is terrifying. Tor didn't want to trade JVR.

Daley and Hags contracts don't bother me at all. Both getting a mil too much and the length isn't bad. 7mil for Phil playing like this for 6 more years is terrifying. Tor didn't want to trade JVR.
- madmike71

Would just like to point out that when Ray Shero traded for James Neal it looked like a terrible trade. What did he pot? Like one goal for the rest of the season after coming over? Then he turned around and scored 40 the following season. Sometimes it takes a while for a guy to settle into a new place and become a difference maker. Phil is so different from all the other wings Crosby and Malkin have played with and Crosby and Malkin are so different than all the other centers Phil has played with we may have to wait until next season for this to become a truly electric combo. It also doesn't help that for the entire first quarter of the season Johnston hampered the development of chemistry.

Would just like to point out that when Ray Shero traded for James Neal it looked like a terrible trade. What did he pot? Like one goal for the rest of the season after coming over? Then he turned around and scored 40 the following season. Sometimes it takes a while for a guy to settle into a new place and become a difference maker. Phil is so different from all the other wings Crosby and Malkin have played with and Crosby and Malkin are so different than all the other centers Phil has played with we may have to wait until next season for this to become a truly electric combo. It also doesn't help that for the entire first quarter of the season Johnston hampered the development of chemistry.
- Victoro311

Please let this be true. He has 0 confidence right now, the whole team could use an entire practice or two of shooting drills. It is the worst area of our game! Get the ASG targets out.

Please let this be true. He has 0 confidence right now, the whole team could use an entire practice or two of shooting drills. It is the worst area of our game! Get the ASG targets out.
- Thorny87

have said what you wrote for like 3 months

have said what you wrote for like 3 months
- martox

Seriously though. If this was a minor league team, coach would have them in shooting drills.

Would just like to point out that when Ray Shero traded for James Neal it looked like a terrible trade. What did he pot? Like one goal for the rest of the season after coming over? Then he turned around and scored 40 the following season. Sometimes it takes a while for a guy to settle into a new place and become a difference maker. Phil is so different from all the other wings Crosby and Malkin have played with and Crosby and Malkin are so different than all the other centers Phil has played with we may have to wait until next season for this to become a truly electric combo. It also doesn't help that for the entire first quarter of the season Johnston hampered the development of chemistry.
- Victoro311

I hope you're right, because he in no way resembles a 7mil player right now. Even if he's having trouble adjusting to great centers, he's struggling to do the basics. He fanned on another great chance last night. My concern is he's got the mindset where he doesn't have to take the initiative because Sid or Geno will create all of the chances.

Keep in mind Neal didn't have Malkin or Crosby at center that year.