I'm not sure Pens are #2... Team is getting older and with short summer will have hard time repeating success of last season. They got hot at right time and stayed healthy. They understandably haven't made changes and are currently over the cap. Rangers have made some nice moves to get younger and faster. Nash never came back fully from leg injury and should have bounce back year. Girardi had a lot of health issues and played with concussion. With Skjei up at seasons end he should have a regular spot on d and hopefully they let McIlwrath play more. Still possible they deal for Shattenkirk. Rangers easily 3rd, if not 2nd best team in division.
- junaka3

This takes me back to hearing the "hottest team in the league" crap in the playoffs. It wasn't just a hot streak. They were the best team in the league across many important stats from the middle/end of January on to the middle of June...so 5 months. That's not hot at the right time. That's being the best team in the league for a considerable amount of time.

I dont think the Rags are going to regress as much as some think around here.

I'm not sure Pens are #2... Team is getting older and with short summer will have hard time repeating success of last season. They got hot at right time and stayed healthy. They understandably haven't made changes and are currently over the cap. Rangers have made some nice moves to get younger and faster. Nash never came back fully from leg injury and should have bounce back year. Girardi had a lot of health issues and played with concussion. With Skjei up at seasons end he should have a regular spot on d and hopefully they let McIlwrath play more. Still possible they deal for Shattenkirk. Rangers easily 3rd, if not 2nd best team in division.
- junaka3

''the team is getting older'' so one year older= immediate all around declin, I never heard that one before.

Cant believe there isnt a bunch of comments on how thee pens arent even top 3 in the metro.

- Aetherial

Now read his response. My wife actually asked me what was so funny

We can sit around talking about what team got older younger faster slower.

Wins are the only thing that counts

The Leafs aren't in the metro...
- Bruiniak

and neither is Vesey...i'm surprised you showed up on these boards again after your continuous promise of vesey signing with the bruins

Cant believe there isnt a bunch of comments on how thee pens arent even top 3 in the metro.
- Grinder47

just because we don't like the pens doesn't mean we don't understand that they're a fantastic team

I'm not sure Pens are #2... Team is getting older and with short summer will have hard time repeating success of last season. They got hot at right time and stayed healthy. They understandably haven't made changes and are currently over the cap. Rangers have made some nice moves to get younger and faster. Nash never came back fully from leg injury and should have bounce back year. Girardi had a lot of health issues and played with concussion. With Skjei up at seasons end he should have a regular spot on d and hopefully they let McIlwrath play more. Still possible they deal for Shattenkirk. Rangers easily 3rd, if not 2nd best team in division.
- junaka3

Here we go with they got hot at the right time stuff again. The Penguins didn't just heat up and get carried by an unreasonable shooting percentage or legendary goaltending. We made a coaching change and flat out dominated. I thought after the playoffs where we outclassed most of the teams we played the whole way through we were done with this theory that we simply got hot.

It'd be one thing to argue that the defending Stanley Cup champions are no longer the best team in the devision if they went through a lot of roster turnover over the offseason like Chicago did. We are literally returning every single player besides Ben Lovejoy. The Rangers, and even the Capitals (both teams which we beat in the post season) would have had to make catastrophic improvements over the offseason to get the benefit of the doubt over the Pens. The Zibanajad trade was really good for you guys, Shea (I don't know how to spell his name but you get the idea) is a stud and will instantly improve your team if AV has the balls to play him in the top 4 over some other guys who don't deserve to be there anymore, and obviously Vesey was probably a significant addition, but to say that makes the Rangers better than the exact same team that was far and away the best in the league from January on is very questionable.

As to age, sure our core is aging. but those guys are Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Kessel. They'll be studs into their mid thirties health willing and our supporting cast is getting much much younger with Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnhackl, and Sundqvist all around and vying for spots. And the geezers that we have are still contributing. Kunitz is quite streaky offensively at this point but he's not dead weight. Cullen if he can come anywhere near last season is a top 4C in the league, and Fehr is an ok fourth line versatile forward. None of these guys are cancerous contract that is preventing us from plugging other roster holes, which we don't really have to begin with.

Here we go with they got hot at the right time stuff again. The Penguins didn't just heat up and get carried by an unreasonable shooting percentage or legendary goaltending. We made a coaching change and flat out dominated. I thought after the playoffs where we outclassed most of the teams we played the whole way through we were done with this theory that we simply got hot.

It'd be one thing to argue that the defending Stanley Cup champions are no longer the best team in the devision if they went through a lot of roster turnover over the offseason like Chicago did. We are literally returning every single player besides Ben Lovejoy. The Rangers, and even the Capitals (both teams which we beat in the post season) would have had to make catastrophic improvements over the offseason to get the benefit of the doubt over the Pens. The Zibanajad trade was really good for you guys, Shea (I don't know how to spell his name but you get the idea) is a stud and will instantly improve your team if AV has the balls to play him in the top 4 over some other guys who don't deserve to be there anymore, and obviously Vesey was probably a significant addition, but to say that makes the Rangers better than the exact same team that was far and away the best in the league from January on is very questionable.

As to age, sure our core is aging. but those guys are Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Kessel. They'll be studs into their mid thirties health willing and our supporting cast is getting much much younger with Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnhackl, and Sundqvist all around and vying for spots. And the geezers that we have are still contributing. Kunitz is quite streaky offensively at this point but he's not dead weight. Cullen if he can come anywhere near last season is a top 4C in the league, and Fehr is an ok fourth line versatile forward. None of these guys are cancerous contract that is preventing us from plugging other roster holes, which we don't really have to begin with.
- Victoro311

you are absolutely correct and that makes me sad

Here we go with they got hot at the right time stuff again. The Penguins didn't just heat up and get carried by an unreasonable shooting percentage or legendary goaltending. We made a coaching change and flat out dominated. I thought after the playoffs where we outclassed most of the teams we played the whole way through we were done with this theory that we simply got hot.

It'd be one thing to argue that the defending Stanley Cup champions are no longer the best team in the devision if they went through a lot of roster turnover over the offseason like Chicago did. We are literally returning every single player besides Ben Lovejoy. The Rangers, and even the Capitals (both teams which we beat in the post season) would have had to make catastrophic improvements over the offseason to get the benefit of the doubt over the Pens. The Zibanajad trade was really good for you guys, Shea (I don't know how to spell his name but you get the idea) is a stud and will instantly improve your team if AV has the balls to play him in the top 4 over some other guys who don't deserve to be there anymore, and obviously Vesey was probably a significant addition, but to say that makes the Rangers better than the exact same team that was far and away the best in the league from January on is very questionable.

As to age, sure our core is aging. but those guys are Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Kessel. They'll be studs into their mid thirties health willing and our supporting cast is getting much much younger with Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnhackl, and Sundqvist all around and vying for spots. And the geezers that we have are still contributing. Kunitz is quite streaky offensively at this point but he's not dead weight. Cullen if he can come anywhere near last season is a top 4C in the league, and Fehr is an ok fourth line versatile forward. None of these guys are cancerous contract that is preventing us from plugging other roster holes, which we don't really have to begin with.
- Victoro311

Well... my only retort is in regards to Washington...

Lars (frank)ing Eller

Mic drop.

Your move.

Well... my only retort is in regards to Washington...

Lars (frank)ing Eller

Mic drop.

Your move.
- mlindsay

I have no words. I concede and submit to your checkmate

Here we go with they got hot at the right time stuff again. The Penguins didn't just heat up and get carried by an unreasonable shooting percentage or legendary goaltending. We made a coaching change and flat out dominated. I thought after the playoffs where we outclassed most of the teams we played the whole way through we were done with this theory that we simply got hot.

It'd be one thing to argue that the defending Stanley Cup champions are no longer the best team in the devision if they went through a lot of roster turnover over the offseason like Chicago did. We are literally returning every single player besides Ben Lovejoy. The Rangers, and even the Capitals (both teams which we beat in the post season) would have had to make catastrophic improvements over the offseason to get the benefit of the doubt over the Pens. The Zibanajad trade was really good for you guys, Shea (I don't know how to spell his name but you get the idea) is a stud and will instantly improve your team if AV has the balls to play him in the top 4 over some other guys who don't deserve to be there anymore, and obviously Vesey was probably a significant addition, but to say that makes the Rangers better than the exact same team that was far and away the best in the league from January on is very questionable.

As to age, sure our core is aging. but those guys are Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Kessel. They'll be studs into their mid thirties health willing and our supporting cast is getting much much younger with Rust, Sheary, Wilson, Kuhnhackl, and Sundqvist all around and vying for spots. And the geezers that we have are still contributing. Kunitz is quite streaky offensively at this point but he's not dead weight. Cullen if he can come anywhere near last season is a top 4C in the league, and Fehr is an ok fourth line versatile forward. None of these guys are cancerous contract that is preventing us from plugging other roster holes, which we don't really have to begin with.
- Victoro311

The Penguins are obviously the favorite in the Metro. With that said, who knows how the season will play out. Injuries can occur, there could be goalie controversy in Pitt, roster just doesn't click, Stanley Cup hangover, etc. will all determine how the division plays out.

The Penguins are obviously the favorite in the Metro. With that said, who knows how the season will play out. Injuries can occur, there could be goalie controversy in Pitt, roster just doesn't click, Stanley Cup hangover, etc. will all determine how the division plays out.
- rangerdanger94

Well sure, obviously. But saying that you're not sure if the Pens are a top 2 team in the metro during the offseason when all things are still equal is a farce.

I have no words. I concede and submit to your checkmate
- Victoro311

I thought that would do it.
I take the victory as humble as possible.

I think the Boyd Gordon signing makes the Flyers the clear #3

As much as I wanted the Penguins to lose... they didn't... they were hands-down the best team in the league last season, certainly from December on. When Malkin got hurt, and the Pens went on a really hot streak, I wasn't that surprised, but thought they'd burn themselves out by round 1 or 2 of the playoffs. But that didn't happen... once they beat Washington - especially the way they beat them - I had that foreboding feeling that no one was going to stop them. In the end, if a team I seriously dislike is going to win the Cup, then let it be the way it happened... as opposed to watching other teams self-destruct or give it away.

Provorov could make an impact if he's ready to make the jump to the NHL. Much like Ghost did last year. Do you think he makes the Flyers this year?

Sorry - didn't see this until just now... yes, Provorov could certainly make the team this year... either straight out of training camp, or as a call-up during the season. Hextall has made it eminently clear that Provorov - and any of the other prospects, for that matter - will have to make the team the "old fashioned way", by earning it. Just like Ghost didn't start the season last year with the Flyers, it wouldn't surprise me if Provorov went the same way.

you are absolutely correct and that makes me sad
- bulet13

I'm not sure Pens are #2... Team is getting older and with short summer will have hard time repeating success of last season. They got hot at right time and stayed healthy. They understandably haven't made changes and are currently over the cap. Rangers have made some nice moves to get younger and faster. Nash never came back fully from leg injury and should have bounce back year. Girardi had a lot of health issues and played with concussion. With Skjei up at seasons end he should have a regular spot on d and hopefully they let McIlwrath play more. Still possible they deal for Shattenkirk. Rangers easily 3rd, if not 2nd best team in division.
- junaka3

Sorry - didn't see this until just now... yes, Provorov could certainly make the team this year... either straight out of training camp, or as a call-up during the season. Hextall has made it eminently clear that Provorov - and any of the other prospects, for that matter - will have to make the team the "old fashioned way", by earning it. Just like Ghost didn't start the season last year with the Flyers, it wouldn't surprise me if Provorov went the same way.
- copelal

Provorov will play for Brandon in the WHL, not the Phantoms. He will not be "called up" during the season

Provorov will play for Brandon in the WHL, not the Phantoms. He will not be "called up" during the season
- YuenglingJagr

Not with that attitude

- j.boyd919

we are brothers in the faceoff church. i feel no ill will towards you

Not with that attitude
- One_Eyed_Sweede

Provorov will play for Brandon in the WHL, not the Phantoms. He will not be "called up" during the season
- YuenglingJagr

Buuut I want to see his silky smooth skating in the show this year

Buuut I want to see his silky smooth skating in the show this year
- j.boyd919

I certainly hope we get to