After watching Couturier getting the baseline on 24/7 I have started to doubt it. They are asking the player simple memory questions during a point in time where their adrenaline is sky rocketing and they are more than likely in some kind of pain. I know that when I am playing and my adrenaline is pumping I can barely remember what has happened shift to shift during the game never asking me to remember a sequance of numbers and then be able to repeat that.

Another great piece by Sean Conboy... this time on James Neal

http://www.pittsburghmaga...eal-Deal-With-James-Neal/



hahaha!
- rival22

Very nice read on James Neal. Defending his friend Paul Martin, no less.

Very nice read on James Neal. Defending his friend Paul Martin, no less.
- powerhouse

They did a piece on James Neal on TFP and he said he used to live with Martin and now they are neighbors. They ride to practice and games together. Neal seems to fit in really well on this team and he said all the right things after signing his extension. I'm glad to have him.

My favorite was

Q: But is it possible to play “Penguin hockey” night in and night out during the regular season? Can you always get up to play such a physical system?

A: Let’s say a Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, when the only people there are 12 [Devils fans] and Ben Lovejoy’s relatives in their Lovejoy jerseys — that’s one where it’s tough to get up to play Pittsburgh Penguin hockey. That’s one you need to dig down deep and find a way to get up for.

Very nice read on James Neal. Defending his friend Paul Martin, no less.
- powerhouse

I got geno passing me the puck or sid either is fine. Ha Ha great quote

That is funny, but given their record against the Devils lately, it seems to be the truth too!

Leonsis throwing his team under the bus in his blog is poor judgement, IMO. The owner of a team implicates the coaching staff as well as the players in a public display that should be done behind closed doors.
As far as the game it is the Pens vs the trap once again. Unfortunately we usually look afraid to make a mistake in these game. Then of course we make one and then fish it out of our net. We need an aggressive foward attack but we do not, I repeat, do not need D piching in to give them a breakaway the other way. NY is disciplined and we need to match that faithfully IMO.
- powerhouse

He must be thinking that they've tried everything else and nothing has worked. The only remaining move is to lose the General Manager, but that won't happen until April.

My favorite was

Q: But is it possible to play “Penguin hockey” night in and night out during the regular season? Can you always get up to play such a physical system?

A: Let’s say a Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, when the only people there are 12
- Deadstar[Devils fans] and Ben Lovejoy’s relatives in their Lovejoy jerseys — that’s one where it’s tough to get up to play Pittsburgh Penguin hockey. That’s one you need to dig down deep and find a way to get up for.

Hilarious. Love when players take unnecessary shots at one another for the fun of it. Shows that actually like one another.

My favorite was

Q: But is it possible to play “Penguin hockey” night in and night out during the regular season? Can you always get up to play such a physical system?

A: Let’s say a Sunday afternoon in New Jersey, when the only people there are 12
- Deadstar[Devils fans] and Ben Lovejoy’s relatives in their Lovejoy jerseys — that’s one where it’s tough to get up to play Pittsburgh Penguin hockey. That’s one you need to dig down deep and find a way to get up for.

He did imply that we don't really know hockey because we give Paulie a hard time.

Few players are totally healthy this time of year. Crosby’s injury is different than a knee injury, but other teammates have come back from concussions recently. Who’s to say whether Arron Asham is truly symptom free other than Asham himself? I’m not saying I have knowledge Asham returned at less than 100 percent. I don’t. What I am saying is that players have acknowledged coming back from concussion before they were completely healthy.

It sounds harsh/brutal, but guys like Asham maybe don't have the luxury of sitting out until they are truly fully healthy (Asham goes away for a long time, he might be forgotten and maybe never gets another opportunity). Crosby is going to be treated differently, and that's just the way it goes.

Few players are totally healthy this time of year. Crosby’s injury is different than a knee injury, but other teammates have come back from concussions recently. Who’s to say whether Arron Asham is truly symptom free other than Asham himself? I’m not saying I have knowledge Asham returned at less than 100 percent. I don’t. What I am saying is that players have acknowledged coming back from concussion before they were completely healthy.

It sounds harsh/brutal, but guys like Asham maybe don't have the luxury of sitting out until they are truly fully healthy (Asham goes away for a long time, he might be forgotten and maybe never gets another opportunity). Crosby is going to be treated differently, and that's just the way it goes.
- MadCap2008

Unfortunatley when it comes to players of Asham's ilk, the term 'dime a dozen' comes to mind. Not a knock on him, just the way it goes. There is a lot of truth in that.

Few players are totally healthy this time of year. Crosby’s injury is different than a knee injury, but other teammates have come back from concussions recently. Who’s to say whether Arron Asham is truly symptom free other than Asham himself? I’m not saying I have knowledge Asham returned at less than 100 percent. I don’t. What I am saying is that players have acknowledged coming back from concussion before they were completely healthy.

It sounds harsh/brutal, but guys like Asham maybe don't have the luxury of sitting out until they are truly fully healthy (Asham goes away for a long time, he might be forgotten and maybe never gets another opportunity). Crosby is going to be treated differently, and that's just the way it goes.
- MadCap2008

Partly that, but it's gotta be more. Maybe it is the neck issue, or a different type of concussion. Look at a guy like David Perron... sure, he's a nice player (and a first round pick), but it's not like he has all of the job security in the world. For him to miss that much time, there's gotta be something to it.

Injuries everywhere

Ovechkin not at practice, was seen limping yesterday
Lecavalier-arm in a cast, out indef.
Datsyuk-out 2 week, knee
Bryz is getting x-rays in Philly

yikes
- ryman1566

Toews isn't playing tonight either.

Injuries everywhere

Ovechkin not at practice, was seen limping yesterday
Lecavalier-arm in a cast, out indef.
Datsyuk-out 2 week, knee
Bryz is getting x-rays in Philly

yikes
- ryman1566

So, Bryz is getting X-rays in Philly on his hurt feelings? Wonderful.

So, Bryz is getting X-rays in Philly on his hurt feelings? Wonderful.
- Oneonta Penguin

What sucks about that contract is that Holmgren is going to get out of jail free card with the next CBA when the get the amnesty buy out clause everyone is talking about.

He did imply that we don't really know hockey because we give Paulie a hard time.
- dbell646

Most think he's an abomination, which he isnt.

What sucks about that contract is that Holmgren is going to get out of jail free card with the next CBA when the get the amnesty buy out clause everyone is talking about.
- akane13

Aren't they going to be on the hook for the Pronger deal also (an over-35 signing) ?

Aren't they going to be on the hook for the Pronger deal also (an over-35 signing) ?
- MadCap2008

Yep.

What's you're take on the Caps? They looked bad last night. Their play reminds me of the last few weeks of Thierrien's stint in Pitt, but the coaching change has already been made in DC. Who goes or get traded? GMGM looks like he will be around for the duration, otherwise, why let him handle the deadline.

Most think he's an abomination, which he isnt.
- Deadstar

I don't think he is an abomination, but he def. needs to be CONSISTANTLY better. Could be said about a few guys.

Aren't they going to be on the hook for the Pronger deal also (an over-35 signing) ?
- MadCap2008

The only way they sort of get out of it, is if he can't play anymore due to the concussion. They could do the Boston/Marc Savard thing and basically have that LTIR room every season.

The only way they sort of get out of it, is if he can't play anymore due to the concussion. They could do the Boston/Marc Savard thing and basically have that LTIR room every season.
- rival22

Read an article that had quotes from Pronger's wife from a charity function for the team, and it is starting to sound more like it may indeed be near the end for Chris.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...=618120&cmpid=nhl-rxl-twt

The only way they sort of get out of it, is if he can't play anymore due to the concussion. They could do the Boston/Marc Savard thing and basically have that LTIR room every season.
- rival22

I'm no expert on these contracts, but I thought there was something unique about an over-35 signing which didn't allow it to be taken off the books. Perhaps the LTIR is a way around that.

The only way they sort of get out of it, is if he can't play anymore due to the concussion. They could do the Boston/Marc Savard thing and basically have that LTIR room every season.
- rival22

I'm not an expert on the LTIR, but doesn't the player have to be attempting to come back in order to qualify for the LTIR? Ie, if Pronger just plain retires is he still eligible for LTIR exemption?

I'm no expert on these contracts, but I thought there was something unique about an over-35 signing which didn't allow it to be taken off the books. Perhaps the LTIR is a way around that.
- MadCap2008

Anyone can go on LTIR at any age. The catch with the over 35 contract was that if they player played 3 years of a 6 year deal, then retired, you're still on the hook for the other 3, which count against the cap.

I'm not an expert on the LTIR, but doesn't the player have to be attempting to come back in order to qualify for the LTIR? Ie, if Pronger just plain retires is he still eligible for LTIR exemption?
- s0rcerer1984

That is some grey area that I don't know... I mean, he would still need to have a bonafide injury to be put on LTIR, but at what point does it become obvious cap circumvention. Say he has concussion symptoms for the next 4-5 years... sure, he might be unable to be "cleared to play", but was he going to play at 41-42 years old anyway?

Definitely an interesting discussion.