http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=626165
- bmeltzer

Seems that other teams are simply aping the Pens' gamesmanship. When players and coaches make pointed remarks in the media, like Crosby, Berube, Laviolette and now Tortorella have done in the past week, it's to draw attention to the things.

Happens every year, in every playoff season. Hell I remember when Milbury dragged out the VCR and showed replays of non calls in a series to the media to fire up the refs.

Leino has what 8 goals this year. Not much of an over payment. Saw that coming.

Leino has what 8 goals this year. Not much of an over payment. Saw that coming.
- bird_dog

Hey, he got financial security for the rest of his life, can't blame him for saying yes to all that cash.

Ok time to bet on who Sits Saturday's game!

Kimmo, Roo, Jagr, Bob gets the start
- flyers4487

I think Timonen sits. I suspect Giroux and Jagr will play but sparingly. Bryzgalov has indirectly said he wants the start, and Laviolette hinted at it last night after the game.

Ok time to bet on who Sits Saturday's game!

Kimmo, Roo, Jagr, Bob gets the start
- flyers4487

I think they give Bryzgalov the start even though his foot issues seem to be gone (or at least he's not letting it get to him). He needs to keep rolling heading into the playoffs.

But I'm not Laviolette, and Bob getting the nod wouldn't surprise me.

Hey, he got financial security for the rest of his life, can't blame him for saying yes to all that cash.
- Jsaquella

I don't blame Leino at all. Buffalo's GM didn't really exercise prudence with the checkbook IMO.

I think Timonen sits. I suspect Giroux and Jagr will play but sparingly. Bryzgalov has indirectly said he wants the start, and Laviolette hinted at it last night after the game.
- bmeltzer

Timonen deserves the break for sure. 5 days without a game would be good for him.

Hey, he got financial security for the rest of his life, can't blame him for saying yes to all that cash.
- Jsaquella

I'd take $6 million a season to score 8 goals.

One could only hope but if he gets any suspension it will be for a game.
- bird_dog

Probably.. The league won't penalize it's darling franchise.. I actually expect them to rescind the 5 and a game, give him 2 and suspend and fine Torts.

sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/tortorella-penguins-orpik-knee-stepan-one-most-arrogant-023451832.html
- bird_dog

HATE TO SAY THIS...but I kind of agree with Torts...UGH!!!

I think Timonen sits. I suspect Giroux and Jagr will play but sparingly. Bryzgalov has indirectly said he wants the start, and Laviolette hinted at it last night after the game.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I was thinking last nigh, Shelley's played the last couple games, could that be so it does't look as suspicious when he's dressed for Saturday? I don't expect to see any of the Pens starters in the game, but I could see Shelley going after Vitale as payback. However, if they continue to take cheap shots at our stars, Rinaldo Simmonds etc may have to answer the bell in the first round.

I think Timonen sits. I suspect Giroux and Jagr will play but sparingly. Bryzgalov has indirectly said he wants the start, and Laviolette hinted at it last night after the game.
- bmeltzer

If he can't suffer further injury to his foot, I'd go with Bryzgalov, too. Get him the reps.

Somebody on twitter hinted that Bartulis got recalled, not sure if it was in jest.

I think Timonen sits. I suspect Giroux and Jagr will play but sparingly. Bryzgalov has indirectly said he wants the start, and Laviolette hinted at it last night after the game.
- bmeltzer

I hope Schenn, Cooter, Schelly, Talbot, and Reeder log the lions share of the Minutes. I wouldn't mind giving Carle and Coburn the day off as well

HATE TO SAY THIS...but I kind of agree with Torts...UGH!!!
- phi1671

I totally agree with him. I hate the Rangers, and Torts can be over the top, but maybe if more than one organization says what everyone knows to be true, then people will understand it's not just Flyers sour grapes.

I'd take $6 million a season to score 8 goals.
- arbetten20

I'm sure he envisioned 20 or so. Leino's not a bad player, but he was badly misused in his first season as a Sabre.

Bill, I was thinking last nigh, Shelley's played the last couple games, could that be so it does't look as suspicious when he's dressed for Saturday? I don't expect to see any of the Pens starters in the game, but I could see Shelley going after Vitale as payback. However, if they continue to take cheap shots at our stars, Rinaldo Simmonds etc may have to answer the bell in the first round.
- Hextall271

Last time the Flyers and Pens were in a game like this, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and a few others did not even dress. I suspect it will be like this Saturday as well.

The most important preseason game ever!!!!

If he can't suffer further injury to his foot, I'd go with Bryzgalov, too. Get him the reps.

Somebody on twitter hinted that Bartulis got recalled, not sure if it was in jest.
- Jsaquella

I think that makes sense. Sit Timonen for a few days.. I think it will help him a lot. Give Bryz the start to try to get back in his groove. He needs lots of playing time..

I totally agree with him. I hate the Rangers, and Torts can be over the top, but maybe if more than one organization says what everyone knows to be true, then people will understand it's not just Flyers sour grapes.
- Hextall271

Well, and Lava was saying it after a Flyers win, but Torts is saying it after a loss, so if anyone's grapes are sour it's Torts's. But I don't think any reasonable observer not wearing black and yellow/gold (or baby blue) doesn't see what the both see.

Last time the Flyers and Pens were in a game like this, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and a few others did not even dress. I suspect it will be like this Saturday as well.

The most important preseason game ever!!!!
- flyers4487

I expect no MAF either. Skeleton crew, but I still hope they go after Vitale for payback...

Anyone know if the Phantoms are gonna make the PO's in the A? If not, I say call up Leights, Bart etc etc..

I expect no MAF either. Skeleton crew, but I still hope they go after Vitale for payback...

Anyone know if the Phantoms are gonna make the PO's in the A? If not, I say call up Leights, Bart etc etc..
- Hextall271

Chara took care of that for us

Did anyone catch the Torterella comments after the game last night after one of his guys got taken out after a knee on knee hit?
Called Geno and Crysby the their two stars are whining babies or little whining stars or something to that effect, classic.
- bird_dog

They were talking about it on WIP this morning. Morganti said this might actually be a good thing for the Flyers as this is the second time, third person, that has said this about the Pens and thier stars, and called the Refs out for not calling penalities on them. He said that Refs hate it when they are called out for favoritism, and it will likely make them call penalities on Malkin and Crosby quicker then they normally would.... Thanks Torts...

Is the playoff schedule set yet?

They were talking about it on WIP this morning. Morganti said this might actually be a good thing for the Flyers as this is the second time, third person, that has said this about the Pens and thier stars, and called the Refs out for not calling penalities on them. He said that Refs hate it when they are called out for favoritism, and it will likely make them call penalities on Malkin and Crosby quicker then they normally would.... Thanks Torts...
- RooNosHockey

I'm sure Torts is playing this game now too b/c he wants to see the Flyers take out the Pens. He knows the Rags own the Flyers, it's all post season gamesmanship.

Bill, I was thinking last nigh, Shelley's played the last couple games, could that be so it does't look as suspicious when he's dressed for Saturday? I don't expect to see any of the Pens starters in the game, but I could see Shelley going after Vitale as payback. However, if they continue to take cheap shots at our stars, Rinaldo Simmonds etc may have to answer the bell in the first round.
- Hextall271

Shelly is in because Briere is out, and these games are pretty much meaningless. Though to be honest I wouldn't have minded a loss last night with NJ winning.....

Chara took care of that for us
- flyers4487

I missed that. Did he knock him out? Regardless, I'd love for someone to tune him up..