Especially Malkin.
- MJL

Malkin for sure. Grossman did good against him when matched up, seemed to give him fits. Thats who I look to.

I want a lot of attention paid to Letang. The guy makes that engine turn a lot of the time, they need to get on him. Every chance.

Should be okay. He didn't use the A word (arrogant).

Also, love what you've done with your place!


- BringBack25

Refs don't try and decide an outcome. The players are going to decide this Series, not the refs. We all know the call on Rinaldo was BS.
- MJL

they can have a lot of influence. They need to try to call this series evenly. By making that call on Rinaldo that clearly influenced the outcome. How can you say that removing a player on a BS call doesn't change the outcome of the game?

did he really

yesssss
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Actual quotes:

"They got a lottery," said Burke. "They won a god damn lottery and they got the best player in the game. Is that available to me? Should we do that? Should we ask the League to have a lottery this year, and maybe we pick first? The Pittsburgh model? My ass."

"They got the best player in the game in a lottery. Ray Shero's done a good job. He's an excellent GM and he's a friend of mine. But I love when people talk about the Pittsburgh model. The simple fact is that they got the best player … we came in second that year in Anaheim. We got Bobby Ryan. Impact player, good player. They got Sidney Crosby in the lottery."

http://www.cbssports.com/...bout-the-pittsburgh-model

they can have a lot of influence. They need to try to call this series evenly. By making that call on Rinaldo that clearly influenced the outcome. How can you say that removing a player on a BS call doesn't change the outcome of the game?
- LJF

That call did not affect the outcome of the game. Look at the circumstances and why that call was made. And from what perspective. We all know that NHL officiating is inconsistent. Over the course of a 7 game Series, some calls will go the Flyers way, some calls will not. And superstar players like Crosby get the benefit of the doubt on occasion. It's a fact of life. The players on the ice will decide who wins the Series. The Series hasn't even started and there's already far too much being made of officiating.

they can have a lot of influence. They need to try to call this series evenly. By making that call on Rinaldo that clearly influenced the outcome. How can you say that removing a player on a BS call doesn't change the outcome of the game?
- LJF

My thing is this.

I understand the Rinaldo call even though I dont agree with it. They want to keep control of the series. The Rinaldo call was a message that dirty play wont be tolerated. Even though I do not think the hit was dirty.

They can have a lot of influence on this series. If they call every damn thing then the pens have the upper hand. Due to the available weapons they can put out on their PP if nothing else.

If the Flyers are to have a real chance imo they need to be given the chance to establish a strong physical game and get under the pens skin. The refs can certainly control that aspect. If the Flyers can make those big hits like Rinaldo did without being penalized, they have a better shot imo.

If this series gets into a very methodical and little emotion battle. I dont like the Flyers chance.

Actual quotes:

"They got a lottery," said Burke. "They won a god damn lottery and they got the best player in the game. Is that available to me? Should we do that? Should we ask the League to have a lottery this year, and maybe we pick first? The Pittsburgh model? My ass."

"They got the best player in the game in a lottery. Ray Shero's done a good job. He's an excellent GM and he's a friend of mine. But I love when people talk about the Pittsburgh model. The simple fact is that they got the best player … we came in second that year in Anaheim. We got Bobby Ryan. Impact player, good player. They got Sidney Crosby in the lottery."

http://www.cbssports.com/...bout-the-pittsburgh-model
- Jsaquella

Sour Grapes?

Actual quotes:

"They got a lottery," said Burke. "They won a god damn lottery and they got the best player in the game. Is that available to me? Should we do that? Should we ask the League to have a lottery this year, and maybe we pick first? The Pittsburgh model? My ass."

"They got the best player in the game in a lottery. Ray Shero's done a good job. He's an excellent GM and he's a friend of mine. But I love when people talk about the Pittsburgh model. The simple fact is that they got the best player … we came in second that year in Anaheim. We got Bobby Ryan. Impact player, good player. They got Sidney Crosby in the lottery."

http://www.cbssports.com/...bout-the-pittsburgh-model
- Jsaquella

Get over it Burke. What about the other teams that didnt get Crosby? The Pens won one Stanley Cup since they got Crosby. Team game. Get the right guys who play together and fit a system and it wont matter.

Actual quotes:

"They got a lottery," said Burke. "They won a god damn lottery and they got the best player in the game. Is that available to me? Should we do that? Should we ask the League to have a lottery this year, and maybe we pick first? The Pittsburgh model? My ass."

"They got the best player in the game in a lottery. Ray Shero's done a good job. He's an excellent GM and he's a friend of mine. But I love when people talk about the Pittsburgh model. The simple fact is that they got the best player … we came in second that year in Anaheim. We got Bobby Ryan. Impact player, good player. They got Sidney Crosby in the lottery."

http://www.cbssports.com/...bout-the-pittsburgh-model
- Jsaquella

yowza! interesting to see the higher ups staring to get pissed off and sound like all of us moaning fans

That call did not affect the outcome of the game. Look at the circumstances and why that call was made. And from what perspective. We all know that NHL officiating is inconsistent. Over the course of a 7 game Series, some calls will go the Flyers way, some calls will not. And superstar players like Crosby get the benefit of the doubt on occasion. It's a fact of life. The players on the ice will decide who wins the Series. The Series hasn't even started and there's already far too much being made of officiating.
- MJL

Play smart fundamental hockey and you wont allow the refs to become a factor. We all know Crosby and Malkin are going to get calls (most superstars do) the Flyers have to limit their time in the box over the series.

My thing is this.

I understand the Rinaldo call even though I dont agree with it. They want to keep control of the series. The Rinaldo call was a message that dirty play wont be tolerated. Even though I do not think the hit was dirty.

They can have a lot of influence on this series. If they call every damn thing then the pens have the upper hand. Due to the available weapons they can put out on their PP if nothing else.

If the Flyers are to have a real chance imo they need to be given the chance to establish a strong physical game and get under the pens skin. The refs can certainly control that aspect. If the Flyers can make those big hits like Rinaldo did without being penalized, they have a better shot imo.

If this series gets into a very methodical and little emotion battle. I dont like the Flyers chance.
- flyer_nutter

Rinaldo should of been penalized for the hit. It was definitely a board. It should of been a minor, and not a Major. You can't expect to get away with breaking the rules, and not being penalized for it. The Flyers have to play tough and physical within the boundaries of the rules. And the Flyers PP is just as good if not better then the Pens. And who takes advantage of that will be key. The Pens have the edge of having the better PK.

Get over it Burke. What about the other teams that didnt get Crosby? The Pens won one Stanley Cup since they got Crosby. Team game. Get the right guys who play together and fit a system and it wont matter.
- stveshdy

Honestly it makes sense.

The pens had so many high picks because they purely tanked. If Toronto, or any other team was given a top 5 pick for a few straight years they would be drastically better.

While I do think bringing in Neal, Michalek and dealing for Hossa were great moves the pens got to where they are pretty damn easily. Tanking for a bunch of years and getting amazing picks is bound to make you a good team (unless you are Columbus).

That call did not affect the outcome of the game. Look at the circumstances and why that call was made. And from what perspective. We all know that NHL officiating is inconsistent. Over the course of a 7 game Series, some calls will go the Flyers way, some calls will not. And superstar players like Crosby get the benefit of the doubt on occasion. It's a fact of life. The players on the ice will decide who wins the Series. The Series hasn't even started and there's already far too much being made of officiating.
- MJL

Do you know this as a fact? Did you some how in an alternate time dimension see the exact game play out, but with Rinaldo still in for the entire game. Losing one player, no matter which player alters the outcome.

Also by your admission to look at the circumstances the refs were deciding the outcome. They were making calls to try to keep the game from getting ugly. As long as it is in fair play it isn't up to them.

I just don't want to see any BS calls. Yes the refs can't be perfect I know that, but I hope the calls don't influence the outcome.

Rinaldo should of been penalized for the hit. It was definitely a board. It should of been a minor, and not a Major. You can't expect to get away with breaking the rules, and not being penalized for it. The Flyers have to play tough and physical within the boundaries of the rules. And the Flyers PP is just as good if not better then the Pens. And who takes advantage of that will be key. The Pens have the edge of having the better PK.
- MJL

Here is where I have huge issues. If you are going to call Rinaldo, and give a major for that.

You better start calling the poop like Malkin punching Giroux's head.

Get over it Burke. What about the other teams that didnt get Crosby? The Pens won one Stanley Cup since they got Crosby. Team game. Get the right guys who play together and fit a system and it wont matter.
- stveshdy

Yes, like Chicago, Tampa, and the B's.

Burke is a dumb dumb

Do you know this as a fact? Did you some how in an alternate time dimension see the exact game play out, but with Rinaldo still in for the entire game. Losing one player, no matter which player alters the outcome.

Also by your admission to look at the circumstances the refs were deciding the outcome. They were making calls to try to keep the game from getting ugly. As long as it is in fair play it isn't up to them.

I just don't want to see any BS calls. Yes the refs can't be perfect I know that, but I hope the calls don't influence the outcome.
- LJF

I love the whole "let them play thing".

I have a strong feeling though that the league will watch this series with a keen eye. It will be kept under control by officiating it harshly.

Its being built up to be some kind of bloodbath, but I dont see the refs letting it get anywhere close to that.

Honestly it makes sense.

The pens had so many high picks because they purely tanked. If Toronto, or any other team was given a top 5 pick for a few straight years they would be drastically better.

While I do think bringing in Neal, Michalek and dealing for Hossa were great moves the pens got to where they are pretty damn easily. Tanking for a bunch of years and getting amazing picks is bound to make you a good team (unless you are Columbus).
- flyer_nutter

Tanking may guarantee you a top pick but that doesn't mean your team will be a success. The GM still needs to do his job and piece together the right players.

Get over it Burke. What about the other teams that didnt get Crosby? The Pens won one Stanley Cup since they got Crosby. Team game. Get the right guys who play together and fit a system and it wont matter.
- stveshdy

Wasn't he asked if he should follow a "Pittsburgh model" though? I can't fault him for going off if that's the case, not every rebuild has to be like the Penguins. If it was as easy as tanking for a handful of years, the Islanders and Blue Jackets would be playoffs teams by last season, and Edmonton would be a playoffs favorite by now. Not to discredit the progress made in Edmonton, they have some great youth, but that they've also accrued talent through the top of the draft and yet still don't compete shows to me it's not as simple as that.

All that said, I think Burke's made some bad decisions in his approach. And if he went on this tirade unprovoked, then yeah it's unnecessary. But as I understand it, he was provoked, and he's right that the comparison isn't fair.

Do you know this as a fact? Did you some how in an alternate time dimension see the exact game play out, but with Rinaldo still in for the entire game. Losing one player, no matter which player alters the outcome.

Also by your admission to look at the circumstances the refs were deciding the outcome. They were making calls to try to keep the game from getting ugly. As long as it is in fair play it isn't up to them.

I just don't want to see any BS calls. Yes the refs can't be perfect I know that, but I hope the calls don't influence the outcome.
- LJF

Yes, from watching the game, in my opinion it didn't change the outcome. I don't expect the playoffs to be officiated in the same manner. Guess what, it's the NHL. There's going to be calls that some might label as BS. For and against. The officials aren't going to decide the outcome of the Series. They never do.

Here is where I have huge issues. If you are going to call Rinaldo, and give a major for that.

You better start calling the poop like Malkin punching Giroux's head.
- flyer_nutter

That's where your looking for consistency. Doesn't always happen. That's life in the NHL. I don't see a reason to worry about it.

Tanking may guarantee you a top pick but that doesn't mean your team will be a success. The GM still needs to do his job and piece together the right players.
- stveshdy

Whatever the case may be, and I honestly dont care about the pens, I do not respect that organization for a second.

A bunch of cocky fans that all seemed to come out of the woodwork as soon as crosby arrived. Its funny how they all seem to forget about how they built this "dynasty".

For poops and giggles, I am going to be very interested to see how all of their "fans" show support once Crosby and Malkin retire.

Wasn't he asked if he should follow a "Pittsburgh model" though? I can't fault him for going off if that's the case, not every rebuild has to be like the Penguins. If it was as easy as tanking for a handful of years, the Islanders and Blue Jackets would be playoffs teams by last season, and Edmonton would be a playoffs favorite by now. Not to discredit the progress made in Edmonton, they have some great youth, but that they've also accrued talent through the top of the draft and yet still don't compete shows to me it's not as simple as that.

All that said, I think Burke's made some bad decisions in his approach. And if he went on this tirade unprovoked, then yeah it's unnecessary. But as I understand it, he was provoked, and he's right that the comparison isn't fair.
- BulliesPhan87

Truth is his team this year choked. They were terrible after the ASB and continue to be a disappointment for years now. That falls on the GM whether or not he has Crosby on his team.

Tanking may guarantee you a top pick but that doesn't mean your team will be a success. The GM still needs to do his job and piece together the right players.
- stveshdy

But having a no brainer pick handed to you, that everyone here would have made correctly. Get's your team off to a pretty good start.

Yes, from watching the game, in my opinion it didn't change the outcome. I don't expect the playoffs to be officiated in the same manner. Guess what, it's the NHL. There's going to be calls that some might label as BS. For and against. The officials aren't going to decide the outcome of the Series. They never do.
- MJL

cool in my opinion it clearly affected the outcome. Here's to more discussions on the series.

Whatever the case may be, and I honestly dont care about the pens, I do not respect that organization for a second.

A bunch of cocky fans that all seemed to come out of the woodwork as soon as crosby arrived. Its funny how they all seem to forget about how they built this "dynasty".

For poops and giggles, I am going to be very interested to see how all of their "fans" show support once Crosby and Malkin retire.
- flyer_nutter

Malkin, Crosby, and Fluery helped the rebuild no doubt but the GM has still managed to put good players around those guys. You have the right to "not respect" the Pittsburgh organization.