John Toperzer: Are you satisfied with the Pens' penalty kill?

John Toperzer: Are you satisfied with the Pens' penalty kill?
- the-mitch-wilsons

How can you not be? They haven't given up a PP goal all year and we are well into November already!

Up until the playoffs I was happy with it. Then the debacle of the Flyers series happened.

With the losses of Staal and Z the PK will have a different look, Sutter is good on the PK but he is no Staal. I wonder if Despres or Strait can step into the Michalek role.

One thing I wish the Pens would do is use Malkin and Crosby on the PK. Even though they are shorthanded teams would have to recognize that if they don't make a crisp pass or a smart player either of them could score a shorthanded goal with ease. Lots of other teams use there top players on the Pk I don't see why Bylsma doesn't. Especially with how good Crosby has become at faceoffs as well.

Is a Marino and Elway rookie card that worthless now? Wow I knew sports cards dropped but not that much. I remember I had an ALexander Daige and Pat Falloon RC, each for a brief moment were around $20. Now probaly not teh paper and ink they were printed on.

I know the new fad is having guys pressuring the puck, going for chances. But the defensive zone ends up being a mess when the players (the Pens) get too agressive. I'd like to see the team stick with a more reserved penalty kill.

It's been so long I forget what the PK looks like.

Very classy on your part John to do that for the victims of the hurricane.

I have a cousin who lives on Long Island and he had to wait SEVENTEEN hours for gas.

Assuming there's no hockey up through the already-cancelled Winter Classic (Maybe these games are already cancelled, but if they aren't they will be soon and I'm too apathetic to check), would it make any sense to even have an All-Star Game? The game is already more of a spectacle, a summit to sell-ebrate the sport, but usually everybody pretends there's a (hockey-related) basis for voting. What would the voting pretend to be based on, the six games or so each team would play leading up to it? Even if the game is rescheduled, there's usually three months worth of season before then. If they're going to rush a high profile event, why not scrap the ASG and really try to save the Winter Classic before it gets too warm?*

It's not like they could depend on Columbus to continue the tradition of the host city stuffing the ballot, considering the absence of star power on the roster.

*(The correct answer is "because there won't be a season anyway")

Assuming there's no hockey up through the already-cancelled Winter Classic (Maybe these games are already cancelled, but if they aren't they will be soon and I'm too apathetic to check), would it make any sense to even have an All-Star Game? The game is already more of a spectacle, a summit to sell-ebrate the sport, but usually everybody pretends there's a (hockey-related) basis for voting. What would the voting pretend to be based on, the six games or so each team would play leading up to it? Even if the game is rescheduled, there's usually three months worth of season before then. If they're going to rush a high profile event, why not scrap the ASG and really try to save the Winter Classic before it gets too warm?*

It's not like they could depend on Columbus to continue the tradition of the host city stuffing the ballot, considering the absence of star power on the roster.

*(The correct answer is "because there won't be a season anyway")
- BulliesPhan87

I think there is still a possibility of starting the season on Black Friday if these most recent talks are fruitful, big if.

How can you not be? They haven't given up a PP goal all year and we are well into November already!
- TheRat14

This guy is a true fan he's been watching every game this year like me

Up until the playoffs I was happy with it. Then the debacle of the Flyers series happened.

With the losses of Staal and Z the PK will have a different look, Sutter is good on the PK but he is no Staal. I wonder if Despres or Strait can step into the Michalek role.

One thing I wish the Pens would do is use Malkin and Crosby on the PK. Even though they are shorthanded teams would have to recognize that if they don't make a crisp pass or a smart player either of them could score a shorthanded goal with ease. Lots of other teams use there top players on the Pk I don't see why Bylsma doesn't. Especially with how good Crosby has become at faceoffs as well.
- Ben37

I'd like to see Malkin and Crosby on the PK as well. I think it helps keep them in the game as well as putting fear into opponents. Good point on Crosby/faceoffs.

Is a Marino and Elway rookie card that worthless now? Wow I knew sports cards dropped but not that much. I remember I had an ALexander Daige and Pat Falloon RC, each for a brief moment were around $20. Now probaly not teh paper and ink they were printed on.
- sammy87

Daigle and Falloon, haha. Yeh, I wouldn't be planning retirement on those cards. The Marino and Elway have held there values better than most cards printed after the '70s, I think.

I'd like to see Malkin and Crosby on the PK as well. I think it helps keep them in the game as well as putting fear into opponents. Good point on Crosby/faceoffs.
- the-mitch-wilsons

I was watching one of those old Penguins games on Root Sports the other night and noticed how much of difference Mario made on the PK. He didn't block shots. He wasn't tenacious or anything, but his presence certainly made a difference.....especially with the blue liners. Those guys new if he got behind them it was more than likely going to be a shorty.

Bylsma shows no inclination in trying Sid or Geno on PK except maybe at the very end or a spot faceoff with Sid.

I was watching one of those old Penguins games on Root Sports the other night and noticed how much of difference Mario made on the PK. He didn't block shots. He wasn't tenacious or anything, but his presence certainly made a difference.....especially with the blue liners. Those guys new if he got behind them it was more than likely going to be a shorty.

Bylsma shows no inclination in trying Sid or Geno on PK except maybe at the very end or a spot faceoff with Sid.
- madmike71

Still owns the NHL record for most shorthanded goals in a season with an incredible 13. He was a very good PK because of his long reach as well to go along with his presence and threat to score.

I think there is still a possibility of starting the season on Black Friday if these most recent talks are fruitful, big if.
- Gunner Staal

I'm at the point where I'll believe it when I see it. Kind of lost interest in the comings and goings of the negotiations.

I'm at the point where I'll believe it when I see it. Kind of lost interest in the comings and goings of the negotiations.
- BulliesPhan87

Yep, agreed. Been going to some great mucic/rock shows. Has renewed my iterest in music which has been good. Springsteen at Consol last week and seeing this guy in Philly on Friday. He is amazingly good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUZnlxuXaG4

I'm at the point where I'll believe it when I see it. Kind of lost interest in the comings and goings of the negotiations.
- BulliesPhan87

Trust me, I feel the same way.

No matter what I'm excited for these guys.