John Toperzer: Who's your vote for MVP? Pens are in the midst of playing just three times in 11 days

Good luck to you this week in the playoffs, sir. But not too much luck!!


ROOT SPORTS™ | PIT‏@ROOTSPORTSPIT2m
Crosby will speak to the media shortly. -DP

Sid said he sees the Dr. this week and will await what the Dr says, also has only been able to consume shakes, and is having hard time keeping weight on

Always thought Staal was not offensively skilled enough to be a #1 or #2 on a contender. I'm sure he will get better in Carolina as he settles in, but he is "just" a shut down guy that can chip in herre and there. Best 3rd line C in the game.

Always thought Staal was not offensively skilled enough to be a #1 or #2 on a contender. I'm sure he will get better in Carolina as he settles in, but he is "just" a shut down guy that can chip in herre and there. Best 3rd line C in the game.
- Sell My Monkey

I think he is skilled enough to be a #2 center on a good teams. He had very good moments over his years with the Pens in elevated situations, and he's still only 24 (which is mind boggling).

Sid said he sees the Dr. this week and will await what the Dr says, also has only been able to consume shakes, and is having hard time keeping weight on
- ryman1566

Well that sucks.

Gunner - read your piece on the Caps. It's a fair take - we will find out in the coming days/weeks whether the Caps are simply feasting on the weak SE division or if they happened to truly start clicking at a time which just happened to coincide with a stretch of games against SE opponents. My sense is that Ovechkin/Backstrom are playing at a level that we haven't seen for a couple of seasons - they were after all playing against some of these same SE slugs last season and never appear to hit this level (perhaps in part due to Hunter's overly defensive style). It will hurt them if Brooks Laich is out for an extended period (and Erat's absence won't help either), and their back 6 is a never-ending concern.

I think he is skilled enough to be a #2 center on a good teams. He had very good moments over his years with the Pens in elevated situations, and he's still only 24 (which is mind boggling).
- rival22

He's a solid #2 center - he was a spectacular #3. It might be a long time before we see a 1-2-3 like Crosby/Malkin/Staal again (I know that Sutter is really good, but he's not Staal).

Gunner - read your piece on the Caps. It's a fair take - we will find out in the coming days/weeks whether the Caps are simply feasting on the weak SE division or if they happened to truly start clicking at a time which just happened to coincide with a stretch of games against SE opponents. My sense is that Ovechkin/Backstrom are playing at a level that we haven't seen for a couple of seasons - they were after all playing against some of these same SE slugs last season and never appear to hit this level (perhaps in part due to Hunter's overly defensive style). It will hurt them if Brooks Laich is out for an extended period (and Erat's absence won't help either), and their back 6 is a never-ending concern.
- MadCap2008

The coaching changes hurt the attitudes last year for those two, I think they respect Oates and are buying into what he is trying to do. I think that is a huge difference

Gunner - read your piece on the Caps. It's a fair take - we will find out in the coming days/weeks whether the Caps are simply feasting on the weak SE division or if they happened to truly start clicking at a time which just happened to coincide with a stretch of games against SE opponents. My sense is that Ovechkin/Backstrom are playing at a level that we haven't seen for a couple of seasons - they were after all playing against some of these same SE slugs last season and never appear to hit this level (perhaps in part due to Hunter's overly defensive style). It will hurt them if Brooks Laich is out for an extended period (and Erat's absence won't help either), and their back 6 is a never-ending concern.
- MadCap2008

I didn't realize that they were trending so poorly in some of those areas until I looked into it more. No arguing that Ovechkin/Backstrom havent seen this kind of success in a couple years though. They can't choose who they play against, but they can start to do a little better against the playoff teams.

He's a solid #2 center - he was a spectacular #3. It might be a long time before we see a 1-2-3 like Crosby/Malkin/Staal again (I know that Sutter is really good, but he's not Staal).
- MadCap2008

I think Sutter might have the same amount of pure skill that Staal has, but Staal's physicality is what made that 1-2-3 so good. His line would either go against a 3rd pairing and wear them down over a game/series, or play against an opposing top line and wear them down by making them work all 200 feet.

Pretty impressive!

Dan Séguin ‏@SeguinSports
Erik Karlsson skates! Less than 2 months after slicing his achilles, Karlsson looked very good in a workout this am with Marc
Power. #cbcott

Pretty impressive!

Dan Séguin ‏@SeguinSports
Erik Karlsson skates! Less than 2 months after slicing his achilles, Karlsson looked very good in a workout this am with Marc
Power. #cbcott
- rival22

Pretty incredible. Just hope it continues to go well.

Pretty impressive!

Dan Séguin ‏@SeguinSports
Erik Karlsson skates! Less than 2 months after slicing his achilles, Karlsson looked very good in a workout this am with Marc
Power. #cbcott
- rival22

Perhaps Shero should hire a forensic investigator to dig up some dirt on his quick recovery....I'm smellin some PED's.

"Eaton was the first free agent that general manager Ray Shero signed upon taking over the Penguins in May 2006.

After signing Eaton, Shero instructed a member of his then-smallish hockey operations staff to send flowers and a welcome package to Eaton's wife, a gesture that has become tradition."

Think this is pretty cool. I don't know if all GMs do this, but they should. Shows you the class that Ray Shero has.

Neal concussed, not traveling on road trip per Bylsma

I didn't realize that they were trending so poorly in some of those areas until I looked into it more. No arguing that Ovechkin/Backstrom havent seen this kind of success in a couple years though. They can't choose who they play against, but they can start to do a little better against the playoff teams.
- Gunner Staal

Agreed, and they are going to have to - although I think Winnipeg is weak, they have a very winnable stretch of 5 consecutive home games (and they are tough to beat at home). Caps have multiple games with Montreal, Ottawa coming up.

Pretty impressive!

Dan Séguin ‏@SeguinSports
Erik Karlsson skates! Less than 2 months after slicing his achilles, Karlsson looked very good in a workout this am with Marc
Power. #cbcott
- rival22

That's good to hear. Really a remarkable season by the Senators. They're starting to slip though, if they hang on for a playoff spot and get some of these guys back they could be dangerous.

"Eaton was the first free agent that general manager Ray Shero signed upon taking over the Penguins in May 2006.

After signing Eaton, Shero instructed a member of his then-smallish hockey operations staff to send flowers and a welcome package to Eaton's wife, a gesture that has become tradition."

Think this is pretty cool. I don't know if all GMs do this, but they should. Shows you the class that Ray Shero has.
- cap1681

I think Shero was just hitting on Eaton's wife

After not practicing, pretty much expected Neal to miss the three game road trip. Why rush it? I just hope that later in the week, we hear about him and even Crosby skating on their own.

I think Shero was just hitting on Eaton's wife
- MadCap2008

C'mon, if Shero was hitting on her, they would already be married, with Eaton as the best man.

After not practicing, pretty much expected Neal to miss the three game road trip. Why rush it? I just hope that later in the week, we hear about him and even Crosby skating on their own.
- rival22

If Iginla, Malkin and Kunitz can develop some chemistry it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Crosby can play with anyone. If that line looks good the rest of the season just throw Crosby with Neal and Dupuis if everyone gets back.

Well I'm excited to see what the 14 71 12 line can do, ever since Geno went down 10 games or so ago against Toronto, Neal has just been dogs breath. I would like to see him give Gary Roberts a call.

If Iginla, Malkin and Kunitz can develop some chemistry it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Crosby can play with anyone. If that line looks good the rest of the season just throw Crosby with Neal and Dupuis if everyone gets back.
- canadianpenfan

Wouldn't that be ironic if the Pens end up with Iggy playing with Malkin and Neal playing with Sid? lol

In regards to the poll I actually voted Kadri. The numbers that Crosby has been putting up are very Crosby like. But the Leafs would be sooooooooo bad without Kadri.