John Toperzer: GAMEDAY! Neal & Niskanen return to Lone Star State Pens shoot for fourth straight win Wednesday against Stars

Would like to see Neal and Nisk both bag one tonight, more than one if they feel froggy.

Would like to see Neal and Nisk both bag one tonight, more than one if they feel froggy.
- ryman1566

I didn't know either of them were French-Canadian, hey oh!

Would like to see Neal and Nisk both bag one tonight, more than one if they feel froggy.
- ryman1566

I'd like to see Neal score too... He has been playing well (and racking up assists), but he only has one goal in his last 7 games. A little hot streak with the goals would be nice.

I never realized that Niskanen and Neal were both drafted in the 2005 draft, and were the Stars first two picks (Niskanen at #28, Neal at #33). That was the post-lockout draft where they did a zipper draft, so the Stars had their first and second round picks, 6 slots apart).

I didn't know either of them were French-Canadian, hey oh!
- Gunner Staal

When is it you are taking over for John while he is on hiatus?

Nisk transformed himself physically and mentally from last season. I want him to stay a Pens. Neal has shown us what he is capable of as well this year. I am quite sure they both want to show their stuff tonight.

Nisk transformed himself physically and mentally from last season. I want him to stay a Pens. Neal has shown us what he is capable of as well this year. I am quite sure they both want to show their stuff tonight.
- powerhouse

I know I am in the minority, but I would rather see the Pens ditch Martin in the offseason and resign Niskanen and move Despres up into Martin's slot next year than keep Martin and lose Niskanen. Keep Niskanen with Engelland, keep Lovejoy as our 7th D-Man, and then see who Despres meshes with the best during camp to sort the top 4. I know Letang and Orpik play alot together, but they excel regardless of who they are with. I like our D that way, and not too mention the cap savings with moving Martin out. It will certainly make for good conversation once the offseason hits.

When is it you are taking over for John while he is on hiatus?
- Rawdog9755

I think John is away starting on March 4th. I also believe that anybody can submit some written pieces if they want to, open invitation was my take on it.

Finally, anyone with a good handle on the Pens and would like to write an article or two from March 4-12, please drop me a line. Simply click the “CONTACT” link at the top of the page and let me know. I'll take care of the editing, you take care of the content. Thanks!

I know I am in the minority, but I would rather see the Pens ditch Martin in the offseason and resign Niskanen and move Despres up into Martin's slot next year than keep Martin and lose Niskanen. Keep Niskanen with Engelland, keep Lovejoy as our 7th D-Man, and then see who Despres meshes with the best during camp to sort the top 4. I know Letang and Orpik play alot together, but they excel regardless of who they are with. I like our D that way, and not too mention the cap savings with moving Martin out. It will certainly make for good conversation once the offseason hits.
- PensFan1103

I tend to agree if it's one or the other... I like Martin, and while he hasn't set the world on fire, I think he's gotten a bum rap this season. That being said, I don't see any way under the current cap system, where he is here for all five years of his deal. This summer, you either lose Nisakanen, and then have to get rid of Martin the following year (a lot of contracts up then), or you move Martin this summer and resign Niskanen and go forward from there.

Josh Yohe ‏ @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Crosby still on ice. Working his tail off. Looks exhausted.

Josh Yohe ‏ @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Crosby still on ice. Working his tail off. Looks exhausted.
- Gunner Staal

Beat me to it,

That is a great sign.

Josh Yohe ‏ @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Crosby still on ice. Working his tail off. Looks exhausted.
- Gunner Staal

I hate playing the guessing game with him, but something has to happen soon. If he is going through full exertion without symptoms, he is ready to take the next step, right? If he is going through full exertion and having symptoms, then shouldn't he back off a little?

Hell, who knows... his symptoms could have been caused by his neck injury, and have no relation to exertion...

Nevermind... I think I am suffering concussion-like symptoms trying to figure it all out...

I hate playing the guessing game with him, but something has to happen soon. If he is going through full exertion without symptoms, he is ready to take the next step, right? If he is going through full exertion and having symptoms, then shouldn't he back off a little?

Hell, who knows... his symptoms could have been caused by his neck injury, and have no relation to exertion...

Nevermind... I think I am suffering concussion-like symptoms trying to figure it all out...
- rival22

Aint that the truth.

I think John is away starting on March 4th. I also believe that anybody can submit some written pieces if they want to, open invitation was my take on it.

Finally, anyone with a good handle on the Pens and would like to write an article or two from March 4-12, please drop me a line. Simply click the “CONTACT” link at the top of the page and let me know. I'll take care of the editing, you take care of the content. Thanks!
- Gunner Staal

We all know it might as well of said:
Finally, anyone named Gunner with a good handle on the Pens and would like to write an article or two from March 4-12, please drop me a line. Simply click the “CONTACT” link at the top of the page and let me know. I'll take care of the editing, you take care of the content. Thanks!

First thing you need to write about is the fantasy league. No wrtie-ups on that in a long time and Id like to read a "playoff preview and potential matchups and favorites".

We all know it might as well of said:
Finally, anyone named Gunner with a good handle on the Pens and would like to write an article or two from March 4-12, please drop me a line. Simply click the “CONTACT” link at the top of the page and let me know. I'll take care of the editing, you take care of the content. Thanks!

First thing you need to write about is the fantasy league. No wrtie-ups on that in a long time and Id like to read a "playoff preview and potential matchups and favorites".
- Rawdog9755

Fantasy playoffs do begin on the 4th. That is definitely a worthy topic.

Fantasy playoffs do begin on the 4th. That is definitely a worthy topic.
- Gunner Staal

If it were nh, kgr, or me the whole writeup would end up being on fossil girl and horrible dating advice. Probably best that it is left to you to do the writing.

If it were nh, kgr, or me the whole writeup would end up being on fossil girl and horrible dating advice. Probably best that it is left to you to do the writing.
- Rawdog9755

But if we collectively wrote about how we set KGR on the path to enlightenment with Fossil, we could make him a viral sensation on the web.

KGR, do you want to be a star? Do Fossil's sisters want to be stars?

But if we collectively wrote about how we set KGR on the path to enlightenment with Fossil, we could make him a viral sensation on the web.

KGR, do you want to be a star? Do Fossil's sisters want to be pornstars?
- akane13

Fixed.

Fantasy playoffs do begin on the 4th. That is definitely a worthy topic.
- Gunner Staal

It is NOT worth a topic at all!!!!

Josh Yohe ‏ @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Crosby still on ice. Working his tail off. Looks exhausted.
- Gunner Staal

And he shall return to save his loyal followers. Myself being one of them. The rest of you sheep on here will pay severely. Matt (frank)ing Cooke Sullivan second line center and pp. I hate you all and so does Sid.

Fixed.
- Rawdog9755

Fantasy playoffs do begin on the 4th. That is definitely a worthy topic.
- Gunner Staal

Who am I playing?

Fixed.
- Rawdog9755

with Hockey Buzz banners in the background....

It is NOT worth a topic at all!!!!
- walshy66

Doing that well, eh?

It is NOT worth a topic at all!!!!
- walshy66

You can give an Australian a fantasy hockey team, but you cant make him competitive....isnt that how the old saying goes?