Comeau's injury will hurt his numbers, but if he comes back and produces like he did to start the season and has a decent playoff, he's likely getting $2.5 mil on his next deal.
- rival22

I can see that happending as it only takes one team being crazy-stupid to do it, but I don't see it as a sure thing for a few reasons.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl...ts/_/id/3257/blake-comeau

First, he shooting percentage this season has been 15.5%. Plain & simple, that is going to come down over time as no one can sustain that pace these days. Maybe he cracks 20G this season, but I'd guess he probably tops out a 18G or so.

Second, in eight seasons Comeau has hit 45pts (10'-11') once and 35 pts once (09'-10'). In three seasons he barely cracked 15pts. In short, he is not what I would call a sure-thing in so far as the O goes.

Third, playing with Malkin opens up a lot of room. Comeau has taken advantage of it, but not every team is going to put a guy like Comeau with a player like Geno.

Given the above reasons, I think the Penguins should be able to sign him for somewhere between $1.2M to $1.6M, depending on term & the final Cap number this offseason.

I did the same exact thing earlier except I didn't sign Tlusty, but I would. I gave nice raises and Dumoulin and a pick for perron
- znagle

Yeah, I saw it.

Someone posted that the Penguins couldn't afford to add a Top-6F if they re-signed Ehrhoff, which is completely untrue. Even if the Cap stayed at $69M, Martin leaving via UFA would allow the Pens to add at the F posistion.

The 72% of you who picked Canada In eks pole USA USA USA!!!!!
- dbell646

72% of people are smart enough to know who has the best team.

I don't give a flying frank about what Niskanen or Kunitz have to say about the coaching change. Their job is to produce and work how their boss tells them to, just like the rest of us. If they wan't to say it was bologna then let them say that. I don't see the young talent here complaining. I see older overpaid guys getting bitter.
- usethe1-2-2

do you complain publically about your boss? those guys that left have the freedom to say what they think now. maybe they were/are bitter. but its onesided to look at only the comments of the current players and see them as telling and ignore the comments of the other players... thaats reading into something what you want to see

72% of people are smart enough to know who has the best team.
- Ben37

your goin down, canadia

its interesting that the players still in the organization have been quoted about how the changes are good, but players that left have been quoted about how they thought the whole firing situation was bologna. I wonder if its a case of those in the organization towing the line or if they really feel that way. I also wonder if its the case of the plaers being free to speak their minds now that they dont play for the pens or if they are just bitter. it might get to be real telling when we hear what players like martin / kunitz / duper etc have to say when they arnt on the team any more
- ChrisMS

Honestly, both have some truth to it.

Bylsma could have been fired right away as a courtesy to him in looking for another job. Maybe a little unprofessional not to do so, but then again this is the NHL; if you have such a problem with it, go coach highschool, NCAA, or juniors. They pay a lot less, but you'll be treated better.

Bylsma was also under contract & the Penguins had every legal right to fire him or hold on to him as they pleased. If Bylsma had really wanted to, he could have gone to the Pens management and said "If you let me quit today you won't owe me a dollar next year," but he didn't. He wanted his money due to him under the contract, which is his right.

Overall, i tend to think each side has its points as to how the process was done.

Honestly, both have some truth to it.

Bylsma could have been fired right away as a courtesy to him in looking for another job. Maybe a little unprofessional not to do so, but then again this is the NHL; if you have such a problem with it, go coach highschool, NCAA, or juniors. They pay a lot less, but you'll be treated better.

Bylsma was also under contract & the Penguins had every legal right to fire him or hold on to him as they pleased. If Bylsma had really wanted to, he could have gone to the Pens management and said "If you let me quit today you won't owe me a dollar next year," but he didn't. He wanted his money due to him under the contract, which is his right.

Overall, i tend to think each side has its points as to how the process was done.
- s0rcerer1984

exactly... DB needed to go... I dont like how it was handled but he was still making bank... but class is important to. I also think db takes a lot of heat for stuff not in his control... far more than the heat he deserves for the mistakes he did make.

Honestly, both have some truth to it.

Bylsma could have been fired right away as a courtesy to him in looking for another job. Maybe a little unprofessional not to do so, but then again this is the NHL; if you have such a problem with it, go coach highschool, NCAA, or juniors. They pay a lot less, but you'll be treated better.

Bylsma was also under contract & the Penguins had every legal right to fire him or hold on to him as they pleased. If Bylsma had really wanted to, he could have gone to the Pens management and said "If you let me quit today you won't owe me a dollar next year," but he didn't. He wanted his money due to him under the contract, which is his right.

Overall, i tend to think each side has its points as to how the process was done.
- s0rcerer1984

Yeah, thinking the Pens screwed Bylsma with how they handled his firing, and thinking that he needed fired/this staff is better than the last one aren't mutually exclusive.

do you complain publically about your boss? those guys that left have the freedom to say what they think now. maybe they were/are bitter. but its onesided to look at only the comments of the current players and see them as telling and ignore the comments of the other players... thaats reading into something what you want to see
- ChrisMS

They have every right, but I don't care. I care about winning, not feelings. If this team is more comfortable and saying they are in a better system to win then that is great. If outsiders or former players are mad I don't care.

Also, I highly doubt that the Pens are telling Beau to jab Bylsma every chance he gets.
*Edit* Athletes can always say what they think. If they liked a guy and because of him made millions more than they thought they ever could (niskanen, engelland, orpik, jokinen) then why would they bad mouth him?

They have every right, but I don't care. I care about winning, not feelings. If this team is more comfortable and saying they are in a better system to win then that is great. If outsiders or former players are mad I don't care.

Also, I highly doubt that the Pens are telling Beau to jab Bylsma every chance he gets.
*Edit* Athletes can always say what they think. If they liked a guy and because of him made millions more than they thought they ever could (niskanen, engelland, orpik, jokinen) then why would they bad mouth him?
- usethe1-2-2

I doubt they are telling tanger the same thing. but thats only one side of the story. I dont care if former players are mad, but it is reasonable to think they have the ability to be more honest.

They have every right, but I don't care. I care about winning, not feelings. If this team is more comfortable and saying they are in a better system to win then that is great. If outsiders or former players are mad I don't care.

Also, I highly doubt that the Pens are telling Beau to jab Bylsma every chance he gets.*Edit* Athletes can always say what they think. If they liked a guy and because of him made millions more than they thought they ever could (niskanen, engelland, orpik, jokinen) then why would they bad mouth him?
- usethe1-2-2

I literally imagined this scene when I read that.

[Setting - Penguins Press box. Mario Lemieux sits next to Beau Bennett, who has the mumps. On the ice the Penguins are in the middle of a game]

Mario: Hey Beau; How are you doing?

Beau: Ok Mr. Lemieux. Feeling a little bit better today. How about you?

Mario: I actually need a favor...Would you mind saying some bad things about Dan Bylsma?

Beau: Our old coach? I don't know about that...Makes me a little uncomfortable...

Mario: I understand. We just need someone to...

[Press box door swing open & in runs Simone Despres, out of breath, in full playing gear]

Simone: (pant) I'll (pant) do (pant) it. Was in the middle of shift (pant), but this is more important. (pant) Knocked over a ref, a stroller and three old ladies to get here so fast, but I'll do it.

Mario: Ummm...OK. It's because...

Simone: I don't need a reason, just happy to help Sir. I feel like I was born for this moment...

[End Scene]

I literally imagined this scene when I read that.


- s0rcerer1984[Setting - Penguins Press box. Mario Lemieux sits next to Beau Bennett, who has the mumps. On the ice the Penguins are in the middle of a game]

Mario: Hey Beau; How are you doing?

Beau: Ok Mr. Lemieux. Feeling a little bit better today. How about you?

Mario: I actually need a favor...Would you mind saying some bad things about Dan Bylsma?

Beau: Our old coach? I don't know about that...Makes me a little uncomfortable...

Mario: I understand. We just need someone to...

[Press box door swing open & in runs Simone Despres, out of breath, in full playing gear]

Simone: (pant) I'll (pant) do (pant) it. Was in the middle of shift (pant), but this is more important. (pant) Knocked over a ref, a stroller and three old ladies to get here so fast, but I'll do it.

Mario: Ummm...OK. It's because...

Simone: I don't need a reason, just happy to help Sir. I feel like I was born for this moment...

[End Scene]

I literally imagined this scene when I read that.


- s0rcerer1984[Setting - Penguins Press box. Mario Lemieux sits next to Beau Bennett, who has the mumps. On the ice the Penguins are in the middle of a game]

Mario: Hey Beau; How are you doing?

Beau: Ok Mr. Lemieux. Feeling a little bit better today. How about you?

Mario: I actually need a favor...Would you mind saying some bad things about Dan Bylsma?

Beau: Our old coach? I don't know about that...Makes me a little uncomfortable...

Mario: I understand. We just need someone to...

[Press box door swing open & in runs Simone Despres, out of breath, in full playing gear]

Simone: (pant) I'll (pant) do (pant) it. Was in the middle of shift (pant), but this is more important. (pant) Knocked over a ref, a stroller and three old ladies to get here so fast, but I'll do it.

Mario: Ummm...OK. It's because...

Simone: I don't need a reason, just happy to help Sir. I feel like I was born for this moment...

[End Scene]

how ungrateful some can be

Honestly, both have some truth to it.

Bylsma could have been fired right away as a courtesy to him in looking for another job. Maybe a little unprofessional not to do so, but then again this is the NHL; if you have such a problem with it, go coach highschool, NCAA, or juniors. They pay a lot less, but you'll be treated better.

Bylsma was also under contract & the Penguins had every legal right to fire him or hold on to him as they pleased. If Bylsma had really wanted to, he could have gone to the Pens management and said "If you let me quit today you won't owe me a dollar next year," but he didn't. He wanted his money due to him under the contract, which is his right.

Overall, i tend to think each side has its points as to how the process was done.
- s0rcerer1984

the guys who criticized bylsma are the guys who rightfully deserve to criticize bylsma. guys like bennett and despres who lost a year or two of playing time and development because he didnt like them.

guys who stand up for bylsma are the guys who benefited from bylsma. do you really think niskanen would have gotten that huge deal had it not been for him being on the top PP unit instead of Letang? Do you think Oprik would have gotten that huge deal had it not been for Bylsma treating him like a big time defender?

the guys who are loyal to bylsma were rightfully loyal to him. he treated a lot of guys the right way. the problem is he harmed a lot of other guys that cost us 3-4 years of competing for a stanley cup.

your goin down, canadia
- BulliesPhan87

Your Eagle doesn't scare us.

how ungrateful some can be
- ChrisMS

I hope Despres doesn't ever run into Blasma in a dark....

I hope Despres doesn't ever run into Blasma in a dark....
- usethe1-2-2

Indeed.

Your Eagle doesn't scare us.
- Ben37

I think we have satisfied the necessary minimum quota of trash talking to make this a game.

go russia!

I'd trade every young defenseman for Max Domi.

This is one of the best WJC games I've seen. McDavid and Eichel don't even have to touch the puck. Who cares? Very tight match. Everyone selling out.

This is one of the best WJC games I've seen. McDavid and Eichel don't even have to touch the puck. Who cares? Very tight match. Everyone selling out.

- HopintheCordoba

There have been tweets about this Canadian team is different from Canadian teams in that they are willing to engage in the trash talk, chippy play and aren't backing down.

It's nice to see after 4 years of coaches that drove discipline into the players heads that they seemed robotic. Watching Domi beak at the American bench was entertaining.

There have been tweets about this Canadian team is different from Canadian teams in that they are willing to engage in the trash talk, chippy play and aren't backing down.

It's nice to see after 4 years of coaches that drove discipline into the players heads that they seemed robotic. Watching Domi beak at the American bench was entertaining.
- Ben37

For sure. He learned from his pop for sure. What a game.

I'm not a Scuds supporter but the coaching staff views him very differently then most of us IMO. I do know that he is the 1st over the boards on every PK. Not saying that should mean anything because we have all voiced our opinions about PK specialist, but I believe it means something to NHL coaches.
- dbell646

Dude everyone knows NHL coaches that don't have a blogger turned "analytical specialist" on the bench with them don't know anything. Borts over Scuderi and the current Pouliout though.