Yes, they had a falling out a while back. It was essentially Madden accused DK of being in the Pirates pocket for always writing so favorably about them. Havent spoken as far as Im aware.

The whole pittsburgh sports media is filled with a bunch of men with attitudes and childish behaviors. Its always fun when drama starts between them though.

- SuperHenderson13

What happened yesterday after the Pickett trade? I saw a bunch of Pittsburgh beat writers going after each other lol

The last time the Pens and Rangers battled it was a fairly even battle overall when the final whistle blew. Rangers were a bit better the first two periods and Pens had a dominant 3rd. The Pens were healthy and had Jake. Rangers won 1-0... Pens went 0-5 on PP.

Today my prediction is 4-0 Rangers.

The last time the Pens and Rangers battled it was a fairly even battle overall when the final whistle blew. Rangers were a bit better the first two periods and Pens had a dominant 3rd. The Pens were healthy and had Jake. Rangers won 1-0... Pens went 0-5 on PP.

Today my prediction is 4-0 Rangers.
- MattStrat

4 - 2 Pens. The turnaround is just beginning.

The past few games watching Bunting always go to the net has really jumped out and been striking since most of the Pens just don't do that at all. He lacks high-end skill and finish, but at least there's effort there and he mucks it up ... he probably needs to be on a line though with another wing or center that is good defensively because he looks like he's running around a lot in the D zone. Will be interesting to see what they do with him next year.

Anybody know anything about this St Ivany we called up? He's big, does he play big?

What happened yesterday after the Pickett trade? I saw a bunch of Pittsburgh beat writers going after each other lol
- j.boyd919

I don't know which writers... But Madden has said for months that Pickett refused to dress as the emergency 3rd QB in Seattle last season because he was so upset about not getting his job back. Madden had been ripping Pickett to shreds most of last season, but really went after him after he refused to dress.

So the Pittsburgh media en mass supported Pickett and said it wasn't true. DK just did a column saying Pickett didn't refuse to dress. He blamed some nebulous "confusion" or "mis-communication". Turns out it was true. Pickett refused to dress lol. He spent his entire show yesterday gloating. I couldn't listen. Turned it off after 15 minutes.

4 - 2 Pens. The turnaround is just beginning.
- Thunderbolt

Too bad they don't play the Sharks every game. Although I remember the announcer saying during that game "that was the worst 5 minutes of hockey the Pens have played all season". Eventually the Pens got their sh!t together, but it took longer than expected against a team that is trying to lose lol.

Rags 5-3.

The past few games watching Bunting always go to the net has really jumped out and been striking since most of the Pens just don't do that at all. He lacks high-end skill and finish, but at least there's effort there and he mucks it up ... he probably needs to be on a line though with another wing or center that is good defensively because he looks like he's running around a lot in the D zone. Will be interesting to see what they do with him next year.

Anybody know anything about this St Ivany we called up? He's big, does he play big?
- MickV

Bunting is a nice addition for us. Like I think madmike said it's unfortunate for him he's the face of the Guentzel trade.

Not much about St. Ivany. Righty, defensive defenseman. Hextall guy but I noted Dubas has complimented him in the press before more than any other WBS defenseman. Possible they aren't liking Ludvig on his off-side much.

I don't know which writers... But Madden has said for months that Pickett refused to dress as the emergency 3rd QB in Seattle last season because he was so upset about not getting his job back. Madden had been ripping Pickett to shreds most of last season, but really went after him after he refused to dress.

So the Pittsburgh media en mass supported Pickett and said it wasn't true. DK just did a column saying Pickett didn't refuse to dress. He blamed some nebulous "confusion" or "mis-communication". Turns out it was true. Pickett refused to dress lol. He spent his entire show yesterday gloating. I couldn't listen. Turned it off after 15 minutes.
- madmike71

It does show what we say about Madden's connections though. He had it and a lot of guys denied him because the Steelers said otherwise. Then they leaked to a respected beat guy everything Madden had been saying.

I got a laugh out of it. I usually only listen to a segment or two anyways since he repeats himself so much.

I've always said I missed my calling by not focusing more on sports at Notre Dame. Some of the stuff these sports media types do and say? I guarantee I could make people hate-listen to me by just spewing outrageous stuff. Shoulda focused on my work study job in the athletic department media relations office instead of doing dumb poop like writing a thesis.
- Victoro311

Haha yeah. I know now in Canada we have a hockey ops program at one of the schools here. Not sure if Burke started it or what his affiliation is but if we had that 20 years ago I would have went there. I would love to get paid to have be an opinionated.

Grinder would make a killing. His house might get egged once a week but he’d have a lot of people listening haha

Daytime game.
Pens at home..

Rags curb-stomp 6-1.

It does show what we say about Madden's connections though. He had it and a lot of guys denied him because the Steelers said otherwise. Then they leaked to a respected beat guy everything Madden had been saying.

I got a laugh out of it. I usually only listen to a segment or two anyways since he repeats himself so much.
- Tojo.

He definitely has a mole at the Steelers. For the Pens, he's in the locker room like the rest of the media.

He definitely has a mole at the Steelers. For the Pens, he's in the locker room like the rest of the media.
- madmike71

The problem with Madden is that its impossible to tell when he's being serious or not or just being in character so I just disregard everything he says just to be safe.

Anyways, hoping beyond hope we end up with Bo Nix somehow. I am a huge Russ hater and its gonna be hard for me to have to root for him now.

Too bad they don't play the Sharks every game. Although I remember the announcer saying during that game "that was the worst 5 minutes of hockey the Pens have played all season". Eventually the Pens got their sh!t together, but it took longer than expected against a team that is trying to lose lol.

Rags 5-3.
- madmike71

"The worst five minutes of hockey" is saying something, because I'm sure we've had a couple five minute powerless plays.

A good sign this team has improved from last year, we beat the team that's trying to lose.

"The worst five minutes of hockey" is saying something, because I'm sure we've had a couple five minute powerless plays.

A good sign this team has improved from last year, we beat the team that's trying to lose.
- Thunderbolt

No team is trying to lose. No players are playing to lose. The Sharks didn't look like a team that tried to, or wanted to, lose Thursday night. Some teams take joy in being spoilers this time of year. You think players give a F that the franchise they play for would prefer a higher pick in the upcoming draft? These guys have been playing to win since they were 5 or 6 years old. To make it the big show at all, of which there is only a little over 700 job openings in the entire world for, you have to be a fierce competitor your whole life. You dont go out on the ice wanting to, or trying to, lose. Sure, they can have bad games when things are bad for the team as a whole, they're humans. Do you, or did you, perform the exact same at your job every day your entire life? No ups and downs in personal life or even at the workplace?

No team is trying to lose. No players are playing to lose. The Sharks didn't look like a team that tried to, or wanted to, lose Thursday night. Some teams take joy in being spoilers this time of year. You think players give a F that the franchise they play for would prefer a higher pick in the upcoming draft? These guys have been playing to win since they were 5 or 6 years old. To make it the big show at all, of which there is only a little over 700 job openings in the entire world for, you have to be a fierce competitor your whole life. You dont go out on the ice wanting to, or trying to, lose. Sure, they can have bad games when things are bad for the team as a whole, they're humans. Do you, or did you, perform the exact same at your job every day your entire life? No ups and downs in personal life or even at the workplace?
- MattStrat

Chicago was playing career AHL players at the end of last season. They weren't dressing a competitive team. San Jose is doing some questionable things with their goaltending. Starter Blackwood has been shut down; their writers are questioning the timing of the injury. Then acquiring an injured player in Vanicek, sure looks fishy to me.

Not saying the players aren't trying. I am saying they are intentionally fielding non-competitve teams.

Chicago was playing career AHL players at the end of last season. They weren't dressing a competitive team. San Jose is doing some questionable things with their goaltending. Starter Blackwood has been shut down; their writers are questioning the timing of the injury. Then acquiring an injured player in Vanicek, sure looks fishy to me.

Not saying the players aren't trying. I am saying they are intentionally fielding non-competitve teams.
- Thunderbolt

Oh, okay. That's different but I remember the Pens playing the Hawks in second last game of last season and there weren't any talks of that, don't recall that being a thing. Definitely weren't any injuries at all? if there were no injuries, how did they manage roster size to call up so many career AHLers? Reporters questioning an injury timing kind of sounds like a conspiracy theory...which doesn't mean its not true...doesn't mean it is though, either.

Lines real (frank)ing weird

Lines real (frank)ing weird
- Victoro311

It’s finally time to switch things up. Except for some of the actual line combos/pairings that might make sense. Sid - rakell. Etc

Chicago was playing career AHL players at the end of last season. They weren't dressing a competitive team. San Jose is doing some questionable things with their goaltending. Starter Blackwood has been shut down; their writers are questioning the timing of the injury. Then acquiring an injured player in Vanicek, sure looks fishy to me.

Not saying the players aren't trying. I am saying they are intentionally fielding non-competitve teams.
- Thunderbolt

Right... That's what I was saying. The GM/Owner do not want to win.

Pretty entertaining period. Lots of energy. Dumb decisions and puck management hurting the Pens as usual... But we didn't expect to win today, anyway hahah

The problem with Madden is that its impossible to tell when he's being serious or not or just being in character so I just disregard everything he says just to be safe.

Anyways, hoping beyond hope we end up with Bo Nix somehow. I am a huge Russ hater and its gonna be hard for me to have to root for him now.
- Victoro311

I've always said that about Madden. You have to sift through the garbage to get some meaningful content.

Not a big fan of Wilson either, but if that's what it took to get rid of Pickett, I'm fine with it. I'm glad they're not wasting any more time on Pickett. He's not an NFL starter. They would have spent at least two more years on him if this Wilson deal didn't happen. Go Russ!

Hey guys, just simmed the draft lottery 42 times to get 1st OA.... lol.

Would I be yelled at if I said that Bunting pass on the PP to Eller reminded me of Guentzel?

Sulli's got this. 7 - 5 Pens.

Sulli's got this. 7 - 5 Pens.
- Thunderbolt

The only thing I care about now is Sid’s ppg streak