Pens Offseason thread

[Legacy User]

So, did you guys catch Fetisov's recent comment? Seems he wants to make it illegal for Russian hockey players to leave before they turn 28 to play in the NHL. They are going full USSR over there, and Fetisov is a massive hypocrite and has become equally as big a shit head as Putin. I must say i'm disappointed Geno has bought into Putin's bullshit.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... ck=dlvr.it

Former Detroit Red Wings star Slava Fetisov has called for Russia to reintroduce Soviet-style restrictions to prevent promising young hockey players from moving to the NHL.

Fetisov, who is now a senator in Russia, tells Russia’s R-Sport news agency that federal law should be used to stop Russian players from moving to North America before they turn 28.

The aim is to keep “our most talented guys, the ones who the people come to see.”

Fetisov was one of the first players to benefit from the relaxation of Soviet-era rules which prevented any hockey players from leaving. He moved to the NHL in 1989 with the New Jersey Devils when he was 31, and went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings.

[Legacy User]

How does this show that Geno is buying into this frame of mind? It doesn't mention him nor have I ever heard him say anything on the subject. They at least play real hockey there, not the shit the NHL is trying to peddle off on us. Last night's game was terrible, looked like first game of series again. Damn do I hate NY, absolutely hate watching their games

[Obviously]

So, did you guys catch Fetisov's recent comment? Seems he wants to make it illegal for Russian hockey players to leave before they turn 28 to play in the NHL. They are going full USSR over there, and Fetisov is a massive hypocrite and has become equally as big a shit head as Putin. I must say i'm disappointed Geno has bought into Putin's bullshit.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... ck=dlvr.it

Former Detroit Red Wings star Slava Fetisov has called for Russia to reintroduce Soviet-style restrictions to prevent promising young hockey players from moving to the NHL.

Fetisov, who is now a senator in Russia, tells Russia’s R-Sport news agency that federal law should be used to stop Russian players from moving to North America before they turn 28.

The aim is to keep “our most talented guys, the ones who the people come to see.”

Fetisov was one of the first players to benefit from the relaxation of Soviet-era rules which prevented any hockey players from leaving. He moved to the NHL in 1989 with the New Jersey Devils when he was 31, and went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings.

Should we be surprised? It's not like Russia hasn't always been one big pile of shit country, and this goes back to long before anyone ever heard of the shitbag Bolsheviks and the asshole USSR. Their shit goes back to Ivan the Terrible and before. Fuck Russia.

[Legacy User]

So Erhoff's house is up for sale and his agent is saying he's gone. Was a well intentioned signing that just didn't work out. That's 4 mil shaved off our cap hit there.

[Donnie Brasco]

I thought he was a good signing and would've brought good value if he would've remained healthy.

I'm certain Martin is as good as gone as well. I wouldn't mind him back for a slight bump in pay with a 2 yr term.

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

remember when the Penguins didnt know they could get a third round pick for shero then played it off like they were just being nice....then it all bit them in the ass against Buffalo.


great organization....

[Legacy User]

I'm happy to see Tampa beat NY of course (especially Marty), and was hoping they'd be the team if the Pens couldn't get there.

Hopefully the Ducks can seal the deal and get in as well. Some people might balk at the entertainment value of a Ducks/Lightning series, but I think it has the chance to be some explosive Finals hockey with some solid story lines regarding certain players. Anaheim winning would be huge validation for Bruce Boudreau, and really irk the loathsome Kings fans seeing Anaheim get back to even with them as far as rings. I'm betting a fair amount of Caps fans would be upset too seeing Bruce get there while Ovie is still stuck outside trying to sneak into the venue. And speaking of Ovie, the pressure would really be on if Stamkos got his ring too.....leaving Ovie as pretty much the only remaining superstar who can't sniff the Finals.

That said, i've softened on Ovie over the last month or so. He really has done whatever he's been asked by various coaches over the years and suffered a shit ton of criticism when it didn't work out. And as much as his association with Putin irks me, it was a respectable gesture to be one of the only guys on the Russian team to stay on the ice to recognize Canada after the game at Worlds.

[fractalsteel]

Captain- I'm just wondering about this association you have mentioned concerning Malkin, Ovechkin and Putin over several posts.
I have never seen anything concerning either player saying they are in Putin's camp or either player offering vocal/public support for him. I also haven't done any research about the subject though.

It would seem to me that Malkin and Ovechkin playing in the NHL is a slight against Putin.
Just curious.

[Legacy User]

Check out their instagram stuff, they've both got some of the fanboy stuff going on as far as Putin memorabilia. I can't seem to copy image addresses to re-post here like I can from other sites.

Ovie got into some hot water recently with an image he posed for during the height of the Russia/Crimea events pushing a message for a "social media campaign promoted by the Russian government". Even RMNB took him to task. I don't begrudge the guys their patriotism nor do I expect them to hide it for my or anybody else's benefit. But these guys have access to plenty of media and information sources beyond Russia so I reserve the right to be disappointed that they don't see through Putin's bullshit. Geno, specifically, hasn't made any political comments in support of Russia as it pertains to Ukraine that i'm aware of but i'm making a bit of an assumption that he's a fan of Putin posing with all the Putin merch.

http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.co ... oto-means/

http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.co ... ism-photo/

[Legacy User]

I'm no more offended that Geno and ovie support Putin than I am Americans that support Obama. I don't agree with either one but it's a free world to support who/what one wants. I will not begrudge them for it.

[Legacy User]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

[V DUB]

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So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

Yep, zero fucks given about helping to promote the league, just trying to win...makes me wonder if Pens are more concerned with winning, or looking good in the process of trying? Their self promotion is at an all time high, which is nothing but a distraction for players. In the room is awesome for fans...you know what would be awesomer? A fucking 4th Cup with 2 of the best players in the world on your team.

[Donnie Brasco]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

[Nick79]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

I don't know about hockey finances, the salary cap, etc. But what chance would the Pens have? He's a local guy, grew up a Pens fan I'm sure.

[Legacy User]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

It'd be nice if that someone was Pittsburgh.

[jeemie]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

It'd be nice if that someone was Pittsburgh.

Would have been nicer if they had actually drafted him when they had the chance.

[fractalsteel]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

I was in Chicago a few weeks ago (for the Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park home tours) and came across three others on the tour of which two were wearing Hawks Cup hats, the third a Kings Cup hat and I was wearing my Pens cup hat. Since we were in a line waiting for tickets they struck up a conversation with me.
All three were old timers much like me and we got into a conversation about the future of the Hawks and the Kings.
The Hawks fans both said this is the end of the run because Hossa is getting old and Saad is most likely gone. They explained to me that their talent pipeline was solid with Centers and D men but lacking winger prospects(where have we heard that?).
They all agreed that two great talents can't win the cup by themselves. The Kings fan wasn't sure about his teams future either because their system is lacking talent, though they might have more pieces then the Pens or Hawks right now at the NHL level.

All three were in agreement that the Pens not making a SC finals since 2009 reflected poorly on the GM and coaching staff.
So I asked all three who they would take first Crosby or Malkin?
Both Hawk fans took Malkin. The Kings fan said he would take Crosby but would be happy with Malkin.

[Donnie Brasco]

So Hawks-Bolts. Should be very interesting. Lots of star power.

I'm jealous of Chicago's organization. They are maximizing their opportunities with the time they have with their stars.

This will be Chic's last run. Someone is going to make Saad an offer sheet they can't match and one of their Dmen has to go.

But agree on your point that they made the most of their limited time. Fuck Bylsma and Shero though...

I don't know about hockey finances, the salary cap, etc. But what chance would the Pens have? He's a local guy, grew up a Pens fan I'm sure.

He'll cost too much for the Pens to make a realistic offer. Pens basically have no flexibility other than to keep their own guys and a middling FA or 3

[Legacy User]

Did those fans state their reasoning for choosing Geno over Sid? Just curious about their perspective from the outside as older and (probably) far more objective type fans than the HF crowd.

[fractalsteel]

Did those fans state their reasoning for choosing Geno over Sid? Just curious about their perspective from the outside as older and (probably) far more objective type fans than the HF crowd.

Yes.
Toews versus Crosby-who is better, could they fit together? Both Hawks fans thought Malkin would be better fit a the second line then Crosby.
Both fans spoke well of Crosby and the team but you can sense the extra hate they might have for Crosby.

[Legacy User]

Disco blurb on Friedman's 30 thoughts column about what he's been working on in his time off with regard to hockey and coaching. I wish he'd started looked into this stuff several years ago.

23. Last season, Bylsma did an interesting interview with NHL.com’s Dan Rosen where he admitted he was studying the benefits of carrying the puck in the offensive zone versus chipping it in. He believes, for example, making defenders turn and chase is more uncomfortable for them, especially if a powerful forechecker (like Kane) is breathing down their neck. His Pittsburgh teams were known for chipping and creating a footrace.

What did he learn? That carrying the puck in increased your percentages of getting a shot, but “what that means offensively, I’m still coming to grips with,” he said.

“I know what it means defensively, that if you don’t let them carry-in, you know where the shots come from… Playing offence, you want to create a ‘grind factor’ on a defenceman. What’s hard on them? Frankly, carrying the puck in does not make it hard on defencemen.”

He laughed about testing it out on his 16-year-old’s team. Back to the big boys this fall.

24. Finally on Bylsma: what else did he work on during his season off the bench?

“I wanted to take a look at different teams and coaches, the cadence of their line shifts, patterns, tell signs, implementation of personnel. Do they match forwards and defence, or just defence? Zone starts. It was kind of an out-of-body experience, not looking at anything the way I watched it before,” he said.

With more time to watch, he looked pretty deep. Will be interesting to see if it changes any of his own habits.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-t ... lackhawks/

[Legacy User]

http://fireandice.northjersey.com/fire-ice-1.174987/devils-plan-to-introduce-john-hynes-as-head-coach-tuesday-working-out-compensation-with-penguins-1.1346883

Looks like we'll be getting another 2016 3rd rounder

Sucks to lose Hynes, but he wasnt getting promoted here anytime soon

[Legacy User]

What hawks don't realize is that Malkin is better than toews as is sid but they haven't had the luxury of decent wingers let alone great wings. Toews has so much more room to operate on the ice because teams have to account for his linemates. Just look at what Malkin has done with inferior wings when sid has been hurt and Malkin can play the right place on PP. Sid actually hinders his production not intentionally but Sid's #s go way down when Geno has been hurt. It would be interesting to see what each could do with equal wings and opportunities on PP

[Legacy User]

Burkle and Mario looking to sell according to TSN. Can't say i'm surprised. You don't build the type of house like Mario has in Montreal to be used as a part time dwelling. It might actually be a good thing to get some new blood in there.

But Dejan is saying Burkle has no intention to sell at the moment, but confirms that Mario is looking to sell but would like to "stay involved in some form, possibly ownership". I take that to mean Mario will, at most, hold a small minority stake if he keeps a piece.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/lemieux-burkle ... s-1.299085

Pittsburgh Penguin owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux have hired Morgan Stanley to explore the possibility of selling some or all of the NHL franchise.
It doesn't mean Burkle and Lemieux are necessarily getting out but they are looking at various options. It's believed Lemieux, perhaps more than Burkle, may have an interest in getting his equity share out of the ‎franchise.
Even if Lemieux and/or Burkle decide to sell, it's believed they have some interest in retaining some involvement or connection with the team.
Morgan Stanley is the same company that facilitated the sale of the Buffalo Sabres to Terry Pegula.

Dejan posted part of a statement from Mario that will be in the upcoming presser by the team:

"Our goal all along was to solidify the franchise both on and off the ice. Our star players are signed to long-term contracts and they’ve got a deep and passionate fan base to support them, and I believe the Penguins are well-positioned for the future. Regardless of what happens, I plan on staying involved with the team in some capacity, and Ron and I plan to retain an ownership stake.”

[fractalsteel]

Interesting but I would imagine that Mario's share would be for sale if the right price is offered. Just a hunch.

Speaking of Mario's Montreal home:



Hard to stomach at first. There are some interesting architectural aspects that are fascinating and a few that are vomit inducing.

[Legacy User]

There's a technical architectural term for a house like that -- it's called "white elephant" -- that monstrosity will never be re-sold for what Mario paid for it

Interesting but I would imagine that Mario's share would be for sale if the right price is offered. Just a hunch.

Speaking of Mario's Montreal home:



Hard to stomach at first. There are some interesting architectural aspects that are fascinating and a few that are vomit inducing.

[fractalsteel]

There's a technical architectural term for a house like that -- it's called "white elephant" -- that monstrosity will never be re-sold for what Mario paid for it

Interesting but I would imagine that Mario's share would be for sale if the right price is offered. Just a hunch.

Speaking of Mario's Montreal home:



Hard to stomach at first. There are some interesting architectural aspects that are fascinating and a few that are vomit inducing.

The same thing was said when Mario(with Burkle) bought the Pens. I'll bet Lemieux has made his investment, or what was owed him back and plenty more.
Really it is a compound, the better to hide within.

[BethlehemSteel]

Burkle and Mario looking to sell according to TSN. Can't say i'm surprised. You don't build the type of house like Mario has in Montreal to be used as a part time dwelling. It might actually be a good thing to get some new blood in there.

But Dejan is saying Burkle has no intention to sell at the moment, but confirms that Mario is looking to sell but would like to "stay involved in some form, possibly ownership". I take that to mean Mario will, at most, hold a small minority stake if he keeps a piece.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/lemieux-burkle ... s-1.299085

Pittsburgh Penguin owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux have hired Morgan Stanley to explore the possibility of selling some or all of the NHL franchise.
It doesn't mean Burkle and Lemieux are necessarily getting out but they are looking at various options. It's believed Lemieux, perhaps more than Burkle, may have an interest in getting his equity share out of the ‎franchise.
Even if Lemieux and/or Burkle decide to sell, it's believed they have some interest in retaining some involvement or connection with the team.
Morgan Stanley is the same company that facilitated the sale of the Buffalo Sabres to Terry Pegula.

Dejan posted part of a statement from Mario that will be in the upcoming presser by the team:

"Our goal all along was to solidify the franchise both on and off the ice. Our star players are signed to long-term contracts and they’ve got a deep and passionate fan base to support them, and I believe the Penguins are well-positioned for the future. Regardless of what happens, I plan on staying involved with the team in some capacity, and Ron and I plan to retain an ownership stake.”

You mean you finally agree with what a post or few of mine suggested in April? Trolling and my banning? It's big business after all. I posted a story and that pic too. This will be my only post here.

It was Crosby btw. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3237&p=122551&hilit=Mario#p122551

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

Burkle and Mario looking to sell according to TSN. Can't say i'm surprised. You don't build the type of house like Mario has in Montreal to be used as a part time dwelling. It might actually be a good thing to get some new blood in there.

But Dejan is saying Burkle has no intention to sell at the moment, but confirms that Mario is looking to sell but would like to "stay involved in some form, possibly ownership". I take that to mean Mario will, at most, hold a small minority stake if he keeps a piece.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/lemieux-burkle ... s-1.299085

Pittsburgh Penguin owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux have hired Morgan Stanley to explore the possibility of selling some or all of the NHL franchise.
It doesn't mean Burkle and Lemieux are necessarily getting out but they are looking at various options. It's believed Lemieux, perhaps more than Burkle, may have an interest in getting his equity share out of the ‎franchise.
Even if Lemieux and/or Burkle decide to sell, it's believed they have some interest in retaining some involvement or connection with the team.
Morgan Stanley is the same company that facilitated the sale of the Buffalo Sabres to Terry Pegula.

Dejan posted part of a statement from Mario that will be in the upcoming presser by the team:

"Our goal all along was to solidify the franchise both on and off the ice. Our star players are signed to long-term contracts and they’ve got a deep and passionate fan base to support them, and I believe the Penguins are well-positioned for the future. Regardless of what happens, I plan on staying involved with the team in some capacity, and Ron and I plan to retain an ownership stake.”

You mean you finally agree with what a post or few of mine suggested in April? Trolling and my banning? It's big business after all. I posted a story and that pic too. This will be my only post here.

It was Crosby btw. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3237&p=122551&hilit=Mario#p122551

How was your vacation away from all that "hockey stress" ?

[BethlehemSteel]

Stop sending threatening pms