Penguins

[DeI 18 0]

Anyone else think that Pittsburgh is going to own the league with this years team?

[Chadd 916]

Anyone else think that Pittsburgh is going to own the league with this years team?

I don't

[Eazy_b97 1]

I don't. They look like they'll score alot of goals, and will be a good team, but I definately think "own the league" is a stretch. The team isn't as good as Colorado was last year, and Colorado didn't do that well.

[Miike 1]

I only think they will make the playoffs in 7th or 8th seed and lose 4 straight. Although they got big names doesnt mean they will win.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I agree with Miike....I think they will float around the 6-9th seed.

If Forsberg goes down, I can see them taking the division.

[gopens67 0]

they will be in atleast the eastern semis...i also really think it depends on if they get malkin to come over, and they actually get a dependable defensive defensmen..apparently they just signed steve poapst..but I think thats only OK.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I don't see any D that can help them right now. I thought they needed a solid D, who can handle alot of minutes because they cannot find 2-3 steady stay at home guys right now. I think Jackman will come down to earth this year and Gonchar, although great with the puck, isn't really what I would've hoped for as a Pens fan. Foote would've been ideal. What's the latest on Malkin? I think he'll be a great player if he comes over this year, I look for him, Crosby, Carter and Ovechkin to push for rookie of the year.

All that said, I can still see them being a good team. I see them doing as well as they did with Jagr, Kovy and Straka. Good team, tons on offense, contender to get to the confrence finals.

[supahdon 0]

They should be fun to watch, kinda like the Thrashers were a couple years ago. Their defense isn't daunting by any means, although adding Gonchar was a great move. If I were Craig Patrick, I would have targeted one more proven defenseman instead of LeClair [although at this point, all the quality free agents on D have been snatched up].

This also predicates on Lemieux, Palffy, and LeClair staying healthy. From 2001-02:

Lemieux: 101 out of 246 possible games, average 34 games per season

Palffy: 152 games out of 246, average 51 games per season

LeClair: 192 games out of 246 (208 out of 328 including 2000-01) average 64 games per season

We'll see how well Crosby and Malkin can do in their rookie years. I can't imagine they'll do better than Heatley and Kovalchuk did. If anything, I'd expect Malkin to be closer to Patrick Marleau/David Legwand/Olli Jokinen rookie production.

[DarkStar50 679]

Jeez, could we at least wait until a few pre-season games before handing the Cup to Mario? Improved, yes, conference finals, no. T-bo isn't the second coming of Patrick, BTW. And, yes, they will need some guys on the blueline who can get the puck to 66,87, etc., before the boys up front score. Remember, in the play-offs it is all about the goalie!! Can you say Brodeur? Defence will still win a Cup.

[Chadd 916]

I agree with Miike....I think they will float around the 6-9th seed.

If Forsberg goes down, I can see them taking the division.

Forsberg will be more important in the playoffs than the regular season. The development of the younger players will make a bigger difference over the course of the regular season.

they will be in atleast the eastern semis...i also really think it depends on if they get malkin to come over, and they actually get a dependable defensive defensmen..apparently they just signed steve poapst..but I think thats only OK.

Ok, they have two good offensive guys in Tjanstrom and Gonchar and a number 5-6 guy in Poapst. He got overpowered a lot last season.

[gopens67 0]

The Pens seem to be getting knocked for their Defense...Tarnstrom, Gonchar, and Jackman are all very good offensive defensemen..Orpik is an extremely solid defensemen. Ryan Whitney is supposed to make the team this year, and he can also really move the puck well. Poapst obviously isnt the answer, but if we picked up a solid defensive defensemen... I would gladly take those D to battle. Also can't forget to mention Scuderi and Welch from Harvard as possibilities...

[Chadd 916]

The Pens seem to be getting knocked for their Defense...Tarnstrom, Gonchar, and Jackman are all very good offensive defensemen..Orpik is an extremely solid defensemen. Ryan Whitney is supposed to make the team this year, and he can also really move the puck well. Poapst obviously isnt the answer, but if we picked up a solid defensive defensemen... I would gladly take those D to battle. Also can't forget to mention Scuderi and Welch from Harvard as possibilities...

Jackman is decent at both ends, better than any of the others at least. I thought Scuderi wasn't that impressive at the AHL level last year. Whitney is a 5 or 6 at best.

[Adam91 0]

Pens just signed Leclair. Oops didn't notice other thread.