Pittsburgh Penguins 08-09

[Fire0nIce228 1]

The penguins want colby back because he has some grit that we desperately need.

[slacker76 3]

The Pens definately need some grit. Armstrong is definately not the answer. The only way he comes back is if Crosby wants his boy bad enough. What the Pens should have done is grab Shanny for what he could be signed for. Or Guerin or Tkachuk would be a nice addition for a playoff(hopefully) run. Pens really need someone to stand in front and cause some havoc and dump in a few goals.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Armstrong brought good locker room comraderie, he was well liked by all the players. Maybe with Therrien out we don't need that as badly but we certainly did before when battle lines were being drawn between the players and whose side is who on. I for one wouldnt mind bringing Armstrong back at all for the room and the energy.

[slacker76 3]

From what I heard, Colby was well liked by all the "core" players. Why not, they all came up together and had been together in W/B and in Pitt. But Colby is not the answer the Pens need to get back to the Cup finals. Now that Therrien is gone, the players appear to be enjoying playing the game again. In my humble opinion, I believe the team needs a top six, experienced and gritty North American player who will bring hard nose tactics to the ice and veteran leadership to the locker room.

[Chadd 916]

In my humble opinion, I believe the team needs a top six, experienced and gritty North American player who will bring hard nose tactics to the ice and veteran leadership to the locker room.

You can't bring in a leadership type guy with Sid around. Those guys get marginalized by the ones that follow Sid.

[slacker76 3]

I think Sid is the leader of the team and does have a following. But I think Sid is definately lacking in experience in the leadership department. I understand why he got the Captains "C" but for a lot of the guys in the room....his experience is on par with the majority of the young players. The fact is Sid is the Captain, does live in the team owners basement and is for better or worse the poster child of the NHL. Don't get me wrong, I don't sit in that locker room or go on the road with the team, so what is actually said or how good or bad of a leader Sid is.....is unknown. My whole point is I think the team as a whole would benefit from a hard nose veteran, that will go hard to the net....will stand in front of the net bangin around and will go at another teams top players when teams target Crosby and Malkin.

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

I love the Penguins but I just dont like the fact that Sid is captain personally. I think they would be better off with a veteran but lets not forgot the total reason he was named captain, 1) he's the face of the NHL and 2) he already talks to the refs way to much so what the hell haha ;)

[camhockey16 5]

pens just placed miroslav satan on waivers - didn't see that mentioned in here yet...

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

pens just placed miroslav satan on waivers - didn't see that mentioned in here yet...

It's mentioned up in the trade section...

but I wonder who they are gonna make a move for?

[camhockey16 5]

yeah i just saw it there - the strangest part is that he is still going to be playing tonight even though he is on waivers - wonder if he will be motivated??

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

haha doubt it....I think that this team needs to stop drafting Centers!

[interpathway 9]

Kunitz is looking like a beautiful pick-up. Wow.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I hope to god someone takes Satan..did you see last night? He manages to steal the puck right infront of the net, tries to shove it short side, it looks like its under the goalie so he stops and stands there and stares at him, all the while the whistle has not been blown and if Satan even digs for the puck for just that quick second or two I can almost guarantee he woulda pushed the puck across the line.

This guy is so soft and weak.

I dont know if this makes any sense but the Penguins need a veteran type guy with leadership abilities, only we need the due that doesnt do much talking but just does alot on the ice that shows leadership and a desire to do what it takes. Let sid run his mouth in the room or to the referees if you have to but if we could get the quiet guy who does his job night after night that shows these younger guys what it really takes..

[Penguinsfanatic 0]

Kunitz is looking like a beautiful pick-up. Wow.

I was gonna post that today but looks like you beat me to it. Let's hope this scoring streak keeps up and the Pens keep winning cause they need to

[interpathway 9]

I dont know if this makes any sense but the Penguins need a veteran type guy with leadership abilities, only we need the due that doesnt do much talking but just does alot on the ice that shows leadership and a desire to do what it takes. Let sid run his mouth in the room or to the referees if you have to but if we could get the quiet guy who does his job night after night that shows these younger guys what it really takes..

Bill Guerin good enough for you?

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Bill Guerin: Gary Roberts Vol. 2?

[hockeytim18 0]

When we picked up Roberts I thought it was a dumb move because he was so old. But he worked out pretty well. Hopefully Guering can lead some of the guys and put in a few goals along the way.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I dont know if this makes any sense but the Penguins need a veteran type guy with leadership abilities, only we need the due that doesnt do much talking but just does alot on the ice that shows leadership and a desire to do what it takes. Let sid run his mouth in the room or to the referees if you have to but if we could get the quiet guy who does his job night after night that shows these younger guys what it really takes..

Bill Guerin good enough for you?

Yeah I think Guerin will work lol :) I was calling for Frolov back when I made this topic and I guess we almost got that deal done too

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Guerin has been good in the past couple of regular seasons, but hasn't scored a playoff goal since his dallas days. Not a goal in 2 playoff series with the sharks, and only 2 assists.

He's 2 years older since then, and the ramped up physicality of the playoffs may make it hard for him to be as effective as he has been in the regular season.

I don't know, just wondering out loud (and as a biased caps fan, hoping he fails :o )

[WSjo22 1]

The thing thats good about the Pens picking up Guerin is they didn't lose any players at the expense of getting him...If it doesn't work out they're out a late pick and they go back to the drawing board in the offseason and try to get a permanent top six winger for the next few years

[slacker76 3]

Pens definately are hitting their stride. New coach, new player acquisitions, and the team appears to be enjoying playing hockey again. We'll see how long this lasts. Any thoughts on the turn around?

[Fire0nIce228 1]

I think the coach is the biggest influence. you hit the nail on the head when saying they're having fun again. They didnt have fun under Mike T and it showed. They're mostly kids, they wanna run and gun.

Gonchar is the biggest player influence in my opinion as well. The breakout is much better with him, the power play is much better with him, the prescence.. He was the missing link all year.

[hockeysc23 0]

I think the coach is the biggest influence. you hit the nail on the head when saying they're having fun again. They didnt have fun under Mike T and it showed. They're mostly kids, they wanna run and gun.

Gonchar is the biggest player influence in my opinion as well. The breakout is much better with him, the power play is much better with him, the prescence.. He was the missing link all year.

Definitely don't understand the Gonchar mentality with some Pens fans that I talked with at the game on Sunday. A lot of them hate Gonchar and see him as a huge defensive liability. But then you see the way he quarterbacks the PP and helps get the puck out of the zone (when not getting checked to the ground countless times ;) )

What is most of Pittsburghs take on him? It seems he is the type of player you see as a weakness when on your team but when hes playing against you he seems amazing.

[camhockey16 5]

they always talk on the radio about how much a difference he makes - and i tend to agree with them. he is just so talented on the PP and with bringing the puck up the ice - the other teams just back way off and practically give him the shot.

there may be some pens fans that don't like him because he isn't the best defensive defenseman - but in this case i think the good outweighs the bad. I think the majority of pens fans love him and saw how much the team struggled without him this season.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

QFT. Gonchars positive highly outweigh any negatives. His defensive game isn't all that bad in my opinion. Definately rather have him then not.