Times I wish I had $2000

That's right, boys and girls. In Edmonton, goalies fly.

Just another reason to want to be a Pittsburgh Penguin Season Ticket Holder. The Post-Gazette has a few nice words on what looked to be a fun night, but the biggest hit is a great video by the gentlemen over at EmptyNetters. The Sidney Crosby Show has a great recap of it as well. The video was great to watch, and hearing a couple thousand fans cheer 'Lets Go Pens' in Mellon gave me goosebumps. It's always fun to see the players come out just as people and talk, especially Armstrong and Talbot, and feel that they really want to be in Pittsburgh, playing for this team, and talking to these fans. They were all great for the camera, Sidney seemed a bit more relaxed than usual, Army was his usual funny self, Fleury was a riot with his answers and his shy demeanor, and just about anyone with a Boston accent gets a nod from me. Did anyone else notice that Staal is about a head taller than everyone else? Was the arrangement from tallest (Staal) to shortest (Crosby) purposeful or just how it went?

In other parts of the NHL, the Bruins have their season preview out. They'll be worth a watch just to see what the offseason and a fresh start does for their club and moral. Even if you aren't a fan of the B's, following Thomas and Fernandez battle for the top spot will be an interesting clash. I also can't wait to see how Bergeron does this season and if Savard will be able to sneak up into the 100 points range again. Chara, who says he'll 'be better' this season (with no reason why, just that he will. No notes from offseason?) after 11 goals and 43 points in 2006-2007, has a good baseline to go from...but his actual play left something to be desired. If he wasn't so freaking huge, he'd have a lot more issues to work out in his technique, but his size compensates for a lot. Hopefully he's right, he'll be better, and the blueline will click a bit better than it did last year. If Bergeron can remain unbroken he'll put on a decent show this season, and with Sturm and the Bruins newcomer Bochenski beside him, that line will hopefully flourish again (I sound like I'm talking about watering a garden. Ha! Garden...eh, it's early and I haven't had coffee, what do you want here?). The Bruins aren't my first team, so Bruins fans out there...any thoughts? How do you think your team will do? Playoffs in question or a year or two away?

And now from the Western Conference, the Oilers are still captain-less, but apparently not without leadership. Of course, if Ethan Moreau was leading, I'd follow. I'm happy to see him back and playing, even if it's the preseason. Welcome back! (please don't break yourself trying to punch someone, okay?)

Only a month left!

Until the preseason, at least. August certainly is the loneliest month for the hockey faithful.

Not much going on in the Land of Penguin, but they have set up a web cam at the site of the new arena for those of us outside the area that have nothing better to do than watch a fuzzy webcam of construction workers on break. Still, all snark aside, it's a nice touch for the fans that have been waiting a life time to see this bad boy come to completion.

In television news, OLNUSUS has announced their schedule and the Pens mark 8 times on it, 3 of which are against the Rangers. Can fans really not get enough of booing Jagr or do the execs just really like New York? NBC has put out a 'flexible' schedule for it's Sunday games, and from the article, it sounds like they'll pick from 4 games to show (how they choose, it doesn't say. Names in a hat? Shortest straw? Team closest to the salary cap?) and then broadcast that one as the so-called 'Game of the Week', while the rest will just be bumped back to their regional carriers. Super, so games of the Rangers, the Devils, and some random Western team will crush out Boston and Pittsburgh (although I have hopes for the Pens, thankyouverymuch Sidney Crosby for being cute, marketable, and a genius at hockey, not to mention the baby-faced squad around you). Thank god for NESN (although I could do without Hazel Mae).

It isn't often that I talk about the Rangers in any sort of light other than 'scathing', but this video struck me as sort of cute and rather interesting, mostly due to the second eldest Staal making an appearance. Also, poor Cherepanov, 'The Siberian Express'? He's fast and....cold?

EDIT: I found this little tidbit on TSN, Gretzky on K.Lowe: ``He's not doing anything against the system or behind the backs of anyone, and good for him.'' Interesting. Also, Gretzky spoke up in defense of Edmonton itself, since it's apparently now thought of as the retirement home for hockey players, or 'the Siberia of hockey for pro players'. Ouch. Does anyone remember the 2005-2006 season?

Also, Mike Ricci retired (yes, there's a picture). Not much to say on that except that any excuse for knob hockey is a good excuse in my book.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin

It's coming, slowly but surely. Hockey is just around the corner! I encourage everyone to check out The Pensblog's countdown, which started at the number of 66. They've got some solid support for the Pens' fans in the summer (and are one of the only things keeping me from gnawing on my computer in frustration).

So what else are people doing to while away the long days of summer? Some of us are doing some reading (and making terrible comparisons while we're at it), but many of us are finding some fairly creative and entertaining ways to pass the hockey drought. NHL.com is going back over the 'memorable moments of 2006-2007' Recchi's 500th is on there, but I noticed that Mario's speech to announce the Penguins staying in Pittsburgh isn't on there (I'm not being biased, but that was a historic moment at the end of a historic struggle), or Jordan Staal's hat trick in Toronto to mark him as the youngest player to do so. Not memorable enough, NHL.com?

Blogs are also getting in on the action. IPB has a uplifting series they're calling 'Reasons We Love Hockey' (and a new theme. Looks good, ladies!). Hot Oil is putting on a 'Historical Hot Off', which even if you aren't an Oilers' fan, you should check it out. SportsSquee is trying to convert us all to football, and certain Capitals' blogs are recapping games (with a little help from google videos). HLOG has also gotten in on the fun with movie nights, which, while a little confusing at times, are a welcome break in all the trade talk and moving rumors.

The teams are also trying to make us happier in the off season by supplying us with news. The Pens won't have to take down their pinup calenders until 2010 when the new arena is ready. It's going to take 3-4 years, really? Well, hopefully there won't be any other helicopters falling through the roof in the meantime (yeah, it's old, yeah, it's over used, yeah, I don't care. Still a classic). It's a long time to wait, but as the article says, they want to do a good job, and do it the right way. I'm sure it will be appreciated in the long run. Another interesting facet of the arena deal is the effect it's having on the community and residents. It sounds like the Pens and Co. are truly trying to work with people and make everyone happy and behind the project (as any sane company would, even though you can't make everyone happy) so as not to repeat the dissatisfaction that came from the original Civic Arena deal 40 years ago. New jobs and a grocery store are small things to ask in the grand scheme of things...right?

In other news, the Nashville Predators are staying in Nashville...for the time being, anyhow. Congrats, Nashville! Now stop throwing catfish, you weridos. I'd like to try to see them haul these babies over the side of the glass. What would they have thrown in Hamilton...blackberries?

Is it me, or does this man look to be in serious pain? Maybe indigestion? Surprise? The 'you've gotta be kidding me' look when he realized who he got drafted by?

Yeah, that's about all I've got. Oh, except plans to go and see the Pens up at the Bell Centre for their second preseason game. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to sit next to another Penguins' fan in a Fleury jersey like last time...even if they didn't speak a word of English.

EDIT: For some random baseball news (to celebrate a wonderful 13th inning comeback by the A's over the Rangers last night, thank you, Piazza. Seriously, how do you blow a lead like that, coming off a grand slam and a home run?), I feel the need to share a bit of girliness and show the world that Philadelphia does indeed have something going for it: a one Mr. Cole Hamels. Good job on snapping that up, Philly. A talented rookie with a great arm...and a great everything else, too. Maybe it's the hockey hair, but it's nice to know that the home of the Flyers can produce something that pretty.

Just for shits and giggles, have some old-time LeClair. I still hear people claiming to have played in juniors and high school with him. Where are you now, John?

Go Pens.

Well scratch my back with a hacksaw!

That's right, folks, Mr. Mike Lange is back for another year covering the Penguins on the radio. Who says video killed the radio star?

Not much else going on in the Penguins world (aside from the now infamous Staalgate, which really, they should just be ashamed of. I mean, none of us ever did anything like that when we were young, and I know that we just all waited until we were 21 to drink, and then we always kept within the limits. Right. Really, they should be hanging their heads that they were caught. Didn't they have any practice with backwoods parties in Ontario?), and the newest scandal is Kevin Lowe's 'desperate and tasteless' push to snag Anaheim Duck Dustin Penner. That K.Lowe is being a douche is nothing new, just ask an Edmonton fan, but really, does it warrent all this attention and negativity? Sure, it wasn't exactly the most classy thing to do, but it wasn't technically illegal, either. Sort of like letting a big heavy door slam in the face of a pregnant woman in a wheelchair with a broken leg.

So who thinks that the Staal brothers will have a bet going on during the first game of the season? Any guesses on what they'll bet? (If you say gatorade, you have no imagination)

Is it October yet?

Hello all! Yes, I still live, just very tired. I fell asleep during Thursday's game, if that gives anyone indication on my exhaustion. Steph has been marvelous in keeping this blog up to date with her super game coverage. Thank you, Steph!

In trying to keep up with the times, we were discussing our nominees for this weeks Cocky Awards and watching the game...and then one of the most spectacular goals of this season happened and we decided that Daniel Briere's goal to bring the game into overtime deserved this week's nomination. 5 seconds left! I think this is one of the few times the tv has heard me when I've been yelling at it. Way to go, Buffalo! Too bad they lost to some other team that I hardly remember the name of. Does anyone have any other people they think have been particularly ballsy or cocky this week?

Some small side notes:

-Apparently some goalie from some team that is hardly worth mentioning was dissing Buffalo, but he says the wings are OK.

-Russian air agrees with Malkin as he's gotten back into the swing of things back in the Homeland. Check him out giving the figurative finger to the Czech bench. Love the little kick, Geno.

-The WBS Pens died in the playoffs against the Hersey Bears. Well, I guess that one team has to win every once in a while.

-Mike Lange might be deserting Pittsburgh. (Get it, deserting, going to Arizona? Ha ha?) In all seriousness, all the arenas in the world and 15 year contracts for Sidney Crosby wouldn't be worth half as much if Lange were to kick over to Coyote-ville. Well, maybe the 15 year Sid contract, which Dave Molinari says probably isn't, and shouldn't, happen. I can understand the financial reasons, for both Sidney and other players, but the value that Crosby holds for the Pens, and Pittsburgh, is larger than money...but people have to be practical (even though he's rolling in money as it is, and will be, for the rest of his life even if he stays in Penguintown). It's going to be a hard decision, he's a huge commodity, and the thought that he could leave to some place like...say...the Rangers (Jagr, I'm looking at you here) is not just a kick in the gut, but more like repeated stabbings with a rusted ice pick coated in salt in the gut that eventually gives you tetanus so that you'll die a horrible, twisted death while watching him come out in blue next to Jagr and Straka and ask god, why, whhhhhhy.

-In other news, Sean Avery is an asswipe. Shocking.


Detroit and the Ducks are on tonight, everyone look for Steph in the seats! Go...Buffalo?

The show must go on

I sat down and watched the Devils and the Lightning play today and was pleasantly surprised with the pace and action of the game. It was a good game, lots of actions, plays, and super goal tending, although I found myself thinking constantly of the Penguins, what they could have done and how watching hockey isn't the same without them in the running. I kept catching myself thinking about the next Penguins game, only to realize that it is months away. Sigh. Anyhow, with the Devil's win that puts them up against the cursed Senators and the Sabres and Rangers in a battle of New York. Should be an interesting match up...and as much as it makes dog bark and howl in pain every time I think it, I might have to cheer for the Devils out of pure spite.

In other non-moping news, Jamie 'Noodles' McLennan has been suspended for his slash and whack on Detroit's Franzen. I didn't see the end of the game, only highlights, and Steph already covered it in her previous post, so I won't go into specifics. It does seem strange, however, to have this happen right in the middle of a series. I can understand trying to send a message to the other team in a blow out, you want to come back hard and fast, give the other team a little bit to think about, but nothing excuses dirty play, and slashes like that (as well as several other penalties and questionable acts) are never okay. That being said, Noodles has never been shown to have this type of behavior in him (please correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never heard about him doing anything like this before), and I know a lot of people are asking if this was purely coaching. McLennan is coming up to free agency soon, and to disobey a coach or go against the 'team's' wishes, can be a death sentence career-wise, and from Playfair's point of view, McLennan was the most expendable body on the bench. Does this make it okay? No, and he shouldn't have hit Franzen like that, but you have to wonder how much of it was provoked (he was on the ice less than a minute) and how much was expected. If this was all Playfair, then I'm not even sure what to say. Sending out a message to the opposing team is fine, as is rough play, some pushing, maybe even a fight, but diliberate dirty play from an otherwise clean player? Should we be talking about dirty coaching?

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In Penguins news, Recchi and Roberts say that playing in Pittsburgh is defintely an option next year, and they both like it. Gonchar also told the Trib that Malkin was feeling a little pooped at the end of the year from the season and the playoffs, which I think we were all wondering about. Maybe next year he'll be better prepared for the long run and the postseason and we'll be able to see his true form come out. We believe in you, Geno!

Some interesting thoughts on what to upgrade and who to get. On the list: Chris Drury, Bill Guerin, Alexei Morozov (hello again?), and Kris Letang is rumored to be getting ready to make the jump up. Most of what the Pens are looking for are goal scorers and some offensive defensemen, which is really no surprise. Who's out? I'm guessing Scuderi, Melichar, Cairns, Nas might stay, and maybe Thorburn, although I think he has potential if he can get it together. There are a number of UFA's coming up, so the Pens might look quite a bit different next year. Lots of articles are out wrapping up the Penguins' season, saying what to expect next year, and what they need to get/move in order to accomplish this (go to the Post-Gazette page to read, there's a bunch and I didn't want to be a link whore), but I won't go into it too very much (yet). The summer should give us all a good idea about what Shero is willing to spend and how to plan for the next few seasons (let's not all forget that Crosby and Fleury are coming up at the same time for UFA's. Sid has said that he's thinking of starting negotiations, but nothing from Fleury yet).

The Dread Captain Murray says that Heatley has yet to get his motor running. Great, just run us into the ground and then tell everyone that you're not going at full steam.

In a completely unrelated random,and yes, rather girlish note, where were you hiding this, Tampa Bay? Even though it makes me slightly ill to say this of a former Duck, that man is gorgeous. And look, Parise is welcoming him to the east while Lecavalier laughs. Don't laugh, Vinny, he doesn't share Journey with Mighty Mouse.


EDIT: On looking around ESPN I found this mullety offering. Truth be told, I was a little disappointed with Melrose's offerings, although I will agree with the Parros one. Check out the mullet gallery linked on the top of the page and take a gander at #5, one of the best mullets ever! Classic. Also #2 is the best current mullet in the game.

Press? What press?

Guess what? The Penguins have made the front page of NHL.com for about the third time this year...for good reasons. Amazing. This piece is a little ditty about just how far the Pens have come from last year, almost doubling their points from last year.

Therrien takes out the blender and bumps Army and Christensen up with Sid, moving Malone and Recchi back with our Staal to the third line...resulting in Roberts, Malkin, Oulette. I'm sorry...I know that Oulette has been making some good plays lately, and cleaning up the rebounds and sweet passes from Malkin for some goals, but I doubt that he rates over Jordan Staal. If this line produces like Christensen and Roberts did for a few games, I won't complain, but I am just flabbergastered that Therrien would move Staal back instead of Oulette. Am I missing something? The last line is going to be Laraque, Talbot, Ruutu, a combo I can't wait to see come out and play.

An interesting article about fighting in the NHL, and I like the perspectives of the players and GMs in it. I think Ethan Moreau has a good point, '"It's like boxing. How many guys really get hurt? Or martial arts. How many guys really get hurt in that? Not many, but when they do, it really looks horrible,"' So does Burke, GM of the Anaheim Ducks, '"I don't want to expand the role of fighting, I don't want to glorify it, I want the players to be able to do their jobs"'. Fighting is an intricate part of the hockey game, and the hockey atmosphere...taking it out would create a set of new problems. As it stands now, fighting serves to energize a team, add a bit of jump to their game, and to protect some of the smaller players. It works as a self-policing system, and to remove it without seriously revamping the entire game (and getting rid of the all the older players who were used to having fighting in it), would make it doubly as difficult to integrate into a new system of play.

Okay, off my little soapbox. I got home rather late last night and saw a message from Steph that said: Omfg, MARTY FUCKING REASONER just won the game for the Oilers. I had to have her repeat it a few times before I believed it. So does that mean that they aren't trying for a draft pick, or just trying to make it look like they aren't...or maybe they're just sick of losing? I don't blame them, either way, goilers?


Next Pens game is in...well, about a half an hour at 1 pm. They play against the Thrashers in their pretty blue uniforms. On a side note, while I will be watching (most of) the Bruins game on Sunday (I have a baby shower I can't skip, sigh), I will be taking a brief hiatus until Tuesday of this week, when the Pens go against the Capitals and hopefully give them an ass kicking that will leave their grandkids black and blue (or just a win, I'll settle for a win).

See you all with hopefully 4 more points for Pittsburgh! Go Pens!