Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Glorious Return of HF Boards - Letang Speculation

Well with the trade deadline, playoffs, and just lack of time, I haven't wrote any articles on the stupid shit that gets posted daily on the HF Boards.  Well with Rob Rossi reporting that an extension with the Pens and Letang isn't reached, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a good fit for Letang.  So lets see what rumors are on the HF Boards because Pens-Leafs rumors are the best.

So the first person to post in the Letang thread was a Leafs fan.  They offered the following trade:




   Kris Letang



Nikolai Kulemin, Jake Gardiner, Biggs






Wouldn't be a Pens-Leafs rumor without Nikolai Kulemin coming to Pittsburgh.

The next trade offered seems weird to me.



Kris Letang, Bryan Rust?, 3rd Round Pick



Kulemin (of course), Franson, Matt Finn, 1st Round Pick, 2nd Round Pick, 4th Round pick




First of all, who the hell is Bryan Rust?  Secondly, if the Pens can get 3 draft picks plus Kulemin and Franson, do it Shero.  But the Leafs are the 2nd best at making the worst trades so I would expect anything

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Yesterday, 09:10 PM
  #37
Reimier

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Lets just all laugh at Rob Rossi?
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^ Couldn't agree more.




Kris Letang









Jake Gardiner, Nikolai Kulemin, 1st Round Pick





That wouldn't be a bad deal plus would be probably be fair value for Kris Letang.




Kris Letang



Nikolai Kulemin, Carl Gunnarsson, Tyler Biggs





The trade above, the person was like "I want Letang but I wouldn't give up Reilly or Gardiner for him"  Like dude, if you're not gonna give something good up, you're probably not getting Kris Letang.

This next trade doesn't really make sense to me.




Kris Letang, Scott Harrington



Nikolai Kulemin, Jake Gardiner, 1st Round (2014), 3rd Round (2013), Brad Ross




So this trade basically gives the Pens less than what they probably want for Letang while also giving the Leafs another one of the Pens top D prospects.  Toronto fans can be fucking retarded at times.  Plus Nonis is an idiot, no way he pulls something like this off.
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Yesterday, 11:13 PM
  #171
HOME OF ROB FORD.

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Only way I give up Gardiner is if Brandon Sutter is coming back in the package and if Dion Phaneuf is traded for good assets.
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How does this even make sense?

Basically, I can't read anymore of this because Leafs' fans are stupid.  Rossi tweeted the possibility for Letang to Toronto, so I'm assuming that Letang signs an extension with the Pens over the next few days.

Whatever.

Draft is in like 6 minutes

Go Pens.






Happenings around the NHL

A few notes from around the league:

The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  This mean drunk Patrick Kane all summer.

The Pens announced their pre season schedule yesterday.  They begin the pre season on September 15th at Columbus.  Then return home the next day to play Detroit.  The rest of the schedule is as follows:
Sept 19th at Chicago, Sept 21st against Columbus, Sept 23rd against Chicago, Sept 25th at Detroit.  We look for training camp to start around the 5th or 6th of September.

Today the Pens agreed to an extension with forward Chris Kunitz.  He'll be making 3.85 mil per year starting next season.

The window for compliance buyouts started yesterday.  Today the Lightning bought out Vinny Lecavalier and his spray tan.

The draft is in like 12 seconds and free agency starts in like 5 minutes.

Go Pens

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Gilles Meloche to Resign as Goaltender Coach

Announced today from the Trib that Goaltender coach Gilles Meloche will resign this week and accept a smaller role such as professional scout with the team.

http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/4164503-74/fleury-coach-penguins#axzz2VmTgi4Vs

If Meloche resigns, this could be the biggest move of the Pens offseason (no disrespect to Meloche).  If the Pens can find a coach who can help MAF with the mental aspect of his game, then the Pens will be fine with MAF as their #1 goaltender.

Ray Shero meets with the media Wednesday at 11 am.

Big things to come in the coming weeks.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Season Over. Pens Swept in Conference Finals

The Pens season has finally come to a close after a 1-0 loss in game 4 to the Boston Bruins.  Yes.  A 4 game sweep by the Boston Bruins.  We know it's hard to believe that this actually happened to a team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Jarome Iginla, Kris Letang and Marc Andre Fleury.  But it did.  What also happened was the Pens scored all of 2 goals this series.  Tuuka Rask was on bath salts every game and was stopping everything.  But that wasn't the reason only reason the Pens lost this series.  There were many components that led to the Pens loss.  You probably won't like what is listed here at points but we don't fucking care.

First off the lack of scoring.  Sidney Crosby.  1 point.  Evgeni Malkin.  0 points.  James Neal.  0 points.  Chirs Kunitz.  1 point.  Kris Letang 0 points.  Jarome Iginla 0 points.  These are the guys you are expecting to get production from and none of them did a damn thing all series.  When you are paying this guys between 3 and 9 millions dollars they need to produce.  That's what they get paid for.  The Pens scored 2 goals this series.  2.  From Brandon Sutter and Chris Kunitz.  A couple Bruins players had 2 goals BY THEMSELVES.  Yes at times Tuuka Rask was playing like Patrick Roy but these guy failed to scored and when they were taking shots they were either blocked in front or right into the giant B on Rask's jersey.  The Pens made Tuuka Rask look like the best goalie in history this series.  Also 0-15 on the power play is an absolute joke.  The B's power play came into this series clicking at only 81%.  This series they killed off each and every power play the Pens had.  With the talent this team had there is no reason to go 0 for fucking 15.  

Secondly, timely goaltending.  We are in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM blaming this loss on Tomas Vokoun.  He played like his balls were on the line especially in games 3 and 4.  But Tuuka Rask made the saves when he needed to.  Other than game 3 the Pens goaltending was spectacular.  There isn't much you can do when your defense is playing with themselves instead of actually playing defense.

Third.  Claude Julien > Dan Bylsma.  Dan Bylsma got out coached in every facet of the game in this series.  Claude Julien was pulling all the right strings this series.  Dan Bylsma kept pulling the same one and it kept not working.  Bylsma had a plan A and that was it.  He didn't have a plan B and that is what killed the Pens in this series.  He refused to adjust anything except make a few lineup moves that were head scratchers at best.  We have been in Bylsma's corner all season but this series made Bylsma look like a rookie coach.  He had his plan.  Stuck to it.  And when it didn't work refused to try something different.  We have never seen a team as talented as the Pens so mismanaged ever.  The use of Jarome Iginla was embarrassing.  A future Hall of Famer who has scored over 500 goals in his career was so misused and forced to play an uncomfortable position was an absolute disgrace.  He also saw little to no power play time.  An absolute joke.  He was also demoted to the 3rd line in games 3 and 4.  Disgrace.  The coaching decisions Bylsma made this series were laughable at best.  His love affair with Deryk Engelland and Tyler Kennedy is also laughable.  Why was Simon Despres never in the line up this series?  Becasue he's not tough like Deryk Engelland?  Is it because he wasn't ready?  If it's option 2 then maybe he should have played some more this season.  If it's option 1 or a combination of the 2 then that is an absolute joke.  Instead of having the best lineup out there Bylsma played favorites.  Deryk Engelland had no reason to be on the ice at all in the playoffs when there were better options sitting in the press box. With all that said Dan Bylsma SHOULD NOT be behind the Pens bench next season.  He's been getting out coached in the playoffs since 2009.  The Pens need a coach that will use the talent that this team has the right way.  Not one that puts future Hall of Famers on the 3rd line.  Fire Bylsma.

Like we said.  You probably didn't like what we just said but we don't really care.  The Pens got swept and those were the reasons why.  If you say otherwise that's your opinion.  This is ours.  Fight us if you want.  Call us bad fans.  Whatever.  We really don't care.  This series was an embarrassment and this season should be considered a failure. 

Talk to you guys whenever.

Go Pens

Friday, June 7, 2013

SERIES 3: GAME 4: Pens at Bruins

TD Garden. 8:00. NBCSN.


Do or die.


"You keep going until you can't go anymore. I don't think there's any quit in this group..." - Orpik





Lines:
 

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Cooke - Malkin - Neal
Bennett - Sutter - Iginla
Morrow - Adams - Kennedy
 
Orpik - Engelland
Eaton - Letang
Murray - Niskanen
 
Vokoun
 
 
Lucic - Krejci - Horton
Bergeron - Marchand - Jagr
Daugavins - Peverley - Seguin
Paille - Kelly - Thornton
 
Chara - Seidenberg
Bartkowski - Boychuk
Krug - McQuaid
 
Rask




DO IT.
GO PENS.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Heartbreak Cityyy. Pens LOSE.

One of the best NHL Games of the year.  Pens down 3-0 in series.  Lose this game 2-1 in Double OT.

Double J made a big play, may have hooked Malkin.  Marchand with a sick pass to Bergeron to end it.

Pens tough task at hand but hey its a race to 4.

Game 4 Friday Night.


Go Pens.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

SERIES 3: GAME 3: Pens at Bruins

TD Garden. 8:00. NBCSN


The Pens are shipping up to Boston for Game 3 tonight.

We're all hoping for a turn-around from these past two disappointing losses, especially so half of the fan base backs away from their bridges. We're also, obviously, wanting a win tonight because a 3-0 lead by the Bruins will be brutal. It would be extremely difficult to dig out of that hole.

And speaking of the fan base: it's been the blame game for the past two days with fans blaming goaltending, coaching, etc. Here's the thing, ladies and gents, this is a TEAM game and these losses are the whole team's fault. That's just the simple truth. Everyone has got to step up and PLAY - THEIR - GAME. They have to want this win and want to win this series more than the Bruins. End of story.

The Bruins will be keeping the same line-up from games 1 and 2. Bylsma has said there will be changes to the line-up and combinations tonight, hopefully this will make a real difference and cause a momentum shift in our favor. Also, Vokoun will be starting in net tonight.


Malkin, Iginla, and Martin were all not present at practice today, but no further word on that.


LINES:

No idea on what the lines will be tonight, nothing being posted on it either. The plan is to shake things up, so we'll all find out at game time.
 

Lucic - Krejci - Horton
Bergeron - Marchand - Jagr
Peverley - Kelly - Seguin
Paille - Campbell - Thornton

Chara - Seidenberg
Bartkowski - Boychuk
Krug - McQuaid

Rask





DO IT.
GO PENS.

Monday, June 3, 2013

SERIES 3: GAME 2: Pens vs Bruins

Consol Energy Center. 8:00. NBCSN


After a frustrating game one loss, the Pittsburgh Penguins will need to be on their game, mentally and physically, to even the series back up versus the Bruins. This team has the skills needed to win, because there's no doubt that these guys can bounce back from Saturday night's shutout, but they will need to capitalize on every given opportunity.

Some of the Pens' thoughts on the previous game and tonight:
"We did some good things, but at the end of the day you have to execute and put pucks in the net." - Crosby
"It's the playoffs. It's emotion. Guys are passionate. Guys want to win. But it's not our game style to do it in thay way. We'll certainly have to stay out of the box." - Dupuis
"You just have to start over. It's a brand new game." - Vokoun
"Got to capitalize on your chances. Could create big momentum swings in the game... But that being said, we've got to play a better game altogether." - Kunitz

And also, to no surprise, Vokoun will be starting in net tonight.



LINES:

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Iginla - Malkin - Neal
Morrow - Sutter - Cooke
Adams - Jokinen - Kennedy

Martin - Orpik
Murray - Niskanen
Eaton - Letang

#TwerkinForTomas


Lucic - Krejci - Horton
Bergeron - Marchand - Jagr
Peverley - Kelly - Seguin
Paille - Campbell - Thornton

Chara - Seidenberg
Bartkowski - Boychuk
Krug - McQuaid

Rask


Stuff:
  • Pens have recalled G Jeff Zatkoff from the WBS Penguins. He held a record of 26-20 and was named team MVP.


DO IT.
GO PENS.