Sunday, June 29, 2014

HF Boards: Free Agency/Draft Trades

Since the Penguins now have a coach and a lot of the offseason dust has settled, Brandon told me that it would be a good time to do an HF Boards Post, and boy was he right. There is a lot of gold on that site right now with most of the Penguins rumored to be available. So without further adieu, here we go to some of the biggest degenerates in the hockey world...


Calgary Gets:
Marc-Andre Fleury
Brandon Sutter
Simon Despres
#22 Overall

Pittsburgh Gets:
#4 Overall




^ Wait, WHAT?!?!



There's no point to even decipher what kind of drugs people in Calgary are on, but they must sell some good shit there, so yeahhhh...

Winnipeg Gets:
Marc-Andre Fleury
The Rights to Matt Niskanen
James Neal
#22 Overall

Pittsburgh Gets:
Evander Kane
Blake Wheeler
Ondrej Pavelec

For starters, the Penguins are giving up entirely too much in this deal. Second, theres no way in hell I want Blake Wheeler on this team, unless he's free. So, NO.

Toronto Gets:
Rob Scuderi
#22 Overall

Pittsburgh Gets:
Joffrey Lupul
Rights to Nikolai Kulemin

That deal adds a legit Top 6 guy, gives them a chance to add to the bottom 6, while dumping Scuderi's contract and we would be okay to trade the 1st round pick while picking up 2 legit NHL forwards.


We've posted so many awful trades on this blog with these posts, and this next trade might be the dumbest one that we've ever posted.

Edmonton Gets:
Kris Letang
Rights to Deryk Engellend

Pittsburgh Gets:
#8 overall
Jeff Petry
Tom Nilsson

We should just bomb the internet after that one...







Good God..

The next one might literally push you off the ledge...

Toronto Gets:
Rob Scuderi
Derrick Pouilot
#22 Overall

Pittsburgh Gets:
Dion Phaneuf
Rights to Nikolai Kulemin
James Reimer

First off, the Pens dont wanna trade their traffic cone for a more expensive traffic cone. We would love to have Elisha Cuthbert though.



Some Sharks fan should probably jump off of the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow after this next deal...

San Jose Gets:
Kris Letang
Marc-Andre Fleury
Beau Bennett

Pittsburgh Gets:
Patrick Marleau
Anttii Niemi

Light yourself on fire dude.

And last but not least, one that will probably make you all drink bleach.

Carolina Gets:
Marc-Andre Fleury

Pittsburgh Gets:
Cam Ward



We might try to get another one of these on the blog again in another week. Depending on how psychotic the people of the internet get.

Until then


Go Pens

DAT DRAFT DOE Penguins 2014-2015 Draft



  Another draft has come and gone but the Penguins sure went in a different direction during this year's draft. As you know, this was the first draft under GMJR and coach Mike Johnston+administration, therefore, the Pens decided against the route of drafting 34534535 defenseman. However, even before the Pens made a pick they managed to jam up the entire internet and cause many Instagram #MCM's to die, trading 40 goal scorer and 412 shirt champion James Neal. Neal was dealt to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. 
  So James Neal gets dealt for two guys who Pittsburgh doesn't know much about, right? Let's take a look at why this deal should work well for Pittsburgh. Hornqvist, 27, will slide into James Neal's spot on the Malkin line, thus most likely making Malkin shoot more and optimize his performance. Also, in 2009-2010 season on the Predators mind you, Hornqvist recorded 30 goals, 21 assists in 80 games. More recently, in 2013-2014 Patric recorded 22 goals and 31 assists in 76 games. Hornqvist has hit the 20 goal plateau four times in his NHL career and for being in Nashville, those numbers stand out. Now give him Evgeni Malkin and goodnight moon. Hornqvist should be a complete player on the Malkin line. GMJR was quoted saying, "We like Hornqvist a lot. We just think he's a complete player, an all-around player, a guy that plays with an edge and is going to be good in the playoffs. And also a right-hand shot. We don't have many right-hand shots. so that was another plus." Hornqvist is also known as a guy who goes to the net to make things happen, which the Pens / any team in the NHL would love to have. 

****Plus when you have a shirt like this, you don't lose****

Horny
Spal So Hard University 
   FOR


 The second guy the Penguins acquired was Nick Spaling, 25, is a gritty guy who is versatile enough to play both wings and center. However, Spaling is an RFA come July 1st, which means it is up to the Penguins to sign him. Spaling has played 297 NHL games and recorded 40 goals and 44 assists for 84 points. Spaling was drafted 58th overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Spaling's versatility could make him very effective in the Penguins lineup, especially since the Penguins are letting all their UFA's walk (THANK GOD) thus freeing up a spot on that bottom six. 

NOW TO THE DRAFT. 


The Penguins did something they haven't in ten years by drafting a European forward in the first round. Selected 22nd overall, welcome to the Pens Kasperi Kapanen. Kapanen is 17 years old and this smaller right wing, listed as 5'11 179lbs. is a beast on skates. Kapanen is known for his speed and shot and for making the players around him better. Kasperi is coming from playing in the SM-Liiga, which means he has what it takes and has played against NHL caliber talent. In addition, Kapanen was rated the number one European skater by NHL Central Registry and thought to be the best European player in the draft by many. His past season was subpar recording 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points for his Finish Elite League team, however he has preformed well on the international scale, as he recorded 9 points for Finland at the 2013 World Juniors. He was unable to play in the 2014 World Juniors due to a shoulder injury. Uniquely enough, GMJR also drafted Kasperi's father Sami in 1995 with the 87th overall pick when he was the GM for Hartford. Pen's scouts feel Kapanen is said to be a year or two away from playing in Pittsburgh so watch for him to progress and fast. Kapanen criticized himself by saying, "I think defensively, I have to be better if I want to play in the NHL. It's a league for men; it's the best league in the world." Look for this speedy, playmaking winger to further develop and make a name for himself in the Penguins' organization soon. 
Suomi DOEEEEEEEEEE #WeHeartFins

22nd overall pick Kasperi Kapanen owning noobs (Russia)


The Penguins did not have a pick in both the second or third rounds so next up was the 4th round 113th overall in which the Penguins took local boy Sam Lafferty. Lafferty is from Hollidaysburg, which is near Altoona meaning another local guy has a chance to make a name for himself in the NHL, which is always a good thing. Lafferty grew up rooting for the Penguins and spent his three previous seasons playing high school prep hockey in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Lafferty is listed at 6'0 175lbs right winger. This past season Lafferty recorded 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points. Lafferty will spend a year playing in the United State Hockey League  before heading to Brown University for the 2015-2016 season. Lafferty compared himself to local talent using Brandon Sutter as his model saying; "I try to model my game after Brandon Sutter. Just a good, complete, two-way player who's responsible but also very skilled." Being 113th overall and playing high school prep hockey always makes this a chancy pick, but if Lafferty can produce in the USHL next season, Pens fans should keep an eye on him.
Sam Lafferty using board play skills

In the fifth round, 145th overall the Penguins selected Anthony Angello with the compensation they received from trading superstar defenseman Ben Lovejoy. Angello is listed at 6'4 190lbs. forward making him a twig. Angello recorded 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 58 games with his USHL club. Angello like Lafferty, is taking the college route as he plans to play for Cornell next season. Angello is American born, coming from Albany, New York and was ranked the 114th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. "From a player development standpoint, I like to get better each and every day,'' Angello said of putting off the start of a pro career. "However long it takes me to be an impact player in the NHL, that's how long i'll wait." "I’m a big power forward that plays the physical role, wins his 1-on-1 battles & grinds at the net-front. I finish all my hits."
Angello attempts to glitch goal off the face-off
In the sixth round and 173rd overall the Penguins selected Jaden Lindo from the OHL. Lindo is listed at 6'1 202lbs. right-wing. Over the past two seasons playing for the Owen Sound Attack Lindo recorded: 103 games played with 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points. One interesting fact is that he is listed on hockeyfights.com, which means YASSSSSS he's an enforcer. From Lindo's player profile on mynhldraft.com: "Possessing a seemingly non-stop motor, Lindo is quick on the forecheck and a pain to play against. He plays 200-feet, does the little things and is willing to take the necessary abuse to help his team win." Lindo was ranked as the 116th overall skater by ISS and 154th overall by the NHL Central Scouting. *Originally Lindo was ranked 96th overall at midseason but suffered a knee injury*

#GritAndCharacter Jaden Lindo

With their finial selection in the 7th round and 203rd overall the Penguins chose DEFENSEMAN Jeff Taylor from Union College. Taylor is listed at 6'0 183lbs. Taylor helped Union College win the NCAA championship while tallying 3 goals and 13 assists in 41 games. Taylor was also named to the ECAC all-rookie team. Taylor, like Angello is a New York native as he played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL during the 2012-2013 season, where he recorded 5 goals and 22 points for 27 points in 57 games. Additionally, Taylor was ranked 14th among ECAC defenseman in conference scoring. 
Jeff Taylor doing something


Overall: 

Under the new regime it was nice to see the Penguins selected a European stud with much promise in Kaspries Kapanen at 22nd overall, who may have been a steal by the Pens being taken so late in the draft. In addition, the Penguins added 3 more forwards and 1 defenseman.

  • Kaspries Kapanen, 22nd overall - Forward
  • Sam Lafferty, 113th overall - Forward 
  • Anthony Angello, 145th overall -Forward
  • Jaden Lindo, 173rd overall - Forward
  • Jeff Taylor, 203rd overall - Defense
Stay tuned for more offseason updates such as #KuleminWatch and #GritAndToughnessWatch

Lets Go Pens. 




Sunday, June 22, 2014

2014-15 Schedule Break Down.

The 2014-15 Pittsburgh Penguins schedule was released minutes ago and we want to break down who they play and when on a monthly basis. We don't wanna go into predictions or anything, because obviously there is no coach and the Penguins have some holes to fill, but its interesting to see who will be in Pittsburgh, when and everything else.

October
THU OCT 9, 2014DUCKSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT OCT 11, 2014PENGUINSMAPLE LEAFS7:00 PMCBC
THU OCT 16, 2014STARSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT OCT 18, 2014ISLANDERSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED OCT 22, 2014FLYERSPENGUINS8:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU OCT 23, 2014PENGUINSRED WINGS7:30 PM
SAT OCT 25, 2014PENGUINSPREDATORS8:00 PM
TUE OCT 28, 2014DEVILSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU OCT 30, 2014KINGSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL

The Penguins open it up at home on October 9th with the Anaheim Ducks and then take it to the road to Toronto on the 11th. The Penguins only have 3 road games in the month of October and the defending champion LA Kings are in Pittsburgh for their only time the day before Halloween. The first Flyers-Penguins matchup is going to be a Wednesday Night Rivalry game as the time is at 8:00 PM. October seems to be an interesting month and there are a total of 4 Western Conference games in the month. This should be an important month to see how the team adjusts to the new coaches style.

November
SAT NOV 1, 2014SABRESPENGUINS7:00 PMSN1TICKETS BUY/SELL
TUE NOV 4, 2014PENGUINSWILD8:00 PM
THU NOV 6, 2014PENGUINSJETS8:00 PM
SAT NOV 8, 2014PENGUINSSABRES7:00 PMHNIC
TUE NOV 11, 2014PENGUINSRANGERS7:00 PM
FRI NOV 14, 2014PENGUINSMAPLE LEAFS7:30 PM
SAT NOV 15, 2014RANGERSPENGUINS7:00 PMHNICTICKETS BUY/SELL
TUE NOV 18, 2014PENGUINSCANADIENS7:30 PM
FRI NOV 21, 2014ISLANDERSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT NOV 22, 2014PENGUINSISLANDERS7:00 PMHNIC
MON NOV 24, 2014PENGUINSBRUINS7:00 PM
WED NOV 26, 2014MAPLE LEAFSPENGUINS7:30 PMSNTICKETS BUY/SELL
FRI NOV 28, 2014HURRICANESPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT NOV 29, 2014PENGUINSHURRICANES7:00 PMHNIC

The Penguins open up Movember with the Sabres at home and are on HNIC 4 times in the month. The Pens make their second and final trip to Toronto on the 14th and their third time in Canada after visiting Dejan's favorite city, Winnipeg on November 6th. The Rangers return to Consol for the first time on November 15th and the first Bruins game is on The 24th. The final Leafs-Pens game will be on Thanksgiving Eve and the Penguins have a Black Friday home game with Carolina with a game in Carolina the following day. November the Penguins only have 5 home games.

December
TUE DEC 2, 2014DEVILSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU DEC 4, 2014CANUCKSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT DEC 6, 2014SENATORSPENGUINS1:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
MON DEC 8, 2014PENGUINSRANGERS7:00 PM
FRI DEC 12, 2014FLAMESPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT DEC 13, 2014PENGUINSBLUE JACKETS7:00 PMHNIC
MON DEC 15, 2014LIGHTNINGPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU DEC 18, 2014AVALANCHEPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT DEC 20, 2014PANTHERSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
MON DEC 22, 2014PENGUINSPANTHERS7:30 PM
TUE DEC 23, 2014PENGUINSLIGHTNING7:30 PM
SAT DEC 27, 2014CAPITALSPENGUINS7:00 PMHNICTICKETS BUY/SELL
MON DEC 29, 2014PENGUINSDEVILS7:00 PM
WED DEC 31, 2014HURRICANESPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL

After the Pens get home from their home and home in Carolina, they come home for 3 games in 6 days with the Devils, Canucks, and Senators before traveling to MSG for the 2nd time. The first Blue Jackets game will be on a Saturday in CBJ. #InvadeNWA. The Penguins will have a home and home with the Panthers follwed by a trip to Tampa 2 days before Christmas before coming home and hosting the Caps 2 days after Christmas. Merry Christmas from the NHL as well as the Caps will be on 24/7 during that time. The Penguins close out 2014 with a home game against the Hurricanes. Get your early Christmas Presents in because there are 9 home games in the month of December as well as short trips to New York, New Jersey, and Columbus.

January
FRI JAN 2, 2015LIGHTNINGPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT JAN 3, 2015CANADIENSPENGUINS7:00 PMHNICTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED JAN 7, 2015BRUINSPENGUINS8:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT JAN 10, 2015PENGUINSCANADIENS7:00 PMHNIC
TUE JAN 13, 2015WILDPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
FRI JAN 16, 2015PENGUINSISLANDERS7:00 PM
SUN JAN 18, 2015RANGERSPENGUINS12:30 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
TUE JAN 20, 2015PENGUINSFLYERS7:00 PM
WED JAN 21, 2015BLACKHAWKSPENGUINS8:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
TUE JAN 27, 2015JETSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED JAN 28, 2015PENGUINSCAPITALS8:00 PM
FRI JAN 30, 2015PENGUINSDEVILS7:00 PM

The Penguins will open up 2015 with Tampa Bay and Montreal on back to back nights then host the Bruins for their 2nd Wednesday Night Rivalry game of the season before going to BOOOOOOOOOO. Rangers in Pittsburgh for a Sunday Afternoon NBC game which is the 4th time with the Rangers. That game is followed by a quick trip to Philly to come back for a back to back with a Wednesday Night Rivalry game with Chicago and a week later on Wednesday Night Rivalry Game in DC. This could be a huge month for the Penguins and we will see what this team is made of with all of the big rivalry and tough games.

February
SUN FEB 1, 2015PREDATORSPENGUINS2:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED FEB 4, 2015PENGUINSOILERS8:00 PMSN
FRI FEB 6, 2015PENGUINSFLAMES9:00 PM
SAT FEB 7, 2015PENGUINSCANUCKS10:00 PMHNIC
WED FEB 11, 2015RED WINGSPENGUINS8:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU FEB 12, 2015PENGUINSSENATORS7:30 PM
SUN FEB 15, 2015PENGUINSBLACKHAWKS12:30 PM
TUE FEB 17, 2015CAPITALSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU FEB 19, 2015BLUE JACKETSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT FEB 21, 2015PENGUINSBLUES8:00 PMHNIC
SUN FEB 22, 2015PANTHERSPENGUINS6:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED FEB 25, 2015PENGUINSCAPITALS8:00 PM

The Penguins start February at home before heading out for the Western Canada road swing including a Wednesday night game in Edmonton and HNIC in Vancouver. Detroit comes to Consol for the first time on February 11th and the Penguins are in Chicago for a Sunday afternoon game the day after Valentine's Day. The Caps make their second trip to Consol on the 17th and the Blue Jackets make their first on the 19th. The 4th Caps game is on the 25th for the Pens 6th Wednesday Night Rivalry game this year.

March
SUN MAR 1, 2015BLUE JACKETSPENGUINS5:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
WED MAR 4, 2015PENGUINSAVALANCHE10:00 PM
FRI MAR 6, 2015PENGUINSDUCKS10:00 PM
SAT MAR 7, 2015PENGUINSKINGS10:00 PMHNIC
MON MAR 9, 2015PENGUINSSHARKS10:30 PM
THU MAR 12, 2015OILERSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT MAR 14, 2015BRUINSPENGUINS1:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SUN MAR 15, 2015RED WINGSPENGUINS7:30 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
TUE MAR 17, 2015PENGUINSDEVILS7:00 PM
THU MAR 19, 2015PENGUINSSTARS8:30 PM
SAT MAR 21, 2015PENGUINSCOYOTES9:00 PM
TUE MAR 24, 2015BLUESPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
THU MAR 26, 2015PENGUINSHURRICANES7:00 PM
SAT MAR 28, 2015COYOTESPENGUINS1:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SUN MAR 29, 2015SHARKSPENGUINS7:30 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL

The Blue Jackets make their second trip to Consol on March 1st before the Penguins make another West Coast swing to Colorado and California. The talented Oilers make their trip to Pittsburgh on March 12th and we get 2 Bruins home games this year as well as Detroit. The Penguins make their southwest trip to Dallas and Phoenix in March as well. The Sharks twice in March could be brutal.

April
WED APR 1, 2015FLYERSPENGUINS8:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT APR 4, 2015PENGUINSBLUE JACKETS2:00 PM
SUN APR 5, 2015PENGUINSFLYERS7:30 PM
TUE APR 7, 2015PENGUINSSENATORS7:30 PM
FRI APR 10, 2015ISLANDERSPENGUINS7:00 PMTICKETS BUY/SELL
SAT APR 11, 2015PENGUINSSABRES7:00 PMHNIC

2 of the first 3 games are with the Flyers with a game in Columbus mixed in there. The NHL was polite to the Penguins by finishing 3 of 4 on the road but the final 3 games are in Ottawa, home against the Islanders, and in Buffalo.


Breakdown by team.

ANA - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
ARZ - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
BOS - 3 (2 home, 1 away)
BUF - 3 (1 home, 2 away)
CGY - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
CAR - 4 (2 home, 2 away)
CHI - 2 (1 home, 1 away) (Both will be nationally televised)
COL - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
CBJ - 4 (2 home, 2 away)
DAL - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
DET - 3 (2 home, 1 away)
EDM - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
FLA - 3 (2 home, 1 away)
LAK - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
MIN - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
MTL - 3 (1 home, 2 away)
NSH - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
NJD - 5 (2 home, 3 away)
NYI - 5 (3 home, 2 away)
NYR - 4 (2 home, 2 away)
OTT - 3 (1 home, 2 away)
PHI - 4 (2 home, 2 away)
SJS - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
STL - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
TBL - 3 (2 home, 1 away)
TOR - 3 (1 home, 2 away)
VAN - 2 (1 home, 1 away)
WSH - 4 (2 home, 2 away)
WPG - 2 (1 home, 1 away)

The Penguins have 16 back to back situations.

Not sure what to think until the team and coaching situations are settled, we will wait for the rest of the dust to settle.

Until then, Go Pens.