Summer ESPN Power Rankings

Welcome back to all of my loyal readers. I've taken the last few weeks off for some well needed rest and relaxation!!

ESPN has released their Summer Power Rankings courtesy of Scott Burnside:

here

As expected the Penguins are in the top spot in the East. What really catches my eye though is not where the Pens are ranked, but is actually how many teams from the Atlantic Division are in the top 6. Yep - 4 out of 5. Obviously there is some carry over here from last years playoff rankings - I don't think that the Rangers or Devils should be ranked that high - but that speaks volumes for the level of competition in the division.

And then there's the Islanders. Not at the bottom spot, but at 14 only surpassed in futility by the Thrashers. Somewhere, this morning, Garth Snow is weeping in his Wheaties. That is a team that is in disarray. A new coach and a roster that could probably lose regularly to many AHL teams. Hmmmmm.

Tampa Bay being ranked an 8 is mostly believable. They were, however, dead last at the end of the previous season and with a new coach behind the bench - MELROSE! - could have a tough time out of the gates. I think they will hit their stride and probably make the playoffs but it may be a struggle with a long streak needed to wrap it up.

Burnsy didn't go out on much of a limb with any of these. But I'm going to. Here is my Eastern Power rankings:

1. Pittsburgh - I am a yinzer!
2. Montreal
3. Washington
4. Philadelphia
5. New York Rangers
6. Carolina
7. Tampa Bay
8. Buffalo
9. New Jersey
10. Boston
11. Toronto
12. Ottawa
13. Florida
14. New York Islanders
15. Atlanta

That's right. New Jersey out of the playoff picture. I don't believe that their defense first strategy has room in this NHL any longer. They will need to produce offense to win games and will be hard pressed to do so.

Free Agency Analysis

I won't bore all of you loyal readers with a recap of what has happened so far in free agency as all of you probably are well aware. I will, however, add some analysis and how I feel the changes to the team are going to play out.

First and foremost I do not think the Penguins are a less explosive, talented team than they were on the day the season ended. Losing Hossa was not the outcome that many Pens fans wanted to see but in the end it was not a shock. Think about it. When Hossa was acquired at the trade deadline, all speculation pointed to the fact that he was a rental player added to the roster for a playoff push. And that is exactly what he was. And he performed admirably in that role.

The signing of Fedotenko and Satan more than makes up the goals that were lost when Hossa and Malone signed elsewhere. Both are proven team players that can provide goals when most needed. Jordan Staal is more than capable of taking Malone's spot on the power play by providing traffic in front of the net.

The Pens have been able to wrap up their core players, with the exception of Jordan Staal, with long term deals at less than market value. Is this not what was most expected by the majority of fans before the team made their spectacular playoff run? It seems as if expectations were raised by their appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

And who is to say that the current roster is going to be the same roster that takes the ice in October? It probably won't be. And it can be guaranteed that it is not the same roster that will exist the day after the trade deadline in 2009 either. That is how the current NHL works. Teams change yearly and will be doing so as long as the current CBA is in place. Besides, isn't this what we all wanted anyway??

The Pens are still an elite team in the East. With or without Hossa that is a fact. They will still contend for the Conference Title and if they come together and play as a team on a mission as they did this past spring, no one really knows the potential.

Hossa Update

Here is the text of an email I recieved today. Not sure how much of this information is true or not so take with a grain of salt:

"* Apparently Ritch Winter spent yesterday trying to find anybody in Pittsburgh market that would go with the statement that he made yesterday. My sources were told that early in the day Winter was trying to convince Dan Potash and KDKA to run with the story. They wouln't do it and Molinari wouldn't touch this story as he stays away from rumors. According to a source "The market has been set at about $7 million for his client, and he's ticked."
* Looks like we could have an A-Rod/Scott Boras situation on our hands. My sources continue to tell me that Hossa really likes the offer but Winter is in the background pressuring Hossa to enter the free agent market. I could care less what the PG reported today. There is a 7yr - 52 million offer on the table.
* As I wrote yesterday, sources indicate Ray Shero has had lengthy discussions with LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martins. There is a lot of speculation going around about the Penguins/Kings pulling off a blockbuster. All I'm going to say is the two sides are talking but thats as far as I'm going to go on that issue until I actually receive some legitimate info from sources close to the Penguins organization
* The Penguins are prepared to make a 5yr - 16 million offer to defenseman Brooks Orpik later this week.

Rob Rossi of the Tribune-Review has contacted me this morning and has told me directly that everything Ritch Winter is saying is a lie. According to Rossi, behind the scenes Winter is telling people he never spoke with Rossi. A lie according to Rossi. He's telling people he never spoke with Ray Shero about a contract. A lie according to Rossi. He's telling people no parameters have been discussed. A lie according to Rossi. Rossi has been in contact with Ritch Winter on numerous occasions and even said "this guy sent emails between he and I to very high-ranking officials."

Rumors and Speculation

It's that time of the year when the media has nothing to talk about except what they think is going to happen in the draft and upcoming free agent period. Much speculation has occurred in the past few days surrounding Penguins Ryan Malone, Marian Hossa and Evgeni Malkin.

Malone: Penguins try to trade negotiating rights to Columbus so the Blue Jackets can sign Ryan before he becomes a free agent on July 1st. Media is reporting that the Penguins offered Malone an embarrassing 3.0 million contract for an undisclosed number of years. Malone says he will not negotiate with Columbus, or any organization, until after the free agent period begins.

Too hard to tell what is really going on here. Ryan deserves his big payday after setting a career high for goals this past season as well as his outstanding performance in the post season. Would Shero offer him a paltry salary to get him at a home town discount? Possibly. My guess it that Ryan wants to see what he can get on the open market with hopes that he can negotiate a better deal with the Pens. Would he be willing to leave a Stanley Cup Finalist for a last place team. That remains to be seen...

Hossa: The Pens reported have offered a seven year $50 million contract to Hossa. Except Hossa's agent, Rich Winter, says those rumors are way off base and that both he and the Penguins have agreed not to talk about any contract offers to the media.

So what does this really confirm? That negotiations are taking place and the Pens have made a significant offer to Hossa. The cash is probably somewhere in the ballpark - just because that is what Hossa expects to make. And he will surely allow a smaller contract to play for a winner than a team like, say, the Thrashers.

Malkin: I've saved the juiciest for last. Bruce Garrioch of Sun Media is reporting that the Pens are in negotiations with the Kings to trade Malkin for their #2 pick in this weekends draft and Kings center Mike Cammalleri.

If Shero is as committed to signing Hossa as it appears, that definately leaves little cap room to sign Malkin to a long term deal. The Kings are in need of a star of their own and Malkin would surely fit that bill. Malkins performance in the Finals was below expectations. Quite possibly Shero wants to avoid this type of letdown in the future and is willing to part with one of the best players on the planet for a chance to keep Hossa and get yet another high draft pick as well as a proven young center. Not such a bad thought process...

In other news - the Penguins have filed for salary arbitration with Marc Andre Fluery. While this does not come as a major surprise it is a bit strange. Fleury was outstanding in the playoffs and will be a Penguin for many years to come. And this certainly does not mean that they will even go to arbitration as there is more than a month remaining before that will happen and a contract can be signed before such time to avoid the confrontation. But salary arbitration always brings out the worst in between a player and a team. Will this hurt Marc Andre's confidence? Quite possibly. I believe that Shero will sign him to a long term extension before the arbitration judge ever hears the arguments. This is all about posturing between both parties and allows plenty of time to get a deal done.

As this is my first post since the Finals ended I would like to extend my thanks to all of my loyal readers for continuing to visit. Please surf back throughout the summer to get all of the team news as well as my reaction. Don't forget to visit Home of the Penguins advertisers!!

Stanley Cup Finals

Stanley Cup Finals:

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (1) Detroit
Detroit wins series 4-2
1. 5/24/08 Pens 0, Red Wings 4 at Detroit
2. 5/26/08 Pens 0, Red Wings 3 at Detroit
3. 5/28/08 Pens 3, Red Wings 2 at Pittsburgh
4. 5/31/08 Pens 1, Red Wings 2 at Pittsburgh
5. 6/2/08 Pens 4, Red Wings 3 3OT at Detroit
6. 6/4/08 Pens 2, Red Wings 3 at Pittsburgh


Conference Finals

Semifinals

Quarterfinals

Thank you, Pittsburgh Penguins, for a fantastic season...

In a way I am relieved that it is over. The past 9 months have been tremendous for a hockey fan that has longed for the days of the early nineties to return but seem to have taken much to long to get here.

Well, those days have returned. The Pens were within 2 wins of skating with the Cup this season and I completely expect another deep playoff run next season in a few more following.

The heartbreak of losing in the Finals is still fresh in my mind but I am genuinely thankful for the many memories that this season has given me. Looking back at the beginning of the season I would have been ecstatic having the knowledge that my team would be competing for the Cup in June. But along with the achievements that Pens have accomplished comes hope. Hope that they will win the last game they play. Hope that I can see that victory parade marching down 5th Avenue downtown. Not this time though...


So now begins the free agent process. The Pens have many players to sign, if they can. Ray Shero has his work cut out for him in the next few weeks trying to stay under the cap and getting a couple of these guys signed for less than market value with the hopes that another Cup run is inevitable. Guys like Malone, Hossa, Gil, Ruutu, Orpik, Laraque are all set to accept any offer they wish. Young stars, Malkin, Fleury, Staal will be signing long term, big money extensions. Obviously, not all of these guys will be on the roster come training camp in September (only 3 more months!) so the team will have to make some tough choices. But that is part of the new reality of the NHL. With a salary cup in place, even the teams with the highest revenues must pick and choose who to sign and who is replaceable.


During the upcoming months I will keep up on all of the news for signings and draft and anything that happens with the new arena project. But for the next few weeks I am taking some time away from the Blog and concentrating efforts on other endeavors. So until then...

Game 5 roundup - Pens 4, Red Wings 3 triple OT

Recap - The Penguins managed to stay alive in their Stanley Cup Finals series by beating the Red Wings, 4-3, in a memorable triple overtime game last night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Marian Hossa kicked off the scoring at 8:37 of the first with a power play goal. It was Hossa's 11 of the playoffs. Shortly thereafter Adam Hall was credited with his 3rd of the playoffs when Detroit's Nick Kronwell shot a clearing attempt into his own net. Thanks for that by then way...

The Red Wings turned up the heat and scored 3 unanswered goals to seemingly wrap up the series. However, on a gut feeling, Pens head coach Michel Therrien, inserted Max Talbot into the line-up for the final shift. With Fleury on the bench and an empty net left behind, the Pens managed to tie up the game with 34.5 seconds remaining in regulation when he jammed one past Detroit goalie Osgood.

That's when the fun started.

Marc Andre Fleury stood up tall in goal through the 2 overtime periods allowing Petr Sykora to snap a shot past Osgood at 9:57 of the 3rd overtime.

Analysis - Losing a game that goes as deep into OT as last nights often has a dramatic disheartening effect on the losing team. It can be pointed to as a series turning point in usual circumstances. Can Detroit overcome the devastating loss? Tomorrow night shall tell.

Fleury was fantastic. He stopped 55 of 58 shots as was named the #1 star of the game. His presence in goal was the major factor in keeping Pittsburgh in the game through several Detroit barrages of shots. This was, by far, the best performance of his career.

With long games come injuries. Ryan Malone was struck in the face by a Hal Gil slapshot. Good thing it hit him on his already broken nose. He returned shortly after with his nose stuffed full of cotton. Sergei Gonchar took a nast spill getting back on a backcheck and went shoulder and head first into the boards behind the goal. He left the game for nearly three periods but returned in the third overtime just in time to get the primary assist on Sykora's goal. His status remains unknown for game 6.

Interesting Facts - Last night's game was the 5th longest game in NHL Finals history.

Petr Sykora jokingly called his goal in the locker room between the second and third overtime periods. Will try and get that audio posted later.

Sykora is not new to scoring game winners in OT in the playoffs. He also scored one in the fifth overtime when he was a membeer of the Anaheim Ducks. His Ducks were playing the Dallas Stars in that playoff series. The Ducks were coached, at the time, by current Detroit head coach, Mike Babcock.

Next Up - Game 6 tomorrow night at the Igloo. 8pm on NBC, WXDX or listen here.

Game 3 roundup - Pens 3, Red Wings 2

Great players will take control of the game when faced with adversity. They will pick up their own game through sheer force of will and, in turn, elevate the game of everyone else on the team. Sidney Crosby did this last night. He scored the first two Pens goals of the series and game last night and was the leader that his team needed him to be to take game 3 from the Red Wings 3-2.

Adam Hall got the game winner after Sid's first two.

Marc Andre Fleury was spectacular, stopping 32 of 34 Detroit shots including 16 in the third period.

This was the type of game the Pens must play if there is any hope of taking this series past 5 games. It took them two games to realize this, but it has not come too late. Pittsburgh hit hard and often, got the puck on the net, got to the puck faster than Detroit and was able to generate offense by getting through the neutral zone quickly.

In the end, Detroit was tired. They had been pummeled all night long and it showed. At one point in the third period Brooks Orpik hit four Red Wings in a 15 second sequence and each one of them was looking over their shoulder to see when the next one was coming. Crosby, Hossa, Malkin, Malone, Staal, Roberts and Talbot were all tremendous on the fore-check, generating loose pucks with their ferocity.

Malkin was the force that we remember seeing in the Rangers series nearly a month ago. Guess he got some rest, huh.

If Detriot cannot counter what the Pens now know they are capable of, they are just going to get more and more weary and tired as the series goes. If Pittsburgh can keep up with this same intensity and level of aggression then a game 7 is likely.

NHL.com Three Stars of the Night go to 1) Sidney Crosby, 2)Marc Andre Fleury and 3)Marian Hossa

Next game is Saturday 5/31 at Mellon Arena, 8pm on NBC, WXDX or listen here.

Game 3 - 2nd intermission update

A much better effort from the men in black and gold tonight. The Pens are up 2-1 after 2 periods and are looking like the team that flew through the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Let's come out strong in the third and wrap this one up.

Game 3 tonight at 8pm

Darryl Sydor is replacing Kris Letang in the line up tonight. Sydor has not yet made an appearence in the playoffs but may provide some veteran leadership on the blue line. At least that's the hope of Pens coach Michel Therrien. Therrien also changed the line combinations in hopes of generating some offense.

Personally I do not think that tinkering with the line combinations or substituting a defenseman that has not played a game in 2 months will make any difference. The difference must happen within each member of the team. They must dig down deep within and find that high flying, motivated individual that took the ice two weeks ago and dispatched the Flyers in 5 games. That is what is needed. Each player must take responsibility for his actions and follow through with the best game he has ever played. Nothing else will overcome what has become a near flawless Red Wings defense corps. Nothing else will put pucks in the net. Nothing else will bring a victory tonight at Mellon Arena!

Game 2 roundup - Pens 0, Red Wings 3

For the second consecutive game the Pens failed to put one past Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, losing game 2, 3-0. The Red Wings now have a two to zero lead in the series coming back to the 'Burgh.

All indications point to a very quick series if Pittsburgh continues playing the way they have the first two games. They have been able to generate very little offense and when they have been able to they have not finished the play by putting the puck behind Osgood. Not to take anything away from the Red Wings, they have played a nearly flawless, defense minded game quickly getting pucks out of their zone and into the hands of their forwards to create scoring chances.

Much has been said around town about Evgeni Malkin's recent statement that "he is tired". It really looks as if the entire team is suffering from the same thing, not just Geno. This is not the time of the year to let fatigue take over. I'm very surprised that any professional hockey player would even make such a statement. This team was flying high just 3 days ago, before the Finals started. They looked and sounded unstoppable. Oh, how things change...

Game 2 first intermission report

There's not a whole lot to say. The Red Wings have, once again, imposed their will on the Penguins. The Pens only managed 6 shots in the opening period - all on the power play. If Pittsburgh cannot figure out how to break the Detroit defense and get more pucks on the net and capitalize on their scoring chances this series will be over before the series moves back to Detroit.

Stanley Cup Final series Preview - Pens vs. Red Wings

I, like most of you that will be reading this post, have been reading what the experts have to say about this series all week. I've come to the conclusion that all of these people get together in one room before each series and agree what they are going to write. I say this because it seems as if they are all using the same talking points and all agree on the strengths and weaknesses of both Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Many of these same, so called, experts have even put in print the fact that Pittsburgh has a great team but they are too young or "have not paid their dues yet" and therefore, cannot win without doing so. On this point I vehemently disagree. They have paid their dues. They have been through tough times since they last made a deep run in the playoffs in 2001. They have been at the bottom of the league for several years. They have nearly moved from the city of Pittsburgh in order to survive and secure a new arena to play in. They were emphatically pounded into submission in the first round of the playoffs last season - by a team that ultimately advanced to the Cup Finals. They have struggled as a team throughout the past season, being under .500 as late as Thanksgiving day. Injuries have decimated the line-up putting Crosby, Fleury, Talbot, Roberts and Eaton away for extended periods of time. Many hockey pundits thought that the trade deadline deals would hurt the chemistry of the team more than help. Through all of this they have endured. The Pens got healthy at the right time. They were able to learn from adversity and translate that knowledge into success on the ice. They were able to win, even when they were told they shouldn't be winning.

Does that sound like a Stanley Cup Champion to anyone? It sure does to me. That is the very definition of a Stanley Cup Champion. Now there is only the matter of putting everything they have learned together on the ice and getting the job done.

Yes, the Red Wings are a powerhouse of a team. And, yes again, the Pens have not been matched up with a team in the playoffs yet of this caliber. But neither has Detroit.

On paper these two teams are very evenly matched. They both have explosive offenses, defense that can shut down opposing teams at will and hot goaltenders. They both have coaching staffs that are at the top of their games at the right time. Special teams are among the league playoff leaders for both teams.

So what do the Pens have that Detroit doesn't? A no quit attitude - the Red Wings have not dislayed that. Youth and fresh legs. Old vs new. It may even be true that they are not yet wise enough to know the intense pressure that is on them right now. But those things can only help. They will not be a hindrance. The Pens will endure. The Pens will win. In 6.

Tickets for games 3 and 4 sold out

Tickets went on sale this morning for games 3 and 4 at Mellon Arena and sold out in less than the 8 seconds it took my big, fat fingers to type in that password at Ticketmaster.com. So, alas, I have no tickets to the biggest hockey games to occur in this town since 1992. You say I could buy them online from a ticketbroker...minimum prices around 600 bucks. I guess it's not in the cards this season.

Anyway, congrats to those that were able to get tickets. I will be there in spirit!

Today's Penguins Links

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Penguins Notebook

Penguins may open Mellon Arena for fans to watch away games

SI.com

Winning in style

Thank Sidney Crosby for the NHL ratings surge

Yahoo Sports

Unstoppable Penguins

Today's Penguins Links

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Penguins Notebook

Pens Head to Detroit for Game 1 on Saturday

It's official - The Penguins will meet the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals beginning this Saturday at 8pm. Here is a breakdown of the schedule:







Sat 5/24 at Detroit 8pm Versus
Mon 5/26 at Detroit 8pm Versus
Wed 5/28 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC
Sat 5/31 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC
Mon 6/02 at Detroit 8pm NBC*
Wed 6/04 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC*
Sat 6/07 at Detroit 8pm NBC*

* if necessary

Game 5 roundup - Pens 6, Flyers 0

Pittsburgh was on fire today, beating the Flyers at Mellon Arena, 6-0. Pens goals by Malone (2), Staal, Malkin, Hossa and Dupuis. Philadelphia never got much of anything started and trailed by 2 goals after the first period. Pittsburgh added 3 more in the second to bury them once and for all and one in the third just in case the body was still warm.

Now we wait. Tomorrow is game 6 for the Red Wings and Stars. If Detroit wins then the Red Wings it is, otherwise the series will go back to Detroit for a game 7. I'm definitely hoping this one goes 7.

Either way I would like to congratulate the Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Welcome to the Stanley Cup Finals gentlemen. Only 4 more wins to go!!!

Game 4 roundup - Pens 2, Flyers 4

Recap - The Penguins failed to wrap up the series and allowed the Flyers to win game 4, 4-2. Both Pens goals were scored by Jordan Staal in the third period.

Philadelphia came out in the first and dominated the game, getting 3 goals in the opening frame. The Pens settled down after that and were able to play the type of game that they need to play to control the tempo and were eventually able to get back in it before the Flyers got an emtpy netter to close out the game.

What is not easily understood is, after saying all the right things since the game 3 win about how the Flyers are going to be motivated, desperate and physical, why did the Penguins come out so flat in the first period. They described in detail before the puck even dropped what Philly was going to do and how they were going to play. The Flyers did exactly that and it seemed as if Pittsburgh was not prepared for it. Did they really think that Philadelphia was going to roll over and let the Pens take it with no effort? Absolutely not! Now the Flyers have tasted blood and they will be just as aggressive and maybe even more desperate on Sunday for game 5.

Game 5 - Sunday at 3pm. TV on NBC, radio on WXDX or listen here.

Tickets - Tickets for game 5 go on sale this afternoon at 2. Get tickets here or by calling Ticketmaster at (412)323-1919 or at the Mellon Arena box office.

Point to ponder

Does anyone besides me think that the Flyers are losing just to avoid having to play the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals??

Maybe that's why Stevens insisted on keeping Steve Downie in the line-up for game 4 after giving away the turnover that led to game 3's winning goal.

It's the only plausible explanation that I can come up with.

Or maybe it's just the curse of the city of Philadelphia that needs to be perpetuated...

hmmmmmmm...

Go Pens!