Bye Bye Geno...

[GagneFire12]

My condolences, Pittsburgh Fans. Brutal loss. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Now I hope that the Flyers avoid the Penguins in the playoffs - don't want to hear, "well, we didn't have Malkin!"

 

[dare2be]

Now I hope that the Flyers avoid the Penguins in the playoffs - don't want to hear, "well, we didn't have Malkin!"

I wouldn't want to hear that either if I were you, especially after the Pens win.

 

[GagneFire12]

I wouldn't want to hear that either if I were you, especially after the Pens win.

That would just be a Terrible Towel of a situation, wouldn't it?

 

[JustAsking]

The Pens will not be any type of major player come deadline... if they make any moves at all.

The Pens are still one of the better teams in the East and when Sid comes back they will be even better. No reason to sell the farm for anyone. If Sid, as rumored, also is out for the year, then the Pens are not Cup hopefuls, and will also make no moves.

Either way, no moves on the horizon... DJ and Tangradi will fill in for Malkin and Letestu.

 

[pixburgher66]

The Pens will not be any type of major player come deadline... if they make any moves at all.

The Pens are still one of the better teams in the East and when Sid comes back they will be even better. No reason to sell the farm for anyone. If Sid, as rumored, also is out for the year, then the Pens are not Cup hopefuls, and will also make no moves.

Either way, no moves on the horizon... DJ and Tangradi will fill in for Malkin and Letestu.

Where the heck did you hear that? Shero did a few questions with Pierre over at ESPN, really good article btw, and he said that Sid's feeling better, but not ready to come back. I mean, I can see him being out until March, but the season? That's a little too far ahead to judge.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Well considering Comeau is out indefinately with a concussion because of the hit by Talbot I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about this. Talbot didn't even get a penalty.

 

[pixburgher66]

Well considering Comeau is out indefinately with a concussion because of the hit by Talbot I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about this. Talbot didn't even get a penalty.

Reallllly? I guess he did get a bit shaken up. Don't remember much about the hit honestly. I recall the announcers on MSG not really complaining about it...not that such a thing means anything.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Reallllly? I guess he did get a bit shaken up. Don't remember much about the hit honestly. I recall the announcers on MSG not really complaining about it...not that such a thing means anything.

It wasn't a head shot. Talbot came from the side just after Comeau had passed the puck up the ice. Comeau had no idea the hit was coming.

 

[pixburgher66]

With Evgeni Malkin out, what now for Pens? - Cross Checks Blog - ESPN

BTW, the article I was talking about. First line made me tear up. Geno is clearly depressed. Gah.

 

[JustAsking]

Where the heck did you hear that? Shero did a few questions with Pierre over at ESPN, really good article btw, and he said that Sid's feeling better, but not ready to come back. I mean, I can see him being out until March, but the season? That's a little too far ahead to judge.

It's just talk... I only mention it here because that would be the worst case scenerio for the Pens... both guys being out for the year.

 

[pixburgher66]

It's just talk... I only mention it here because that would be the worst case scenerio for the Pens... both guys being out for the year.

The thought makes me wanna cry. Or vomit. Whichever. Especially since Shero has done a fantastic job and shoring up the D side of the team, Fleury's playing great, and Kunitz is having a career year.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Damn.

 

[joe_baran]

I'm actually very eager to see who really steps it up at this point. The stage is wide open, so who wants to show what they're made of?

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Devastating doesn't begin to encompass my feelings. Tyler Meyers (although it really wasn't his fault...) is now on my hate list

i wonder what Willie Mitchell sacrificed to the hockey gods for this karma

 

[Dacks]

Well this obviously sucks. Malkin wasn't having a great year, but you never know how people are going to come back from knee problems. Wish him the best of luck.

I liked the way the Pens were playing this year. Best D we've seen in years, Fleury having a career year after a slow start, Sid tearing it up. Then the concussion, now this. I know it's sports, and the agony of seeing this season (possibly) go to shit after all the promise is tempered a bit (winning in 09 and the fact that everyone important is locked up for next year or longer) but still disappointing.

Looking forward, I guess Malkin's LTIR allowance gives the Pens the opportunity to make a splash at the deadline. But I hope it's not at the cost of some key pieces. While I still think the Pens have a shot at the cup (severely diminished without Malkin, but the Pens have played great regardless) I think we have an even better shot next year if we focus on keeping everyone healthy.

 

[pixburgher66]

I guess maybe I'm just insane for thinking we still have a legitimate shot...but I just have a feeling. I dunno what it is really. But, it's a strong feeling about our postseason abilities. A lot of this depends on the deadline and if Shero makes any moves. I mean, we have the cap space to take on a BIG name player, but there's no one that can truly replace Geno on the market (Richards is the only tempting one), and Shero may not be willing to separate with any big name prospects. Unless he can commit highway robbery, ala the Hossa trade, it's probably not happening. There's just not any big names available. But hey, I wished for Hoss back in '08 as a Bday gift, and I got him, so this year's wish? Richards. Come on! Deadline day is my bday this year

 

[Darkstone42]

I guess maybe I'm just insane for thinking we still have a legitimate shot...but I just have a feeling. I dunno what it is really. But, it's a strong feeling about our postseason abilities. A lot of this depends on the deadline and if Shero makes any moves. I mean, we have the cap space to take on a BIG name player, but there's no one that can truly replace Geno on the market (Richards is the only tempting one), and Shero may not be willing to separate with any big name prospects. Unless he can commit highway robbery, ala the Hossa trade, it's probably not happening. There's just not any big names available. But hey, I wished for Hoss back in '08 as a Bday gift, and I got him, so this year's wish? Richards. Come on! Deadline day is my bday this year

I think we should target a winger, personally. I think we would do well to cut loose some of our more expensive grinders at the end of the season and allow a youth movement to take over in favor of a top six winger. Specifically, I would look to deal Cooke on the cheap, let Talbot, Godard, Dupuis, and Kennedy walk in favor of, for example, Brendan Morrow, Phil Kessel, James Neal, or Dustin Penner. I think our best shot would be at Morrow, personally. Another option is the one-year rental like Milan Hejduk.

There are a lot of other guys having great seasons this year on awesome contracts out there. Neal would be my absolute favorite pickup, since he's young and we would have his services at an excellent price for a few more years. But that's an absolute pipe dream.

 

[pixburgher66]

I think we should target a winger, personally. I think we would do well to cut loose some of our more expensive grinders at the end of the season and allow a youth movement to take over in favor of a top six winger. Specifically, I would look to deal Cooke on the cheap, let Talbot, Godard, Dupuis, and Kennedy walk in favor of, for example, Brendan Morrow, Phil Kessel, James Neal, or Dustin Penner. I think our best shot would be at Morrow, personally. Another option is the one-year rental like Milan Hejduk.

There are a lot of other guys having great seasons this year on awesome contracts out there. Neal would be my absolute favorite pickup, since he's young and we would have his services at an excellent price for a few more years. But that's an absolute pipe dream.

I've wanted Neal for years now. Especially after last trade deadline when certain sites dangled that bait in front of us. He's a GREAT young talent. But that's exactly why we won't get him. He's young. As far as trading Cooke...I'd have to disagree. He does a lot for this team, IMO. And Morrow would be a great pick up as well, but again, these guys may be too pricey, unless they're coming short term.

 

[pixburgher66]

To expand on that:
One great advantage the Pens have to attracting players is this: we have great talent through the center of the team, which means many guys will WANT to play with the Pens, on top of being Cup contenders. It's a great advantage to have, but our targets have to be guys willing to go for one year deals (which are few and far between when it comes to higher end talents).

 

[joe_baran]

To expand on that:
One great advantage the Pens have to attracting players is this: we have great talent through the center of the team, which means many guys will WANT to play with the Pens, on top of being Cup contenders. It's a great advantage to have, but our targets have to be guys willing to go for one year deals (which are few and far between when it comes to higher end talents).

I've also read recent articles that quote surveying current NHL players and the coach most desired to play for... ? Disco Dan.

So, between that and having some additional breathing room w/ Geno's salary off the books now, I'm expecting to see some kind of move in the next couple weeks. While I like the grit the team is showing right now w/ both Geno and Crosby out, I don't think there's enough legitamit forward depth to go the distance right now. The work that Shero has done with the D has paid off. Now we just need to see some magic on the offensive side.