Kovalev a Penguin

[Dacks]

Love the trade. Would have been happy losing a 5th. I also love that the Pens players are saying it's Kovalev for a 6th, not a 7th. I like that attitude.

Next point: Why do people keep saying Pittsburgh will have to shed salary over the summer? Salary-wise, the Gogo/Neal&Niskanen added about 2.5 million dollars to our cap hit, but also added a player. The salary cap is expected to go up by 3 million next year. What salary would we have to shed?

 

[Darkstone42]

Love the trade. Would have been happy losing a 5th. I also love that the Pens players are saying it's Kovalev for a 6th, not a 7th. I like that attitude.

Next point: Why do people keep saying Pittsburgh will have to shed salary over the summer? Salary-wise, the Gogo/Neal&Niskanen added about 2.5 million dollars to our cap hit, but also added a player. The salary cap is expected to go up by 3 million next year. What salary would we have to shed?

I agree. Even if the cap stays where it is, all we have to do is find a way to save $2.5 million on third- and fourth-line players. Considering how much we're spending on them now (too much in my opinion), that shouldn't be hard. Just don't bring back guys who want raises and fill the roster out with cheap free agents who just want to win and AHL guys who will come up hungry to prove themselves.

 

[HonusWagner66]

YESSSSSSSSSSS

 

[pixburgher66]

I haven't been this excited to watch a Pens game in months.

 

[joe_baran]

I haven't been this excited to watch a Pens game in months.

I'm with you there. Despite some of the comments I read on the Pens' website saying some of the players are skeptical of which Kovy they're getting (which I could understand their concern), I'm really pulling for him to find this new start a catalyst for something special.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm with you there. Despite some of the comments I read on the Pens' website saying some of the players are skeptical of which Kovy they're getting (which I could understand their concern), I'm really pulling for him to find this new start a catalyst for something special.

The first time the Pens brought him in it revitalized his career. I'm not expecting that, but he's coming to a team with an Owner/Coach (Melloche that is) that know him and trust him, a Head Coach who is player friendly, and in need of a sniper. If he's got any hope at a few more years, it's restarted here. I don't think that the players will be too skeptical (or they wouldn't be vocal about it at least...just because you don't do that) before they see him play a game or two.

 

[Ho_Brah]

I'm looking forward to this too! I can't wait till the Pens gets some of its guys back. They're a pretty exciting team to watch. Them and the Bruins.

 

[pixburgher66]

It's kinda depressing to think how good the team would've been if they didn't all get hurt. Even if it was cut in half. I mean, I still think they have a legitimate chance in the postseason because of the D/Goalie.

 

[Ho_Brah]

It's kinda depressing to think how good the team would've been if they didn't all get hurt. Even if it was cut in half. I mean, I still think they have a legitimate chance in the postseason because of the D/Goalie.

without a doubt the defensive core have kept them in good standings. and it helps that Bylsma is an outstanding coach.

 

[pixburgher66]

without a doubt the defensive core have kept them in good standings. and it helps that Bylsma is an outstanding coach.

If we go anywhere in the playoffs, credit has to go to him, Reirden, and MAF. And of course Shero. All have done brilliantly in keeping things together with the adversity.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Fleury can make any coach look good.

 

[pixburgher66]

Fleury can make any coach look good.

Very true. If by some miracle the Pens end up winning the division, Fleury deserves a look at MVP. This season, I'm not sure that ANY other player can claim to be more important to their team. Stamkos has been fantastic, but he's playing with St.Louis who's been awesome and getting lots of points from a stacked PP. Kesler has been playing great as well, but once again his team is stacked. It's the same arguement against Sid for years now. And that was used against Geno a few years back sans Sid. It's gonna depend on a lot of other factors, and we all know that goalies rarely get looks at the MVP, but knowing Flower's stats are usually not the same as other elite tenders in the league, he'll not get a significant look at Vezina.

 

[Ho_Brah]

Nick Johnson – Out, still missing time with upper-body injury.
Mark Letestu – Out, will not play Friday in Carolina though he’s very close to returning.
Eric Tangradi – Out, no timetable to return from concussion-like symptoms.
Arron Asham – Out, also on the shelf with a concussion.
Mike Comrie – Out, hopes to be back from hip surgery before season’s end.
Sidney Crosby – Out, no recent news regarding his recovery from concussion.
Brooks Orpik – Out, expected to miss about one month with a broken finger.
Eric Godard – Out, six games into a 10-game suspension.
Chris Kunitz – Out, was thought to be close with lower body injury but still on the shelf.
Evgeni Malkin – Out, down to one crutch but no miracle return projected.

DAMN!

 

[Ho_Brah]

I wonder if Eric is going to take a run at Jordan tonight.

 

[pixburgher66]

Nick Johnson – Out, still missing time with upper-body injury.
Mark Letestu – Out, will not play Friday in Carolina though he’s very close to returning.
Eric Tangradi – Out, no timetable to return from concussion-like symptoms.
Arron Asham – Out, also on the shelf with a concussion.
Mike Comrie – Out, hopes to be back from hip surgery before season’s end.
Sidney Crosby – Out, no recent news regarding his recovery from concussion.
Brooks Orpik – Out, expected to miss about one month with a broken finger.
Eric Godard – Out, six games into a 10-game suspension.
Chris Kunitz – Out, was thought to be close with lower body injury but still on the shelf.
Evgeni Malkin – Out, down to one crutch but no miracle return projected.

DAMN!

Forgot Martin...out tonight (expect tomorrow) with lower body injury from Chicago game.

 

[joe_baran]

These were the stories I was referring to about the hushed "skepticism" that some of the Pens' were expressing on the sly.

Analysis: Kovalev must score to win over Pens - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Kovalev says he can still be 'that guy' for the Penguins - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

 

[loki604]

These were the stories I was referring to about the hushed "skepticism" that some of the Pens' were expressing on the sly.

Analysis: Kovalev must score to win over Pens - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Kovalev says he can still be 'that guy' for the Penguins - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

I read those and thought the journalism was a little irresponsible there. No direct quotes.

 

[Ho_Brah]

I read those and thought the journalism was a little irresponsible there. No direct quotes.

my thoughts exactly.. its more along the lines of the reporter being skeptical than anyone else...

another example of an NHL journalist trying to make hamburgers out of a pile of cookie dough.

The Penguins employees who offered public praise Thursday about right wing Alex Kovalev were, well, an exclusive group. There was general manager Ray Shero and ...

That's it. That's the list.

A group of players assembled by Shero, all of whom met Kovalev last night upon his arrival at a Raleigh, N.C.-area hotel, privately confided skepticism upon learning of their newest teammate.

fucking lame.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Very true. If by some miracle the Pens end up winning the division, Fleury deserves a look at MVP. This season, I'm not sure that ANY other player can claim to be more important to their team. Stamkos has been fantastic, but he's playing with St.Louis who's been awesome and getting lots of points from a stacked PP. Kesler has been playing great as well, but once again his team is stacked. It's the same arguement against Sid for years now. And that was used against Geno a few years back sans Sid. It's gonna depend on a lot of other factors, and we all know that goalies rarely get looks at the MVP, but knowing Flower's stats are usually not the same as other elite tenders in the league, he'll not get a significant look at Vezina.

Tim Thomas is just as important to Boston.

 

[pixburgher66]

Tim Thomas is just as important to Boston.

Yeah, agreed. Just making a chase for Fleury. Both goalies have great D's in front of them however, which will work against their case.