good for Crosby, saying no for once, its refreshing to see that he’s taking the time to enjoy the team’s win and not letting the NHL work him to death over the summer…that’s the one tough thing with him that any marketing or advertising he’s always going to be asked, and whether it wears on him more than other guys who get to sit at the cottage or fly back to Europe and hide for the 3 months, who knows, but some rest is good for anyone that plays this late into the season…

Posted by Jeff on 06/21/09 at 10:24 AM ET

Personally, I was waiting for the “Crosby snubs Conan O’Brien” comments to appear. Perhaps someone will be kind enough to ask Draper for his opinion on the matter before it’s too late.

Though it’s a good chance to promote the NHL, they should all get a chance to celebrate the Cup out of the eternal spotlight.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 06/21/09 at 10:57 AM ET

Why would NBC not let Crosby go to the Today Show, which is on NBC? Or was it that the league asked if Crosby could go on and NBC said no thanks? Either way, I am not watching anything on NBC until they let teams show away games on the outside screens.

Posted by Confused from the South on 06/21/09 at 11:56 AM ET

No offence to the posters above, but neither Crosby nor The Today Show should have refused their guest spots.  Doing so was stupid by both parties.

The Captain of the Cup winning team should act like an ambassador to the game for at least a few weeks.  Even if it means doing Jimmy Kimmel’s show.

A pool party was more important than the world’s highest rated late night talkshow?  Crosby has to remove his head from his ass and realize his role in the sport as Cup Champion Captain.  He earns the “Rosby” nickname more and more these days (he doesn’t deserve the “C”).

And Li’l Gary. Ass. practically gives a lengthy NBC/Versus advertisement to the NHLPA the other day when the players expressed their desire to see the NHL on ESPN again.  And yet he gets snubbed by the morning talk show that has all champions on it, but I guess I’d rather see the Miss America winner than the Cup winner as Rosby’s facial hair is nasty to look at anyways.

And L’il Gary, you should spank Rosby for “snubbing” Conan.  Conan was too important to have a decent Finals starting date, but not important enough to make an appearance on.  Once again the Commish shows he is absolutely clueless and inconsistent.

Maybe L’il Gary and his Baby Boy are already worried about the Cup Hangover.  Tools.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/21/09 at 11:56 AM ET

First off, that is all hearsay and opinion in this article.
Second off, if this is true Crosby doesn’t go and he is, “A pool party was more important than the world’s highest rated late night talkshow?  Crosby has to remove his head from his ass and realize his role in the sport as Cup Champion Captain.  He earns the “Rosby” nickname more and more these days (he doesn’t deserve the “CC).” Imagine if this is true and he did go I’d imagine we’d all immediately be subjected to things like, “He’s a sell out always being shoved in our faces by the media. The NHL, Gary Buttman, and Crosby all conspired to give the Penguins the Cup and then be put out on tv to give Crosby and the Penguins even more media attention.”
See, most Crosby bashers just want to complain either way and probably have some sort of mental issues or are secretly gay about Crosby. Not that there is anything wrong with their gayness mind you, just the way they show it.

Posted by Kev from Erie, PA on 06/21/09 at 12:59 PM ET

we were also told that Crosby, apparently not wanting to miss Mario Lemieux’s pool party, declined an invitation to travel to L.A. to be a guest on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien.”

Cindy, the gift that keeps on giving.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 06/21/09 at 01:01 PM ET

Voox - You are coming off more as a bitter Wings fan that you are a hockey fan that wants to see the league get more spotlight. The fact of the matter is that NBC has done nothing but wipe their ass with the NHL. Now in the time of celebration Sid is supposed to break away and go do a dog and pony show for NBC? Screw that. That party at Mario’s house will be something he will remember forever. The NBC spot will be forgotten about by everyone with 24 hours. At some point, this has to be about the players and not NBC and the league. If this entire story is in fact the truth, which is hard to obtain from blogs, the right decision was made. So, what other things will the Red Wings complain about now?

Posted by FireFox on 06/21/09 at 01:13 PM ET

So Crosby wanted to celebrate winning the Cup with the people closest to him. Nothing wrong with that.
Besides, people whining that they’re sick of seeing him get their wish.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 01:45 PM ET

I’ll also add that I used to think Wings fans were a pretty classy bunch but the way some of you people have handled defeat has made me change my mind. Some of you people whine about the most petty bullshit. All this crap about “tradition” and “honor” about handshakes (right, where was Chelios?) and now Crosby “representing hockey” on a talk show. Why should a Wings fan even CARE if Crosby isn’t on a show? You’re just pissy about losing, so get over it. You people are seriously grasping for straws. It’s a good thing Sid doesn’t have any kids yet to crap in the Cup. God knows what kind of double standard you people would have about that one.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 02:24 PM ET

And if Crosby DID go on Conan, the haters would merely complain that he’s showing off for the cameras and doing exactly what Bettman wants.  When he gives a standard interview, you call him boring, but when he says something out of the ordinary, you love to pounce all over it.  Whatever he does, people look to spin it negatively.  It’s always something - you guys are pathetic.

Posted by doox on 06/21/09 at 02:25 PM ET

brilliant move by nbc not giving into bettman and avery trying expose nhl beyond two people, bettman and cindy.

Posted by FlyersFan on 06/21/09 at 03:26 PM ET

It’s amazing who Pittsburgh fans (I’m assuming most responding to my post are) take any criticism against Crosby as bitterness from the part of Wings fans.

I can honestly say I am indifferent right now about the Pens winning.  I was a bit pissed at some of the circumstances, but I’m past that now as I know the Wings will likely have another Cup run soon.  I can wait.

But I do refer to recent NHL news in my post above.  And nothing to do with who won the Cup either.  Nothing.

Like Bettman being NBC/Versus’ cheerleader during the NHLPA talks a couple of days ago.  Like Bettman making 3 SCF games in four days because of NBC’s festivities around Conan taking over the Tonight Show.  The same Tonight Show that likely has a ratings boost (above usual ratings) while people watch Conan’s opening weeks.  A prime opportunity to advertise the game.

Get over it Pens fans.  Not everything that happens is as a result of people loving or hating the Pens.  If Lidstrom did the same thing and turned down Conan, I would be pissed off too.  So stop playing the “bitter Wings fan” card. 

Yes, I am ACTUALLY not impressed with the game not being represented when public awareness in the US is at it’s highest (following the SCF).  I don’t watch any late night shows except for Stewart/Colbert sometimes and Strombolopoulos on CBC occasionally.  Personally I’d rather have dental surgery than watch Letterman/Leno/Kimmel/Conan on a regular basis.

Yet, there can be no denying the powerful marketing forces that those shows are.  Why do you think everyone schilling a movie tries to get their actors on those shows to gab with the hosts?  They know a good appearance can make a huge difference on their sales and public awareness.  If one of the artists I manage does well enough, you better bet your ass I’ll do everything I can to get them on the show and get them the exposure, and I’m sure our sales will increase due to increased publicity.

Isn’t that the same public national awareness that Bettman has been trying to raise for over a decade? 

Do Pens fans now see the point I made earlier?

Why doesn’t Gary suspend Crosby for the first game of the regular season because he shirked his responsibilities to promote the game?  Because Crosby’s his Baby Boy. (Relax this paragraph was sarcasm).

I guarantee there is more national awareness and media exposure from one Tonight Show appearance, than all the fan and media events during the All-Star Game combined.  Literally.

So yes, we have a league where sunbelt teams are struggling to fill their seats, and owners are buying thousands of tickets at a time to qualify for league subsidies;  where decisions were made to suspend players following the ASG for not promoting the game to the fans and media;  where the scheduling for the SCF was less than ideal by placating NBC’s desires for Tonight Show publicity; and yet we have a Captain and League who feel some of their biggest publicity opportunities of the season should be squandered and ignored.

When the salary cap falls, because league revenues are faltering, remember every lost marketing opportunity and the potential lost revenue from the exposure.

Frankly, do you think many of the Red Wings actually wanted to meet President G.W. Bush to shake his hand and give him a jersey?  Likely not.  But they understand the importance of being good ambassadors for the league, and smile for the cameras to play along even if they don’t want to be there.

I’m also pissed at NBC for taking the NHL for granted, yet again, and the Bettman bending over and taking it.  It is absolutely ridiculous not to have the Cup on the Today Show.  Asinine in fact.  And yet Bettman still waves the rally towel for NBC over ESPN.  Thanks Gary.  Ass.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/21/09 at 04:19 PM ET

And for the record, regarding Handshake-gate…  My personal thoughts that I posted were: When Crosby was the third man in a fight around Christmas and punched an opposing player in the groin intentionally repeatedly he showed a complete lack of class;  by not getting to the handshake line he was simply immature and self-absorbed.

But don’t let the facts get in the way of a good Bitter Wings Fan rally cry, Pens fans.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/21/09 at 04:26 PM ET

How it should be done, as shown by past Cup Champions:

This photo made it to USA Today as well as Sports Business publications.:

===

This photo was carried by the AP and distributed worldwide:

===

I loathe the *ucks in ways Pens fans will never understand true hate from Wings fans.  Yet they still know to promote the NHL:

===

Not forgetting Stanley Cup appearances on Letterman:

===

More Letterman, taken from the HHOF site.

===

The Cup with a grinning President G.W. Bush (also distributed worldwide by news services):

===

And finally, Rosby on the Tonight Show with the Cup:

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/21/09 at 04:48 PM ET

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!

He didn’t shake hands…

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!

He didn’t go on the Tonight Show…

WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!

I wonder what it’s like to be so totally obsessed with one player, that you spend countless hours researching any “so-called” wrong doings of a player and then spend an equal amount of time hitting as many blogs as you can to relay that information.

Sounds like some Captain has gotten into a few people heads and has them rooting against him more than rooting for their own team.

Classic.

Posted by Hootie from PA on 06/21/09 at 05:25 PM ET

Crosby has already been on Leno shooting hockey pucks into his mom’s old dryer. That sure did a bang up job for the league then! Obama has invited the Pens to join him at the White House…...IN THE FALL. Spare us your pompous crap and feigned outrage about what that rotten “Rosby” and the lowly Penguins are failing to do to save the league compared to what the Almighty Perfect Spotless Red Wings would have done—it’s only been been about a week. You may insist your view are not out of bitterness, but it really comes across as arrogant, incredibly disingenuous and downright petty.

Posted by whatever on 06/21/09 at 05:27 PM ET

We could post pictures about all the media appearances Crosby has made on behalf of the league, but I thought hockey fans were already tired of that shit.

Posted by whatever on 06/21/09 at 05:31 PM ET

“If Lidstrom did the same thing and turned down Conan, I would be pissed off too.”

Yeah, right. You’re full of shit.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 05:51 PM ET

A few facts about the past Stanley Cup Champions appearances on the Tonight Show, just to untwist the BS that appeared above:

1.  The Wings appeared on June 10, 2008, a full 6 days after they won the cup.

2.  Anaheim about 20 miles from the Tonight Show studios, a little more convenient than the 2,500 mile distance from Pittsburgh.

3.  New Jersey is right across the river from the studio of Late Night with David Letterman. 

4.  The Devils appearance on CBS pre-dated the NHL’s contract with NBC. 

I’m just sayin’

Posted by Battleship from City of Champions on 06/21/09 at 06:23 PM ET

Number of Stanley Cups won since 1967:
Pittsburgh Penguins: 3
Detroit Red Wings: 4
(For the sake of balance, Montreal Canadiens: 10)

Posted by ThePensFan from City of Champions on 06/21/09 at 06:27 PM ET

The root cause is clearly the scheduling of the pool party.  After all, it’s Mario’s pool - he can determine the usage schedule with total authority.

IT’S MARIO’S FAULT! 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/21/09 at 06:36 PM ET

Number of Stanley Cups won since 1967:
Pittsburgh Penguins: 3
Detroit Red Wings: 4
(For the sake of balance, Montreal Canadiens: 10)

I gotta admit, I’ve never understood this argument.  Really, who cares who won last year, or or who’s won more in the last 40 years?  It’s all about now, and when the next season starts, it won’t matter who won the Cup in ‘09.

Posted by Battleship from City of Champions on 06/21/09 at 06:37 PM ET

Regarding the 40 year thing, I think it’s in response to Wings fans that go on about how 11 cups > 3 cups.

Fans of original six teams comparing cup numbers to post-expansion teams makes a person about as big of douchebag as you can get. Like it was really hard for a team to rack up a bunch of cups when there were six teams in the league! WOOO!

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 06:51 PM ET

Now in the time of celebration Sid is supposed to break away and go do a dog and pony show for NBC? Screw that. That party at Mario’s house will be something he will remember forever. The NBC spot will be forgotten about by everyone with 24 hours. At some point, this has to be about the players and not NBC and the league.
Posted by FireFox on 06/21/09 at 02:13 PM ET

It is much better to think of the players NOW, when everything has been decided, than when deciding the schedule for the SCF series which had 3 games in 4 nights.  Is that taking the best interest of the players into consideration?  I think not.

And who would remember appearing on the biggest talk show in the world?  And besides, how many people would watch the spot?  A few million or more, most likely.  IF a video of Mario’s EPIC pool party surfaces, how many views will it have on You Tube?  A few thousand, most likely.

You must be right… what’s the difference?  Oh wait, there actually IS a difference.  A big one.

I wonder what it’s like to be so totally obsessed with one player, that you spend countless hours researching any “so-called” wrong doings of a player and then spend an equal amount of time hitting as many blogs as you can to relay that information.
Posted by Hootie from PA on 06/21/09 at 06:25 PM ET

Aside from a few barbs thrown Rosby’s way in the aftermath of Game 7, I have said nothing about Rosby.  In fact, I post as the same username whatever forum I use.  Look me up and provide proof where I “spend an equal amount of time hitting as many blogs as I can”.  Oh right, there is none because your argument is pure fallacy.

At least, I remain consistent in my username.  I have nothing to hide from.  Unlike yourself.  I would imagine you’ve likely used a number of different usernames, as have many Pens fans here the past couple of weeks, as you don’t want to be accountable for what you said.  Of course, Kukla knows your posting IP address and could collate all your posts.

As far as “countless hours”... wrong again.  A post before lunch with my Dad.  A few posts before seeing my G-dad, and this post when I’ve returned home.  Hardly obsessive.  And if you Google “late-show OR tonight-show stanley cup” and look at image results it would take you ten minutes to find and post the images, as it took me.  Of course you would have to be semi-versed in Boolean searches to even attempt that.

Spare us your pompous crap and feigned outrage about what that rotten “Rosby” and the lowly Penguins are failing to do to save the league compared to what the Almighty Perfect Spotless Red Wings would have done—it’s only been been about a week. You may insist your view are not out of bitterness, but it really comes across as arrogant, incredibly disingenuous and downright petty.
Posted by whatever on 06/21/09 at 06:27 PM ET

Don’t forget the “Almighty Perfect Spotless” *ucks and Devils too.

And the English language actually works better when you learn how to use it properly (begin an education in English courtesy wordnet.princeton.edu):

arrogant: having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride
I never expressed any sort of self-importance, nor have I implied as such so far.  Nice try.

disingenuous: not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness;

I post with the same username on all forums and have remained consistent in my opinions throughout my posts, here and elsewhere.  I have been very forthright as to why I feel the way I do,  one might even say I’ve been frank and straightforward.  Another personal failure to use English correctly, “whatever”.  Nice try again.

petty: fiddling: (informal) small and of little importance;  ALSO: contemptibly narrow in outlook
By the first definition, all arguments about hockey would be of little importance.  Thus we are all petty for debating hockey and not politics or philosophy.  By the second definition, I have provided an opinion which considers the greater and consistency of both “snubbings” in relation to past choices and statements made by the League.  Hardly narrow-minded since I considered many factors when making my argument.  Strike three on word usage.  As a baseball coach would say, “whatever” you get a big E for “Effort”.

A few facts about the past Stanley Cup Champions appearances on the Tonight Show, just to untwist the BS that appeared above:
1.  The Wings appeared on June 10, 2008, a full 6 days after they won the cup.
2.  Anaheim about 20 miles from the Tonight Show studios, a little more convenient than the 2,500 mile distance from Pittsburgh.
3.  New Jersey is right across the river from the studio of Late Night with David Letterman.
4.  The Devils appearance on CBS pre-dated the NHL’s contract with NBC.
I’m just sayin’
Posted by Battleship from City of Champions on 06/21/09 at 07:23 PM ET

My response to each point:
1.  So the Wings stayed in California for almost a week rather than return home to be with their families who they were away from for much of the playoff gruelling playoff run?  Highly unlikely.  They made the trip prior to the show, I bet.

2.  You’re right!  2,500 miles is a long way to walk… wait a minute… you can FLY coast to coast within the same day.  The airplane.  A miracle of modern science. 

One of the artists I work with is making an appearance at the Calgary Stampede this year.  We live in Toronto, and there is no available hotel rooms in Calgary so we are flying out of Toronto at 6am,  playing a concert, and flying back to Toronto and landing at 6am the next day.  Round trip distance? 3,364 miles.  And we aren’t staying in a five-star hotel (no hotels available) to rest after a long day, and we aren’t flying First Class either.  Not to mention we earn a fraction of what Rosby does per year. 

We aren’t complaining, we are professionals, as these are the things one must do when travel is part of the job.

3.  Did they have to swim the distance or did modern science provide a miraculous means of transportation for easily traveling across a river?

4.  They made an appearance, whatever the network affiliation of the day was.

The root cause is clearly the scheduling of the pool party.  After all, it’s Mario’s pool - he can determine the usage schedule with total authority.
IT’S MARIO’S FAULT! 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/21/09 at 07:36 PM ET

But Baroque… the caterers have already been BOOKED.  Sheesh.  What is it about immutable scheduling conflicts that we Wings fans do not understand?  We must be blinded by “bitterness”.  Silly girl.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/21/09 at 08:29 PM ET

And finally, Rosby on the Tonight Show with the Cup:

I’ve been trying to find pictures of Red Wings hoisting the Cup this year, but haven’t been able to come up with any. This is all I’ve been able to find for this season:

Any help?

Posted by Quit your crying already on 06/21/09 at 08:37 PM ET

Voox, seriously? I know you’re probably thinking your nice little writeup makes you look smart, but really it just makes you look desperate to win a pissing contest at this point.

All this over whether or not Crosby should have been on Conan, people.

Seriously. Get a life. And better luck next year.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 09:19 PM ET

Thanks for the English lesson, dude.  You must be very, very smart.

I gotta say, though, I do love your avatar picture.  Dude can f*cking dangle, that’s for sure.

Do you happen to know the atomic weight of Danglium?  Just curious.

I’m glad you guys over @ A2Y switched to the “Rosby” thing, too.  At least it’s more clever than “Thid”. 

It’s pretty much a whine fest over there, though.  You’ve GOT to see what I mean, too.  Just think of all the flack the posters over @ tPB would catch if the Pens would have lost and we were blaming the refs.  And the scheduling.  And Gary Bettman.  And injuries.  And the refs.  And injuries.  And the scheduling.  Am I missing anything?  lol

I’m sure you get where I’m coming from.  I mean, you HAVE to, right?  I’m just saying.

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 06/21/09 at 09:52 PM ET

Good luck with that. Brother Dangle has way too much time on his hands.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/21/09 at 10:00 PM ET

Considering how Brooks has a man-crush on Avery, you’d think he’d know that Avery was on the Jimmy Fallon show, not Jimmy Kimmel.

Posted by K24 from NYC on 06/21/09 at 10:35 PM ET

Sidney. Crosby. Stanley. Cup.

EAT IT.

There must not be much going on to talk about with the Dead Things.
What else would all of you Detroit superfans like to whine about since you’ve become so absorbed in every move the Pens make.
You dropped 3 out of 4 and lost game 7 at home.
What a bunch of babies.

Posted by The Dave on 06/21/09 at 10:48 PM ET

...I forgot to add how you guys are really the better team, it was the refs, it was the injuries, it was the slow ice in Pittsburgh, it was Gary Bettman, it was moving up the start of the finals…(um, let’s see what else can you blame it on?)  Oh yeah, I forgot how those Pens wouldn’t have even been in it if they’d have had to play the Ducks like the Dead Things did.

You people are in denial. 
You call yourselves the best fans in hockey. You say you’re from “Hockeytown”. 
Would the best fans in hockey cry like you bunch of babies have been?

Here’s an update.
Sid still has the cup he won from you.

Posted by The Dave on 06/21/09 at 11:10 PM ET

...I forgot to add how you guys are really the better team, it was the refs, it was the injuries, it was the slow ice in Pittsburgh, it was Gary Bettman, it was moving up the start of the finals…(um, let’s see what else can you blame it on?) Oh yeah, I forgot how those Pens wouldn’t have even been in it if they’d have had to play the Ducks like the Dead Things did.

You people are in denial. 

I find it curious that most people responding to my argument ignore all of what I actually said, and instead comment on imaginary things.

When I brought up the SCF schedule here not once did I mention that is why the Pens won.  Neither did I mention the refs and their non-suspension of Malkin, or the refs explaining the rules regarding Too Many Men on the Ice to the Pens while they enjoyed a 30 second 6-5 which led to a Wings penalty in the D-zone and PP goal.  Nor did I mention the non-icing call that led to a Pens goal in the SCF.  Not once in this post, except now, did I mention those things while talking about the actual SCF results..

And although there is merit to all those arguments, I don’t feel the majority of Wings fans (myself included) are dwelling on those things in our commentary post SCF.  I see a lot more talk of future signings and the like, except for when the multitudes of Pens fans decide to get their britches in a knot online and complain they are not getting the respect they think they deserve.

So why don’t you great minds who claim we are “crying” and “whining” stop.  It is not actually happening.  Just because you want to imagine it happening, doesn’t mean it is.

I brought up my scheduling argument in the context of the inconsistencies in Bettman and the League’s stated goals.  I argued that one Tonight Show appearance garners far more media exposure and publicity than all the All Star Game media and public availability sessions.

I also argued that the snubbing of the Cup by the Today Show is asinine.  We are not getting the treatment we should as an NBC sport (one they don’t even pay for rights to broadcast) amd that Bettman takes it up the butt, man, yet again.  And that he vigorously defended the NBC/Versus deal to the NHLPA two days ago when asked about the NHL getting back on ESPN.

If any of you actually care to debate me on my arguments go ahead.  I already responded to some posters’ counter-arguments, with facts and rational thinking rather than hyperbolic whining as Pens fans seem to be reading from it.  So far no response to my rebuttal beyond the imaginary and juvenile.

But I don’t expect any actual rational arguments from Pens fans this offseason.  Thus far, most of you have resorted to little more than We Love Sid chest thumping.

Good luck next season, Pens fans.  You and your team will be wearing targets on your back and any goodwill garnered by non-Pens fans will quickly fade.

You claim that Wings fans are showing their true colours by being whiners, when in fact most Wings fans are not dwelling at all on the SCF anymore.  In reality Pens fans have not been gracious winners, popping up on hockey blogs all over the internet with juvenile arguments and commentary.  And bitching that “they get no respect”.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/22/09 at 02:13 AM ET

With all due respect, Voox, you aren’t getting very intelligent, rational responses—it’s because we CAN’T take you seriously, and some of us have better things to do with our time. And I don’t see how using nicknames like “Rosby” ISN’T just a little bit juvenile.

Bottom line is that some of us feel that if Crosby wanted to celebrate privately with just close family and friends last week (leaked internet photos aside) instead of jetting across the country to California, then he earned the right to do that. Crosby has already been pretty accommodating to the league as their “poster boy,” to the point where people complain about being sick of seeing him. So excuse us for not taking it seriously when people want to get on his case over one skipped media appearance after all the crap Penguins fans get about the Crosby overexposure as it is.

You just seem pretty darn eager to get on Penguins for not being “good ambassadors” just one week into the summer, so of course we’re going to view you as a sore loser. It’s just very premature to be bringing up things about whether or not they’re visiting the White House like the Wings did—when as mentioned above Obama already called them and told them to come in the fall. I don’t think it makes any difference what the Penguins do, to a lot of Wings fans, they’re either being “bad ambassadors” for not doing enough—but if they went on a media blitz for the “good of the league”, you bet your ass people would be calling them a bunch of classless attention seekers, and people would be having fits about having to see more of Crosby and the Penguins. It doesn’t smack of legitimate complaining, it smacks of sour grapes. They can’t win with people like you either way. Not that they really care right about now. So if it makes you people feel better to bash Crosby and the, go right ahead. We’ll just enjoy the Cup.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/22/09 at 04:28 AM ET

That last second to last sentence was a typo by the way, so spare us the English lesson.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/22/09 at 04:31 AM ET

And one last thing: as far as Penguins fans not being gracious winners —we did get our fair share of that last year from some of you people as well. Don’t act like you’re somehow “above” us.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/22/09 at 04:55 AM ET

In reality Pens fans have not been gracious winners, popping up on hockey blogs all over the internet with juvenile arguments and commentary.

Juvenile comments?

Is that like calling players infantile nicknames?

Posted by DigitalGypsy66 on 06/22/09 at 09:57 AM ET

Mario’s pool party was on a weekend, Conan doesn’t tape on weekends.  You’re all unintelligent wastes of chin drippings.

Posted by You're all idiots on 06/22/09 at 10:36 AM ET

“In reality Pens fans have not been gracious winners, popping up on hockey blogs all over the internet with juvenile arguments and commentary.  And bitching that “they get no respect”.

It takes one to know one.  I’ve observed you being a troll at the Pensblog two years in a row now. It lasted as long as the Red Wings were winning.  That’s maturity.  Do you want me to go back and repost your comments here, in case you’ve forgotten?

Say the word.

Posted by The Dave on 06/22/09 at 11:54 AM ET

Mario’s pool party was during the weekend…  nice try “NBC Source”

Posted by Sillystopper on 06/22/09 at 11:55 AM ET

I know, all this grasping of straws and debating over a *#$%@& “source”...to a gem of a newspaper like the New York Post no less. What a joke.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/22/09 at 12:15 PM ET

Dave, I found some gems VooX posted from just last month. No boolean searches even necessary. It’s awfully nice of you to ask him first before posting anything. I’d say that makes you a pretty gracious winner.

After reading all his comments on here about ambassadorship, maturity and rational discussion, it’s pretty hilarious to read the trash talk he wrote on Pensblog. What a fraud.

The funniest thing about the crap he wrote on Pensblog is that anybody that writes stuff like that is only TRYING to look like he’s not bothered and taking the high road in defeat right now. But you KNOW that anybody that trolls like that really is just BURNING UP and EMBARRASSED because not only did their team LOSE, they look like a complete FOOL on top of it!

Posted by Free Candy on 06/22/09 at 02:30 PM ET

I don’t know.  I think NBC was trying to do its part in promoting the NHL by asking to have the NHL’s biggest stars on their network flagship shows such as The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Late Night, etc.  When they don’t get them to appear, it seems to make their TV time investment into the NHL look inconsequential.  With this past SCFs being a ratings bonanza that turned Gary.Ass into a giggling, squealing little schoolgirl, it shouldn’t hurt the Cup winners to spend time with the network who put up the investment into the NHL It’s like the NASCAR drivers schmoozing with their sponsors to keep up the relationship.  They have to do it.

But that’s entirely up to the Pens to decide how they want to spend their time with the Cup.  I’m not watching.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 06/22/09 at 03:04 PM ET

After reading all his comments on here about ambassadorship, maturity and rational discussion, it’s pretty hilarious to read the trash talk he wrote on Pensblog. What a fraud.

And if you search some of my posts at A2Y during GDTs they won’t be that rational either.  But you see, I can tailor my delivery to the audience of the blog.  Paul runs a straight ahead blog, with little satire or sarcasm.  As such, aside from a nickname and a few quick jokes, I played it pretty straight over here.  Which I am sure is appreciated.

Regarding your Mecca, Pensblog, the posters there post homo-erotic photoshops and make fun of people in wheelchairs.  By being caustic and over-the-top at Pensblog, I am matching the tone of the blog. 

And I never claimed to be an ambassador, but I said that the Captain of the Stanley Cup Champs should act like one for a few weeks.

It takes one to know one.  I’ve observed you being a troll at the Pensblog two years in a row now. It lasted as long as the Red Wings were winning.  That’s maturity.  Do you want me to go back and repost your comments here, in case you’ve forgotten?

Sure, go ahead.  I don’t care at all.  But put it over at A2Y as the comments are more in-line with the tone of that blog.  I am sure Paul would like this discussion to be above board on his post, as he does on all his posts.  Which I respect. 

And in fact I did post a comment on Pensblog following the SCF victory by Pittsburgh this year.  Congratulating the team and Pensblog, and telling any posters at Pensblog (and there were many) who reveled in the Michigan economy’s problems or Vladdie’s condition to go F themselves.  And I stand by it. 

So was that while the Wings were winning?  Oh right, you guys won the Cup again.  I didn’t remember as there was no Tonight Show appearance celebrating it. 

And last year I only made one or two comments, post Wings Cup victory.  I had the sense to not rub salt in the wounds, beyond wrapping up our trash talk.  I even took time to take back my Stoosh-Douche nickname, and referred to that poster (who is a good one) by Stoosh formally once the series was over. and thanked him for being a good rival. 

It’s funny that this year, pre- SCF series, I apologized in advance for resurrecting the Stoosh-Douche nickname as we were rivals again.  Stoosh seemed fine with it and even understood.  You see, the more mature among Pensbloguins know when someone is trying to “job” them back in the spirit of their blog.  And yes, I did bring heavy ammo.  But the kids at Pensblog deserve nothing but the best “jobbing”.

And if calling Crosby the nickname Rosby is juvenile and over-the-top, get thicker skins.  It will only get worse as you guys become targets around the league.

The funniest thing about the crap he wrote on Pensblog is that anybody that writes stuff like that is only TRYING to look like he’s not bothered and taking the high road in defeat right now. But you KNOW that anybody that trolls like that really is just BURNING UP and EMBARRASSED because not only did their team LOSE, they look like a complete FOOL on top of it!

Thanks for the psychoanalysis, Dr. Freud.  But actually I am quite indifferent about the Wings loss since a few days after Game 7.  Sorry to disappoint.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/22/09 at 06:07 PM ET

I know, all this grasping of straws and debating over a *#$%@& “source”...to a gem of a newspaper like the New York Post no less. What a joke.

We can agree that the Post is not a fantastic source.  And if it is a false report, and the Cup makes its appearance with Conan, I will be the first to say that they did the right thing.

Regardless of the team that won, my position is the same.  Times are tough and the world’s biggest talk show should not be ignored for the publicity it generates.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/22/09 at 06:30 PM ET

You sure are spending a lot of time on long posts, being critical of the Pens, the Pensblog, and the posters on Pensblog, for someone who’s so indifferent.
You’re almost obsessively indifferent, it seems to me.  Getting thicker skins is something you and your fans need to work on right now, seeing as how you’re responding to the cup loss.
Just sayin’

Posted by The Dave on 06/22/09 at 08:34 PM ET

Not disappointed at all if you’re indifferent. It doesn’t change the fact that you still look like a complete fool.

Posted by Free Candy on 06/23/09 at 07:35 AM ET