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Just Wait
by Paul on 03/03/08 at 02:08 PM ET
Comments (7)
from Darren Eliot at Sports Illustrated,
So, right now in Pittsburgh there is satisfaction in the season thus far, and rightly so. But that mood pales in comparison to the anticipation of what might yet be. Everyone wants to see what this team looks like fully assembled. Shero smiled broadly when I put that premise to him and he offered a sly, “We’ll see.”
Penguins’ fans who have been waiting patiently will see all the pieces in place during the first week of March. No doubt, the organization envisions this group together during the first week of June, perhaps with the Stanley Cup in hand.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Pittsburgh Penguins | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
If the Pens would sustain a forecheck for more than ten minutes and start hitting to set the tone instead of match it, they’d be an absolute beast of a team. I don’t even mean Malkin (and Sid/Hossa when they come back), I mean Malone, Staal, Kennedy, heck, even Sykora! They just seem too resigned to trying to get in the way of passes and hope/pray the defense/goalie get the offense the puck. That’s not going to win many series (see the Ottawa series last year) against the East or West. I watch every Pens game and I’d like to think I know their strengths and weakenesses. They will have an offense that is unmatched however. I’d put it against anyone’s:
Syko (21 G) - Geno (88 pts) - Malone (23 G)
Hossa (26 G) - Sid (63 pts/~50 games) - anyone
Not too many other teams that can roll that out come mid-March/April. I see what you mean when you say you see what Shero’s trying to do. e knows our defense is mud…so we’ll outscore everyone, lol.
Posted by Phil M on 03/03/08 at 03:37 PM ET
Is Roberts going to make it back this season? If he does, I love the grit that he brings and I’m sure you’ll see a much more physical team as they follow his example. I think as long as he comes back, the Hossa deal will work out. But without him creating the space on the ice for Hossa in the playoffs, I don’t think he’ll do much.
Posted by Karina on 03/03/08 at 03:47 PM ET
Karina, Roberts is hoping to be back by the start of the playoffs. Not only does he have a broken leg, but also an ankle sprain too.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 03/03/08 at 03:50 PM ET
I think he’ll be back with a couple games left in the season, and honestly I’d LOVE to see him on the 3rd line with Staal and Kennedy. Those two have great chemistry for as little as they’ve been together, and Roberts usually finds his way to where he needs to be (as do Staal and T.K. by the way). So with that said, I think that not only give you your “shutdown” line option, but also could provide a timely goal or two in there somewhere. I like the makeup of this team now, and I am beside myself when I think about them when they’re at 100% health! I think it’s Cup or bust *if* everyone gets/stays healthy. Especially with the Hossa trade.
Oh…I was gonna hit submit then I remembered we have Dupuis too! I think he’ll be on Sid/Hossa’s line, but that gives them another scoring option. Kinda unfair maybe? This one postseason for Pittsburgh might be what it was like to play against Colorado in the late 90’s/easly 2000’s. Iffy but sometimes solid D with an explosive offense. Pit just doesn’t have Roy…yet ; )
Posted by Phil M on 03/03/08 at 03:59 PM ET
It’s funny. You guys have two game-breaking forwards in Malkin and that other guy with Ty freaking Conklin as the likely playoff starter…
And Shero shoots the moon for a forward?!?
That he can’t possibly re-sign short of becoming 2005 Tampa North?!?
Huge, huge huuuuuuuuge price to pay for a single-season run.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 03/03/08 at 04:50 PM ET
Fleury? He’ll be the playoff guy. He has to. It’s his destiny.
Posted by Phil M on 03/04/08 at 11:00 AM ET
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I still dont know about the Hossa deal…but the more I think about it, the more I see what Shero is trying to do.
He figures by adding Hossa he can win the East, but there is no way they could beat ANA, DET, DAL, or SJ in 7 to win the cup. It’s like a 1/5 chance, but maybe he knows something we dont.
Posted by callmedrw on 03/03/08 at 02:12 PM ET