For my money, losing Hossa and Malone hurts them because Satan and Fedotenko won’t really replace them.

However, it’s losing Whitney for an extended period that hurts them the most.  With him I expected they’d probably be ok.  Without him, I’m not too sure…

Posted by Primis on 08/22/08 at 10:58 PM ET

I agree that Whitney hurts the most.  Satan is a guy that can get 30 goals if he’s got an elite set-up man (which he’ll have).

Posted by NHLJeff from Boston, MA on 08/23/08 at 03:26 AM ET

they have so many young players that can step up.  Plus Jordo will rebound from last year, he’s just too good.  Letang will fill in for whitney and it will be no problem. I agree satan and fedotenko will not provide as much offense as hossa (obviously), but if crosby (or malkin or staal) click with either one they could have 30 goal seasons.

Posted by callmedrw on 08/23/08 at 05:08 AM ET

He lost me at Ryan Whitney’s “knee problem”

Posted by Sean Leahy from North Babylon NY on 08/23/08 at 09:23 AM ET

Knee, ankle, foot, groin - it’s all just a “lower body issue” anyway. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/23/08 at 10:32 AM ET

Just another I American hockey column.  You’re right Mike, don’t trust your gut.  Do some analysis for a change.  Satan + Islanders = junk.  Now he moves to playing with one of...maybe not the best but definitely on of...the best playmakers in the game.  Nope, no reason to think he’ll hit more than 15 this year either.  Loss of Whitney, gee, does Pittsburgh have anyone who could possibly fill that gap?  Hum...Letang, no, to young...Sydor, no, too old...Goligoski, no to whatever.  Sorry, but come up with some real analysis and maybe we in the states who do understand hockey will listen.  Oh, sorry, it wasn’t invented here...forgive my arrogance.

Posted by Stickit from Ohio on 08/23/08 at 11:55 AM ET

Agree w/stickit, this guy has no idea whats going on

Posted by callmedrw from Detroit, MI on 08/23/08 at 02:34 PM ET

Whitney’s KNEE PROBLEM !!was all I needed to read to realize this guy is a INBRED MORON.

Can’t wait for hockey to start so ASSclowns like this guy can go back to writing about how bad the Maple Laffs SUCK !!

Posted by Evilpens on 08/23/08 at 03:53 PM ET

Just another I American hockey column.

From sportsnet.ca?  That’s a neat trick.

Posted by Doogie2K from Calgary on 08/23/08 at 05:52 PM ET

Obviously this guy hasn’t watched Whitney much.  Maybe now it can be attributed to his FOOT injury this past season, but Whitney’s defensive performance is turning into more of a liability than an asset.  In terms of his offensive abilities, forget any scoring from the blueline, and his left point backdoor goals on passes from Crosby on the powerplay has been snuffed out by the opposition for a year now.

In reference to Satan, I also agree with some of the others.  He’s going to be this year’s Sykora for the Pens.

Posted by Tony on 08/24/08 at 09:36 AM ET

Tony has got it spot on. Whitney’s defense is terrible. He is not physical at all, which if you have the defensive IQ of lets say, Eaton or Scuderi, is no problem, but when you have the defensive IQ of a 2 year old, it is a huge problem.
Every once in a while you see he be physical, and throw that big body of his around, and he looks sooo much better, but he won’t do it on a game by game basis.
As far as his offense goes, He has really been slowed down, He is a good puck moving dman, and gets a decent amount of assists, but his goals have really tapered off. Mainly because, as Tony said, the back door pass from Sid on the PP hasn’t worked , people have been looking for it, and were therefore able to stop it.

As far as Fedotenko and Satan, they will work just fine as replacements for Malone and Hossa for now. Are they a long term, play with sid for years to come type fix, no, but they are the best we could get this year. Yes Malone LOOKED good last year, but he also played with the two best offensive set up men in the league. What happens when he’s playing with....who knows? Fedotenko and Satan will both certainly see their offensive numbers skyrocket by playing with Sid or Malkin.  Satan is obviously NO replacement for Hossa, but again, hes the best available for the pens this season.

The pens will breeze through the East this season, they will probably see the Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, and they will have to pull off a miracle to beat them, but as far as the east goes, the Pens are easily the best.

Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 08/24/08 at 10:01 AM ET

Forgot to mention, let’s not forget that both Satan and Fedotenko were only signed to one-year contracts.... The current Pens’ roster will not be the one that will take the ice as they enter the playoffs.  Watch Shero work his magic once again at the trade deadline.

Posted by Tony on 08/24/08 at 10:08 AM ET