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In Shero We Trust (but hurry up, m’kay ?)
by Tony on 07/03/09 at 10:00 AM ET
Comments (33)
Tough, but not totally unexpected day for the Penguins and their fans on Day Two of the free agency period, losing defensive stalwart Rob Scuderi to Los Angeles.
The tally so far has the Pens losing Scuderi, Hal Gill and Mathieu Garon, while retaining Craig Adams and Bill Guerin and signing Mike Rupp.
The question now becomes, with only ~$4.7M available, how does GM Ray Shero spend it ??
Does he spend the chunk of it on either Scuderi’s replacement, re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko, or if Feds signs elsewhere, his replacement ??
Does he sign two cheaper replacements as a temporary measure, then restocks later in the year with trades ??
Does he make trades now, as he is rumored to be exploring, to clear up cap room to sign the best replacements he can ??
You’d think that things will start to shake out within the next couple of days, where we’ll start to get answers and signings from most of the prominent free agents.
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Five spots remain: a backup goaltender, two defensemen, and a forward. The 23rd roster spot will be used for injury recalls. Here’s what Shero might do:
- Promote John Curry from Wilkes-Barre Scranton to backup Fleury. Shero will also sign another goaltender (Dany Sabourin, Wade Dubliewicz, e.g.) to a two-way contract to challenge for that spot.
- Promote Ben Lovejoy from WBS. He was a +42 last season in the AHL. That doesn’t happen by accident. He’ll challenge Alex Goligoski for playing time.
- Sign a defensive defenseman, such as Jay McKee, Paul Mara, or Ole Kristian Tollefson.
- Either look for a bargain on the free agent market or let some young forwards (Luca Caputi, Dustin Jeffrey) battle for a spot on the fourth line. Fedotenko is most likely gone, so we Penguins fans might have to stomach 60 games or so with Pascal Dupuis as a top-six wing - unless one of the prospects has one great training camp - until Shero gets another steal at the trade deadline in March.
- One spot will be kept open, as Shero likes to keep the roster at 22 instead of the maximum 23.
Posted by cs6687 on 07/03/09 at 09:49 AM ET
Yes, Red Winger. Ken Holland is soooo much better than Ray Shero. How’s that Cup look right now in Detroit? Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Posted by cs6687 on 07/03/09 at 09:50 AM ET
How many Cups do you have since 1997?
One?
Really??
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 09:52 AM ET
The “In <insert name> We Trust” is certainly an innovative idea originating from Detroit. Oh, wait…
Back to topic. I expect some of the names remaining to be within financial reach of Ray Shero, so a few signings is to expected. Perhaps just two-way depth signings, but you never know if a significant deal is made today.
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 07/03/09 at 10:04 AM ET
Red Wings fans are such big babies. Go to any other hockey board and you’ll see “In _____ we trust.”
Posted by Pacifier sales on 07/03/09 at 10:10 AM ET
Saying that Wings fans came up with the “In XXX We Trust” is almost as funny as the idiot from Detroit who claims he came up with the name “City of Champions” in his 2007 or 08 book.
Posted by Kstewy16 on 07/03/09 at 10:12 AM ET
Yeah. Detroit sports fans are hilarious. They act like they created everything. I can understand being so devoted to the Red Wings when the NFL team in that town is so miserable.
Posted by cs6687 on 07/03/09 at 10:43 AM ET
I need to create a avatar for a thread hijacking…
Posted by Tony F from Virginia Beach, VA on 07/03/09 at 10:44 AM ET
With the newest signing of Nate Guenin, I think Shero wants to go with 2 new guys on our D. Gogo will be on the team for sure, but I think they are going to let Guenin, Lovejoy and Strait battle it out for the 6th spot.
Like you said, In Shero We Trust. Even if his decision doesn’t work out, he’s proven that he’s not afraid to move people to fix the problems.
Posted by Kstewy16 on 07/03/09 at 11:12 AM ET
I need to create a avatar for a thread hijacking…
Posted by Tony F
Or ban frustrated kittens. 
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 07/03/09 at 11:20 AM ET
Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had a good take on the events of the last couple of days. The link to his blog, since he retired as a full-time writer/columnist, is:
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/bobsmizik/default.aspx?cmpid=bcpanel1
As for Red Wings fans I posted this on the blog of the IDIOT Able to Yzerman and I think this says a lot:
Just so it’s clear the following players ages when the season begins: Listrom - 38, Osgood - 36, Homlstrom - 36, Rafalski - 35, Datsyuk - 31, Zetterberg - 29. That is the core of the Red Wings team. The following players ages when the season begins: Gonchar - 35, Orpik - 29, Fleury - 24, Malkin - 23, Crosby - 22, Staal - 21. That is the core of the Penguins team. Even a Red Wings fan can clearly see the difference. THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Even if you throw in Franzen - 29, their core is VERY OLD. The Penguins have some guys long in the tooth, but for every one of them there is a player under 25.
Something else very interesting, when you go onto the Red Wings website they are forcing you to click onto links directly to season (full & partial) ticket plans. For a team that’s won 4 Cups in 11 years I find it puzzling that they are pushing season ticket sales. Maybe the local economy is having a big impact on the Red Wings season ticket base, and at some point that will impact their hockey operations (salaries). Contrast that to Pittsburgh with a new arena just around the corner, a season ticket holder waiting list and the core of their team looking at at least 10 more years in the league. After Mellon Arena is gone, guess which building will be the oldest in the NHL? JOE LOUIS ARENA They may have 20,000+ seats, but it lacks the number of luxury boxes and club seats in more modern arenas (big time revenue streams). Even if the team and the city want to renovate the building, I don’t think there is a lot of cash lying around for that. In the NHL revenue from the building is what drives the team, not television (local or national). The future looks bright for the Penguins, not so sure about the Dead Wings.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:06 PM ET
For a team that’s won 4 Cups in 11 years I find it puzzling that they are pushing season ticket sales.
They don’t have newspapers or TV’s in D.C.?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:07 PM ET
Just so it’s clear the following players ages when the season begins: Listrom - 38, Osgood - 36, Homlstrom - 36, Rafalski - 35, Datsyuk - 31, Zetterberg - 29. That is the core of the Red Wings team. The following players ages when the season begins: Gonchar - 35, Orpik - 29, Fleury - 24, Malkin - 23, Crosby - 22, Staal - 21.
Filppula-26
Ericcson-25
Leino-25
Abdelkader-22
Hudler-25
You see, the difference is the support cast for each team. The Wings have more depth than the Pens. Though our “core” players are a bit older, but the Pens rely way too much on their core. After that, the drop off is precipitous.
The Pens are built for a two-year run, max. And they’ve had that, so next year will not be pretty.
The Wings, on the other hand, are built for long-term success.
Enjoy your Warholian fifteen minutes of fame, Pittsburgh. It’s just about over.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:17 PM ET
Plenty, and we actually have jobs too. The puzzling part is that based on all the crap talked in these chat rooms by you Dead Wings fans I would think there would not be any tickets available, and a season ticket holder waiting list. It’s funny how you clowns make middle school age mentality comments instead of addressing the points I made. The reason why you don’t, and even a Dead Wings fan can understand this, is because all of you know it’s true. I also am starting to believe that the vast majority of Dead Wings blog posters spent $0.00 dollars on Dead Wings tickets. Guess it’s hard to choose between lottery tickets and Dead Wings tickets.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:18 PM ET
middle school age mentality comments
From a guy that has said “Dead Wings” about sixteen times in his last two posts.
Good, good comedy, that!!
Keep it up!
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:20 PM ET
and we actually have jobs too
Government jobs, which means you get paid to be inefficient.
Congrats.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:21 PM ET
Funny, this looks pretty good: Matt Cooke - 31, Chris Kunitz - 30, Maxime Talbot - 25, Alex Goligoski - 24, Kris Letang - 22, Tyler Kennedy - 23. And as for relying on their core, that’s what you do in today’s NHL. Trying to keep 10-12 players together is nearly impossible in today’s NHL. But once again I’m trying to explain things to a Dead Wings fan. The team that’s in sunset is your beloved Dead Wings.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:25 PM ET
I’m used to the fact the Pens are Cup champions. The problem is, you Pens fans don’t seem used to it. I’ve never seen a group whine and cry so much after winning.
Maybe it’s the internal guilt, knowing you had to rely on Gary and his minions at league headquarters to get the job done.
Whatever it is, it sure is strange.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:28 PM ET
I’m trying to explain things to a Dead Wings fan. The team that’s in sunset is your beloved Dead Wings.
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 01:25 PM ET
It’s funny how you clowns make middle school age mentality comments
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 01:18 PM ET
You do my work for me
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:29 PM ET
Matt Cooke - 31, Chris Kunitz - 30, Maxime Talbot - 25, Alex Goligoski - 24, Kris Letang - 22, Tyler Kennedy - 23
Filppula-26
Ericcson-25
Leino-25
Abdelkader-22
Advantage: Deeeeetroit!
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:31 PM ET
I’m used to the fact the Pens are Cup champions. The problem is, you Pens fans don’t seem used to it. I’ve never seen a group whine and cry so much after winning.
Maybe it’s the internal guilt, knowing you had to rely on Gary and his minions at league headquarters to get the job done.
Whatever it is, it sure is strange.
Conspiracy theories instead of facts an analysis. Guess when you can’t argue on the points, you go for myths.
Enjoy your Independence Day, independence from the Cup that is!
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:31 PM ET
I can afford independence from the Cup, seeing we’ve won it more than any other team in the last twelve years.
You, however, better hold on to every precious moment of this Cup victory. With your track record, you won’t have Stanley again until 2026.
Maybe Sid will move out of the basement by then…
Pfffft, I’m just being silly now 
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 12:34 PM ET
Stanley Cup Finals Statistics:
Talbot: 4 G, 2 A
Kennedy: 2 G, 1 A
Letang: 1 G, 2 A
Kunitz: 2 A
And that was just in the Pens wins (Games # 3, 4, 6, & 7!)
Talbot and Kennedy each had game winning goals!
How does your list match up?
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:42 PM ET
Maybe Sid will move out of the basement by then…
I’m sure he’ll make before you do.
Enjoy your time, oh by the way before 1997 it was 42 years for the Dead Wings.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it.
Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 12:46 PM ET
Pens are going to sign Hudler just to piss off Red Winger...then by some stroke of genius Shero convinces Detroit they need Eric Godard so badly they send Helm the other way...then Detroit’s washer breaks down so they send Chris Osgood to the Penguins for a slightly used washer...er...yeah...Still...the Pens should sign Hudler even though he’s “don’t squeeze the charmin” soft.
Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 07/03/09 at 12:58 PM ET
.the Pens should sign Hudler even though he’s “don’t squeeze the charmin” soft.
You don’t need two Crosbys on your team.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 01:17 PM ET
How does your list match up?
Excellent, thanks for asking.
Like I said, you were built for short-term success.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 01:19 PM ET
but the Pens rely way too much on their core
I believe only about 4-6 players won all 4 Cups with Detroit, isn’t that pretty much a “core”?
Kid you’ve been drinking way too much of the Kool-Aid they’re serving over at Able to Yzerman, and the other idiot Dead Wings blogs.
Detroit built their team, had an incredible run, now you have to rebuild/retool. There are some very nice players in Detroit’s system, but Lidstrom comes around once in a lifetime. Without talent like that in the “core”, the auxiliary pieces don’t matter as much. Your top two defensmen & goalie are all over 35. Your entire #1 power play unit is 29 and older. Time to rebuild/retool.
Quit drinking the Kool-Aid, it’s bad for your mental health.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it. Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 01:21 PM ET
How does your list match up?
Excellent, thanks for asking.
Like I said, you were built for short-term success.
Do you have any facts to back up your opinion?
Of course not why confuse idiots ranting with facts.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it. Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 01:24 PM ET
Since you are too lazy to do it, here are the facts:
Filppula 2 G (1 GWG)
Ericcson 2 G 1A
Leino 2 A
Abdelkader 2 G
Helm 1 G 1 A
Talbot 4 G 2 A (1 GWG)
Letang 1 G 3 A
Kennedy 2 G 1 A (1 GWG)
Kunitz 2 A
Fairly even, except for the game winning goal in Game #7. So much for your Detroit having the edge in auxiliary players crap. Oh by the way you forgot your best auxiliary player, Helm.
THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!! Get used to it. Let’s Go Pens!
Posted by Pens Fan in DC on 07/03/09 at 01:38 PM ET
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Welcome to The Confluence, a Pittsburgh Penguins blog since 2006. Originally at Blogspot, then at MVN, The Confluence has over 1000 articles reporting Penguins news as well as jumping on my soapbox to opine constructive Penguins criticism. My posts are regularly linked by hockey websites such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Empty Netters and Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy, and I’ve done guest blogger spots on such websites as the New York Times. I invite you to spend a little time and peruse the archives at all of the sites for some of my better work. I am a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, but don’t confuse me with my fellow Chief at A2Y.
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I think you owe Chief some copyright infringement fees.
“In Shero We Trust”?
How many times do the words “In Tick Tock (Kenny/Holland) we trust” show up on the A2Y blog on any given day? Fifteen?
Anyways, glad to see we are having an indelible influence on your style. There is no shame in copying the best.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 07/03/09 at 09:49 AM ET