Official 2011-2012 Pittsburgh Penguins thread....

**SonofaBish** · 09-26-2011, 11:38 AM

OK - so, i'm so pumped about hockey again, i've been watching the preseason games on TV - when normally i don't care about preseason...

I think the Pens have a great chance to be one of, if not THE elite team in the league this year - but obviously that's dependent on injuries. Geno looks to be back in top form, and when Crosby comes back, i'm hoping to have 2 fully healthy superstars...

I was discussing with a Coworker this morning about the lines... and here's my personal opinion... (this is all considering Crosby is back and healthy - i'll discuss below my lines if Crosby is not back)

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Neal - Malkin - Tangradi
Cooke - Staal - Kennedy
Asham - Adams - ??

I know for certain they're going to try hooking Neal up with Crosby, but I just don't get it... Yes, there are better wingers than Kunitz and Dupuis, but why try to fix what isn't broken?? Crosby was having a CAREER season last year with these two guys, and its also the same line he was on when we won the Cup in 2009. Same goes for the 3rd line... No need to split up something that has worked so well in the past... Then, maybe for teh first time in his career, Malkin can actually have some decent wingers...

Now, until Crosby comes back, and i feel certain he will, why not go with this...

Neal - Malkin - Tangradi
Cooke - Staal - Kennedy
Kunitz - Letestu - Dupuis
Asham - Adams - ??

This eliminates the mid-season swapping of lines when Crosby comes back... it allows the Malkin and Staal lines to gain some chemistry with each other and carry that throughout the season... When Crosby comes back, you move Letestu down to the 4 line, or Wilkes-Barre, and you've got the line-up i listed above...

We're much better defensively than we were the Cup year, and if we can reunite 2 of those 3 lines, while giving Malkin some good wingers for the first time, I think we've got the team to beat...

However - as always - much of our success/failure is going to come down to the guy in the cage... So, the pressure is on Fleury in my opinion...

LETS GO PENS!

**Terminated** · 09-26-2011, 12:36 PM

It's so hard to play the "here are my lines" thing when Bylsma changes them up so often.

Those all seem like they'd be legitimate combinations, but you never know what he's going to see as far as chemistry. I definitely think Tangradi still needs to prove more before he's on the top line, I think that is still Kunitz's spot to lose.

**DriveWFO** · 09-26-2011, 01:31 PM

Was at the game on Saturday...ready for the season to start!

**SonofaBish** · 09-26-2011, 01:33 PM

The tought part of that is, (this goes with everyone, not just Tangradi), you have to truly be a special talent (e.g. Crosby and Malkin) to prove something when you're playing with other lower line players.... The great thing about 87 and 71 is that they make the guys aroudn them better - to what extent they make them better is the key part...

I take Dupuis as an example.. he's not the most talented winger on earth, but in the past he's always done so well with Crosby...

Lots to look forward to either way.... :)

**Terminated** · 09-26-2011, 02:46 PM

This is true. I was at the game on Sat. as well. My cousin is on the same Squirt team as Mr. Morehouse's daughter, so we got Suite 66 which was absolutely badass and a great fan experience.

Some of the pics I got (really wish I would've brought my camera, and some stuff to be signed)

**stieny** · 10-07-2011, 10:19 AM

Game thoroughly enjoyed by me. That is all as of right now.

No great insightful breakdown of game play because it's way too damn early but I'm thankful it's finally hockey season.

**Terminated** · 10-07-2011, 11:04 AM

Neal looked real good last night, dude's got good hands. Looks like he was comfortable early once he got that monkey off his back with the PP goal.

**SonofaBish** · 10-07-2011, 11:43 AM

I don't get VS, so i didnt get to see it... i listened to the first period on the radio, but had to go to bed... i get up at 4:45 AM, so i just couldnt' stay up for the rest of it...

**SonofaBish** · 10-14-2011, 10:55 AM

Well - even hurt, Geno looks like he's just a dominating force on the ice.... I thought he looked hesitatnt a bit last night - didnt seem to want to get into scrums on the walls like usual, but he was still "johhy-on-the-spot" all night... everywhere the puck went, there he was....

Seems as if Neal is meshing well with him... if things stay that way, maybe i'll get my wish from above...

And what else can be said about teh Asham knockout... wow is all i can say...

**GOT SVT** · 10-14-2011, 11:33 AM

awesome game, wish we could have pulled out the win. hate losing to ovi all time, but at least we win when it matters against them.

arron asham is bada**

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/105602

**John4cam** · 10-14-2011, 05:20 PM

8 points out of 10 possible.....pretty dang good so far. Malkin, Neal, Sullivan line is scary. Alot of talent there. When Sid comes back that team is going to be an offensive powerhouse.

**SonofaBish** · 12-16-2011, 10:18 PM

So... I've never been a big fan of MAF, but I've sucked up my pride and been very happy with his play this season so far....

But, every time i watch Brent Johnson play a game in goal, i'm praying that MAF was in goal (i never thought i'd say that).... i mean, come on - he just gave up 5 goals on 8 shots!!!!! are you kidding?

ugh...

**John4cam** · 12-16-2011, 10:35 PM

Yeah, that D isn't exactly on their game either though. Pens need to get healthy and stay healthy. Something they just can't seem to do. All these makeshift lines can't be helping things..

**SonofaBish** · 01-05-2012, 09:10 AM

Classiest fans in all of sports right here...
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...136706328.html

**PaxtonShelby** · 01-05-2012, 09:15 AM

I really hate to stereotype, but Philly does have more than their fair share of idiot fans.

Years ago they threw iceballs at Santa at an Eagles game, and their manners really haven't improved since.

**Terminated** · 01-05-2012, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by PaxtonShelby

I really hate to stereotype, but Philly does have more than their fair share of idiot fans.

Years ago they threw iceballs at Santa at an Eagles game, and their manners really haven't improved since.

Dude, all the shit they say in the news is absolutely true. My girlfriend bought tickets to a game in Philly for my BDay a couple years back and it was HORRIBLE. They hold no punches when it comes to insults.

**SonofaBish** · 01-05-2012, 10:06 AM

Yea, my brother was in Philly several years ago when game 4 of the conference quarter finals were in Philly and the Pens were up in the series 3-0.... they were in line to go to the bathroom and stepped out because a Pens fan was taking a pi$$ and got punched in the back of the head by two people....

I've been to several Pens/Flyers games in Pittsburgh, and there is no love, but i've never seen nor heard of anything more than some bickering back and forth... no physical beatings..

**Terminated** · 01-05-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

Yea, my brother was in Philly several years ago when game 4 of the conference quarter finals were in Philly and the Pens were up in the series 3-0.... they were in line to go to the bathroom and stepped out because a Pens fan was taking a pi$$ and got punched in the back of the head by two people....

I've been to several Pens/Flyers games in Pittsburgh, and there is no love, but i've never seen nor heard of anything more than some bickering back and forth... no physical beatings..

Remember watching this game in high school, forever sealed it for me as hating Flyers fans:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5hIkm2dd9c"]1999-00 Round 1: Idiot Flyers Fan - YouTube[/ame]

**phillysrt4** · 01-08-2012, 01:19 PM

There are lot of ignorant flyers fans but you cant deny the team's ability.

**phillysrt4** · 01-08-2012, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by PaxtonShelby

I really hate to stereotype, but Philly does have more than their fair share of idiot fans.

Years ago they threw iceballs at Santa at an Eagles game, and their manners really haven't improved since.

Eagles fans are just douchebags, period.

I was on the orange line (BSL or Broad Street Subway line for those not familiar with philly) heading downtown. Just before the doors close all these douchebags decked out in eagles jerseys stop the door from closing and pile in. Since you have to go through center city to get to the stadium I knew I was in for a shitty ride. Yes, with them already half drunk and rowdy, I got to hear that f'in stupid eagles song over and over and over and over and over for 25 minutes until I got off.

Its always so satisfying when they choke in their predictable fashion.