FanNation

Why the Penguins are better heading into 2009

The main flurry of activity is over now, so it's time to look at the end result and decide:

 Are the Penguins Better now? Or worse?

I voter for better, and here's why...

Although Common Wisdom says the Penguins have slipped a notch, that is only based one equation, and I think it's short-sighted.

The "Penguins Are Worse" thinking is based on the wing trade-off. In other words, Miroslav Satan isn't as good as Marian Hossa and Ruslan Fedotenko is not as good as Ryan Malone, so we're worse off.

Thank God the Penguins don't listen to the Press

Probably everyone has turned their attention to football already, but I'm adding a blog post here anyway.

The Useless Idiots in the Press (hereafter referred to as: Igloo Idiots) are in full steam ahead mode, making non-sensical suggestions faster than an Ed Rendell speech-writer. And I all I can say is: "The Penguins don't read this crap... do they?"

I Hope not. Because this is what the brilliant minds of the Pittsburgh Press Corps is saying:

Detroit Red Wings 6-6-6

What is it about the Red Wings and a Game 6?

Except for the anemic Avalanche, the Red Wings won every series in Six.

Weird.

Anyway... Kudos to the Wings for a good series.

Everyone compares the Penguins to the Edmonton Oilers, but there is a vast difference: Many of these Penguins will not be back next year. I realize that they are young and learning -- and have made huge strides quickly --  but they have missed a golden opportunity this year.

Random Thoughts before Game 6

I'm sitting here in Las Vegas, waiting to head to Caesar's Sports book to watch the game, and reading through the blog-o-sphere, and various columnists, a few things come to mind:

1. The Red Wings Come Back in The Third

A lot is being made of the fact that A) the Red Wings out-shot the Penguins badly in the third period and over-time, and B) The "Red Machine" kept coming and coming until the young Penguins folded.

This seems to be the general consensus, along with the thought that Fleury stood on his head and basically stole the game in overtime. (And, I will not discount Fleury's one-man stand... but...)

The Rumours of the Penguins Demise...

The Rumors of the Penguins demise were greatly exagerated. 

Everywhere I looked I saw edicts of doom.

ESPN had the tag team of Cherry and Melrose calling time of death on the Penguins at the moment the 5 on 3 penalty expired Saturday night. CNN/Si said it was over. The Detroit fans were planning their parade.

Reporters were beating the rush and writing their columns in advance. Experience had prevailed, the only question remaining on the minds of the Useless Idiots that pass for NHL experts was whether Osgood should get the Conn Smyth.