doox

Yeah, not sure I follow, Serge. Depres was not getting time under Bylsma for whatever reason - he always had his veteran journeymen he liked, and let players like Depres have their growth stunted a bit. I thought Depres made big strides this year under new coaching, but then to toss him aside for a retread? Don't get it.

Well, Rutherford finally made a trade that I hate during his tenure in Pittsburgh. Not sure why Depres got traded for Lovejoy. If the knock against Depres is that he takes stupid penalties, well, you can coach that out of him. You can't coach talent into Lovejoy.

I'm just glad Bennett is back in the line-up. Not sure what was going on there...if you need to send a message, sit a guy. Maybe sit him 2 games. But to sit as often as he did, especially during a back to back away game situation? I don't get that decision at all. I wanted Sill to take his place in the box seats 2 games ago.

I guess we differ in how important we view a game that barely resembles hockey.

When isn't he the face of the NHL? No player does more to promote the league than he does. If you want to call waving at fans from the press box at the All Star game "being the face" of the league, then ok. I don't see the point.

If sitting out the all-star game makes Crosby even a fraction more healthy from whatever injury he's been nursing since the Montreal game, I'm all for it.

Rinaldo thinks another suspension could be on its way. "I changed the whole game, man," Rinaldo said after the game. "Who knows what the game would have been like if I didn't do what I did?" Yeah, doesn't sound like he's too sorry about the hit. Piece of shit.

Stan Savran with a bigger on-air gaffe than Steiggy's Hobie Baker joke.

Has anyone ever seen an ending quite like the Pens/Rangers game tonight? Goes to shoot-out, looks like Boyle puts the winner in, and the teams all leave the ice after the Rangers celebrate. It later turns out that he hit the puck into the post, then double tapped it back into the net so the goal is no good. The teams have to come back out on the ice, Sutter puts one in in the 4th round, and Fleury stops Nash to take the win away.

I just want to say that the change between this year and last year is remarkable. I'm not talking stats, corsi, fenwick, or chances to win the Cup, but overall enjoyability. This team, this year? They are just so much more fun to watch. Towards the last part of last season...not so much. I just want to ride it out as long as it lasts.

I play Castle Clash instead - something tells me I got the Zune while you guys all got Ipods.

I have yet to hear one Penguins fan claim that Pierre as GM would be a good idea. Surely the organization is smart enough to know how much negative feedback there will be, right? Right?!?

My buddy said it was reported on WPXI that among the list of possible GMs? Pierre Macguire. I threw up a bit in my mouth, imagining that.

Other than Tanner Glass, which is a weak argument at best, I can't think of any players that really fit the description. Orpik was hurt, so he's out. Adams? I mean, we can bring up a few plugs that have no offensive skill and can hit people, but there's no Talbot or Guerin in the mix that can bring grit, some skill, and set a tone for other players to rally around.

Great read - man, they didn't like that last question about keeping Bylsma from other openings...seems Mario stopped talking after that, while Morehouse started taking over the questions. *edit* forgot to quote Dev's link, which was what I was referring to

From what I heard, Burkle wanted Shero gone but Mario wasn't keen on the idea. I think Bylsma should have just gotten the axe to let him pursue whatever, and to clear up any confusion. If he's going to be gone anyhow, why wait? There was a theory out there that maybe this was so that people don't claim that the stars got the coach fired, but who knows.

I think you guys will regret not getting Bylsma after he inevitably gets canned by the Pens.

I'm 95% sure Orpik will not be with the team next year.

I forgot about him, too - agreed.

I want to see Stempniak and Niskanen return. Gibbons would be nice as well (I heard he's a UFA as well -something about him being acquired late out of college) but anyone else that's UFA I really am not concerned about. I'd like to see Shero stay, and I'd like to see Jacque Martin either stick around or take over, although I don't see it happening. I do NOT want to see Tortorella or Keenan take over. It hurts less today than I thought it would, but man it was depressing to see their season end in person.

I agree with everything but the bolded part. Therrien, for one, wouldn't have won them the Cup. I think Bylsma was the coach they needed at the time, for a breath of fresh air. They were in a rut, but you can't discount Therrien's influence on that team. I think the combination of a fresh outlook with Bylsma, along with Therrien's lingering discipline and structure made for the perfect storm. I was hoping Jacques Martin would provide a nice structure to help balance out the offensive talent, and in a lot of ways, I think he has. It's a tied series - it isn't like the Pens are being blown

That explains why my lucky slippers failed me last game.

Ok guys - I vow not to touch anything blue tomorrow, wear my lucky underwear, my Lemieux jersey, and I will be in attendance to help turn things around and win this series. Hopefully the actual players will meet me halfway.

With almost 3 minutes left, though? I'd expect it around the 2 minute mark with a 2 goal deficit, but I didn't expect it quite so early. I don't think the announcers did, either.

Rangers pull their goalie with 2:40 left or so - is Roy's more aggressive attitude towards the extra attacker catching on league-wide?