In this weeks episode we recap the games of the week from the past seven days including a wild game between the Penguins and Maple Leafs, we discuss Mark Messier’s desire to be the Rangers GM, Ed tells NHL players to quit being babies, we talk to our Predators fan correspondent John Couture about the Predators season and their future in Nashville, Doug goes off on the NHL’s new online ticket partner and a whole lot more.
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Do the Pittsburgh Penguins need an enforcer? I believe the Pens do need to get somebody that can protect guys like Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, but they will need to wait till the off season. The Pens right now are playing great hockey in there last 19 games are 14-2-3. So why try to fix something that isn’t broken. I know that’s a risk hoping that no stars for the Pens will get hurt but they are playing great. Even when they do get an enforcer whether it be this season or next season incidents are still going to happen. You might be able to stop some of it but it’s still going to happen. I believe teams are still going to come after Crosby with or without an enforcer. You would be nuts not trying to get him of is game. For example when Philly plays the Pens Derian Hatcher tries to throw Crosby off his game. For right now they do have some guys that can play physical like Jarkko Ruuto, Brooks Orpik and Colby Armstrong. I know that those guys aren’t really huge enforcers but can at lease stand up for Crosby, Malkin, and Staal until the season is over. With out a doubt the Pens will need to get somebody after the season because you will have to protect your 3 stars which are all under the age of 22. So if you guys do believe that the Pens do need to get somebody this season who would you go after?
Shane Redd
Wheeling, West Virginia
NHL gravy train departs for London, UK. What the F—?
The NHL can’t sell luxury boxes in Nashville. It can’t fill seats in Anaheim. It sells seats in Pittsburgh for $20 to college students. It airs thrill-fests like Columbus-Chicago and Chicago-St. Louis on an obscure US cable channel that squeezes NHL between poker championships and Survivor! re-runs.
But sell the “product” to a country that has a few hundred years of football, cricket, and rugby under their belt? Sure! They’re just dying over there for more reasons to import slick New York marketing campaigns conjured up by dream team lawyers.
When the LA Kings play in London, count how many NHL VPs, marketing execs, referee supervisors, and executive equipment washers show up for comp flights and hotel rooms for extended family members. It’s the new NHL! Gravy train ON!