In this week’s episode of the Puck Podcast we tell you about a pair of NHL stars getting new contracts, some coaching news in Los Angeles, Dallas, New York and Pittsburgh, we’ll give you the latest twist in the battle for players between the NHL and Russia, we’ll take a look at the new schedule and highlight some games you’ll want to look forward to, we’ll throw an infant into the penalty box and we’ll ask for your help in deciding a new look for our website. All that plus your e-mails and a whole lot more in this episode of the Puck Podcast.
MP3 File
To get a look at the four logos that Tim O’Neil came up with and to cast your vote as to which one should be the new Puck Podcast logo go to Eddie’s Page. For a look at the complete list of games that Doug is looking forward to in the 2008-2009 season and to let us know which games you’ve circled on the calendar go to Doug’s page.
Hi Eddie. Logo #2. Though I could live with Logo #1. Just don’t lose the head-phoned and miked-up puck. I haven’t seen a game in twelve years and you guys are my main hockey fix. So your current logo has taken on quasi-religious overtones for me–second only to that of the Montreal Canadiens. But whatever. Your show is the greatest and so are you guys for giving it to us. Mike Parent,Central Tibet.
No offense intended, #1 and #2 are boring. It’s #3 or #4 and the edge has to go to #3!
Well, I was never a huge fan of the logo, but I think a logo needs more logo, less words. So I’d have to pick #1. #2 is cool but I think the puck with the headphones AND the puck replacing the dot is a little too much.
okokokok, i vote #1. Perhaps you could offer different colors to correspond with our teams? The logo now looks a little San Jose-ish.
Guys
For sure it’s #4 Just adding the words serious hockey fans puts it over the top for me.
I am going to sport one at Reign games and in the La Kings golf tourny
Mike
First, quick impression was #3 is best, with #1 getting the nostalgia vote. #3 also gets the nod after spending more time reviewing. It’s got just enough character and, like… it’s more 3-dimensional, Dude.
I guess I’d better hurry and order a coffee mug with the old logo while there’s still time…
In this last episode you mentioned that the Pens learned under the salary cap that you can’t keep a team together. If you mean that the same faces aren’t in the locker room then I see your point but if you said it to mean that the Pens lost talent I disagree.
Let’s go over who they lost:
In the trade they lost Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen
Colby Armstrong was the better of the two but still not a huge loss. In a season you can expect around 35 points and 10-15 goals. At times he brings a physical presence but that only happens about 1 out of 10 games. With the Pens last season he actually spent a good amount of time in the press box.
With Eric Christensen you lose someone who is good at the shootout and not much else.
Probably the biggest name they lost was Ryan Malone. This guy had a great contract year but his other seasons have been lacking. Just looking at his stats one could expect 35 – 40 points out of him a season but seeing as his line mates were Crosby and Malkin that number is uncertain. He isn’t old but he isn’t exactly young in the sport either at 29 years of age.
George Laraque is a good fighter and not much else. I wouldn’t even call him an enforcer because he doesn’t punish people that take liberties with your star players. The only thing he ever does is challenge the other heavyweights of the NHL.
Gary Roberts is 41 and spent a good chunk of last season injured. I won’t say much more bad about him because I don’t want him to kill me and my family.
Hossa doesn’t even fit into the equation. He was a rental that we took a shot at signing. He was only with the team from the trade deadline and he spent a few of those weeks injured. Yes it would be nice to have him but if you are comparing last year’s Penguins to this year’s then you have to look at the core players and that is why I included Christensen and Armstrong.
Who did the Pens pick up in the off season?
Eric Godard – Replaces Laraque well enough
Miroslav Satan – an older player but still putting up 35 – 45 points a season
Matt Cook – A good gritty player that replaces Ruutu (sorry I forgot to mention him)
Ruslan Fedotenko – a solid 30 point/20 goal scorer.
The person that I am most interested in seeing is Janne Pesonen. This was a low risk, potentially high reward signing. He has been ripping up the Finish Elite League. How that will translate to the NHL is uncertain.
So if you ask me, other than new faces the Pens are about the same going into this year as they were going into last.
Logo #3
Guys: Two things. One – games I am looking for are all between Philadelphia and the Rangers. While the league seems to want to legislate fighting out, there WILL be gloves on the ice when these two teams play. Two – on publishing players salaries: You guys probably pay for city services. Do you know how much your local cop makes; a firefighter; the janitor at the high school? I have followed pro sports for decades. When a player does something in a game, I don’t care if he’s making the league minimum or $15-million a year. To me that’s between five people; the owner, the GM, the capolagist
Guys: Two things. One – games I am looking for are all between Philadelphia and the Rangers. While the league seems to want to legislate fighting out, there WILL be gloves on the ice when these two teams play. Two – on publishing players salaries: You guys probably pay for city services. Do you know how much your local cop makes; a firefighter; the janitor at the high school? I have followed pro sports for decades. When a player does something in a game, I don’t care if he’s making the league minimum or $15-million a year. To me that’s between five people; the owner, the GM, the capologist, the player and the player’s agent.
The Pens will not win the Atlantic with guys like Satan and Fedotenko on the team. I feel sorry when Therrien goes on another one of his nutjob rants. It will prove that this team succeeded last year in spite of him.