Meebo

Saturday, January 28, 2012

#RIPCivicArena




Picture from 105.9 The X's Facebook Page

The Civic/Mellon Arena was a huge part of my childhood, sad times.  My greatest memory from the Civic Arena was when Mario Lemieux came back from retirement.




Share your favorite memories with us on Twitter.  Use the #RIPCivicArena.


Friday, January 13, 2012

The Problem with the Penguins Showing Solidarity

Today in response to Dejan Kovacevic's article about Sidney Crosby, the entire Penguins team decided to don the letter "C" during practice.  Am I the only one that doesn't like this move?

The letter "C" symbolizes a team's leader and captain on the ice.  The word captain is defined as: One who commands, leads, or guides others; the designated leader of a team or crew in sports.  Names like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis come to mind when thinking of Penguins captains.

SIdney Crosby has been team captain since 2007 so I was as shocked as all of you when Dejan posted an article saying:

"Last week in Pittsburgh, according to three sources, a group of players held a 45-minute meeting to discuss a temporary captaincy. Another source disputed that any such meeting occurred."

Dejan Kovacevic is an established writer in the city of Pittsburgh and has no reason to make up the fact that three sources spoke of this meeting.

The Penguins are in the midst of a six game losing streak, and should have other things on their mind than proving a local journalist wrong.  Quite frankly, I think they did indeed have this meeting and are now publicly covering up for it.  Think about it: player A and player B call a team meeting and discuss a temporary captain, the rest of the team talks some sense into them and that's that.  I really do not doubt that this meeting happened.  Why else would the team act so abruptly to prove a journalist wrong?

Also, if the Penguins really wanted to show solidarity to their captain Sidney Crosby, why not tape the #87 onto their backs or onto their helmets?  Why wear the letter that puts Sidney Crosby in the same boat as Ron Francis, Mario Lemieux, and Jaromir Jagr?  Sidney Crosby is the ONLY leader on this hockey team.  Sure Brooks Orpik has tried to step up and be the team's voice during this slide, but that doesn't grant him the leadership qualities that the likes of Francis, Lemieux, and Jagr had and Crosby has.  There are many different ways to show solidarity to your captain, wearing the special letter that he worked so hard to obtain is not one of those ways.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Armchair GM | January 12, 2012

Welcome to our first installment of Armchair GM.  Here we will be listening to possible trade offers sent to us by our followers on twitter, and we'll be evaluating the deals in the mindset of an NHL GM.
___________________________________________
To our First Offer:
@Brumistheshow

To Pittsburgh:
-F Bobby Ryan
Cap Hit: 5.1 Million and expires after the 2014-2015 NHL season
Stat Line:

 SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PlayoffsGPGATPPIM 
 2002-2003Honeybaked U18Midget-----|
 2003-2004Owen Sound AttackOHL6522173952|Playoffs7123
 2004-2005Owen Sound AttackOHL6237528951|Playoffs8279
 2005-2006Owen Sound AttackOHL5931649544|Playoffs11571214 
Portland PiratesAHL00000|Playoffs1917822 
USA U20WJC-2073470|
 2006-2007Owen Sound AttackOHL63435910263|Playoffs4112
Portland PiratesAHL83696|
 2007-2008Portland PiratesAHL4821284938|Playoffs168122018 
Anaheim DucksNHL2355106|Playoffs2000
 2008-2009Iowa ChopsAHL149101919|
Anaheim DucksNHL6431265733|Playoffs13527
 2009-2010Anaheim DucksNHL8135296481|
USA OGOG61122|
 2010-2011Anaheim DucksNHL8234377161|Playoffs4314
 2011-2012Anaheim DucksNHL4115102525|


To Anaheim:
-D Paul Martin
Cap Hit: 5.0 Million and expires after the 2014-2015 NHL season
Stat Line:

 SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PlayoffsGPGATPPIM 
 1998-1999Elk RiverUSHS2491120-|
 1999-2000Elk RiverUSHS2415355026|
 2000-2001Univ. of MinnesotaNCAA38317208|
USA U20WJC-2070440|
 2001-2002Univ. of MinnesotaNCAA448303822|
 2002-2003Univ. of MinnesotaNCAA459303932|
 2003-2004New Jersey DevilsNHL70618244|Playoffs5112
USA WCupWCup30110|
 2004-2005GottéronNLA113472|
USAWC70002|
 2005-2006New Jersey DevilsNHL805323732|Playoffs9033
 2006-2007New Jersey DevilsNHL823232618|Playoffs11044
 2007-2008New Jersey DevilsNHL735273222|Playoffs5123
USAWC71780|
 2008-2009New Jersey DevilsNHL735283336|Playoffs7044
 2009-2010New Jersey DevilsNHL2229112|Playoffs5000
 2010-2011Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL773212416|Playoffs7022
 2011-2012Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL351101110|


-F Eric Tangradi
Cap Hit: $845,833 and he becomes a RFA at this end of this season.
Stat Line:
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PostseasonGPGATPPIM 
 2005-2006 Wyoming Seminary USHS38212344120|  
 2006-2007 Belleville Bulls OHL655152032| Playoffs15891714 
 2007-2008 Belleville Bulls OHL5624366041| Playoffs217111820 
 Belleville Bulls M-Cup30006|  
 2008-2009 Belleville Bulls  OHL5538508861| Playoffs168132112 
 USA U20 WJC-2061236|  
 2009-2010 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL6517223931| Playoffs4112
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL10000|  
 2010-2011 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL4218153386|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL1512310| Playoffs1000
 2011-2012 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL3014112534|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL60000|  
-2012 3rd Round Pick

Our Take: Anaheim is bad this season no way around that, and GM Bob Murray has made it known that no players other than Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu are considered "untouchable".  However, that does not mean that there is a firesale, and prices will be high.  The highest price of any of their star players will probably be placed on Bobby Ryan.  Ryan, a 24-yr old Forward, has atleast 30 goals in each of his first 3 full seasons, and has a reasonably fair cap hit on his next contract.  A young goalscoring right winger in this market will get quite a haul.  The starting price probably is around ATLEAST a first round pick (or two), a top prospect, and a solid roster player at a reasonable price.  However, this proposed deal is vastly overvaluing Martin and Tangradi.  Tangradi is a fringe player as of now and has yet to consistently crack an NHL lineup decimated by injuries.  Where Martin is a 30-yr old defenseman on a rather large contract which may have been ignorable had the other pieces of the deal been strong enough.

Possible Counter Offer: (One of Morrow, Despres, Harrington), our 1st round pick, and Paul Martin. (and that might not even be enough)
________________________________________________

2nd Offer:
@Brumistheshow

To Pittsburgh:
-F Zach Parise
Cap Hit: 6.0 Million, and becomes an UFA after this season.
Stat Line:

 SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PostseasonGPGATPPIM 
 2000-2001 Shattuck St. Mary's Midget AAA USHS586993162-|  
 2001-2002 Shattuck St. Mary's Midget AAA USHS677710117858|  
 U.S. National U18 Team USDP1277146|  
 USA U18 WJC-18873106|  
 2002-2003 Univ. of North Dakota NCAA3926356134|  
 USA U20 WJC-2074484|  
 2003-2004 Univ. of North Dakota NCAA3723325524|  
 USA U20 WJC-20656114|  
 2004-2005 Albany River Rats AHL7318405856|  
 USA WC30220|  
 2005-2006 New Jersey Devils NHL8114183228| Playoffs9123
 2006-2007 New Jersey Devils NHL8231316230| Playoffs117310
 USA WC10000|  
 2007-2008 New Jersey Devils NHL8132336525| Playoffs5145
 USA  WC75382|  
 2008-2009 New Jersey Devils NHL8245499424| Playoffs7336
 2009-2010 New Jersey Devils  NHL8138448232| Playoffs5134
 USA OG  OG64480|  
 2010-2011 New Jersey Devils  NHL133366|  
 2011-2012 New Jersey Devils  NHL4315233824|

To New Jersey:
-G Brad Thiessen
Cap Hit: $525,000 and becomes a RFA after this season.
Stat Line:
SeasonTeamGPGAMinsSavesGAASV%WLSOWSOLSOGASOASO%TSO
2011-12 Regular SeasonWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins266914635362.830.8861310229220.59102
2010-11 Regular SeasonWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins468325679821.940.922358619370.75707
2009-10 Regular SeasonWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins307217637692.450.914141411580.375


-F Eric Tangradi

Cap Hit: $845,833 and he becomes a RFA at this end of this season.
Stat Line:
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PostseasonGPGATPPIM 
 2005-2006 Wyoming Seminary USHS38212344120|  
 2006-2007 Belleville Bulls OHL655152032| Playoffs15891714 
 2007-2008 Belleville Bulls OHL5624366041| Playoffs217111820 
 Belleville Bulls M-Cup30006|  
 2008-2009 Belleville Bulls  OHL5538508861| Playoffs168132112 
 USA U20 WJC-2061236|  
 2009-2010 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL6517223931| Playoffs4112
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL10000|  
 2010-2011 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL4218153386|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL1512310| Playoffs1000
 2011-2012 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL3014112534|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL60000|


-3rd Round Pick

Our Take: Parise is a star player.  In this league you need to give talent to get talent, Tangradi is as stated earlier a tweener, with much question around his skating.  A common argument for this type of deal is NJ's need to acquire a goalie to take over for Marty after his retirement.  However, Brad Thiessen is probably not that goaltender, he is currently unproven and is struggling down in WB/S in his 3rd year, and should the Devils take a chance on any goaltending prospect it will probably be their own in Goaltender Scott Wedgewood. Simply put Zach Parise is a star player who has already eclipsed the 40 goal mark once in his career.  The price for Parise will be very high as the Devils are still in contention for the playoffs.  Any deal for Parise would have to be incredible, especially from a team in their division.   Not to mention that assuming players get healthy for the Penguins, they would not be able to fit Parise in under the Cap. 

Possible Counter-offer: No deal, don't sacrifice too much of the future for a player that will be a UFA next year, not to mention the cap struggle.
________________________________________

3rd Offer-
@LOSTIEforLife

To Pittsburgh:
-F Ales Hemsky
Cap Hit: 4.1 Million and becomes an UFA after this season.
Stat Line:
 SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PlayoffsGPGATPPIM 
 1999-2000HC Pardubice U20Czech U204520365654|Playoffs74141836 
HC PardubiceCzech40110|
 2000-2001Hull OlympiquesQMJHL68366410067|Playoffs5235
 2001-2002Hull OlympiquesQMJHL5327709786|Playoffs1061016
Czech Republic U20WJC-2073696|
 2002-2003Edmonton OilersNHL596243014|Playoffs6000
 2003-2004Edmonton OilersNHL7112223414|
Czech Republic (all)International21010|
 2004-2005HC PardubiceCzech4713183128|Playoffs164101426 
Czech RepublicWC72022|
Czech Republic (all)International1655104|
 2005-2006Edmonton OilersNHL8119587764|Playoffs246111714 
Czech Republic OGOG81232|
Czech Republic (all)International81232|
 2006-2007Edmonton OilersNHL6413405340|
 2007-2008Edmonton OilersNHL7420517134|
 2008-2009Edmonton OilersNHL7223436632|
Czech RepublicWC72464|
Czech Republic (all)International72464|
 2009-2010Edmonton OilersNHL22715228|
 2010-2011Edmonton OilersNHL4714284218|
 2011-2012Edmonton OilersNHL29411158|



To Edmonton:
-F Eric Tangradi

Cap Hit: $845,833 and he becomes a RFA at this end of this season.
Stat Line:
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGATPPIM    PostseasonGPGATPPIM 
 2005-2006 Wyoming Seminary USHS38212344120|  
 2006-2007 Belleville Bulls OHL655152032| Playoffs15891714 
 2007-2008 Belleville Bulls OHL5624366041| Playoffs217111820 
 Belleville Bulls M-Cup30006|  
 2008-2009 Belleville Bulls  OHL5538508861| Playoffs168132112 
 USA U20 WJC-2061236|  
 2009-2010 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL6517223931| Playoffs4112
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL10000|  
 2010-2011 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL4218153386|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL1512310| Playoffs1000
 2011-2012 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins AHL3014112534|  
 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL60000|


-3rd Round Pick

Our take:  A deal for Ales Hemsky is an interesting thought for the Pens, and while he is one of the top targets for this year's deadline, there is a big question mark surrounding his true value.  Hemsky's value is determined by how long he can stay healthy, and lately that hasn't been long.  Out of the three targets mentioned tonight, Hemsky is probably the most logical.  Hemmer is easily a top 6 forward on any team when healthy, but the injuries make you question what a "good" trade for Hemsky would be.

Possible Counter-offer: Harrington, and a conditional 3rd (which can turn into a 2nd in 2012 based on the number of games he plays or 1st in 2013 if he resigns.)

Note: This deal would put the Penguins over the cap so there would probably be salary moved in this deal, possibly Martin for an extra prospect (One of Omark, Lander, or Paajarvi).
_____________________________

Thank you to all who contributed, we're looking forward to doing this again in the future.