John Toperzer: Badger Bob & Craig Patrick Poll Results, Baby Pens Struggle & No Classic? Looking forward to a big week of CBA news

The James Neal and Matt Niskanen trade for Alex Goligoski may be Pens GM Ray Shero’s best move. That said, wouldn’t it be nice to have a second blueliner after Kris Letang who could man a power-play point? Someone that can shoot, pass, help set things up. The team hasn’t had a second defenseman on the man advantage capable of bringing those skills since Goligoski left.

Morrow and Despres will provide relief in the near future on that front, potentially straight up replacing Letang if his contract demands become too high.

I think scoring is going to be a year long weakness for the Baby Pens. But that defense should be among the best and will be relied upon to pick up some offensive slack.

Morrow and Despres will provide relief in the near future on that front, potentially straight up replacing Letang if his contract demands become too high.
- Gunner Staal

Orpik, Kunitz, and Nisk all will be UFA's with Letang. Those contracts combined with the money freed up with Staal and Z, there should be plenty to keep Letang around. I would be shocked to see Letang leave and be replaced with 2 guys as the top pairing with that little amount of time in the league. I cant see Shero doing it. I do think Orpik and Kunitz will be gone after their contracts are up.

Im starting to think that Lidsrtom knew this was going to happen all the time. He had plenty left in the tank for 1 more yr. And a WC at the big house would be a pretty sweet ending to a great career. Speaking of the WC, I went to the one in Pitt. Had fun but would not go again. Not worth the $$$.

I think scoring is going to be a year long weakness for the Baby Pens. But that defense should be among the best and will be relied upon to pick up some offensive slack.
- canadianpenfan

Even with Tangradi down there? (sarcasm)

I'm not a smart man Johnny but I know what Math is. That's too many percents for the coaches poll.

Morrow and Despres will provide relief in the near future on that front, potentially straight up replacing Letang if his contract demands become too high.
- Gunner Staal

I'm really interested in seeing Morrow's progress and how quickly he can make the jump to the NHL. I was kind of surprised when the Pens drafted Pouliot from the same team. Wasn't Morrow good enough, did they find out that it was actually Pouliot who had the skills they were looking for? Cynical, and both players are probably good finds. Perhaps it's just the team's MO, considering Maatta came from the same Knights team as Harrington.

Let's just hope there's a season to talk about.

I'm not a smart man Johnny but I know what Math is. That's too many percents for the coaches poll.
- dbell646

I confess, I rigged the voting. Send me to the jail in the Philadelphia Eagles football stadium.

Actually, you could vote for more than one GM or coach in the poll. Glad someone's double-checking me and appreciate it -- I know I need it.

Johnny

I think scoring is going to be a year long weakness for the Baby Pens. But that defense should be among the best and will be relied upon to pick up some offensive slack.
- canadianpenfan

Agree. Rather see Bennett with some goals. It'll be interesting to see how Shero shores up the offensive slack.

Orpik, Kunitz, and Nisk all will be UFA's with Letang. Those contracts combined with the money freed up with Staal and Z, there should be plenty to keep Letang around. I would be shocked to see Letang leave and be replaced with 2 guys as the top pairing with that little amount of time in the league. I cant see Shero doing it. I do think Orpik and Kunitz will be gone after their contracts are up.

Im starting to think that Lidsrtom knew this was going to happen all the time. He had plenty left in the tank for 1 more yr. And a WC at the big house would be a pretty sweet ending to a great career. Speaking of the WC, I went to the one in Pitt. Had fun but would not go again. Not worth the $$$.
- sammy87

Sammy you make a great point on Lidstrom. You'd think he would've wanted to stick around for the Winter Classic.

Agree. Rather see Bennett with some goals. It'll be interesting to see how Shero shores up the offensive slack.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Bennett is going to have an uphill battle because the forward grouping didnt impress me in my limited in person viewing (preseason game vs Rochester).

Morrow did however impress me, he has the right mannerisms to give me confidence that he will be a very solid pro at the NHL level.

For curious minds, Geno and Gonchar (Metallurg Mg) are currently on ESPN3. Geno with an early PP goal.

Bennett is going to have an uphill battle because the forward grouping didnt impress me in my limited in person viewing (preseason game vs Rochester).

Morrow did however impress me, he has the right mannerisms to give me confidence that he will be a very solid pro at the NHL level.
- Gunner Staal

Who was Bennett playing with when you saw them?

Who was Bennett playing with when you saw them?
- canadianpenfan

If I had to wager a guess Megna and Thompson. I know Thompson and Bennett had a good cycle going on a play that Thompson scored on.

I ran into someone close to the Penguins organization Saturday afternoon. As the circumstances were totally coincidentally, I asked this person what he thought of the lockout. Speaking to me as an average fan, the person thought the Winter Classic would be a casualty of the season. He said the NHL lost more money on the first Saturday night of games than it would with the Winter Classic. He believes there will be a season but said the Classic would be cancelled because of the advanced time necessary to schedule everything and make preparations.

NOTE: I feel like @hockeyinsiderrrr a little bit because I don’t want to reveal the person since he was speaking to me without thinking his thoughts would be printed. Plus, it’s just one person’s opinion – everyone’s got one yet no one really knows when this madness will end.

The difference between you and @hockeyinsiderrr is that your "source" really isn't giving any supposed insider information. He's just using deductive reasoning based on facts we pretty much already know (although the blurb about losing money in the first Saturday Night of the season might be insiderish I guess, but even then, one can figure that out by using price indexes and other similar tools if they were bored enough).

Holy crap, did we ever get hammered with snow last night.

Holy crap, did we ever get hammered with snow last night.
- canadianpenfan

It's like 75 here

It's like 75 here
- dbell646

It's ok. I'm off to Italy and then Turkey for 3 weeks as of Friday.

It's ok. I'm off to Italy and then Turkey for 3 weeks as of Friday.
- canadianpenfan

Safe travels my friend.

Safe travels my friend.
- dbell646

Ty. As long as we fly around Syria and not over it things should be fine.

Agree. Rather see Bennett with some goals. It'll be interesting to see how Shero shores up the offensive slack.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Bennett has bust written all over him. Didn't produce much in college for an alleged top 6 guy, hope I'm wrong but I just don't see it.

Holy crap, did we ever get hammered with snow last night.
- canadianpenfan

How much?

How much?
- powerhouse

Don't know for sure, probably about 20cm, with another 20cm forecast for today and tomorrow. Nobody has their snow tires on yet so driving is entertaining.

Don't know for sure, probably about 20cm, with another 20cm forecast for today and tomorrow. Nobody has their snow tires on yet so driving is entertaining.
- canadianpenfan

Donut's are nice with coffee. Not so much on the highway.

I have tickets now to see Neil Young, Dave Mathews and this Saturday seeing Bruce Springsteen. This is no small sum and will not be spent on hockey tickets. Players and owners take note and get back to the bargining table. Come December I will plan the activities for the first three months of the year and if you aren't back to playing hockey you can kiss that money goodbye too.