Lot of Babcock's former players don't have many nice things to say about him. He wins, but he's also known for having sabotaged a few careers along the way, too.
- Tomahawk

That's pretty interesting. I haven't heard that....any names or anything?

The problem with Burke is that once his mind is made up, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face.

On international ice, goals can be hard to come by.

Yes, I agreed that Team USA needed to be fast, and yes, I agreed with having guys on the team who could play two-way hockey.

But you can, and will, get beat by not being to put the puck in the net. I would've brought Bobby Ryan just to even play on the PP. Because he can flat-out score.

Burke doesn't like him, as a player, for whatever reason. OK. But at some point, you gotta ask yourself this question: Who's gonna score, when you're down a goal to the Canadians and you gotta have one?

I would've had Bobby Ryan in my back pocket, just to make sure. Because the guy can score goals. There's no reason whatsoever for that statement to be in dispute. Even if he just played the PP, with one shot, that guy could've been a difference-maker.
- AllInForFlyers

The argument for not bringing Ryan is that he's never been much of a point producer on the power play and he's more suited for top 6 minutes, but not good enough to bump anyone else out of the top 6.

The argument for not bringing Yandle is that his strength is the power play and they wanted to use Pavelski on the point and thought Yandle wouldn't be able to play at a high level at even strength.

I understand their points of view, but they should have brought Ryan and Yandle because international rules allow 13 forwards and 7 defenseman. I don't see why having Wheeler play 2 minutes every game was better than having an ace in your pocket like Ryan if you need them.

Babcock, in my opinion, is like a respected Dean. He is heavy handed, but I think his players trust him so much that it's almost his best quality.

There's a difference being heavy handed in Babcock's case, and being heavy handed like Tortorella. Babcock is like a wise sage who lays down the law, while Tortorella is a douchebag.
- Giroux_Is_God

I dont recall Babcock calling out certain players in the media. Torts does it all the time. Thats something that always rubs players the wrong way.

That's pretty interesting. I haven't heard that....any names or anything?
- Giroux_Is_God

Mike Commodore is probably the most famous example... played for him on two different teams... he said the second time around, he was really wary of reuniting with Babcock because he felt he couldn't trust him.

Bylsma, who was played under Babcock back in the day, did an interview lately where he was asked about him... he said he respected him, but only "goes all Babcock" on his own players in really desperate situations.

Babcock is brilliant, but he's supposedly pretty Machiavellian.

babcock and byslma are both overrated, imo

god id kill for them to just (frank)ing win the Cup out of nowhere this year and shove it alot of people's faces

babcock and byslma are both overrated, imo
- Crimsoninja

I think the Pens are going to lose before reaching the Cup and Bylsma will be fired.

god id kill for them to just (frank)ing win the Cup out of nowhere this year and shove it alot of people's faces
- Crimsoninja

2010 Redux +2 (wins)?

I think the Pens are going to lose before reaching the Cup and Bylsma will be fired.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not after the remarkable way he's held that team together despite all the injuries to key guys, including multiple top 6 forwards at a time and his top 2 D for long stretches.

The problem with Burke is that once his mind is made up, he'll cut off his nose to spite his face.

On international ice, goals can be hard to come by.

Yes, I agreed that Team USA needed to be fast, and yes, I agreed with having guys on the team who could play two-way hockey.

But you can, and will, get beat by not being to put the puck in the net. I would've brought Bobby Ryan just to even play on the PP. Because he can flat-out score.

Burke doesn't like him, as a player, for whatever reason. OK. But at some point, you gotta ask yourself this question: Who's gonna score, when you're down a goal to the Canadians and you gotta have one?

I would've had Bobby Ryan in my back pocket, just to make sure. Because the guy can score goals. There's no reason whatsoever for that statement to be in dispute. Even if he just played the PP, with one shot, that guy could've been a difference-maker.
- AllInForFlyers

That is true about Burke. He's not a bad manager, but he's definitely a guy that's not open to new ideas, unless they are his.

He does things his way. He's had some success, but I think that he's a tad overrated by some.

I think the Pens are going to lose before reaching the Cup and Bylsma will be fired.
- PhillySportsGuy

you see foppa's comments about tomorrow's officials?

you see foppa's comments about tomorrow's officials?
- Crimsoninja

I didn't see them what did he say?

I didn't see them what did he say?
- Giroux_Is_God

(frank)

I didn't see them what did he say?
- Giroux_Is_God

i dont have a link, just saw them posted.

basically saying it was a complete joke that the gold medal game will have all North American refs and linesmen

I didn't see them what did he say?
- Giroux_Is_God

Some Meltzer guy wrote about it:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...icials-Assigned/203/58144

I didn't see them what did he say?
- Giroux_Is_God

"What a f---ing joke!" Forsberg reportedly said, also referring to it as "comedy at its highest level."

That is true about Burke. He's not a bad manager, but he's definitely a guy that's not open to new ideas, unless they are his.

He does things his way. He's had some success, but I think that he's a tad overrated by some.
- Jsaquella

I think he has a hard time admitting when he's wrong. When he was with the Ducks, they took Ryan even though he wanted Jack Johnson. Burke pushed hard for Team USA to take Johnson and did everything he could to have them leave Ryan. He feels a need a validate himself.

After 1

Rimouski - 1
Sherbrooke - 0

No points for Morin

i guess the only thing we have to look forward to is san jose killing us

you see foppa's comments about tomorrow's officials?
- Crimsoninja

I don't see it being a problem, but it's a bit ridiculous. They don't have enough officials from other countries?

They should have found a way to, at least, include some other officials. Now every call will be looked at. Its almost like the officials need to overcompensate for it to look fair.

Can you imagine the outrage if Canada played Russia for the Gold with only Russian officials?

i guess the only thing we have to look forward to is san jose killing us
- 2Real

You wish

i guess the only thing we have to look forward to is san jose killing us
- 2Real

Hopefully they kill us as badly as the last time we played.
Sorry, too optimistic?

You wish
- PhillySportsGuy

the Chokes

I think he has a hard time admitting when he's wrong. When he was with the Ducks, they took Ryan even though he wanted Jack Johnson. Burke pushed hard for Team USA to take Johnson and did everything he could to have them leave Ryan. He feels a need a validate himself.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yesterday and today were just frustrating -- the PP just killed Team USA. They had enough chances, early chances in both games, where if they just get one, it changes the entire complexion.

I understand what you're saying about Bobby Ryan not being a point producer in years past on the PP. But that statement has been misleading, when it comes to him, because you know Getlaf and Perry were going to be on it, and Teemu Selanne was still having monstrous years when Ryan was a young player just establishing himself in the league.

The one year Ryan scored 35, his second full season in the league, I happened to catch a lot of Ducks games, because, to be honest, I was curious about him.

I'm not saying he's a perfect player -- he's not. There are times, as Burke said, that he wasn't as into the games as maybe he could have been.

But I'll say this: That guy gets the puck on his stick when he's on, and offense happens. It's that simple. He can make guys, and goalies, look silly.

He's only 26 years old. Man. Maybe he wouldn't have scored yesterday.

But I damn sure would've found out if he would've.

Hopefully they kill us as badly as the last time we played.
Sorry, too optimistic?
- jmatchett383

they won't have half an injured roster