Ryan Wilson: Raising Awareness For ALS: The Ice Bucket Challenge Penguins Edition

Not exactly sure what dumping cold water on yourself does to help those with ALS. Be careful when donating to charities that are for awareness (live Strong, Pink Ribbon) They really do nothing for research and help fine a cure. They are merely shells of a business that promote awareness, they usually have no medical staff, and they market themselves by making an entire month of the NFL season wear pink. They also are classified as a charitable entity and pay little federal taxes. Lance Armstrong built his empire off it. The majority of the money you donate to these go to marketing.

I agree with Ryan, donate at the local level!

Question with honest assessment and please no homerism.....


In comparison to prior rosters/teams, how do you feel this team will do with the new current changes. U may have more of 4 complete lines compared to past but you also are relying on more inexperience D compared to past.

Also what are most thoughts on Fleury this year?


Thanks...............

Not exactly sure what dumping cold water on yourself does to help those with ALS. Be careful when donating to charities that are for awareness (live Strong, Pink Ribbon) They really do nothing for research and help fine a cure. They are merely shells of a business that promote awareness, they usually have no medical staff, and they market themselves by making an entire month of the NFL season wear pink. They also are classified as a charitable entity and pay little federal taxes. Lance Armstrong built his empire off it. The majority of the money you donate to these go to marketing.

I agree with Ryan, donate at the local level!
- sammy87

It creates awareness. It makes you think about something that you otherwise would not have given a second thought to. As a result it is likelier that money is raised than if they never did this challenge at all.

Even if it only raises a little bit of money it is better than what the status quo was.

And we agree, national charities are a joke in most cases.

NHL Fights Cancer is a joke

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=55521

Question with honest assessment and please no homerism.....


In comparison to prior rosters/teams, how do you feel this team will do with the new current changes. U may have more of 4 complete lines compared to past but you also are relying on more inexperience D compared to past.

Also what are most thoughts on Fleury this year?


Thanks...............
- Ur Not Me

The bottom 6 is better than it has since the cup years.

The top 6 IMO still needs 1 more solid F. Dupes is not it, he needs to be on the 3rd.

The D...Orpik has been in decline for years, Nisk was pretty much an avg Dman. The young D wont be any worse than Orpik/England.

MAF/Griess will provide avg goaltending. As long as the D can play more responsively they should be fine.

It creates awareness. It makes you think about something that you otherwise would not have given a second thought to. As a result it is likelier that money is raised than if they never did this challenge at all.

Even if it only raises a little bit of money it is better than what the status quo was.

And we agree, national charities are a joke in most cases.

NHL Fights Cancer is a joke

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=55521
- Ryan_Wilson

With all the money the Pink Ribbon has raised (hundreds of millions) I would really like to know what exactly they have done to help for a cure and where their money goes. Outside of watching an NFL game in October, who is really reminded to get a breast exam by that? To me in this day and age if you aren't checking yourself regularly (male or female) you are way behind the curve. NFL cheerleaders and Peyton Manning wearing pink socks shouldn't be your cue.

Question with honest assessment and please no homerism.....


In comparison to prior rosters/teams, how do you feel this team will do with the new current changes. U may have more of 4 complete lines compared to past but you also are relying on more inexperience D compared to past.

Also what are most thoughts on Fleury this year?


Thanks...............
- Ur Not Me

BTW...Isles will be a good team to watch this year! I think Grabner would be a great fit for the Pens. Okposo would be perfect, but I doubt that would happen.

BTW...Isles will be a good team to watch this year! I think Grabner would be a great fit for the Pens. Okposo would be perfect, but I doubt that would happen.
- sammy87

Thanks for your response from other post. I'm a different type of analizer of my roster compared to my fellows. I like Grabner and think that he's good but needs to be more consistent, if he just didnt think so much on the ice & just react like he did in his 1st year w/us, it would probably benefit him. I believe his issue is not trusting his instincts or maybe lacking confidence.

On Okoposo, I'm his worst critic. I am glad he finally put together a complete season but I need to see more consistency from him for me to say he's arrived. Sorry but I dont play the homer card w/my team, now I like my roster much better this year than most but still lack certain things that I believe could make the isles a perrenial cup team year in & out.

Now on both of those players I'm glad I have them but if I could improve the team and they are asked back in a trade, I would consider it depending on what is coming back but I wont trade them for trade sake...

Thanks for your response from other post. I'm a different type of analizer of my roster compared to my fellows. I like Grabner and think that he's good but needs to be more consistent, if he just didnt think so much on the ice & just react like he did in his 1st year w/us, it would probably benefit him. I believe his issue is not trusting his instincts or maybe lacking confidence.

On Okoposo, I'm his worst critic. I am glad he finally put together a complete season but I need to see more consistency from him for me to say he's arrived. Sorry but I dont play the homer card w/my team, now I like my roster much better this year than most but still lack certain things that I believe could make the isles a perrenial cup team year in & out.

Now on both of those players I'm glad I have them but if I could improve the team and they are asked back in a trade, I would consider it depending on what is coming back but I wont trade them for trade sake...
- Ur Not Me

I think the Isles are just now coming into their own. JT is showing just how good he is, I think he will be huge this season. They have 4 solid lines, no idea how their D is though.

I think Paul Martin will be moved sometime between now and the DL, his return will be a top 6. Everyone on this board wants B. Ryan or E. Kane. They would be amazing, but not necessary when you have 87 and 71. 87 makes Dupes a border line top 6. Grabner or Nino would be great with the Pens.

I think the Isles are just now coming into their own. JT is showing just how good he is, I think he will be huge this season. They have 4 solid lines, no idea how their D is though.

I think Paul Martin will be moved sometime between now and the DL, his return will be a top 6. Everyone on this board wants B. Ryan or E. Kane. They would be amazing, but not necessary when you have 87 and 71. 87 makes Dupes a border line top 6. Grabner or Nino would be great with the Pens.
- sammy87

U really think that Martin will fetch u a top 6? I'm sorry but I dont think so only bc of his age & going into FA year, usually the return is a draft pick.
I was a fan favorite of Nino and I blame Snow for that incident....

Not exactly sure what dumping cold water on yourself does to help those with ALS. Be careful when donating to charities that are for awareness (live Strong, Pink Ribbon) They really do nothing for research and help fine a cure. They are merely shells of a business that promote awareness, they usually have no medical staff, and they market themselves by making an entire month of the NFL season wear pink. They also are classified as a charitable entity and pay little federal taxes. Lance Armstrong built his empire off it. The majority of the money you donate to these go to marketing.

I agree with Ryan, donate at the local level!
- sammy87

My son asked me this yesterday, then I played some of the videos. It's life man, having fun and raising money for others in need.

As far as big charities go I disagree with the blanket assessment of the major brands out there. St. Jude is an amazing charity. At last look they were using 90% of all donations to help sick kids. I donate monthly and receive pictures and stories of some of the kids that my money goes to helping. They are likely the exception when it comes to doing right though...sadly.

With all the forwards the islanders have Pens should shell out something for grabner. Samuellson and a pick or something. Just not Harrington I think he will be solid for years to come . Hey how bout scuderi LMAO

Not exactly sure what dumping cold water on yourself does to help those with ALS. Be careful when donating to charities that are for awareness (live Strong, Pink Ribbon) They really do nothing for research and help fine a cure. They are merely shells of a business that promote awareness, they usually have no medical staff, and they market themselves by making an entire month of the NFL season wear pink. They also are classified as a charitable entity and pay little federal taxes. Lance Armstrong built his empire off it. The majority of the money you donate to these go to marketing.

I agree with Ryan, donate at the local level!
- sammy87

Part of what I do for my job is checking on charitable organizations that want to work with us. One of the quickest and easiest ways is to check them out on this website: http://www.charitynavigator.org/

You can get a good idea from there how much of their money goes to overhead vs the actual cause. A good money of the best charities become an animal unto themselves where a lot of the money goes to raising funds and raising awareness vs the actual cause.

Think of political fundraisers where they spend $20,000 putting the event together and then ask people for $1000 a plate. You have to give to get, and so long as you're raising more money for the cause than you are spending, you're doing a good job. Especially with how the economy has been the last few years.

Edit: The irony of that website is they ask for donations to tell other people about places you donate money to.

On Okoposo, I'm his worst critic. I am glad he finally put together a complete season but I need to see more consistency from him for me to say he's arrived. Sorry but I dont play the homer card w/my team, now I like my roster much better this year than most but still lack certain things that I believe could make the isles a perrenial cup team year in & out.


- Ur Not Me

If Okposo could be rejected from an Olympic team every year he would be a dominant forward in the NHL. He was ripping the NHL a new one shortly after being cut.

Anyone see Despres do it ? He had like 4 ice cubes in a small bowl of water haha

Anyone see Despres do it ? He had like 4 ice cubes in a small bowl of water haha
- drummer829

Must be because he has poor work ethic and didn't earn the right to use a big bucket and more ice.

Must be because he has poor work ethic and didn't earn the right to use a big bucket and more ice.
- Thorny

Great cause, respect anyone whom does this

Part of what I do for my job is checking on charitable organizations that want to work with us. One of the quickest and easiest ways is to check them out on this website: http://www.charitynavigator.org/

You can get a good idea from there how much of their money goes to overhead vs the actual cause. A good money of the best charities become an animal unto themselves where a lot of the money goes to raising funds and raising awareness vs the actual cause.

Think of political fundraisers where they spend $20,000 putting the event together and then ask people for $1000 a plate. You have to give to get, and so long as you're raising more money for the cause than you are spending, you're doing a good job. Especially with how the economy has been the last few years.

Edit: The irony of that website is they ask for donations to tell other people about places you donate money to.
- thickman1178

I realize there are some great charities out there. St Jude being 1. We dontated to St Jude for our wedding favors for our guests. And I think what they do is great. But like Livestonge and Pink Ribbon, for as much as they receive, what exactly are they doing? Awareness and Research are 2 different things. At this point I think everyone is fully AWARE of breast cancer.

Dumping water, I am afraid its a video fad, so everyone can say oh wow look at that. But in reality what is it doing?

Sorry to be such a Debbie downer for a cause that is affecting peoples lives.

haha Dupuis' and Kunitz's little daughters just stared at the familly and didn't get wet

If Okposo could be rejected from an Olympic team every year he would be a dominant forward in the NHL. He was ripping the NHL a new one shortly after being cut.
- Ben37

I'm one of the very few isles fan that would trade him if I could improve the team or his position. I've had some funny debates w/my fellow fans on certain players I would trade him for and my brothers playing the homer card and keeping him. Difference of opinion of course...


Want an honest answer, whats the overall assessment of Neal? As a player and lets not crap on him bc he's no longer there for your team.

thanks.............

I realize there are some great charities out there. St Jude being 1. We dontated to St Jude for our wedding favors for our guests. And I think what they do is great. But like Livestonge and Pink Ribbon, for as much as they receive, what exactly are they doing? Awareness and Research are 2 different things. At this point I think everyone is fully AWARE of breast cancer.

Dumping water, I am afraid its a video fad, so everyone can say oh wow look at that. But in reality what is it doing?

Sorry to be such a Debbie downer for a cause that is affecting peoples lives.
- sammy87

I've been either donating or offering my time to St. Jude since '96. The folks that paint the walls in fun colors and pictures donate their time for the kids. After my initial post I called the hospital by me and they "confirmed" they are still at 90%. If you look on their site, they are completely about the kids. It's a phenomenal group of people who do everything to help kids. Mostly by donating. That 90%, they apply to their hospitals and research. They don't do much advertising.

Hey Bartley, did you see how jacked and well built Brandon Sutter looked during his IBC?

I'm one of the very few isles fan that would trade him if I could improve the team or his position. I've had some funny debates w/my fellow fans on certain players I would trade him for and my brothers playing the homer card and keeping him. Difference of opinion of course...


Want an honest answer, whats the overall assessment of Neal? As a player and lets not crap on him bc he's no longer there for your team.

thanks.............
- Ur Not Me

People on this board seem to be real down James Neal. I am not.

A lot of people say that Neal was only a 40 goal scorer because he had a generational talent dishing him the puck and making the plays for him. They knock him for not being able to create his own plays and is a one trick perimeter shooting pony, something that doesn't work come play off hockey. And the proof of that is in the pudding. Just look at Neal's playoff numbers. He also had a questionable attitude and took a lot of unwarranted penalties.

Here is my rebuttal to all that: average players do not score 30 or near 30 on a consistency bases, and they most certainly do not score 40. JN's prowess as a sniper cannot be denied and to say he won't score 30 again without Geno or someone near his talent level is irresponsible. He'll be able to score 30 with several of the Cs that the Preds have to offer him and he'll continue to be a PP mastermind. Someone with that skill set is valuable no matter what. Granted, that's more valuable to a team that has a dearth at scoring like the Preds and not so much to a team like the Pens.

However, consider this: Neal is 26. People forget how young this guy is, and very minor tweaks to his game make him exponentially better. If he got some discipline to him, which he certainly could (he's not too old to change), and eliminated some boneheaded penalties it would alleviate half the problem right there. JN's penalties lead to plenty of big time melt downs or icing on the cake PPGs in the past. Now lets take it one step further and imagine if Neal could figure out how to channel his aggression into something more useful than cheap shots and we're dealing with a very skilled player that has a major killer instinct. That though terrifies me.

Another tweak would be if he learned to use his superb size just a bit. Like literally at all. He doesn't need to become a power forward, but if he learned how to bang around the dirty areas just every once in a while he'd become all the more dangerous and his numbers during the playoffs would soar. To use video game terms (an underrated advanced metric), if he could use his size just a bit, I bet that would be the difference between an 88 overall and a 90/91 in NHL 14.

Sure, those are big ifs, but like I said before, Neal is still quite young, and how much of Neal's discipline issues and refusal to fix a broken playing style can be blamed on Neal, and how much is Dan Bylsma's fault? A man that had a reputation of allowing players to do whatever their hearts desired. I would have liked to see if Neal would have developed any more under a new coach with a fresh approach who was willing to take a no-nonsense mentality with the players. Will Johnston be that guy? I guess we'll see, but unfortunately not with Neal.

I agree with the overall consensus that Neal was a luxury on Malkin's line, and its better to have a trashman on Geno's line in order to facilitate Malkin taking over more rather than deferring. However, I absolutely think Sid needs a true sniper since his passing is one of his greatest offensive assets and is what has made Duper and Kunitz so good the past few years. Would have loved to try out Neal on Sid's wing more often, but God forbid Dupuis gets moved down. As a new mind, Johnson may have been willing to make that happen, but once again we will never know.

Want an honest answer, whats the overall assessment of Neal? As a player and lets not crap on him bc he's no longer there for your team.


- Ur Not Me

He's got a great shot. But he needs someone to get him the puck in a shooters spot. He isn't great at creating his own offense. He can be physical and does occasionally cross the line but he isn't a power forward.

That was my view of him.