Our star players haven't requested trades yet, because despite it all, we actually have the money to pay their salaries and have a reputable NHL arena.
- jmatchett383

How has that worked out for ya in the winning the cup department?

2 Games for Bortuzzo likely cools off the next game vs the Devils, so it had to be done,

Had Bortz got nothing, then you'd see some douche like Tootoo going after Crosby/Malkin to make up for it

Bortz will likely be a scratch for any rematch assuming the D-core is healthy

It puts this whole situation to bed
- RoloTahmasee

very true. Tootoo will know he can't get away with any cheap/dirty hits

I'm ok with the hit, and I'm ok with the suspension.

After letting teams get away with pretty much everything against them in the last couple seasons, I'm glad to see the Pens dish it out a little. I view it as an investment suspension.

The hit was one thing, but I loved that Bortuzzo picked a good player and pretty much made it obvious to everyone that he was going to make his night miserable. It's happened to Sid and Malkin more times than I can count.

Well..... Having Pronger involved in the player safety department gives me a lot more confidence in the NHL justice system.

I think the best assesment of the Staal trade is to consider if, right now, you would trade
- s0rcerer1984[Dumoulin + Pouliet + Sutter] for [J. Staal].

Personally, I would not. J. Staal is a very good player, but not in love with his contract. I would not make that trade today.

Good point. I think it's fair to say it was a good trade. Last year I would say I'd rather have Staal but now Sutter has really stepped up his game and the drop-off isnt significant enough to warrant the extra money and loss of the other 2 assets.

I think the best assesment of the Staal trade is to consider if, right now, you would trade
- s0rcerer1984[Dumoulin + Pouliet + Sutter] for [J. Staal].

Personally, I would not. J. Staal is a very good player, but not in love with his contract. I would not make that trade today.

This is a great post.

After Staal and Dubinsky spent the postseason feeding sticks to Sids head and back, I thought it was awesome of Borts to give the treatment back to another star player.

Honestly its about time too. This is what the NHL has created, This is the product they want on the ice, so if you can't beat em join em.

No penalty was called on the play LMAO....well that's common now in Penguins games.
- Sell My Monkey

You just essentially condensed my long winded manuscript from earlier down tho 3 paras in perfect form. Bravo!

Why does everyone want Etem? He got bumped for Rene Bourque. Just because RW did a blog on him with a fancy stat were trading a top D prospect for him or roster dman?

I honestly dont care one bit if the hit was late. I don't care if hes hurt. I dont care if his career is over. The Pens need to kill everyone and win. Thats all I care about.
By all the rules put in place by the league however this was a clean hit.
- Grinder47

That's the spirit I'm talking about!

What I find funny is this, people think that Crosby and Malkin never get hit. If you don't think some players try and take runs at them, then we are watching different games. There is at least three times a game where someone tries to make a run at them. They are just really good at seeing it, how many times do you see someone get any type of solid hit on Malkin? The thing I like though, is Malkin has some fire lately...he is right in the middle of scrums and giving it right back. After what Staal did in the playoffs last year, I don't give one f if the Pens do that stuff anymore.

I disagree with RW on this point, that a hit like last night puts a target on 87 and 71...they have a target every game. Every game players try and take runs at them. The best thing about the 41 hit, it shows we will do the same to your players now. No more soft Pens, hit us and your star players are going to get run too. Thank the NHL for that.

What I find funny is this, people think that Crosby and Malkin never get hit. If you don't think some players try and take runs at them, then we are watching different games. There is at least three times a game where someone tries to make a run at them. They are just really good at seeing it, how many times do you see someone get any type of solid hit on Malkin? The thing I like though, is Malkin has some fire lately...he is right in the middle of scrums and giving it right back. After what Staal did in the playoffs last year, I don't give one f if the Pens do that stuff anymore.

I disagree with RW on this point, that a hit like last night puts a target on 87 and 71...they have a target every game. Every game players try and take runs at them. The best thing about the 41 hit, it shows we will do the same to your players now. No more soft Pens, hit us and your star players are going to get run too. Thank the NHL for that.
- Thorny

I agree 100% on standing up for your stars. If Staal or any other player want to do it, we need to show teams that we will do it too. Run Crosby and Malkin and Nash and St Louis need to keep their heads up. This is the way the league has it set up with the lack or length of suspensions.

Two things I've seen. Geno was 64% on faceoffs last night. Also he has points in 20/24 games. He is very consistent and has improved his faceoffs this year. Geno is in beast mode.

I had no prob with the bortz hit. Whatch it regular speed and it looks fine. Jagr did what u dont do in hockey, get caught skatin wit ur head down wass it slightly high.. yes, if jags was standin stright up it would not have been.

And yes i wouldve cried if it happen to crosby or malkin...but they dont skate with their head down.

Im happy we have a decently skilled defensemen on our team that can light u up if he wants. Sit when u want, play him when u play the flyers or now the islanders.

Wtf happen to paul martin the last couple games? He went from bout out best dman, to almost as bad as scuds.

I had no prob with the bortz hit. Whatch it regular speed and it looks fine. Jagr did what u dont do in hockey, get caught skatin wit ur head down wass it slightly high.. yes, if jags was standin stright up it would not have been.

And yes i wouldve cried if it happen to crosby or malkin...but they dont skate with their head down.

Im happy we have a decently skilled defensemen on our team that can light u up if he wants. Sit when u want, play him when u play the flyers or now the islanders.

Wtf happen to paul martin the last couple games? He went from bout out best dman, to almost as bad as scuds.
- pensfan024

It's a sign Jags has lost a little step quite honestly. Throughout his whole career it never seemed like he was able to get laid out. And Bortuzzo is part of a new generation of hockey players that lacks respect.

Paul Martin probably has the typical secret injury.

What I find funny is this, people think that Crosby and Malkin never get hit. If you don't think some players try and take runs at them, then we are watching different games. There is at least three times a game where someone tries to make a run at them. They are just really good at seeing it, how many times do you see someone get any type of solid hit on Malkin? The thing I like though, is Malkin has some fire lately...he is right in the middle of scrums and giving it right back. After what Staal did in the playoffs last year, I don't give one f if the Pens do that stuff anymore.

I disagree with RW on this point, that a hit like last night puts a target on 87 and 71...they have a target every game. Every game players try and take runs at them. The best thing about the 41 hit, it shows we will do the same to your players now. No more soft Pens, hit us and your star players are going to get run too. Thank the NHL for that.
- Thorny

Bravo! Damn near perfect.

Real speed versus the "head hunting" video fed to everyone from Toronto shows less than a half second eclipse before contact. Shanny had a .46 (or close to it) parameter for making a hit. Led with the shoulder, didn't leave the feet, no past issues. Clean hockey hit with an unfortunate ending.

Also bravo to MAF! The blog contributor mentions and than doesn't mention his play. Reporting anything should be unbiased...right? Oh well, it is hockeybuzz.

I guess Byfuglien's hit on Downie AFTER he scored wasn't "late".

It's a sign Jags has lost a little step quite honestly. Throughout his whole career it never seemed like he was able to get laid out. And Bortuzzo is part of a new generation of hockey players that lacks respect.

Paul Martin probably has the typical secret injury.
- Danny_Devito

Was the "Lacking respect" sarcastic?

Was the "Lacking respect" sarcastic?
- MercyFlush

Sorta.

The players, and their behavior, are a product of the league.

If anything the "new generation" was the sarcastic part.

Sorta.

The players, and their behavior, are a product of the league.

If anything the "new generation" was the sarcastic part.
- Danny_Devito

Ok. Do you think after the two periods of back and forth between the two that Darius or Stevens doesn't lay that hit back "in the day"? Or does this lay into your point?

Ok. Do you think after the two periods of back and forth between the two that Darius or Stevens doesn't lay that hit back "in the day"? Or does this lay into your point?
- MercyFlush

Yes Kasper and Stevens both make that hit everytime... ten years ago.
Robert Bortuzzo is suspended two games. He was probably going to sit in the press box two games anyhow. What's the point?
And I really don't have a point. I'm confused just like the rest of us. I don't know what is considered right and wrong in this league anymore.

Yes Kasper and Stevens both make that hit everytime... ten years ago.
Robert Bortuzzo is suspended two games. He was probably going to sit in the press box two games anyhow. What's the point?
And I really don't have a point. I'm confused just like the rest of us. I don't know what is considered right and wrong in this league anymore.
- Danny_Devito

No point from me, just trying to understand it better. Well said.

I'm just glad this article didn't set off World War 27

I'm just glad this article didn't set off World War 27
- Doogs

Doogs you've been away for quite a while.

Come on we wanna see a trade for FS

Ruterford quote:

“We're looking for more than one (top-six forward) now and trying to juggle what cap space we have,” Rutherford said. “This is not an easy process, by no means, to accomplish our goal, but we're going to try and do it."

Ideally what we'd like to do is make a deal that's for the bigger picture, for the long run.”

Asked whether a potential trade would have to revolve around someone who is capable of playing with Malkin, who is sometimes tough to read and react to, Rutherford's response was telling.

“I talked about the need for a top-six forward prior to ‘Duper' going down,” Rutherford said. “You can do the math.”



Lots of good stuff here -- Interesting to come out and say hes looking for more than one. And that hes looking at the long term, considering hes 400 years old.

Why does everyone want Etem? He got bumped for Rene Bourque. Just because RW did a blog on him with a fancy stat were trading a top D prospect for him or roster dman?
- sammy87

I can't speak to why he hasn't broken into Anaheim's line up other than they are deep and probably thought Bourque was a good change of scenery player. But Etem was the guy I wanted the Pens to draft when they picked Bennett and he put up 60 in juniors, so I'd love to give him a shot. Plays a good power game. And unlike most proposals, there seems to be a match for what we have to offer.