Gretzky was the smartest player of all time. Mario was probably the most naturally gifted player of all time.
- jmatchett383

Spot on. I'd make one small change..

Mario was the most talented player ever. Gretzky was the best player ever.

99's numbers are too much to even argue this.

But, I saw Mario do things that no player I've ever seen before or after him could do. Closest I've seen was Ovie in his first few seasons. That breakaway he had in Phoenix was Mario-esque.

anyone listening to MM?
- sammy87

Stuck at work. What he sayin?

F the regular season. There's nothing left to prove in it. Make it to the playoffs relatively healthy and hopefully on a roll. They're in a mid season slump. So what. Obviously all the stats (fancy or normal) and production are going to take a hit and plummet during a bad slump. Plenty of time to turn this around. Pens aren't the only "elite" team with struggles this year. See: Bruins, Ducks, Kings and Blackhawks to name a few.


F the regular season.
- MattStrat

Spot on bro...

But how many snicker bars did Gretzky sell? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UPKVTXIKgg
- chimpira

Makes you really appreciate HD

Spot on bro...
- 87_71_11_29

Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game!

Actually think Savran hit the nail on the head today. We can point to the poweplay, the stars, the bottom 6, the lack of footspeed, etc but the one component missing is the desire to win. As Stan put it, "guys who would eat through the plexiglass to win a hockey game".

You can lay the blame on the NHL for not reigning in those nasty Flyers when they play the Penguins...

Stuck at work. What he sayin?
- 87_71_11_29

The opposite of what RW is saying. Blame 71 and 87, they get paid to score, move Kunitz off 87's wing. Indirectly saying a line of 39-87-72. And a bunch of idiots calling in. 1 guy said they miss Orpik.

Spot on. I'd make one small change..

Mario was the most talented player ever. Gretzky was the best player ever.

99's numbers are too much to even argue this.

But, I saw Mario do things that no player I've ever seen before or after him could do. Closest I've seen was Ovie in his first few seasons. That breakaway he had in Phoenix was Mario-esque.
- 87_71_11_29

Gretzky didn't just break Gordie's scoring record. He broke it by 1007 points.

The opposite of what RW is saying. Blame 71 and 87, they get paid to score, move Kunitz off 87's wing. Indirectly saying a line of 39-87-72. And a bunch of idiots calling in. 1 guy said they miss Orpik.
- sammy87

Where's youmeanddupuis? If you're not at beerfest already, how was Bourque on the 1:00 radio show?
- Topshelf Mountain

Ha..they have the podcast. It was a decent segment. Bourque is obviously sick of what he's seeing but he's an employee of the Pens so he can't share too many true feelings on the record. Hinted that they need a players only meeting or something to get everything out in the open. He told an interesting story about back when he was on one of the great teams they held a meeting like that and he stood up and said "i dont think we can win with Scotty Bowman as our coach". But just with everyone getting it all out there completely changed the dynamic of the team.

Actually think Savran hit the nail on the head today. We can point to the poweplay, the stars, the bottom 6, the lack of footspeed, etc but the one component missing is the desire to win. As Stan put it, "guys who would eat through the plexiglass to win a hockey game".
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Farnham comes to mind..

- znagle

Steigy is on now.

You can lay the blame on the NHL for not reigning in those nasty Flyers when they play the Penguins...
- TheRat14

I support this post. Buncha goons.

The opposite of what RW is saying. Blame 71 and 87, they get paid to score, move Kunitz off 87's wing. Indirectly saying a line of 39-87-72. And a bunch of idiots calling in. 1 guy said they miss Orpik.
- sammy87

Thanks for the synopsis.

He's been saying all of this so no change there.

Gotta say I agree with most of this too. Not the Orpik part tho

The opposite of what RW is saying. Blame 71 and 87, they get paid to score, move Kunitz off 87's wing. Indirectly saying a line of 39-87-72. And a bunch of idiots calling in. 1 guy said they miss Orpik.
- sammy87

Well if MM said the opposite of R.W., then R.W. must be right because Madden is a fricking idiot.

MM is saying the 87/14 story is true.

Not happy with both 9 and 14 contracts. Move 14, he's a 3rd line player, don't let 87 dictate the team.

You can lay the blame on the NHL for not reigning in those nasty Flyers when they play the Penguins...
- TheRat14

I think looking back on it, that 2012 series vs Flyers exposed the Penguins to such a degree they've never recovered from it.

MM is saying the 87/14 story is true.

Not happy with both 9 and 14 contracts. Move 14, he's a 3rd line player, don't let 87 dictate the team.
- sammy87

Its gotta be. Why the hell else would they keep playing Horny w/Malkin even though they have absolutely no chemistry.

Its f-ing up 2 lines.

MM is saying the 87/14 story is true.

Not happy with both 9 and 14 contracts. Move 14, he's a 3rd line player, don't let 87 dictate the team.
- sammy87

I must have missed it, what's the 87/14 story?

I must have missed it, what's the 87/14 story?
- cap1681

Sid insists on having 14 on his line.

I must have missed it, what's the 87/14 story?
- cap1681

87 is demanding 14 be on his line which is causing 39 to play his off wing, and PH and 71 aren't working well together.

MM just said on the western road trip, the lines were posted with 14 and 71 together and there was a meeting with 87 and MJ and that was that.

87 is demanding 14 be on his line which is causing 39 to play his off wing, and PH and 71 aren't working well together.

MM just said on the western road trip, the lines were posted with 14 and 71 together and there was a meeting with 87 and MJ and that was that.
- sammy87

If that's the case, MJ needs fired, and they need to bring in a coach that won't let his stars dictate his decisions.

Imagine today's forwards with the infrequent power plays of the 80s, the strength/conditioning of the 80s, the 2-line pass, one-piece wooden sticks, and gloves that came up to the elbows.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely... it's all era based. Gretzky was just ahead of his time.

The nutrition/training thing is huge. Gretzky was so slender and just weak looking. Imagine him with Crosby's build?

87 is demanding 14 be on his line which is causing 39 to play his off wing, and PH and 71 aren't working well together.

MM just said on the western road trip, the lines were posted with 14 and 71 together and there was a meeting with 87 and MJ and that was that.
- sammy87

IF this is true, someone needs to tell Crosby he may be the captain, but he isnt the coach. And then Mario should come over and female dog smack him and remind him whos really in charge.

One thing I have always hated and will always hate is a player undermining a coach. I dont care how big a star they are.