Penguins-66

I hate to beat a dead horse, but he needs to use his frame, something he should have been doing since day one. Get in front of the net and battle. Get some dirty goals from time to time. Battle in the corners. I'm not expecting 20+ goals, but the guy has to use what he has to his advantage and he hasn't up to this point in time.

I do think this is a make or break year for Tangradi. I'm assuming he's going to get a very good look with an excellent athlete centering his line this season. If that ends up being the case and if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity handed to him, I don't see Tangradi lasting much longer with this organization.

It's time for him to step up.

Agree with everything you said there.

I'm surprised. I thought I was the only person in the Tri-State area who felt it was the right move. I think my opinion is a hanging offense in some areas of Allegheny county.

In Alexander's defense, it's always hard following a legend. While Milo Hamilton was horrible, I think he could relate to Alexander's situation. For me personally, even if Steigerwald didn't follow a legend, he would still be pretty bad in my book. To clarify a few of my last points - If we're losing by a score of 8-1, I by no means expect Steigerwald to rip the team a new one on the air, but a little constructive criticism wouldn't hurt his cause. The same goes for the Tyler Kennedy situation. I don't expect him to tear into Kennedy when he goes on one of his MIA streaks, but let's not make him out to be something he's not when he actually does decide to show up - a consistent hockey player like a Jean Pronovost.

Again, constructive criticism wouldn't hurt. Cope had no problem calling out a player or the team in general when they didn't show up on Sunday afternoons.

Going back to Mike Lange, I think a good bit of the fan outcry since the move was made stems from pure nostalgia. Some people simply hate change and I get it. I'm one of those people when it comes to certain situations. I also think a large number were either small children or not yet born when Lange was at his very best. They listened to the early/mid 2000's Mike Lange and automatically assumed it was the same Lange who called games in the 80's and 90's. Unless my ears deceived me, the 80's-90's Lange was very different than the guy I was listening to in the early/mid 2000's. Again though, he's excellent on the radio and fits perfectly in that game-calling format. Bourque keeps the blatant homerism in check to some degree and Lange is forced to actually do what he's paid to do - call the game.

Dave Molinari just put Kevin Stevens and Eric Tangradi in the same sentence.

Speaking of Tangradi...

Eric Tangradi has looked over the depth chart and recognizes the opportunity it could give him.

He just has no way of knowing when -- or whether -- it will happen.

The Penguins roster, as currently constituted, looks to be down at least one top-six winger, likely on Sidney Crosby's left side.

That's a role Tangradi would like to get a chance to fill, but if the league locks out its players in eight days, as seems virtually certain, his aspirations would go on hold, just like everything else associated with the 2012-13 season.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life and I'm coming off a pretty positive season, really earning some [NHL] games, earning some time in the lineup," Tangradi said Thursday. "The way the depth chart looks, it looks like there's a good opportunity, if I show the coaching staff, to play here."

Tangradi said coach Dan Bylsma and his assistants haven't informed him of their plans, but unless there is a major acquisition before training camp opens, he should be in line for an audition.

To this point in his NHL career, Tangradi's most impressive statistics are his vital ones -- he's listed as being 6 feet 4, 221 pounds.

He clearly has the size to be a power forward and has been touted as such since long before the Penguins acquired him, along with left winger Chris Kunitz, from Anaheim for defenseman Ryan Whitney in 2009.

He has had a limited impact at this level, however, with just one goal and four assists in 40 NHL appearances. That has prompted some segments of the fan base to dismiss his chances to be a significant contributor in coming seasons, even though he is just 23.

To put Tangradi's age into perspective, consider that Kevin Stevens -- who went on to become a 55-goal man in the NHL -- spent 45 games with Muskegon in the International Hockey League when he was 23.

The success Stevens had in subsequent seasons obviously doesn't guarantee that Tangradi has a few 50-plus goal seasons in his future, but Stevens' career arc reinforces the idea that bigger players sometimes need more time to develop than others.

That reality hasn't stopped some blogs and other non-traditional media outlets from writing him off as an underachiever who never will merit more than a footnote in the organization's plans.

Tangradi acknowledges having read some scalding critiques, and said, "I'd be lying if I told you I haven't felt that pressure," that comes from being a target of them. He added that he no longer subjects himself to caustic evaluations of his work.

"I've made a pact with myself that I'm done looking at those things," he said.

Tangradi actually got solid reviews for his two most recent NHL performances, which came in the opening-round playoff series against Philadelphia this past spring.

They were perhaps his most impressive showings in the league so far, as he recorded an assist, three shots, five hits and a blocked shot in less than 16 1/2 minutes of playing time. Tangradi wasn't a dominant presence in those games, but neither was it entirely a coincidence that the Penguins got their only victories of the series when he was in the lineup.

At the very least, Games 4 and 5 against the Flyers provided a template for the way Tangradi can be effective at this level.

"I definitely feel like I was a factor," he said. "In the playoffs, there's always more physicality, less space, and those are areas in which I feel like I excel, being a big body and throwing the body around, being able to drive and create space for other players.

"If I can translate that energy and the way I played in the playoffs to an every-day game, I can see myself being here."

Tangradi's offseason priorities included lowering his body fat and upgrading his quickness, both of which could pay off when games finally begin. That's particularly true of his first few skating strides, which have been a soft spot.

"Those first three steps are always something I can improve on," he said. "If I get those to another level, it could help me, offensively and defensively, in the NHL."

No question about that. The only major uncertainty is when Tangradi will get a chance to measure the progress he has made against NHL-caliber competition.

"It definitely would be a shame if there's a halt to the season," he said. "Because we all want hockey."

Read more: http://www.post-gaze.../#ixzz25krz1kun

I really liked mike lange's calls... he was a pens fan but not to the point of making a broadcast unwatchable, that was always paul steigerwald's job, not a fan of him at all.

mike lange was almost myron cope worthy, where you'd turn down espn's volume and go with lange's call, my buddies used to do with the stiller broadcasts.

bob erry is a horrible broadcaster, his voice is just so-so and he brings very little insight in his role as color commentator.

I'm by no means a fan of Steigerwald, but I wasn't completely against Root Sports making a change.

When Lange was at the top of his game, there were very few who were on the same level. In my opinion, he was the best in the league when he was on top of his game. I think he deserves to be put in the same company as Cope and Prince - he was that good. My problem with Lange was during his final few years on television. He wouldn't follow the game. He would miss calls, confuse numbers, confuse players and tell endless stories that had absolutely nothing to do with the game of hockey. For radio, he's perfect. Radio forces him to pay attention and actually call the game rather than telling me what he did with his grandchildren over the weekend or how to make the perfect risotto.

As for Steigerwald and Errey, I can stomach Errey and he actually gives me a chuckle from time to time, but I'm not a fan of Steigerwald. For starters, we could be losing a game by the score of 8-1 and he would somehow find a positive. Tyler Kennedy can go 20-straight games without a goal and he doesn't make a peep. When he finally scores a goal, he makes him out to be the second coming of Jean Pronovost. Having the Center Ice package, I've heard worse, but Steigerwald definately ranks up there in my book. Still, I would rather listen to Steigerwald over Eddie Olczyk and his sour grapes toward the Penguins organization. The mute button is a blessing every time we're on CBS.

Good read on our draft....

The 2012 NHL Draft was an unforgettable event for the Penguins and their fans.

Not only will it be memorable for the excitement that comes with hosting one of the NHL’s marquee events and the thrill that accompanies a blockbuster trade like the one Penguins general manager Ray Shero pulled off in the first round, but it will be one to remember because of Pittsburgh’s absolutely stellar performance at the draft table.

Led by Shero’s aggressive trade that brought Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the No. 8-overall pick to Pittsburgh, the Penguins staff proceeded to add two more blue-chip defense prospects to that already stacked position by taking Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta (22nd overall) in the first round.

Pittsburgh then chose wisely on the second day of the draft, adding four forwards (Theodor Blueger, Oskar Sundqvist, Matia Marcantuoni and Anton Zlobin) that have been called “steals” and “sleepers” by many in the hockey world – along with a pair of goaltenders (Matthew Murray and Sean Maguire) and another defenseman (Clark Seymour).

The team’s performance earned an A+ grade from The Hockey News, with the publication writing that the Penguins “bolstered already impressive D ranks; Zlobin, Marcantuoni steals.”

The Hockey News wasn’t the only publication to give the Penguins high marks for their 2012 draft class, as Red Line Report, a leading independent scouting review, listed Pittsburgh as one of its top performers at the podium and ranked them No. 6 out of 30 NHL clubs.

Kyle Woodlief, a former NHL scout with the Nashville Predators who is now Chief Scout/Publisher of the Red Line Report and a contributor to USA Today, had this to say about Pittsburgh’s draft class:

“There are the two kids at the top end (Pouliot and Maatta), who are pretty much bets to play at the NHL level. Later on in the draft, there’s some nice little gambles and risks that were taken to get some nice sleepers. You’ve got a variety of guys with Blueger, Zlobin, Sundqvist and even Marcantuoni. You’ve got four guys there who all bring different things to the table. At least two of them could be late bloomers with Zlobin and Sundqvist. Marcantuoni is a guy who, if he had been healthy, certainly would have went a lot higher.”

Here’s a deeper look at the highlights of Pittsburgh’s 2012 NHL Draft performance, with commentary from Woodlief.

FIRST ROUND

This draft took shape with (Pittsburgh’s) aggressive tradeup in the (Jordan) Staal deal to get one of the top two puck-moving defenders in the draft, Derrick Pouliot, to help take some of the load off Kris Letang. Then the Pens were stunned by their good fortune to see Olli Maatta still on the board at No. 22. The future of their blue line now looks secure. –Red Line Report, July 2012

With the Penguins being a perennial Stanley Cup contender and finishing at or near the top of the standings for several years, they’ve been drafting low in the first round for some time now.

They appeared to be destined to that fate again this year, as the Penguins entered this year’s draft with the 22nd-overall pick. But minutes after Minnesota made the seventh-overall selection, Shero orchestrated a blockbuster trade with Carolina to procure the Hurricanes’ No. 8 pick as well – giving the Penguins a top-10 selection for the first time in six years (and two first-round picks for just the second time in franchise history).

And the Penguins chose soundly with those two first-round picks. Woodlief couldn’t say enough about Pittsburgh landing a pair of talents like Pouliot and Maatta in the first round.

The Penguins already have a wealth of blue chip defensive prospects in Simon Despres, Joe Morrow, Scott Harrington and Brian Dumoulin, to name a few. But Woodlief believes that Pouliot and Maatta are now two of the best.

“Those two kids at the top end are pretty much bets to play at the NHL level,” Woodlief said. “I don’t think I would rate any of (Pittsburgh’s defense prospects) as highly as I would rate either of these two kids.”

Woodlief is especially enamored with Pittsburgh’s first choice in Pouliot, an offensively gifted, puck-moving defenseman who’s a strong skater and will be instrumental on the power play.

“There are very few kids in the draft that had better hockey sense and vision than Pouliot,” Woodlief said, who compared the Portland Winterhawks defenseman to current Penguins blueliner Kris Letang.

Landing a player with Pouliot’s skill set in the first round would have been enough for most NHL clubs. But the Penguins weren’t done there.

With their original first-round pick, Pittsburgh snagged a top-10 talent that was somehow still available at the No. 22 slot in defenseman Olli Maatta of the London Knights.

Woodlief believes Maatta’s puck-moving skills are exemplary like Pouliot’s – and he especially praised the Finnish blueliner’s decision-making in his own zone.

“Maatta makes better decisions in the defensive end,” Woodlief said. “He’s going to be more of a shutdown type of guy who just plays a very solid, steady, consistent game. He doesn’t make any mistakes. He’s going to play like a veteran by the time he’s 21.”

GAMBLES + RISKS = STEALS

One of the real steals of the draft came on Pittsburgh’s last pick of the day as they gobbled up soft-handed sniper Anton Zlobin, who could fill the net working alongside any of the Pens’ great centres. … Taking a calculated gamble on oft-injured Matia Marcantuoni’s world-class speed and skill is a nice move, too. –Red Line Report, July 2012

The first round yielded two players for Pittsburgh that Woodlief believes are sure bets to play in the NHL.

But later in the draft, the Penguins also took some gambles and risks that Woodlief believes will absolutely pay off.

Consider this: a player who scored a team-leading 40 goals and 76 points during the 2011-12 regular season with Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, then proceeded to score nine points (5G-4A) in six games during the 2012 Memorial Cup – including the clinching overtime goal for the Cataractes to help them earn their first Memorial Cup Championship.

He certainly sounds like a promising prospect with plenty of skill. But Anton Zlobin was a player that no one was taking a chance on as the 2012 NHL Draft went on, until the Penguins grabbed the Russian forward in the sixth round (173rd overall).

“Zlobin is a guy who is really dangerous with the puck on his stick,” Woodlief said. “He’s a real finisher. Got an excellent shot with a terrific release around the slot. He’s a guy who has a feel and a knack for getting himself to open ice and scoring territory. Once he gets there, if he’s got a center who can get him the puck, he’ll bury it.”

Making the transition to the North American style of play and culture is always a process for European born-and-trained players like Zlobin. It certainly was an adjustment for Zlobin, but Woodlief believes that he is finally comfortable and will continue to thrive in his situation.

“He was aware coming into his second season what was going to be expected of him and what he was going to have to do in order to get good scoring chances,” Woodlief said. “He was willing to go to the dirty areas this year. It’s not like he improved his shot or his release. He already had that. This year he was more willing to take hits to get scoring chances, was more willing to go play in traffic.”

The Penguins took another risk by selecting Matia Marcantuoni in the fourth round (92nd overall), as the Kitchener Rangers forward was limited to 66 games the past two seasons due to injury.

But Marcantuoni’s got a natural talent that any player would love to have, and it’s one of the reasons the Penguins – and Woodlief – like him so much.

“He’s got world-class speed,” Woodlief said. “He’s one of the best pure skaters in last year’s draft. If he had played all season healthy for Kitchener last year, he’s a guy who certainly could have gone in the top 60 and maybe even the top 50.”

Marcantuoni’s compete level and intensity also made him attractive to the Penguins.

“He’s fast and he plays hard,” said assistant director of amateur scouting Randy Sexton at the draft. “Sometimes he’s had a few injuries because he plays so hard, but he’s got speed to burn and a high intensity level.“

SLEEPER PICKS

Teddy Blueger is a creative playmaker with great vision, and third-rounder Oskar Sundqvist is our Swedish scout’s choice as the most intriguing sleeper in the draft. –Red Line Report, July 2012

The term ‘sleeper’ is one that’s tossed around a lot on draft day in all sports. It’s where a player who is chosen in a later round has the potential to exceed the expectations of their draft position.

Woodlief said that this June, the Penguins got two of those in Theodor “Teddy” Blueger (second round, 52nd overall) and Oskar Sundqvist (third round, 81st overall).

“I really liked Teddy Blueger. He’s a real sleeper,” Woodlief said of the Latvian native and Shattuck-St. Mary’s product. “He’s a guy who is not overly big, but really intelligent and smart with the puck. He’s a guy who makes his other linemates better.”

Blueger’s hockey sense and vision is something that can’t be taught, and he’ll continue to hone and develop those this fall – along with his overall strength and conditioning – at Minnesota State University.

Taking Blueger in the second round was a solid move by the Penguins, as was drafting Sundqvist in the third.

While Sexton said he and the Penguins staff couldn’t believe Sundqvist was still available that late in the draft, Woodlief said understanding the upside of a player like that takes due diligence.

“He’s a guy who was not really on the radar for much of the season,” he explained, adding, “things really clicked for him starting around February, March and into the playoffs. He had a really strong run going into the playoffs.”

http://penguins.nhl....vid=DL|PIT|home

I'm fine with the signings. I think Strait and Bortuzzo can both be solid,

Same here. You can never have enough defensive depth. Like I said, I would like to see Strait get the nod this season. Although, it will be interesting to see which defensemen Shero decides to eventually ship out. I wouldn't be shocked to see Lovejoy traded/packaged at some point throughout the year.

and this is the year (assuming we have a season) we find out if Tangradi can really cut it at the NHL level or not.

That's the truth. He's running low on chances. It was good to hear he has leaned down some and worked on his skating. While I still question his skating abilities and if he's able to hang on a line with Crosby, at least he worked on his weaknesses during the offseason. We shall see if it pays off.

@Penguins-66

Well when you add "hit and run" or "fleeing the scene" or "lying to police" or "5:00 p.m. during rush hour near the Squirrel Hill Tunnels" then things change. That will make news whether it's a local media personality or not.

My convenience store clerk hitting a tree at 2:00 a.m...not so much.

Right. From the very beginning I wasn't talking about your convenience store clerk hitting a tree or a "simple" DUI charge. I'm talking about Paul Alexander and what he did. I don't think it really matters who you are, hitting a tree at 2:00 AM while drunk is a little different than what Alexander did.

Either way, it looks like he's keeping his job on KDKA and 93.7. At least PITT had the good sense. Taking into consideration that he was toasted at 5:00 in the afternoon on a Tuesday and had no problem fleeing the scene after hitting another vehicle, hopefully he receives some type of treatment before he actually kills someone. I have zero sympathy for the man, but he obviously has some serious issues that he needs to straighten out.

stan was on wtae 4 when i was in college a million years ago, i liked him a lot. class act that one.

If you can get by the painfully exotic suits, he's a stand-up guy.

He doesn't take himself too seriously nor does he come off as a pompous and egotistical mook. He has to be the most beloved Clevelander in Pittsburgh history. That is an accomplishment in it's own right. I catch him from time to time on ESPN radio, but his time slot doesn't coincide with my schedule (10-11 AM).

I'm about to enjoy a nice cheesesteak for lunch, but not like that!

Speaking of cheesesteaks, who has taken over Geno's since his passing? His wife is a spark plug. Her response to "You didn't build that" was epic. They seem like good people.

If its his first offense and the object he struck was unoccupied, he'll get the Accelerated Rejabilitative Disposition Program so no conviction will be on his record. It'll be a couple grand in fines, some AA classes, and license lost for a month.

If it's his first offense and that's what our judicial system calls for, I'm all for it even though losing your license for only one month for a hit and run while drunk seems very lax in my opinion. Still, if that's the consequence, I respect it.

Either way and once again, I never stated the guy should receive a needle or a trip to Old Sparky for his crimes. I just wouldn't keep the dunce on my staff. Apparently, some companies would. Good for them, I guess? The man obviously has a serious problem, aside from being a complete and total jagoff of course.

@Penguins-66 Not a clue

Consider yourself fortunate. Pensblog summed it up pretty well...

http://www.thepensbl...ted-of-dui.html

It was a cover story on the PG online

Yep, and that's the only place I saw it reported.

But a single car accident in which no one was injured (plus what I mentioned about the networks)...not really a shock here that there wasn't much television coverage. If some convenience store clerk hits a tree after too many IC Lights at 2:00 a.m. it's not making the local news.

I guess this is where you and I will respectfully agree to disagree. Like I said, I've sat on my couch on numerous occasions and have witnessed stories on the 6:00 news pertaining to hit and run accidents involving drunk drivers. Some resulted in death, some did not. Some were "known" people, others were just regular people.

Agree but unless your average Joe employee makes the news you aren't finding out about that

Again, if your average Joe is plastered at 5:00 in the afternoon, strikes a vehicle outside the Squirrel Hill Tunnels, flees the scene and then lies to the police, chances are I'm going to hear about it and I'm going to fire him. Personally, I don't want that type of person working for me. It's a small city. Word gets around quicker than some may think. We are talking about local stations that are quick to report on such earth-shattering news stories such as a kid getting his bike stolen or a cat stuck in a drainage pipe.

As Pitt has a right to do.

Yep.

Athletes, like it or not, are role models for the community.

Sadly enough, that is the truth. Far too many parents bank on people who can shoot a puck or catch a ball to raise their children.

That's why I don't have a problem with an athlete being suspended for a DUI and your average Joe not disciplined outside what the law states. Not that it matters as there are plenty of examples of athletes who have done a lot worse than a DUI and gotten multiple chances to resume their careers.

I'm not saying these guys should get the electric chair or exiled to St. Helena for a DUI . I'm just simply stating that if I were to find out that one of my employees did what Paul Alexander did, they would be fired immediately. I guess I have different standards than the classy folks at "The Fan" and KDKA. Oh well.

There's so much scrutiny these days I can't imagine being thrust into that barely past your 18th birthday. People forget Gretzky also had a season in the WHA to adjust as well. Only one season but it was like playing his first year in the minors. The NHL was hardly what it is today.

I can't imagine being put in his situation at such a young age. While the payoff is huge, that's a ton of pressure to have on the shoulders of an 18-year old. Much like every other athlete, there's still pressure on him to perform, but I don't think the overall pressure is anything like it was when he first stepped into the league. He has proven himself and has the hardware to prove it. He's not solely carrying a franchise on his back. He's settled in the Pittsburgh area with a new contract and mansion in Sewickly.

Like I said in a previous post, he just looks more comfortable on and off the ice. It doesn't seem like much really bothers him these days. Of course, if he's given a shot to the skull or a hack to the ankle and it goes uncalled, he's going to say something to the officials just like any other player in the league. But it seems like he is more capable of allowing the opinions of opposing fans and windbags in the national media to simply slide off his back. He has learned to not let the diminutive and petty garbage get to him.

More power to him.

that's some funny stuff right there.

I especially love the Danny from Munhall line, comic gold.

I don't mean to harp on the topic, but it's amazing to me - For as good as a sports city as Pittsburgh is, our local sports talk is easily some of the worst I have ever heard or watched. Doing business in plenty of east coast cities, I've heard my fair share and I will freely admit this city is absolutely abysmal when it comes to sports talk entertainment.

Personally, I miss "Sportsbeat" with Stan Savran. The show format was great. The host was very likable and knowledgable. The interviews conducted were excellent. While fans were able to call into the show and ask questions and voice an opinion, they didn't run the show. They weren't the show. It's a shame Stan no longer has a show on television.

Root Sports would rather put on excellent programming such as poker tournaments broadcasted directly from my neighbors basement, women's softball and college football games that have absolutely nothing to do with the Pittsburgh area and normally involve two community colleges located on the other side of the country.

1) This is only news because he is a local television and radio personality. And only news here.

I have found the total opposite to be true with this particular case.

I have constantly seen intoxicated hit and run accidents reported on the 6:00 news when the crime is committed by your regular ol' Joe. I don't even remember the local news reporting on Alexander's arrest. To be sure, I did a quick search on all three news sites and I couldn't find one piece pertaining to the story. I wasn't expecting KDKA to report on the story considering "The Fan" is associated with CBS. I'm sure they would like this to go away as soon as possible. As for WTAE and WPXI, again, I couldn't find one story.

2) If I pull the same nonsense tomorrow I'm not getting fired. My employer most likely won't even know it happened. Short of having a job where driving is your primary responsibility, you aren't getting fired for a DUI.

Really? Coming from a business owner, I know if one of my employees were plastered at 5:00 in the afternoon and smacked into a car and then decided to flee the scene, they wouldn't be coming into work the next morning or any day after that. Again, a DUI is one thing. Being involved in a hit and run while drunk and then lying to police puts a whole new face on the incident.

(Also, prior to being arrested, Alexander was scheduled to be the PITT sideline reporter for the game against Youngstown State. He was mysteriously missing on Saturday. The athletic department confirmed the replacement.)

Should he be held to a higher standard because he's famous? Eh. An athlete...sure. But a member of the media? Along with the normal punishment one faces with these the embarassment of having it known to the public is punishment enough i/m/h/o.

In my personal opinion, I don't think anyone should be "held to a higher standard", including athletes, Paul Alexander or your regular ol' Joe. All should be held to the same standards.

It's looking like it's going to be pushed under the rug and forgotten.

Maybe the top honchos at Root Sports and 93.7 are waiting until he t-bones a minivan and wipes out a family of four while driving plastered at 5:00 in the afternoon? That's the way it's looking from my perspective. Anyone else would have been fired by the time they were handcuffed and placed inside a squad car. I guess if you're able to hawk hair loss products, conduct player interviews and blow hot air into a microphone, you deserve a free pass from your employer for these type of incidents?

Nice standards.

Notice Jay Caufield has a cushy job with the Pens? Reward for defending Mario all those years!

I'm glad you used the term "defending" rather than "successfully protecting" when describing Jay Caufield's role.

Don't get me wrong, I respect any man who is willing to throw off the gloves and take a beating for a fellow teammate, but I never confused Jay Caufield with Rocky Marciano. Aside from having McSorley for 47 games in 93-94, Lemieux may as well had a human punching bag as his "enforcer". I'm not sure there were many throughout the league who legitimately feared Caufield.

That's because Gretzky had his pitbull McSorely with him at all times. Anyone who even thought about taking a shot at Gretzky had to have their head on a swivel because McSorely was always there.

And before McSorley, he had Semenko.

When he left Edmonton, he helped bring McSorley along with him in that trade. By no means am I saying there's anything wrong with it, but Gretzky always made sure he had an enforcer on his roster. In St. Louis, he had Esa Tikkanen and Ian Laperriere. During his time in New York, he had numerous enforcers to watch his back, Jeff Beukeboom comes to mind as just one example.

all of the attention he gets,

I think that point is overlooked.

One of the major differences between the Lemieux-era and today's game is our society in general. If some self-proclaimed hockey "expert" wants to start up a blog and vent about a particular player until he's blue in the face, he can. Fans have a gigantic soapbox known as the internet, where they can voice their opinions to the world. Unfortunately, providing an IQ level is not required in order to access the internet.

Sports talk radio has evolved since the mid-80's. Radio stations are completely committed to callers and their opinions (The Fan). Lemieux heard his fair share of boo's and heckles during his tenure, but I have to wonder how his career would have been followed/documented if he began his career in the mid-2000's and not the mid-80's? I'm sure much like Crosby's career, it would be magnified and dissected at every turn and on a much larger scale.

These days, I strongly doubt Sid looks at it as "a curse".

At age 25, he's playing a game he loves for a living, makes millions playing it, has a cup win and a decent amount of personal hardware on his resume. If that's a curse, I would gladly take it.

I think over time, players like Lemieux and Crosby simply shrug it off and simply play the game. When you're 19 or 20-years old, I'm sure it does get to you to some degree, especially when much is expected from you, but then you realize a small but vocal amount of fans are complete simpletons who could never hack it in the NHL and there's really nothing you can do or say about it.

In short, life could definately be worse for Sidney Crosby...lol.

Also, the Steelers were ranked 14th and the Pirates 23rd....

The Pittsburgh Penguins rank third out of 122 pro sports franchises in spending efficiency, according to Bloomberg Business Week.

The Penguins were ranked sixth when the list originally was released last week, but Bloomberg made updates after discovering it had used” incorrect hockey payroll data.”

The national business publication rated the “Smartest Spenders in Sports” after examining the spending habits and won-lost records of all NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB teams over the past five years.

In addition to ranking third overall, the Penguins were No. 2 in the NHL.

The Tampa Bay Rays topped the overall list, followed by the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins, the Texas Rangers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, the New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Blackhawks.

According to Bloomberg’s website, “We’ve used payroll data to calculate how much teams spent per win over the past five seasons. We then compared every team against league average, producing a total score we call the efficiency index. The median score for every league is zero. The lower the score, the less a team spent for its wins.”

Bloomberg also added bonuses for wins above .500, playoff wins and championships.

Here is the link to the report: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-30/smartest-spenders-in-sports

@Penguins-66

I thought you said whinnying

Oh snap, yo!

Actually the Claudia thing works pretty well around here. There were a lot of clips of him whining in the series against the Devils and such, and now with the "he slashed my wrists" stuff... It just adds fuel to the fire. It's all fun sideline drama for the rivalry freak show! Lol. He's a star player, and like any star player when some slug in an opposing uniform clutches and holds him he'll get pissed off too.

I think it's hilarious, Crosby looks in the wrong direction and he's blasted to no end. Claudia cries and complains and it's a completely different story. Let me guess, she's just "being a leader" or she's "not crying, she's just getting over a brutal yeast infection after the New Jersey series". Hell, at least I'm willing to admit Crosby was immature in his younger years and was out of line with the officials at times. It seems like every time I click on a clip of Claudia, she's either complaining about something or running off at the mouth.

Giroux doesn't have the whining history.

Oh, I thought you said winning history. I was about to say, I agree completely. Nevermind.