We were that close to another chance.Game 6 came to a screeching halt and Pens nation went dull and silent. We had lost the cup. We were so close, but it just wasn't meant to be. We sat in our chairs or stood blank and silent, just like the live feeds of Evgeni Malkin on all fours or Marian Hossa just sitting ag
ainst the boards. It stung and it stung really hard. We knew that after a 2-0 deficit and what the Detroit Red Wings were capable of doing with the puck that it was going to be tough. REAL tough. We scared them, a little, in game 3. Yet the Pens would flinch first in game 6 and it may have cost them a chance at game 7, but let us not forget how huge this year was for the Penguins, the fans, and the ownership.
ainst the boards. It stung and it stung really hard. We knew that after a 2-0 deficit and what the Detroit Red Wings were capable of doing with the puck that it was going to be tough. REAL tough. We scared them, a little, in game 3. Yet the Pens would flinch first in game 6 and it may have cost them a chance at game 7, but let us not forget how huge this year was for the Penguins, the fans, and the ownership. First off let's start with the Penguins; What a young core of talent we saw on hand this year. Sidney Crosby coming back from a serious injury for the first time in his career. How was he going to play? Would he still be the same 'ol Sid sliding around on the ice and making plays happen? Yeah, we saw that, he's still REALLY good. What about Evgeni Malkin? We knew the kid was good, but just how good? I think we got one heck of a ticket for that show. When Crosby went down, Malkin took the bull by the horns and went after team.. after team...after team. He possesses the shooting touch and he owns the ability to make sweet cross ice passes as we saw so much of to Peter Sykora and Ryan Malone. Another 100+ point scorer for the Penguins and another player to value for the Pens. I could go on forever with the forward progress of each player this year like Sergei Gonchar, turning in one of his finest seasons ever both defensively and offensively. Brooks Orpik, went from a liability to owning the bl
ue line. Kris Letang stepped in and made a difference, certainly via shootout. Ty Conklin, where would this team be without that guy? Marc-Andre Fluery and his strong return, flawless. He showed last year wasn't a fluke, he is the real deal. Rob Scuderi, just like Orpik, he came in and played a defensemen's defense all season. What a great guy to have on your blue line. Ryan Whitney continues to form into a great offensive defensemen while also playing himself a solid blue line. Tyler Kennedy, Max Talbott, and Jarko Ruutu played their pivotal rules on the checking line. Peter Sykora added some depth to the winger position. He wasn't exactly what the Penguins were looking for, but it sure did work out. Then there are the mid season pick ups of Hal Gill, Pascal Dupuis, and Marian Hossa. This is where we start to shift the conversation to the ownership.
ue line. Kris Letang stepped in and made a difference, certainly via shootout. Ty Conklin, where would this team be without that guy? Marc-Andre Fluery and his strong return, flawless. He showed last year wasn't a fluke, he is the real deal. Rob Scuderi, just like Orpik, he came in and played a defensemen's defense all season. What a great guy to have on your blue line. Ryan Whitney continues to form into a great offensive defensemen while also playing himself a solid blue line. Tyler Kennedy, Max Talbott, and Jarko Ruutu played their pivotal rules on the checking line. Peter Sykora added some depth to the winger position. He wasn't exactly what the Penguins were looking for, but it sure did work out. Then there are the mid season pick ups of Hal Gill, Pascal Dupuis, and Marian Hossa. This is where we start to shift the conversation to the ownership.The ownership made it very clear to Ray Shero that this was a great opportunity to take a chance for the cup. So Ray Shero packed up a talented winger in Erik Christensen and a fun guy who held a special place in a lot of Pens fan's hearts, Colby Armstrong. Shero also added last years first round pick Angelo Esposito and a 1st round pick this year. Now THAT was going all out. The Pens dumped a lot of talent and loyalty into that trade to pick up both Hossa and Dupuis. Noone would have ever thought they would add so much depth. Not only Hossa, but Dupuis. He may have found himself a home in Pittsburgh for the rest of h
is career if he continues to play the same way he did this year. The Pens picked up Hal Gill on a draft choice because Toronto was to have said; "they were glad to get rid of him." Thanks Toronto, we'll take him. Gill played a shutdown role on the Pens penalty kill and man did he ever shut it down. The Penguins were struggling on the PK and with the additions of Gill, Dupris, and Hossa (all PK specialists) the PK tides were definitely changing. Those 3 pick ups made it very clear that the Penguins wanted to win the Stanley Cup this year. Well, it didn't work out, but you can't blame the front office for not trying. The ownership also made it very clear that they were willing to take losses (in money) over the next two years, so that they could max out the salary cap in players to make this team competitive for the cup each and every single year. Wow! All I can say to Mario Lemiuex and the guys in the front office, as fans....Thank You. It's hard to find a team who's willing to put money aside and say "build me a winner."
is career if he continues to play the same way he did this year. The Pens picked up Hal Gill on a draft choice because Toronto was to have said; "they were glad to get rid of him." Thanks Toronto, we'll take him. Gill played a shutdown role on the Pens penalty kill and man did he ever shut it down. The Penguins were struggling on the PK and with the additions of Gill, Dupris, and Hossa (all PK specialists) the PK tides were definitely changing. Those 3 pick ups made it very clear that the Penguins wanted to win the Stanley Cup this year. Well, it didn't work out, but you can't blame the front office for not trying. The ownership also made it very clear that they were willing to take losses (in money) over the next two years, so that they could max out the salary cap in players to make this team competitive for the cup each and every single year. Wow! All I can say to Mario Lemiuex and the guys in the front office, as fans....Thank You. It's hard to find a team who's willing to put money aside and say "build me a winner." We've spilled our guts out all season and throughout the playoffs, but now it's time to say goodbye. Goodbye to the chance of lifting Lord Stanley's dinnerware, goodbye to the season, and perhaps to some current Penguins. If some of those guys like Pittsburgh and feel that sometimes winning feels better than money, they're more than welcomed to stay.
What a season! It was awesome, I can't wait to see what's in store for October.
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