The season ended a little too soon for our liking. One day the Hawks and the Pens will battle head-to-head for the Stanley Cup, one day... We don't really want to talk about it, you know what happened.
Daddy Shero had been busy in the off-season, which reminded us why we love this team. The acquisition of Paul Martin took the hotness factor down but Zbynek Michalek brought it back up.
This off-season has been way too long. Way too long. We've been spoiled with a long and prosperous run into the playoff the two seasons proir so having almost a whole summer off is strange.
We're more than excited for this new season to start for the Penguins. There are so many unanswered questions that we've got. Such as: Will Eric Tangradi be the saving winger that the Pens need? Can Sidney Crosby reach fifty-plus goals again? Is this the break-out season for one of the former rookies? So many to answer.
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General Manager - Ray Shero
Coach - Dan Bylsma
Team Captain - Sidney Crosby
Player(s) everyone should love - Craig Adams
Player we don’t love - Arron Asham for sure
Who they got - Arron Asham, Paul Martin, Zbynek Michalek, Ryan Craig
Who they lost - Bill Guerin, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, Jordan Leopold, Sergei Gonchar, Mark Eaton
Located at - brand spanking new Consol Energy Center
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Hotness level (on a scale of 1 to 10) - a 10 duh
Because we're biased as all hell. And because we all have a husband who is totally gorgeous and really talented and of course they play for the Penguins. And who doesn't like a team that makes the playoffs and wins the Cup? They're worth the pain of getting a 10.
- The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed Lee Stempniak to a two-year contract. Fiinnnaallly.
- Then the Edmonton Oilers re-signed Sam Gagner to a two-year contract. We know at least a couple of people relieved about this.
- The final signing of this news week has been Tim kennedy by the New York Rangers. Yet another component that Darcy Regier didn't deem neccessary.
- Paul Kariya will miss next season due to post-concussion syndrome. For shame.
- And Henrik Lundqvist was honored by the New York city transportation bus lines. He was given his own bus in the fleet. Snazzy.
But then he had to ruin the moment with this little gem of a comment: "The kids always look forward to the tours of the city, sitting on the upper deck. Being able to now do them on a bus featuring myself and the Rangers is a great honor."
There is one word to describe the team last year: DRAMA.
There was personal drama: 3 players got divorces (Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, Riley Cote)
Goalie drama: I don’t have the energy to spell this out, but we had 7 goalie changes due to injuries
Locker room drama: Supposed battle between Mike Richards (Richie) and Chris Pronger to be the alpha male Media drama: Richie’s feud with the media (Philly media can be particularly difficult and he let it get the better of him)
Coaching drama: Coach John Stevens was apparently fired for not controlling his team’s partying ways (no confirmation on this)
League drama: In the off-season, the league added a new penalty (major and game misconduct) based on Richie’s hit on David Booth, and another hit by some guy across the state on Marc Savard.
With all this drama, the season itself was a roller coaster of highs and lows. But the team came together when it mattered the most. Last game of the season, shootout with the dreaded rival NY Rangers, winner goes to the playoffs, loser goes to the golf course.
Snipers Briere and Claude Giroux scored their goals and Brian Boucher came up with the stop of the season, sending the Rangers packing.
The Playoffs In the beginning of the season, the Flyers were picked by some media outlets to make it to the Stanley Cup. How they would get there, no one could have guessed. The team was lucky to have a first round match up with the Devils who they owned in the regular season. They finished them off in 5 games; however, they lost Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Ian Laperriere to injuries.
Unless you were living under a rock, most people remember the history making series with the Boston Bruins. As the team battled back from down 3 games and down 3 goals, they won the hearts of many. Side note: I was actually on a plane when game 7 took place. The score right before we took off was Bruins 3-0. I prayed the whole flight. When we landed I checked the score and saw the Flyers won. I just started screaming on the plane. I think everyone thought I was nuts.
Note: Coach Lavy jumping in the air at :20 seconds, priceless.
What do I remember most about the Eastern Conference Finals with the Montreal Canadiens: SANDGATE!!! Really, we were grateful for the Canadiens picking off the Capitals and Penguins, 2 teams the Flyers probably wouldn’t have beaten. Aside from game 3, the Flyers dominated this series and finished the team off in 5 games, led by Richie who showed all the qualities of a great captain. By the way, Richie had no problem grabbing the Prince of Wales trophy.
I was actually at this game in the 7th row. This goal happened right in front of me, still gives me chills.
Stanley Cup Final I’ll be honest, most of us knew that the Chicago Blackhawks were the better team. But many thought the Flyers were a team of destiny, so our hopes were high. Since this was the hardest series to watch from my perspective, I’ll keep it brief. The Flyers lost both games in Chicago, but only by one goal each.
Then there was this hit. Worthy of a laugh, even from a Flyers fan.
They then tied up the series with 2 wins at home, but were dominated in game 5. Both Richie and Pronger were running out of juice and I suspected Pronger was injured, which was confirmed in the off season. Game 6: Ugh, sad, sad, sad. Down one goal in the third, I started to prepare myself for the inevitable, but then Hartnell gave us hope. They played great in OT, but Carts missed practically an open net and Michael Leighton’s 5 hole was wide open for Patrick Kane to seal the win. Game over. Season over.
Going into the playoffs, no one expected us to get as far as we did. Despite playing a better team in the Hawks, I think the Flyers held their own and represented our city well. No fan of the team can be anything but proud of them.
How will they fare this season? Time will tell. The Flyers now have one of the best defenses in the league thanks to some off season moves. In addition, there are several players on contract years, most notably Carter, Giroux, Ville Leino and Nikolai Zherdev, who they will all be trying to prove they deserve raises. Can the team handle more drama this season? Well, last year despite the drama, they were two wins away from winning the Cup. So, yes, in my opinion they can handle more drama. "Mr. Pronger, meet Mr. Zherdev." Cue ominous organ music.
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General Manager: Paul Holmgren (Homer)
Coach: the fantastic Peter Laviolette (don't get this guy mad)
Team Captain: Mike Richards Note: Richie stretches a lot due to a previous groin injury much to the delight of his female fans. Stretch on Richie.
Players everyone should love: Claude Giroux – the man has amazing puck handling skills and for some reason, I just want to pinch his cheeks (I actually wrote this before reading last year’s write up. Funny how that girl wrote the same thing). Also, there is FB fan page devoted to this man's orange beard, no joke.
Danny Briere – Mr. Playoffs, he should have won the Conn Smythe in my opinion.
Laperriere (Lappy) - how can you not like this guy, he stopped not one but two pucks with his face last year.
And who can forget Richie – great all around player, what’s not to love.
Players we don’t love: I really love the whole team, but at times Dan Carcillo frustrates me. Too much diving, agitating, not enough playing. When he does play, he is actually quite good. Also, if he is not on your team most people hate Pronger, especially Adam Burish.
Who they got: Homer was busy in the off season – Nikolai Zherdev, Andrej Meszaros, Sean O’Donnell (a John LeClair look alike), Jody Shelley (basically to fight the Rangers), and Matt Walker. No sign of a #1 goalie as of yet.
Who they lost: Due to some cap management issues, the Flyers were forced to part ways with Simon Gagne, who should have retired with the Flyers. We also lost Ryan Parent and at this point, Arron Asham is unsigned, so he will likely go elsewhere.
Located at: Formerly Wachovia Center, now the Wells Fargo Center – “Welcome to the Well,” sounds catchy to me
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Hotness Level: 8 This team has something for everyone. Pretty boy: Jeff Carter (Carts). Classically handsome: Mike Richards. Cutie: Claude Giroux. All around good guy: Danny Briere. Tough guy: Dan Carcillo. Even some of the older guys like Kimmo Timonen aren’t bad to look at. The Flyers also have one of the best bromances in all of hockey, which of course would be Richie and Carts (see date night). I can't imagine what would happen if these 2 were on different teams, so we'll hope Homer finds a way to keep Carts when his contract is up this season. Finally, this team loves to party, which makes them fun to watch, on and off the ice. All in all, the Flyers are most definitely HOT!
Oh the poor Rangers, the team that Henrik can't stop loving. We don't understand it, probably never will.
They didn't make the playoffs because of a shootout loss placed squarely on Olli Jokinen's shoulders. At least, John Tortorella did.
This season, we aren't sure what's going to happen to the team from the Big Apple. They've acquired a few new pieces that should be helpful but why does it seem like the Rangers still underachieve whenever possible.
Henrik Lundqvist needs a new team.
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General Manager - Glen Sather
Coach - John Tortorella
Team Captain - Chris Drury
Player(s) everyone should love - Marc Staal, the dependable Staal
Player we don’t love - Michal Rozsival, the undependable Staal
Who they got - Derek Boogaard, Alexander Frolov, Steve Eminger, Martin Biron, Todd White
Who they lost - PA Parenteau, Olli Jokinen, Jody Shelley, Alex Auld, Steve Valiquette
The Islanders have been a hot mess since the 80's came crashing down on them. We don't blame them, it would be hard to be "that other team in New York, no not the Sabres" night after night.
With the GM turnover they've been susceptible to, we feel for them. It's nice to get a first-round pick who actually plays. It's nice to be able to afford free-agent defensemen who know how to play you know, uh defense. It's nice to see a team who refuses to give up night after night.
If you like plucky underdogs who take a beating night after night but slog it out anyway because they just don't know any better then we suggest that you become a fan of the young Islanders.
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General Manager - Garth Snow
Coach - Scott Gordon
Team Captain - no one
Player(s) everyone should love - Josh Bailey, we dated him and he's just too adorable and Canadian
Player we don’t love - Trent Hunter because his hair is upside-down
Who they got - Zenon Konopka, PA Parenteau, Milan Jurcina, Mark Eaton
Who they lost - Freddy Meyer, Martin Biron, Jeff Tambellini, Tim Jackman, Sean Bergenheim
Located at - Nassau Coliseum
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Hotness level (on a scale of 1 to 10) - 6
Josh Bailey's ears, John Tavares's eyes, Kyle Okposo's skin, James Wisniewski's death stare, Bruno Gervais's accent and Rick DiPietro's smirk. Combine those together into one mish-mash of gorgeous man and then you get the Islanders that we like. That's why it's a six.
All anyone really cares about is the Ilya Kovalchuk saga because this has been the free agent off-season from slowsville.
What we're concerned about is the inability of the New Jersey Devils to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Zach Parise has to be a winner some time in his life.
We can't wait for him to be traded to the Penguins. At least that's our wish.1
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General Manager - 'Sweet' Lou Lamoriello
Coach - John MacLean
Team Captain - Jamie Langenbrunner
Player(s) everyone should love - it's too hard to resist Zach Parise's entire being
Player we don’t love - Martin Brodeur because he's becoming a surly old man now
Who they got - Jason Arnott, Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov
Who they lost - Rob Niedermayer, Paul Martin, Martin Skoula, and maybe Ilya Kovalchuk
Located at - The Pebble aka Prudential Center
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Hotness level (on a scale of 1 to 10) - 6
We give the Devils a six because of Zach Parise's "smile".
This past year was obviously a huge disappointment for any true Sabres fan. With the team riding high on arguably Ryan Miller's best year ever, and having Calder winning Tyler Myers, fans were actually excited for the playoffs.
But in true Buffalo style, with help from the Regier and Ruff double team, the Sabres didn't even make it out of the first round. Between refusing to spend any money and having hockey's longest tenured coach to not win a Stanley Cup the future looks to repeat the past.
Stay hopeful though Buffalo fans, you have some more talent on the horizon. Keep watch on: Tyler Ennis and Zack Kassian.
While Ennis might not be the biggest of hockey players he's quick with a nose for the net. He was named AHL rookie of the year and didn't seemed phased when called upon this year.
Kassian a big rugged winger with a little bit of a temper who might give a passer-by on the street a black eye, is going to have to cool his jets a little before making his professional debut but both Regier and Ruff believe in him.
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General Manager - Darcy Regier
Coach - Lindy Ruff....STILL!
Team Captain - Craig Rivet but in our world it's Ryan Miller
Player(s) everyone should love - Paul Gaustad because he loves the environment
Player we don’t love - Patrick Lalime, awful backup
Who they got - Rob Niedermayer, Shaone Morrisonn, Jordan Leopold
Who they lost - Henrik Tallinder, Raffi Torres, Toni Lydman
Located at - HSBC Arena
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Hotness level (on a scale of 1 to 10) - 8.
While the Sabres having a few people bringing them down *cough Connolly, Rivet, Vanek cough*, players such as Gaustad, Stafford, Pominville, Myers, Hecht, and Kaleta pull enough of the hottness weight for this team.
- The Canucks signed Raffi Torres. Yet another notch against the team as a whole.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed Steve Downie. We can hear Steve(n) Stamkos squealing with happiness in Tampa.
- Willie Mitchell signed with the Los Angeles Kings. We're kind of excited about this. It should be good for the still young defensemen there.
- Bobby Ryan wants to be a Duck forrrrrreeeeevvveeeerrrrr and ever. And he doesn't want a trade, even to Toronto.
- Some NHLers went to batting practice with the Minnesota Twins. The video has Zach Parise in it, that's enough to get us watching the video at least twice.
- The NHL unveiled the television schedule for the nationally televised games. We're excited, that's for sure. And then they highlighted the games we should be excited for.
You can accuse us of not being Ottawa Senators fans or even being nice to the Senators when we write the blog. We can't help it. The Senators never really gave us a reason to cheer for them, or to like them.
We aren't fans of Daniel Alfredsson or Bryan Murray or Chris Neil. Not our fault we don't like them.
It also didn't help that the Penguins played the Senators like every playoffs since the 2006/2007 postseason.
And then Bryan Murray stole Sergei Gonchar from us. Yeah, there's not a lot of love lost there. But he is the piece that will make the Senators either really hard to play against or not. Gonchar is the offensive defenseman that the Senators have needed since Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden left them. With the loss of Anton Volchenkov, Gonchar will be looked upon to add both offense and sparkling defense.
This season will sure as hell be interesting.
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General Manager - Bryan Murray
Coach - Cory Clouston
Team Captain - Daniel Alfredsson
Player(s) everyone should love - uhhhh Chris Neil because he's mean
Player we don’t love - Erik Karlsson, unh
Who they got - Sergei Gonchar...
Who they lost - Anton Volchenkov, Andy Sutton, Matt Cullen, Jonathan Cheechoo, Shean Donovan
Located at - Scotiabank Place
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Hotness level (on a scale of 1 to 10) - 3
Sorry, sorry, we just don't really see potential in this team. Erik Karlsson and Peter Regin are the two reasons that we didn't just skip this scale from the beginning. They're both two cute to ignore.
