Summer Review
Although August has just begun, hockey fans’ minds are on the upcoming season. One of Penguin fans biggest questions this off-season are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin’s health. Missing arguably two of the top players in the world, seriously hurt the team in the playoffs. But learning what the team could do (and couldn’t do) without them in the 2nd half of the season probably impacted the off-season signings.
Even though Ray Shero was not one of the more active GMs at July 1st(compared to teams like the Flyers), bringing in a player such as Steve Sullivan could make a quiet impact on the team. Bringing a speedy player like Sullivan on a line with Crosby could result in high offensive numbers.
Speaking of the Flyers, many fans now have December 29th circled on their calendar. The home game marks the arrival of former Pens, Jaromir Jagr and Max Talbot. It should be interesting to see the fan-reaction (probably boos and some other choice words) and also how HBO shows the matchup. Although Jagr Watch is most definitely over, the Penguins have shown that they would rather give current players a chance to make the roster then spending a couple million on a player whose role on the team might only last a year or two at the most.
Shero seems to lean on the importance of young, upcoming players like Dustin Jeffrey and Eric Tangradi. A healthy Jeffrey and a now twitterless Tangradi (tears were shed) could be used to give some youth to this season’s roster. It should be interesting to see how the remodel of the Flyers roster, a healthy and newly resigned Zach Parise for the Devils, and a new star center with the Rangers impacts the rest of the Atlantic Division.
As the calendar turns, we are getting much closer to the season and hopeful closer to answering some of our questions.
Black Tie Required 