All Entries in the "Pittsburgh Penguins" Category
Fan Un-Appreciation
Lets start with some basic info. The “authors” of this blog are two former Islander ticket holders. Although we ended our tickets at different times and for different reasons, one thing both of us felt was the lack of appreciation by the Islanders team in taking care of their fans. As a season ticket holder, [...]
Destination Unknown, part four
Part Four: The most important rebuild of all After covering all aspects of the Snow rebuild – the on ice acquisitions, the redevelopment of a minor league system, the new arena’s impact on free agency- there is one area that is in DIRE need to a rebuild, more than even the outdoor concession stands at [...]
Destination Unknown, Part 3
Part Three: Free Agents aren’t actually Free Chronicling the failures of the Garth Snow regime takes time, energy, and ideally, beer. In fact, watching the Islanders play is best done through a haze of sudsy goodness. We suggest that if you’re looking for a Belgian Style ale that’s full of deliciousness, you’d be good to [...]
Destination Unknown, part 2
Part Two: Does it feel drafty in here? Snow inherited a team that made the playoffs with regularity, and had a polarizing but successful head coach. Theorizing that the playoff team handed to him was underwhelming, Snow started what is lovingly referred to as a rebuild by fans, and a disaster by anybody else’s standard. [...]
Destination Unknown, part 1
When it comes to the Islanders, there are two storied histories. One is the epic run including 19 consecutive playoff series wins, something not done by the likes of Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Terry Bradshaw, or whatever teams you associate with winners. Speaking of associating with winners, one team that is universally not associated [...]
We Are Not That Dumb
It can be assumed that the Isles and Garth Snow are on a strict budget. Whether they say it or not, their actions support such. However, since they constantly say the opposite, they should be held to their own words. Garth consistently repeats, three times a year, once before free agency starts, again after [...]
Opening Night Misery
Opening Night Misery Why does the NHL act like the NHL? Seriously, its a league that cost Teemu Selanne two full seasons of sharing an all time great career with fans. A league that did it’s best to prevent Martin Brodeur from becoming the Cy Young of goaltending wins. Its a league that has [...]
Hockey Independent Roundtable: Preseason Stanley Cup Predictions
Hello everyone and welcome again to the Hockey Independent Roundtable. In today’s piece, five HI writers will provide you all with their early picks for the playoffs ad the Stanley Cup. This piece will double as Part III of my five-part 2013 NHL season preview. Part I –> Northeast Division Preview Part II –> Eastern [...]
2013 Eastern Conference Power Rankings
The 2013 NHL season is no longer an 82 game marathon, but instead is a 48 game dash to the finish line. Will teams that had multiple players skating in Europe fair better? Will veteran squads win because they will have fresh legs all season long? Only the next few months will tell. Here are [...]
2013 NHL Season Preview: Part II: Eastern Conference Outlook
In part II of my 2013 NHL season preview, check out previews and predictions for the entire Eastern Conference. Part I –> Northeast Division Preview Part II –> Eastern Conference Preview Part III –> Hockey Independent Roundtable: Preseason Stanley Cup Predictions Part IV –> 2013 Boston Bruins Roster Predictions 1) New York Rangers – Even [...]
Jay Wells: Rugged Defenseman Reflects on Scrappy 18-Year NHL Career
By Brian D’Ambrosio Jay Wells selflessly battled numerous enforcers of substantial note: Bob Probert, Jay Miller, Dave Brown (a few times) and Marty McSorley, among the list. One of the game’s exemplary teammates, his career spanned from 1979 to 1997, a period in which Wells stood up to the roughest individuals to ever to patrol [...]
Cam Janssen Interview a Red Flag for NHL
Since the NHL lockout in 04-05, the NHL Enforcer has become a dying breed. Teams still install these big guns, er, fists into the line-up during the regular season to protect players and intimidation. Many of these men are actually good people off the ice compared to their “super villain” image when they jump the [...]
Hockey’s Christmas: 10 Predictions For 2012 Free Agency
In many ways, July 1 and the opening of unrestricted free agency is much like Christmas for hockey fans. Puck heads wake up early and rush to their living rooms early in the morning. But instead of checking underneath a Christmas tree, they’ll make a beeline straight towards the nearest computer. As the clock strikes [...]
Hockey Independent Offseason Predictions: Joker’s Wild; Four Big Name Players On The Move?
Members of the Hockey Independent crew have come together again for another series of offseason articles for your reading pleasure. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings) and myself, Benjamin Woodward (Boston Bruins). Each of us have taken on [...]
Hockey Independent Offseason Predictions: Where Will Ryan Suter Land?
Members of the Hockey Independent crew have come together again for another series of offseason articles for your reading pleasure. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings) and myself, Benjamin Woodward (Boston Bruins). Each of us have taken on [...]
2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Final Wrap-Up
The Hockey Independent crew has come together again; this time to piece together a 2012 NHL Mock Draft for your reading pleasure. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) and myself, Benjamin Woodward [...]
2012 Hockey Independent Mock Draft: Selections 21-25; Finding A Diamond In The Rough
The Hockey Independent crew has come together again; this time to piece together a 2012 NHL Mock Draft for your reading pleasure. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) and myself, Benjamin Woodward (Boston [...]
Does Steven Stamkos Deserve to be a Hart Trophy Finalist?
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin have been named finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, the annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The winner is selected in a poll of [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Quarterfinals Predictions
— With the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin in just over forty-eight hours, four members of the Hockey Independent writing staff have come together to predict each and every first round series of this year’s postseason. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red [...]
Analyzing And Predicting The Eastern Conference Playoffs
It’s that time of year again, folks. The clocks have been pushed forward, the temperatures are rising and the kids have just enjoyed another wonderful visit from the Easter Bunny. But most importantly, it’s time to kick off the most exciting two month event in all of sports: The NHL Playoffs. With Saturday’s conclusion of [...]
