Jerseys and Hockey Love

So Long, Pens, Don’t Let the Door Hit You

The Penguins are going to have a long flight back to Pittsburgh tonight, as the Senators dispatched them soundly in five games, tonight’s ending with a shutout. And although I may not be jumping for joy, I will not miss them one bit.

As I search the playoffs for a few teams to get behind, a few people have suggested I look to the Penguins for a good run. For most, it has centered around the story. The Pens were about to lose their home if Pittsburgh didn’t build a new arena. They were so bad last season, and then made up enough points to finish the season fifth in the east this year. Quite a remarkable turnaround. Still, I could care less.

Is it just me, or does it feel like the Penguins didn’t really earn anything? I mean, they played good hockey, sure, but there isn’t really anything else to them. They played in a division where the Flyers were giving out points like every day was Halloween. This may sound stupid, but at the same time, here is a team that should be grabbing my attention, and they just put me off. They do absolutely nothing for me. Why?

  • Over the last four seasons, the Pens have had 2 number one draft picks, and 2 number two draft picks. Still, until this year, they didn’t do anything.

  • Marc-Andre Fleury is not a very good goaltender. Streaky doesn’t even cover it. To be a first overall pick, he sure doesn’t act like it. He had a ton of wins this season, but had fallen apart enough times and in such spectacular fashion, it was a good chance he was going to be a bust. Also, I hear he stopped signing autographs for a while, even for kids, reportedly telling a fan, “I don’t do that anymore.” If this has changed, I’d like to know.

  • I am sick to death of having Sidney Crosby shoved down my throat. I’m tired of his commercials, I’m tired of seeing little special clips about him, I am over the attention that I am expected to pay him. Why?

  • Crosby is constantly complaining, gets off the bench to argue a call or non call with the refs (without staying out for a shift), and doesn’t act like much of a leader. His interviews are boring, and he has the personality of a sock puppet. The guy has to man up, and could stand a little bit of sticking up for himself. The refs won’t do it for him, and he had better learn that fast.

I’m really happy I didn’t back them. Something didn’t feel right about it. Sure, I took a few of them in my playoff pool, because points are points, but other than that, I will not miss them one bit.

Welcome to your exit, Penguins. Apparently, I’m supposed to like you. I must have missed the memo from the league.

James Gralian

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5 responses to “So Long, Pens, Don’t Let the Door Hit You”

  1. I thought they have earned exactly what they got. A nice feel-good story with a first round exit because of a mix of inexperience and lackluster goaltending and defense.

    Seems like it was right.

  4. E’s right. We all know by now that nobody likes Terrell Owens, and anyone who acts like him is an instant liability to whatever team and league he plays for.

    So, naturally, the response is for every athlete to have NO personality. They’re not even allowed to crack jokes or laugh at things. Just “yeah, we played hard” or “we’ll have to come out stronger in the second period” and that’s it. Snore…

    As for liking or disliking the Penguins, I disagree but totally understand your points. Hopefully the hype dies down next year and they prove themselves on the ice instead of in the papers.

  5. DLS – Look, the guy isn’t T.O. and most players aren’t. I doubt he has much of a chance of being roasted in the media.

    But if you are going to be the media darling, if you are going to have to give the people something other than complaining. He whines during the game, then gives nothing after. I have to tell you, if he is going to always be in the papers and in the commercials, if he is going to sell the NHL to the world, he does have to prove himself there.