tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post5824567455116667933..comments2024-02-29T01:19:23.399-05:00Comments on SportsJudge Blog: The Puck Stops Here: Moving DayMarc Edelmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02788558243990338878noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-42697101923526183682008-02-28T11:44:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:44:00.000-05:00Joe,I'm not saying that I am not going to miss Col...Joe,<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that I am not going to miss Colby, I am saying that he is replaceable. Just because he is gone does not mean that his position is going to be filled with a guy with less talent and charisma.<BR/><BR/>I think if you were asked whether you would rather have Hossa or Colby for your Stanley Cup run, the choice would be obvious. Since you do not mind the rest of the package, the Colby for Hossa swap is what is making the difference in your mind between a "good" and "bad" trade. Even without Colby next year, the Pens are set to be awesome. <BR/><BR/>You think the Pens were hurt emotionally when they traded John Cullen and Mark Recchi (K Stevens best friends)? They were "great locker room guys" too and prolific scorers. You think we wouldn't have traded Phil Bourque for Mike Modano in a heart beat?<BR/><BR/>The bottom line here is that while it stings to lose Colby, you are getting a top 5 forward in the league -- Sid has never had a chance to play with such talent. Look for fireworks when he returns, this could be really, really special.Dave Kasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08217474012235222566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-46923873568313959542008-02-28T11:36:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:36:00.000-05:00Dave,I don't mind giving up EC, that was the perfe...Dave,<BR/><BR/>I don't mind giving up EC, that was the perfect move for the Pens. It was like that long term relationship that neither person wanted to end but knew they had to. I just really think the subtraction of Colby will hurt more than we all think. Sure character doesn't score goals, but it sure does forecheck, kill penalties and causes you to give up your body to make a play. Take a look at the old Penguins Stanley Cup years. Players like Bourque, Loney and Erey were indispensable. Mario and his crew racked up points in the regular season, but in the playoffs, the third line character guys all saw increased ice time.<BR/><BR/>You don't win Stanley Cups without the Lemieuxs of the world, but you also don't win them without the Loneys of the world. A very underrated movie once said, "the world needs ditch diggers too." Stanley Cup teams also need those ditch diggers and that is what Colby Armstrong did.Joe Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01435280519467085135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-62849774840610987432008-02-28T11:29:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:29:00.000-05:00Brasky,I agree the Fedorov deal was great for Wash...Brasky,<BR/><BR/>I agree the Fedorov deal was great for Washington. I think Washington really improved at the deadline. Early reports have Ovechkin and Fedorov skating together. If that's the case, I really like Fedorov. Washington's moves will get them to the play offs.<BR/><BR/>I also agree that the demise of the Flyers is one of the greatest sports stories for a Pittsburgh fan. This rates a close second behind the Patriots choking in the Super Bowl and Belichik being out coached by Coughlin. Nothing would please me more than to see Philly end in the basement.<BR/><BR/>You are right Colby is only a third line guy. But he is a very very good third line guy, who is young, cheap, and has all the intangibles that make great players. He just lacks the talent to be a top two line guy. But Stanley Cups are not won without character guys like Colby and in the long run losing Colby will hurt. He is the type of guy that would take a little less money to play for the Pens. That is what makes this deal questionable in my mind.<BR/><BR/>JoeJoe Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01435280519467085135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-24948803531136446802008-02-28T11:25:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:25:00.000-05:00I almost completely agree with Mcpuck's comments, ...I almost completely agree with Mcpuck's comments, but to say that if the Pens are losers of the deal if they do not win a cup or sign Hossa to a long-term deal is tough for me to swallow. Despite Colby being a "great guy" and "a fan/locker room favorite" he is a regular third line energy forward who makes around a mil a year. How many of those exist in the league? How many Hossa's are in the league?<BR/><BR/>The Pens had a choice to stay as a 2-4 team in the East or make a play to be a 1. If they do not sign Hossa to a deal, Stanley Cup or no this year, the Pens will basically be the same team as they were pre-Hossa, except Geno and Sid will continue to improve, as will Whitney, Brooks, Letang, and the rest of the crew. Colby would probably remain the same. Christensen might have improved, but as mcpuck said, he is a center, how many can you have on a team?<BR/><BR/>No one can predict what Esposito will end up doing, but did he drop from a consensus #1 overall pick to the 20's for no reason? One would think not. I'm going with Shero on this one, I think he knows what he is doing.Dave Kasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08217474012235222566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-90463853704639774572008-02-28T11:15:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:15:00.000-05:00I have to disagree with you on your hesitation to ...I have to disagree with you on your hesitation to call the Hossa trade a "good deal" for the Pens. If you really step back and take a look at the trade, it's a huge win for the Pens. Let's face it, Colby is a fan favorite but realistically, how much can he do that just about any other 3rd liner in the league can't do? The answer is absolutely nothing. As far as Eric Christensen, you're absolutely right, he has "boat loads" of offensive talent but he was never able to put it together. Christensen is a guy that could go elsewhere and put up pretty good numbers (ala Markus Naslund but not as good). His potential was not and would never be reached in Pittsburgh. I truly think he might be one of those guys that needs to be featured on a top two line. I know he played with Malkin and Crosby but he was never "the guy" on a line and it seems he lacked some confidence with his demeanor on the ice (never really seemed to excited to be there). So I consider him being gone as a good parting of the ways for both parties. <BR/>As far as Esposito and the draft pick, you are putting entirely too much emphasis on the "chance" we might get some talent with either the pick or in Esposito. There must be a reason this guy fell in the draft significantly, got cut i think 3 times from the Canadian Junior team (think thats the team) and really hasn't performed up to expectations. You have to remember that the Pens are a young team and despite a couple loses through free agency in the next couple of years, this is a young nucleus that does not have too many holes. Also, I've heard from two different media outlets about a young kid named Luca Capoti (no sure on the spelling) who is supposed to be a monster. So, the future of the Pens was not hinging on the backs of Angelo Esposito and their "late" 1st round pick next year.<BR/>As far as the rest of the NHL, I totally agree with your analysis about Montreal. That might have been one of biggest "bonehead" trades I've ever seen. Talk about counting your chickens before they're hatched. It is quite clear that the pick they received was going to be used as part of their offer to get Hossa.<BR/><BR/>I think the absolute sleeper trade during the entire deadline was the Federov trade. I've always been a fan of Federov and if he is able to develop some chemistry with Ovechkin, look for those two Russians to make a push. It seems like every year someone makes a trade for a veteran who gets his legs and scoring ability back and looks like they're young again. (see Larry Murphy from Toronto to Detroit). I think Federov will be that guy this spring. Plus, wouldn't this be so typical.....1 v. 8 seed....Pittsburgh v. Washington 1st round. Lord knows we've seen that a couple times.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, I love seeing Phili scramble during the trade deadline. Other than the demise of the WVU athletic program this past year, I don't know if I have ever enjoyed seeing a sports team crumble like the Flyers of late. I enjoy each loss more than the last and it seems just like yesterday Ron Hextall was chasing Robbie Brown.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-3669775909352157432008-02-28T11:08:00.000-05:002008-02-28T11:08:00.000-05:00Mcpuck,I appreciate the compliment and I am glad s...Mcpuck,<BR/><BR/>I appreciate the compliment and I am glad someone has noticed what I am trying to do. There are many articles out there that simply make their decisions based off the highest point totals for a week or two. But with my hockey background, I try to look at all factors and make a meaningful determination on who to pick up. I believe my picks and their results have shown that this type of analysis pays off in the end.<BR/><BR/>Bernier was tough for me. Consistent time with Vanek and Roy could allow him to blossom. But San Jose gave him multiple different stretches of games with Thornton and he never was able to prove that he can be a consistent scorer. While I do think he has a chance to improve in Buffalo, I don't see the opportunity being that much better than what he had in San Jose. He certainly has shown upside in his debut performance, but he has done this many times in San Jose and that didn't work out well.<BR/><BR/>I hate to admit it, but I overlooked Spacek. Spacek is a winner from this trade deadline. He becomes the number one defenseman in Buffalo. He will get plenty of ice time and now more ice time with the top power play unit. I would like to make an amendment to my article and include Spacek on the list of winners. Thanks for pointing it out.<BR/><BR/>JoeJoe Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01435280519467085135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3262642253132428338.post-43900103084897796192008-02-28T10:53:00.000-05:002008-02-28T10:53:00.000-05:00Never an easy article to write following so many m...Never an easy article to write following so many moves and shakeups but I think I agree with much of your analysis. <BR/><BR/>On the Hossa trade, I agree that only time will tell, but on the surface I think the Penguins unloaded 3 "possibles" and a late round draft pick. Of those 4 pieces, I think the draft pick is the biggest loss from Pittsburgh's perspective. With more scorers at center than most teams have in their entire organization, there was little room to move up for Christensen and Esposito. These two have the skills to produce in Atlanta but huge risks still remain. Colby Armstrong would be an great addition to any team but his upside is limited at this point. Pittsburgh has 10 players that have shown they can contribute in a 3rd/4th line role and it won't be difficult to find a replacement for Army. The argument for Hossa is obvious. I will say it's good to see Atlanta was able to fill alot of holes before Hossa went the way of Briere/Drury. I do agree if the Pens don't win a cup or resign him though, Atlanta will likely get the best of this deal...but I don't think any fan could ever ever blame GM Shero for taking the chance.<BR/><BR/>One last thought - I think Steve Bernier should be on your Upgrade list. He's got size, strength and a nose for the net that fits perfectly with skilled guys such as Roy and Vanek in Buffalo. Bernier has shown glimpses in his 3 seasons of the damage he can do when he's paired with the right players. On the subject of Buffalo, what about Jaroslav Spacek?? I think you've got another sleeper there with Campbell gone.<BR/><BR/>Great ideas on your list though. Keep up the good work, it's great to see insightful analysis and not some columnist just choosing the players that have scored the most points in the past 10 days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com