Editor's Note - Feel free to post up any other ones you've seen over the years in the comments section (FrankD)

In 2007, the Penguins unveiled their new RBK Edge jerseys.  They featured a sleeker design and were very different opposed to the former CCM jerseys. I was scouring the internet this evening looking at all the former jerseys the Pens wore over the years.  I never realized how different they got year after year, especially with the colors. As I was looking through google images, I found a few cool concept jerseys.

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via cdn.bleacherreport.net

I've been watching highlights on YouTube the past few days of the Pen's 08 and 09 cup runs. Whenever they scored at home I noticed something about the crowd that was different than this year.  It wasn't how loud they yelled, or the clothes they wore, it was one simple word: "Hey". My opinion after the jump.

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With today's acquisition of Alexei Kovalev, what i have been wondering is who gets the 27? Adams, or Kovalev?

Kovalev is now generally called "Alex" Kovalev. I grew up watching him play in the Burgh being referred to as "Alexei", which now that he is a Pen again, I will continue that in honor of the old days.

Kovalev is referred to AK27, due to his blast of a shot.  Kovalev has worn no number other than 27 in his career, which is why I think he should be the one to get 27. I am not saying Adams does not deserve the number.  Craig Adams won the Stanley Cup wearing the 27 and is respected and known by the 27 on his back. Kovalev has played 345 games wearing 27 with the Penguins alone. Adams has worn it for 151 games for Pittsburgh.  In my opinion, It would be a respectable, and honorable thing to do on Adams' part to give Kovalev his number back.

The two guys are both very classy guys. About ten years ago my mom took my brother and I to the (at that time) First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre to see the Pittsburgh Pens training camp.  I was so amazed to see all my favorites, including Jagr, Barnaby, Kasparaitis, Slegr, Straka and Lemieux. I could go on and on listing everyone. My brother and I were standing behind the glass behind the goal, and Kasparaitis and Slegr started blasting pucks off the glass at us. They got a good laugh and so did we after being scared senseless.  After that, Kovalev skated over and flipped a puck to my brother and I, and ever since then, Kovalev has been a favorite of mine.

First off, good preseason so far for the Pens starting off 3-0, couldn't ask for a better start.

Ok, so not having seen any footage of any goals this preseason, only fights, I was wondering about the goal horn.  For anyone who has been in attendance for the home games, is it the same as last year?  Least of everyone's worries I know, but playing NHL 10 a few minutes ago I scored and it reminded me of the Igloo horn, and I am hoping it has come to Consol.

 Well, with a spot on the 3rd defensive pairing up for grabs, it looks like the top 2 candidates for a spot with Goligoski (presumably), are Deryk Engelland and Ben Lovejoy. 

BEN LOVEJOY

Height: 6'2

Weight: 215

Shoots: Right

Age: 26 

Lovejoy described his style of play during an interview with 93.7 The Fan: "I've never been a bruiser but I've never shied away from it. I've never been an open-ice hitter but I battle with the best of them,". "I've made a living going back for pucks and just getting the puck out of the zone quickly. I think that obviously Letang and Goligoski and hopefully Gonchar handle most of the offensive load and then I'll be counted on to play good, solid defense and be a real hard defender to play against."

DERYK ENGELLAND

Height: 6'2

Weight: 202

Shoots: Right

Age: 28

Engelland brings a rugged hard hitting physical game to the Pens.  He finishes checks, and is not afraid to drop the gloves.  His style of game has often been compared to that of former Penguin Bob Boughner.  Engelland signed a one year extension in May worth $500,000.

As you can see, these are two talented defensemen that bring different styles of defense to the game.  They both are NHL caliber, and both got some NHL experience in last season, with Lovejoy playing 12 games compared to Engelland's 9.  But in the end, I would take Lovejoy.  As a Wilkes-Barre season ticket holder, I've seen them both play numerous times, and Lovejoy has proven to me as a better NHL candidate by dumping the puck in, blocking shots, and just playing good defense, not to mention a shot that's not too shabby from the point.

With all the possible line combinations that are being thrown around with Staal centering Geno's line,  I don't know if that would be the best choice.  Cooke-Staal-Kennedy, also known as "Sesame Street", has proven to be the top 3rd line in the National Hockey League.  When Cooke, Staal, or Kennedy was on the ice while in an even strength situation in the 09-10 season, they were playing on the same line over 33% of the time, obviously developing some great chemistry.

If I were to make the lineup at this point in time, it would be as follows:

Kunitz-Crosby-Comrie

Talbot-Malkin-Dupuis

Cooke-Staal-Kennedy

Adams-Rupp-Asham/Tangradi

The 3rd line has so much chemistry going, so why waste it by grouping talent on the 2nd line and weakening our checking lines and forecheckers?  Once Tangradi develops fully, then moving him to the 3rd line and Staal up to center Geno's line would make sense, but until then who knows for sure.