Ok, so, I was assigned to write a "letter to the editor"-type piece for one of my classes, any editor, any topic we chose.  I've been stewing about the Feb. 11 Pens/Isles game for a while, especially the NHL's response and Lemieux's statement, so I chose to address that in my letter.  However, the professor pointed out one big flaw in my argument: I'm a Pens fan, which automatically makes me biased no matter what angle I come at it from.  Even though I am much more than a Pens fan - an athlete, a fan of hockey in general, and also a Coyotes fan - the professor is right.  I need more to back up my argument than just being an athlete or hockey fan.

I decided to ask you all what YOUR responses were to the game itself (i.e. the players' actions, etc.), the punishment from the NHL, and Mario's statement because you aren't Pens fans.  Of course, some of you are fans of rival teams, but I'm still interested in hearing your opinions; I've seen the Pens get support from unlikely places, and I've also seen them condemned, but that's hockey and that's natural.  I'd be happy to post my opinions if you'd like, but I'd rather you ask first rather than having me force them on you.

I hope what I'm saying makes sense.  I was thinking about posting this on other blogs, but wanted to start here to see what kind of reaction I got.  I figured that we're a diverse enough group that I'll get several opinions that'll probably cover what I need.  Thanks a bunch for helping me out; I really appreciate it!

Sorry all, I've been super busy these last few weeks and haven't had a chance to come around often.  Anyway, I have some news on Alex Pechurskiy, I'll post it after the jump.

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After some serious visa issues kept him from attending the first week of the Tri-City Americans' camp, Alex is on his way to Pittsburgh to participate in the Pens' training camp.  More after the jump...

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This article - what's it mean?  I've been MIA for several days and just found it today.  I'm most interested in what it means for Pechurskiy (I wish they'd spell his name right).  I'm not familiar at all with how the draft works - I know that a team has up to three years to sign someone who's been drafted, but not much beyond that.  I guess what I'm getting at is what it means to have "defected" status with the NHL and what it means regarding his contract with the KHL.  If anyone knows or could point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful - thanks!

Also, I thought Shero signed Killeen already?  I could swear there was an article on the Pens' website about a month or so ago. 

 Ok, somebody mentioned doing a post on who the free agents were and I had this lying around from an old blog of mine (discontinued now because life got in the way...), so I figured I'd share.  I tweaked it a little bit and here's the end result:

Alexei Ponikarovsky - Poni hasn’t done much for us.  He just didn’t work out in the end.  Sorry, Shero, this one’s gotta go.  He never really fit in and his stats aren’t that impressive.  I still don’t know what his playing style is.  He’s not really a role player, he saw some time on the PP but didn’t do much (then again, this is the Pens’ PP I’m talking about…) – can someone please tell me what this guy has done for us?

Cap Hit: $2,105,000

Bill Guerin - He might be back, he might not. He's been great for us, but he's pushing 40 and I know that's up there in any sport. God bless him if he does decide to play another season and I hope it's with us.  I mean, he fits in well with pretty much everybody, but I can’t see him being able to continue of Sid’s line – it sees too much action and I’m not sure he can keep up with that kind of pace.  He’s consistent, he’s good to the fans, everything a Penguin should be.

Cap Hit: $2,000,000

Ruslan Fedotenko - Ok, so Feds is a late bloomer. So am I. But he didn’t really show up at all in the playoffs.  Nice guy to the fans, but Danny B was not happy with him.  I can’t exactly blame him…as my friend Dani put it, “When Feds is out on the ice, he’s more likely to be on his ass than anywhere else.”  She’s got a point.

We’ll let the stats speak for themselves.

Cap Hit: $1,800,000

Matt Cooke - should come back. We need him as an enforcer and a pest. He fills a huge role on the team.  Plus, I’d hate to play AGAINST him.   Enough said.

Cap Hit: $1,200,000

Sergei Gonchar - MUST come back. Like Cooke, he fills a huge role on the team and we need older guys like him, especially if Guerin leaves. Being a young team is great, don't get me wrong, especially a young team with experience like ours, but having veterans around is good, too. We need experience, energy, and depth, and Gonch brings all three to the table.  You know that old saying, “Old age and treachery will overcome youth and beauty every time”?  That’s what we need.

I know it seemed like he was off his game in the playoffs this year, but you could attribute that to any number of things from age to nursing an injury to…point is, I’m inclined to give this guy the benefit of the doubt ‘cause he’s been here and been good for us.  I don’t think he’d just give up.

Cap Hit: $5,000,000

Mark Eaton - If he walks, I'll get over it. I like the guy, but I'm not exactly sure what he DOES for the team. He's a good defenseman, I suppose.  I just don't hear his name thrown around that often.  He’s not really a shutdown kind of guy, but he’s not really an offensive defenseman, either.  Haven’t quite figured this one out; his kids are cute as hell, though.

Because having cute kids is a requirement for being on the team and playing good hockey.  Get to it, Tanger. (And Staalsy, Sid, Max, Geno, Flower, GoGo…)

Cap Hit: $2,000,000

Jordan Leopold - Unlike Poni, Leo's fit in quite nicely since we acquired him around the trade deadline. I feel like he should stay, too, but, if he doesn’t, oh well.  I like the guy, I think he’s great.  We just need to switch up our D to find some better fits because I don’t think he’s found his quite yet.

Cap Hit: $1,750,000

Jay McKee – This is another defenseman I think Ray Shero should keep. McKee is phenomenal at blocking pucks and I think the other guys should take a leaf out of his book. He hasn't seen much ice time since Leopold got here and that's one thing I think Bylsma's been wrong on. McKee has been consistent this season while playing and is one of the better defensemen we have.  He might not be fast, but we don’t always need fast defensemen, especially since McKee isn’t really an offensive defenseman.  He’s used to watching the back door while guys like Tanger and GoGo work the front lines.

Cap Hit: $800,000

Bottom Line:

Who (I Think/Wish Would) Should Stay – Guerin, Cooke, Gonch, Leo, and McKee

Who’s Probably Gone – Poni, Feds, Gonch, Guerin, and Eaton

(Note: All stats and salaries are based on the 2009-2010 season/time spent in a Penguins uniform, in the case of Ponikarovsky and Leopold.)

All right, I have to admit, I'm a little curious about the line combos Danny B might throw at the Habs in the second round.  Any thoughts?  With Chris Kunitz, TK, and Jordan Leopold injured and 7 players up from the Baby Pens, it really could go any way.

Also, I have this one crazy little thought and I want to see if anyone's noticed the same thing.  I feel like Bylsma is kind of forcing Malkin and Ponikarovsky together; I'm not seeing a whole lot of chemistry between the two of them.  Of course, I could be wrong because I haven't seen a lot of the games since Ponikarovsky's been here or I could just be way off base.  It could have something to do with the fact that Malks was out for all those games with the foot injury, who knows?  I know it's a little late to be playing around with lines, but I feel like this is one that needs to be played around with.  Not sure where I'd put Ponikarovsky, though, if he wasn't on Malkin's line.  Maybe bump him up to Sid's line since Kunitz is out?  But I like Pascal Dupuis on that line (man has had a HELL of a season), too.  Anyway, I could talk about this all night.  Thoughts?  Comments?