Since for a long time people in different NHL pages have been enamored of the Bettman conspiracies. I thought I bring a new edition. After all the Wings conspiracy of a few years ago, is out of print so to speak. The Pens conspiracy, now has hopefully been put to rest. Here are my points for the 2012 edition.

1. No Canadian teams guarantees NBC, the highest possible regional market in the US and saves money on having there producers and commentators travel across the border.

2 Our team ( the Coyotes) , will advance at least to the 2nd round. Hey we have to make some money. Enough with the non profit operation down there.

3 All the semifinals should be within bus driving distance to save money for everybody.

4 Having the Rangers play the Devils will guarantee several things, NY, Nj ratings. Less money on travel. The Devils will make enough money to stay afloat without counting on regular season sellouts.

5 The Yotes will have a nice ride to LA without having to cross the border, risking having Raffi Torres detained for assault

If anyone can add more to the conspiracy, feel free. Don't hold back, like in any conspiracy, we need an informant on the inside. Also be forewarned there will be deniability by the conspirators. An essential element of any conspiracy

North and south of the border this series is breaking all kinds of records. That includes TV audience. It has never been this good for the NHL. Some in the media are atributting this to the fights and extracurricular activities after game 3. I for one disagree with that view, particularly when data shows the audience kept growing after game 1. The reason the casual hockey fan, or fans that you may call neutral, to define a knowledgable base from other teams, watch this series, it's the entertainment value. Fans like to see high scoring games . Specially casual fans, it happens in any sport, soccer, baseball you name it. It's a throw back to the 80's hockey . Because of this I say to the NHL, it's not the fighting stupid.

The Quebec Minister of Culture fell short of saying that Cunneyworth should be let go because he doesn't speak French. The media in Montreal is up in arms. I find this very interesting. I respect the concept of maintaining your culture, but I thought Canada has both languages in the book (English and French). Is in up to the media to learn English in a bilingual country. Also in this era were the players themselves come from different countries, the important thing is that the coach can communicate with the players. For this purpose English has been the universal language . The coach should be hired by his ability not by which language he speaks as the only measuring stick. For that matter how would Francophones like to see French Canadian coaches not hired by an English speaking team because of language. This doesn't happen because most French-Canadian coaches know English also because they need it to have a job. The next thing we hear will be that the Florida Panthers require a Spanish speaking coach because the latin media in South Florida wants there press conference in Spanish.It is unfair and discriminatory to call for the firing of any person based on their language. I'm sure that if anyone asks the players, they have no trouble communicating with Cunneyworth.

Milan Lucic hit on Miller was clearly illegal. interestingly a rather large number of media pundits are justifying Lucic's actions. Doing so they assign the responsibility to the Sabres. Basically it's "old school hockey", they should have answered the bell. While I agree that the Sabres can be accused of not standing up for their teammate, the league have been pounding on the players not to take justice in their own hands. Now my question to you fellow Pens fans is, substitute Lucic's name for Matt Cooke, what do you think the reaction would have been from those same pundits that justify Lucic's action. Particularly the Boston media, headed as usual by Mr. old school hockey himself Mike Milbury. All said I can't define Lucic any better than Ryan Miller did.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors/post/Jagr-returning-to-the-NHL-;_ylt=AifDfCCjwBbYsZetSlDOwCF7vLYF?urn=nhl-363729

Once again the rumor mil started on Jagr. Is this another negotiating ploy?. I suspect so, but it's interesting, that it suggests calls to the Wings, and maybe an interest on their part.Of course the Rangers are always included. Follow the link above to read the report by the Detroit Free Press. My opinion is that's probably a negotiating ploy by his agent. But for amusement sake, at this boring part of the year (without hockey) I'm posting it for your comments, fellow Pens fans.

After game 6 of the Bruins-Bolt series, Nathan Horton of the Bruins threw a water bottle to a fan. Reportedly no injuries to the fan. Today we learn that there's no suspension, no fine, NADA for Mr. Horton. I recall that even squirting water over the glass to a fan , cost Torts a suspension (well deserved I may add) for his unnecessary and unprofessional gesture.

Once again we see the inconsistencies surface on Mr. Campbell's justice system. Or perhaps it affected his beloved son team, he delegated this clear infraction to somebody else.. I can imagine that if would have been , say Downie, to pick somebody, he would have been suspended and /or fined. I cannot even phantom to think what Cooke would've received for that,. So fellow fans what do you think of the latest ruling by the "chief justice" of the NHL.As a bonus for a hilarious review of this  follow the link below.

NHL Wheel of Justice

The contract of Steigy is ending shortly. According to Mark Madden, Emrick (whose contract is also ending with the Devils) is being considered. I for one would like to have Mike Lange, by far the best announcer in hockey. Steigy reportedly would be given other duties. The only reason Lange was fired by FSN Pittsburgh was money. In the opinion of some on this site, Fox (Roots now) will never hire Lange again. I disagree with that, if there is a massive movement of fan support, they will. Remember, all of this is about ratings. Especially now that with NHL Center Ice, the games are available to a national audience. Lange (and for that matter Emrick), are far more recognizable and respected  names in hockey broadcasting. Errey does his job well, although at times falling into Steigy homerism. I would like to know what is the opinion of the fan base in this site. I don't quite know how to put those "vote" graphics, but feel free to post one in if you wish.

When he called on the league to change the way they are suspending players, all the media pundits took shots at him as well as the bloggers. Yesterday was the comeback of Gillies to the Islanders after serving a suspension for 9 games. Guess what he did, once again, he delivered a hit to the head to a Wild player. Was ejected from the game. Some will try to excuse this action, by saying he was "standing up for one of his teammates that had been hit before". I disagree with this, Mr. Gillies is on the ice for the sole purpose of hurting people, if he wanted to "stand up" for his teammate, he could have done it face to face withe other player, not in a cowardly fashion. The Islander's organization, which we all know is in the gutter, sadly. This is due to years of mis-management, they have a nucleus of talented players, but in their desperation to sell tickets they are employing this thugs. Case in point, their latest add, that was being shown during last night's game, they were showing a clip of a fight during the recent infamous Pens-Isles "game ". How many tickets does Mr. Gillies help to sell. Cheap shots, and shots to the head, should carry an automatic suspension. No matter who it is. A repeat offender like Gullies should have a harsher penalty, maybe even not allowed to play for this season. The organization, in this case the Islanders, should have a draft choice taken away. This is what Mario was talking about, the actions of Gillies (sadly) proved him right.

Everyone, who was at the game, or watched on TV, saw Billy G with Mario, at the game, this should lay to rest any previous talk of Billy trying to "get back" at the Pens, during his time at the Flyers training camp, and preseason games. He was just looking for a job. Reportedly, he still wants to play, realistically, it will be difficult. The cap situation with the Pens, would prevent him from being back I think, even at the minimum, but more importantly, I believe that his playing days maybe over. Is their another job for him with the Pens? what do you guys think. Maybe he should help with the PP? Nevertheless people writing about some sort of "spite" by Billy to the Pens,need to rethink their statement.

Today is Mario's 45th birthday. Happy Birthday to him. Thanks for the memories and for keeping the Pens in town The list of things you do for the community is too long, but your generosity and that of your family has helped many in areas other than sport. Unlike many others you have done this quietly over the years. But is not unnoticed by many of us. Many more to come in good health and with your family.

I like Shero, and have all the confidence in him, but unfortunately the Poni trade is entering the category of a bust.Unless Poni can amend his past no shows, this will go down in the same category as Beech, etc.He has produced nothing, since coming to the Penguins, will not use his body to go to the net, to give some room for Geno, his defense is horrible, no backcheking at all. I seriously doubt that he can turn it around, even at a time when he is playing for his future contract. I can see the letters KHL beginning to appear.Post your opinions and worst trades ever.

A couple of months ago, I posted a comment, prior to the trading deadline regarding the need to replace Adams in the lineup. This has not happened. That being the situation, I could possibly understand that Coach B would dress Adams, and use him only in special situations i.e. penalty killing. But he has continued to play in the 4th line, including when the team is down on the scoring ( like against Tampa). Adams was on the ice for both goals. He hasn't scored a goal in 106 games. It's time to rethink the strategy with this player. My opinion, if evreyone in the roster is healthy, do not dress him. If he is on the bench, play him only in penalty killing.

According to the media in LA. The Kings and the Pens are in the Ray Whitney sweepstakes. Apparently Whitney who has a no trade clause, would prefer the Pens. But the Hurricanes want a first  round draft choice.. I don't see Shero giving that up for an older player, but then again?? I'm not so shure that the Pens have a "big" interest on Whitney, but he certainly has been shopped around a lot recently. Karmanos is no dummy and I don't see him giving Whitney away easily. Specially now that Sather has turbulence at home, and Gainey is gone I don't know that he'll get back as much as he thinks.

Well after the proverbial "vote of confidence" a couple of weeks ago the Jackets did it. They fired one of the best coaches in hockey. Hitch basically got fired by a group of numb skulls ( i.e. the players), because to quote that moron of Filatov, he was "too defensive". Meanwhile this rookie, had only had fewer than 50 games in the NHL. But he got mad whe Hitch benched him because of his laziness(ie not coming back on D). This is the way it goes sadly. The jackets are not going anywhere, so they should have sent a mesage to the players, like the bruins did (so far anyway) about Julien, It is the easy way out for bad GM's.

The Penguin power play has been non existent. This has been altering the way other teams play against them, worse in the upcoming games (the goons from the city of Brotherly Love). There is no excuse for the poor performance, the group is unchanged (now that Gonchar is back), the talent is their.. Recently Coach B tried to deflect some blame from his assistant (Vio), in my view unsuccessfully, since it is Mr. Vio responsibility. The players are static, nobody is moving, there's no one interfering with the view of the goalie, and no one going to the net. Therefor this virtually frees one of the defenseman to play up and put more pressure against the boards. Obviously there isn't too much concern (apparently) beacause the team is doing well..As I mentioned earlier a weak power play is the green flag for dirty hits with certain teams and to stave off a scoring chance.

Also with all the concern about rest and ice time, I bet if we had average results in the pp, we would have had less than half the overtime games played. Somebody please stand up in the Pens Bench