SB Nation User Blog: TrueBluePSU

Penguins Receive Stanley Cup Rings

TrueBluePSU — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:27:31 -0000

Well, the Penguins website has released images of the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Championship rings. You can see them here. My thoughts and description after the jump.

Personally, I think they look gorgeous. I have always been a fan of the white gold rather than the yellow gold look. The rings are very simple and classy, with the skating Penguin logo featured prominently on the front of the ring, with an outline of the Stanley Cup in the background. The face of the ring is covered almost entirely in diamonds, save for the Penguin logo. The logo itself seems to have used the more yellow gold for the golden triangle from the early 90's, rather than the Vegas gold used on the uniforms today. The white chest area of the Penguin features one large, teardrop shaped diamond.

There is no photo of the detail of the side panels yet, but the website describes them thusly: "The left side of the ring features the player’s name and number as well as a list of the team four playoff series victories. The right side of the ring has the year 2009 split with three Stanley Cups, adorned in diamonds. The two outer Stanley Cups are inscribed on top with 91 and 92, paying homage to the Penguins’ two previous championships."

Overall, I think the rings are very classy, and befitting of a classy organization such as the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Free Agency Around the East

TrueBluePSU — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:34:23 -0000

Everyone on here seems to be concerned, rightly, with the Pens moves, or lack thereof, on the first day of free agency. I think it's also important to look at our opponents in the East and how they've reloaded after one day of free agency. I'm only gonna point out the Atlantic division and the other big moves in the East.

Taking in the Atlantic Division:

Philly seems to have made their move with the trade for Pronger, I don't think it will be enough. Their goalie troubles seem bound to continue with Emery between the pipes.
New Jersey hasn't really made any moves yet, definitely have slid a little in losing Gionta, and only resigning Oduya so far.
The Islanders are at a stand still, having only signed the dreaded Roloson.
The New York Rangers seem to stand a good chance of being the most improved team in the Atlantic next year, provided they can lock up guys like Dubisnky, Mara, and Zherdev. The loss of Gomez is more than made up for in the signing of Gaborik. They also have brought in the enforcer Brashear from the Caps.

In other news around the East, Tampa Bay seems to be taking steps to be only a few years away from a legitimate contender by signing Ohlund. He will give them depth on a blueline that sorely needed it this year. Remember, Lecavalier and St. Louis are still on the team.

Toronto also has yet to have a free agent leave the team, but has added Komisarek and Orr. They could be moving up a little next year.

If the Rangers could be the most improved team in the Atlantic next year, then Montreal has a great chance of being the most improved in the EAST next year. Picking up Gionta, Cammalleri, Gill, and Spacek; they are adding scoring in both Gionta and Cammalleri, while making up for the loss of Komisarek with Gill and adding scoring to their blueline With Spacek. They do have quite a few free agents to re-sign, but assuming their minor league system isn't awful, they shouldn't have any problems replacing those they can't sign.

It will certainly be intersting to see what further moves these teams, and others, make in the coming days.

NCAA Tourney Pick 'Em?

TrueBluePSU — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:22:14 -0000

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a March Madness pick 'em? Yahoo runs one, and I know some of us already do Fantasy Hockey over there (If Frank doesn't mind we could even use the PensBurgh name!). If anyone is interested I could even set it up, you'd just have to join. Let me know in the comments. This wouldn't be for money or anything, just bragging rights and something fun to do.

On the Ground in Buffalo

TrueBluePSU — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:42:30 -0000

Hey guys, my Christmas gift from my girlfriend was a pair of tickets to the Sabres/Pens game in Buffalo, so I thought I might share some of my impressions of the game.

First, a few disclosures. Though I am an avid Pens fan, I had never been to a game until this Monday, so the entire experience was a new one for me. I have been to college games, but never an NHL game. Therefore, the arena and the fan behavior was all new to me. Also, my girlfriend lives in Bradford, PA but goes to school in Pittsburgh; hence why she's a Pens fan, but got me tickets to a game in Buffalo.

That said, after a rather harrowing drive through darn near white out conditions, the girlfriend and I arrived in Buffalo. (Honestly, probably some of the worst driving conditions ever. Those tickets were about the only thing that could have gotten me on the road.)We stopped at the mall there for some final Christmas shopping, then were off to the arena.

HSBC Arena was very easy to find and parking was even easier. The lots were not full and parking cost about what you'd expect. We did arrive pretty early, about 6:15, so well before warm-ups even started. One of the first things I noticed about HSBC was how clean everything was. Granted, it's only 12 years old. Still, a very nice, clean arena. Hopefully Consol will be nicer!

It was definitely a little odd being the only person in black and gold in a sea of blue and yellow, but the fans were fine. They actually seemed a bit apathetic to the presence of Pens fans, and I didn't receive any rude comments. During the game we had a somewhat rowdy group of Sabres fans in the row behind us. They were a group of guys in their mid- to late-twenties. They were actually pretty cool, joking around with us during breaks in the game. They also seemed to be very knowledgeable about the game and their team.

Our seats were in a fantastic location. Ninth row on the away blue line, penalty box side. Great, great seats. We actually ended up sitting right next to another couple that were both Pens fans. One thing I really noticed about the game was how quiet the ice sounds were. I'm pretty sure I actually hear more ice sounds on the FSN broadcasts than I did at the game!

The only problem I had was that it was at times difficult to keep up with the action on the ice, especially when play was in the other end. I realize that's to be expected, but it was just different than what I'm used to. The pace of the game actually seemed a lot slower when watching it live. The plays didn't seem as fast and the puck didn't seem to move as fast. The only time I didn't feel that way was on a Sidney Crosby breakaway.

Overall it was a great experience! It was most definitely worth the trip through the awful conditions! Hopefully my next experience at an NHL game will be in Mellon Arena!

Gonchar Out Indefinitely

TrueBluePSU — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:33:40 -0000

Gonchar Out Indefinitely

What does this do for our blue line?