Absolutely the most subdued, quiet, unenthusiastic opener for the Pens since they drafted Sidney Crosby in 2005. That's a long time. Dave Wannstedt and Matt Cavanaugh were coaching our Panthers trying to figure where the hashmarks there back then. Pitt basketball was in the midst of becoming a full blown powerhouse. The Steelers were led by 2nd year QB named Ben Roethlisberger who led them to a 15-1 record and AFC Champ game the year before. Andrew McCutcheon just finished his rookie year in the Gulf Coast League. Joe Paterno was leading his Penn State Nittany Lions to an 11-1 record.
Wow, a different world.
2021. Unfortunately father time has caught up with the Pens. Sidney Crosby is still a great player, but no longer the best player. Kris Letang and Evgeny Malkin are still good players, when they are healthy, but again, especially with Malkin, no longer plays at a Hall of Fame pace. A dozen years of continuing to "go for it" has caught up with the Pens, as their prospect pool is pretty much depleted from a lack of high draft picks. But hey, Sid and group won 3 cups. That's not a disappointment, though the past 3 years going out in the 1st rd is a disappointment.
And what do we see? A team hoping to get into the playoffs, then bowing out again in Rd 1? I don't want to give up any more draft picks at the deadline to try and go in. I am fine with, you know, rebuilding. The trouble with this unlike your Stillers n'at, the Pens need capacity, especially after the last season and a half of COVID. The NHL is a gate driven league. So the Pens will walk an interesting tight rope by trying to keep fan interest and also trying to figure out how to get young talent here again.
It is great to read about the Zahorna's, O'Connor's, etc.....but these guys are no more than bottom forwards, no more than a Zach Aston-Reese at best, and that isn't going to elevate this team. It's sad, but inevitable.
I maybe writing the epitaph too soon, but I can't see how the Pens get lucky again in my lifetime with a Mario, with a Sid, hell with even a Jagr or Malkin. Most franchises don't see one of these guys come through in 25-30 years, we had all 4 in their prime. I just can't imagine that happening again. Sure, there will be great players, but another generational talent? Doubt it.
Anyways......it's hockey season!
Wow, a different world.
2021. Unfortunately father time has caught up with the Pens. Sidney Crosby is still a great player, but no longer the best player. Kris Letang and Evgeny Malkin are still good players, when they are healthy, but again, especially with Malkin, no longer plays at a Hall of Fame pace. A dozen years of continuing to "go for it" has caught up with the Pens, as their prospect pool is pretty much depleted from a lack of high draft picks. But hey, Sid and group won 3 cups. That's not a disappointment, though the past 3 years going out in the 1st rd is a disappointment.
And what do we see? A team hoping to get into the playoffs, then bowing out again in Rd 1? I don't want to give up any more draft picks at the deadline to try and go in. I am fine with, you know, rebuilding. The trouble with this unlike your Stillers n'at, the Pens need capacity, especially after the last season and a half of COVID. The NHL is a gate driven league. So the Pens will walk an interesting tight rope by trying to keep fan interest and also trying to figure out how to get young talent here again.
It is great to read about the Zahorna's, O'Connor's, etc.....but these guys are no more than bottom forwards, no more than a Zach Aston-Reese at best, and that isn't going to elevate this team. It's sad, but inevitable.
I maybe writing the epitaph too soon, but I can't see how the Pens get lucky again in my lifetime with a Mario, with a Sid, hell with even a Jagr or Malkin. Most franchises don't see one of these guys come through in 25-30 years, we had all 4 in their prime. I just can't imagine that happening again. Sure, there will be great players, but another generational talent? Doubt it.
Anyways......it's hockey season!
