Sunday Night: Odds, Ends & Things That Get Me in Trouble

Odds-N-Ends and Things That Get Me in Trouble

–The Joe Thornton to Penguins talk is fun. Heck, it’s not impossible. But let’s be realistic–Pens fans seem unanimous that Nick Bonino will be overpaid on the market. So, why would you also assume that Joe Thornton will be so underpaid the Penguins can afford him?

Other teams also have a chance to win the Cup. Some need a big time pivot at #1 or #2 position…ahem, Columbus, Los Angeles, even Nashville…

–I really, really like the Reaves acquisition. 239 hits in 2016-17. That will make a big dent in the opposing defenses. Penguins fans are going to fall in love with him, quickly–IF fans can remove the “enforcer” label. In fairness, even the Penguins media zeroed in on that aspect of his game. Reaves had only six fighting majors last season. Four the year before. He’s a hockey player.

Also, stop pointing out that other teams still hit the St. Louis Blues. That’s not how it works, but it seems to be written on stone tablets in Pittsburgh dogma that for a tough guy to be effective the other team can’t look at the Penguins, and any hit is further nullification of the role of physicality in hockey.

That’s just NOT how this works. That’s not how any of this works. I explain more here–“Pens Tired of Getting Beat-Up…”

–The number of media folks who have been told the Penguins were unhappy with Phil Kessel is interesting. He certainly vexed the coaching staff this season and in the playoffs. He gobbled up man-advantage points like Lemon-Heads at the movie theater, but was a non-factor at even strength.

Just a gut feeling, the Penguins coaches vented some frustration but they are the ONLY ones in the NHL who are willing to work with the enigmatic winger. We’ll probably write more on this topic, this week, so I’ll save the juicy thoughts ’til then…

–New York Pizza > Chicago Pizza. Personal preference. I worked out hard, last week. After months of media buffets and car food, I was actually started to take the shape of a human being again. Did I mention I actually started burning calories last week?

One late night pizza from historic Giordano’s in downtown Chicago and that was gone! I felt like I ate 5000 calories with just two hunks of pizza. Chicago certainly doesn’t shy away from heavy breads and food! Really fun, unassuming town.

–How about that National Anthem in Chicago! To be on the draft floor, essentially ice level, in the middle of that explosion was simply awesome. Chills.

–Our coverage isn’t over. Now, we are chasing free agents and player evaluations. More on the way. But thank you for reading and helping PHN grow by over 100% this month (not counting that ridiculous dust-up in Nashville. Don’t get me started…)

Cheers!