What do you think of the goaltending situation?

First off, chances are that the complacent Pittsburgh hockey community will lose its team to another city that has yet to have a taste of the NHL. However, that is not for at least 2 years to come.

As far as talent goes, Here is what I think we can expect the roster to look like next year, assuming a top 3 pick, which has virtually been clinched; along with a short analysis of what each line brings. Parenthesies signify a possible replacement.

Straka(Abid)-Lemieux-Morozov(Zherdev/Eaves) (Straka *may* be gone) Well, with Mario, Abid and Morozov will both be scoring frequently and hopefully Morozov will have developed consistency, which he had at the start of the season. (through his first 12-15 games he was projected for 90+ points)

Sivek-Beech-Kraft(Morozov): This line is fast, all are strong on the puck, and both Sivek and Kraft can finish, while Beech is touted as a playmaker.

Surovy-Petersen(Endicott)-Meloche: this is a hard-nosed group of youngsters that pound games out in the corners and along the boards, and all have OK hands. Look for these guys to be scoring grinders similar to McCarty/Maltby/Holmstrom (although to a much lesser extent initially)

McKenna-Endicott(Petersen)-Armstrong: This line has size, decent speed, and some grit. Endicott and armstrong can contribute a little bit here and there as well.

Defense:

Roszival-Melichar: this pairing has always displayed good chemistry, when they are both healthy, which has been a concern for Melicher. Roszival moves the puck well and can jump in on the rush as well, providing another dimension for this line.

Orpik-Tarnstrom: Orpik is a VERY punishing hitter, and both of these guys are good puck movers that should help the penguins’ transition game tremendously

Focht-Bouchard: Bouchard has blazing speed, and Focht is a former 11th overall pick. this should provide a defense that can aid the forecheck well, and punish opposing players in front of the net.

Heinz or Lintner may be able to fill in as a 7th D-man, but I wouldn’t count on it…

B

Team management in Pittsburg have to give some time for these young players because many of them have tons of potential and are already showing nice skills. Even though they have liquidated many of their top players, their young squad should come along nicely, especially if they’re paired with a guy like Mario. I look at guys like Beech, Fata and Morozov these are young players with heart not to mention nice skill. (I particularly always liked Fata having watched him play for Team Canada in the world Juniors)

If Lemieux could hang on there for a couple more years, I believe that his presence could highten some of these players standards and Pittsburg could once again be a contender.

All that being said, it is likely that some of these guys may not back, opening slots indeed. While there is something to be said for guys maturing in the minors, there is also something to be said for grooming talent in the NHL. The Pens have always been EXTREMELY reluctant to throw guys right in the NHL, or even after a couple years for that matter. 10 guys may start contributing from the same draft year for other teams, while whoever the Pens got sits in the minors. I really don’t k now what Kraft didn’t do this year. He was by no means a star when he was brought up, but 12 points in 31 games. Compare that to the rest of the squad. I guess my problem is I don’t know what the Pens are looking for. Kraft has youth/potential going for him where other guys equally or less productive do not. I am not sure what they want when they bring these guys up. I mean granted Surovy missed a couple D assignments, but every other night it seems like he gets 5 shifts. I think they give up on guys playing in the NHL too soon, and I think they are far to reluctant to bring them up in the first place.

I might agree more if they Penguins proved that they could groom guys in WB under Greg P. I don’t see that happening, I guess that’s one of my biggest problems. Other teams may have very well coached minor league affiliates who pump out prospects at age 23 or 24 after 3 or 4 years down there, but the Pens are not. I guess more what I was saying about Whitney was that being a 5th pick he SHOULD be ready next year. If you take a guy with a 5th pick, I think he should be ready in a year.

The future of this team shouldn’t be learning the ropes in WB anymore. I believe a few weeks ago, you wished the pens would just come out and follow suit of a “rebuilding team”. Part of that is giving guys a go in the NHL and not giving up on them. Letting them make their mistakes, but then giving them equal playing time to show that they have learned from them. There are plenty of guys that won’t be any more productive than Kraft or Beech. Let these guys get tim in the nHL now. Thornton and Lecavalier (granted both 1st overall) both started relatively slowly in the NHL….look at them now.

Beech has not proved anything to me as of yet, other than the fact he can take a hit (and even that is subject to review), Kraft is a piece of trash that hasn’t lived up to expectations since he arrived here.

1. Read the article in the tribune review today (www.tribune-review.com). In the article it flat out states that Mario has considered selling his share in the team, going to the highest bidder as a trade and playing beyond this year. He states that in the long run that “maybe what is best for the franchise”. This is scary. The article makes it seem like this is a remote possibility. For the first time, I am thinking it is.

2. If the above is true, then what does Mario know what we don’t? Are the penguins in more dire financial straits than what we think? Does he know for sure that we will not get a new arena and is preparing himself for the demise of the franchise? We know recently that Ed Rendell, the governor of PA is cutting all expenses, education and public transportation to name a few.

Is there any money left for the state to subsidize a new arena for the penguins? I doubt it. Would the public fund a new arena? Does the public have a choice? NOPE!!

3. All the penguins say is that they have a boatload of talent in the minors and in Europe waiting to come over. The plain simple fact is that all of the players you mentioned above will not be associated with the team next year. Those players are:

1. lemieux(perhaps on the ice and in the front office).

2. Straka

3. Niemenen

4. Hedberg

5. Pushor

6. Manderville

7. Daigle

8. Aubin

9. Morozov

Now I am thinking those are just a few. That opens up some spots.

Also, Whitney will probably opt to stay in Boston for his senior year of college. He has had a horrible year this year after doing so well in the Jr. championship. THe only way he would come over is if he skipped his senior season. In that case, they’d still put him in WB.

Either way this team is NOT going to look like it did this year.

So okay they have a “boatload” of talent in the minors and in Europe playing. Does that mean you promote players who you normally wouldn’t promote just to get them playing time? That, in essense, would be defeating your purpose.

Kraft doesn’t deserve to be here. Neither does Beech and half of the players you mentioned. Isn’t the point of the minor league system for players to produce and then move to the next level? I don’t think half of the players have produced to require a promotion to the NHL.

I’ve said the same thing before – the Pens need their young guys playing NOW not later. By the time “later” comes it will be far too late.

I can’t fathom for the life of me why Beech, Orpik, and Kraft aren’t playing in the NHL right now.

Pens should trade one of their goalies and get maybe a youngster and a draft pick back in return. Then they need to make some serious noise at this year’s entry draft. And finally, they need to dump guys like McKenna, Daigle, and co.

Pittsburgh has gone too long losing guys and getting nothing back for them.