Latest Penguins Buzz: Monday's Quick Hits

Latest Penguins Buzz: Monday's Quick Hits

10:38pm - Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 by DePaoli

Quick Hits

*The Penguins have had dialogue with Don Meehan the agent for Maxim Afinogenov over the past week but a contact in Afinogenov's camp told Inside Pittsburgh Sports this afternoon that Afinogenov is not close to signing a new deal with any NHL team.

As of right now, nothing appears imminent this week I was told. The Penguins have yet to make an offer.

*It is only one day but top prospect Eric Tangradi is off to the type of start the Penguins wanted to see from him as the organization's development camp began today.

Pens GM Ray Shero, head coach Dan Bylsma and Director of Amateur Scouting Jay Heinbuck were among the prominent members of the Penguins hockey operations staff in attendance today.

*The Penguins are not involved in any trade discussions regarding Alex Goligoski and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Nikita Filatov. The Penguins have no interest in moving Goligoski and are not discussing him in any potential moves. The team is expecting a big year from Goligoski.

Recent Penguins Posts

Comments

froods

I have been saying Belanger and Morrison have been better options then the other smucks being tossed around

07/13/2010 10:40pm

dirtmccurt

IMO, Letestu is a better option than Morrison or Belanger

07/13/2010 10:46pm

jpaha

D, why isn't Samuelsson in Pittsburgh?

07/13/2010 10:49pm

dirtmccurt

But do they have any interest in Filatov? I understand they don't wanna move gogo but if a Talbot, Jeffrey, 2nd gets it done...it might be looking into

07/13/2010 10:50pm

acerp

I was just thinking that jpaha. Is he hurt?

07/13/2010 10:51pm

froods

You have to make Letestu earn it.....if he beats out one opf those guys at camp.....then great

07/13/2010 10:52pm

froods

Eligiblity issue?

07/13/2010 10:53pm

joker10277

You don't trade guys like Max Talbot...........If it wasn't for him, pens don't win the cup. He was injured last year, give the guy a break. You wanna trade somebody, trade dupuis, he was a healthy scratch for most of the cup run. I'm amazed how many people are ready to use max as a throw in a trade........it's just dumb.

07/13/2010 10:57pm

jaluco

Talbot, Jeffrey and a 2nd? Howson would laugh you out of the room. "Hey, we'll give you a 4th line guy, a prospect we're not sure will make it in the NHL and (wait for it) a second round pick! For a guy you took 6th overall!"

07/13/2010 11:00pm

jaluco

If they'd take Talbot for Filatov, I'd drive Talbot to Columbus myself.

07/13/2010 11:00pm

froods

I agree and disagree with you Joker. Talbot dos deserve another shot....he has been a very good player, clutch, at a cheap rate. Although I don't think he is a top 6...I never did. Then that is hypocritical about Duper. He poured in 18 goals and was arguably the best winger last year...This isn't 08-09...Duper improved his game in the offseason and it showed.

07/13/2010 11:00pm

froods

I would not trade 1 player off of this team right now

07/13/2010 11:01pm

froods

I would put this team...right now...against any team in the league

07/13/2010 11:02pm

froods

Hold on to the cap space and bring in a 4-5 million dollar winger at the deadline

07/13/2010 11:03pm

jeffed

Joker - Talbot and some throw in for Filatov is a pretty ridiculous deal for PGH.

07/13/2010 11:04pm

jaluco

If you'd put them against any team in the league, what the hell do we need a $5 million winger at the deadline for? And why try to obtain a guy at the deadline, who will more than likely be on the brink of free agency, when you could make a move for a guy that's young, has room to grow, and who's rights you own for a while? Hypothetically of course, as I see no way that Filatov is actually on the block.

07/13/2010 11:05pm

jpaha

yeah, CBJ isn't just going to ship Filatov away for nothing. Especially now since they have a new coach and he will actually play a lot unlike before. There was a rumor that VAN was thinking about trading Bieksa for him. Idk if it's true or not, but Bieksa is definitely a lot better than a package of Talbot, Jeffrey, and a draft pick

07/13/2010 11:09pm

jeffed

If you want a 5mm winger you aere going to have to trade someone off the roster or some top prospects, not worth it. Filatov is a pipe dream IMO.

07/13/2010 11:09pm

froods

You always add when you can Jaluco.

07/13/2010 11:10pm

froods

Im just saying you would have that room....you don't have to use it all....maybe you bring in a guy for 2.....or another D-man. Im just saying you get more bang for your buck in March....and this is a good roster already

07/13/2010 11:11pm

jeffed

Yeah you would def have the cap space, that wouldn't be the issue at all. Some top D prospects would have to go and some picks.

07/13/2010 11:13pm

joker10277

Filatov couldn't even make the blue jackets roster, so why would you want to trade for him? I don't get it.

07/13/2010 11:13pm

jeffed

I don't mind the roster either, but I'd still like to see someone along the lines of a top 6 guy get added.

07/13/2010 11:14pm

jaluco

But I'm trying to add - you said you wouldn't give anyone up. You definitely do not get more bang for your buck in march - in March, you end up overpaying for guys that are going to be with your team for a month and a half. It's much more efficient, asset for asset, to obtain players in the summer, when its not a seller's market.

07/13/2010 11:14pm

jaluco

joker, that's completely untrue. The guy got in Hitch's doghouse because he apparently wasn't yet responsible defensively enough for Hitch, which is notable, consider the style of play Hitch prefers. I guess Filatov didn't trap well enough. Offensively, the kid is ready to play anywhere in the league.

07/13/2010 11:16pm

froods

You can turn the 1.5you would have now into 5 million in pro-rated cap space in March.....So we can sign some 1 million dollar guy.....or save it and trade one of those 400 D prospects we have and/or draft picks for a legit top 6 guy

07/13/2010 11:18pm

jeffed

He's saying its not worth giving those guys up for a month and a half in a strong buyers/sellers market, the price is usually higher then because many teams are going after the same players. Right now is better value because you have a player for the entire year and not as many teams going after a few guys.

07/13/2010 11:20pm

jeffed

Both have reasonable points.

07/13/2010 11:20pm

froods

I agree with that...but we can't get a decent guy at the space we have now

07/13/2010 11:23pm

joker10277

He played 13 games and they sent him to back to russia, he may have more issues than not getting along with the coach.

07/13/2010 11:23pm

Cory7321

How do you put this team up against any other team in the league whenever we don't even know whose going to be on the roster yet

07/13/2010 11:25pm

jaluco

I didn't say he wasn't getting along with him - I said the coach wasn't playing him - it made little sense to continually watch Hitchcock play him 6 minutes a night because he wasn't deemed to understand their trap enough.

07/13/2010 11:26pm

froods

Cory the roster might be what it is now+2 of the prospect guys

07/13/2010 11:27pm

dynamicduo

@Maxim Afinegenov

07/13/2010 11:27pm

joker10277

Okay, why not send him to the minors, why send him home? Playing in russia is not gonna help his nhl game.

07/13/2010 11:27pm

jaluco

I don't think they sent him - I think he requested to go back to Russia.

07/13/2010 11:29pm

Cory7321

I believe he did as well

07/13/2010 11:30pm

dirtmccurt

That doesn't help his case at all though. Who wants a kid who'd rather go to Russia then actually help his game in the A?

07/13/2010 11:30pm

jeffed

Did he hurt his game in Russia?

07/13/2010 11:32pm

dirtmccurt

Russian league isn't really the same as the NHL

07/13/2010 11:33pm

joker10277

Doesn't matter anyway, pens won't trade for him. They are gonna be tight against the cap now, they need to start getting more high draft picks not trading them away. Time to restock the system, can't pay everybody and you need to have guys(forwards) coming up through the minors. Other than Tangradi and maybe johnson, pens have mostly role players in the minors.

07/13/2010 11:33pm

jaluco

Precisely. And most of us know that the answer is "no."

07/13/2010 11:34pm

jaluco

But joker...Filatov IS a high draft pick.

07/13/2010 11:34pm

jeffed

I don't know for sure but I'd be shocked if the Russian league isn't as good as the AHL

07/13/2010 11:36pm

joker10277

Yes he is, but remeber.........Rico Fata was picked 6th overall once too...........

07/13/2010 11:36pm

dirtmccurt

A high draft pick who is a flight risk so his value isn't the same. Probably the same reason teams weren't jumping all over Zherdev

07/13/2010 11:36pm

joker10277

KHL, is a different game........bigger rink, less hitting, not the best way to get ready for the NHL.

07/13/2010 11:37pm

jaluco

Ugh. The kid is not a flight risk. Do you know anything about him? He probably speaks better english than you do. The kid is as americanized as it comes, and wants to play here. What he doesn't want to do is sit on the bench and get punished because his now fired coach was too pigheaded. He's going to flourish in Arniel's system.

07/13/2010 11:38pm

jeffed

Haha, it's a waste of time.

07/13/2010 11:39pm

dirtmccurt

Then why wouldn't he just go down to the A? If he's so American, why wouldn't he want to stay here?

07/13/2010 11:42pm

dirtmccurt

I guess American flags and cheeseburgers are cheaper in Russia lol

07/13/2010 11:44pm

joker10277

Nobody knows except filatov, what is known is he played 13 career nhl games and then went home.

07/13/2010 11:45pm

jaluco

Simples, dirt. MONEY. Why make $70k in the AHL when you can make $1M tax free in Russia? Oh, that's right, you forgot that these guys get paid to play, and aren't charity cases. Good grief you can't really be this dumb. Maybe you can, I don't know.

07/13/2010 11:46pm

joker10277

Hey don't get me wrong I'm for any trade that sends gogo the other way, but this guy seems to have some issues, personally I don't want a guy who goes home for the money, because he thinks he's ready for the NHL and wants to be paid like it. Quick question...........don't cheat and use google..........Name 3 above average russian forwards in the nhl not named malkin, ov, datsuyk, or kovalchuck.........

07/13/2010 11:52pm

dirtmccurt

Zherdev, Frolov and Afinogenov

07/14/2010 12:04am

dirtmccurt

I forgot Semin

07/14/2010 12:06am

froods

There are only 4 russians that play a good two-way north american brand of hockey. Ovechkin, Datsyuk, Volchenkov, and Malkin......the rest are soft

07/14/2010 2:06am

froods

Kovalchuk, Semin, Zherdev, Frolov, Afinegenov, Kovalev all soft dont want them

07/14/2010 2:11am

froods

I would take Gonchar and Markov...but both are also a little soft

07/14/2010 2:11am

jaluco

Volchenkov plays a good two way game? On what planet? The guy is offensively inept.

07/14/2010 7:10am

beerman69

Rumor has it, the Penguins are about to sign a player. More info to come!

07/14/2010 7:54am

jaluco

Are you just making things up for your own amusement?

07/14/2010 8:57am

dsig41

Yes he is Jaluco... Constantly..

07/14/2010 9:03am

jeffed

Beerman is alright, he's just having a good time.

07/14/2010 9:26am

Jeff2266

Yes i really agree with his stance on beer

07/14/2010 9:29am

dirtmccurt

I started keeping some whiskey in my desk drawer too beerman, great idea

07/14/2010 9:45am

Jeff2266

careful with the whisky at the office can be trouble, smell, violence and beligerance are sure to follow. Try vodka, odorless gives u less anger and easier to hide

07/14/2010 9:51am

CBauerjr

Just curious has anyone been following the NHLPA and Donald Fehr (1 of the people who ruined baseball) romance? Are you scared of what he will do to hockey?

07/14/2010 9:53am

Dyobbi7

For the Filatov argument..Don't you have to be a certain age to play in the minors? I could be wrong but that is what I thought?

07/14/2010 9:53am

mwalluk

+1 on vodka

07/14/2010 9:56am

jeffed

I think he was of age to play in the AHL. There is a certain age, not sure what it is but he's 20 I believe.

07/14/2010 9:56am

dirtmccurt

Yeah he was drafted in 08, so that should make him 19 or 20

07/14/2010 9:57am

jaluco

It has nothing to do with age, when it comes to Filatov - he wasn't drafted by a CHL team, and thus the limitation rules don't apply to Filatov.

07/14/2010 10:00am

Jerkhart66

since when is Ovechkin a good two-way player? He doesn't even cross his own blue line unless there's a faceoff in his own zone. He just wanders around center ice looking for a breakaway all shift.

07/14/2010 10:01am

Dyobbi7

Yea he's 20. I was just curious because I always thought it was 21 for some reason.

07/14/2010 10:01am

beerman69

Awesome, Alcohol in the desk drawer.. It helps u make it through the day... I would like to see the Pens sign Morrison, if they plan on moving staal to Malkins line!!

07/14/2010 10:04am

dirtmccurt

jaluco is right, I think you have to play in the CHL for 4 years before you can play in the A. Its a very weird rule

07/14/2010 10:07am

Dyobbi7

Yea stupid rule IMO

07/14/2010 10:10am

jaluco

It's not 4 years. I think it's something like, if you've been drafted by a CHL team, from the time you're 18-20, you either make the big club or your rights resort back to that CHL team - afterward you can play in the AHL.

07/14/2010 10:13am

mwalluk

I would like to see us sign one of the 3 afin, morrison or belanger

07/14/2010 10:20am

dirtmccurt

My bad, alot of kids do get drafted at 16 though so it ends up being 4 years. I think it all boils down to the Q or the O trying to keep the stars in the league longer.

07/14/2010 10:20am

mwalluk

Hey D what would you rate the chance of Afin signing with the Pens? A (D-3 op D-4)

07/14/2010 10:33am

Jeff2266

I never understood elklunds e5 stuff i dont got on hockeybuzz to much, what does that mean?

07/14/2010 10:34am

Jeff2266

Is it like he shit barometer, measure shit levels? soemthing like that?

07/14/2010 10:35am

jeffed

It's honestly irrelevant. He said Kariya to Penguins e4 - which apparently means its close to happening (not sure how), but obviously that's not the case. I think the higher the "e" goes the more "sources" told him that's the case. If he actually has sources, they are literally the worst sources available considering his track record.

07/14/2010 10:39am

mwalluk

Depends on how many hits of LSD he takes, thus creating more "sources" ala voices in his head

07/14/2010 10:42am

jaluco

If there's an e5, it means it's actually a done deal, and that's been pretty reliable. If it's lower than that, it means you should laugh at him and then ignore what he says.

07/14/2010 10:44am

Jeff2266

what a clown he is

07/14/2010 10:47am

jeffed

Yes, E5 means that the deal is done and reported by other actual news sources.

07/14/2010 10:50am

jaluco

A clown? The guys a genius. He gets press passes, runs a site, and doesn't really work, selling information that's completely bogus. I wish I had that job.

07/14/2010 10:56am

jeffed

It's def not a bad gig.

07/14/2010 10:58am

Jeff2266

he gets no money or hits from me, so yes he is indeed a clown

07/14/2010 11:03am

jaluco

Well, I guess if you were the lynchpin to his deemed "success," (and its success in my book, if he gets to do whatever he wants and not work a 'real' job) then it might matter, but I bet you're pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

07/14/2010 11:10am

Jeff2266

thats wonderful jaluco

07/14/2010 11:13am

jaluco

It really is pretty wonderful.

07/14/2010 11:18am

dirtmccurt

You choose to look at his material things as success. I still don't see how trading in your pride for a paycheck makes you "the shit". At the end of the day, no one respects him or believes what he says. But to each his own

07/14/2010 11:20am

jaluco

I'm not sure how "freedom to do what you want and not have to work for someone else" is a "material thing?" Seems rather abstract.

07/14/2010 11:22am

Carnauerff

The people keep coming back to view what he says. Who's the idiot? Lol. If you know he's bullshit why view his site everyday...

07/14/2010 11:25am

dirtmccurt

You said he's a genius because he can make up what ever he wants and sell it. You are basing his success on making money from doing nothing on gaining material possessions from pedaling garbage

07/14/2010 11:28am

dirtmccurt

I'm saying that if you have no problems trading in your pride for a paycheck, then more power to you. A lot of girls are rich because of the porn industry, that doesn't really make them geniuses

07/14/2010 11:30am

jaluco

I pretty clearly stated above that I deemed "success" being able to do whatever he wants and not work a 'real' job. The money he makes from that site allows that to happen. If you can't read, that sounds a whole hell of a lot like your problem, dirt. Not mine.

07/14/2010 11:33am

TDBennyC3

will the season ever get here??? we have been reduced to discussing 4th line playing time and the validity of ektard...... on an always exciting topic, why are we looking at 3rd line centers??? hmmm

07/14/2010 11:42am

mwalluk

might as welll throw STaal in the discussion. He is not worth 2nd overall, makes toooo much money, should be traded

07/14/2010 11:43am

mwalluk

also Gonch deserved 5.5 mill for 3 yrs

07/14/2010 11:44am

Jeff2266

that horse is dead

07/14/2010 11:44am

froods

Eklund a Genius.......just because the village is drinking the piss....doesn't make the guy pissing an ocean

07/14/2010 11:48am

froods

Think about that one!!

07/14/2010 11:49am

TDBennyC3

at thsi point everythign is a dead horse, lol

07/14/2010 11:51am

dirtmccurt

So at the end of the day his "success" is still powered by garbage. I'm pretty sure no one goes into business saying "I want to fund my website at the cost of my credibility", maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't seem logical to me

07/14/2010 11:51am

jeffed

Madoff did alright doing that didn't he?

07/14/2010 11:59am

dirtmccurt

lol jeffed, he's doing real good in federal pound me in the ass prison

07/14/2010 12:01pm

froods

That sounds like a fun place!!!

07/14/2010 12:12pm

crazzzykracker

im the real joker here and Filatov would be an amazing addition. he could be the next Jagr

07/14/2010 12:17pm

jeffed

Madoff lived pretty damn well for most of his life though unfortunately, he'll be dead in a couple years anyway but he lived like a king for a long time.

07/14/2010 12:46pm

jaluco

How much can Eklund hurt his "credibility" using a made up pseudonym? About as much as you hurt your credibility posting bullshit, dirt. It's all the same. If he was going to be a legit blogger, why use the made up "Eklund" moniker?

07/14/2010 1:19pm

froods

Jaluco...why are so angry?

07/14/2010 1:41pm

TDBennyC3

you could say the sky is blue and he would disagree froods

07/14/2010 1:46pm

40ounce2freedom

Jauluco is made because Jeffed Gaped his (_o_)

07/14/2010 1:47pm

jaluco

Angry? More frustrating that people are so goddamn dumb.

07/14/2010 1:52pm

jaluco

...take Benny, for instance....

07/14/2010 1:52pm

outrage

"Paul Kariya to the Penguins continues to look good.." - Eklund I don't believe it, but I'm hoping it does happen.

07/14/2010 2:01pm

dirtmccurt

Eklund hurts his credibility as much as jaluco hurts yours you dumbass. Its not like he's using the name cocksucker101

07/14/2010 2:01pm

dirtmccurt

Names like that are easier to remember than Dwayne Klessel

07/14/2010 2:02pm

Jeff2266

lol he didnt call you a jive turkey, he called you a cocksucker

07/14/2010 2:03pm

jaluco

lol - I love when dirt just starts grasping at straws, because nothing he's said in two days even comes close to approximating reality. More, dirt! More!

07/14/2010 2:03pm

dirtmccurt

This is when you know jaluco has lost. He goes off topic

07/14/2010 2:04pm

Jeff2266

Was there a topic to begin with?

07/14/2010 2:05pm

dirtmccurt

Well we were arguing about Eklund, but now he's talking about straws and his so called grip on reality

07/14/2010 2:06pm

Jeff2266

on right i called eklund a clown and it offended some

07/14/2010 2:07pm

dirtmccurt

haha yeah, good thing we're not in Iraq. Jaluco would have beheaded us for besmirching the great Eklund

07/14/2010 2:09pm

Who has he lost credibility to? The fans that go on his site to see what he has to say, or the other so called "experts" that give him props when he gets something right? We are talking about a rumor mill here. Is Bob Mackenzie better? Is his batting average better than Eklund's? They are rumors for shit's sake. I think his "garbage" as someone pointed out is for entertainment. I would have to agree that doing something where you answer to no one but your wife sounds like one hell of a job to me. I'm not sure he believes what he preaches is gospel anyways.

07/14/2010 2:12pm

dirtmccurt

You guys are reading to much into my credibility comment. My main point was pride in your work. I'm sure Eklund is probably doing better, monetarily, than D but at the end of the day, D can be proud of his website, I'm not so sure that Eklund is truly happy that everyone dismisses his comments and views him as a joke

07/14/2010 2:17pm

jaluco

You're so hung up on this money thing - you only need enough money to be independently viable - nobody is claiming the guy is rich. Even if he is, who cares? I'm betting Eklund doesn't give a rat's ass who dismisses his comments and views as jokes - seems like something you'd be hung up on - well, that and earning an honest dollar. I couldn't care less if you besmirch Eklund - the point is, if the guy was worried about HIS credibility, or went into this wanting to be a credible blogger, he wouldn't have gone into it using a pseudonym. He knew exactly what he was going to be. A joke. Like dirt. Only one joke makes a living being a joke, and the other just continues to make a fool of himself.

07/14/2010 2:25pm

Look it is still a Rumor Blog and will always be...Shit gets made up, some shit is real, but in the end once again it is a RUMOR MILL otherwise it would be called the NEWS!

07/14/2010 2:28pm

wfd2183

What about Marek Svatos as a cheap winger options

07/14/2010 2:32pm

dirtmccurt

You act like you know he was going to be a joke, are you BFFs with him? I'm betting a more likely scenario is that he went into business with the intention of being a legitimate writer but couldn't hack it so turned to garbage rumors and made up "sources". Its no different than the failed actress/models turned pornstar. There's nothing wrong with doing it but I wouldn't really call him a success

07/14/2010 2:35pm

jaluco

If he went into it expecting to legit, why use a fake name rather than gaining credibility?

07/14/2010 2:38pm

Dirt, what credentials do you have that he couldn't hack it as a writer? How do you know he has made up "sources"? Your pornstar metaphor is a stretch.

07/14/2010 2:39pm

dirtmccurt

Why does any celebrity use an alias? Sometimes you don't like your name, or think it won't be remembered?

07/14/2010 2:39pm

dirtmccurt

Who said anything about credentials? I am only basing my arguments on the assumption that most people like to be taken seriously

07/14/2010 2:40pm

dirtmccurt

sources say Kovalchuk to the Penguins is looking better...he makes comments like this all the time. What legitimate source would ever say this?

07/14/2010 2:41pm

you are the one calling him a hack...so you have to be the expert to offer that type of opinion. It's a RUMOR MILL for FUCK's SAKE! RUMOR - "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern." Not everything this guy reports is going to come true. He's not god, he's just Eklund. Does the name Mark Twain ring a bell!?

07/14/2010 2:43pm

jeffed

He just posted "Kariya to the Pens is still looking good..." Who does he hear that from? They are saying the exact opposite as D, LeBrun, etc. So it's kind of a joke.

07/14/2010 2:43pm

dirtmccurt

I said couldn't hack it you moron, I never called him a hack

07/14/2010 2:44pm

jaluco

There's a difference between using a stage name for notariety purposes and calling yourself "the anonymous hockey blogger."

07/14/2010 2:45pm

If you are referring to .."kariya to Pittsburgh is looking better...." what are you referring better to? 5 years ago, last year, yesterday?

07/14/2010 2:45pm

ooh Moron, you got me there....right so now you are referencing semantics....Hack it vs calling someone a hack...is there really a difference...what makes DePaoli or LeBrun any better than Eklund?

07/14/2010 2:47pm

dirtmccurt

Do you even know the english language? When you say someone can't hack something, its like saying the couldn't do.

07/14/2010 2:49pm

dirtmccurt

Like...dirtmccurt couldn't hack it as a baseball player, I guess he should try out for basketball

07/14/2010 2:50pm

dirtmccurt

And that difference is what jaluco? You remember a name like Slash, you don't really remember a name like Saul Hudson

07/14/2010 2:51pm

My bad...I made an assumption...see you said he went into business to be a legitimate writer but couldn't hack it, but turned to garbage "rumors". Once again, who says he isn't hacking it? It's your opinion, who says your opinion is right? (other than you) I will keep my stance that they are "RUMORS". They don't have to come true. But, you can't seem to wrap your head around that. Maybe you're the moron.

07/14/2010 2:57pm

dirtmccurt

Read this article, it pretty much confirms my guess about Eklund...http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2007/08/01/unmasked-and-anonymous-answering-the-ethical-questions-about-a/

07/14/2010 2:58pm

dirtmccurt

Sorry, the link didn't work. Google dwayne klessel and click on the link from nhl fanhouse

07/14/2010 2:59pm

jaluco

Slash - the anonymous rock guitarist. He always went by that. Remember when Bob McKenzie used to just go by Big Mac?

07/14/2010 3:00pm

dirtmccurt

Eklund started out as a nobody named Dwayne Klessel that interned for the Quebec Nordiques. Long story short...he got tired of being a nobdy and turned to false rumors

07/14/2010 3:02pm

jaluco

He got tired of working for other people, is what happened. Now he works for himself.

07/14/2010 3:04pm

dirtmccurt

D works by for himself too jaluco, but he didn't take the easy way like Eklund

07/14/2010 3:06pm

Jeff2266

He was never called big mac but im sure Mackenzie has pollished off a few big macs in his day

07/14/2010 3:06pm

dirtmccurt

And now we wait for jaluco to go off topic

07/14/2010 3:07pm

jaluco

Are you his publicist, dirt?

07/14/2010 3:07pm

jaluco

The fuck do I care if he took the easy way out? What are you, some sort of moral authority, dirt?

07/14/2010 3:08pm

dirtmccurt

off topic statement #1

07/14/2010 3:08pm

Jeff2266

eklund is a clown

07/14/2010 3:08pm

dirtmccurt

and there was number 2

07/14/2010 3:08pm

jaluco

And now we wait for dirt to prove, yet again, why he struggled to get his GED.

07/14/2010 3:09pm

TDBennyC3

1. jaluco dont reference me when i am not on here and 2. your just jealous that eklund maybe the 1 person who is more wrong than you on everything

07/14/2010 3:09pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

i love jaluco's main argument: attack his opponents integrity.

07/14/2010 3:09pm

jaluco

I'll reference you whenever I want, Benny. Now go back to fluffing Huntington.

07/14/2010 3:09pm

dirtmccurt

Off topic 3 and 4

07/14/2010 3:10pm

jaluco

Nonsense - nobody he has integrity to attack.

07/14/2010 3:10pm

jaluco

Dirt, you're just too amusing. Our moral compass! All over you unless you do it the way he thinks is okay! Who the hell are you, Jerry Falwell?

07/14/2010 3:11pm

Actually, nowhere in his BIO did it say he worked for a circus, rodeo, or kids birthday parties. That's a big leap to call him a clown. So, his website is for Entertainment purposes only. Who fucking cares?

07/14/2010 3:11pm

TDBennyC3

ouch, taking a shot at me for being a pirate fan... good one jaluco.... why dont you remind everyone how gonch doesnt have a NTC and we will not let 65 points walk out the door... or how staal isnt a 2ndl ine center on any team yet the team with 2 of the top centers in the world is working to get a 3rd line center so they can play in at center #2..... your a fuck

07/14/2010 3:11pm

dirtmccurt

Read the article riss, he didn't do it for entertainment, he came up with false names to verify sources

07/14/2010 3:12pm

Jeff2266

this is hilarious, rissling believe me hes a clown

07/14/2010 3:12pm

dirtmccurt

which didn't exist

07/14/2010 3:13pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I think we should sell tickets to a Benny V. Jaluco match. every subscriber would buy tickets. Sell out the Consol! haha

07/14/2010 3:13pm

I tried to read it, but it was too long...I'm only a math teacher....I don't do well with words, just numbers.

07/14/2010 3:13pm

jaluco

There's a difference between being a fan and being a blind moron, who thinks the guy can do no wrong, when he's done his fair share. And yes - Gonch had a NTC, and he didn't get traded - like I said he wouldn't - and regardless of what you say, Staal still isn't a #2 center - at least, not on a team that you know, wins.

07/14/2010 3:13pm

dirtmccurt

All you have to do jaluco...just one time admit that you were wrong

07/14/2010 3:14pm

Jeff2266

next ill get working on corprate sponsers for the upcoming death match

07/14/2010 3:15pm

TDBennyC3

yeah and even more fun was the fans that took it to another level on http://hockeybuzzhogwash.com/

07/14/2010 3:15pm

jaluco

About what, dirt?

07/14/2010 3:16pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

Jeff, I'm sure that they will be clamoring to get in. lord knows I will.

07/14/2010 3:16pm

jaluco

At one point, I assumed dirt wasn't a moron. I was way off on that. Completely wrong. There dirt - feel better?

07/14/2010 3:16pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

what are we thinking guys, electrified steel cage? or just barbed wire along the inside of the cage?

07/14/2010 3:17pm

jaluco

The real question on everyone's mind, nxt_1 - is your mom going to be willing to drive you to this event?

07/14/2010 3:18pm

dirtmccurt

Your off topic comments have now reached double digits. If you think its right to lie and cheat to make a living, more power to you.

07/14/2010 3:18pm

that's kind of funny...did this all start over "success"?

07/14/2010 3:18pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

jaluco, just out of curiosity, what is your occupation? cause you must not like your job/family situation very much...

07/14/2010 3:18pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

i love it. i take a neutral stance on this death match and jaluco attacks me. roid rage or PMS... and guessers?

07/14/2010 3:19pm

Do you still think that he is lying and cheating now? He could have turned his life around? I read most of that article. Where did it say that he lied and cheated? I couldn't find it.

07/14/2010 3:19pm

TDBennyC3

i think you need to have a sit down with RS about staal... or are you saying the pens wont win bc of this next year... and its out there everywhere that staal is likely to play center with malkin on the wing next year. but hey you know more than shero right?

07/14/2010 3:20pm

Jeff2266

it started when i called eklund a clown at about 10 am and jaluco ran to his defense

07/14/2010 3:20pm

TDBennyC3

rissling check out hockeybuzzhogwash.com.... its fans taht spent a year tracking eklunds success rate and exposing who he is... its even more entertaining than hockybuzz.....

07/14/2010 3:21pm

jaluco

I'm an industrial engineer for westinghouse. It pays well, but I think I value my free time more.

07/14/2010 3:21pm

jaluco

There's nothing to defend - he does what you do, jeff, only he gets paid for it, and you do it on here for free.

07/14/2010 3:22pm

I am kind of pro-eklund...you have to take what he says with a grain of salt....he's not going to hit on everything he puts out there...I think he does have reliable sources...and he is probably used by some people in different organizations...tell Eklund so-so and let him blog so team B doesn't get wind of what we are really doing....I don't know.

07/14/2010 3:22pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

jaluco, how many people are under you? not being abrasive, just curious.

07/14/2010 3:22pm

jaluco

There's no proof that Staal is going to play center on the 2nd line next year, and even less proof that it would work out. Hell, when he played there this year, you didn't even know he dressed.

07/14/2010 3:23pm

dirtmccurt

Now he does, but he started in fraud.

07/14/2010 3:23pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

not defending eklund, i personally dont like the guy, but he is kind of the national enquirer of hockey. he gives people info to feed off of and thats it. pretty much just goes with his gut i think.

07/14/2010 3:24pm

jaluco

4 directly, but they all have people that work under them. Why?

07/14/2010 3:24pm

jeffed

This is out of hand, just a tad. Fight nice children.

07/14/2010 3:24pm

Jeff2266

benny i looked at that, eklund claiming brian burke drafted Todd Bertuzzi in 93 was one of my favourites, burke was vice president of hockey operations for the NHL at that time

07/14/2010 3:24pm

Jeff2266

Jaluco im not trying to argue the facts of eklund with u im simply saying how this rediculous argument started

07/14/2010 3:25pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

just curious. I didnt know what level industrial engineer was in the corporate ladder.

07/14/2010 3:26pm

dirtmccurt

I'm just saying... to my knowledge, the NI has always been known to be nonsense, Eklund started as a legit rumor site that came up with insane rumors to attract attention, he used fake sources and verified them with fake people. I don't hate the guy but he's not an idea candidate for "success story"

07/14/2010 3:28pm

40ounce2freedom

A player nominated for the selke isnt 2nd line center worthy??

07/14/2010 3:29pm

This is probably how this conversation should have went from the beginning...."To each their own!"

07/14/2010 3:30pm

Jeff2266

not good enough when Geno is ur 2nd line center

07/14/2010 3:31pm

dirtmccurt

Usually people who win that award are 3rd line forwards. Datsyuk is an exception

07/14/2010 3:31pm

Jeff2266

Mike Peca and Kris Draper are not 2nd line worthy are they?

07/14/2010 3:32pm

40ounce2freedom

But to say Staal isnt 2nd line worthy isnt true..If Geno were not on our team or Staal was on another team...He's a 2nd line guy.

07/14/2010 3:33pm

Jeff2266

Depends on the team

07/14/2010 3:33pm

Jeff2266

Its not that hes not worthy is that everyone is so good at their current role why change it

07/14/2010 3:34pm

jaluco

If Geno was not on our team, and Staal was our second line center, this team would have to overachieve to make the playoffs.

07/14/2010 3:34pm

Staal needs to add some offensive moves to his repertoire. He gets predicatable...he is still young and can get better, but I'm not sure right now if he is a number 2 center on the Pens.

07/14/2010 3:35pm

dirtmccurt

If Geno wasn't on this team, Crosby would have some bomb as wingers so IDK about that jaluco

07/14/2010 3:36pm

dirtmccurt

*bomb ass

07/14/2010 3:36pm

wolfman

If Staal were on any other team, chances are he'd be a second line center and play with wingers who weren't third liners. He'd be doing ok. Glad he's here rather than elsewhere.

07/14/2010 3:38pm

jeffed

Those "bomb ass" wingers would probably at max produce what Geno does year in and year out from a points standpoint.

07/14/2010 3:39pm

dirtmccurt

I hope you don't mean combined jeffed

07/14/2010 3:41pm

jeffed

They would have a player like Kunitz at $3.75m and a $5m winger, they would probably put up around 125 - 150 points. Malkin is capable of that himself and has already done that.

07/14/2010 3:51pm

dirtmccurt

Tangradi-Crosby-Hossa; Hossa is a shoe in for 80-100 points, Tangradi can definitely put up more than 30 points. And then Kunitz-Staal-Samuelsson could be pretty lethal too. I'd still rather have Geno but I doubt we would be fighting to get into the playoffs with those lines

07/14/2010 3:56pm

wolfman

dirt, yes but one of those 'guys' goes down from injury, and we are filling holes with third line pluggers just like now. prefer the advantage of Staal and Geno for now, any day.

07/14/2010 3:59pm

dirtmccurt

I don't think its really fair to pull up the injury card wolf. Cause if geno gets hurt, we're fucked anyway

07/14/2010 4:11pm

jeffed

I don't know about Hossa putting up 100, he could, but doesn't seem to be a given to me.

07/14/2010 4:16pm

↑ previous comments ↑