Don't look now, Pittsburgh Penguins fans, but eight games into the 2006-07 season, your team is currently sitting atop the Atlantic Division and third overall in the Eastern Conference.
Now I know it's far too early to suggest the Pens can keep up this pace. This club still needs a lot of work defensively and their lack of skilled depth on the blueline and on their checking lines will probably drag them down in the standings as the season progresses.
But after last season's horrific start that sunk any hopes of getting with sniffing distance of the 2006 playoffs, this year's holds a lot more promise.
At best, the Pens could be in a fight for a playoff berth down the stretch. At worse, they may fall out of the race by January, but this stronger than expected start to the 2006-07 season gives Penguins fans a glimpse into a promising future.
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury has shaken off a poor pre-season to post up a respectable 2.66 GAA, an eye-popping .923 SP and a shutout in 8 games with a 5-3 won-loss record. What makes this even more notable is he's faced the most shots of any goalie in the league thus far.
On the blueline, the Penguins are still missing the physical presence of Brooks Orpik (still sidelined with a broken bone in his right hand), but promising d-man Ryan Whitney (whose 38 point rookie season was overshadowed by Sidney Crosby's performance) is off to a strong sophomore season by averaging a point per game thus far. Veteran Sergei Gonchar appears off to a better start that last season, giving the Penguins blueline some lethal offensive punch.
Up front, Crosby continues to weave his magic, leading the club in points with 12, only three behind overall leader Marian Hossa.
But it's the play of two rookie Penguins, Evgeny Malkin and Jordan Staal, that is also garnering attention.
Staal already has four goals in 8 games, making it harder for management to send him back to the minors. If this kid is ready to play, and the fact he looks comfortable on the second line thus far seems to prove he does, then the Pens should keep him and worry about re-signing him in three years time. A lot can happen in three years, but Staal is ready now. Sending him back to Junior this season just to stretch out his contract by another year is not gonna be a good sell with the fans.
As for Malkin, he's doing everything expected of him since returning to action after dislocating his shoulder in pre-season. In fact, he's showing no effects of that injury and appears to get stronger in every game, potting 4 goals and 6 points in his first six games.
Anyone buying into that stupid, baseless rumor that he wants out of Pittsburgh because he doesn't want to be overshadowed by Crosby need only watch his reaction after scoring a highlight reel goal on Wednesday against the Devils.
After scoring that goal he embraced linemate Crosby in a huge bear hug. Yeah, lotsa dissatisfaction was evident in that. Hoo, boy, Malkin, try to mask your disappointment in having Crosby as a linemate and having to play in Pittsburgh better than that next time. Hey, maybe that's how Russians hide their disappointment, by looking like they're having the time of their lives.
It's obvious Malkin loves playing in Pittsburgh, and hooking up with Crosby could make these two the most lethal Penguins one-two punch since Mario and Jaromir were in their early-90s heyday.
The Penguins may come crashing back to earth at some point this season, but these aforementioned youngsters are pointing the way to a much brighter future, provided this club can sort out its financial situation over the next three years.
I knew the Pens would be an improved team this year, but I never thought they would see first in the division. It is still early and only time will tell if they can stay in the race, but given the Devils finding it hard getting consistent scoring going and Philly's woes, it looks pretty good right now. The Devils will turn it on at some point and the Pens D will lose some games for them, but if the kids can keep up the pace and the confidence they very well may be for real. It's great to watch. It's great for the city of Pittsburg. It's great for the NHL. Now, lets hope they can get a new arena, stay in Pa. and the new owner doesn't want them to move to Ontario.
The Pens have some exciting talent and if the East is as weak as its proving to be over the first few weeks, they should have no problem wrapping up a playoff spot.
And is it really that surprising to see the Pens in first place? I don't think so. The Devils were stagnant and regressed no matter how much you want to talk Lou up(Parisse has been doing well though), the Flyers were and still are too slow, the Islanders are, well, the Islanders.
The only team that may have disappointed thus far are the Rangers. But that is to be expected with the guys they added. With the exception of Shannahan they are role players and are still trying to find their roles on that team. I expect the Rangers to get much better as the season progresses.
That being said I think the Pens could easily slip into second place in the Atlantic and steal the eighth spot from the Devils and Maple Leafs. Leafs play in a much tougher division and will have a harder time finding W's against the Sens, Canadiens and Sabres.
In two to three years if they can add the role players to fill out their lines, the Penguins could be a very dangerous team.
I would like to add that the goal by Malkin last night was a thing of beauty. If you haven't seen it, I recommend you go and see it. A rookie going against a legend of the game, great move and finish.
The Malkin goal was a thing of beauty - I was surprised that Marty didn't poke away Staal's pass through the crease to Recchi on Ekman's goal. That pass would have never made it through a few years ago. Staal is playing well, it would be a crime to send him back to juniors.
LGB - I wouldn't be so quick to write off the Devils - they will get things going, that roster is too strong not to. Once they start clicking they should lead that division - come seasons end they will be in first or second.
Gregsky- That pass wouldn't have made it through years ago because of the two-line rule.
As for the Devils, I will be very shocked if they win the division. I know they started off so-so last year as well and turned things around, I just think the teams around them have improved(with the exception of the Flyers)and won't let them go on the hot streak they went on after January.
I know the Atlantic is still a "poor" division but the Devils add to that. They USED to be dominant and would scare many teams when they played but now they are middle of the pack and could fall anywhere.
You're not a good hockey club when you lose to a struggling team, albeit a powerhouse when things are going right, 8-1.
LGB - I'm not sure what two line rule you are talking about - I was referring to the pass Staal made from almost passed the goal line through the goal mouth to Recchi that slid passed Marty then Recchi passed it to Ekman through the slot for the goal - perhaps you did not see it.
As for the Devils say what you want but be prepared to be shocked. I just don't see what improvements the teams around them (exception Pittsburg) made. Shanny will help the Rangers PP but they still don't have a great D and Lundqvist may not repeat last years performance. The Isles and Philly are no contest. The Devils offence will heat up and they will start to take over that division.
Gregsky- My fault, I thought you were talking about the pass to Malkin on his goal.
The Rangers also added Cullen and Ward, two guys who just won the Stanley Cup and got significant playing time in doing so. As for Lundqvist, I don't see him becoming a bum if thats what you mean. I think he'll come close to if not bettering himself from last year.
If I were a Devils fan I'd be much more worried with the fact that I'm conceding 15 goals over my last 3 games. Thats a more telling fact than just scoring 6 in that same period.
I'm not saying Lundqvist is a bum - just saying he may have had an exceptional year last year and may not repeat it. Cam Ward had a great year and may not repeat it. As far as the Aaron Ward addition - okay, but they still don't have a solid corps of D-men.
IF, I were a Devils fan (which I'm not I like all 30 teams equally - I'm a hockey fan), I would be concerned about the start as well, but it is early and I would not worry so much. As you pointed out they had a slow start last year and had key injuries and still turned it around in time to grab a #6 seed. Devils fans shouldn't worry too much.
You know look at the pens now. They have two promising defensemen, crosby, malkin, and staal. In a few years they'll all be worth big bucks.
I'm predicting that if things stay the way they are that GM's and coaches are going to try to start losing more so that they can't pick up on all this tallent and lose the team when the time comes for them to resign the buggers. Really I thought Buffalo was lucky this year. When you look at all the guys they signed... think about how many skilled players they resigned. If it were 3 years from now that this signging was going on this buffalo team would be spread all over the NHL just like what happened to the 80's oilers.
The Pens managed to grab a fair number of high draft picks while playing the roll of bottomfeeders in the NHL and if they don't do something like win now and draft later, they're going to find themselves with so much young tallent going to arbirtation that they'll find themselves tumbling to the bottom all over again.
This is a great commentary Spector...I like your positive attitude about these guys. I also enjoy reading Gregsky's informed perspective.
I would imagine that the Pens could pick up a decent defensive player like Davidson from the Sharks for say a second rounder next year. Davidson's a physical player, and I think the Sharks would prefer to keep their other benchwarmer Doug Murray, who has a slight bit more of an upside. As both guys are sitting around in San Jose, I would say it's a good bet one is going soon, and Doug Wilson likes to stockpile draft picks ala Sam Pollock, especially as the Pens have nothing the Sharks need right now.
Yep, these Pens are exciting!
That goal was brilliant. A true thing of beauty. Watched it over and over on TiVo. Picked my jaw up off the floor after each viewing.
The Penguins are a decent team this year. They're playing well with each other early on. I'd be very unsurprised to see them in the playoffs this season.
I think the Devils will struggle, but they'll still make it after 82. Philadelphia and the Rangers will be lucky to battle for 8th.
gregsky- The Devils turned it around and grabbed the three seed. They won the Atlantic Division. I guess we'll just find out how the season turns out but I don't think there is going to be drastic turn arounds like there were last year.
Too many things went into last year like the Olympic Break, Senators with Hasek's health, the new rules etc etc.
LGB - Thanks, my bad - I meant #3 seed I was rushing to get ready for work - I'll sit in the sin bin for two with shame.
Thanks sharkfan25 - but Spector is the man. I'm just glad to be able to throw my two cents in on a great forum like this. And you are right the Pens are fun to watch.
The Pens seem like the real deal this year. As a Devils fan, the way Fleury has been playing and the offense they can generate scares me. I hope you are all right about the Devils turning it around, but Brodeur hasn't been his stellar self and our D looks average at best. The Pens skated us off the ice until the third period. I wouldn't be disappointed to see Gomez traded for a top 4 defenseman to replace Neidermayer. Are there any available?
The Pens are for real this year. They will make the playoffs, but their lack of depth on the blue line will hold them back from great things. While the defense is drastically improved from last year, when team would just waltz into the Pens zone, take about 6 to 7 shots, and if they didn't score, went back and did it again. They stil give up way too many shots but I think they will benefit once Brooks Orpik returns. The Pens teams of the early 90s that won the 2 Cups and had two the best regular seasons ever in 93 and 95 were known for their offense, but protrolling the blue lines for those teams were Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy, Ulf Sameulson, Kjell Samuelson, Marty McSorley, and of course, the immortal Jim Paek. The talent is good enough to get them to the playoffs, but who nows how far they can go from there.
These guys are going to be very scary in the very near future...all of these young stars...Young, Exciting forwards(Crosby, Malkin Staal), young star in the making in goal(Fleury)...WOW...I think that the Penguins are just a few players short of being Stanley Cup contenders.
Last edited by OilFan on November 2nd at 11:23 AM.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
