Pittsburg with the First Overall Pick

[MBLacrosse]

Crap i didnt want them to get it. Sidney Crosbys not going to be able to do anything there that will make a difference. Wish Atlanta or Ottawa got it.

[Middie_Hero19]

Ive never even heard of the guy. I saw the interview on tv though. Thats cool hes going right out of high school. That would be so awesome. I wish detroit would of won. Then colorado.

[MachAttack39]

i wanted Buff to get him

[Palmettolax45]

PANTHERS YEAH were gonna kick butt

[Deutschlaxer]

Ive never even heard of the guy. I saw the interview on tv though. Thats cool hes going right out of high school. That would be so awesome. I wish detroit would of won. Then colorado.

You've never heard of Sidney Crosby??? Do you even know what the NHL is??? Don't want to be so hard on you but when the Great one, number 99 says that there is probably only one person to break his records and it will probably be Sidney then it is pretty wierd to think that you havent heard about this kid at all.

[blckout20]

Let's Go Whalers! Let's Go Whalers!

Man do I miss pro hockey. I can't wait to get the action back on the ice. The winter wasn't as fun without the coolest game on earth.

[lax4life6]

its kind of unfair that they have Marc-andre Fluery and Sydney crosby. but still pittsburgh is gonna suck. they should have given the first pick to dallas . GO STARS!!!!!!!

[Eclipse]

just wait till phil kessel gets to the NHL....sidney crosby will be done

Although crosby is god

[RockfordAttack9]

I think that Crosby is very overhyped, his first 2 seasons might be okay, but I think he will kill someone like Danny Heatley and crumble. Im just joking, Crosby is going to do well in Pittsburg, but he is not going to save the franchise.

[lyonslax98]

yeah what is all the hype on this guy? why?

[Middie_Hero19]

Crosby is only 18 and they were saying he is not even gonna get the chance to play college hockey or semi-pro hockey, hes going str8 to the show. Thats why i figure hes just comming right out of high school.

[RockStar]

Just FYI, Middie, most NHL'ers didn't play college hockey. Unlike football and basketball, College is not where you develop top hockey players.

The vast majority came through one of the elite Canadian Junior Leagues (OHL, QMJHL, WHL), and possibly spent a bit of time in the minor pro leagues after being drafted. The better players are all drafted by age 18, but many finish their last two or three years in Junior anyway to develop before going pro.

Some guys do make the NHL out of college, but the number is almost irrelevant compared to Junior hockey

[MainLax28]

I think Pittsburg eventually won't be able to pay for the kid, and he'll move else where. I also am tending to thinking about Eric Lindros, he was all hyped up as a draft pick, but now he's just your run of the mill free agent. Hopefully this won't heppen this time cause he doesn't seem to be a big a JO as Lindros.

[fcalaxplaya]

Im from pittsburgh and it rocks, the pick

[crazylegs]

Dude there are Hockey analysts that are already picking the Pens to possibly win it all now. Don't forget what the whole strike was about, there are salary caps now, most teams will have to get rid of many of their star players to stay under the cap, the Pens are way under the cap so where do you think a lot of those players are gonna go.

Wether he's getting old or not, they do still have Mario Lemuix, they will get the Crosby kid, they already signed Mark Recci (sp) people still say the Fluery kid will be a great goalie, word around town is they will most likly get Alexi Kovalev back. Even with all tht they will still be under the cap, which means they will probably get 1 or 2 more big name veterans.

[anjang86]

As a former Pittsburgher, I'm frigin stoked about the hokey season.

Now if only the Pirates could get it together and we could get an NBA team!

PITTSBURGH IS SPELLED WITH AN H DAMMNIT!

[moondog]

Regardless of what teams win...

I like the lower ticket prices
I like the rule changes
I like the smaller goalie pads

With that, there's nowhere to go but up.

[LiveAtWoodstock]

Yeah I'm so mad, we just lost Mccarty, Hull, probably Hatcher, and most likely Chelios, so the D isn't going to be as good as it could have been this year. Luckily though, we got rid of Cujo, who couldn't make a stop to save his life. This salary cap is going to suck for a few years, but look at the NFL, they can still survive. Granted they make a lot more money than the NHL, but in a while we will end up with dynasty teams again, just with smaller salaries.

[mrboarderman]

I think Pittsburg eventually won't be able to pay for the kid, and he'll move else where. I also am tending to thinking about Eric Lindros, he was all hyped up as a draft pick, but now he's just your run of the mill free agent. Hopefully this won't heppen this time cause he doesn't seem to be a big a JO as Lindros.


Are you aware of how much money Craig Patrick (Pittsburgh GM) had as a budget before the lock out?

About 10.2 Million. Yes that little. I believe now the required budget amount is 22 million or so. Since, Craig Patrick was ready for the lock out he has not had to make any cut backs. Instead, this allows him to add stronger players.

He has long been considered one of the best GMs in the league even with the small budgets he has had to deal with. Imagine what he can do with money....

I agree with whoever said this gives possibility to winning it all for the Pens. Fluery has had some time to get stronger into the kind of prospect he was said to be and Sidney should be great right from the start.

[cannonslax624]

My brother goes to school in Pittsburgh (Carnegie Mellon), and although I am from Boston, I love Sidney Crosby's game. Does anyone here REALLY follow the NHL Prospect/Future Scene? Like a lot of people analyze the NFL Draft (I do that to), but does anyone do it for Hockey? You must follow it to realize what Crosby is going to do for the franchise. The Penguins have been my favorite team for awhile now, and this move will save the franchise. Face it.

The Penguins have sucked for awhile now. Crosby had 160+ points last season. 300 points in 120 games the past two seasons.

Marc Andre-Fleury is an unbelievable keeper prospect. He is the future goalie in Pittsburgh, and will do unbelievable soon enough.

The name I am surprised (or am i?) that no one has mentioned is Evgeni Malkin. The number two overall pick last year in the 04 draft, this kid is going to be sick. He will be the second line centre (with Crosby the obvious first line centre). He is in Russia, but might come over now because of the addition of Crosby.

Ticket sales are over the roof now. This could eventually lead to a new stadium, seeing as Mellon Arena is a dump. If they can get Crosby and Malkin both playing this season, a new stadium should be in the works soon.

Sidney Crosby Saved the Franchise. Face it.

[mrboarderman]

My brother goes to school in Pittsburgh (Carnegie Mellon), and although I am from Boston, I love Sidney Crosby's game. Does anyone here REALLY follow the NHL Prospect/Future Scene? Like a lot of people analyze the NFL Draft (I do that to), but does anyone do it for Hockey? You must follow it to realize what Crosby is going to do for the franchise. The Penguins have been my favorite team for awhile now, and this move will save the franchise. Face it.

The Penguins have sucked for awhile now. Crosby had 160+ points last season. 300 points in 120 games the past two seasons.

Marc Andre-Fleury is an unbelievable keeper prospect. He is the future goalie in Pittsburgh, and will do unbelievable soon enough.

The name I am surprised (or am i?) that no one has mentioned is Evgeni Malkin. The number two overall pick last year in the 04 draft, this kid is going to be sick. He will be the second line centre (with Crosby the obvious first line centre). He is in Russia, but might come over now because of the addition of Crosby.

Ticket sales are over the roof now. This could eventually lead to a new stadium, seeing as Mellon Arena is a dump. If they can get Crosby and Malkin both playing this season, a new stadium should be in the works soon.

Sidney Crosby Saved the Franchise. Face it.

Are ticket sales really through the roof? Hvaen't heard anything here in PGH i was just wondering really.

I live about 5 minutes walking distance from CMU. Great school.

You made what I would consider the most interesting comment about Pittsburgh hockey. The rink situation. I think you are right. With the addition of a good team I do not see the city shutting down the idea another 6th time. They have bought everyone elses stadiums in the city. It is the penguins turn.

[cannonslax624]

Yeah man, tickets are through the roof. Apparently, people had to wait 45 minutes to buy tickets on the phone the day the lottery winner (pitt) was announced.

Agreed. Penguins need a new stadium.

Thats cool, I think CMU is a great school too. My brother is a nerd. The standards he set that I have to follow are definitely not cool.

Seriously everyone, WATCH THE PENGUINS for the next 3-5 years. This team is going to be unbelievable. If they resign Kovalev and add some decent Vet dman, it could put them over the top. But only if MALKIN PLAYS! This kid would have been number one overall in 04, but that honor went to another phenom, Alexander Ovechkin of Washington Capitals, who will play for the Caps this season, so Malkin went 2 to the Pens. Perhaps the combo of Ovechkin coming to the states and the addition of Crosby makes Malkin decision that much easier. Let's all hope.

[mrboarderman]

Do you AIM?

I haven't been following close as I used to. I have a couple more questions....

[cannonslax624]

Yeah, not right now though, I'm at work. Just Private Message me anyquestions you have. Go Penguins.

[masong101]

He is not coming right out of high school. He has been playing in the Q for years (I believe)
no he is coming out of high school right to the nhl. i know him. i got to play hockey with him becuz we rented out the ice and stuff. but im only 13 so i have a ways togo before i get to the Q

[cannonslax624]

Right, but Crosby is not coming from high school, per say, like in the NBA Draft, where kids come from Oak Hill Academy, or Mt. Zion Academy, or something like that. This kid is coming from the QMJHL, a TEAM from the QMJHL, Rimouski Oceanic. Hes not coming from Montreal High.

[Miniboxer]

Gah.

How many of you guys watch the Q, O or the Dub?

Seriously. If you WANT a full write up about the draft and the draft eligable players, let me know.

[hvlax26]

just wait till phil kessel gets to the NHL....sidney crosby will be done

Although crosby is god
I agree 400% kessel will be better than crosby. crosby is overhyped but i still cant wait to see him play, the pens have been my favorite team forever. To all of you who say they're gonna suck dont talk so soon. :nono: they still have lemuix and they also got recchi (sp?) before the lockout, along with marc-andre fleury the first pick last year

[anjang86]

Sorry that this is off topic, I lived in Oakland Sq... basically you would take Forbes, to Atwood, to Dawson, to Oakland Sq... whoever said they lived near CMU... do those roads ring a bell?

Anyways to keep some of it on topic. Cannons is absolutely right, Crosby will REALLY save the franchise, and I think the lockout actually helped the franchise as well. I love Mellon Arena (ugh... I'd rather call it the Civic Arena) but it's gotta go... its as trashy as Three Rivers was back in the day.

[cannonslax624]

I'd help you If i Could, but I'm completely clueless as to what road you'd take from CMU, but I'm sure mrboarderman can help...

Finally, someone who agrees nrvlc that crosby SAVED the franchise...Penguins hockey, in 3 or 4 years, is going to sellout every single game. Malkin and Crosby, combined with Fleury, is going to be sick to watch. I can't wait to see how they do. I just hope they get rolling on a new arena. How would a new arena opening in 07 sound? very good to me. mellon arena's gotta go. Crosby and the boys need new digs right away. Penguins hockey is making a comeback. Finally.

[anjang86]

I think something else that keeps the franchise there is just the tradition. Can you imagine hockey not being in Pittsburgh? Fans may have not been paying the ticket prices before, but they'll be dammned before they let the team slip away.

[mrboarderman]

hvlax - Recchi skates and runs at my school sometimes. He actually practiced with our team at one point. They told him to go full speed for a shift and appearently it was the craziest thing they had ever seen.

nvrlc - I recognize all those roads excet Oakland Sq. Oakland is basically my stomping grounds.

Cannons - I am still a little skeptical about him saving the franchise. Pittsburgh is a football town for life. No one goes to see the games excet for about 400 people, and those people usually cannot afford tickets (I guess lowered tickets could change that). The rest go to get plastered and watch a fight. Most people in this town are bandwagon fans. And if they do as well as most people think they will do (me included), the franchise will only then be saved.

You will not see a new rink that early in 2007. Pittsburgh will wait as long as possible until they are basically forced by the city to do it.

Oh yeah I forgot to ask this through PM Cannons: How much do the rumors say Kovelev is asking?

[cannonslax624]

400 people go to see Penguins games? What do you mean, attendance, while extremely low, is 11,000 a game. Maybe I just misread your post, but whatever. Has anyone heard the new ticket deal? Reserve and two seats in the house for like 89 bucks. What a deal! They slashed ticket prices by 40%, and now there are a few thousand 10 dollar seats. If ticket prices don't put fans back in the seats, the talent on the rink will. It's just that scary. I don't want to keep repeating myself, but I will anyways. Crosby and Malkin. This combo is going to be the sickest 1-2 punch in recent history. Give it time. Boston is a baseball town, always has been, always will. That doesn't mean that we don't sellout every Patriots game, and 50,000 people are on the season ticket waiting list. And while I know football/hockey/baseball are three completely different sports, if the Penguins even come close to scratching their potential this year, then they will start selling out. It's only a matter of time. When, not if.

[mrboarderman]

I meant 400 people who care about how the Pens do all the time....aka REAL fans.

I honestly believe that no matter how well the Penguins do they will not sell out more than 10 games a year excluding playoff games.

[cannonslax624]

Haha thanks for the clarification, now I gotcha! As for Kovalev, rumor says Penguins might start at 2M, but I think he wants something in the 4M range. I hope it works out though. He could be a key piece to that puzzle.

[mrboarderman]

He was my favorite player when he was on the Pens.

Craig wouldn't pay 4M for him. Not sure he would even go higher than 3M.

I actually doubt that anyone can pay for him...They all have to decrease their budgets...some like the rangers by more than half....

[cannonslax624]

Oh don't kid yourself. Kovalev will find a team. He will definitely find a team. The Bruins have monster cap room. If he is nearing the beginnign of the season and has no contract, he's gotta take an offer. I think he might resign with the Habs, but theres a big possibility he signs with the Pens. Hes a great player, and will have a home come October 5th. Whether its a new one in Pittsburgh, the same one in Montreal or a brand new one elsewhere, I couldn't tell ya.

[mrboarderman]

I was sort of exagerating.

From what I have heard on the inside he really liked Pittsburgh. That could mean he would be willing to take a cut.

We shall see soon enough....

[cannonslax624]

I certainly hope so..Can you imagine those first two lines, a combo of Lemieux, Crosby, Malkin, Recchi, Kovalev and whoever else you'd like to put in there...Holy shmoly...They still need help on D though...Badly..I wonder what vet they add there? Scarily enough, there could be a Crosby factor that plays into all of these FA's...I bet some of these guys want to be on the same team as Crosby and Lemieux...Lemieux is a great friend to a number of guys in the NHL...I picked up on the exaggeration, but I still think that he's worth 3M and will be picked up if Pitt is foolish enough to not pay him that.

[wilsontopowell]

crosby is the next great one. he went to a school called shattuck in northern minnesota which is the best high school team in the country. they had 10 division 1 players this year. my school which is one of the top 10 hockey schools in the state every year got beat by shattuck 10-0. there amazing.

[anjang86]

I trust Patrick to bring Kovalev back. Dude all we need now is Jagr in his prime...

[MBLacrosse]

crosby is the next great one. he went to a school called shattuck in northern minnesota which is the best high school team in the country. they had 10 division 1 players this year. my school which is one of the top 10 hockey schools in the state every year got beat by shattuck 10-0. there amazing.

Crosby went to shattuck??

I kno about johnathon toews, hes amazing too. too young yet

[mrboarderman]

I trust Patrick to bring Kovalev back. Dude all we need now is Jagr in his prime...


Blah. Jagr is a prick....

[RockStar]

.....I actually doubt that anyone can pay for him...They all have to decrease their budgets...some like the rangers by more than half....

Leafs and Rangers have it the worst....too much old, expensive dead-weight on their rosters.

[cannonslax624]

That's why theyre just buying out all of their players...They have no option..Like the Wings buying out Hatcher and McCarty and the Flyers Lindros and LeClair, Tony Amonte also, these teams have no choice.

[anjang86]

Blah. Jagr is a prick....

In his prime, we didn't know any better.

[anjang86]

From spectorshockey.net:

"According to a source within the Penguins organization, the NY Rangers are planning to buyout Jarmoir Jagr's contract. Jagr has been in contact with Mario for several weeks. It is expected that Jagr will return to Pittsbugh for around $4 million. Also, Alexei Kovalev is practically a done deal. The source said that he has been in contact with the team almost everyday since the club traded him. The source also said that with the leftover money, the Pens plan to pursue a veteran back-up or a defenseman."

But I've also heard two other reports

1. The Rangers want to buy him out and build around him.
2. Jagr wants to play in Europe where he likes the game better and could make more money.

[GBaschski]

Let's Go Whalers! Let's Go Whalers!

Man do I miss pro hockey. I can't wait to get the action back on the ice. The winter wasn't as fun without the coolest game on earth.


But lacrosse isn't played in the winter anyway...

[crazylegs]

Only thing Jagr ever cared about was the $$$ anyway, he was a crying little bi***. What about the chances of them bringing in a vet. goalie, a lot of people like the Fluery kid but I guess he has really struggled playing in the Juniors up in Canada throughout the last year.

nrvlc, I know very well all the streets u are talking about, are u asking directions from CMU??? I never heard of oakland sq. that up in the Pitt campus or something.

[anjang86]

I'm not asking for directions, I pretty much know how get "there from here" and "here from there" but I don't know the roads exactly.. I believe its like take Forbes Ave. from the CMU campus, come down to I think Atwood St. and take a left and walk all the way down till you take a left again on Dawson then an immediate right to Oakland Sq.

Anyways, the street that I lived on was pretty small, but I did live on pretty much the same street that Dan Marino grew up in.

What elementary school did you guys go to? I was in Pittsburgh for elementary school so thats all I use to relate pretty much. I went to Greenfield.

And to stay on topic: Jagr might have cared about the $$ but he was a good player and he still would like playing in Pittsburgh I believe. Honestly, I would rather have him on the team than Kovalev.

BTW, what do you guys think about this: trading Malkin for Jack Johnson? Seriously, if Crosby never existed, you know the type of attention Johnson would be getting as a defensemen?

[cannonslax624]

No! Dont trade Malkin! This kid showed so much last year, that he was sometimes mentioned COMPETING with Ovechkin for the number one...And how many reports have we read where Ovechkin was in a class of his own, a notch below Crosby, but still a future superstar for years to come? Malkin was considered by many an OPTION at #1...You cant trade this kid. I realize Johnson is spectacular, but the idea of Malkin and Crosby as a 1-2 Center punch...Please...This is the future of hockey. They need to add a VET dman, they already have some decent d prospects...Although Johnson is the future of defense for whichever team drafts him, they just can't trade Malkin..besides I don't even know if Anaheim would do that straight up.

[anjang86]

I don't know man. How much can you sacrifice on defense to load up on offense? Why not add some Veteran offensive players while adding some youth to the defense?

[cannonslax624]

They do already have Ryan Whitney who is a solid prospect on D, number three rated prospect in the system. I think if he and Noah Welch pan out, they should be fine. Not worth trading Malkin. Ever.

[crazylegs]

Now they are talking about getting veteran goalie Sean Burke

[dpoleman7]

first off hockey is the bomb ive been in hockey all my life my bro goes to a prep school in lake placid(northwood school) when he was little robbie schriemp was on his team and he was sick then to....how could you have never heard of sidney crosby???

[Miniboxer]

Only thing Jagr ever cared about was the $$$ anyway, he was a crying little bi***. What about the chances of them bringing in a vet. goalie, a lot of people like the Fluery kid but I guess he has really struggled playing in the Juniors up in Canada throughout the last year.

nrvlc, I know very well all the streets u are talking about, are u asking directions from CMU??? I never heard of oakland sq. that up in the Pitt campus or something.

Fleury played for the Baby pens in Wilkes-Barrie last year, he's too old for the CHL.

[Buccaneers lax]

even thou crosby has more points this season than ovechkin, i believe that crosby should not win the calder. Ovechkin has no1 to play with, where crosby has a solid line, and hes still putting up amazing rookie numbers. Ovechkin is so exciting to watch with his sick russain dangles. In my opinion i Ovechkin should win the calder or even brent seabrook who is one of the blackhawks top d men and has 12 points!

[anjang86]

I think Crosby will win it just because of the hype. From the game I saw last night though, Crosby played better than Ovechkin.

[Buccaneers lax]

no way crosby played better. did u see ovechkins dangles? crosby may have got a goal but overall i think alexander played way better, and look who hes playing with and who crosby is.