NHL 2021

[marshal]

[quote="Jim at Gentex" post_id=19854 time=1639601570 user_id=83]

Bettman said it's entirely up to the players, and I think they have until January 10th to decide without financial impact

Oh ok...thanks.
I thought the league had to sanction it, but if they are leaving it up to the players I am guessing the majority will probably go.
[/quote]

it's actually sounding like the majority of players are unlikely to want to go.  They are really concerned about the covid quarantine protocol.  If they happen to test positive while in China, they have to stay in China for 3 weeks.

[Jim at Gentex]

it's actually sounding like the majority of players are unlikely to want to go.  They are really concerned about the covid quarantine protocol.  If they happen to test positive while in China, they have to stay in China for 3 weeks.

Yeah I think you are right.
I was just reading that Calgary has postponed a few more games, and there are now 30+ players across the whole league on COVID protocol.
After the Christmas break, who knows how many more will have been exposed?

Sad to see guys who have never been to the Olympics not get to go this time, but it is looking like that will be the right decision.

[Jim at Gentex]

7 in a row for the Pens!!
Their streaky season continues!  

Malkin is no longer wearing the 'non-contact' jersey in practice, so he should be back in the lineup soon.
This latest COVID surge is messing up the league a bit, but hopefully it will pass quickly.

[Jim at Gentex]

More games postponed because of COVID.
Oh well.
We'll have to wait and see how it looks after the Christmas break.

[Jim at Gentex]

Malkin is back for the Pens and he didn't waste any time, scoring 2 goals in his first game of the season vs. Anaheim. 

LET'S GO PENS!!! 
LET'S GO PENS!!! 
LET'S GO PENS!!! 

[Jim at Gentex]

OK 1 more game until the All-Star break.
The season is going by quickly!

I was wondering if hockey fans have heard about the two recent suspensions in the minor leagues.
Apparently one player in each of the East Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League have been suspended for 'racial gestures'. 

If you aren't sure what that is, you are not alone.
(It involves making 'monkey-like' gestures toward another player. I saw a video of one of the incidents and I still didn't see what they were talking about.)

But it has happened twice in the minors, and both leagues have dealt with it directly and decisively by issuing 30 game suspensions, and one of those players was later kicked out of the league altogether.

Let's just say up front that there is no place in any sport at any level for this kind of garbage. 

Hopefully the two minor league organizations have made it crystal clear by their decisive actions that there is no room in our sport for this kind of thing, and that it will not be tolerated.

Also hopefully this is the first and last time this is even an issue.
I hesitate to even give it any attention at all, but as a hockey fan it is something that did happen, and it reflects poorly on the game that many of us love.

[Jim at Gentex]

How much longer will the NHL put up with this ass-clown?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/bruins-brad-marchand-suspended-six-games-for-punching-penguins-goalie-tristan-jarry-in-head/ar-AATHPuB?ocid=uxbndlbing

The goaltender Jarry robbed him in the closing seconds of the game, so he punched him in the head while he was on his knees covering the puck and couldn't defend himself, then Marchand took a swing at Jarry's head with his stick.

This is his 7th suspension, and enough is enough.
Goons like Marchand and Tom Wilson need to be kicked out of the NHL no matter how many points they score.
One of them is going to end someone's career, then it will be too late.

Yeah...I'M PISSED OFF and I wish the league would start giving REAL punishments to these guys. 

[Jim at Gentex]

OK hockey fans...

Whether you like Sidney Crosby or not, you gotta give him props for breaking into the 500 goal club in the NHL!! 
               

[Jim at Gentex]

Well the trade deadline came and went.

I was a little shocked at the MA Fleury move to Minnesota only because I didn't know he was even on their radar.

Good for the Wild. 
Fleury is a proven winner, and by all accounts a great guy to have in the room as a teammate.
He will definitely help the Wild in a playoff run.

I thought the Pens only made the Nathan Beaulieu deal with Winnipeg, but they also got Rickard Rakell from Anaheim at the very last minute before the deadline. (I also didn't know he was on the radar either.)

The Pens gave up 2 solid NHL forwards, a young goalie prospect, and a 2nd round draft pick, so I hope this guy lives up to the high expectations we will have.

[marshal]

I love the MAF trade, and he clearly wanted to come here since he had to approve it. Based on last nights' game alone, the Deslauriers addition is going to work out really well.  They Wild needed some more toughness, and he definitely seems to be able to provide that..

[Jim at Gentex]

Minnesota is definitely the trade-deadline winner this year.

The Pens were also interested in Deslauriers, but apparently the Wild made the right moves to get him.

The Pens also had a very slim hope to try to land Fleury back in Pittsburgh, but I think everyone knew that deal couldn't be done under the current salary cap.  They would have had to trade Casey DeSmith, which I don't believe they want to do at the moment.  He hasn't had a great season, but he's still a good backup goalie and I don't think Pittsburgh is giving up on him just yet.

If the Pens get knocked out of the playoffs I will definitely be rooting for Minnesota to win the Cup.

[Incogneeto]

"NEWS FLASH"!!!

The NHL has now classified All Players as Transgender. In hopes of Building Viewership.

Cause everyone loves a good "Chick Fight".

Instead of throwing Squid,The New Tradition will be throwing Cats on the Ice.

Or as Detroit Fans say "Tossin Pussy"


HTH.

[Jim at Gentex]

OK boys...let the playoffs begin!

Stanley Cup playoffs start tonight, so good luck to all! 

Meh Pens play the Rangers in the first round starting in New York on Tuesday and Thursday.
Then me and my Mrs. will be there at Game 3 in Pittsburgh on Saturday night!

Got our tickets and hotel reservations already booked, so we can't wait to get there.
Sunday May 8th is our 40th Wedding Anniversary, so we decided on a Pittsburgh weekend to celebrate.
We are hoping for a win, but either way we are going to enjoy our time together for the whole weekend.

Our AHL Penguins are also in the Calder Cup playoffs, starting Friday night at home vs. our arch rival the Hershey Bears. (Washington Caps affiliate)
The first Calder Cup playoff round is only a best-of-3 series, so the boys have to come out ready to rumble!

[Jim at Gentex]

Rough starts getting shut out for the Wild, and for the Lightning trying to three-peat. 

But a best of 7 series isn't won or lost in Game 1, so there is quite a bit of hockey yet to be played.

4 more games tonight! 

LET'S GO PENS!! 

[Jim at Gentex]

WOW!!!

Pens win a triple OT game to start the series!

Gotta love the playoffs!