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Thursday, 10 February 2011 14:01

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Quite a few notes out of an interesting morning skate at Consol Energy Center. The Penguins trotted out some new line combinations today:

Pascal Dupuis - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Maxime Talbot - Chris Conner
Brett Sterling - Dustin Jeffrey - Nick Johnson
Ryan Craig - Joe Vitale (right)- Craig Adams

-The team's power play units looked like this:

First unit - Craig, Jeffrey, Staal, Goligoski, Letang
Second unit - Conner, Kennedy, Rupp, Martin, Michalek

-Sterling, a native of California, grew up a fan of Kings and forward Tony Granato, currently an assistant coach with the team.

-Matt Cooke discussed his suspension saying, "It's the league's decision. They assess every hit and every play. That's their ruling."

-On the injury front, Sidney Crosby acknowledged the possibility his season could be over but added, "But am I sitting here packing it in? No. I hope I'm back and, geez, I hope I play this year."

-Chris Kunitz ("lower-body") is expected to take 4-6 days to heal from his injury.

-Evgeni Malkin underwent successful surgery on his damaged right knee.

-The Kings will have one change in their lineup. Tough guy Kevin Westgarth will play on the fourth line instead of Brad Richardson.

-Kings defenseman and former Penguin Rob Scuderi spoke briefly on his return to Pittsburgh. On playing in Consol Energy Center he said: "This place is beautiful. I didn’t recognize it. There’s no leaks. I didn’t know where I was. I saw their locker room this morning. It’s a top notch facility. It looks great. I miss the Mellon a little bit. I thought it was a great atmosphere to play in but ultimately, the fans make the arena, not the other way around."

-Kings coach Terry Murray talked about the meager production of former Penguins forward Alexei Ponikarovsky who has eight points in 33 games this season. Murray said: "He’s been injured. I’ve had him out of the line up as part of the ‘need to play’ better attitude but certainly the injuries have had a big adjustment for him. Coming through a couple different organizations here in two years now. Through Pittsburgh last year, now to us. It’s new system, new style, new philosophy. It takes a little bit of time for a player to make those adjustments. I think his game is starting to get back on track in what we expected of him when we signed him as a player."

(Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Comments (20)

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written by eman41, February 10, 2011 - 01:37 PM

This sounds naive but...

Average NFL player gets concussion: Back in two weeks.

Average NHL player gets concussion: Out 4 months.

??

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 10, 2011 - 01:44 PM

My thoughts:

The team's power play looks like this: 0 for 4.

Matt Cooke just doesn't get it.

Its going to be awfully difficult for Shero to proceed until he knows when Sid will be back, but when will he know that?

Has Chris Kunitz ever had a clearly defined injury?

Note to Rob Scuderi: You didn't recognize the Consol Center because you've never been there before.

Translating Terry Murray: Ponikarovsky stinks.

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written by Bones, February 10, 2011 - 02:53 PM

Well it's never a good sign when a player mentions the possibility that his season could be over. Goat is right, Shero is in a difficult spot right now. Without Crosby there is no chance at the Cup. There are no players that could be acquired in a trade that can offset the loss of both of their stars. In that scenario, trading assets is a mistake. Better to sit pat and see how guys like Staal can perform in this situation. You probably back into the playoffs and are bounced in the first round. Complicating the situation is the fact that so many early deals are being made, which means there will be less options available if/when we finally know if Sid is coming back or not.

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written by Huckster, February 10, 2011 - 03:34 PM

Crosby should lead the way; be the first to put on a "real protective helmet". Not these light, flimzy plastic shells that protect nothing. Very scary when he is saying about the possibility of not playing this year. Hockey concussions are known to be much worse than footballs with the speeds in which these players are coming across the ice when they make the hit. Rodgers had a New Design Helmet on when he took the head shot in the final playoff game this year and said it saved him. Staal...it's time. Did you happen to see the Boston-HAVS game last night..Wow. That's passing, play-making and scoring.(along with 182 Penalty mins). Show them that film Dan. Let's go!

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written by eman41, February 10, 2011 - 03:35 PM

The trades that have been made weren't options for the Pens.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 10, 2011 - 03:42 PM

Dan would be better off showing them "Miracle." Or "Airplane."

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written by Uli, February 10, 2011 - 03:43 PM

Now that anything goes, I want Tom Kühnhackl on the team!

Just kidding...

If Crosby´s season is over, then so is the Pens´. No way to substitute Malkin and Crosby with a trade.

If Sid and all the other guys get healthy, I still see us in a good position. Mike Comrie will bail us out! Seriously, he´s no Geno, but could get back into shape just in time for the playoffs. His poor production had mostly to do with his injury, I´m sure.

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written by Bones, February 10, 2011 - 03:43 PM

Today's helmets offer pretty good protection. The days of the Gretzky JOFA shell are in the past. Sid wears RBK which should be high-quality stuff. The only helmet that you really hear about standing out in protection is Messier's M11.

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written by Bones, February 10, 2011 - 03:44 PM

I agree with you eman41. The only guy that might have fit the Pens' needs is Fisher, and I think Nashville overpaid.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 10, 2011 - 03:50 PM

I really don't see how any helmet could have protected Sid from those hits......Well, maybe Rick Moranis' helmet from Spaceballs.

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written by Huckster, February 10, 2011 - 03:51 PM

Yes, M11...just looked at that. Sounds good with the new insert technology and such. Are players wearing those now in the NHL or is it brand new?

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written by Huckster, February 10, 2011 - 03:56 PM

Yes....Blues' McDonald Wearing M11 Helmet as of Jan.

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written by Bones, February 10, 2011 - 03:57 PM

Only two I know of that wear the M11 are Willie Mitchell and Keith Ballard.

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written by Bones, February 10, 2011 - 04:07 PM

Yeah, I agree that no helmet could have likely prevented this. Incidental or not, the Steckel hit was devastating. It's too bad they didn't just shut him down then, that hit was bad enough but then you tack Hedman's shot on top of that and it's easy to see how this happened.

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written by chestergunnn, February 10, 2011 - 04:09 PM

written by eman41, February 10, 2011 - 01:37 PM
This sounds naive but...

Average NFL player gets concussion: Back in two weeks.

Average NHL player gets concussion: Out 4 months.

??

Average NFL player concussions at 25, dead at 59.

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written by jpmccormick, February 10, 2011 - 04:17 PM

Preds definitely overpaid for Fischer, unless they win the cup. Dreger seemed to think Shero was talking to NJ about Arnott.

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 10, 2011 - 04:21 PM

The simple reality is that today's athletes are bigger and faster than ever before. Collisions are equally more violent. Unfortunately, their brains are not any less vulnerable.

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written by jpmccormick, February 10, 2011 - 04:22 PM

If the Sens are going to have a fire sale, what about Milan Michalek. He's not a center but who can resist having brothers playing on the same team?

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written by Disgruntled Goat, February 10, 2011 - 04:28 PM

Andrew Orpik is available.

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written by eman41, February 10, 2011 - 05:52 PM

Average NFL player concussions at 25, dead at 59.

My point is more that one of these parties is lying, and it's most likely the NFL.

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