CentralVaBills

See, this is what I hate about when people spout off about teams they know nothing about. And actually the Sharks seem OK. And that's great. No trophy in SJ and none in Pittsburgh either. Now, on to the real misconception about Pittsburgh. If you must.....the Penguins were one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last 20 games of the season, when they last played. Now, were they good? No. However, they built their minor league system up which is now loaded with prospects. So, they bit the bullet knowing that the lockout was coming. They slashed ticket prices and went with young kids. The team sucked but the kids got better over the two years. Now, with doing that, they have mega depth now. All of the kids are seasoned with two years NHL experience. Some of then are damn good, and some will be let go. Add Mark Recchi who they locked up at a nice cost before the lockout, and Mario and you've got a decent team already. Now, add Crosby, and the REQUIRED 15 million more to the payroll and the Penguins are going to have a great team. Remember only 8 million dollars are committed in current contracts. So, they have to at least spend 14 million more. At least. However, they are on record as saying their payroll will be near 30 mill. The fact that they got Crosby was luck. Pure and simple. HOWEVER, their plan, PUBLICLY stated was they they would slash salary.....which they did.....slash ticket prices.....which they did......develop the kids.....which they did.......and lastly, when the lockout was over, they would have seasoned kids, and PLENTY of big time cash to throw around on payroll. It all worked perfect. The Crosby luck was just that...luck......but the plan to get them a chance at him was PERFECT. The Pens made money last season, developed kids, and will now explode. San Jose.......No Cup......Pittsburgh........No Cup I don't know about your team, but the Penguins are sitting pretty. And a plan was in place two years ago to ensure this.

The Pens did this on their own. They told the public they were going to dismantle and they did. They were never going to move. Just like the Sabres weren't. They are posturing to get their new arena built and nothing more. They Pens started to dismantle in the perfect time to get ready for the lockout. They gambled and it paid off perfect. The last step will be the new arena. They are sitting pretty and had this plan all along. Their payroll, I will bet, will end up top half of the league now, and this is exactly what they wanted all along. Nice job Mario and Craig Patrick.

Oh gimmie a break. I hope you actually don't believe what the hell you wrote here.

Ummmm, difference being....San Jose had talent, Pittsburgh didn't. Pittsburgh had nothing in the minors at all. They built up their minors in the 3 yr period. Now, with only about 8 million committed to salaries, they have alot of minor league talent, and wayyyyy much money to spend. The Sharks did what they did, and have nothing to show for it. The Pens did what they did, and now are sitting very pretty for a long time.

Noted and understood. Again though, you could show up in a heck of a lot of other places that warrant it more than this one. Way more. Caught me off-guard.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. And please, I didn't say stupidest post ever. I said yet. But anyway, yes, the Penguins went on a serious salary dumping measure a couple of years ago. As a matter of fact, they did it right after they made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002. THey didn't screw anyone over. They cut almost all of their talent at the same time. So, no vets were hurt by this except maybe Mario himself, who also owns the team. Piss off the fans.....yes, a little bit, but the Pens also made it public two seasons ago to the fans that they would be in a MAJOR rebuilding era. Then last season they played......they were repeatedly telling the public that they would go with all kids and prepare for the lockout. No secret to anyone in Pittsburgh. Threatening to move was to get a new arena, and nothing else. They'll still threaten to move, and it's not gonna happen. They'll eventually get their arena somehow, and everyone can act like a tough guy after posturing for a bit, but they'll get it eventually. They never hid anything from the public about any of this cost cutting stuff they have done. Nor, have they hid anything about the arena and threatening to move. Their gamble worked out perfect. A gamble it was, but it worked to alomost perfection.

lol, wow, with everything that goes on here.....I get my wrist slapped for saying that I thought that was a dumb post? Ummmm ok. That makes sense. Anyway, sorry Malta, for the dumb comment. I have to say though, I know it's dumb logic to say the Pens won't pay him, but I'll just take it that you haven't studied the Pens as much as you do your fave team. They prepared for the lockout by dumping salary and got lucky to win the lottery. He'll be a Pen for a long time, provided he isn't way over-hyped. Uncalled for though? I know you've seen the rest of the board right?

I can't believe it man. Seriously....I got home from work early, fell asleep, and woke up right when that Nichols chick was talking about the NHL adopting new changes. Then she says the Pens got Crosby. Ummmmm, can someone say the NHL package? Damn, I'm pumped!

This is about the stupidest post I've seen yet. The Penguins, and Craig Patrick played their cards perfectly. They have been preparing for the lockout for 3 years. They dumped all salary players, built up prospects, and have been on record repeatedly as saying they are ready to spend money as soon as the lockout is over. This is unreal for PIttsburgh. He'll get to play a tiny bit with Mario, and Malkin. The Pens are completely on record publicly with saying payroll will be in the mid 30's range when it's all said and done. Mark Recchi was the first signing, look for many more. The Pens will be loaded, and most likely Lemieux will have another Stanley Cup.

HELL YES. My Penguins get Crosby....... I AM FUGGIN JACKED. We have money to spend. We still have Super Mario. We also have Malkin from last year's draft.......and now Crosby! OMG.....................the cup cometh back to the Burgh. Did someone say dynasty in the making? I think YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Oh, I'm from PIttsburgh and love everything Pittsburgh EXCEPT the Steelers. The Bills are my favorite sports team of all, but this will make the off-season AWESOME for me. HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe shoots and scores! FUGG YEAH!!!

Enjoy! JP - Linkage

No, most of us didn't say anything at all the first time around, and are pretty unimpressed about this whole trade at all. So, the I'm gonna stroke off TD for doing the VERY unspectacular is just stupid. Draft Henry in the second. He becomes a more than serviceable RB in the NFL and a pro bowl. And the end result is that TD gets a 3rd for him. WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWW. How impressive! To me, this thread is a reason for this icon.......

And a salary that everyone could afford. It had more to do with salary than which back they were getting.

Oh give me fuggin break. We drafted Henry in the second round. He was a pro bowl running back, and was a proven NFL running back. We just traded him for a 3rd round future pick. Yeah, he should get executive of the year for this one. Best job ever by a team president. Polian who?

Is there anything in "Retatta" that shows up in your poop the next day, similar to how corn does?

Kandie-ast - NOUN: One who runs from every challenge posed at them. Be it war, terrorism, economics, the Olympics, or helping "allies" but yet thinks they get over-looked when everyone overlooks them on the world's political stage.

I mean seriously, what do they offer the world? Really? Their country is a joke, and they help no one, ever. In the latest of hilarity coming out of the biggest pansy-assed nation in the world, they feel soooooo cheated they didn't get the Olympics. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, to friggin bad. France can kiss our, and everyone else's ass for all I care. Do something meaningful once for the world, then talk to everyone. Congrats to London. And here's hoping Lance and the boys can bring the Tour trophy back to our country AGAIN. Linkage: Poor widdle Parwis Fwance France = RJ

playing during all the mini-camps? What position was he playing?

Actually, I never thought of this, but three of them will be coming to the Bills - Dolphins game. Maybe I could come by then!

Why in the hell are you trying to become a fan of soccer?

I do, but I'm still on a short leash because I'm always teasing her about how hot all of the teachers are. lol

Hey LA, curious......is that the only chick, Tatiana, that actually has some nip exposed in your mail order bride type thingy? Or do others show nuidty? I always look to see that talent, but don't remember nudity.

HOw the hell do you save the whole CD to your computer?

Would have never lasted this long without the lighter fluid that is Big Dawg in Indiana.