Pens ready to roll into the 2008-09 season.

[Goffie]

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a slow start to the 2007-08 CPHL season before they shook off the rust and entered the playoffs in 5th place in the Gretzky conference. After falling down 0-3 to a very strong Capitals team in round one, things started to look bleak for the Pens. But the team somehow found a way to rally; coming back to win 4 straight games to shock the CPHL word and move on to round 2. In round two the Pens beat the upstart Nords in a tough 6 games series, setting up a matchup with the Canes in the conference finals. The Pens were no match for the Canes team chemistry and momentum and lost the series in 6 games, coming short of the teams goal of winning the cup for a second straight year.
The Pens have one 22 games in the playoffs over the past two seasons, but that is not enough for this franchise. The goal in this offseason was to get to the next level. The Pens had a lot of cap to shed and did so while trying to remain an elite team.
Joe Thornton was the Pens best player and league MVP last season, he did it all for the Pens. Evgeni Nabokov was an elite goalie and was just one season removed from leading the Wild to the final. Both these guys were a huge part in leading the Pens to the conference final, and both of these guys would be traded away. In a deal that shocked the Pittsburgh media outlets, Joe Thornton and Evgeni Nabokov were shipped to St. Louis for young star Sidney Crosby and the now defected Ray Emery. Gone were arguably two of the biggest impact players on the Pens; here was the best young player to come along in a long time and a goalie with an attitude problem too big for this league. The critics were harsh but the Pens organization would do this deal again in a second to bring in Crosby.
With Emery slated to be the starter, we knew we would have to do something to bring in someone more established so we made a move to bring in veteran Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig led the Pens to the finals two seasons ago so he is coming back to a familiar team with a familiar goal so the adaptation time should not be long.
The Pens decided to go with a different strategy this season. The season will start with 3 offensive lines. Barring any more deals, the opening day roster will be something like this:

Nash-Crosby-Semin
AKostitsyn –Spezza-Tkachuk
Higgins-Plekanec-SKostitsyn
Brylin-Pahlsson-Laperierre

Markov-Daley
Komisarek-Whitney
Finger-Numminen

Kolzig
Emery

We feel we are as deep as any team upfront but our blueline and goaltending is a bit weak. More then likely a lot of our wins will have to be of the 5-4 nature, but we feel with this 3 lined offense we should be able to pull it off.

Besides icing a strong team we also take pride in bringing prospects up through the pipeline. Below is the GM’s choice for the top 10 unrated players currently in the Pens system.

1.Carey Price G
2.Drew Doughty D
3.Mikkel Boedker LW
4.Ryan McDonagh D
5.Alexei Cherepanov LW
6.Ted Purcell RW
7.Max Pacioretty C
8.Ty Wishart D
9.Francois Bouchard RW
10.Nic Deschamps LW

With the pipeline strong and the on ice team looking good the Pens will use what assets they have as the only way success will be measured this year is with a Cup. With 29 other teams looking to do the same thing, this season should be a fun one in steel town.

[looooob]

you should be amongst the class of our conference for sure. I'm still not sure the East is going to be as weak as predicted. we'll see!

[simmer2]

Well Goffie, your team is incredibly strong yet again. You've put together a great team on paper and hopefully your offensive plan will work.

Aside from your CPHL team, your prospect pool is as deep as any team in the league, so great job there as well.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by looooob

you should be amongst the class of our conference for sure. I'm still not sure the East is going to be as weak as predicted. we'll see!

I don't think the East is weak..it's just that I'd be surprised if the top 8 teams from the East are in the top 10 teams in the entire league like has happened in the past. The East used to be a conference with no balance...there were 8 really strong teams and 8 teams that were pretty bad. I think there is a bit more blance now as the number of strong teams is more like 4 and than you have say 8-9 other teams who could be playoff teams. As opposed to that big cut off point.

Pens look like they'll be one of those strong teams at the top. That Division is likely the strongest Division in the CPHL.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Nice job Goff! Now all you need is that one truly elite defenceman!!

[I wanna be like Miikka]

I'd be surprised if this team wins more then 10 games. Spezza as a 2nd line C, come on you need more top 6 forwards!!!

[Sylvanfan]

I predict that Jeff Finger will be Goffies favorite player by mid November.

[Slava]

Looks like you're ready for another playoff run/battle with this line-up!

[nyrcrisfer]

Pens look like one of the better teams in our conference again. 2 years in a row making it to the finals and conference finals is very impressive in a league where teams move top to bottom on a yearly basis.

[Young Guns]

You think your defense is weak? I guess you could use a couple more 77 overall players for the third line. A very solid lineup you have and a well stocked farm team.

[Enforcer]

I think Pittsburgh should win that division. Atlanta is still 5 million over the cap and will lose somebody to get back under.

[Flickered Flame]

You continue to do a great job with the Pens. Your team is ready for a very good season.

[RT14]

I don't see one thing I like about that Pens roster...no legit #1 Center, let alone 2nd or 3rd line Center...no D...at least you have a decent goalie...I don't even recognize a single name on your prospect list! Not looking good Goff, not looking good at all.

Good luck making the playoffs with that roster! Pfffft....

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by RT14

I don't see one thing I like about that Pens roster...no legit #1 Center, let alone 2nd or 3rd line Center...no D...at least you have a decent goalie...I don't even recognize a single name on your prospect list! Not looking good Goff, not looking good at all.

Good luck making the playoffs with that roster! Pfffft....

Ok whatever, man take a better look at that roster, he has Jeff Finger!!!

[Angelino]

Pittsburgh definitely looks like a cup favorite again this year. Should also be very strong in the future as well.