Jedi Master Mears,
How’s it going? Work has been a little nuts but hopefully I can get this email off to you before the show ends.
Everyone seemed to be disappointed by the very uneventful trade deadline happenings. I guess that really goes to show how many teams are still in the playoff race. That, in and of itself, should make for an interesting last 5 or 6 weeks of the season.
As far as the Pens and making no trades, there’s not a ton to say. I kept hearing people say that we could unload Staal and pick up someone with a little more firepower. I’m pretty sure they have concussion-like symptoms because how can you be upset when the kid is averaging a goal every other game??? Total nonsense.
I only really saw three things the Pens could have done, provided there was a way to do it. Unloading Paul Martin wouldn’t upset me, even though he’s had some solid games since they’ve mixed up the defensive pairings. We have Lovejoy and Simon Despres who I think both could easily slot into Martin’s position effectively. I think the goal is to have Letang and Orpik back on the same line. It seems like having them split is more of a babysitting assignment.
I also thought the resurfacing of Tangradi to the lineup was to show him off a little bit right before the deadline and use him as bait. He doesn’t really seem like a solid Penguins fit despite all the chances he’s had to prove otherwise. I actually see his style of play to be effective for a team who runs the trap. That’s just me though.
The last thing I thought would be beneficial for the Pens is to somehow dump Tyler Kennedy. Before anyone tries to crucify me for saying that, I was the 1st person in the city to have a TK jersey. When he first started playing, his jersey was nowhere to be found, so I contacted a military buddy who was stationed in Korea to have one made for me and ship it back to the states. I also have an authentic signed stick that I battled for on ebay. I really liked TK and his constant hustle. I figured with that much desire to leave it all out on the ice, there’s really no other option than to start being a goal scorer. He’s had a terrible year and since he’s been injured, his line is on fire and I have yet to hear a single person say “man… I really miss TK”. I think the 4 year deal is a turn off for other teams to pick him up, on top of his unproductive season. Four years was too much to me, especially at the expense of making a deal with Jagr.
Those were the only things I saw that the Pens could have done to acquire something beneficial. Notice I haven’t said what that beneficial thing could be, because I really don’t know what you can bring in and be certain not to disrupt the Pens’ chemistry right now.
The Pens schedule through the end of the season is a tough one. I wish them the best and hope they are able to stay healthy, come out on top and roll into the playoffs firing on all cylinders.
LETS GO PENS!!!
-The Pittsburgh Jedi (Eli)
www.PittsburghJedi.com
