Bird Flu

Award winning coach Dan Byslma is looking for his second Stanley Cup as leader of the Penguin march. There is no question the pieces are in place for a run at the cup. There is one however concerning the health of the Pittsburgh playmakers.

The Penguins have parted ways with Maxime Talbot and he is now  a Philadelphia Flyer. One time Pens captain Jaromir Jagr decided this summer that he wanted to tease the Pittsburgh fans with a possible return to the steel city. He then decided that wasn’t going to happen and is now a Flyer. It has caused fans multiple headaches and heart breaks watching these 2 Penguins join the dark side.

With Jagr it is a slightly more easy to take. Most younger Pens fans don’t remember the Russian superstar in the black and yellow. Sadly the Penguins recent success has also managed to gather a fair weather fan base. These bandwagon boys (and girls) probably are unaware of who Jaromir Jagr is. It is also probably safe to say that they may have no idea that the Penguins have 3 cups. Correction they probably do, because these are the same fans that obnoxiously scream we got 6.

Maxime Talbot rockin’ the orange is the real killer. The man has earned his keep tormenting the Flyers. From fighting Daniel Carcillo to telling fans to STFU, Talbot isn’t well liked by the city of brotherly love. And the city of brotherly love is best known as Filth-adelphia in western PA. This has fans asking why Max, why? Money, that’s why. A 5 year $9M dollar deal can do a l0t to persuade a player to turn sides.

Sidney Crosby is still struggling with post-concussion issues, yet experts say there have been no set backs in his recovery. On pace last year to have his best season to date Crosby suffered a blow to the head during the winter classic. Crosby played the following game and suffered another blow to the head. After this he was forced to sit out the rest of the season.

Evgeni Malkin also rode the season ending injury train shortly after Crosby boarded. Malkin tore ligaments in his knee after the Buffalo Sabres’ Tyler Myers landed on it. As far as the rehab is going Malkin is expected to make a full recovery and be ready fr the upcoming season. It has also been reported that Geno is having his best off season training since joining the league.

James Neal made his way from Dallas to Pittsburgh last year before the trade deadline and it will be interesting to see that if Crosby is healthy, how he and Neal will work together. Many Penguins fans have been talking about this pairing and remain hopeful that they will evntually be able to see it come to fruition.

The Pens blue liners will be relatively the same and will look to improve upon a good showing the past season. All-Star Kris Letang, anchors a stout Pens defense. With his 54 points last season, 24 of which were from the PP, Letang will be a leader during the extra man attack, which is where the Penguins need greatly improved.

The issue of health is what will make or break Pittsburgh this year. If the team can remain healthy and produce to its ability, we should see a dangerous Penguins team this year.