Penguins win the 2009 Stanley Cup

by James Mirtle on Jun 12, 2009 10:34 PM CDT Comment 77 comments

Great win for Pittsburgh, as they become just the third team to ever win a Stanley Cup in Game 7 on the road. I didn't think they could pull it off, but they were clearly the better team in this one, and hey, how about Max Talbot?

The amazing thing about this series was that it didn't fall to a great performance from Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby to give the Pens the title, but rather some terrific efforts from the team's depth. Players like Talbot and Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Matt Cooke really never got a lot of credit during the season for the rally the team had toward the end of the year, but they are a huge part of this team's success.

You also have to tip your hat to GM Ray Shero for building a solid cast around his big dollar core, for believing in the likes of Jordan Staal rather than shipping him out when the talking heads were calling for it, and for regrouping after the loss of Marian Hossa by bringing in a trio of lesser lights like Ruslan Fedotenko, Cooke and Miro Satan who few thought could get this done. That deal that saw Ryan Whitney dealt to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz was also a bold one, but Shero obviously knew his blueline could withstand the loss.

Promoting Dan Bylsma from the minors was also a stroke of genius, as the long-time plugger as a player was the perfect fit for this team as a coach and he managed to out think Mike Babcock in some of the series' key moments.

All that said, the Red Wings still had a brilliant season, and here's hoping all the eulogies over the next few days don't try and make this one-goal loss in Game 7 into some sort of indication the franchise is on the decline. Detroit's got the top minds in the game in the front office and behind the bench, and I have no doubt they'll be back in the finals in the near future. This is not the beginning of the end for Hockeytown.

It's just that, in a best-of-seven series between two great teams, anyone can win, and this time around it was the Penguins. After going down 0-2 to start, things certainly looked bleak, but they managed to win four of the next five games and prove that they were up to the challenge.

Pretty impressive.

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NEXT YEAR LUKE SCHENN HOISTS THE CUP

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Congratulations to the Pens and their fans.

by Godd Till on Jun 12, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know what to say right now but I felt i had to say something. So, here it is.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 12, 2009 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations, it must feel incredible.

Now, what the hell are you doing online??!!

by Godd Till on Jun 12, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

im stuck at work hoping to go get a beer. WOOHO!!!!

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 12, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly.

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Jun 12, 2009 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the record, I get zero credit for picking the Pens to win the Cup because I chickened out and changed my mind prior to the finals. Just didn’t think they could beat Detroit.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 12, 2009 11:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're not invited to the parade, James.

Despite your best attempts to imitate Marian Hossa, nice (initial) instincts for the second year, though.

by Exceeding repeating on Jun 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had a sinking feeling after game six that the Red Wings wouldn’t win game seven. It was a bit depressing to watch Kronwall’s shot clang off that crossbar in the final few minutes though.

As you said, I hope fans recognize what an impressive season Detroit had. To even make it back to the Stanley Cup finals after winning is quite a feat. By no means is it a failure.

I also hope Crosby’s knee isn’t too severely hurt, though I’m certain he isn’t feeling the pain right now. Admittedly, I first thought he was trying to draw a penalty—but I never like to see a player get injured like that in such a pivotal game.

After watching these playoffs, I don’t believe the Wings will retain either Hudler or Samuelson, regardless of if they hang on to Hossa.

On that note for Hossa, it must feel very, very, miserable tonight. I think Penguins fans recognize that his departure was the basis for the team assembled this year though.

by hallock on Jun 12, 2009 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A Couple of thoughts

Mario Lemieux will get his name on the cup again… has it ever happened before that a member of the hall of fame got his name engraved on the cup again after he retired?

I was really disappointed in Hockeytown tonight… first for cheering when Crosby got hurt, and second for booing loudly during the cup presentation. I always thought the fans there had a lot more class than that…

I wonder what Max Talbot said to Malkin about his “Bad Hands” after the game? (That is still one of the funniest interviews ever!)

I don’t believe in “The Hockey Gods” … but if I did, watching the bounces go against the Red Wings this year, after watching them go the other way last year — does make you wonder about whether Marian Hossa is the hockey equivalent to having Jonah on your ship…

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 12:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Others are saying there’s a Ty Conklin curse.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d forgotten about him until I saw him in the background during the Wing’s timeout.

“Oh gee, that would suck for Conklin if he lost in 3 out of 4 years on three different teams…”

I guess you can’t have the Winter Classic and the Cup together, huh?

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That or no team that plays in the outdoor game wins the cup that year.

So yeah…basically Ty Conlkin curse

by Hansmoleman on Jun 13, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I like Ty

I don’t blame him, since when he left, he probably thought he had a better shot at playing in Detroit. Osgood is older, and the Penguins were committing to a young goalie who was clearly going to be the franchise goalie in the future…

So, Conk left for more playing time. If he did leave because he thought he had a better chance at winning the cup, at least he was smart enough not to say it…

Pens wouldn’t have been in the playoffs last year without Conk.

Pens wouldn’t have made it to finals last year without Hossa.

And they wouldn’t have won this year without… Hossa :-)

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mario Lemieux will get his name on the cup again… has it ever happened before that a member of the hall of fame got his name engraved on the cup again after he retired?

I’d be amazed if it hasn’t, especially when you consider some of the early builders of the league who played, won, and moved into various organizational work. Hell, I have no idea about which front office staff get their names on the cup, but Yzerman might’ve done it last year.

I was really disappointed in Hockeytown tonight… first for cheering when Crosby got hurt, and second for booing loudly during the cup presentation. I always thought the fans there had a lot more class than that…

The boos were for someone in particular, and they’ve happened at other venues when that someone has come out to award the Cup too… Bettman isn’t a very popular guy. They were fairly even for most of the actual Cup celebration and parading around by the Pens, and gave Mario a good cheer. They didn’t do anything wrong.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Were they booing Bettman during the handshake line, too, or was that something else? I couldn’t tell, and it seemed early for it to start then if it was aimed at the commissioner.

Honestly, though, I hate this “tradition” that has been going on, what since the first lockout? There are plenty of other occasions to take shots at Bettman. But this is the biggest moment of the league’s year, the culmination of two teams’ very hard work and the symbol that everyone works toward. A quick boo as he walks out, fine, whatever floats one’s boat. But while he’s saluting the champions — and Lemieux, in this instance — the sentiment is drowned out.

It’s a beautiful forest right there, but boo-birds are focusing on one ugly tree.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jun 13, 2009 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t really catch booing during the handshakes. Lots of scattered noise. I heard a “we want the cup” chant (I think thats what it was, its always hard to tell, especially when its halfhearted, I was wondering if it was the Pens fans in attendance). I would wonder if any booing wasn’t something visible in the arena, or maybe directed at a specific person or something. Bettman is seen on the jumbotron, fans start booing? I don’t know.

I don’t have a problem with the booing of Bettman, I think its funny. As long as it ends and you’re giving some props to the Cup winners, I think its fine. I think Bettman is more or less a figure to be booed and jeered at regardless of the stage. As long as you give the respect to the players who deserve it once he shuts up, its fine.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I can see that view. It’s just been done so much, and nights like tonight it carries on so long, it gets old for me. This moment, to me, isn’t about the political figure — but booing him makes it so. Boo his entrance, boo anything he says to act like the CBA created this, but then let the champs and the worthy runners-up get their moment.

Not to get too melodramatic, but it’s like booing the President when he’s there for a ceremonial purpose; it just botches up the ceremony.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jun 13, 2009 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you ever had a chance to boo Bettman in person? It’s actually rather cathartic and I highly recommend it. He is a subject to reviled in public whenever on official NHL business. A common enemy unites the unwashed masses.

by hockeycountry on Jun 13, 2009 5:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I went to the NHL All-Star game in Tampa a few years ago and had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to boo both Bettman AND the Backstreet Boys (who were the inexplicable choice to sing the national anthem)

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jun 13, 2009 6:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It does sound bad

Although at some point, perhaps it’s up to Bettman to limit his face time if the booing is constant.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Jun 13, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the cheering?

When Crosby got hurt? Got a rationalization for that one too?

It seemed to me that most of the cheering started when there were a lot of empty red seats, and the thousands of Penguin fans started being heard (with the Red Wings fans who had enough class to stay to the end…)

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure every fanbase would cheer after the opposition’s star got hurt on what appeared to be a legal check. That’s just the way it goes.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There was still quite a lot of red in the crowd last night during the entire Cup awarding ceremony. Who pays for a G7 seat and goes and doesn’t stay to watch the cup being passed around, even if its to the other team?

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

people were obviously booing for Gary Bettman, not the Pens themselves.

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Jun 13, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mario Lemieux will get his name on the cup again… has it ever happened before that a member of the hall of fame got his name engraved on the cup again after he retired?

I would imagine quite a few, but let’s start with Jean Beliveau, whose name is inscribed on the Cup an incredible 17 times, 10 as a player. Toe Blake was elected the Hall of Fame in 1966, and won his last Cup as a coach in ‘68. Larry Robinson was elected to the Hall in 1995, entirely on his merits as a player, and coached the Devils to the 2000 Cup. But it’s no mean feat; I would imagine Mario is the first to make it as a player and an owner.

http:www.oildroppings.blogspot.com

by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 13, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lemieux is in fact the first to get his name on the Cup as a player and owner.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It didn’t occur to me that the best Penguins player tonight would be Brad Stuart.

by J. Michael Neal on Jun 13, 2009 12:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Notice in the third when Babcock wasn’t hardly letting him on the ice at all? I know at one point on the PP, they were rolling 4 forwards, with Samuelsson as the 4th F paired with Kronwall, and Stuart wasn’t allowed out. Thats embarrassing for a team that takes such pride in having such a great point presence from the defense. What a disappointing night.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kronwall/Samuelsson is always the d-pair on the second power play unit, so there’s nothing new in that. I didn’t notice whether Babcock wasn’t giving him much ice time, but he was awful in what he did get. Twice in the third, he completely lost sight of the puck, and stood around while Kronwall scrambled to cover for him.

by J. Michael Neal on Jun 13, 2009 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figured the real Brad Stuart would show up when it counted the most. He didn’t disappoint. That’s the Brad Stuart of his first 8 years or whatever it was before he came to Detroit.

I didn’t like either team, so I just have to revel in whichever team lost and just leave it at that.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 13, 2009 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stuart had an outstanding playoff last year.

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Jun 13, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially in the finals. That pairing was terrific.

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by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hence why I said “before he came to Detroit.”

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 13, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It didn’t occur to me that the best Penguins player tonight would be Brad Stuart.

I guess you didn’t notice Talbot or Fleury?

Stuart had an unfortunate game, but I don’t think he blew it. Give some credits to the Pens — they won it.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 13, 2009 1:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or Osgood

What was he doing on that second goal?

He’s still ‘elite’ of course.

by David Danforth on Jun 13, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s really impossible to boil this series down to one guy. If anyone’s going to get on Stuart’s case for Game 7, then I want to hear reasons why the lost all those other games at Mellon Arena during the series.

Congrats to the Pens, Ray Shero, Dan Bylsma, and particularly Mario Lemieux. I wish I could take inspiration from their “rags to riches” story but I live in a desert.

You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

by zyllyx on Jun 13, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sid later celebrated by pounding 9 capri suns and eating a whole bag of goldfish crackers.

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by wrap around curl on Jun 13, 2009 12:34 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs

Oh, he is going to have a tummy ache.

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Jun 13, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1 rec, both of you.

"Hey! Farmboy! Maybe you can't count, but there are four of us and one of you."

"So get some more guys and then it'll be an even fight."

by Afino on Jun 13, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bettman

I thought the RedWing fans giving Bettman the business was fine. Those same fans turned around and Malkin, Crosby, and the Pens cheers.

Bettman is polarizing for many hockey fans.

by oldnumberseven on Jun 13, 2009 12:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yea i think that boo was for bettman not sid. they would not hang around that long just to boo us. i also dont think they cheered the injury, they cheered the hit.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 13, 2009 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They totally cheered the injury. The cheering spiked considerably after Crosby struggled to skate to the bench.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 13, 2009 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

No doubt about it. Of course, at that time, they had precious else to cheer about… but still, that’s classless…

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh, a lot of fanbases would do the same. I’m not judging them for it, just pointing out that they did cheer the injury. I’ve seen it many other times with other fanbases.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 13, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously all the Penguins fans were going nuts, but there was a noticable roar when guys like Guerin, Fleury and Malkin raised the Cup.

Props to most the RW fans that stuck around. It takes class.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 13, 2009 1:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

amongst the other things I did last night, I somehow ended up on this blog.

I guess this was the culmination of my travels since this is where my night ended

by Hansmoleman on Jun 13, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well my apologies that I haven’t been that active then. I’ll have all kinds of stuff for Monday, but I’m working on my weekend right now!

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Firing Therrien

That was the best move Shero made. God that guy was an idiot that didn’t deserve a second crack in the NHL after he got fired from his affirmative action employer in Montreal.

by Exit716 on Jun 13, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The only thing wrong about last night was that a scumbag like Matt Cooke got to hoist the Cup.

Otherwise, all is well in the hockey world this morning.

by Resolute on Jun 13, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

(1) It was another blah game, until the 3rd, when the combination of Detroit’s desperation and Pittsburgh’s prevent defense brought the excitement up. I think Babcock was right – Pittsburgh’s players had more energy for more of the series than Detroit, and that seemed to be the big difference.

(2) Do we reeeely need to have interviews when the Cup is being skated around the ice? Did we reeeely need to know what was being told to the Pens in the locker room before the 3rd period, instead of seeing the players celebrate with the Cup? What a brilliant question Pierre Maguire! Can’t we just let people appreciate the moment? Maybe if the NHL had a real TV partner, or a real network that people could actually get, we could hold all those interviews to a post game show.

(3) Get Gary Bettman off the ice, period. It amazes me that he still comes out to hand out the Cup. Even if its his right as Commissioner, why would the NHL want the Biggest Moment of the Hockey Season to be shown, on national TV, with a chorus of boos? That’s ridiculous. Oh and did you notice that this year, in his rush to praise Mario for “saving” Pittsburgh (are you watching Judge Baum?), he forget to congratulate Detroit? Every year, he congratulates the losers and the winners, except this year. Get off the ice Gary, you ruin the moment.

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Jun 13, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Per #2… CBC does a ton of interviews as well. I guess the networks don’t want to just hear every Pens player yell “F***ing Rights!” as soon as they get the Cup. M-A Fleury did swear in his celebration interview with CBC, though.

Does #3 actually ruin the moment in any way? I don’t think it really does.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 13, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard at least two f-bombs dropped watching NBC.

"Hey! Farmboy! Maybe you can't count, but there are four of us and one of you."

"So get some more guys and then it'll be an even fight."

by Afino on Jun 13, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What bugs me about the CBC coverage is that they can’t wait 2 friggin’ minutes to let the players celebrate before they’re shoving a microphone under somebody’s nose. Last night they basically missed the announcement of the Conn Smythe winner cuz they were already doing interviews.

Memo to CBC: Just let these things unfold at their natural pace. There will be lots of time for individual interviews, but right off the hop The Team is the thing.

http:www.oildroppings.blogspot.com

by Bruce McCurdy on Jun 13, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

# 3 actually ruins the moment.

For three reasons:

(1) The fans rain boos at the point that is supposed to be the culmination of every player’s dream – the presentation of the cup.

(2) Bettman is management. Winning the cup is the player’s accomplishment. Keep the two separate for the time being. There’s a reason Ray Shero didn’t come out to accept the cup. It’s the same reason that it’s so satisfying to see the captain of the victorious team perform that task: winning the cup is the player’s moment, not management. Why mix the two right at that moment? It would be so much more satisfying to see a Hall of Famer whose name is already on the cup hand it off to this year’s winner. How special would it have been for Lemieux to present the Cup to Crosby? Or even better, for Yzerman to have done so?

(3) The players are not big Bettman fans, either. Ask Chelios who’d he rather have had presenting the Wings their Cup last year – Bettman or somebody – anybody? – else.

by Numbers Guy on Jun 13, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

(2) They can use delays, just like the rest of the TV world does with a lot of live broadcasts.

(3) Bettman’s presence on the ice begs for criticism, and when he messed up, it makes it even worse. So yeah, I feel he ruins the enjoyment of the moment when he gets involved.

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Jun 14, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

1. Thank you for pointing out the prevent defense thing… drives me nuts… you are winning the game by pushing the puck deep and keeping it there, and then in Period three let’s play “How many shots can Fleury stop?” Aaaargh!

2. Yeah, I hate those too. Watch their faces if you want to know what they are feeling… so stupid. Max Talbot almost missed the team picture because of an interview being done… How stupid.

3. The comparison between Phoenix and Pittsburgh is insane. Pittsburgh had a strong core of fans and only needed a new stadium to make it. They did a poll in Phoenix and something like 69% of the people don’t even want the team. Give it up and let the team go to somewhere the fans want hockey…

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey James, I’m sure you have a lot going on right now, but any way we could get an update on those great pie charts you had up earlier in the series? The ones that showed ice time matchups for Crosby against the Wings’ forwards and d-pairs?

I was a little disappointed that Crosby didn’t have a better series points-wise, but IO’m sure you could make a pretty plausible case that a lot of the secondary contributions the Pens got were because of how much time the top defensive players on the Wings spent guarding Crosby.

Rangers, Royals, Raiders, Knicks...the man loves a winner.

by self loather on Jun 13, 2009 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah absolutely could look at that. Although Game 7 will skew things given he was hurt.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One boo explained

There was an audible boo during the handshake that might be being misunderstood. This was well before Bettman showed his face, so that wasn’t the reason. I believe it was that Crosby was quite late to the handshake and that the Joe crowd gave him gried for thinking he was blowing it off (aka, pulling a LeBron).

I could be wrong, but I’ve seen no footage (NBC, CBC or YouTube) of Crosby shaking hands with Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Osgood or Hossa. You’d think those would be gold TV moments. I can’t imagine this would be intentional on Crosby’s part, though.

by frogcontrol on Jun 13, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Crosby didn’t shake hands with a few Red Wings, and it’s created a bit of a stir today.

Video of the handshake ceremony is here.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and of course as of right now there is no actual video of it. everyone is always looking for a reason to hate him, untill a conrecete video comes out or he himself says he missed lidstrom i am not buying it. this is also coming from the guy who got a love tap on the skate at the end of game one. heres a 21 year old kid who just won the cup. a kid who wouldnt even look at the trophy, let alone touch it.

" Lord Stanley, etch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 13, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks to me like he got at least Zetterberg

by hawksfan21 on Jun 13, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NHL.com has a video up that shows Crosby missed a few of the guys, including Lidstrom and Draper.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

theres a reason why he missed draper. i have just been looking for replays of the line in general, cbc only shows him getting to the coaching staff of the wings.

" Lord Stanley, etch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 13, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This photo shows about when Crosby hit the handshake line. It was very late:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpowers65/3621626970/in/set-72157619584445919/

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 13, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah i just watched the video. he was out celebrating with everyone off in the corner. saw lidstrom and draper waiting in the line then i guess they skated off. but seriously again, he’s 21 just realizing a dream…

" Lord Stanley, etch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 13, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn’t Sid get intercepted by TV, too?

by matskralc on Jun 13, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll bet ...

If Sid had to do it over, he would have cut his celebration short… I’m sure he will be surprised by the flak today…

It would be interesting to put a stopwatch on past celebrations and see if this one was excessive…

It didn’t seem like it to me, but I confess that I was loving every minute of it, so I am not the best judge.

by MarkJoel66 on Jun 13, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just checked the CBC and NBC feeds, and it was definitely just that Sid was off celebrating with his teammates and coaches.

Nonetheless, the Wings can take their righteous indignation, shine it up real nice, turn it sideways, and stick it straight up their candy asses. That was the Penguins’ moment, not theirs. Maybe if Kris Draper was a little better at the game of hockey, he wouldn’t have this problem. Some of the Wings and their fans (not all!) are giving the Canadiens and Yankees runs for their money on the score of who’s got the biggest sense of entitlement.

I did see Crosby get Lebda, Helm, Franzen, Zetterberg, Osgood, and the entire Wings coaching staff. Who knows who the cameras missed. If they were all able to stick around, perhaps Lidstrom and Draper could have, too.

by matskralc on Jun 13, 2009 7:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They didn’t “stick around” as in just stand there waiting. They were at the back of the line. Captains lead the line.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like I said, if the Wings could dictate play the way they dictate how other teams celebrate winning the cup (that they evidently feel entitled to), they wouldn’t be having this problem.

If any one on the Wings should be whining, it’s Justin Abdelkader after being benched in favor of Kris Draper’s rotting corpse.

by matskralc on Jun 13, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the hell are you talking about?

The issue is that Crosby as an individual missed like half the handshakes. Everyone else on his team is over there doing the handshakes. Crosby is off doing something else. Chatting up Pierre McGuire, drinking a Capri Sun, whatever. He’s not where he’s supposed to be, which is with his team at the front of the handshake line.

Given the fact that the Wings probably have more experience with handshake lines than anyone else in the last 15 years, if they have something to say about the handshake, they’re probably right.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 14, 2009 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You Wings fans who think you invented hockey are hilarious.

by matskralc on Jun 14, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draper...

Isn’t he the same guy whose infant daughter crapped in the Cup last summer?
http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/?p=13775
Just saying.

by Exit716 on Jun 13, 2009 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

When Crosby and Malkin die of a terribly nasty e. coli infection later this week, remember this.

http://sacrificethebody.blogspot.com/
Sacrifice the Body - Examining the NHL through statistical analysis, reasoned thought, and blind conjecture.

by IAmJoe on Jun 13, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

(

2) Bettman is management. Winning the cup is the player’s accomplishment. Keep the two separate for the time being. There’s a reason Ray Shero didn’t come out to accept the cup. It’s the same reason that it’s so satisfying to see the captain of the victorious team perform that task: winning the cup is the player’s moment, not management. Why mix the two right at that moment? It would be so much more satisfying to see a Hall of Famer whose name is already on the cup hand it off to this year’s winner. How special would it have been for Lemieux to present the Cup to Crosby? Or even better, for Yzerman to have done so?

Hey, at least they present it to the players first. Don’t they present it to the owner in Basketball and Football? Not sure about Baseball…

I was thinking the same thing with respect to older players with some history presenting the Cup. It might present some problems based on location/home team/franchise histories, but I think it’s a neat idea. Bobby Hull and Mikita presenting in Chicago? The Pocket Rocket and Beliveau in Montreal? Lindsay and Howe in Detroit? Clarke in Philly…Gretz in Edmonton… Guy Hebert in Anaheim?

I highly doubt it’ll happen for a number of reasons, one being that I actually think some of the older players would rather let the current players have their moment(I can’t see Yzerman and Beliveau, for example, doing it).

by Bosc Ulrich on Jun 14, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they dont even need to have a former star involved. They could just bring the cup, and have someone from the NHL (the guy who travels with the Cup?) announce “[Insert Captain Name Here], come get the Cup!” But no, cause Bettman has to make sure there’s that picture of him, the Cup, and the player. Cause, you know, that picture is super valuable among collectors!!!

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Jun 14, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs