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October 24, 2006
Crosby, Fleury, Staal, Malkin....Cup 2010?
The Leafs will always be my favourite hockey team. Sure, the Senators are only 40 minutes away from my hometown, but the Leafs have always been there, while the Sens were quite absent for 80 years or so. After the Leafs, I'll cheer any Canadian team...yes, even the Sens or Canadiens. After that the Pittsburgh Penguins are pretty much the only American team that I'll cheer for. My loyalty started with Mario Lemieux. He's been my favourite player as long as I can remember. Lots of people felt Gretzky was the greatest ever and the statistics and his records don't lie, but he enjoyed a supporting cast much superior to what Mario had during the start of his career. Either way, I'm not going to go further into an arguement because it's something that will never really be solved or settled. Make your own choice: Gretzky vs. Lemieux
But back to why I started writing...the Penguins. Due to their miserable recent seasons and a bit of luck, the Pens have acquired some tremendous young talent in the drafts of late.
Sydney Crosby: drafted 1st overall in 2005
Evgeni Malkin: drafted 2nd overall in 2004
Marc-Andre Fleury: drafted 1st overall in 2003
Jordan Staal: drafted 2nd overall in 2006
Now, the Penguins aren't a spectacular team yet, but the potential they've got is incredible. If they can keep this nucleus of young talent together, I reckon they will be in the Cup Finals in the next 5 years. There are some obstacles in the way - whether all the players live up to their potential, whether the Pens can manage to keep them all paid and under the salary cap (they're already unsure of what to do with Staal, as playing him this season would change his future free agency date) as well as dealing with the rumours they may be moved by their new owner, that guy from RIM....Hamilton/Waterloo Penguins? Who knows.
I just hope the Pens can hold it all together, cause they've got the talent that should be able to bring them back to the Lemieux/Recchi/Trottier glory days of the early 90's.
Go Pens Go!...at least until you meet the Leafs.
Posted by Dr.Unk at October 24, 2006 2:38 PM
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