Abbreviated Season: To Our ADVANTAGE

[AquaticBirdman]

Considering how battered and bruised we've been over the last few years, and our inability to keep our star players healthy for most of the 82 game schedule, I'd say that an abbreviated season will weight HEAVILY in our favor. Sure, we still once again have question marks concerning our winger depth, and it remains to be seen as to whether or not the loss of Staal will hurt us severely. That being said, guys like Sid, Geno, Tanger, and Neal have been gifted loads of time to recuperate the way they needed to. Sid in particular has benefited from this time off, and personally I think we will see him at his absolute best this season...

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[bigd]

That's what every fan of every team is thinking. We shall see when the season starts. Hopefully everyone has been staying in shape. With a short training camp i'm sure there will be a lot of injuries right out of the gate with guys that haven't played in real games yet this season. There's being in shape and then there's being in game shape. Guys that haven't played meaningfull games are not in game shape.

 

[deakka]

What i think IS an advantage for us is that we have had a relatively small shakeup on the team. So we shouldnt have to look for chemistry at the start of the season like some other teams have to do.

 

[Jacob]

One disadvantage for us is that all but 1 of our regular players has actually been playing competitive hockey somewhere. I think we might see the team get off to a slow/mediocre start.

 

[mrzeigler]

I think the advantages of a shortened season will become apparent in playoffs ... teams that are relying on untested youth will not have had a full 82 games for those players to have fully experienced the ups/downs of the NHL at that point, so I expect the playoffs won't be kind to youthful, inexperienced teams, esp. if those teams find themselves down early in a series.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

One disadvantage for us is that all but 1 of our regular players has actually been playing competitive hockey somewhere. I think we might see the team get off to a slow/mediocre start.

Hey...Dustin Jeffrey, Tanner Glass, and Deryk Engelland were playing overseas as well!

I do think that the teams with more players playing elsewhere will start off better. Edmonton and Washington should especially come out strong.

The one positive is that our one high profile player that was playing abroad had 31 points in his last 11 games in Russia...Malkin is in full beast mode right now and that should help carry us through the rust, which really shouldn't last more than a couple weeks.

By the end of the season...yeah, I think the shorter season will help us overall. That Vokoun trade/sign is multiplied in importance because of the shortened season. The key to this team will be if any of the defenders make major strides forward in their games. If things stay status quo there then we're going nowhere come playoff time, especially if we don't see an equally big step forward in goaltending...which I honestly am expecting. If anyone needed this time off it would have to be Fleury.

 

[wgknestrick]

Get ready to see some sloppy, sloppy hockey when play resumes. October hockey is bad enough to watch with a normal length camp. I can't imagine how many missed passes we will see in Jan/Feb this year after a 3-5 day camp.

I actually think a short season is better for the marginal playoff teams (not the Pens). It gives them more of a chance to "luck" their way into a playoff spot if they get hot. The better teams "on paper" don't have the option of under performing for any part of the season. Equate it to being able to win at a casino in short term vs the casino always coming ahead in the long term.

I know there will be a couple of better teams that will lose their spot to lessor teams this year after only playing about 40 games. We could all be lined up on the bridge together if our goaltending / PK goes the way of the PHI series again.

 

[Vos]

With the short season and playing only Eastern Conference teams, and a heavy divisional schedule in the deepest division, one 5 game losing streak and our season could be over. They need to be ready right out of the gate.

 

[NastyNick]

Yeah the Penguins have been a playoff regular these last few years. The change in start can only be bad for them. Especially with more Eastern teams in and no Western teams. Their western record these last few years has been killer.

This start helps teams like the Islanders and Maple Leafs - teams that are usually out of it by January and never get the energy push from being in the playoff rush. I'd put money on one of those two suprising us this year and making top 3. I'd also put money on one of the big teams - Pittsburgh, Philly, New York, or Boston not making the playoffs.

I'd rather the team slip in as a 6,7 or 8.. avoid that brutal 4-5 match up.. and start a series on the road without the pressure. Getting there will be painful to watch though.

 

[mrzeigler]

Yeah the Penguins have been a playoff regular these last few years. The change in start can only be bad for them. Especially with more Eastern teams in and no Western teams. Their western record these last few years has been killer.

This start helps teams like the Islanders and Maple Leafs - teams that are usually out of it by January and never get the energy push from being in the playoff rush. I'd put money on one of those two suprising us this year and making top 3. I'd also put money on one of the big teams - Pittsburgh, Philly, New York, or Boston not making the playoffs.

I'd rather the team slip in as a 6,7 or 8.. avoid that brutal 4-5 match up.. and start a series on the road without the pressure. Getting there will be painful to watch though.

I'm not buying it. IMO, a condensed, shortened season benefits good teams that didn't experience a bunch of turnover — at least in the context of getting enough points to make the playoffs.

Teams that had a lot of turnover — or which have to integrate important new players into the mix — will be at a disadvantage, because those players will have to adjust to new linemates and new systems. Points lost during early-season growing points will be crucial.

While the Isles and Leafs (I do think the Isles will do well and am cautiously optimistic for the Leafs) didn't have drastic turnover in the offseason, other well-regarded teams in the east have. From what I was able to find re: offseason moves:

* Flyers lose JVR, Jagr, Carle and add Schenn, Fedotenko, Gervais

* Rangers add Nash, Pyatt, Halpern, Asham; lose Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixson, Prust.

* Capitals add Riberio, Crabb, Wolski; lose Semin, Eakin, Wideman.

* Hurricanes add Staal, Semic, Corvo; lose Sutter.

And that doesn't include the promotion of rookies to the NHL roster.

Those teams have a decent amount of departing players to replace and new guys to integrate, and each of those teams have at least one top-six change. By comparison, here's what the Pens did: lose (third-line) Staal and (fourth-line) Asham; add Sutter and Glass. Replaced/upgraded backup goalie Johnson with Vokoun.

In a shortened season, I'd rather have question marks about how long it will take my third line to mesh than questions about how my first- and second-lines are going to mesh. Although most Pens fans appreciate what J. Staal can do, would any of us feel confident with the prospect of him clicking with Semin during the first month of the season? And keep in mind, that first four weeks (14 games) is going to amount to about 30 percent of the entire regular season.

That said, those talented-but-in-transition teams certainly could be in a position to do some damage in the playoffs. But as for qualifying for the playoffs, I don't worry too much about the Pens.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

I would think that the advantage of a shortened season would go to an older team who would wear out by the end of 82 games and a playoffs that begins in April and ends in June. Our team at it's core is still relative kids. Crosby is 25, Malkin 26, and most of the rest of the core is in that range or younger. There are other teams whose core is far older who will find the shortened season far more advantageous.

 

[mrzeigler]

I would think that the advantage of a shortened season would go to an older team who would wear out by the end of 82 games and a playoffs that begins in April and ends in June. Our team at it's core is still relative kids. Crosby is 25, Malkin 26, and most of the rest of the core is in that range or younger. There are other teams whose core is far older who will find the shortened season far more advantageous.

I don't think its necessarily a case of that older team having an advantage; rather, its age might not be as great of a disadvantage as it otherwise would.

But even then, I'm not sold on that idea for this reason: This is going to be a grueling schedule, with games every other night. Even though an older team wouldn't be putting as many miles on it as it otherwise would, it would be racking up those miles in a shorter period of time ... and younger bodies bounce back from injury and general aches/pains quicker than older ones.

It's possible an older team could enter the playoffs sucking wind even though it's playing 34 fewer games than it otherwise would.

More likely, the teams that will benefit the most are the ones that blend experience with players who are in their prime or ascending to it, guys who are familiar with one another and their system, and that have depth at important positions, esp. goal. With games happening every other night, I would not want my starting goalie playing in 40 of the 48 games.

 

[Jeremyisgood]

I just want to see some Sutter. Oh, and this Crosby guy.

 

[SirBrad]

well, they can't afford to lose anyone for 2 or 3 months because that pretty much means the season.

We will have to see how the season actually plays out to see who, if any, team has had an advantage.

 

[HuskerTornado]

Bottom line...

This could be really good....Really bad...Or anywhere in between.

 

[Darth Vitale]

I don't think you can look at a whole team and say "to their advantage" or disadvantage. It's good or bad depending on the individual. IMO nothing but good for Sid, nothing but good for Orpik, and Fleury. For the rest of them it's neither here nor there probably. Shorter year but more games per week so after a month it could start to wear on some guys if they didn't work out properly the last couple months.

Geno... might be a little harder on him because he's played like 30 games already, so playing that accelerated schedule might wear on him after a while. But it's not the end of the world. If you're a coach you just manage minutes carefully. Especially in that first and last month, to get the most out of your players.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

By comparison, here's what the Pens did: lose (third-line) Staal and (fourth-line) Asham; add Sutter and Glass. Replaced/upgraded backup goalie Johnson with Vokoun.

Michalek? And as an outside observer, I think that Staal's importance is being downplayed in this.

 

[gordie]

Michalek? And as an outside observer, I think that Staal's importance is being downplayed in this.

Staal was important but no longer wanted to play here and Sutter should give some relief there. The real question is the coaching of Bylsma + Granato which as far as I'm concerned is the biggest issue.

 

[DeadGator401]

This season is going to be a full sprint. I agree that it will work in the Pens favor.

 

[wgknestrick]

I don't think you can look at a whole team and say "to their advantage" or disadvantage. It's good or bad depending on the individual. IMO nothing but good for Sid, nothing but good for Orpik, and Fleury. For the rest of them it's neither here nor there probably. Shorter year but more games per week so after a month it could start to wear on some guys if they didn't work out properly the last couple months.

Geno... might be a little harder on him because he's played like 30 games already, so playing that accelerated schedule might wear on him after a while. But it's not the end of the world. If you're a coach you just manage minutes carefully. Especially in that first and last month, to get the most out of your players.

Also note that injuries should occur at a higher rate (short conditioning period and less time off), and the impact (with respect to % of season) from each injury is increased greatly. This along with the low number of games is going to make for a volatile season. A sprained shoulder could be a season-ender for your favorite star player.

A healthy team will certainly win the cup. (which doesn't look good for us based on past years injury rates).

 

[The Old Master]

a short season = little to no pratices....can't use a short bench....hard to rest older or hurt players....teams that have depth will have the biggest adv. imo not the teams that have the best starting line-up...

 

[bigd]

I think the guys that are going to make the team from WBS are the guys who have been in the system the longest. Tangradi, Bortuzzo, Strait, & Despres. These guys know the system and because they have been playing it the longest. With a short camp and a short season it's going to be even more important for everyone to be on the same page as far as systems go. The new free agents will have an adjustment period but hopefully pick things up quickly.

 

[UnderratedBrooks44]

Ah this old chestnut. It's the same for everyone and if it wasnt, the Bruins would benefit the most not us. They ran out of gas but have an otherwise great, bruising team. I'm tired of talking about our long playoff runs that weren't really that long lately. The Red Wings don't have a problem being a player in the postseason every year. It's a favorable excuse to use when things don't go your way and you don't want to blame your team.

 

[Harv]

I just want to see some Sutter. Oh, and this Crosby guy.

Cooke was on 93.7 today and said Crosby has been doing things on the ice he's never even seen before. He was at a loss for words when trying to describe him.

 

[KIRK]

Staal was important but no longer wanted to play here and Sutter should give some relief there. The real question is the coaching of Bylsma + Granato which as far as I'm concerned is the biggest issue.

Hate to say it, but when you parse through everything (who plays with whom, whether a short season matters, etc), that seems to be everyone's big question mark.