We've promoted it everywhere else on the Internet, so if you haven't already, please check out our Guest Post Wednesday on the Pensblog. If you've got a few minutes. It's about Cities and Feelings.
In other news, is Kovalchuk an dbag or what? srsly Ilya baby we used to have a soft spot for you and your girl jeans until you started acting like Curry's gift to hockey and we're just going to have to disagree. We suggest he round up the girls and take a therapeutic trip to H&M before deciding where he's going to sign. Just a thought.
We weren't expecting you, sir, but there's plenty of room around. . .
Pens have signed forward (according to Wikipedia, a center) Ryan Craig to a one-year 500k deal.
Contract is two-way. The closest he's ever come to playing a full NHL season was 72 games (and 27 points) for Tampa Bay in 2006-07. In 2007-08 his knee gave up at life and he missed 59 games. Jobbed around, probably still battling that knee thing. Spent most of last season with the Norfolk Admirals and put up better numbers. Chances are he's WBS material and this won't affect our Search for a Winger, but we may see him in the event of injury to other guys throughout the season. He might provide some competitiveness in training camp. A farm-team depth decision more than anything since we might be bringing up someone fresh to center the fourth line (some rumor floating around about moving Malkin to Staal's wing permanently).
Mostly we just wanted to post this old pic from Tampa's site because OMG HIS KID IS SO CUTE.
Welcome to the Pens' organization, love.
We have a special surprise in the works for the coming days/weeks. And as we mentioned there's a good chance for a PH Road Trip later this summer.
GO PENS.
6:00pm The Golden Lesson learned today is that Hamhuis is a dick and we didn't want him anyway--he went to Vancouver after teasing Eastern teams more than PH Staff would in bed at the Perry-O Inn & Suites on 51. Okay, maybe we exaggerate. Read a transcript of Shero's comments here.
With Sergei it was really difficult. We went into the last day, really the last night, about 11:30 p.m. I texted Sergei and asked him to consider one more thing. It wasn’t meant to be I think.
When you get texts from Ray Shero you know you're one of the coolest people on earth. Gives you the right to sign with Ottawa if you need a payday before you can't even bend your knees anymore. Dad might never be coming home, but we have fond memories. Shero also sang the praises of Martin and Michalek, rightly so. The price tag was hefty, but Shero had to play to the market--this free agent class was heavy on defensemen and several teams were/are in need of serious defensive help. It was either shell out some extra $$ for a guy like Michalek and a guy like Martin, or sign jerks like Sutton and losers like Corvo. Tallinder and Volchenkov ended up going to New Jersey, probably because they don't have souls. Martin and Michalek signed with the Penguins because they're interested in possible soul retention. Fact. Additionally, Shero mentioned that the lines of communication seem free and open between him and Bill Guerin. Words like that in a presser just ooze respect. The likelihood of Guerin coming back is probably about 50/50, but the Penguins organization has made an excellent friend in him. God knows we need a [Belegost]ing right wing though. Just a thought.
Evgeni Nabokov is officially out to dry, btw. We're madly in love with the Kazakh. Don't care about Turco, Turco puts Vladimir in his water bottle. Where Nabby ends up, if anywhere, will be interesting to see. If he goes to the KHL and Niitty takes San Jose no further than the first round I bet they'll realize that maybe team mentality was the problem and not Nabokov. And cue. . .regrets.
whatever, GO PENS.
3:25 Shero presser at 5, he's done for the day. D should make you wet in the pants, forwards too if you ignore some gaping holes at wing, but we have faith. Random names to sign a winger: Guerin, Sean Bergenheim. Completely opposite players, but whatev. Basically we'll take anyone except Comrie who can suck it. GO PENS.
2:44 5 years 5 million/per for Martin. Okay as long as it's not more than 5.
2:39 Paul Martin to Pitt. No confirmation, numbers, etc. Hopefully we got him for some icing and devil's food cupcakes.
2:27 @dellis39 signs with Tampa. 2 years. Congrats!
1:35 Colby somehow making 3million/year in Toronto. We love the Leafs (Team Vesa always). Niittymaaki is a Shark. whattheballs
1:20 We would have updated this sooner but Joomla is a raging [Nogrod]. Zbynek Michalek to Pens, $4 mil/year over 5 years.
12:29 We forgot to care, but Biron signed for two years with NYR. Hilar. French Toast/Swedish Ken
12:23pm Gonch to Ottawa for 3 years, 5.5 per. omg payday We'll miss you, Dad. <3
While I hate art, artists, art school, and generally anyone who has ever picked up a paintbrush, camera, or charcoal pencil, save a couple of special individuals named Seth and Joe, Our Friend and Yours Jeff said it best through the art of photography:
That's basically how we feel about everything.
So, what's happening out there?
The Recchin' ball just won't die.
Boston's got him again.
The Flyers have the rights to Nabby, but we won't allow it, so it won't happen.
(DO YOU HEAR US?!?!?)
Arnott's rights are the Debs' once again.
Leighton is all Philly all the time.
Winnik became an Av and Sergei Kostitsyn was traded to Nashville.
So basically that means that nothing is happening and that we hate the world and that everything is a huge swaying boner in the breeze.
For once, however, the draft photos don't look like they were lifted straight up outta the late 80s. The black background ones are pretty classy in theory. They'd actually be kind of cool if, you know, we weren't trusting it to a handful of babies to not ham it up in them. Which, for the record, you can't.
Sir you are 18 years old.
Stop pretending like you've got somewhere to go.
LOL YOU FOUND ME I WAS BACK HERE BY THIS WALL
UR TURN TO HID MISTER SIDNEY
As a head's up, we're going to be doing a liveblog with the boys next door over at tPB tomorrow for FA.
If you want to check out what we have to say or what some other fine contributers have to say about what's happening, or worse, what those homers have to say about anything, we'll post a link to the happenings. Everyone should keep you updated and humored for the day.
This summer is really grating on us.
But luckily we're going to be taking a trip to *drumroll* Canada!
Later on.
If Versteeg signs with the Leafs, expect us to have the shirtsys by preseason.
Oh, or we might go to Tennessee. It all depends.
We are free floating drifters, please do not pin us down with these "plans" you deal with. Ugh. As if.
If you haven't seen this already, it's pretty cool:
See, we unabashedly love Katie O'Malley, because she really doesn't give a shit about what you think, and was totally winging this.
Also worth watching for the man's America Helmet.
Free agency liveblog will be up and running on Thursday.
We're Team Everyone until further notice.
Would be nice to see Lovejoy with the big club full time.
Dan Hamhuis has hobbit hair and would probably wear #2 so that's pretty cool. Oh, and, you know, he's a beast.
Hug skillz.
This year, ladies and gentlemen, we are at the Luxor. We flew to Las Vegas promptly after our picnic yesterday, and awoke promptly for the day's events. Allow us to tell the story. . . 6:30AM We awaken from an indescribably restful sleep as can only be had in the desert air and hit number 68 on our speed dial--that's Claude Giroux. He is told to report to our suite: Claude is told to start scouring the city for all varieties of fresh fruit which we have enumerated on a list, filling several scrolls of parchment. He puts his jacket on and begins to take his leave, but as soon as he opens the door, Gary Bettman is standing there. Claude's face goes pallid, his eyes unblinking in fear. He hurries out. "Girls, I have to talk to you about your awards show," Gary says. "Oh, really?" We note that he has called us girls. "Yes, really. I'm afraid that. . .and this is embarrassing, but I have to ask you to reschedule, or else I will have to. . .well, I'll have to find a way to get Evgeni Nabokov to sign with the Red Wings or something, because you have no idea how hard this has been for me." "Wh-what?" we stammer. We wonder if Claude is going to be able to find fresh clementines. "Last year your awards show was not at all good for my ratings. And you know how I feel about my ratings." We note the look in his eyes as if remembering a long-lost lover. "Well we're not married to the idea of having it at the same time or anything. We could probably just rent a room somewhere and have it as a swank sort of after-party, where the men all learn who really deserves the accolades, no? A sort of secret society. Pulling all the strings, holding all the influence. . ." We give him three hard-line stares. He knows this is because he never got our stamp of approval on the Heinz Field Winter Classic thing. He gulps. "Well, I mean, you are free to recall any awards that you don't think are just. I mean, the hockey media doesn't have to know about it." "That's right, Gary. Good boy." "Do you need anything else? I can throw in Darren Helm if you need someone to clean your pool. He's looking for a summer job. And he has a 'no touching women' clause in his contract." "Sounds good. Give him our numbers. It'd have to be minimum wage." "He'll be elated. Would you beautiful ladies like to come to the show before your party? I can get you good seats. Next to Mike Green?" We sneer. "Okay, okay. Next to Duncan Keith." We all faint. Gary calls Claude to tell him to bring smelling salts, and heads off to begin the charade.
12:00 Claude slices the fruit at the wet bar quietly and delivers Fuji apple to Zoë. He attempts to serve the starfruit to Ann from the Waterford crystal bowl, but she gives him a short *ahem* accompanied by an eyebrow raise. Claude leaves quickly and takes the private elevator down to the ground floor where he then climbs a silk rope up to the turrets which have been renamed turris, to serve her through the window. When he climbs back through the window, he rushes to get over to the sofa, where Kim has snapped her fingers for more apricots. A phone rings; it's Darren. He wants to know if we'd like a box of His Majesty's Reserve by Gurkha. We tell him absolutely. He arrives by 1:00 to start straightening the apartment. We light up the cigars and smoke them slowly over fruit and pink champagne until dusk falls over the city.
ARRIVAL AT THE AWARDS SHOW As soon as we get there, we think we see Jay Mohr getting tipsy with some 15-year-old girls but we can't be sure. He is whisked away to a back room by some men with earpieces. We can smell the bourbon on his breath from 100 yards. After dodging a crowd of Playboy Bunnies we finally find a good spot to watch the arrivals. If we may have a not-at-all brief FASHION INTERLUDE (in other words, our judgments and basis of who will win what at the exclusive afterparty) Somebody has clearly dressed Pavel this year because there's no way he dressed himself. But does he look like a Selke winner? I mean, we can't do anything about the way he's standing. . .but we have to give the Most Improved from Last Year award to Mr. Datsyuk.
We give Ryan Kesler the edge here, because he's an American Hero. American Hero Award, get over there by Ryan.
BUT HOLD THE PHONES I THINK WE KNOW WHO WINS THE SUIT AWARD AND THAT IS YOU JORDAN STAAL!
Next, we make careful scrutiny of the Norris Trophy Nominees. . . Duncan, are you trying to draw our attention to something? We can't tell but we think you're the Most Seductive. Let's see those new teeth later, k?
We thought Good Charlotte showed up but it was just Mike Green: We dragged him into a corner, asked him where his tie was, and presented him with a gold-plated award for Puffiest. He burped, popped an aspirin, and mumbled something about being hungover before heading out into The World.
While visiting with Drew Doughty, we asked him why so many people at the NHL Awards were wearing John Varvatos. He shrugged and said all he remembers is a white handkerchief, waking up in a warehouse, and being given a check for $550 and a free bucket of KFC by a masked man. He ate all of the KFC but said the check bounced. We gave him the Most Unsettling Smile Award, which made him lol, and he ran off to talk to Bruckheimer.
Ryan Miller walked in and gave us a look like he was expecting something. We freaked out when we realized we'd given the American Hero award to Ryan Kesler. We told him his wife was really pretty instead. He leered and said he had much higher expectations for us than this, so we gave him a hastily-prepared Best American Hero Ever Award instead. He immediately smirked, got out his Blackberry, and ran off, but we think the name he was about to text was Landon Donovan.
When we saw Ilya again we had no words. We were just stunned. We embraced him heartily and gave him The Lavender Award. We told him his wife was really pretty, too, and meant it.
Martin Brodeur arrived with a truck full of live pigs. We did not ask him what they were for. He refused the Sweatiest Man Alive award we tried to give him.
Tyler Myers, you get the Who the [Belegost] Are You award because you confuse us. We had no idea he even looked like this, but this is probably just our general ignorance to anything that happens in Buffalo that isn't Ryan Miller or missing Y chromosomes. All black is the route of amateurs. Someone tell the kid.
We have a special award for Jimmy Howard. It's the Chris Osgood Memorial Trophy for outstanding contributions to fatness in Detroit.
Most Pretend Seductive was going to be given to Matt Duchene but he said he would prefer something for his little wing-like hair contraptions. We said we'd figure something out.
Martin St. Louis gets the Something in My Pocket Award. . . We're scared to give him anything else.
Brad Richards showed up on his cell phone and walked right past us. Despite what voting reports you may have read, this is why he didn't win the Lady Byng. We gave him the Shiniest Shoes Award.
For Barry Trotz? Fewest Eyebrows.
For Dave Tippett? Best Stare.
We almost forgot Joe Sacco. We gave him the Thank God You Got More Votes Than Babcock award.
Longest Torso Award. We do not want to spend any more time with a Sedin than we have to. Moving along.
Sasha showed up and almost tripped on the red carpet and then started making out with random people. We gave him the Oh For The Love Of [Belegost]ing Christ Award. He giggled and asked why his variety show with Zhenya was cancelled and we said we'd talk to HBO for him.
Sid showed up, self-conscious about his giant ass as usual. We gave him a Best Junk in the Trunk award. He was all, "How many people did Alex make out with?" and we were like "At least seven," and he was all, "Damn," and shuffled in, an aura of heroism following him dejectedly.
INSIDE AT THE AWARDS We sit through the awards show uncomfortably, constantly pulling out our cell phones to make sure our private room at the Wynn is reserved and that the various set pieces to the party are being delivered. Our feelings range from unadulterated horror. . . to passive confusion:
We really don't pay attention to anything that happens.
AT THE AFTER PARTY Most important people in the NHL are there. Patrick Kane makes a face akin to this: and is immediately kicked out.
Everything has gone according the plan. The bar is made of black, lacquered wood and stained glass chandeliers have been acquired and set up from the vaulted ceiling. We're pumping Team Teamwork and Gorillaz through the sound system. Darren is taking his prospective pool boy job very seriously and has a walkie-talkie, coordinating all of the music and lights from a corner with his own personal bottle of José Cuervo, which he has taken with our permission. Ryan Kesler is the bartender. He says it's better than being on the cover of NHL 2K11. The Cirque du Soleil performers are his assistants.
Just before sunrise, we got Helm to put David Bowie's "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" on the system.
PH Staff climbs on to the bar and politely waits for everyone to quiet down a little. "Listen, everyone. We just wanted to let you know how proud we are of all of you. You know, 'cause we just run a stupid website and this party doesn't even exist outside of our imaginations." (In the corner, Darren sniffles. Claude shuffles in late with a plate of every variety of grape known to man.) "We just want you to learn the meaning of sharing. If you with the trophies can learn to share them that means we don't have to take them away from anyone. Especially you, Henrik Sedin. You know that Hart is as much Sid's and Alex's as it is yours." Henrik straightens his extremely long tie and lets Sid and Ovie lay hands delicately on the Hart Trophy. We look around the room and see that all of the trophies (yes, even the William Jennings and the Ted Lindsay) have multiple hands on them. It seems that everyone in the NHL is touching an award of some kind. Adam Burish has snuck in and has a pinky finger on Mike Green's Puffiest Award.
"Did this season suck or what?" we continue. Everyone cheers except a few rogue Blackhawks. Toews smirks, then returns to Captain Serious mode. "Who's ready for next year to make more sense?" we yell. A few people "woo!" at us. We realize our terms were a little broad, but continue bravely anyway: "We just want you to remember how unexpected life can be. To take some examples from this crop of jailbait. . .If Matt Duchene can blossom like he did in the last year, and if Tavares can fail as spectacularly as nobody expected, then anything is possible. Which means that someday you, Jakub Voracek, will land a Noxema campaign and you, Versteeg, will be the epitome of class. Remember to be who you want to be. Not who the hockey media wants you to be. Brother Steven, can you please take one of your hands off of the Rocket Richard?" "And Jose, you don't have to cry. We're here for you." The sun rises. A skylight situated on the east side of the ballroom shows its pale pink blush. "Have a good summer, boys. You may never be the same again. But maybe that's not such a bad thing."
in other words, congratulations to the night's award winners, and thank you all for coming.
Dustin Byfuglien is now a Thrasher. We loled. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Draft on Friday. We're giving the Key to Our Hearts award to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Because we're in love, still, and we can't wait to see them again.
By this invitation only, we are holding our first mountaintop picnic of the season. The above invitation is presented to the following individuals:
Mr. Semen Varlamov, of Russia to ensure that the American women do not eat so much and become fat
Mr. Ryan Whitney, of Massachusetts because we hear they do not have chocolate cake in Edmonton
Mr. Daniel Carcillo, of King City, Ontario, Canada so that we can watch him eat corn on the cob
Mr. Brendan Shanahan, of Ontario, Canada in case zombies attack during the picnic and Mrs. Davidson-Nash requires assistance with the Earth's defenses
Mr. Ilya Bryzgalov, of Russia so that he will wear this shirt and lead the existential debate scheduled to begin at 3:25p
Mr. Patrick Sharp, of Manitoba so he can bring the Cup and blind everyone with its shine
Mr. Jakub Voráček, of Kladno, former Czechoslovakia for his impeccable skills at pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey
Mr. Joe Thornton, of Ontario
because we need someone to leer at the women
Mr. Bobby Ryan, of New Jersey because he will eat all of the food before the ants get to it, and Patrick can teach him about Stanley Cups
Mr. Peter Harrold, of Kirtland Hills, Ohio . . .because
Mr. Michael Ryder, of Newfoundland, Canada to spite him
Mr. James van Riemsdyk, of New Jersey because Mr. Carcillo needs someone to talk to
Mr. Wojtek Wolski, of Poland in case Mr. Ryder pushes anyone off of a porch
Mr. Luke Schenn, of Saskatoon as he attends all of the teas held by the widow Worsley
Mr. Shane O'Brien, of Ontario, Canada may be indisposed and unable to attend, but Ms. Carcillo-Winnik-Goligoski would not want to overlook his interest
A specially made quilt will be laid out on the Lawn, made of vintage game-worn jerseys, treated especially for softness. Mr. Cameron Ward, our co-coordinator of this event, will give a short address and serve cocktails promptly at 2p. This is a closed event. Please check with your hostesses before bringing a guest. Consider this a pre-party for the Puck Huffers Awards Show, which shall commence on the twenty-third of June. Have a pleasant day.
We really have very little entertainment over the span of the summer, so free agency is sort of like a saving grace so long as the Penguins stay out of it. Sure, they can get involved from time to time when we need a spike in the heart rate, but overall we just like to watch other teams dick around and ruin everything.
For example:
The Montreal Canadians were "committed" to Carey "Three Packs a Day" Price from day one.
Clearly he would rather be in the passenger seat of Dany Heatley's car than pretending to be a starting goalie anywhere, but nonetheless, the entire reason for the Habs making it out of the first round has been escorted over to the Blues.
Why did we miss this photo before?
I mean, it was in the belegosting Penguins series.
Press, we constantly underestimate your skillz, though not your ability to deliver photos on time. This is journalism, people, let's get with it.
There are also rumors of Savard/Wheeler to Columbus for a pick, but there's little to no evidence that this has any validity. We like crazy shit, though, so let's hope it pulls through.
In other (very important) news, PH Staff has a total crush on draft pick Benjamin Conz.
Reasons being-
1) He is a babyswissgoalie.
2) His last name is Conz.
3)
Zoe thinks he'd take her out for a sundae, but be really morose about it.
"He just has that look."
Also, our favorite press source is kicking it retro in the off season:
That hair!
That jacket!!!!
We hope everyone is hanging in there.
We recommend the World Cup. We're kind of fascinated by it.
Kim's going Denmark, Paraguay and Mexico (because she hates winning, apparently.)
Zoe's going USA, Mexico and Uruguay.
The Intern refuses to divulge her allegiance because she is a deity and therefore in charge of all World Cup results.
How much longer till October?
Ugh.
[Player #12 is our favorite. We have theorized the many possibilities of his internal monologue. Feel free to speculate.]
Who's excited for the draft 'cause we're excited for the draft!!!one!1@
THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE COMING WEEKS
list of people invited to picnics this summer
our predictions for the NHL Awards and (eventually) the OFFICIAL PH awards show
thoughts on the draft in general
some good party ideas for summer outdoor patio extravaganzas, as well as rainy day activities.
whatevs fuck it's summer
So, how about that Dion Phaneuf? MAYBE HE CAN TURN THE LEAFS AROUND
Where do you think Vesa Toskala will end up this offseason (we miss him)?
Did ya'll see True Blood last night?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
EDIT: if you haven't already, go read our Eulogy of the Philadelphia Flyers on PD. Wyshynski's comments section thinks we're weak and meh and not funny. Oh, and immature. LOVE 'EM. <3 Isn't sarcasm, cockiness, and bitchiness par for the course for these things? You'd be surprised how seriously some people take us!
UGH CHICAGO PLEASE GO BACK TO YOUR ROOMS AND DID WE SAY YOU COULD TURN ON YOUR STEREOS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T YOU ARE GROUNDED
oh wait. . . It's kind of hard to send the Stanley Cup Champions to their rooms when they're all drunk on champagne and Molson and being rowdy and getting dirt and blood all over the new sectional sofas and oh dear they've already cracked the HD TV screen and this is just bad.
We'll be hiding in the basement.
This will go down in history as the goal that nobody saw. Everyone was confused. NBC was confused. The goal judge was confused. The refs just gave up at being alive. And it just happened and Kaner was doing things and we were just so disappointed. We weren't even disappointed for these guys. Come on, you don't think we were rooting for them because we liked them all that much, do you? I mean, they're kind of hard to be pissed off at when all they do in recent years is lose and embarrass themselves, but it's not like they are our favorites or anything. We could waste time being disappointed that what everybody knew was going to happen ended up happening, and feel bad that the underdogs didn't do it, and yada yada yada. No, what's really disappointing was the style.
Nobody saw this goal go in. Not the goal judge, not the referee. . .certainly not Pudding over here. It was just annoying. Unexpected, surreal, whatever. We prefer "annoying." Stupid goal. Cups should be won with more flourish and pimp strut than all that. Instead we got a lucky goal from PKane. Whatever.
We formed a committee to decide who is allowed to have the Stanley Cup from Chicago and we came up with five names. They are as follows: Jonathan Toews Even though he was a total joke choice for Conn Smythe, he did captain the team, and he wasn't younger than Sid was or anything blasphemous like that, so we'll allow it. And would you just look at that face? Hearkening back to MySpace, that one. Despite the fact that he handed the Cup to Hossa first. Should have been Duncan. But we'll let this slide for now on the basis of the face.
Patrick Sharp Solid.
Duncan Keith Obviously. Duh. Put some applesauce in that thing for him.
Antti Niemi We weren't going to allow it but he resubmitted his application to remind us that he is extremely fat, a goaltender, and also Finnish, and kind of cute, and we really couldn't say no.
Everyone else is not allowed. This is the official word. None of this will happen on our watch. DUSTIN, PUT IT DOWN. YOU ARE LUMBERING AROUND CLOSE TO ALL OF THE FINE CHINA.
No, really. Congratulations to Chicago on their season. Congratulations to Philadelphia for theirs. It's hard enough to get to the Finals, let alone win them. We've been there too. Both of ya'll.
Sooooooooooooooo. Summer fun, we guess? When is hockey again? . . .WHEN?!?!?! Um. Balls.
Also, temporary announcement: we will be doing a find and replace for objectionable words. The word you now know as "Belegost" will soon be "Belegost." This is so some company will put ads on our sites (which, btw, you CAN block if you really need to, though I mean, we don't recommend it. . .). After a few days everything will go back to normal. Belegost this, bitches.
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