Bleeps and Bloops: Random Thoughts

-Never touched on my thoughts about the Flyers/Lightning 1-3-1 debate.  Neither team broke any rules, and it was a one game issue.  It was a boring game but I don’t think any rules need to be added or changed in response to one occasion.

-Reports are floating around that Jeff Carter wants out of Columbus.  Carter’s agent shot down those rumors, but the internet can’t help but wonder if he’ll be dealt anyway.  Carter played on the 2006-07 disastrous Flyers team, but even with that experience, going from a Stanley Cup contender to the worst team in hockey is still a shock.  It’s been a bad six weeks for the Jackets, especially for Carter who has missed 10 games with an injury and still doesn’t have a goal.  He does have a no-trade clause starting in the summer, but Carter just  needs to focus on hockey, winning games and perhaps better play will help turn Columbus around a bit.  Even if he were traded, Columbus wouldn’t get the return they traded to get him (Jakub Voracek, 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick).

2011-2012 Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins

Last season: 49-25-8, 106 points, 4^th East, lost in the first round to Tampa Bay (4-3).

Additions: LW Steve MacIntyre, D Alex Picard, RW Steve Sullivan, D Boris Valabik, RW Jason Williams

Losses: LW Chris Conner, RW Eric Godard, LW Mike Rupp, C Max Talbot

Offense:  Obviously Sidney Crosby is the go-to guy on the Penguins, but with his status uncertain for the season, it means other players will have to pick up the slack.  Crosby was having a great year before he was derailed, scoring 32 goals and 66 points in 41 games.  Evgeni Malkin missed 39 games last year, including 29 games (plus playoffs) with an ACL tear.  While he was in the lineup, Malkin was still effective, netting 15 goals and 37 points.  The Pens will need him to be healthy this season in order to compete in the tough Eastern Conference.  Jordan Staal missed the first half of the season, but was the team’s #1 centerman down the stretch.  His shutdown play helped ease the losses of Crosby & Malkin.  Chris Kunitz finally produced (23 goals) what Pittsburgh wanted when they acquired him from Anaheim two seasons ago.  Last year’s acquisition James Neal only scored one goal as a Penguin, but had 22 total, including his time with Dallas.  Tyler Kennedy used his increased ice time to score 21 goals.  Steve Sullivan could prove to be a solid addition, provided he stays healthy he can still score 20 goals.  Rookie Mark Letestu started off hot, scoring 7 goals and 17 points in his first 38 games, but only finished 14-13-27 in 64 games.

Sophomore Slump for Skinner? Don’t Bet On It

Last season, 18 year old Jeff Skinner joined some elite company.  He became the fourth 18 year old to win the Calder trophy as NHL’s Rookie of the Year, scoring 32 goals and 63 points.  He became the youngest winner since Tom Barrasso in 1983-84.  Many 18 year olds have played in the NHL, but only eleven have scored 60 points in one season.  Of those eleven, nine played in the 1980s, when scoring was up.  The only one who’s done it outside of that decade besides Skinner, is Sidney Crosby.  Ironically, Skinner replaced Crosby in the All Star Game this past season.  Of the ten players ahead of Skinner on that list, all ten had productive seasons their second year.  Even the “bust” Jimmy Carson had two great years before tailing off.

Now Jeff Skinner is not going to produce Crosby numbers (120 points, Art Ross winner in his second year). Crosby posted over 100 points his rookie year to Skinner’s 63. Skinner played with Eric Staal most of last year on the Hurricanes’ top line.  But Skinner played 16:43 per game, which was only seventh most on his team.  That will surely increase this season, especially with the departure of Erik Cole.  He’ll most likely be called on for more power play minutes (played 3:10 per game last year).  More time will equal more scoring chances, which should increase his point total.

Some point to his slump in February as hitting the rookie wall.