No Pain, No Gain

Justin Maffei | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 19, 04:29 PM | Hype this story!

It is not amazing how much impact the injuries have had on the Penguins season. What is amazing is that the impact has been mostly positive.

The most noticable benefits of the injuries occured with Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury. Crosby’s injury allowed Evgeni Malkin to show that he can be a superstar. Fleury’s injury allowed Ty Conklin to step in and show his worth to this team. The Penguins now have two superstars and two solid goalies going into the playoffs.

Mark Eaton’s injury proved to be beneficial for a few reasons. First, Kris Letang was able to prove his worth to the NHL club. Second, Rob Scuderi continued to show that he is one of the most consistent defensive defensemen in the league. Finally, with Scuderi and Eaton out, Orpik was able to show his usefulness to the club.

The many other injuries have allowed Jeff Taffe and Tyler Kennedy to show the Penguins that they can produce at the NHL level. They provided the depth that gave GM Ray Shero the confidence to make a blockbuster trade for Hossa. In the trade, the Penguins said good-bye to Colby Armstrong, Eric Christensen, Angelo Esposito, and their first round pick in this year’s NHL draft. In return, the Penguins received a great winger for Sidney Crosby in Marian Hossa, as well as a solid third liner with speed and heart in Pascal Dupuis.

No pain, no gain is a great slogan for the Penguins’ season. The injuries that the Penguins have dealt with have made the team stronger today and also in the future.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Mar 20, 04:33 AM

    Beautifully stated!

  2. Justin Maffei

    Mar 20, 11:28 AM

    Thanks Dabich!

  3. Michael

    Mar 21, 05:34 PM

    However ..

    We are__now__going into the playoffs and we currently have no idea if Crosby is going to be able to play in these playoffs. I don’t think he’s going to be able to play at anywhere near the level of intensity he needs to play at to be effective. I don’t expect him to really be ‘back’ until next season. Bummer.

    Unfortunately, we cannot expect to really do much in the playoffs without Crosby.

    Without Crosby in the playoffs, we wouldn’t even get to maximize what Hossa can do. Staal isn’t a good enough center for Hossa. Hopefully Hossa will sign with the Penguins in the offseason.

  4. DaBich

    Mar 23, 06:52 PM

    You konw what Michael, I’m beginning to think you’re a total azzmunch.
    Go play in traffic, I’m sick of your pessimism.

    “Unfortunately, we cannot expect to really do much in the playoffs without Crosby.”
    What do you think this team HAS been doing without Crosby? Umm..let’s see?? oh yeah! WINNING!!! I mean, c’mon, dude, get with it or shut it. I for one am sick of you.

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