The Hype
To Be Believed?
To Be Embraced?
To Be Avoided?

In the midst of the Pens’ current hot streak, praise has been heaped on the team from various corners—from journalists and opposing players and coaches. And as much as fun as the hype is to read, sometimes I wonder, well—isn’t this, well, just, hype? And even if some of the hype is legitimate, should the team—or its’ fans—embrace the hype?

Here’s a sampling of some hype:

∑ Toronto coach Paul Maurice didn’t just say the Penguins were the hottest team in the NHL. Paul Maurice said the team was currently the best team in the NHL and that he was happy his team got a point against a team that was currently the best in the league. Umm, wait a second. When did the Eastern Conference’s youngest team morph into the best team in the entire NHL?

∑ I just listened to NHL on NBC broadcasters, former players all, say that the Penguins are the "best watch" in the NHL. Journalists say the team is easily the most entertaining team in the NHL even if they are, as one NBC broadcaster just commented, a "bit of a high wire act" from time to time.

∑ Who can ignore the newspaper articles that compare the young Penguins squad to the Edmonton Oilers’ dynasty for the 1980’s? Sure, those Oilers won multiple Stanley Cups and have multiple players in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but you know what, these young Penguins—they could be the new Oilers. Really.

∑ The comparisons of young players to legends, or minimally, to Hockey Hall of Fame talent. Wondering if Crosby will break Gretzky’s records. Marveling at how Malkin plays like Jagr. And even my eager eyes on Jordan Staal, wondering if he will one day, perhaps, be his generation’s version of the great two-way center Ron Francis was.

When it comes to the hype, the thing that hits—hard—especially in the middle of
the team’s current unbeaten streak, is that some of the hype is legitimate. I can’t help but marvel at Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, and wonder what they will have achieved by the time they retire. I can’t help but see the enormous potential and possibility on the team’s current roster. The standings tell me that the 2006-07 Penguins are far from the league’s best overall team, and yet the team is so, so close to getting to that point.

In the midst of all the hype that I love to read and offers tantalizing hope for the future, a part of me wonders if the players, coaches, and especially fans should take the hype with a large grain of salt. Meaning, yes, the comparisons are great. The comparisons are probably even legitimate in many cases.

But at this point—for fans, how about forgetting the hype and just rooting for the team currently on the ice? For the team, which doesn’t yet seem to be a problem, how about having the confidence that comes from believing you can win but no cocky arrogance that your talent means you don’t have to put forth effort to earn victories?

The hype is fun, don’t get me wrong. But the hype doesn’t matter, all the quotes about the team being the hottest, best, and brightest in the league—doesn’t matter until the team shows it matters. First by earning a playoff berth, and then by doing something with that playoff berth.

And until then, for fans like myself—well, read the hype, enjoy the hype—but don’t believe the hype until the team shows you, on the ice, in victories that lead to the playoffs and in actual wins come the postseason—that all the hype was absolutely accurate.
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