Random Penguins Notes

Gotta love the beauty of the bullet-point format.

• The more I hear Darryl Sydor talk, and the more I see how he carries himself off the ice, the more I like the signing. Something about Sydor, aside from his Cup rings and experience, just screams, "winner." And for a young team that is still learning how to win, winners like Sydor play a valuable role in accelerating the process from promising team to legitimate contender.

• Michel Therrien's contract extension was fair. The contract extension prevented Therrien from being a "lame duck" coach, a distinction earned through last season's on-ice performance. That being said, however, I still maintain my belief that Therrien is an excellent development coach who still must prove he can utilize strategies necessary for the coach of a contender. Until Therrien proves his worth in terms of helping his Penguins win games in the second season, it was definitely wise not to offer him a lengthy contract extension. And, hopefully, the desire to earn another contract motivates Therrien to continue to develop and hone his coaching skills as he and his staff work with their players to develop and hone their hockey skills.
  

• The signing of Ty Conklin, that horrific Stanley Cup 2006 goal notwithstanding, at least provides more goaltending depth for the organization. Still, for as wise as I believe Shero to be for his patience and not signing Therrien to a lengthy extension, I believe him to be equally foolish for not signing a more proven back-up goaltender. Of course, of course, I hope to be proven wrong. But I am uncomfortable with Dany Sabourin and Ty Conklin as the Pens' second and third-string goalies, respectively. Marc-Andre Fleury, his forty wins last year aside, is not yet at the Martin Brodeur/Roberto Luongo level that renders a back-up moot point. Here's to hoping Fleury stays healthy, strong, and hot for the entire 2007-08 season.

• Amusing question of the day: Which veteran will serve as Kris Letang's "billet" next year? Amusing note of the day: I always love when the children are young enough to require a "billet" housing situation. Amusing hope for the future: Here's to hoping the Pens have a steady supply of kids talented enough to play in the NHL and young enough to require a "billet" housing situation in future seasons. Just to keep our current crop of kids young, after all.