Kennedy out 4-6 weeks

[Merman1983]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08340/933026-100.stm

Was really liking the play of the third line too. Looks like we're going to get long looks at Minard and Pesonen.

[PghSteel-43]

I kind of figured it wasn't going to be good news for Kennedy when it was reported he did not travel with the team down to Carolina and then I saw this article in the PPG earlier today.

I actually felt Godard looked better last game than Pesonen.  That's not exactly saying much, but I guess it's the only positive to come out of this situation. 

[PghSteel-43]

Add Gill to the growing list...

Out 2-4 weeks: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08344/933886-100.stm

[Merman1983]

Injuries are piling up. At least now there will be an excuse for blowing 25 3-1 leads.

[PghSteel-43]

And once again, say bye-bye to Janne Pesonen (I've lost count) and hello to Tim Wallace and Jeff Taffe...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08344/933998-100.stm

[Merman1983]

Not surprised. I so wanted Pesonen to succeed. But he's looked completely lost and overpowered out there.

It says alot about what your coach thinks about you when your ice-time is going to Taffe, Minard, Dupuis, etc.

[PghSteel-43]

With Fleury out for at least another three games and with the team playing three games in four days, I would have to believe that Curry will get the nod at some point.  Sabourin needs a break.  The guy is letting up rebounds galore and over the past five-six games he has been letting in some very questionable goals.  Curry did not look bad in his last start.  Granted, he let up four goals, but if you watched that game, he made some unbelievable saves and the defense completely left him out to dry.  We were lucky we only gave up four goals in that game.  If it weren't for Curry, that game could have easily been a blow out.

The team as a whole continues to become complacent once they grab a two-three goal lead.  While many want to put the full blame on the defense, it's hard to blame them when your offense decides to crawl into it's conservative shell after gaining a significant lead.  They play twenty minutes, take off a full thirty and then play ten more minutes while attempting to regain the lead that they orginally blew.  This team has yet to show me that they can play a full sixty minutes of hockey on a consistent basis.

Do injuries have some bearing on how we are playing?  Sure, no doubt.  It definately does not help the situation.  Still, you can have a completely healthy roster come playoff time and if you plan on sitting back on leads and playing thirty or forty minutes of hockey a night, good luck.  It's not going to work.  This team was blowing leads long before Fleury, Boucher, Gill and Kennedy went down.

[PghSteel-43]

Add Talbot to the injury list: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08347/934767-100.stm

Pens call up Connor James: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08348/935060-100.stm

Fleury is back: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08347/934767-100.stm

Minard and Curry sent down: http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?se...ticleid=397622

It doesn't sound like Talbot's injury is too serious, but we all thought the same when it came to Fleury.  I thought Minard looked pretty solid during his stint up here.  Hustles, plays physical and works for the puck.  Obviously he is not going to be lighting up the league anytime soon, but he's solid depth. 

What is there to say about Curry?  He looked very solid during his first three NHL appearances.  While he's not the biggest goaltender in the league (5'11), he makes up for it with hard work and determination.  He also handles the puck pretty well and has quick legs.  I've said it before, but I think Sabourin is gone after this season and Curry will be our backup next season.  I feel Sabourin will be looking for a pay boost and more playing time in a different city (Conklin/Thibault).

It also appears that the organization is choosing to go with Wallace and James over calling up Filewich or Pesonen.  It's looking like Filewich is a career AHL'er.  He's been given chance after chance and he never comes through.  Maybe possible packaged trade bait in the future?  Pesonen's name has recently been thrown around in some recent trade rumors.  For the right trade, I can't say I would shed a tear if that occured.

Good to see Fleury back.  Hopefully he doesn't chip a nail or we could lose him for the rest of the season.  We might end up seeing Curry sooner rather than later.

[PghSteel-43]

Fleury to start on Thursday, Stone & Taffe called up: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08352/935753-100.stm