What will the Penguins do with all that young  talent?
966122
They'll make the playoffs and probably lose first round. But coming off 2 consecutive last place seasons thats a great jump start for the coming years.  With Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, of course Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fluery in net this team is loaded with young, super talented 1st round draft picks and will only improve with the coming years.  Also with veterans like Mark Recchi,  Johan LeClair and Sergi Gonchar it always help to have the veteran experience. \n\nThe Biggest knock on them as has been for the last couple years is there lack of overall defense but that something they can surely improve on with a good trade or something.  Also there in a division that doesnt really have a great stand out team so I think the future is quite bright for the Pens.
674627
I think some major changes are required.\n\nDefinitely McCabe has to stay, there's no doubt about that.  Lindros, Allison, Belfour, Andropov, Domi (sorry, love ya.. but), Belak and Aki Berg (actually already gone); anyway, these players HAVE to go.\n\nMaybe make Domi a coach if you want to keep him...\n\nHire Mark Crawford as the coach.  Forget Paul Maurice - that's nonsense.  Mark Crawford.  Canadian, big markets, very competitive - it would be a nice fit.\n\nAnd as mentioned above, more youth.  Toronto's definitely NOT going to win the cup next year, everyone knows that.  Their problem always seems to be that they want to keep their older players to make a run at the cup.  That is not going to happen.  They need to suck it up, get rid of the older players, bring in a core of youth, and begin building.  \n\nAnd youth doesn't necesarily mean missing the playoffs!  Hell, put Wellwood, Stajan, Ponikarovski, Aubin and Steen on my team any day!  Just give them MORE responsibility rather than less - they will mature on their own.\n\nMaybe trade Tucker (after a huge season, he won't repeat it for this team) for some defence.  The Leafs' defence completely sucks except for McCabe and Kaberle.\n\n... And while you are at it, trade John Ferguson (the GM).  He sucks.
223725
I actually think so. They've done some really good moves to bolster the team - the trade for Thornton being paramount. The main reason isn't so much based on the strengths of their own team (even though they showed some stamina against the Preds tonight and got the OT win) as other teams above them in the West right now faultering. I predict Anaheim and Colorado out of the playoffs in 15-16 games time and the Sharks sneaking into that 8th spot.
1038211
I think Crosby should have gotten it because he was the youngest player EVER to get 100 or more points in a season. Plus, he was appointed one of the assistant captains about midway through the season which shows he is comfortable being a leader on a team. Also, like you said, he was more of an integral part of the team. I think Ovechkin is an awesome player and shows lots of enthusiasm, passion, and love for the game. Both are great to watch and as a hockey fan, I'm giddy at watching these two guys along with a bunch of other great, young players like Phaenuf and Lundqvist for years to come.
17715
With the way they are currently playing, of course they will.  The Sabres have the right size and speed to compete in the NHL.  Also, they have a very good goaltending situation.  If Martin Biron struggles, they have Mika Noronen and and Ryan miller will return from injury soon.\n\nConsidering that 8 teams make the playoffs, a good team like Buffalo has a legitimate shot of doing so.
939033
I absolutely love the Penguins.  How can you not with the talent on the team...CROSBY, MALKIN, FLEURY and I think Reechi doin' pretty good, thus far.  I just wish Army would score a goal and Eaton would be back from his injury.
197546
I don't think so.  Unstable goaltending and Smyth just hasn't been doing it this season.  I expect them to slowly fade back to 10th or so.
17138
If they're given enough time, eventually. It probably won't happen anytime in the extremely new future, but trades and talent can turn any franchise around. It's just that it's taking the Cubs longer than anyone to turn it around. Eventually, rest assured.
1109659
you're right they need to get younger and more athletic. Parker and Duncan are a good start Ginobli is getting old but the rest of the team isway past their prime. A young player like livingston from the Clippers would put them right back on top  I think.
323910
No they need to rebuild there team they have many young players which is great,but they need a couple more veterans to help the youth. they need a least one more veteran goal tender.And they need better experience at the top in management.
711243
See my answer to your other posting of the same question.\n\nNo, sadly, the prospects aren't good.
776427
They are doing real well, even better than the high expectations before the season. Pronger is having a fantastic year, and they can pretty much have either Neidermeyer or Pronger on the ice at all times on Defense. Giguere is playing like he did in the 03 playoffs. I don't think they have anyone along the lead's leading scorers, but because they have a well-balanced team and the kids are doing a lot, they are among the leaders in goals scored anyway. Despite all this, attendance seems to be down so there should be plenty of good seats to most games. Go see em'!
593167
I personally do not think he should be the Captain next season, nor do I think he should he be the Captain of Team Canada in the next Olympics. There are many worthy veteran players who would make better Captains than a young player who has not been in the league very long. For example, veterans on the Pittsburgh Penguins like John LeClair and Sergei Gonchar would be much better Captains because of their experience and wisdom. A Captain is a leader and is a solid player, not always the best player or all-star, Crosby should definitely get more experience in the league before being in the position of Captain or even Assistant Captain. That is not to say however that he won't be named Captain of either of those two teams; but look for him to have the "A" on his sweater, not the "C" next season.
842374
The Red Wings have never really been a team about one or two superstars in the last 3 or 4 years.  Looking at this year, last I checked Lidstrom is leading in points with 16.  They don't have a big scorer ala Cheechoo, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, etc.  Shanahan was their top scorer but he is gone.  I would hate to see them trade away their young talent for a veteran quick fix but it's possible I suppose.  Forsberg is more of a playmaker in my eyes.  Alfredsson has been underachieving in Ottawa, maybe he's available?  To me, I say trade Lang, he just hasn't done much in my eyes.  That or let Hudler and Kopecky have a shot on the top lines, at least they finally are on the roster.
864392
No....for a number of reasons......losing Mark Eaton for 2-3 months really hurt...he was becoming the best defenseman they had, and they already miss his shot blocking and penalty killing abilities. They really have no one to take his spot, and Brooks Orpik is being slowly brought back after his hand surgery. Sergei Gonchar has struggled since Eaton was hurt (9 points - 2G,7A, +1 before the injury;3 points - 3A,-3 after it). They don't have the necessary toughness yet, their face-off success is low, they take too many lazy penalties, Marc-Andre Fleury has been somewhat inconsistent (although he'd played several very good games) and their power play has been struggling. Interestingly, Sidney Crosby is not used to kill penalties at this time (thereby leaving their best offensive threat  to languish on the bench for extended periods of time). While Malkin has been shown to be the real deal, his supporting cast has struggled...John LeClare and Mark Recchi two proven scorers in past years) haven't been exactly red hot, and neither has Colby Armstrong. Michel Therrien has tried numeros combinations to get more goals, and he still hasn't been satisfied with the results. They do have a promising team, however, so that while they won't make the playoffs this year, with proper draft choices and trades, they could be a real challenger for the cup in the near-future.
13715
If they're given enough time, eventually.  It probably won't happen anytime in the extremely new future, but trades and talent can turn any franchise around.  It's just that it's taking the Cubs longer than anyone to turn it around.  Eventually, rest assured.
558940
To tell you the truth, they need a lot of help so it is not likely that they will be in the near term. But on the plus side for them, they have assembled a  very good young pitching staff, which is a must for any team that wants to contend on a tight budget to have (Think of the A's when they had the big 3 of Mulder, Hudson, and Zito). They need to make better decisions on player evaluations, but I think that they do have a shot...