The Hockey News: Adam Proteau's Blog: THN.com Blog: The thin blueline

THN.com Blog: The thin blueline

Ryan Whitney had 12 goals and 40 points with the Pens last season. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Adam Proteau
2008-08-18 12:45:32

I’m not a video game fanatic by any stretch of the imagination, but as a service to readers, it’s my duty to alert you to the first glimpse of the always-anticipated NHL game made by EA Sports.

Available Sept. 9th, NHL 09 looks to be a whole heap of fun for citizens of Gamer Nation. However, I’m holding out until somebody creates a game called NHL Owner 09, in which you can:

a)    Make clandestine loans with other NHL team owners without the commissioner’s knowledge;

b)    Threaten your local population of hockey fans with franchise relocation if civic officials don’t cede to your obscene demands for a swanky new arena;

c)    Raise ticket prices and avoid firing your incompetent GM and/or coach as long as possible before fans and media arrive at your gated mansion with pitchforks and torches;

d)    Discover what really goes on behind the scenes at Board of Governors meetings (hint: it involves a paddle, jumper cables, four cases of Lithuanian vodka, and many subsequent years of psychotherapy); and

e)    Relieve any boredom or frustration with the results you’re getting by shutting the game down for an entire year until it does everything you want.

• The off-season news just keeps getting worse and worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Already suffering from the departure of veterans such as Marian Hossa, Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone and Jarkko Ruutu, the Pens now will have to make do without the services of young blueline star Ryan Whitney, who could be sidelined until after the All-Star Game after undergoing foot surgery Friday.

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You rarely hear Whitney’s name mentioned when people talk about the Penguins’ embarrassment of roster riches, but as evidenced by this tabulation, it’s clear the 25-year-old won’t easily be replaced.

The only good news to come out of Whitney’s predicament is that his time on the injured reserve could free up somewhere in the area of $2 million in salary cap space the Pens could use to replace him.

Danny Markov, anyone?

Adam Proteau is The Hockey News' online columnist and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and Wednesdays, his Ask Adam feature appears Tuesdays in the summer, and his column, Screen Shots, appears Thursdays.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (32)

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Jim Reinecke Posted
(2009-04-30 06:50:38)

Bill Carroll: If you're ever in St. Louis, stop by my favorite sports bar, the River City Pub on Gravois Road. You and I seem to have very similar hate lists! We could have some lively discussions while downing some adult refreshments and watching a hockey game on the big screen. Here's to you, buddy!

Flyerfan52 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:43)

Dave, smell isn't one of ours. I think he's Buffalo or Toronto.

Bill Carroll Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:43)

Everyone is correct about Malone's potential. But teams NEED to have players like him to be succesful. The Wings are made of role-player type of players on their roster. They even have the elite leadership to traditionally make near-stellar great players conform to role playing. This is the team that put Fedorov on defence for the benifit of the team, not the individual. Also, if there's anything in the world I hate more than Geroge W. Bush or China; it has to be the Flyers. Their far from a dead in the water team with tons of potential. Possibly more than my Penguins considering the amount of talent they don't even have in the NHL yet. Pisses me off.

Mike Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:38)

Screw NHL 09, NHL 2K8 has the best GM simulator on the market in Franchise Mode, its more fun then actually playing the hockey games. I'm buying NHL 2K9 and I'm sure it'll be great, NHL 2K always is.

jason Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:35)

I'm sick of hearing penguins this and penguins that...... penguins = 1st round playoff exit. and there ya go. MOVE ON.

Dave Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:35)

Whatsthatsmell is an appropriate callname for a Flyer goon--The Pens will do just fine w/o Whitney-this has happened before the season has even started, so adjustments can be implemented in the beginning! Eaton is a better defensement w/ grit-he doesn't carry a purse like Ryan. Speaking of a Ryan-Malone is a contract player-he played for what he got-you'll see him occasionally-if you think that you'll see him perform like he did in the playoffs-you forgot to take your Meds!!

Daniel Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:35)

Very good point about Malone, Dave. He was bound to get overpaid by somebody, and the Lightning bit. He's never been the hardest worker, and now that he's gotten his fat contract, I bet he won't be heard from again for a few years. I predict about 45 points for him this season. And Jason, if you'd rather hear about your team than the Pens, maybe your team should consider making the Final. So, unless you're a Wings fan, you're gonna have to look up to the Pens whether you like it or not.

Jon Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:30)

James - i agree with you on the point production from Malone, he is at bestt a 2nd liner and Satan will definitely put up more pts than Malone did last year. However, what I meant was that Malone is a crash and banger, and those guys are invaluable in the playoffs. Malone was on the 1st PP unit, stood in front of the net, tipped pucks and did all the dirty work, much like Holmstrom on Det. By no means is Holmstrom a premier player, far from it, but he brings value to the team because he is the best at what he does. Malone took a beating and just kept coming back, I hardly think Satan will have the same impact.

james Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:29)

Losing Malone wasnt that devastating. The guy only scored 27 goals and had 50+ points playing with Malkin. I's say thats a very low point total considering who he was playing with. I think he's more rugged checker than natural scorer. Satan is more of a natural. Will Satan have a career year? Who knows. Chemistry is a delicate thing. I for one hope they dont mesh. More points for my team.

Bill Carroll Posted
(2009-04-30 06:49:28)

Blizz, I believe everything you've said is quite correct. That was damn funny as well. But in all reality, no one thought that the Pens would go to the Cup until Hossa was traded at the deadline last year. Because they did make it to the finals last year everyone and there mother has these expectations that they'll have to do it again continuiously year after year now. Realistically I don't think they will be going to the finals again this year with the current roster they have. Thats the bottom line. But its not like all is lost. They have players in the works waiting to be ready to come up to make an impact. And the finals last year was a great learning experience for players like Crosby, Malkin, Fluery, and Whitney and company. And I don't believe for a second that anyone of those above mentioned players as peaked yet and reached full potential. The most major problem in the future for this team will be the salary cap.

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