Around The NHL In 30 Days. Has Matt Cooke Changed? Penguins Hope So.

The writers here at the FanSided Sports Network are now on day twenty one of our NHL season preview. I’d like you to skate over to each of our sites daily and see what our talented hockey writers have to say about their teams’ upcoming season. Remember, we’re all fans and we have high expectations for our team, and previews are what they are…..previews. It will be interesting to see what the gang here has to say about their respective clubs. Will the Washington Capitals finally challenge for the Cup, what will happen to the Boston Bruins as they try to defend their championship, and can the Vancouver Canucks survive the “heartbreak” of losing in the Finals without tearing up their city….again.

Today’s 30 in 30 review takes a look at one of my “hated” teams the Pittsburgh Penguins. Our lead writer Bill Mayer for our Penguins site, Pens Labyrinth feels that much of Pittsburgh’s success this year will be in the hands of the league’s most prominent players, Sidney Crosby. Or should I say his health? Still not fully recovered from a concussion, Crosby has begun some skating, but is not going to be in the lineup come opening night. No one, including Sid is sure when he’ll be playing, other than hoping for sometime this season. Bill has this to say about Sid and the Pens:

"Three words will determine the Penguins fate this season: Sidney Crosby’s health. If Crosby can return to form, the Pens will be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. If Sid misses significant time with post-concussion symptoms or – gasp! – gets re-injured, this could be another one-and-done playoff season."

As Bill will mention there are other players who will determine the fate of Pittsburgh this season, and it all adds up to being healthy. When two or more of your best players are missing for significant periods of time, winning becomes much more difficult to do, especially when it involves your top scorers. There weren’t a lot of changes in Pittsburgh, and the additions were minimal as the only “name” player that was added was Steve Sullivan, who’s health could be questioned as well. Personally I think there issues will be more in what they lost as both Maxime Talbot and Michael Rupp have moved on. Two thirds of their “grit and muscle” has moved on, and ex-Panther Steve MacIntyre has been brought in to take Rupp’s spot as the resident tough guy. Yes, they still have Matt Cooke, but on most nights I don’t call what he does as being tough. I’d rather refer to is as being as thuggery on ice.

When you think of the Pittsburgh Penguins the first thought that comes to your mind is Sidney Crosby, which is fine. He’s a very good player and for as much as I don’t care for him, the NHL needs him to play. However the continued employment of Matt Cooke makes me scratch my head. He said he’s changed, and that he realizes he must play differently or he could find himself playing elsewhere. We will see. I beg to differ. You can’t take the spots off a leopard.

This team will most likely make the playoffs without Crosby. As far as how far would they go in the post season without him? First round exit is what I’d be looking at since they’ll most likely finish in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

Up next will be the Phoenix Coyotes! Come back Friday for that!

Don’t forget starting Sunday we’ll be doing our division previews and on Monday October 3rd we will have our Florida Panther Season Prediction!

As always thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.

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