Why Max Talbot never Should Have Left Pittsburgh

He may not be the biggest player out there.  Or the top draft pick, not even in the top 5 rounds(taken round 8 234^th over all in 2002), be he has proven himself over and over again that he is built for playoff success.

10 months ago the Pittsburgh Penguins let center Maxim Talbot walk over the dark side of Pennsylvania and sign with the Philadelphia Flyers.  All over a couple extra years on his impending contract.  What were they thinking?!

Talbot signed with the Flyers on July 1, 2011 for a great salary of $8,750,000 over a 5 year contract.  Being a lover of Pittsburgh he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh for at least three years at a mere $800,000 per season, but as the constantly faltering management of the Penguins organizing decided he was not worth it and threw him out to the NHL free agency pool.

Flyers management took advantage of this opportunity and snagged the Stanley Cup goal scoring champ right up.  Talbot was responsible not only for the goal that put the Penguins on the board in the 2009 Stanley cup show down against the Red Wings he was also the Overtime goal scorer that brought the cup back to Pittsburgh, a fact that seems to slip the Penguins managements minds.  This man is built for playoffs.

His best season in Pittsburgh was his 2007-2008 campaign where he was still going back and forth between the Wilkes-Barre Scranton AHL team and the big league NHL Penguins.  He registered 12 goals 14 assist 26 total points and a +8 rating. 

His playoff performance was better then his regular season stats even if the numbers don’t line up exactly.  Not only did he win the cup in the 2008-2009 rematch between the Penguins and Red Wings he scored 8 goals, 5 assists, 13 points and another +8 rating.  Considering the Playoffs are only a possible 28 games where the regular season is 82 games I think that’s a pretty damn good playoff record.

As a Flyer Talbot has an outstanding season record of 19 goals 15 assists 34 points and a +5.  His playoff stats show again just how valuable he is during this time.  He has scored in all three of the Flyers first round playoff against non other the Pittsburgh!  He also has an assist giving him 4 points and a +5.  If the Flyers make it past round one and Max keeps doing what he is built to do, play playoff hockey, he will be setting himself up to be one of the MVPs for the team during playoffs.

Max fits in so well with the Flyers.  Their play and his play match up so well.  They are an aggressive get things done team, and Max is a get things done kinda guy!  Although I have to say I don’t like the whiney complaining that comes from its players or its coaching staff, I do appreciate that Max knows where he came from and still shows respect for the city and love for his teammates.  Even if it isn’t during playoffs, come the end he will pick up the phone and him and Fleury will still be close friends. And with the management doing their own rebuild with their own break out stars it would not surprise me if a cup is in the next year or so for this team and another one for Talbot.

Might I also add that while Crosby was out with his concussion, and Malkin was out having surgery the ONLY Penguin to play all 82 games of the season was, yes, Max Talbot!  Another reason he was a value to the Penguins Club!

In my personal opinion, and I know a lot of people are going to argue with me and call me an idiot, well I really don’t care, this is my opinion and my personal take on a player so just keep your rude comments to yourself.  Max Talbot is built for playoffs in the NHL he never should have been allowed to be picked up by Philadelphia.  Pittsburgh was stupid for letting him go.  Despite the obvious thing that Pittsburgh really only cares about Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc Andre Fleury, Max Talbot would have been one of the biggest advantages for them in this run for the cup.  Yes they have Crosby back, yes Malkin had an incredible year, and yes they have James Neal, who is really coming out of his shell and rocking in Pittsburgh.  But they are also down 3-0 in a best of 7 series against the Flyers where Max Talbot is shinning and has scored three goals against his former teammates. 

The Penguins could have really used those three goals to be on their side coming from their playoff champ!

I see the Penguins making a comeback (which makes me happy), but if they let the very aggressive Flyers get back inside their heads they are going to lose in round 1.  They will not be swept this series is going to go to game 7.  The Penguins are the favorite to win the Cup this year but that doesn’t mean the other teams are going to lay down and let them take it without a fight and they need to wake up and fight for what they want and what they deserve.

So after my Penguins bash I say:      Lets Go Pens come back and win!                   

Energy Care (Products) Review

Let me start off by saying I was skeptical about these products.  Anything that is supposed to give you energy and make me feel better sounds like a scam.  I mean how can a piece of rubber/plastic make anyone feel more alert and energized?  Well I can tell you after having my Energy Care Signature Sports Band (Max Talbot version) for almost 2 months now this amazing piece technology does exactly that!  I know I usually write about hockey but this just had to be put out there!  I am so impressed and so happy with these products I had to share.  And it sort of has some hockey in it with Max Talbot & James Neal!

I work in a ski resort town, and most days things are fine pretty average, doing paper work, speaking with people, creating new things for people do around the area.  When we get busy though during holiday weeks or vacation weeks it can be a real killer.  I am usually up around 5:30a EST and go to bed around 11p EST.  I feel like by the time I get home around 4 or 5p that I just need to crash.  I try to do a light workout when I get home from work to stay in shape and some days that was just hard to do with no motivation what-so-ever.  I've tried all the energy supplements on the market and have not had any results other then a quick fix for an hour or so and then my body feels twice as worse as it did before the supplement.

Being a huge fan of Max Talbot and a follower of his on Twitter, I learned of his connection with the Energy Care line of products.  He went on about how it made his workouts easier and considering he is traveling from city to city weekly with his teammates and sleeping in different beds each night he is away from his home constantly it seemed like a good thing. 

I looked into the products and as I stated in the beginning how can a bracelet make anyone feel energized?  The Energy Care line of products uses a new technology called Atraxlite.  "Everything in the universe is made of energies that vibrate at specific frequencies from high, mid-level to low frequencies. These energetic vibrations influence and control the electrical and chemical systems in the body. EnergyCare’s next generation and proprietary technology utilizes Atraxlite™ and MAP™ processes to maximize absorption of natural light and energy into the body at subatomic levels. This technology is brand new, never before introduced in the United States.  Atraxlite™ technology is a new scientific discovery that maximizes the absorption of natural light and energy at a sub-atomic level, facilitating the MAP™, (molecular alignment process), a process that structures and re-programs H2O stressed molecules, to optimize a cell’s capability for transferring and storing energy. When your body's H20 molecules are in natural alignment it is less work for the body to process the energetic imbalances and “electro-smog” that we are bombarded with everyday. This balance can improve electric channels and strengthen meridians.(Energycareusa.com)." .

In other words, this stuff is awesome!  I received my Signature series Max Talbot sports Band as an early Christmas gift and I haven't taken it off since.  My 14 hours days are much easier to go through and I have enough energy to do my workouts at the end of the day with little exhaustion. 

After having had a great experience with my band I looked into the Dream Pillow.  I sleep horrible, granted mostly because my bed is a piece of junk but when I can get comfortable and sleep for a good 5-6 hours I feel great.  I bought the Dream Pillow during the February promotion where you buy a sports band a health band and you get the pillow free (Very good deal by the way!).  I was a little confused when it came in the mail when you see Pillow you think big fluffy thing, this is a small soft square that goes under your pillow under the fitted sheet. I put the pillow under my fitted sheet that night.  At first I was extremely uncomfortable with it, I took some getting used to but I could feel it doing its cool Atraxlite job.  I now have my Dream Pillow on 100% of the time, the thing is amazing.

I have a nine year old Boarder Collie / Australian Shepard mix who when she was a puppy broke her back leg and was forced to have pins and plates put on here rear leg and hip.  She loves being outside and loves the winter months the most.  The winter cold seems to take a toll on her though, especially now that she is getting older.  Her legs get stiff and sometimes with the cold she limps.  I am looking into getting the Energy Care Pet Pad for her.  If their products can help work-a-holic humans like me, their pet products are sure to make an outside loving dog happy and comfortable.  Another reason to buy a Pet Pad now would be their new promotion going on with Pittsburgh Penguins star James Neal.  "From now until March 31, 2012, you can get a FREE Pet pad autographed by James Neal with each James Neal Signature Series Sports Band purchased. In addition, 10% of your purchase will go to Animal Friends, Pittsburgh(http://energycareusa.com/affiliates/JamesNeal/ecJamesNeal.html)."  I am going to assume that the Pet Pad is similar to the Dream Pillow.  My dog jumps on my bed every night and it is a fight to get her off of my pillow!

Being huge Penguins fans I'm sure my girl will love her new Pet Pad and I will have a new Sports band to wear with my Max Talbot one!

If your still unsure of this product do your research watch the testimonials of athletes and other people around the country.  I highly recommend Energy Care USA and all of it products!  Its not some mumbo jumbo put out there to make you think you are getting more energy it really works!  The cost for the items is high but in the long run it is very worth it, and worth the great feeling you'll get from using the products.

Recommended Energy Care Products:
Sports Band/Signature Series (for the sports lovers-they are waterproof!)
Health Bands (Fabric versions great for the elderly)
Dream Pillow (get a good nights sleep)
Pet Pad (Don't have it yet but I'm sure it will work as well as the dream pillow)

Tim Thomas staring in Enemy of the State

On Monday January 23 2012 the Boston Bruins where invited to the White House by President Barak Obama.  Absent from the festivities was All Star goalie Tim Thomas.

His statement on why: "I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT"

Pretty acceptable reason to me.  Apparently not enough for hockey fans everywhere and a certain TSN writer.  Dave Hodge a TSN writer said this on Tuesday, "Don't know if it's fair to point this out, but Tim Thomas has three children named Kiley, Kelsey and Keegan." Honestly this is the most pig headed and ignorant thing I have EVER heard a writer say! He must be a complete moron to insinuate this.  It ranks up there with Kane West saying “President Bush hates black people!” on stage. Really? You fucking ignorant fool get over yourself!  Please keep your foolish, uneducated assumptions to yourself.

I think Tim Thomas has done an outstanding job at showing who he is and holding true to his character and beliefs.  Just like Tebow TT is sure to undergo must scrutiny for the remainder of the season and post-season.  Had he gone through with the charade he would have been called a traitor and backstabber to his beliefs, a double edge sword for Mr. Thomas.

This is not the first time an athlete has declined to visit the President.  Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling also declined to meet the president because of his political views. 

What happened to the days when the President would just call the championship team instead of making a big hoopla about it?  Now I understand that there are charities and all that jazz, that’s all fine and dandy but doesn’t the president have better things to do then spend a day with a sports team?  Ya know like fixing shit wrong in the country?

 

Give TT some credit for standing up for what he believes in! Not only is an Olympic bronze medalist, 3 time All-Star and Stanley Cup Champion, he is Enemy of the State!

Tim you are my hero! And you should have been in net versus the Capitals on Tuesday night, even with Ovechkin out, they are a dangerous team!

 

The Scarlet Letter - 'C'

Apparently all you need to snap a six game losing streak is for the media to get on your back about your Captain. 

As of Friday January 13,2012 the Pittsburgh Penguins where going into the Florida Panthers arena on a six game losing streak.   After a Pittsburgh writer, wrote a nasty little article about the Penguin’s captain Sidney Crosby being soft and there being upset in the locker room and a need for someone to step and be a leader, the Penguins came back and won the game against the Panthers 4- 1.

The team showed their love and respect for their captain by dawning ‘C’ on their practice jerseys.  If that didn’t shut the critics up then the teams comments sure would.

““When someone says we don’t want Sid as our captain, it’s pretty ridiculous,” forward James Neal said. “He’s an unbelievable player, unbelievable leader. He’s going to be captain here for a lot of years. In the room there is no doubt that he is our leader and he is our guy. … It’s a pretty stupid comment.”(Penguind.nhl.com). “  Brooks Orpik also said; “(Crosby’s place on the team) has never been in question, not in this room. People can speculate. If we are on a six-game winning streak it probably doesn’t come up. We can only control what goes on in here.   Sid will be our captain until he’s retired. I don’t know where that came from, but we had a little fun with it today.” (Penguins.nhl.com).”

Why anyone would every think that because he has an injury he would never return to his team, or not be an efficient leader is beyond me.  Concussions affect everyone differently, and with Crosby technically dealing from two back to back and then a very hard hit from a teammate to reinstate his symptoms, it does look bleak for him to return this season.  I’m sure when he does return, to the game he will be bring another 4 point night or better.

People, media and fans alike, should never doubt the resolve and dedication an athlete has to his pride and his devotion to his team.  His team will stand by him in any way they can, they will never turn their back on him, and will take his words to heart and listen to what he has to say.

The Penguins show of devotion is just that, true team work and respect for each other.  It sure shut the media up, who shouldn’t have opened their mouths and let their lies spill out.

To wrap up I think HBO said it best:

Never get caught telling a hockey player it's just a game.

Never get caught trying to explain to him all the things in the world that matter so much more. His mind might well acknowledge the truth to your point, but his soul would be powerless to accept it, considering the immensity of what he gives to the sport and the immeasurability of all it offers in return.

Nothing ever feels as perfect as a moment of flawlessness on the ice.

No bond as strong as one that compels brothers to bleed for one another.

Not many leaders as this versed in the craft of motivation.

Not many pursuits can evoke such visions if brilliance.

This is why it hurts so much when skill falls short of what the will desires. This is why it's so unforgettable when absolute passion yields ultimate reward.

And that's all still just the start of what the Game can do to you.

Hockey may in fact be just a game, but it's also who they are.

Nothing like playing your game and then getting told to get in a taxi

Your half way through one of the biggest rivalries in NHL history and your coach tells you that you need to go to the locker room, remove your gear, get in a taxi and head back to the hotel the team is staying at.

That is exactly what happened to Montreal Canadiens winger Mike Cammalleri on Thursday January 12, 2012 in Boston.  Cammalleri had made comments earlier that his now former team had the mentality of losers and that is why they were doing so terrible.   Mike paid the consequences for tell his team the truth.  In a very low and classless act by GM Pierre Gauthier, Mike was pulled from the game that his team was, well, losing in and told to go back to the team hotel and await further instructions.

To be traded is one thing; to be traded half way through a game is just about as low as a GM could go.  Just because you can’t handle what the man says does not mean you have to a dick and trade him in the middle of a game. 

Ryan Whitney, an Edmonton defenseman said last night via twitter; “The funny thing is Cammalleri is checking twitter just as often as everyone else right now.  50/50 that’s how he finds out where he is going”.  By that time Cammalleri had been trending in the US, as we all waited patiently to hear of what was going on.  It is a shame is that is how he found out, I’m sure he is a bit upset, but probably happy at the same time to be back on the team that he had an outstanding career year in. 

Cammalleri was traded to the Calgary Flames along with Karri Ramo and a fifth round draft pick in the 2012 draft.  The Canadiens acquired Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a second round draft pick in the 2013 draft.

All in all probably a better trade for the Flames, considering that Rene Bourque is still serving his suspension for his “vicious elbow to the head (Bleacher Report).” of Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom.  Bourque was assessed a five game suspension, where in actuality it should have been closer to 10.  Bourque from what I’ve seen is very notorious for this kind of hit. 

To quote a friend from Montreal “There is 3 cancers in the locker room.  Subban is starting to be a dick, Weber thinks’ he better then every other defenseman, and Cammalleri said the team was a bunch of losers. “ 

He is also one of the many Montreal folks upset that the new INTERM coach Cunnyworth does not speak French.  My personal opinion, if your team is going to win and do better who cares?  So long as the players understand him and he is doing his job right.  Subban starting to be a dick, starting?  He’s got to be one of my least favorite players out there because all he does is act and pretend to be hurt and then mock his opponent.   The boy can’t even step up and fight when confronted.

While Calgary gets to get full use of their new winger, Montreal will have to wait for Bourque’s suspension to be over.   Not really sure, besides size how good Bourque is going to be for Montreal, other than bad plays.  I hope he can step up otherwise Montreal fans are going to chew him up and spit him out.  To Mike Cammalleri, good luck and I hope you start having another break out year in Calgary, and that’s a lot coming from an Edmonton fan.

All Star Game (Thin lineup) full of disappointments

With the All star game only two weeks away we see the 2012 roster on Thursday January 12, 2012.  And what an upsetting roster it is.  At first look on Wednesday, there seemed to be a lacking of talent.  Not only was Alex Ovechkin not there, but greats like Corey Perry and Sidney Crosby where absent the list.  Now we all know that Crosby will not be going to yet another All Star game because of his brain boo-boo.  But why would someone like Perry not be on the list from the start?

Unlike last year, the Bruins barely have any representation at the games for winning the Stanley Cup.   Two of the three Bruins representative are veterans of the ASG.  A well deserved place on the roster is for Tyler Seguin.  He has really come into his own this season, with a boat load of goals, and assist he is really one of the biggest benefactors to the Bruins ongoing success.   Seguin, a league leader with as plus-minus of 33 has certainly earned his place.  But what about the other Bruins players?  Patrice Bergeron certain should have a spot on the roster but is absent.  Anyway Tim Thomas is sure to impress with his outstanding goaltending and get out of the way for Zdeno Chara’s slap shot!

Other players who have been in the ASG before who are missing would be Marc Andre Fleury.   Notably one of the league’s best goaltenders missing.  Yes, I know he isn’t doing well right now, but the Penguins are in a very bad slump right now.  Hopefully they will pull through it after the break or sooner!  Also missing who deserves a spot this year would be Edmonton’s Taylor Hall.  No, he didn’t do great at the begining of the season but has really stepped up to show he was worth that number one pick in 2010.  Jordan Eberle also absent from the roster makes me VERY upset.  There is so much talent there, and despite his injury it would have been nice to see him at least thought of, much like Crosby & Malkin where last season.  At least Edmonton will hopefully be represented by their rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  This of course only if his shoulder injury is better, which from the forecast last week was going to be a 4 week+ recovery.  Edmonton may not be the best in the league as of right now but certainly does deserve some representation.

With Lidstrom and Selänne for the veterans of the league, was Jagr even considered?  After a 3 year hiatus from the NHL, he certainly should be.  Despite signing with his former team’s sworn enemy the Flyers, she has done outstanding.  Even elevating and mentoring some of the Flyers players.

I’m not sure if, like last year, I will be glued to the TV for the entire weekend.  This seems like a very dumb-down and drab ASG.  I will certainly watch the skill completion though, that’s always a good time.

My hopefuls for this year were:

Ryan Whitney (EDM) Defense: Injured

Maxime Talbot (PHI) Center: Not there

Jordan Eberle (EDM) R.Wing: Injured

Wright in of Shawn Thornton (BOS) Forward- because the game needs him, his toughness, and apparently his penalty shot!

Marchand Movie Poster

Poking fun at the Marchand suspension a bit.  Which I know I will get a lot of shit for but really its all in good fun.  Others will get their day! The word Predator used by Shanahan is where this came from obviously!  O! And I love the Predator movie series =)    ENJOY!