Pittsburgh Penguins Season Preview

This week TheNeilShow sits down with Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review to break down the Pittsburgh Penguins.

TheNeilShow – Well it’s official the Sabres and Penguins will do battle on January 1, 2008 at Ralph Wilson stadium in Buffalo,NY at the AMP Energy NHL Winter classic. How pumped up is the city of Pittsburgh and their fans right now?

Joe Starkey – Very pumped, as we saw with the way tickets sold, and the anger that more weren’t available for season-ticket holders. I think it’s a great idea to play this game. It’ll get a ton of publicity and it’ll be fun, assuming the rink is playable and we don’t get a reprise of the Blizzard of 77.

TheNeilShow – A lot of people are thinking Penguin defenseman Ryan Whitney will be top 3 defenseman in scoring this year. Do you think Ryan can produce more than last season this year?

Joe Starkey – He had a pretty good year last year. He took a step toward stardom. I think the Penguins would be satisfied if he had a similar point total but got better in the his own end.

TheNeilShow – What role will Ex-Oiler Petr Sykora be put into in Pittsburgh?

Joe Starkey – Looks like he’ll play next to Sid to start the year. I wouldn’t be surprised
if he scores 40 goals in that spot, either.

TheNeilShow – How is Angelo Esposito adapting to his first Penguins camp?

Joe Starkey – As one team exec told me, “He looks like an 18-year-old out there but you can see his skill and speed.” That sounds about right. Not every 18-year-old can be Sidney Crosby or Jordan Staal.

TheNeilShow – Any other surprises coming out of Penguins camp so far?

Joe Starkey – Mike Weaver has a chance to make the team on defense, and I’d be surprised if Adam Hall doesn’t make it up front.

TheNeilShow – How important is a “Georges Laraque” in Pittsburgh seeing how the
Penguins have a arsenal of young stars Staal,Malkin,Crosby etc ?

Joe Starkey – He has relied too much on his reputation, which is why it was good to see
him actually fight the other night in Montreal. That said, I think the role of team “policeman” is comically overrated.

TheNeilShow – Are the Penguins satisfied with their current back up goalie position
or do you see them looking at a Robert Eshe in the future?

Joe Starkey – From all I can tell, they are satisfied with Sabourin. I thought Thibault
gave them a solid veteran presence last year. We’ll see.

TheNeilShow – Who has been the hardest worker thus far in camp?

Joe Starkey – Nobody outworks Sidney Crosby.

TheNeilShow – Is Sergei Gonchar ready to jump back from a sub par season last year?

Joe Starkey – Subpar season? He was second in the NHL among points for defensemen with 67, only two behind Scott Niedermayer and more than Nicklas Lidstrom. Gonchar is what he is — a smooth offensive player who isn’t going to punish anyone and really doesn’t have an extra gear for the playoffs. He can light up the scoreboard and help your power play, though.

TheNeilShow – Can Pittsburgh afford this team in a few years under the cap rules with Stall, Malkin, Whitney and Crosby only are going to get better and salaries will rise with
that?

Joe Starkey – Well, Crosby and Whitney already are signed long-term. The salary cap has gone up again. I believe the Penguins will be able to keep all their stars, provided they are willing to give a little, the way Crosby and Whitney did.

TheNeilShow – Who has been the biggest savior in this franchise since the team was
almost lost a short time ago?

Joe Starkey- Crosby. I really believe that if he hadn’t come along, the Penguins would be
gone.

TheNeilShow – From what you have seen so far in camp has this team grown more since
last season’s playoffs? if so in what areas?

Joe Starkey – No way to tell until the real games start. You’d think that experience, plus
the newfound maturity, plus Sydor, Sykora and maybe Letang, will mean an upgrade.

TheNeilShow – Is it safe to say Sid the kid is the face of Pittsburgh sports scene or
is it still a Steelers town?

Joe Starkey – I’d still give the edge to Ben Roethlisberger because, as you say, it’s a
Steelers town.

TheNeilShow – With the roster as it stands are their any “holes” to plug before the
2007-08 season starts?

Joe Starkey – Not before it starts. At trade deadline, might want to add some physicality
on defense and who knows what else. I only see two teams more talented in the East: The Senators and maybe the Rangers.

TheNeilShow – With NHL meetings this week and the schedule matter has once again come up about possible changes in 08/09.How do you feel about Pittsburgh only playing in
different time zones 5 times this season?

Pittsburgh has a very good draw with Crosby Malkin etc but most clubs don’t even get to see them once this year.

Joe Starkey – The schedule will change, with only six games, instead of 8 against Division, I believe. I know the Pens like their schedule because they don’t have to travel much, but for the good of the game, teams need to play more against the other conference.

TheNeilShow – We here at nhldigest.com would like to thank you for taking the time to
sit down with us. Can you tell our readers what you do and where we can see your work?

Joe Starkey – Thanks for having me. I’m a columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and you can see my work at www.triblive.com and http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/

Look for more from TheNeilShow throughout the season as he interviews various sports media members as well as coaches and players from around the NHL.

If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil at theneilshow@nhldigest.com.