Post by Hawks on Dec 23, 2009 13:22:09 GMT -5
Hello Hockey Fans, Chuck Forum here reporting for the JGHL. Today I'm talking with General Manager Rob Osa of the Pittsburgh Penguins to discuss the "State of the Pens"; How the team is doing, Player Performances, Last years Free Agency, Recent Trades, and Opinions
Chuck: Welcome to the show Rob!
Rob: Thanks for having me Chuck
Chuck: So lets get to it. What are your feelings on how the season is progressing for the Penguins 26 games into the season?
Rob: We are very proud of how my team is playing right now. I figured we'd get off to a slow and start and gradually heat up, but i guess it's better to get a fast start.
Chuck: The Eastern Conference is as tight as ever this season. Do you take any comfort being 5th overall in the east?
Rob: This year's Eastern Conf. is probably at its best that it has ever been. Alot of teams (Habs, Leafs, even the Caps) made strong moves during the off-season to contend for Lord Stanley's Cup. As long as we're in the playoffs, we are happy in Pittsburgh.
Chuck: The Penguins have one of the best goalie tandems in the league in Brodeur/Fleury. Does this at all effect the style of game you play? Does having such a powerful goalie pair make you over confident at all?
Rob: Thanks. I guess some teams would love to be in the position we're in and some wouldn't. With one of the best goalies ever, and one up and coming, we feel very comfortable having either one in net any night. With this tandem, the opposing team has no clue who they'll be facing since both are great tenders. I don't even think Marty or Fleury know when they are starting! But as long as the Pens keep winning, we will keep playing the way we have been since day 1.
Chuck: Who was the most important free agency signing of this past off-season for the Penguins?
Rob: This is a great question, not only did we aim to keep our blue line intact, but we tried to have the same type of team we did last year. It hurt to lose Gonch and Boyle so we focused our sights on strengthening up the wings. Todd Bertuzzi adds alot of leadership and grit to the team that we've lacked over the years so i would say that Bert was our most important signing.
Chuck: You've only made 1 trade this season. Discuss the importance and details of the deal involving Kimmo Timonen if you could.
Rob: We didn't want to tinker much with last year's lineup since we had alot of success. But due to the rising salaries, we lost our 2 best offensive d-men. This forced us to make a move for Timmy who has great offensive skills, as well as a hell of a shot blocker. Later on in the season we will focus on what our needs are, and possibly contact other teams for trade possibilities.
Chuck: Do you feel a trade is likely at the end of the year involving one of your two goaltenders?
Rob: It's tough to say really, but we will have to tackle this subject when the deadline is around the corner. We have had several teams contact us regarding our goaltending situation, but nothing to our liking. It's a waiting game really......
Chuck: How has coach Lemieux benefited the team?
Rob: Since the hiring of Coach Lemieux, the team has really meshed well together. It's always an honor to have one of the best players ever coaching your team. His leadership, offensive skills and just great hockey mind makes this team compete every night.
Chuck: Other than yourself, who do you think has the best chance to win the JGHL Stanley Cup?
Rob: Well i would always like to say my team, but there's always that fantastic dynasty , the Calgary Flames. Although i think they took a step back this season, they are still the team to beat.
Chuck: Who do you think is the most valuable player in the JGHL given their ratings and track record as an NHL player?
Rob: Now this is a tough question to answer. There are so many great players around the league that contribute in their own ways, but i would have to say none other then Ovechkin. Yes we've tried several attempts to bring him to the Burgh but nothing as of yet. His style of play just brings fear to the opposing team's eyes.
Chuck: Well, I’ll let you return to your duties. I’d like to thank you for sitting down with us and chatting. Good luck with the rest of the season!
Rob: Thanks for having me Chuck!
Chuck: That concludes our interview. If you'd like to have your team interviewed, please send contact information to Zenn3000@verizon.net (or just PM me). And I'll send you some questions. Thanks for reading!
Chuck: Welcome to the show Rob!
Rob: Thanks for having me Chuck
Chuck: So lets get to it. What are your feelings on how the season is progressing for the Penguins 26 games into the season?
Rob: We are very proud of how my team is playing right now. I figured we'd get off to a slow and start and gradually heat up, but i guess it's better to get a fast start.
Chuck: The Eastern Conference is as tight as ever this season. Do you take any comfort being 5th overall in the east?
Rob: This year's Eastern Conf. is probably at its best that it has ever been. Alot of teams (Habs, Leafs, even the Caps) made strong moves during the off-season to contend for Lord Stanley's Cup. As long as we're in the playoffs, we are happy in Pittsburgh.
Chuck: The Penguins have one of the best goalie tandems in the league in Brodeur/Fleury. Does this at all effect the style of game you play? Does having such a powerful goalie pair make you over confident at all?
Rob: Thanks. I guess some teams would love to be in the position we're in and some wouldn't. With one of the best goalies ever, and one up and coming, we feel very comfortable having either one in net any night. With this tandem, the opposing team has no clue who they'll be facing since both are great tenders. I don't even think Marty or Fleury know when they are starting! But as long as the Pens keep winning, we will keep playing the way we have been since day 1.
Chuck: Who was the most important free agency signing of this past off-season for the Penguins?
Rob: This is a great question, not only did we aim to keep our blue line intact, but we tried to have the same type of team we did last year. It hurt to lose Gonch and Boyle so we focused our sights on strengthening up the wings. Todd Bertuzzi adds alot of leadership and grit to the team that we've lacked over the years so i would say that Bert was our most important signing.
Chuck: You've only made 1 trade this season. Discuss the importance and details of the deal involving Kimmo Timonen if you could.
Rob: We didn't want to tinker much with last year's lineup since we had alot of success. But due to the rising salaries, we lost our 2 best offensive d-men. This forced us to make a move for Timmy who has great offensive skills, as well as a hell of a shot blocker. Later on in the season we will focus on what our needs are, and possibly contact other teams for trade possibilities.
Chuck: Do you feel a trade is likely at the end of the year involving one of your two goaltenders?
Rob: It's tough to say really, but we will have to tackle this subject when the deadline is around the corner. We have had several teams contact us regarding our goaltending situation, but nothing to our liking. It's a waiting game really......
Chuck: How has coach Lemieux benefited the team?
Rob: Since the hiring of Coach Lemieux, the team has really meshed well together. It's always an honor to have one of the best players ever coaching your team. His leadership, offensive skills and just great hockey mind makes this team compete every night.
Chuck: Other than yourself, who do you think has the best chance to win the JGHL Stanley Cup?
Rob: Well i would always like to say my team, but there's always that fantastic dynasty , the Calgary Flames. Although i think they took a step back this season, they are still the team to beat.
Chuck: Who do you think is the most valuable player in the JGHL given their ratings and track record as an NHL player?
Rob: Now this is a tough question to answer. There are so many great players around the league that contribute in their own ways, but i would have to say none other then Ovechkin. Yes we've tried several attempts to bring him to the Burgh but nothing as of yet. His style of play just brings fear to the opposing team's eyes.
Chuck: Well, I’ll let you return to your duties. I’d like to thank you for sitting down with us and chatting. Good luck with the rest of the season!
Rob: Thanks for having me Chuck!
Chuck: That concludes our interview. If you'd like to have your team interviewed, please send contact information to Zenn3000@verizon.net (or just PM me). And I'll send you some questions. Thanks for reading!