Can’t agree more. Chicago has no business being gifted Bedard. And I’m going all in on thinking this was rigged. Of course they want the money that comes with the biggest market team getting a generational talent. This was a money move by the NHL.

The individuals involved in the coverup in Chicago lost their jobs--even the coach, who was no longer with the franchise. Did anyone involved in the other instances cited lose his job over his involvement?

It's no wonder your posters are so critical of your blogs. You are a whiny, small-minded person who deserves to be fined and fired for his idiotic blogs.

How bout the rumors that Bedard not willing to play with a logo on his chest that is now synonymous with sexual assault and he will refuse to go up to the podium?

I'd agree with you if it was Arizona. But no one cares about Columbus and no one has cared about Anaheim since like 2008. Those markets are what they are and while they're not super lucrative, they're not financial craters like Arizona. Chicago was by far the best destination for the league. I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist, but this one is certainly questionable.
- jmatchett383

Right, but a generational talent can totally change that. This could of been the narrative for the Pens in 2005 if they didnt get #1 in that lotto...just like the Pens, the (arguably) biggest market Rangers had 3 lotto balls, along with also the Sabres and Blue Jackets. The Rangers had the same odds as the Pens that year. The Ducks only had 2 and ended up picking 2nd overall.

Right, but a generational talent can totally change that. This could of been the narrative for the Pens in 2005 if they didnt get #1 in that lotto...just like the Pens, the (arguably) biggest market Rangers had 3 lotto balls, along with also the Sabres and Blue Jackets. The Rangers had the same odds as the Pens that year. The Ducks only had 2 and ended up picking 2nd overall.
- MattStrat

Even if Crosby, OV or MCD were in CBS nobody would give a poop.

I mean even when the Oilers play hte Pens the NHL won't put it on National TV. They know the Canadian market is maxed out and anywhere to grow is the US. CBS and AZ aren't those places.

Even if Crosby, OV or MCD were in CBS nobody would give a poop.

I mean even when the Oilers play hte Pens the NHL won't put it on National TV. They know the Canadian market is maxed out and anywhere to grow is the US. CBS and AZ aren't those places.
- sammy87

I disagree about Columbus. I spend some time there for work every once in a while. During hockey season, the fanbase is there. They are dying for competitive hockey with a young star player.

I disagree about Columbus. I spend some time there for work every once in a while. During hockey season, the fanbase is there. They are dying for competitive hockey with a young star player.
- SuperHenderson13

Cool. Now compare Chicago’s population to Columbus.

Cool. Now compare Chicago’s population to Columbus.
- Feds91Stammer

...what does Chicago have to do whether Columbus can be a successful NHL market with a budding superstar...?

I disagree about Columbus. I spend some time there for work every once in a while. During hockey season, the fanbase is there. They are dying for competitive hockey with a young star player.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah. If this city could get some momentum it will be a great nhl city. Definitely has the thirst for professional sports.

...what does Chicago have to do whether Columbus can be a successful NHL market with a budding superstar...?
- SuperHenderson13

The lottery. Besides Columbus is one of the smallest nhl markets.

Absolutely pathetic column!! I get being disappointed in the results but to act like a child 😳[/img]

I’ve never thought the lottery was rigged and I’m not gonna start now. Hate the Blackhawks got it but the NHL didn’t reward them, the balls just fell that way. Most you can say is that the NHL maybe possibly enabled this to happen by not sanctioning the franchise for various reasons, but as a poster has already said, those sanctions should have already occurred and didn’t.

I’ve never thought the lottery was rigged and I’m not gonna start now. Hate the Blackhawks got it but the NHL didn’t reward them, the balls just fell that way. Most you can say is that the NHL maybe possibly enabled this to happen by not sanctioning the franchise for various reasons, but as a poster has already said, those sanctions should have already occurred and didn’t.
- Victoro311

poops rigged.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought only 3 people within the organization really knew about the sexual assault allegation? Bowman, Quenneville, and MacIssac?

How do you punish a team today for the actions committed by people 10+ years ago, none of whom are still with the organization. Im not trying to excuse or saying anything, it's a open question about dishing out punishment.
- SuperHenderson13

I can't remember everything but I thought it was described as an open secret among the players. If so, even if it couldn't be proven, it's hard for me to believe a lot of other people didn't know as well.

I guess I would trade all the top picks too if I believed like RW does that the Pens still had a four year window. But the window is closed. They're just hoping to get back in the playoffs over some teams that beat them last year and some young, improving teams behind them.

They have to replace a couple guys in Zucker and Jarry (at least first half of the year) who did a lot to help them get that win total They don't have a bunch of young players or bounce back candidates who might give them a push. The top 6 was remarkably healthy and that's unlikely to repeat. While they should try to improve, it seems stupid to keep pushing in like this team is going to somehow be a contender again. Signing a bunch of aging stars didn't ensure that and isn't a reason to keep going all in.

poops rigged.
- Feds91Stammer

If that were true Detroit would have had much better “luck” over the past decade.

amazing, penguin fans saying chicago doesn't deserve the #1 pick (which they don't), but the penguins are the tankers supreme when it comes to getting franchise altering #1 overall picks.

If that were true Detroit would have had much better “luck” over the past decade.
- Victoro311

Nah. Bettman doesn’t like Detroit.

If cbs relocated nobody would care outside cbs.

Watching the playoffs this year….pens should have sold off. No chance they could hang.

At the end of the day, i don't think it is rigged. Way too many moving parts but a live lottery gets rid of the suspicion. It just is a layup for the conspiracy theorists.
- Mahewman

Just like Joe Biden got the most votes ever in a presidential election If you believe that you are truly delusional

Cool. Now compare Chicago’s population to Columbus.
- Feds91Stammer

More chances to get shot in Chicago Violence is one of the worst cities in the country

I guess I would trade all the top picks too if I believed like RW does that the Pens still had a four year window. But the window is closed. They're just hoping to get back in the playoffs over some teams that beat them last year and some young, improving teams behind them.

They have to replace a couple guys in Zucker and Jarry (at least first half of the year) who did a lot to help them get that win total They don't have a bunch of young players or bounce back candidates who might give them a push. The top 6 was remarkably healthy and that's unlikely to repeat. While they should try to improve, it seems stupid to keep pushing in like this team is going to somehow be a contender again. Signing a bunch of aging stars didn't ensure that and isn't a reason to keep going all in.
- Tojo.

I agree completely. They should be accumulating draft picks instead of trading them. They can still sign FAs and spend to the cap if they want. Hopefully they have a come to Jesus moment and realize the big 3 era is over. I fear that the profit motive of the new owners will win out, though, as they squeeze a little more out of delusional fans who think they have another Cup run in them.

Nah. Bettman doesn’t like Detroit.
- Feds91Stammer

Why do you think that?....because they haven't won a draft lotto? hahah

More chances to get shot in Chicago Violence is one of the worst cities in the country
- broncohorvath

I agree completely. They should be accumulating draft picks instead of trading them. They can still sign FAs and spend to the cap if they want. Hopefully they have a come to Jesus moment and realize the big 3 era is over. I fear that the profit motive of the new owners will win out, though, as they squeeze a little more out of delusional fans who think they have another Cup run in them.
- Hockey66

Less about delusional fans and more about the 3-5 players you invested 4-6 more years of icing a competitive team to. You think that signing Sid, Geno, and Letang the team isn't going to push to be competitive? If the owners felt the era was over, they would have let them walk. They didn't, because they believe this group can compete. Them's the break.

Are they wrong? Probably, but I don't care about that. I'd rather watch 3 of the best to ever put on the skating penguin continue playing on the Pens.

Rebuilds can take 12 years+, ask the Sabres how that's going. I'd rather watch competitive hockey with my favorite players for another 3-4 years before turning off the games in the 2nd period because it's constantly 5-1. Being a fan through that poop was brutal in high school/college.