"Experience the Evolution" - Marketing Campaign

Yes, the Pittsburgh Penguins have unveiled a new marketing campaign focusing on the team's 'evolution'

Evolution? To what? A team that loses a few less games? The Kansas City Penguins? This team is certainly young, and it's probably a good idea not to go throwing around money on old veterans. Oh wait, they signed Marc Recchi again...there goes that idea...

From PittsburghPenguins.com:

As the NHL morphs into a game of speed and skill, perhaps no other team is better poised for success than the Penguins.

With a five-year draft history that has produced budding superstars Colby Armstrong, Ryan Whitney, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and teen megastar Sidney Crosby – among others – a new era is quickly unfolding in Pittsburgh.

Experience the Evolution.

With Crosby leading the way, these talented young players laid a solid foundation in 2005-06.

The first-overall draft pick in 2005, Crosby took the league by storm as an 18-year-old in 2005-06 and changed the NHL record books forever. He thrived in the “new” NHL and delivered one of the best rookie seasons in league history when he became the NHL’s youngest player to reach the 100-point mark at the age of 18 years, 253 days when he finished his season with 102 points (39+63) in 81 games. Also, he surpassed Mario Lemieux’s Penguins rookie record of 100 points, established by No. 66 in 1984-85.

Along the way, Crosby captivated fans around the world. His impact was felt especially in Pittsburgh as the Penguins led the NHL in increased attendance for 2005-06.

Armstrong, the Penguins’ first pick in 2001, emerged as a talented goal-scorer and a vicious hard worker. He thrived once he was put on Crosby’s right wing. Armstrong tallied 40 points (16+24) in 47 games for the Penguins. Crosby set up nine of Armstrong’s 16 goals, while eight of Armstrong’s 24 assists were on Crosby tallies.

Armstrong closed the season with points in four-straight games (3+5).

Whitney materialized as an exciting young defenseman at the NHL level. The Penguins’ first pick in 2002 (fifth overall) closed his rookie campaign with a five-game points streak (2+5). The hulking blueliner collected 38 points (6+32) in 68 NHL games and left Pens excited for his sophomore campaign.

Fleury, the 2003 first-overall pick, showed flashes of brilliance in goal for the Penguins. He backstopped Pittsburgh to 13 of its 22 wins in 2005-06. He finished with a 3.25 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage. He had one shutout on the year as well and captivated fans with his quick reflexes and acrobatic saves.

The Penguins could add another impressive young talent to their roster with the arrival of Evgeni Malkin from Russia. The 2004 second-overall pick could be in a Penguins uniform in the fall. Already considered the best NHL prospect in the world before his 20th birthday, Malkin shined in the Russian Super League in 2005-06. In addition, his dominating play on the international level for Russia, particularly at the Winter Olympics, has the hockey world eagerly awaiting his arrival on NHL ice.

The groundwork is laid. The future looks bright.

Now is the time to Experience the Evolution.

You can experience the evolution by these video spots: ONE, TWO

Mark Cuban's Bid for Pens Rejected

Ruh, roh! Bad news for Penguins fans in Pittsburgh.

From TSN.ca:

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the group headed up by New York City financier Andrew Murstein had their bid of more than $170 million US rejected by the Penguins.

"We increased our offer significantly, and it was not accepted," said Murstein, whose group has made it known they would like to keep the team in Pittsburgh. Cuban and Marino are both Pittsburgh-area natives.

Hartford businessman Sam Fingold appears to be the frontrunner with a bid in the neighbourhood of $175 million US. Fingold has discussed the possibility of moving the team to Kansas City.

I know that many Penguins fans, and even NHL fans, would love to have Mark Cuban as an owner. He's passionate, active, and generated a whopping amount of publicity (bad and good).

Now, we don't know the details of the bid rejection, but I will say that I know Bettman would absolutely not want a guy like Mark Cuban as an owner.

Why? Control!

Gary Bettman spent an enormous amount of energy during the lockout shutting up owners (Remember the $1mil fines?) who dared to talk about the labour negotiations. Can you imagine what a guy like Cuban would run into with Bettman? Bettman doesn't want an owner who bitches about the refs every night and gives the league negative publicity (even though the NHL can use any kind of publicity). Bettman wants positive puppets who either stay completely out of the spotlight or promote the game as purely positive as possible (like Ted Leonsis).

Sorry, Pens fans, but don't expect Cuban to rescue your team. I can't see Bettman allowing it.

Why Sidney Crosby is the best...

According to some d00d on YouTube who apparently has no shame or embarassement. No, this is not me.

Sid Soaks up Summer

How much Summer could Sidney soak if Sidney could soak Summer?

0_o

The Halifax Daily News gives us our little bit of off-season Sidney news, at last!

"I just make sure I don't head to the mall on a Saturday afternoon or anything like that," joked Crosby, while at the same time being brutally honest. "But I do find time to relax and do the things I want to do. I guess I probably just have to think things through a little more. Just be aware of where I'm going and things like that.

"But I wouldn't trade playing in the NHL for anything. I'm lucky to be where I am."

So how does Crosby, one of the league's biggest stars, spend a relaxing day at home in the summer? Actually, like most teenagers his age.

"I like going to the lake, going to the beach and I like to golf a little bit when I can," said Crosby, who recently bought his first house, which is located outside of the city.

"Once you get closer to training camp, that diminishes a bit. You don't get a chance to do all that stuff as much because you're training and skating. I guess this is the part of the summer where you're able to enjoy your afternoons. Spend time hanging out with friends or going on a little vacation."

Golfing? Going to the lake? ZZZzz.... what about the orgys and the drinking?

Crosby is working out every day to get quicker and stronger for next season. Most of his off-ice training takes place at Saint Mary's University in Halifax.

"Off the ice, it's important that I'm in good shape and am able to do the same things I did last year," said Crosby, who turns 19 on Aug. 7. "But from my perspective, also, it's a team view and we're pushing to make the playoffs and being competitive. I think for me, my motivation comes from working hard and making sure I do my part to make us competitive. I know we have a great group of young guys, and everyone has great energy and wants to do well.

"If everyone has that same attitude, we're going to be successful."

Unfortunately, Sidney can't train his teammates not to suck so much.

Pushing to make the playoffs? It's good to have dreams.

October 18th is Crosby Bobblehead Night

Yes, they still make those damn bobbling-head dolls, and Sidney Crosby is getting one of his own.

"Hey Sidney, are you better than Alexander Ovechkin?"

*nods*

"Hey Sid, do the Philadelphia Flyers suck ass?"

*nods*
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Bobblehead dolls featuring Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury and Colby Armstrong highlight the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2006-07 promotional schedule at Mellon Arena.

The Penguins’ inaugural Crosby bobblehead will be given to all fans attending the Wednesday, Oct. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. Fleury bobblehead night is Tuesday, Nov. 28 vs. the New York Islanders and Armstrong bobblehead night is Thursday, March 8 against New Jersey.

Other featured items on the promotional schedule are a 3’ x 5’ Fleury wall banner, a youth backpack, a youth practice jersey, a Penguins ball cap and ski cap, a Penguins schedule mouse pad and a team calendar. The youth items will be available to fans 14 and under.

The club also will hold its popular Fan Appreciation Night, including the “Shirts Off Our Backs’ giveaway, at the regular season finale on Saturday, April 7 against the New York Rangers.

Other promotional dates and items will be announced in the near future.
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Crosby a hit with Pittsburgh-area Collectors

An interesting little blurb from this Pittsburghlive.com article about a recent convention:

At the nearby MLB Clubhouse Store, fans were perusing and buying official gear of all shapes and sizes.

"It's been fantastic," store manager Ed Delgado said. "A lot of Jason Bay jerseys, and all caps are a huge seller."

Other Pittsburgh sports figures are popular with FanFest visitors. Mancini, at his 11th FanFest, said he has sold more Sidney Crosby photos than Pirates -- or Jerome Bettis and Ben Roethlisberger combined.

"I'm shocked," Mancini said. "I knew the Steelers were going to be popular, but I had no idea Crosby was so popular."

For a town that is known for loving football first and foremost, it is surprising and nice to see Crosby pulling some weight in the collector's minds. If the Pens are to stay in Pittsburgh, they'll need to start convincing the fans that the Steelers aren't the only game in town.

As an aside, it's also cool that the most popular baseball player in Pittsburgh, Jason Bay, is also Canadian ;)

Will the Penguins bring back Marc Recchi?

The return of the Recching Ball to Pittsburgh? He got his cup with the 'Canes, so why not? If the price is right, the Penguins could use some veteran leadership and scoring to balance the lines out, lest Sidney Crosby do EVERYTHING.

From the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette:

A lot of things have changed since the Penguins traded Mark Recchi to Carolina March 9.

His desire to play here apparently has not.

And while the Penguins are not ready to commit to bringing him back, they aren't ruling it out, either.

General manager Ray Shero was traveling yesterday but sent word through a team spokesman that nothing had changed since earlier in the week, when he said, "I'm going to see how this whole thing shakes out" before deciding whether to pursue Recchi.

The hitch? Apparently Crosby and Recchi didn't see eye-to-eye last season, which makes sense since Recchi is pretty short.

Recchi's relationship with Sidney Crosby was purported to be particularly strained, but Crosby said last evening that he would not object to Recchi returning.

"I wouldn't have a problem with it at all," Crosby said.

Curran acknowledged that Crosby and Recchi had some run-ins, but downplayed their significance.

His take: Recchi spoke up when he felt a younger player said or did something that was out of line, but simply was fulfilling part of his mandate as a veteran.

"When he was brought to Pittsburgh, part of the reason was to mentor some of the younger guys and give them the benefit of his experience," Curran said.

"He considers that everyone has to be accountable [for their actions]. If anything needs to be said, Mark isn't hesitant, at this stage of his career, about saying it."

If Recchi's words wounded Crosby, whose maturity far transcends his 18 years, the scars apparently weren't permanent.

After Recchi was traded, Crosby asked him to autograph the stick Crosby used to score his first NHL goal, because Recchi had assisted on it. And when Carolina won the Cup, Crosby text-messaged him a note of congratulations.

If Recchi does come back to Pittsburgh, he'll have to fully understand that he's going back to a team that has little hope in hell of reaching the playoffs in the near future. If he isn't going to be happy in that role, he ought to sign elsewhere. The Penguins don't need Recchi TOO much and his production saw a noticable decline last season. I'd rather the Penguins get a cheaper UFA like Oleg Kvasha that can provide decent 2-way play at a fraction of the cost.