Official Season Long Postgame Thread

Well, it was a brilliant season, all things considered, despite the bitter end. I hate to get into "what might have been", but I can't help wondering what would have happened if the Pens had not lost the first 2 games figuring out how to play in the SCF. In fact, take away those 2 games and the series was even!  Still, this experience should pay big dividends in the future.

To everyone (but especially the Grand Masters: Tray and CrowDog) all year who made this thread so enjoyable and hugely increased my enjoyment of this hockey season - my heartfelt thanks. It was especially good for me since during the regular season I was so rarely able to get games here in Germany on TV, and your comments and analyses helped make each game come alive. I really hope that a thread like this runs again next year, a Pens season just wouldn't be the same again without it!

Watch out NHL - next year the Pens will have talent AND experience!

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.....  In any case, the flightless birds have learned a lot this year...the fact that last year was 5 and out and this year was a trip to the SCF, we cannot be disappointed.  As the old saying goes, if you would have told me that the Pens would lose in the SCF at the beginning of the year, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. 

How great was it every other day for the past two months to think about what you had to look forward to that night - penguin playoff hockey!  Thank goodness I have not lost my job during this time as I have spent a considerable amount of time on the internet reading "everything Penguin."  It has no doubt been a spectacular ride. 

The offseason will be shorter than usual which is a very good thing indeed.  Some big decisions will be made:  Will Hossa return?  Will Malone give us the hometown discount?  Who will replace Orpik's "free candy?"  And What will Gary Roberts Do?  I look forward to the answers to those questions and reading about the new players that we pick up in Free Agency. 

It's been a great year...we are blessed with a team for the ages....Go PENS!!!