The end. For now. (Only for now! For now!)

First off.  Points if you understood the reference in the title.  Second off.  I hate that the Penguins' season has come to an end.  (Okay, so it came to an end a couple of weeks ago.  Since when have I been on top of it?)

Things I'm going to miss about this season:
1. Sid being a beast.  Oh wait, I've BEEN missing that.  Highlight vids here I come.

 2. Jordy being a beast.  As per usual.  Despite injury, he came back to play well.  Better next season though...can't wait!!!

3. Our 6th D-man.  King of England/MISTERBENLOVEJOY.  Both of whom were awesome in many different ways.

 Look at that FACE!  Received on quite an excellent night.  Despite the fact that you came away with that.
4. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSEEEE.
5. Growing super attached to Goose's replacements.  AKA Nealer and Niskanen.  (Try saying "Niskanen" over and over.  Fun.      Fun.  Fun.  Fun.)  To be honest, I really like James Neal.  OT hero.  As we didn't really see a whole lot of Niskanen I don't have much of an opinion.
6. Mr. President and Superstar.  One of them, or both of them, is going during this off-season.  If I start dealing with it now maybe it won't be as upsetting when it actually happens.  I suppose other players may have to go, but I don't want to think about it.
7. Goalies!  MAF, you badass MF.  Rockin' it.  Becoming superman.  Like whoa.  Also, BJ.  You're not just an afterthought!  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for saving our season and turning it around when you did.  Thing of BEAUTY.
8. AK27!  I mean AK72.  Sorry.  (You don't mind sharing your number, right Adsy?)  In honor of the fact that Kovalev is the second hockey player I think of when you tell me to think of a hockey player (after Mario, the God of Pittsburgh hockey) he deserves a mention.  My sister's favorite hockey player has returned.  (His stints with other teams obviously don't count.) UPDATE!:  Shero has reportedly said that Kovy will not be returning next season.  :_(  Not cool.
9. Coach Danny B.  He's like Yoda, he's so zen.  Seriously, if someone's telling you to clear your mind and focus, just think of Danny B's face during a game.
10. OTs and shootouts.  I think it's safe to say we've had a LOT of practice this season.  My nails do NOT thank you for it and neither does my blood pressure.  BUT, thanks for some exciting games.

Things I'm not going to miss about this season:
1. NO CROSBY.  Since February (I think that's when I last talked about anything.) the Penguins have been without Sid.  Still.  Luckily noone had to deal with my ridiculousness concerning the news of his recovery.  Pretty sure I screamed when my sister texted me that Siddy-poo SKATED.  Unfortunately, much to the dismay of my 5-year-old-girl-emotions, Sidsters has regressed and is now having symptoms.  Again.  Feel better soon Sid Vicious!

I can't wait to see this again!  (Highlight videos, here I come!!!)
2. Starting a season without Staalsy-boy.  It's sad on so many levels.  Thank god for some of the other boys stepping up on the PK.  However, since JANUARY, the Penguins have HAD MrJStaal at their disposal.  It's a thing of beauty.  Really, it is!  Also, I'm pretty sure he's used up all of his ridiculous injury cards.  He better have.  Because next season is it.  He's breaking the 50 point mark.  It's totally gonna happen.  Screw that!  He's breaking 66 points.  And winning the Selke at the same time.  (I'm hoping the higher standards I hold, the closer he'll get.)  All things considered, he turned out a pretty good season.  He played responsibly and, until the playoffs, his points per game number was pretty damn good.  I think this is an appropriate spot to feature a lovely example of the Long Reach of Staal.

 Ok, so the picture angle helps out a little bit.  But he's a GIANT!
3. Getting eliminated in the first round.  To Tampa Bay Lightning.  We played tired, tired, tired.  And we had to deal with St. Louis, Lecavalier, Stamkos, and Gagne.  Who, weirdly enough, didn't factor in as much as Tampa's roleplayers.  I just distinctly remember a couple pretty, pretty moves by Sean Bergenheim.

So it's not a picture from the game, but look at that FACE.  HAHAHA...  Funny guy.  Apparently used to be an Isle.  No wonder I don't like him much.  Speaking of which...
4. Isles-Pens brawls.  Fuckin HATE the Isles.  Pretty sure this has been covered.  Also, I used to like them just fine, and then the travesty happened. 

5. Still not seeing a Penguins WIN in person.  One day, one day.  At least we pushed it in to OT this time.  Erik Johnson, you little bitch.  (Fine, fine!  I take it back.  You're actually pretty awesome. Sorry you got traded to the Avs.  Not that I don't like them either, but I've since been having soft and cuddly feelings for the Blues.)  Next season, it's gonna happen.  Among many other things.  I'm pretty sure that I may have to go to a game against Florida, or some other shitty team, to see it happen though.

Players who I will potentially be missing next season:
1. Tyler Kennedy.  Mr. Present.  TK.

What a man.  I'm sure there were other more flattering pictures, but this one was pretty priceless.  That's right, TK, thank your stick for scoring you a goal...by licking it.  Anyways.  Breakout season.  Enough to warrant a pay raise which the Penguins probably can't swing.  I have a distinct feeling that we'll be trading you.  Or you'll take a sweet offer elsewhere.  Or you'll take a not so sweet offer here.  Which would be preferable.  But not fair to you.
2. Maxiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime.  Oh, sweetie!  Your heroism in the Stanley Cup finals is much appreciated. 

 However, putting the future of your contract entirely on your playoff performance this season was not a good way to ensure another season in the Pitts.  Sorry boyo, but regular season performance wasn't quite as amazing as I think it needs to be to warrant resigning you.
3. Either Godsy or Asham.  I think there's really only room for one of you.  And now with the way the call-ups were playing this season and with most of them being healthy all at the same time, we're kinda flush with forwards. 

Both badasses.  Obviously.  Not that we don't already have a number of those.

4. Mike Comrie.  AKA Mr. Duff.

Aren't y'all cute???  I suppose there is a chance.  A small chance.  That we could give Comrie the benefit of the doubt and re-sign him.  Maybe.  Since we didn't really get to see him play.  Like at ALL.  Ok, so 21 games.  But Nick Johnson (also a UFA...every time I type that I want to type UFO instead) only played 4 games up this season and he was more memorable.  It should probably be taken as a bad sign that the most memorable thing about Comrie is his wife.  UPDATE!:  According to a reliable source (AKA Megan Casey) Comrie may be retiring.  Woah frickin nelly.
5. Matt Niskanen.  NOT a UFA this season, but he does account for $1.5 million cap hit and we have 6 other NHL caliber, ready, and tested d-men under contract.  He's a good candidate for a trade.  (Hint.  Hint.)

Not that I don't LIKE him, because I do.  Just not as much I ADORE MISTERBENLOVEJOY and Engells.

Next post: The end of MY hockey season.  (K-wings and Sharks are done as well.  Sad face.)