First of all, I wanted to apologize for the long delay between posts here at Network Pittsburgh...it has been a bit hectic here in Metzerland, as I am sure you can all relate too at this time of year. It just seems that this holiday season snuck up on me like Dexter Morgan with syringe in hand...There has just been a lot going on professionally and I have been unable to devote the same amount of time that I normally do to shopping and making holiday preparations. Though I will have a couple of sleepless nights between now and Thursday, I will make it...I always do.

Part of what has been keeping me busy is Penguins hockey...there has been an awful lot of it happening based on the NHL's condensed schedule. You see, the league had to streamline its schedule to make room for the two week Olympic break that will be coming up in February. Some of the finest players in the world will be representing their respective countries and the league will be closing its doors. In the meantime we have all been running around like chickens without heads in hopes of taking it all in!

There are many things to get too this afternoon, Penguins related and other, and when the topics are flowing I tend to pay homage to one of my favorite bloggers, Matthew Berry over at www.espn.com. Though Berry is a great source for news and information regarding fantasy sports, he is an all around great read with the way he incorporates pop culture into his pieces. He pokes fun at himself and others, shares his dating exploits, professional successes and failures.

One of my favorite Berry blogs involves him going through a ton of information in a "just saying..." format and I have been doing the same from time to time for a couple of years now. You may have seen one of my "just saying..." blogs that ran on www.hockeybuzz.com in the past...if not, you will get a chance to enjoy one here! (at least I think you will enjoy it... just saying...)

So without further adieu... "I'm just saying..."

...that we would be remiss if we didn't congratulate Martin Brodeur for breaking the all-time shut out record last night at Mellon Arena. He has long been considered one of, if not the best goaltender in the league and this record all but solidifies his spot at the top. His shut out last night was the sixth of his career against the Penguins, coming in his 66 start against them. It isn't often that your team gets shut out 4-0 and you find yourself enjoying the atmosphere. It was great to be a part of history and to chat with Brodeur post game. He was a very humble about the whole thing...almost teetering on the edge of nervous.

...that starting with last year's playoffs, Sidney Crosby has developed into an elite goalscorer. His shot looks much stronger than it has ever been before...more accurate too. He is still scoring the tough goals in and around the goalmouth, but he is now scoring from the perimeter a lot more. Don't be surprised if he hits 40 for the first time in his career this season...in fact 45 isn't out of the question for him.

...that Crosby has now scored 37 goals in his last 60 games. Just saying...

...that Evgeni Malkin is showing his edgier side this season. The Russian forward has now taken penalties in six straight games and has put up 50 penalty minutes through 29 games. That is a staggering number when you consider that his career average is something like 79 minutes through 82 games after posting seasons of 80, 78 and 80. I still say that this is a league wide conspiracy to keep him out of the Lady Byng Trophy race...the league's award for most gentlemanly player. Ok, maybe not.

...that it might be surprising, but Malkin isn't all that far off of his regular scoring pace for the amount of games he has played this season. He really could shoot the puck a bit more from prime scoring positions on the ice though. Sure, his shot total grows almost nightly, but he is passing the puck off when he is one on one on far too many occasions. Someone needs to help him regain his confidence in that howitzer of a shot that he possesses.

...that Marc Andre Fleury should not only make the Olympic team, but compete for the back-up role. I say back-up role because it is all but determined that Brodeur will be the team's starter. I would just hate to Marc make the trip only to be relegated to third string. His play through the first half of the season shows that he is ready to take on a prominant role with the national team.

...that Pascal Dupuis is one player that takes a beating from Penguins fans, but he has been one of their best players over the past month. Dupuis can do just about anything that he is asked to contribute. He can play a checking role, fill in on one of your top two lines and chip in minutes on special teams. Yes his price tag is a bit higher than we would all like it too be, but costs have risen across the board...I will gladly take one platoon player at $3 million dollars who will probably net 15 goals this season and be a huge contributor in all facets of the game. Let's give this guy a break...

...that Ruslan Fedotenko is the guy who should be under Penguins fans microscopes. He is paid to be a top six forward, plays most of his games alongside Malkin and is chipping in a goal once every 6.5 games. That just isn't acceptable. An anchor like that is another reason why Malkin's totals appear to be down...

...that you should all keep your eyes on the Penguins-Devils remaining three games. Those games are going to play a huge role in not only the division, but the conference. The three games will essentially produce a 12 point swing in the standings...a huge number to consider when you look at it as a whole. The Devils have taken the first three games from the Penguins at Mellon Arena by a combined score of 12-2... Aaaaaaach! (That is ouch for those who don't speak yinzer)

...that the people who were trying to make a case for Alex Goligoski to make the US Olympic team are delirious. Yes he was having a great season...at least prior to his injury, but he is not good enough defensively yet to play a majoy role for the national team. Brooks Orpik will most likely be the Penguins lone representative on team USA.

...that if you insist on looking for a Penguins dark horse for the Olympics, look no further than Jordan Staal. I have heard a ton of talk about him being selected as a role player who will kill penalties etc. Hockey Canada has been very impressed with the Thunder Bay native and he is deserves a look.

...that you haven't seen horror until you see Jordan's Frankenstein look from last night... what a boo boo.

...that Mike Rupp and Jay McKee could go down as two of the best off-season acquisitions in the league. Each was given a role upon being brought into the fold and each is executing it amazingly well! In Ray we trust, as the old saying goes.

...that you should savor every single chance to enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks before it goes away for the year. Personally, I don't know what I am going to do once it moves on this time. I have grown far too attached...

...that I cannot stand the Hines Ward/Max Talbot City of Champions Crunch cereal commercial...holy bad Batman! I mean, yes, I get it...the point was to emulate one of those classic beer commercials, but the audience who is seeing the commercial is barely old enough to remember taste great/less filling. Hopefully it isn't long for this world. Just saying...

...that I can't wait to see what Ray Shero has up his sleeve at the trade deadline this season. Yes the team is rolling along, but they are far from perfect at this point. I am sure that Shero will look the way of another winger and maybe another depth defensemen. Nothing like Hossa...probably more akin to the type of deal that brought Hal Gill in a couple of years back.

...that Martin Skoula is also proving to be a very shrewd signing for Shero. Not many teams have a veteran of over 700 NHL games waiting in the wings to fill in for any injury that may pop up along the way. Plus he is playing the game at a high level...there isn't much of a drop off from the guys he is filling it for.

...that the Kiss Alive 35 tour was awesome! See my facebook page for pics from the show... Even as they head happily into their 60's Gene and Paul still rock the hell out of most everyone else!

...that you should be following me on Twitter if you are not... @Brian_Metzer. Also, please nominate me here at Network Pittsburgh as someone that should be followed in 2010! I appreciate it!

...that I am listening to The Script right now. A great band that you should check out.

...that I love the show Scrubs...but the jury is still out on the new Medical School version. Sure it is great seeing JD, Turk and Dr. Cox back in action, but it just feels forced. Though I hated to see one of my all time favorite shows go away, I would have been perfectly content with "My Finale" at the end of season 8. They let you think that JD and company just lived happily ever after and had a real life together...which is something that we all want anyway. Right??

...that if you like this blog, you can find more of me at www.hockeybuzz.com, XM Home Ice 204, www.versus.com and hopefully my podcast "the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast" if I can ever get it going again! Also, my new show "In the Room" will be launching soon, with clips from the Penguins locker room, interviews and more.

...that I wish all of you and your families a happy and safe holiday season!

...that I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it.