There’s an a-hole who Greg Wyshynski allows to pollute an otherwise great site and we discussed him a few months ago. It caused some churn and I understand that. Well now the same can be said for a contributor to NHL Fanhouse, where he appear to be writing under the guise of “objectivity.”

We brought you Johan Franzen at #39 of their “top 50”? That, in itself, is a joke. Then we talked about Zetterberg at 8? Lidstrom at 7? How about Iginla, who I think is a great player, at 5? What GM, fan, teammate would take Iginla over Zetterberg, or Iginla over Lidstrom?

The kicker, though, came today. Pavel Datsyuk at 4. Leaving the top 3 as Malkin, Ovechkin and Rosby, in whatever order you choose.

It’s simply about the best players right now. Well, it’s my opinion of the best players right now. Age isn’t a factor and, most importantly, contracts don’t matter. This isn’t about the best values, or the best contracts, or the players with the best long-term upside, it’s just about the best players.

Those are the words of Adam Gretz, the author of the list. So, Adam, you’re telling me you’d take Sid Rosby over Pavel Datsyuk when it’s “just about the best players”? Really? You’d take Rosby over two-time Selke winner and Hart finalist? You’d take Rosby over Datsyuk when one is the acknowledged best (or second best only to Zetterberg) two-way player in the game and the faux-captain won’t even take the ice short-handed?

That’s just quirky Adam. It’s downright strange. What could possibly drive you to such idiocy, such bias when you write for such an “objective” web site like Fanhouse?

Oh, that’s right. You’re a Pens fan.

19 April, Fanhouse

This isn’t exactly a new problem in Detroit, as the Red Wings struggled to sell tickets during last season’s playoffs when the team claimed its 11th Stanley Cup, and fourth in the past 11 years. During the Stanley Cup Final, for example, Joe Louis Arena was overrun by thousands of Penguins fans willing to make the short four hour drive from Pittsburgh….On a personal note, I purchased two seats to game 1 of the Final a year ago, from the Red Wings, for $190 a seat (face value). We were five rows from the roof, not even close enough to see octopi splatter on the ice prior to the opening face off. Throw in a couple of $8.00 Molson’s and a Little Caeser’s personal pan pizza, and, well, that’s a car payment for two months (though, I’d make the trip again in a second, without hesitation).

Five rows from the roof for Game 1 last year, eh Adam? Awesome. So was I. I wasn’t hiding my allegiance then and I don’t now. Can you say the same?

Objectivity my ass. Don’t claim it if you don’t preach it Fanhouse.

Oh, and to the inevitable flood of Pens “fans” who are going to sob their way in here rather than enjoy a Cup Summer?

44 more Tuesdays until the best team in hockey takes it back. The team whose superstars actually kill penalties and take less money for the good of the franchise. We’ll take those 4 and 8 rankings for the most complete forwards in hockey, as long as it means we’ll have them both healthy for next year’s Final.

Because, you know, if they’d both been healthy in June? You know the rest.