Back in September 2024, I announced my semi-retirement from blogging. No sooner did I click on the Publish button than I experienced a change of heart. I continued to post game recaps and opinion pieces on PenguinPoop throughout the remainder of the ’24-25 season and on through this past one.
As they say, what goes around comes around. I’m once again announcing my semi-retirement from blogging. This time I think it’ll stick.
The naked truth is, at 69 years young I just don’t have the same passion for covering the Penguins that I once did, especially the game recaps. Nor do I feel like I have as much in the way of valuable insights to contribute.
When that happens, it’s time to hang up the keyboard.
Ironically, I really like our current team. They played with so much spirit, grit and passion. This past season was easily the most entertaining and enjoyable since the back-to-back Cup seasons. Win, lose or shootout loss, they were so much fun to watch. Sid and Geno were still a Two-Headed Monster, remarkably so given their advanced ages. Newcomers like Egor Chinakhov, Anthony Mantha and Parker Wotherspoon were most pleasant surprises, as was 18-year-old rookie Ben Kindel.
Kudos to POHO/GM Kyle Dubas for infusing life into a moribund team with his savvy signings and acquisitions while at the same time restocking the prospect coffers, and for going against the grain to hire relative unknown Dan Muse as coach. A brilliant move.
To borrow from Allstate, the team is in good hands.
Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent reading options for Penguins fans out there. Personally, I really enjoy reading Adam Gretz on Pensburgh (Jim Rixner, too). Their comments section is great.
Dan Kingerski puts out a ton of content on Pittsburgh Hockey Now, including articles with an insider’s touch. Seth Rorabaugh on the Trib also does a terrific job, especially with his detailed game summaries, and has for a long time.
I’ll still likely post articles from time to time, especially if something gets me fired up. I believe my colleagues, Other Rick and Caleb Di’Natale, plan to do the same. Perhaps we’ll hear from our old friend, James Arthurs. So be sure to check in.
To faithful readers and commenters like Mike, Jorenz, Pen’s4ever and 55 on Point, thanks so much for your faithful support over the years. As a kid it was always my dream to be a sportswriter. Thanks in no small part to your readership, I’ve gotten to fulfill that dream.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout-out to those writers and contributors who preceded me on PenguinPoop. Coach Bombay, Reg Dunlop, Horse, Champ Kind, Doug MacRay, Southside Shultzie, Disco Stu, Art Vandelay and Joey Wales, take a well-deserved bow. (Hope I didn’t miss anyone.)
Last, and certainly not least, a special note of gratitude to PP founding father, Phil Krundle, who performed wonders behind the scenes and on the technical side after hanging up his keyboard. Thanks so much for keeping us ship shape…and for inviting me to join the blog way back in 2011.
God bless, all.
LET’S GO PENS!