regardless of what happens tonight in this penguins game, i’m just so happy with this season. we haven’t had a season like this in a long time, and it has been so damn fun.
so in preparation, here’s my love letter to the pittsburgh penguins 2015/2016 team.
@ sullivan - thank u for coming in and giving this team hope, passion, and an identity again. even if you don’t pull a bylsma and win a cup in your first year, i truly believe you will win a cup with this team. you’ve changed them for the better.
@ general manager rutherford - thanks for building a team that i never could have expected, but have always wanted. your eye is unparalleled. pittsburgh may be the team of misfit players, and i am so damn glad u found them a home.
@ sid - u will always be our captain. our anchor. our star. you showed this season that our belief and trust in you is never unfounded. i can’t wait to see you kiss the cup again.
@ geno - this may not have been the season you wanted or envisioned because of injury, but that’s okay. this team wouldn’t be here without you. so go out there, and be the monster we know you can be.
@ flower - my heart aches for you. you were your brilliant self for so many games this season, and no matter what - this team will always be yours.
@ tanger - without your shot on the blue line and logging 100 minutes a night, who knows where we’d be. reign in the penalties, take care of yourself, and show everyone why u should be a norris trophy winner.
@ HBK line - never in a million years did i think that a line of carl hagelin, nick bonino, and PHIL KESSEL would be the line the pens have always needed, but here we are. no matter where you go, you will be in penguins fans’ hearts forever. thank u for all that u did, so much of this season is because of you.
@ daley - if i had one wish right now, it’d be that you weren’t injured. you’ve literally given everything to this team, and damn i hope they can give it all back to you. i’m so happy u found a home in the burgh.
@ cullen & fehr - i’ll be the first to admit, i thought signing u guys was a mistake. and hell, was i wrong. thank u dads.
@ kuni & hornqvist - two of the most underrated guys in the nhl. thanks for always camping out in front of the net, providing sparks when the team so desperately need it, and giving it everything you had every single night.
@ dumo & olli - thank u for proving that the faith this team has shown in u to be the future of the blueline for the pens is worth it. i can’t wait to see how you evolve and grow.
@ murray - i wonder what u would have said this time last year if someone had told you that you’d be the goaltender that has won two playoff series for the pens and be the hero of an unlikely cup run. we are so fucking proud of you. thank you for giving the team a chance.
@ cole & lovejoy - two absolute fucking warriors. u might not be the stars or the heroes, but you’re so valued.
@ beau & schultz & pouliot - we didn’t get to see u guys on the ice as much as any of us wanted, but we will soon. keep up the hard work boys.
@ the wilkes barre scranton boys (rusty, sheary, kuhnhackl, wilson & sunny) - u brought the energy, the excitement, the speed, and the passion that this team desperately needed. you deserve to raise that cup just as much as the core does. if you boys are the future of this team, then i can’t wait.
@ zatkoff - would we have even gotten this far if the third string goalie hadn’t won the first game of the playoffs? who knows. what i do know is that you’ll be one of the most loved penguins for a long damn time.
and last but certainly not least:
@ super duper - i know u wanted this season to be your come back, and i’m so sorry it didn’t work out that way. but i’ll be honest, i’m not sorry you’re not playing because it means u are healthy and safe. you will forever be the heartbeat of this team. and even more than i want the pens to win a cup, i wanna see you lift it. thank u for showing us what true dedication, both to ur team and ur family, looks like. love u forever.