Chat with Pierre LeBrun

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Welcome to The Show! On Friday, ESPN.com's NHL writer Pierre LeBrun will stop by to chat about the NHL playoffs.

Based in Toronto, LeBrun joined ESPN in September 2008 after spending 13 years with The Canadian Press as its national hockey columnist. LeBrun was also a contributor to Rogers Sportsnet and a regular guest on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada."

Send your questions for now and join LeBrun in The Show on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET!

LeBrun Archive: Blog | Columns

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Scott. Tasmania australia [via mobile]


Is there any chance that the nhl could do a pre-season tour in australia anytime soon?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:33 PM)


Hello everyone, short chat today but let's make it a good one. Scott, I haven't heard that mentioned ever. Eruope is really the focus right now. They're opening with games in Finland and Sweden next season. But if they ever did to go Down Under, I'd be all over it ! Great country

Hook (Southern Maryland)


What are your predictions for game 4? It is a huge game for both teams.

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:33 PM)


4-2 Pens lol

Jon (Detroit)


Is there any chance that Pavel will return for the Red Wings?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:33 PM)


Mike Babcock 20 minutes ago just told us here at Joe Louis Arena that Datsyuk is playing tomorrow night

Ed (Pittsburgh, PA) [via mobile]


Pierre: As a long time Pittsburgh sports fan, the Red Wings remind me of the 1979 Steelers when they won their 4th Super Bowl of the '70's. Everyone around here knew it was their "last hurrah".They all got old at the same time. Win,lose or draw, this looks like the Red Wings last hurrah. Do you agree?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:36 PM)


I don't. Yes LIdstrom is 39 and Osgood is 36 _ but the other core guys like Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Kronwall and Ericsson and Helm, etc.. They'll be here for a long time. Hossa will more than likely re-sign. They may not be the juggernaut every single year, but they'll certainly be in th emix I think for a while. Ken Holland and his staff have kept the long-erm view here

Andrew T (Chicago, IL)


Pierre - what do you think about Babcock's move in playing Draper, but taking out Abdelkader, who already has two goals in this series? Draper is huge on the faceoffs and I'm not going to argue that he needs to stay on the bench, but why not sit Leino or even Hudler?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:37 PM)


Good question Andrew. Abdelkader struggled on faceoffs in game 3, I think he was 11 per cent, so there was concern there. The other thing is, Babcock doesn't feel Abdelkader is comfortable unless he's playing center wheras Leino can play wing

Jason: hackettstown, nj [via mobile]


What does pittsburgh have to do to keep the momentum going into detroit where they only have lost once this postseason? Has your cup prediction changed? Let go pens!!

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:39 PM)


My Cup prediction was Pittsburgh in 6 because I feared the injuries and banged-up bodies in the Wings room. But now it's a best-of-three with the Wings having two at home. I think it's a toss-up but the Wing shave the slight edge because of home ice... Also, there are two off-days between Games 5-6 and Games 6-7 so that benefits the Wings

Luke Lancaster PA


Datsyuk back on Saturday? And if he is how much do you think he'd help the wings?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:40 PM)


As I said earlier, he's Babcock said he was in. Datsyuk keeps himself in tremendous shape but there'll likely be a a bit of game rythm rust

Ilya Kovalchuk


Am I still calling myslef a Thrasher after the entry draft?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:41 PM)


Well, I'm told your meeting with Don Waddell went pretty well a few weeks ago and you guys were planning to meet again soon... so I guess it depends on how these meetings keep going. Show me the money !!!!

Jon Bucks PA


Are the Red Wings getting worn down?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:43 PM)


I think they are to a degree. In my piece which I have to write after Im' done this chat, and should be posted by 7 p.m. ET today, I talked to Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle today... The Pens, like the Ducks, are physically punishing the Wings whenever they have a chance. Carlyle also told me he think Zetterberg looked tired last night. More in my story later today

Patrick, Washington DC


Do you think the winner of game 5 will end up being the Stanley Cup Champion?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:43 PM)


oui

The Gazelle (Phoenix, AZ)


Hi Pierre, thanks for your time today - do you think the Penguins combination of youth and, now, experience will be too much for the Wings? The Wings looked tired physically, and perhaps a bit exhausted mentally as well. I counted at least 10 turnovers in the 2nd, not sure what the official count was.

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:45 PM)


Good overvations Gazelle. That was basically my story last night, all the Wings turnovers. If you can believe, the official NHL game summary only had the Wings at 6 turnovers. There's no way that's accurate. But let's not count out the Wings just. They are dynamite at home and they've got more rest days coming up over the next week

Jon (Detroit)


What was with all the turnovers by the Wings. They used to be such a great puck handling team...

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:46 PM)


I think PIttsburgh's physical forecheck is causing them into bad decisions (Anaheim had success doing this)

Doug (toronto)


Whats the word on datsyuk for game 5?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:46 PM)


He's in !

Rick (San Diego, CA)


Now its down to Best of three. Will the Home team hold Serve? Game five would be huge for the Pens. Do you think they can overcome Detroit's home town huge advantage?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:47 PM)


I predict triple overtime tomorrow night. Coin toss. Can't wait !

Jesse (Carmel, NY)


Pierre, based on playoff performance and salary cap implications, do you see any of the following free agent wingers on the Pens roster next year...Bill Guerin, Miro Satan, Petr Sykora, Ruslan Fedotenko, Martin Havlat, Marian Gaborik, Mike Camalleri, Jiri Lehtinen, Alexei Kovalev.

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:48 PM)


I don't have time to get into all those players Jesse but I can tell you that the Penguins have told me they have serious interest in bringing Guerin back

Vlad and Natalia Malkin (Igloo Stands)


Geno make good game. He is score. I AM MALKIN! We want Cup!

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:49 PM)


Spaziba

MikeT (Santa Clarita, CA)


Pierre, The 3 goals in 7 minutes by the Pens was an astounding turnaround. Yet they were fueled by poor decision making on the part of the Wings D. Stuart was caught twice trying to get the puck past Malkin (he didn't score on the first but got the assist for Crosby on the second); Lidstrom delayed a half-second on Talbot during the power-play, which left Stall to bear down on Rafalski for the shorthander; and then Rafalski pinched down to the right dot on the fourth goal leaving Z having to retreat, Crosby flew by Franzen on the right and you had your classic 3 on 2 with lots of spacing. Do you think what really needs to get energized is the Wings bodies or minds?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:50 PM)


Great analysis Mike. And I would say the answer is a bit of both

Tim (Wyandotte, MI)


Pierre, Have you ever noticed during an offensive zone face, how Ozzy seems to be adjusting his trapper and blocker with his head down even after the puck drops? It seems to occur 80% of the time. If I were the pens coach I would be telling my center to shoot off the draw. What is this all about?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:51 PM)


I've noticed it a few times, not sure if he always does it... but you know goalies and their superstitions... Speaking of shooting right off the draw, reminds me of when Kirk Muller scored that way on Kely Hrudey in the '93 Cup finals

Joey (Pittsburgh, PA)


As of right now, who would be your Conn Smythe winner from each team in the finals?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:53 PM)


Whoa... so tough.... Pitt _ Crosby/Malkin split vote Det _ Osgood

KD Chicago, IL


Pierre, why do love the Red Wings so much? Is it because they are the closest thing to a Canadian team left in the playoffs? It's not quite "homerism", but everything you've written in the past few weeks is clearly slanted their direction.

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:54 PM)


LOL... I love you readers... the other day I got hammered by a Wings fan for being pro-Pittsburgh all the time. Make up you rminds !!! For the record, I cheer for only one team _ ESPN. Why? Because they pay me !!!!!!

Loup (ATL)


Hi Pierre After last nights performance, do you think the series has shifted? Will Pittsburgh win this in 6 or 7?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:55 PM)


Can't shift until Pitt wins at Joe Louis

Tyler (State College, PA)


Pierre, What are the chances they have a Winter Classic between the Penguins and Flyers at Beaver Stadium within the next few years?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:56 PM)


It could happen. Right now the focus is on Fenway. The visiting team will be either Washington or Philly. Obvioulsy if it's Philly then it hurts your scenario. But I think the Caps will be the team at Fenway if I was a betting man

KEVIN PORT HOURON MI


WE GO WIN THE CUP

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:57 PM)


LOVE YOUR GRAMMAR

Scott; (PA)


look like hossa is back to failing in the playoffs

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:57 PM)


He was great against Chicago in Games 4-5 but has fallen back again in the Cup finals. I agreed. Maybe having Datsyuk back will wake him up

Castor (Pollux, IN)


You wrote: "Pitt _ Crosby/Malkin split vote" Is it actually possible to have a shared Conn Smythe? Has it ever happened?

Pierre LeBrun
  (2:59 PM)


Good question. I believe it is possible if the actual voting points are tied. The league asks a select media panel to vote on the Conn Smythe, about a dozen or so writers. I've had the honor of voting a few times. So odds are, with all those voters. you'll never see a tie.

Dick (Istanbul, Turkey)


Salut Pierre! I'm from Ottawa, but have been living in Turkey for over a year. Not much hockey here to say the least. I miss it so much, although this was a good year to be away from the Sens. Post this question, and I might survive the summer here. Given the fact that either Osgood or Fleury will win the cup, do either of these two have a serious chance of making the Canadian Olympic team next year as a result. Thanks! I'm off to watch another Turkish League "football" match.

Pierre LeBrun
  (3:00 PM)


Here you go Dick ! Great question on the Cdn goaltending. If I'm Steve Yzerman, I invite both Osgood and Fleury as well as Luongo, Brodeur and Cam Ward to the camp

Brian (NYC)


Are you going to shave off your goatee after the Cup is raised?

Pierre LeBrun
  (3:01 PM)


Never !!!!!! Ok guys, only have a half-hour for you today. Got to write my Wings column now and get it posted by 7 p.m. Sorry to all the guys I didn't get to, more than 100 of you.... please try again next week. Cheers

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