"State of the Hip" on Mario...

**Darth Xed** · 08-08-2002, 07:53 AM

http://www.post-gazette.com/penguins/20020808pens4.asp

I really hope the Big Guy gets to play the full 65-70 games... I'd love to see what he can do again... healthy!

Especially with the black cloud over Straka, we NEED a healthy Mario.

I think there is no question that PIT is a playoff team with a healthy Mario, Straka, Kovalev and Hedberg...

**Cane Says** · 08-08-2002, 08:05 AM

But how healthy will Mario be? Will a big hit reaggravate the hip injury?

**Darth Xed** · 08-08-2002, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by Cane Says
But how healthy will Mario be? Will a big hit reaggravate the hip injury?

Well... that certainly is the 100 Million Dollar Question.

It's scary to think what kind of numbers Mario would have put up if he didn't have back problems, cancer, and now the hip thing...

Are the playoffs impossible without Mario? Well, no... but without Mario, a healty Straka, Kovie, Hedberg trio is a must. The only one I'm worried about in that group right no is Straka... the guy is a sparkplug... he is really having some bad luck as of late.