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Posts Tagged Pittsburgh Penguins

Comrie signs with Pittsburgh

Sep 3

Posted by Chris in News | 1 Comment

Just a quick update to the Pittsburgh Penguins Season Preview posted earlier today, the team announced this afternoon that center Mike Comrie has signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with the club. This is a substantially lower figure than the $1.25 million that Comrie made last season with the Edmonton Oilers. Pittsburgh will be Comrie’s fourth NHL team in as many seasons.

This should be a good depth signing by Pittsburgh, especially at the price. Although Comrie was limited to only 43 games with Edmonton last season because of a bout with mononucelosis, he is a veteran in the league at age 29 and has twice hit the 30-goal plateau in his career. Whether he gets time as the center on the second or third line, Comrie should help provide some offensive depth for the Penguins and make them a more dangerous team as they now have three good centers and Malkin can for sure move back to the wing where he will be much more effective.

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Hockey World Blog Season Previews 2010: Pittsburgh Penguins

Sep 3

Posted by Chris in Season Previews | 1 Comment

Key Offseason Losses: Bill Guerin, Sergei Gonchar

Key Offseason Additions: Paul Martin, Zbynek Michalek, Arron Asham

Last Season Ranking: 4th in East

Offense:

Boston+Bruins+v+Pittsburgh+Penguins+JQKJBWrNI-glThe Penguins will again be anchored by the offensive production of team captain Sidney Crosby and winger Evgeni Malkin with secondary scoring coming from Chris Kunitz and Jordan Staal. However, in the off season the Penguins again failed to address the pressing issue of finding a suitable right winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby, prompting many to believe that Malkin and Crosby could end up together on the top line this season. Such a move would extremely hinder the offensive depth of the Penguins. A more likely scenario will see Staal moving up to the second line where he will center Malkin, which should benefit both players immensely and put Malkin back up to 90-100 points this season. Players like Pascal Dupuis and Maxim Talbot may be called upon to help provide more offensive depth while players like Eric Tangradi will need to show that they deserve a consistent spot with the big club this season.

Whatever Pittsburgh lacks in offense they make up for with grit. Tough guy Arron Asham signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh where he will have good company in fellow tough guy Eric Goddard, who accumulated 76 penalty minutes in 45 games last season, and super pest Matt Cooke. Asham may even get an opportunity on the wing of Jordan Staal on Pittsburgh’s second line, which would be beneficial for Pittsburgh if Asham can create space for the other scorers.

Defense:

Pittsburgh lost a lot of skill on their power play with the departure of Sergei Gonchar, who was the team’s third-leading scorer with 50 points last season. But the team hopes that defenseman Alex Goligoski will help fill the void left on the point by Gonchar’s departure. The additions of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek will also help solidify the Penguins’ blue line and make the team difficult to play against. Martin has twice been plus-20 or better in his past three seasons and could have career highs in points with a more offensive-minded team like the Penguins.

Goaltending:

Marc-Andre Fluery and Brent Johnson will again handle the workload in net. Fluery had a solid season last year with 37 wins and a 2.65 goals against average along with a .905 save percentage. Expect more of the same from Fluery this year as the Penguins will need to him to steal a few games along the way. While Fleury will handle the majority of the workload, Johnson is more than capable as a backup and could get himself 15-20 starts and around 10 wins again this year.

Season Outlook:

Any team that boasts the likes of both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is dangerous offensively, but the Penguins will need to be good on defense this year too. The loss of Sergei Gonchar will hurt the team, especially on the power play, but the additions of Martin and Michalek will certainly help fortify the team’s blue line and make them tough to score on. Expect the Penguins to definitely be playoff contenders come next April.

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Bertuzzi playing hard ball with Wings; Cheechoo to be bought out?

Jun 10

Posted by Chris in Rumors | No Comments

It appears as if unrestricted free agent Todd Bertuzzi may opt to test the open market to see if any more lucrative offers come along than the two-year deal that the Red Wings offered that is most likely worth around the $1.5 million per season that Bertuzzi made this past year.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland appeared on the “NHL Live” radio program where he touched upon several topics including his ongoing negotiations with Bertuzzi and his agent Pat Morris.

“We have interest in him coming back,” Holland said of Bertuzzi. “I think he’s interested in coming back. But it’s a cap world. We only have so much to offer.”

Prior to this past season, Bertuzzi had spent time in a Wings uniform once before after he was acquired from Florida at the trade deadline in 2007. When the season ended, indications were that Bertuzzi was interested in staying and that the Wings were interested in keeping him. However, Bertuzzi left the organization during the free agency period to sign a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks for $8 million. Bertuzzi was later placed on waivers by the Ducks.

“We’ll continue to talk to him,” Holland said. “We’d like to have him back, but obviously, there’s gotta be a fit financially for the player and for us. Talks are ongoing. We’ll see where they go.”

In other news, reports are also circulating that the Ottawa Senators are looking to buy out the contract of forward Jonathan Cheechoo when the NHL buyout period begins next week. During that time, each team has a two week window in which they can buy out players for 2/3 of the value of their current salary to be paid over two-times the length of the agreed deal. Cheechoo is signed for $3.5 million for next season which would give the Senators a cap hit of $1,165,500 cap hit for the next 2 seasons.

Cheechoo came to Ottawa last summer as a part of the Dany Heatley trade that sent Heatley to San Jose in exchange for Cheechoo, forward Milan Michalek and a fifth round draft pick in the upcoming draft. The 29-year-old finished the season with five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 61 games with the Senators. Cheechoo also spent time with Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, where he totalled another 14 points in 25 games.

Cheechoo’s best performance came in 2005-2006 when he tallied 56 goals and 93 points in 82 games for the San Jose Sharks alongside center Joe Thornton. Since that season, Cheechoo’s numbers have steadily declined.

No word yet on where Cheechoo could end up, although several teams could look to sign Cheechoo later this summer to add depth to their lineup for a low cost. One interesting scenario would be if the Pittsburgh Penguins took a chance and signed Cheechoo for cheap this summer. Pittsburgh has taken chances on wingers in the past who fell to the late stages of free agency, such as Miroslav Satan, to experiment and see if they thrive alongside Sidney Crosby, who the Penguins are constantly trying to match with a suitable winger. Cheechoo had his best season alongside center Joe Thornton in San Jose and could possibly rejuvenate his career alongside Sidney Crosby.

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Are We Getting Cosby-Ovechkin’d Out?

May 28

Posted by Eddie in Soap Box | 1 Comment

The NHL is finally releasing one of its’ worse kept secrets. As Chris reported in late-March that the next NHL Winter Classic will be between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. The big question was where would it he held at. Potential sites pretty much came down to Heinz Field, FedEx Field, and Nationals Ballpark. I believe the NHL did a good job in going back to the football stadium because after going to Wrigley Field and Fenway Park the last two seasons, the prestige of going to a baseball stadium was getting played-out. In addition, the Fenway Park classic didn’t do so well in the ratings because it lacked (at the time) contending teams, and big names. That’s what you need to get the casual fan to watch the game amongst the buffet of college football bowl games on January 1. The Winter Classic isn’t for the die-hards like myself or the readers of HWB. The Winter Classic is for the casual “I only know about hockey when they show it on SportsCenter” type of fan. Big, sexy, marketable names and contending teams is what Bettman wants in the Winter Classic to get the viewership NBC wants and needs.

Speaking of NBC, I’d be willing to bet they had a hand in this as they only recognize eight teams: Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Boston.

Sidney and Alex will get the chance to duke it out at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.

Sidney and Alex will get the chance to duke it out at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.

I am kinda happy/kinda upset about this. We knew a Crosby-Ovechkin Winter Classic was on the horizon. This game has everything you need in a “one game showcase” of the NHL: recognizable names of Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, and Green. I’m actually more inclined to watch because I know Michigan State won’t be playing on New Year’s Day.  But how can the Penguins get to play in a second outdoor game before Original Six franchises New York and Toronto? Those fan bases, as well as perhaps the Canucks have legitimate beef of why they are being left out of the mix. It could perhaps be because those franchises don’t have marketable players (even Vancouver- Roberto Lulongo doesn’t count. You can’t see his face through a goalie mask) or because they simply aren’t good enough to contend on a year-to-year basis.

If you do want to put money on the Caps playing for the Stanley Cup next season, you should do so. Each season of the Winter Classic, the road participant has played for the Stanley Cup that season. Just ask the Penguins, Red Wings, and now Flyers. In addition, TSN is reporting there will be a second Winter Classic next season. Montreal will travel to Calgary in February to take on the Flames at McMahon Stadium.

 

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Crosby Moves Out

May 14

Posted by Eddie in News | No Comments

Like a child finally moving out of his parent’s house, Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is moving out of the home of part owner Mario Lemieux. The report in the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette reported that Crosby bought a home in Pittsburgh and according to reports isn’t far from Lemieux’s home. The 22-year-old captain has been living with the hall-of-famer since the 2005-06 season. Crosby won’t be the only one on the move this summer as the Penguins move across the street from Mellon Arena to Consol Energy Center.

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Crosby Cross-checking Zetterberg

Mar 23

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Last night, the Detroit Red Wings took home ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The two teams played to what was to be expected, a playoff like atmosphere.

When all was said and done, the Wings came out on top with a 3 – 1 win to bolster their playoff spot chances. Unfortunately though, emotions seemed to erupt on the last play.

Sidney Crosby, held without a point, only 3 shots, and most notable, a negative 3 rating, frustrated, took exception to the back of Henrik Zetterberg.

Post game quotes from Zetterberg gives insight to what NHL players expect from Crosby; “I knew it was him without turning around”.

Crosby, on the other hand, felt goaltender Jimmy Howard was out of line. “I don’t think that’s where he should be, I don’t know what he was doing over there.”

It is true, that most Detroit fans have a deep seeded dislike of the Penguins, I no different, but be it like or dislike, Crosby’s actions are not needed within the league. The NHL, in my opinion, is one of the classiest sports around. I would hope that the NHL fine Crosby for his actions, yet with the already blemished mark, the disciplinary actions this year have been far from appropriate.

Below is the video. Take notice to Crosby targeting Zetterberg right from the face-off.

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Matt Cooke vs. Shawn Thornton

Mar 18

Posted by Matt in Media | 2 Comments

I think a lot of NHL fans were looking forward to tonights game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins. Last time the two teams met, we saw Matt Cooke cheap shot Marc Savard giving him a concussion. Savard is now out the remainder of the season.

Well it certainly didn’t take long for the Bruins to try to get revenge. Not even two minutes into the game, on Cooke’s first shift, he and Shawn Thornton dropped the gloves. Thornton definitely got the best of Cooke, which I’m glad to see. He clearly showed zero respect for Cooke as he continued to throw punches even after Cooke was down and the refs attempted to restrain him.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the game plays out. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some heavy hits on Sidney Crosby, or even another fight involving Cooke.

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Matt Cooke and the Boston Bruins

Mar 18

Posted by EB in News | No Comments

Colin Campbell looks stumped, just as Boston and NHL fans are about the non disciplinary action against Matt Cooke and his head shot to Bruins Marc Savard.

Colin Campbell looks stumped, just as Boston and NHL fans are about the non-disciplinary action against Matt Cooke and his head shot to Bruin's Marc Savard.

Tonight, Matt Cooke and the Pittsburgh Penguins face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden Arena.

The last time the two teams met, Cooke blindsided center Marc Savard which resulted in a serious injury. However, no suspension nor any disciplinary action has been taken against Cooke.

Many fans, especially those of Boston, and players themselves, are unhappy with the NHL’s handling of the incident. Previously in the season, Philadelphia Flyer’s captain Mike Richards blind-sided and injured Florida Panther’s David Booth. The hit also left an injury, and set precedent to the current Cooke hit, that being no suspension.

How could this be?

The league has met and spoken since then, and next year hope to implement a new rule change that would ban blind-side hits in the NHL. Still though, it seems this season has no real discipline for the reckless and dangerous incidents.

Tonight, the NHL’s sole disciplinarian, VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, will be in attendance at the game to monitor any possible retaliation. Expect the building to erupt with loud boo’s and negative chants of, “Campbell sucks”, or something of the like. When asked by a local news source if Campbell is expected to speak with the team before hand, Bruin’s forward Mark Recchi responded, “No, we don’t want him in our room.”

Some believe the game tonight will be nothing more than a normal game with  Campbell’s presence being a deterrence to any rough stuff. Others, like myself, feel there will be a good ‘ol fashion hockey game, you know, the one sport that self disciplines with bench depleting brawls.

No matter what anyone believes, Matt Cooke is expected to drop the gloves. The questions that will be answered in due time is with whom, and who will end up on top.

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Is Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock on the Hot Seat?

Feb 7

Posted by Matt in Soap Box | 5 Comments

Can Mike Babcock turn things around in Detroit before it's too late?

Can Mike Babcock turn things around in Detroit before it's too late?

Blown leads. Sloppy play. Lazy effort. All could be used to describe the Detroit Red Wings play thus far in 2010. While the Wings have had several injuries to battle through, this play comes at a time when the team has been nearly the healthiest it has been all year. Players like Filppula, Cleary, Zetterberg, Williams and Ericsson have all returned to the line-up and resumed playing lots of minutes in each game. But somehow, the Red Wings are struggling more now than they have all season. It’s become hard to watch. But who is to blame?

The high-energy puck possession game the Red Wings used to win the Stanley Cup in 2008 and reach the Stanley Cup Finals again in 2009 has all but disappeared. No one on the team blamed injuries, but fans were quick to use it as an excuse. However, it has become clear that the squad clearly lacks motivation at this point. This team has struggled gaining motivation not since losing the game 7 last spring, but since the Stanley Cup Finals began against Pittsburgh. While skill alone was enough to bring them within one game of back-to-back Championships, lack of energy, desperation and motivation is what broke the Wings.

Mike Babcock is arguably the best coach in the NHL. He has been to the Stanley Cup finals three times in only six seasons as an NHL head coach. In a week, he will lead the Canadian Olympic squad to Vancouver in an attempt to win a gold medal. But while he has been successful in the past, he has not been able to light a fire under the Wings since last season. The Wings need that fire in order to compete the rest of the season and make the playoffs.

After blowing a three goal lead to Los Angeles yesterday, Babcock was quite calm when interviewed after the game. “We made some mistakes, gave them two freebies, but other than that I didn’t mind our game,’’ Babcock said. “We had two power plays in the third period. The game’s on the line, we’d like to get one and win the game.’’ How can a coach be so calm after a game like that? Where is the energy? The passion and desperation to win? With only 24 games left, the Wings currently sit 9th in the west, with Dallas, Minnesota, Anaheim and St. Louis right on their tail. Now is a better time than ever for Babcock to light into his players and get them to play like they’re capable of, with or without injuries.

Is Mike Babcock on the hot seat in Detroit? If things don’t turn around soon, I would certainly think so. Perhaps a coaching change is just what the Wings need to change their tempo. The Penguins replaced Michel Therrien last season as the team slumped to a 27-25-5 start. The replacement, Dan Bylsma, recorded an 18-3-4 record after taking over, and eventually lead the Penguins to a Stanley Cup.

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League’s Suspension Consistency

Jan 12

Posted by EB in News, Soap Box | 3 Comments

In last nights contest between the Minnesota Wild and the visiting team Pittsburgh Penguins, Pen’s Sergei Gonchar laid a questionably dirty and hgih hit on Wild winger Cal Clutterbuck.

The league this season is cutting down on head shots and recently displayed this by handing a suspension to Phoenix Coyote defenseman Ed Jovanovski for his elbow to New York Islanders John Tavares. The question becomes though, will the league suspend Gonchar?

The league has been under scrutiny for wanting to make the game a cleaner, safer game for the players, by removing dangerous plays. This year specifically by the means of removing head shots. Yet earlier in the season, when time to muscle up and stick to their guns, the league did not suspend Philadelphia Flyer’s Captain Mike Richards for a hit on Florida Panther’s star David Booth, leaving Booth on the IR to this day. So the question becomes, is the league playing favorites?

Recently stated, the league suspended defenseman Ed Jovanovski for an elbow to John Tavares’ head. Was this done because it was dangerous and shouldn’t be in the game? Was it done because it was blatantly obvious?  Or was it done because the person being hit was The John Tavares, the next greatest thing to hockey according to Canadian news for the past few years?

One would hope that that the league intends on removing dangerous plays, for the betterment of the players, but sometimes you do wonder if favorites are being played. Are you more likely to get a suspension if you hit a prominent figure in the NHL, or is the justice blind?

Underneath is the play where Gonchar took a run at Clutterbuck. You be the judge on a suspension or not.

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