NHL: Malkin’s injury scar tissue related
Pens officials not expressing long-term concern
Staff, players express disappointment following 2-0 loss
Penguins hold closed door meeting after loss The Pittsburgh Penguins played a less than inspired game, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 Wednesday night at Mellon Arena. The Penguins failed to move three points ahead of the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic division and fell to 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Disappointment surrounded the Penguins locker room following the game, which included a closed door meeting between the Penguins staff and players immediately after the game. Head coach Dan Bylsma called out his players readiness and a lack of accountability, leadership from his team who according to Bylsma were not mentally ready at the drop of the puck. Addressing the Penguins lack of effort, Bylsma said “we’ve addressed
Pro-day buzz: Jacksonville, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New Orleans attend Cal U’s pro-day
The California University of Pennsylvania football program held their pro-day this morning. The pro-day was headlined by draft prospects cornerback Terrence Johnson, wide receiver A.J. Jackson and Edinboro quarterback Trevor Harris. A university source tells me the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints were the four NFL teams with representatives in attendance. Canadian Football League scouts were also in attendance. Johnson (5-10, 190 lbs) has seen his stock on the rise in recent weeks and has kept his 40-time in the 4.48-4.50 range. Johnson is regarded as a potential late 5th round – 7th round pick. Johnson was profiled in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine by NFL draft guru Mel Kiper. Johnson is represented
Pro-day buzz: Two Steelers representatives attend Earl Thomas pro-day
Steelers announce pre-season schedule The Pittsburgh Steelers pre-season schedule was announced today. The team will have four games. The Steelers will open up the pre-season at home against the Detroit Lions and their first road game will be against the New York Giants in the Giants new stadium. The Steelers will play on the road for their third game on August 29th against the Denver Broncos. The Steelers finish up the pre-season with a Thursday night game at home against the Carolina Panthers. Pro-day buzz The Pittsburgh Steelers had two representatives at Texas pro-day this morning, according to a team source. The Steelers top target at Texas pro-day was safety/cornerback Earl Thomas (5-10, 202 lbs) who is one of the
Steelers meeting with top cornerbacks today
The Pittsburgh Steelers are meeting with top cornerbacks Kyle Wilson and Kareem Jackson today. Wilson out of Boise State has drawn the interest of the Steelers who own the No. 18 selection in the draft. Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton met with Wilson last Friday after Boise State’s pro-day. Here’s some info on Wilson from Friday’s report. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Kareem Jackson projects anywhere from a late first round-to-second round prospect. Jackson (Height: 5-11 Weight: 192 40 Time: 4.45) was a shutdown corner for the Crimson Tide in 2009 but some scouts believe Jackson could have benefited from another year in college. One area that he needs to work on is his footwork. However, he is a terrific young cornerback
Morning skate buzz: Malkin, Gonchar out against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning (30-33-12-72 pts) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (44-25-7-95 pts) The Pittsburgh Penguins just went through morning skate preparations as the team prepares for a home contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the team will be without two of their key players once again. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be somewhat of a surprise scratch tonight and will miss his 4th straight game. Gonchar participated fully for the second straight day and sounded optimistic on Tuesday about playing but will be held out of the lineup in what is believed to be a coaches decision. Gonchar came down with strep throat last week. Dan Bylsma said after the pre-game skate that Gonchar would be in the lineup if today was
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Penguins have clarification heading into the off-season Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero is drawing praise around the league today for locking up 22 year old defenseman Kris Letang to a 4 year deal worth $14 million. Did the Penguins over-pay for the short-term? That’s up for debate as the deal is a win for Letang and his agent Kent Hughes who went into talks last August seeking upwards of $3.25 million per season. One general thought is that Letang had all the leverage due to the possibility of receiving a offer sheet that the Penguins couldn’t match. However, It is hard to find a league executive who actually thought there was even a remote chance of Letang receiving a
NCAA: Hofstra seeks permission to speak to Pitt’s Tom Herrion
University of Pittsburgh Mens’ basketball assistant coach Tom Herrion is on the radar of Hofstra University, according to sources in the Pitt program. According to sources, Hofstra AD Jack Hayes is seeking permission to speak to Tom Herrion about Hofstra’s head coaching position. An interview could happen by the end of the week. Herrion joined Jamie Dixon’s staff in 2007 after previously being the head coach at the College of Charleston from 2002-06.
Source: Steelers embarrassed by Holmes actions on twitter
Long-time Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette recently dubbed the Steelers off-season as “The off-season from hell”, after the latest incident being a civil lawsuit against star wide receiver Santonio Holmes for assault and battery of a woman in a Orlando nightclub. Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement today that “We are disappointed to learn about the recent incident involving Santonio Holmes in Florida. While we are continuing to gather the facts I cannot comment further until we have more information and have spoken to Santonio and his representatives.” For the Steelers, at least quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has kept quiet. Today it became known that no criminal charges will be filed against Holmes as the Orlando police department
Tuesday practice report: Gonchar on track to return; Malkin testing injured foot
The Pittsburgh Penguins were back to work this morning after having an off-day on Monday. The big news of the morning was the signing of young defenseman Kris Letang to a four year extension worth $14 million. The Penguins took the ice at 10:30 a.m. and defenseman Sergei Gonchar participated fully in today’s skate. Gonchar is on track to return to the lineup. Gonchar was paired with defenseman Mark Eaton for the majority of line rushes, while Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang remained a pairing. Jordan Leopold and Alex Goligoski were back as the third pairing with Jay McKee working in for a few shifts. With Gonchar nearing his return, Jay McKee could be back in the press box Wednesday