Friday’s Talking Points: Shero today sounded like a GM who still believes in Marc Andre Fleury

DEEPEST TEAM OF SHERO ERA Reaching the third round for the first time since 2009, Penguins GM Ray Shero today credited the Penguins overall depth as a big reason for the Penguins deep run. “We’ve gotten to the third round because the depth of our hockey team has really come through,” Shero said on Friday morning. “You saw that starting with Game 5 of the Islanders series, inserting three players into the lineup with Tomas Vokoun, Tyler Kennedy and Joe Vitale, and that made a difference in the series and helped us win that series. To get this far you need contributions from everybody.” The Penguins by far have their most talented team during Shero’s tenure as GM and Shero

Friday’s Practice Buzz: A look at expected Penguins lineup for Game 1

PENGUINS PRACTICE BUZZ All players are accounted for this morning and we continue to get a look at Game 1’s likely lineup as the Penguins again rolled the same four lines and d-pairs in today’s practice. FORWARDS Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis Jarome Iginla – Evgeni Malkin – James Neal Matt Cooke – Brandon Sutter – Tyler Kennedy Brenden Morrow – Jussi Jokinen – Craig Adams Extra’s: Tanner Glass – Joe Vitale – Dustin Jeffrey DEFENSEMEN Brooks Orpik – Paul Martin Mark Eaton – Kris Letang Douglas Murray – Matt Niskanen

Legursky to workout for Bills on Tuesday, a return to Pittsburgh depends on how Steelers feel about Beachum as swing lineman

LATEST OTA’S BUZZ Two areas where the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have great depth is at nose tackle where Al Woods is running No. 2 on the depth chart and at the guard/center position where the team has John Malecki at the No. 2 center spot behind Maurkice Pouncey for now. With Doug Legursky still unsigned, he could find his way back onto the team in the next month or so, but the Steelers are in no rush to resign Legursky. Whether Legursky were to return, it’s going to depend on how the Steelers feel about Kelvin Beachum following OTA’s and mini-camp. The Steelers are giving Beachum a long look at being the Steelers primary swing lineman this season at the

Conference Finals Buzz: Player reactions to “great” conference final matchups; Bylsma on not having a “great feel” of Kings out West

CONFERENCE FINALS BUZZ There’s no denying that the four best teams in hockey are still playing. The NHL could not have hoped for a better conference finals in the East with Pittsburgh vs Boston and in the West with Chicago vs Los Angeles. When people take off the homer glasses in their respective cities, I believe there are valid arguments to be made for the Blackhawks, Kings or the Penguins to be the ones hoisting Lord Stanley in late June. Not one of those teams is head and shoulders above the other. I’d call the Bruins the underdog of the final four teams but it wouldn’t be a shock to see them reach the finals for the second time in

Thursday’s Penguins Observations & Notes: On Krug, Cooke, & Kennedy

THURSDAY’S PENGUINS OBSERVATIONS & NOTES *Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma continues to talk Bruins defenseman Torey Krug up as the second coming of Paul Coffey. Bylsma spoke very highly of Krug on Monday and spoked glowingly of Krug again today. Bylsma’s high regard of Krug on tape might not just be coaches talk as Bylsma loves those type of puck moving offensive defensemen. The Penguins coach mentioned again today of the element Krug has added that the Penguins haven’t seen in person. “In preparation and looking at their team, I’ve looked back at things from not only this year but last year, how they play, tendencies, faceoffs….. so you think you have a good feeling about the Boston Bruins and

Jason Grilli 22-for-22 in save opportunities

The Pirates rallied with four runs in the 7th inning and Jason Grilli (22 saves, 1.09 ERA) picked up his 22nd save of the season, as the Pittsburgh Pirates (33-20) beat the Detroit Tigers (29-22) 5-3 on Wednesday night at PNC Park. Grilli now 22-for-22 in save opportunities, lowered his ERA to 1.09, allowing 1 hit and no runs and needing just 10 pitches to close out the game in the ninth as he continues to be automatic in save opportunities.

Wednesday’s OTA Report: Spence not ruling out return for this season

WEDNESDAY OTA REPORT By Dale Grdnic PITTSBURGH — Reports have been sketchy, as far as Sean Spence has been concerned, but the Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker set the record straight Wednesday when he said he’s preparing like he’s going to play this season. Spence suffered a serious injury to his left knee Aug. 30 during a home game against Carolina, the final preseason game in his rookie season, and odds varied on his chances to ever return to the field let alone this season. “My plan is to make it back for the season,” Spence said while wearing James Farrior’s old No. 51 gold practice jersey. “I’m still preparing and attacking these OTAs like I’m going to play this year.”

Conference Finals Buzz: Jarome Iginla reflects on being “fortunate” to have had the chance to pick between Pens, Bruins

PENGUINS POST-PRACTICE BUZZ While some complain about his foot speed in the Penguins system, Jarome Iginla is averaging more than a point per game in the playoffs with 4 goals and 8 assists in 12 games. 12 points in 11 games is 12 points in 11 games no matter what way you look at it, especially when you consider Bylsma has not utilized Iginla the right way at times. Iginla is producing in a top-6 role and he’s been everything as advertised off the ice in providing great leadership ability. It’s among the reasons Iginla is expected to be right up there with Pascal Dupuis among the Penguins top priorities this off-season. Following today’s practice, Iginla spoke during today’s media