The Latest Penguins Buzz
The Philadelphia Flyers may have the most depth at the forward position in the National Hockey League. They don’t have a Malkin or Crosby but top to bottom they are much deeper than the Penguins. Sources tell me the Rangers are inching closer to signing Mats Sundin. Rangers GM Glen Sather is aggressively trying to move Petr Prucha who has a cap hit of $1.6 million. Sundin is open to signing for $3.5 – $4 million per season. Vancouver is Sundin’s fall back option. According to a source, now that Penguins General Manager Ray Shero got a decent look at the top WBS players, he is developing a plan to make some personnel moves/trades. There is some concern in the
NHL: Penguins re-assign Jeff Taffe and Connor James
Following today’s game, the Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forwards Jeff Taffe and Connor James to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL)
Penguins call up Connor James
The Pittsburgh Penguins have called up forward Connor James from Wilkes Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. James will be available to play today when the Penguins face off against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday afternoon. James has 4 goals in his last 6 games and has recorded 17 points in 26 games for the WBS Penguins. Forward Max Talbot has been ruled out for Saturday’s game. Following practice on Friday, Mike Zigomanis was hopeful he would be able to play against the Flyers. Zigomanis has been sidelined with an arm injury and did practice on Friday.
Friday’s Practice Report
The Steelers held their final practice of the week on Friday as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens. The latest updates on James Harrison, Mewelde Moore, Brett Keisel, Ray Rice and Derrick Mason
NHL: Talbot out, Zigomanis to return?
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot did not practice Friday and will not play in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon. Talbot left Thursday’s game with a injury in the third period. Forward Mike Zigomanis is hopeful that he will be able to play against Philadelphia. Zigomanis is expected to center Jeff Taffe and Eric Godard who has been a healthy scratch for the past two games
Penguins re-assign Minard and Curry
Following this mornings practice the Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned goaltender John Curry and forward Chris Minard to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Goaltender Marc Andre Fleury will be active for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Penguins rout Islanders 9-2
Petr Sykora scored a hat trick for the first time in his career, ending the longest streak in NHL history without a hat trick by a player who had at least two goals in a game and Pascal Dupuis also netted a hat trick as the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 9-2 Thursday night at Mellon Arena. Pittsburgh 8-2 in its last ten games against the New York Islanders, halted a three game losing straight as they head into a divisional showdown Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers. Evgeni Malkin, Philippe Boucher, and Miroslav Satan also scored for the Penguins. Malkin the NHL’s leading scorer with 48 points had a goal and an assist. Sidney Crosby had three assists.
Tomlin responds to Parker’s comments
Mike Tomlin held a 5 minute media session today which isn’t rare on Thursday’s but Tomlin did address Willie Parker’s controversial comments from Wednesday. Tomlin is clearly not happy about what Parker said. Tomlin responded to Parker’s comments by saying Parker didn’t care about running behind two tight end sets when he was leading the league in rushing last year. Tomlin also made a reference that he walks past 5 Vince Lombardi trophies when he goes to work, not 5 rushing titles. Tomlin also addressed the team as a whole about Parker’s comments, not Parker individually. Bruce Arians who usually talks to reporters for 25-30 minutes on Thursday’s told the media that he was told not to speak today.
Atlantic Division Report: Sundin remains set on signing with New York
Sources continue to indicate that Mats Sundin’s top choice remains the New York Rangers. I’ve been told Glen Sather has told J.P. Barry the agent for Mats Sundin that he needs until Christmas to move enough salary to sign Sundin. Sundin appears to be willing to wait according to reports. As I reported yesterday in the BOG Article, it is really a two team race between the Rangers and Canucks, with the Canucks the second option if the Rangers are unable to move enough salary. There’s a crazy rumor that the Rangers could move Michael Rozival to Dallas for Sean Avery and then the Rangers would send Avery to the minors. Sather continues to work the phones to move forward
Penguins re-assign Ben Lovejoy
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Ben Lovejoy to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lovejoy, 24, played two games with Pittsburgh, including his NHL debut on Dec. 8 versus Buffalo. Sources tell me Phillipe Boucher has received clearance to play. Boucher has been suffering from concussion symptoms