The Expectations keep rising for the Penguins
Early season predictions from The Hockey News & McKeens Hockey The Hockey News1. Ottawa2. NY Rangers3. Pittsburgh4. Buffalo5. Carolina6. Tampa Bay7. New Jersey8. Atlanta9. Philadelphia10. Washington11. Toronto12. Florida13. Montreal14. NY Islanders15. Boston McKeens Hockey1. Pittsburgh2. Ottawa3. NY Rangers4. Buffalo5. New Jersey6. Toronto7. Carolina8. Montreal9. Tampa Bay10. Philadelphia11. Florida12. Washington13. Boston14. Atlanta15. NY Islanders My Take: Both Magazines have a mutual agreement that the Penguins, Rangers and Ottawa are the favorites in the Eastern Conference. No surprise as both magazines have the Islanders and Bruins as the bottom feeders in the East. It’s going to be a long season for both squads. The middle of the pack is going to be hard to predict. New Jersey is a team, where it
Penguins miss out on Notre Dame defenseman Wes O’Neill
According to my sources, the Penguins had serious interest in defenseman Wes O’Neill who signed with the Colorado Avalanche today. O‚ÄôNeill, 21, played four years at Notre Dame University, where he served as an alternate captain during his senior campaign in 2006-07. He finished second among Irish defensemen in points last season (21). The 6‚Äô4‚Äù, 200-pound native of Essex, Ontario was originally drafted in 2004 by the New York Islanders (115th overall) There are about 5-7 NCAA players with NHL potential that are still free agents. The Penguins, Blue Jackets and Blues have shown an interest in University of North Dakota forward Chris Porter, who was unable to reach a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Porter was drafted in the
FSN to Carry 36 Penguins Games in High Definition
FSN, the exclusive rights holder to Pittsburgh Penguins regional hockey game telecasts, announced it will produce a minimum of 70 contests in the 2007-08 regular season. Coverage on FSN begins with the season opener at Carolina on Fri., Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. The Pens host the Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks on Sat., Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. “We are about to begin one of the most exciting seasons of hockey on FSN,” said Steve Tello, FSN Pittsburgh Senior Vice President & General Manager. “FSN plans to bring its viewers at least 70 games this season with 36 of them available in High Definition.” All 82 of the Penguins NHL games will be televised with at least 70 games
New Penguin Jerseys & THN’s Fantasy Hockey Projections
Crosby 128 (46+82 in 80 gp) projection: 1st overall Malkin 98 (42+56 in 80 gp) projection: 10th overall Gonchar 73 (15+58 in 81 gp) projection: 1st among defenseman Whitney 63 (15+48 in 80 gp) Sykora 62 (25+37 in 80 gp) Recchi 56 (21+35 in 82 gp) Staal 46 (25+21 in 80 gp) Malone 46 (23+23in 80 gp) Armstrong 45 (15+30 in 80 gp) Christensen 44 (23+21 in 78 gp) Roberts 39 (18+21 in 70 gp) Talbot 28 (14+14 in 80 gp) Sydor 22 (4+18 in 772 gp) Letang 20 (4+16 in 73 gp) Ruutu 18 (8+10 in 80 gp) Laraque 17 (6+11 in 70 gp) Goaltenders Fleury 44-18-7, 5 SO, 2.5 GAA, .911 Sv % tied with 4 others for
Latest Buzz
Tigers – Pirates:At this moment talks are dead between the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates. According to a source, a deal could still get done by the August 31st deadline but the Tigers might be moving on. The Tigers have designated outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment and have called up Ramon Santiago, a glove-first shortstop, from Class AAA Toledo. The Pirates have been asking for Jair Jurrjens plus outfielder Brent Clevlen or Craig Monroe. Right Tackle: The starting right tackle job is Willie Colons to lose. I’ve been told, coach Tomlin will likely make an announcement next week that Colon is the teams starting right tackle. Kreider on the outs? Willie Parker, Najeh Davinport, Carey Davis and Gary Russell will
News and Notes
Lawrence Timmons returns: First round draft pick Lawrence Timmons finally returned to practice today. Timmons was very limited but this is a start. Davis making a strong impression: I’ve been told from a very good source who writes for the Post-Gazette, that Carey Davis has this team made. The Steelers wanted to see what Davis could do at fullback against the Packers and the coaches came away very impressed. With his versatility to play fullback and running back he will be on the 53 man roster. Running back Gary Russell is also making a strong bid to make the team but for him to unseat Veron Haynes, he will have to show he can be a situational third down back.
Quick Hits
From what I’ve been told the Penguins do not have interest in Bryan Berard. They are seeking to add another NHL ready defenseman under 1 million per season and specifically a right handed defenseman. Whom the Penguins are interested in:1. David Tanabe: Tanabe has turned down the Penguins 1 yr 750 k offer but Tanabe still remains a possibility according to sources. The two sides have exchanged proposals but Ray Shero has made it known to Tanabes‘ representatives the Penguins will not go higher than 750k per season.2. Brent Sopel: The Penguins have shown interest in Brent Sopel since last years trade deadline. The Penguins did offer Sopel a 1 yr deal worth 950k two weeks ago which Sopel declined.
Observations from the Steelers 13-9 loss to the Packers.
Quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger played only two series and wasn’t able to get into groove as the first team offense only produced one first down. Ben finished the night 2-2 for 14 yards. Charlie Batch was effective going to 3/5 for 93 yds and a touchdown. In the first two preseason games, Batch has surprisingly thrown a very good deep ball. There were some worries prior to camp about Batch fitting into the Arians offense. The Steelers are in a very good position if Roethlisberger goes down for a few games. Brian St. Pierre got the balk of the snaps and has looked better than he has in past training campsRunnings backs: If Najeh Davinport is the teams #2 back, the
Latest Penguins rumors: Updated 11:50
Updated: 11:50 – David Tanabe may be back into the picture according to an anonymous source. I have just learned that in the past two days Ray Shero has inquired about two defenseman from the Western Conference who are on trading block. The Penguins have shown an interest in St.Louis Blues defenseman Christian Backman but the Blues asking price is to high. I should have some info on some trade rumors in the morning. According to my sources the Penguins are still looking to add a NHL caliber defenseman. Danny Markov, Andy Sutton and David Tanabe have all turned down deals since the start of free agency. Tanabe rejected the Penguins 1 year 750k offer last Tuesday and Shero initiated
Penguins to play 8 games on Versus
1. Oct 23 vs New York Rangers2. Oct 30 vs Minnesota Wild3. Dec 11, vs Philadelphia Flyers4. Jan 14, vs New York Rangers5. Jan 21, vs Washington Capitals6. Feb 4th, vs New Jersey Devils7. Mar 24, vs New York Islanders8. Mar 31, vs New York Rangers