Players get day off to nurse injuries

11:45am - Thursday, February 4th, 2010 by DePaoli

Off-Day Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced late Wednesday night that the team would have the day off on Thursday and not practice. However, a few players skated this morning, including winger Chris Kunitz who is hopeful to play Saturday afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens.

Max Talbot will be held out of Saturday's game and likely longer as remains bothered by a nagging groin injury. Other players nursing injuries include Bill Guerin (nagging upper body injury) and Sergei Gonchar (foot), who according to a source is playing at about 60%. Gonchar and Brooks Orpik are two players who could really use the Olympic break to rest but that won't be the case as both players will play a key role for their respective Olympic teams.

*With strong indications that Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin will remain together for at least the short-term, center Mark Letestu will be recalled for Saturday's game I'm told.

However, the callup likely won't happen until after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, due to cap reasons.

*It is expected that a number of veterans will be hitting the waiver wire prior to the trade deadline.

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Comments

TDBennyC3

is the deadline chart still on track to come out today? just curious, saw it mentioned earlier in the week you were targeting thurs

02/04/2010 12:09pm

joepuck66

TD get a job lol

02/04/2010 12:14pm

mwalluk

I hope it is, hope it has a comment section too

02/04/2010 12:15pm

Cory7321

D, who would the Pens target as a non-rental winger? Just saw you had mentioned something in your twitter about it.

02/04/2010 12:20pm

djmr66

I know it is a longshot..but I have a sneaky suspicion that Shero is trying to land Kovachuk...reasons why I think its a possiblity...we do have attractive assets...we have a history of trading with Atlanta in a blockbuster deal...and most of all noone expects us to be "in" on him...which is kind of how Shero seems to operate....

02/04/2010 12:26pm

djmr66

Oh and my guess is that a defenseman would also be coming to us in the trade...

02/04/2010 12:27pm

j_s15226

Maybe we'll see the return of the Orpik-Whitney D pairing....

02/04/2010 12:28pm

catz27

Knowing Burke, there is no way Gogo was ever making Team USA.

02/04/2010 12:36pm

depaoli

I agree catz27, I don't know where that talk was coming from

02/04/2010 12:38pm

depaoli

@ Cory, any options being explored for a non-rental winger have been discussions focus on one of their puck moving defensemen. Nothing serious yet

02/04/2010 12:39pm

jeffed

GoGo would be a candidate on the Special Olympics team, that's about it.

02/04/2010 12:44pm

Peluso5192

GoGo/Feds/3rd to LA for JJ/Frolov or Dustin Brown...OK tear it up!

02/04/2010 12:44pm

Jeff2266

lol at D twitter "Martin Skoula survived another day from hitting the waiver wire" hes on the brink

02/04/2010 12:55pm

Jeff2266

lol ya peluso ull get it for that. Brown wont happen IMO, but i like the idea

02/04/2010 12:56pm

dsig41

I asked Madden about Kunitz yesterday on his show. And of course since he knows hockey he agreed that the Pens are stuck with Kunitz because no one would take his contract and the Pens have to hope he regains his scoring ability because even though he does a lot of little things right, he is not worth 3.75.

02/04/2010 12:58pm

with kunitz coming back and staal moving up to the 2nd line, maybe we dont need a winger and could use a 3rd line center? just a thought

02/04/2010 1:02pm

seabs926

I suggested that yesterday shoelace. It's a distinct possibility if they want the Staal-Malkin combo to be more a permanent thing.

02/04/2010 1:05pm

dsig41

It could work, but In the playoff, the Pens are much tougher to plan and play against with the three centers.

02/04/2010 1:05pm

seabs926

*more of a permanent thing

02/04/2010 1:05pm

seabs missed out on that yesterday but could be something to think about and dsig if we picked up a decent 3rd line center than we would still have 3 strong lines was the point

02/04/2010 1:08pm

wolfman

talbot could be a fine third line center, between cooke and kennedy.. if and when he gets healthy.

02/04/2010 1:09pm

dsig41

Very true.

02/04/2010 1:11pm

seabs926

We don't know that though wolfman. He's never shown that he can be a shutdown C. I like Talbot, but he's a wild card at this point. I'd be willing to bet that Shero wouldnt' be comfortable with expecting Talbot in that role given his injuries and importance of that position.

02/04/2010 1:11pm

i think staal deserves a chance on the top 2 lines it seems like everyone else has except him since they are weary of breaking up the 3rd line....could take his offense progress and also open things up for malkin

02/04/2010 1:13pm

dsig41

I think Talbot is more effective on the wing. I would rather pick up a W. Primeau type center to take Staal's place. Then Staal could go back to third line if needed and Primeau can run the fourth.

02/04/2010 1:14pm

dirtmccurt

I'm sorry but I don't want to see us putting Talbot or Wayne Primeau against guys like Ovechkin, especially now that we don't have scuds and gill. I'd be willing to bet anything Washington knocks us out if we go against them with two lines

02/04/2010 1:28pm

j_s15226

Goaltending wins playoff series'. Until Washington gets one, I like our chances with or without "3 lines"

02/04/2010 1:32pm

dirtmccurt

IDK I guess we'll see on Sunday. I'm sure that's as close to a playoff environment as we're going to get

02/04/2010 1:40pm

Monrovian12

Goaltending almost won the playoff series for the Caps last year...Thankfully the youngster fell apart towards the end of that series...I like the Pens chances against anyone, but in the playoffs, I like them better with Staal matching up against the number 1 line.

02/04/2010 1:43pm

Jeff2266

varlomov is so overrated he made one great save and was trash the rest of the series, last 5 games of the series he let up an average of over 5 goals.

02/04/2010 1:44pm

mattyv

who says that staal can't match up with the number one line with geno on the wing?

02/04/2010 1:46pm

psupens

DC going to get quite a bit of snow tomorrow into Saturday...I wonder how much it will affect the game

02/04/2010 1:46pm

psupens

I think what was meant was that if Staal is with Malkin and we are playing at Washington, the Caps have a better chance to use last change to get Ovechkin away from Crosby, Malkin, and Staal if the 3 are on two lines instead of spread out over 3 of them

02/04/2010 1:48pm

Jerkhart66

Any idea if all the Olympic games are gonna be on TV? I'd like to watch Canada and Russia too

02/04/2010 1:55pm

Jeff2266

Canada vs Russia wouldnt happen unitl the semi's i think if at all, then im sure they will be on TV for that one.

02/04/2010 2:03pm

dirtmccurt

You have the right idea psu, I was going more for the fact that you're neutralizing Malkin playing him with Staal, who will be needed to shut down OV's line

02/04/2010 2:05pm

Monrovian12

It's NBC, so anything is possible...they may show a 700 club telethon in place of the Olympics...or maybe some Jay Leno spots to remind you that he's back...

02/04/2010 2:06pm

j_s15226

@ Monrovian: Good goaltending keeps you in. Elite goaltending wins it for you. He choked in game 7. MAF kept making big save afeter big save. Thats the difference...

02/04/2010 2:07pm

rkrichter

Yeah, but you can't put a bad matchup out there and say, "Ok Fleury... bail us out."

02/04/2010 2:09pm

rkrichter

Let me rephrase... you can't do it for an entire series, and certainly not an entire playoff.

02/04/2010 2:10pm

j_s15226

No one said you would....my point is they don't have that goalie to keep you in the game until you can break through....

02/04/2010 2:12pm

Monrovian12

I don't diagree one bit j_s, I was just saying as a relative unknown who was hot at the time he almost pulled it off...It got to him, and MAF just kept doing what he does best, timely saves consistently, and near unbeatable when the Pens need him to be...Valarmov impressed me in the playoffs last year, seeing him this season, he's not anything fantastic...

02/04/2010 2:12pm

Monrovian12

ah...Varlamov*

02/04/2010 2:14pm

psupens

jerkhart- google search puck the media superschedule... the winter olympic hockey schedule has channels listed for all games...found this last month so not sure if any have changed since...canada vs russia cant be until after round robin because of different pools but USA and canada are in same pool

02/04/2010 2:23pm

Jerkhart66

Well yeah I ment I wanted to watch Both Russia and canada play their games as well..But thansk for the Info gents!!

02/04/2010 3:03pm

didnt tbs show games in '06?

02/04/2010 3:17pm

rkrichter

Off topic, but I didn't realize Dupuis didn't have a single point in the playoffs last year. Wow. Also, Waddell is saying Kovy turned down a 7 year $70 million offer and a 12 year $101 million offer and that contract talks have become impasse.

02/04/2010 3:34pm

mwalluk

D - ANy word on the trade deadline chart

02/04/2010 3:43pm

mwalluk

Wow Kovy really wants out

02/04/2010 3:44pm

tommybishop71

wouldnt you if you were him?

02/04/2010 4:38pm

Cory7321

The Fourth Period has their top 25 players for trade chart up. They have us being interested in Whitney, Poni, Kariya and Colby. Hahaha. Let the "Armstrong back to Pittsburgh" rumors begin!

02/04/2010 4:43pm

mwalluk

surprised malone wasn't on there

02/04/2010 4:48pm

dont even start with colby that dude is trash hes on pace for 26 pts....a lot of people were crying he was gonna mess up the chemistry and he was so great in the locker room but we won the cup last year and made it the year before think were doin pretty good without him

02/04/2010 4:59pm

lol

02/04/2010 5:05pm

dirtmccurt

I don't see the need to bash army. Obviously trading him didn't affect us but he didn't leave on bad terms and he did a lot for the city on and off the ice

02/04/2010 5:15pm

mwalluk

he did alot for talbot in those A&L motors commercials

02/04/2010 5:24pm

SV84

If Talbot is trading A&L is screwed!

02/04/2010 5:38pm

pens17404

Dirt...Just curious what army did off the ice that is worth noting....He is a bum ! i dont pay to watch what they do off the ice...If that was the case id want all white steelers and not future criminals.

02/04/2010 5:42pm

joepuck66

No A&L will just have to go back to the Gonch and Malkin show...

02/04/2010 5:49pm

dirtmccurt

The countless charities and hospitals he visited for one, he was always popping up at the student rush events too; the little things that people often overlook and that players like Kovalchuk don't even think twice about doing. I never said he was an all-star I'm saying he gave the team much more than he was making. There's no reason to have a personal vendetta against him

02/04/2010 6:34pm

SV84

Eh...not as funny.

02/04/2010 6:36pm

jaluco

Kovalchuk has apparently been traded, or will be traded very shortly.

02/04/2010 7:09pm

sirmarianhossa

Kovalchuk to the Devils and what a price they paid.

02/04/2010 7:20pm

jaluco

Where are you getting that?

02/04/2010 7:21pm

jaluco

I'll never understand why, instead of saying "and what a price they paid" you don't just list the price.

02/04/2010 7:23pm

Cory7321

Tim P says it's not the Flyers

02/04/2010 7:25pm

Cory7321

Kevil Allen says its Jersey. Details to follow.

02/04/2010 7:28pm

sirmarianhossa

Bergfors was included in any deal. 3-4 guys listed, just not sure on any other names.

02/04/2010 7:31pm

sirmarianhossa

Johnny Oduya traded in this deal as well.

02/04/2010 7:32pm

Coulson

Crap, now were gonna have to kill em

02/04/2010 7:35pm

Cory7321

Where is the list?

02/04/2010 7:37pm

Cory7321

When TSN confirms then I'll believe it.

02/04/2010 7:42pm

kegg66

espn reporting it

02/04/2010 7:45pm

Cory7321

Ok. I'm good now. Shit!!!!!

02/04/2010 7:47pm

Cory7321

friend that writes for the Flyers says it's Bergfors, Oduya, Cormier, and a 1st

02/04/2010 7:48pm

ChadK

I would like to see how Kovalchuk fairs under Jacques Lemaire.

02/04/2010 7:49pm

ChadK

Its on TSN BTW

02/04/2010 7:49pm

jamski3

I'm hearing Bergfors, Oduya, Mattias Tedenby, and 1st round pick... from fourthperiod

02/04/2010 7:52pm

jaluco

TSN confirmed it multiple times via twitter, since McKenzie has been reporting,

02/04/2010 7:54pm

Huthman

This is a disaster for the Pens. The one thing that Jersey can't do is score and now that has been addressed in about the most shocking way possible. I am not happy about this at all and I think it does force the Pens hand a little bit to try to improve their own lineup.

02/04/2010 7:56pm

sirmarianhossa

I can now confirm Bergfors, Oduya, a 1st round pick, and Mattias Tedenby are headed to the Thrashers for Kovalchuk.

02/04/2010 7:56pm

Cory7321

Time to wheel and deal Shero!!! haha.

02/04/2010 7:56pm

Cory7321

sirmarianhossa is obviously Kevin Allen.

02/04/2010 7:57pm

jaluco

Or he's just following on twitter.

02/04/2010 7:59pm

sirmarianhossa

Yeah I copied and pasted from kevin allens.....Maybe I am Marian Hossa after all me and Illya can be had for horrible deals....JK. Just took stuff from a bunch of sites.

02/04/2010 8:02pm

jaluco

have to love the irony of ilya being shipped to another city where nobody gets to see him play

02/04/2010 8:03pm

hockey30

Not Tedenby but Palmieri...

02/04/2010 8:07pm

jaluco

rds says Tedenby - as does McKenzie.

02/04/2010 8:09pm

Genomalkin

1st, oduya, bergfors, and either tedenby or palmieri

02/04/2010 8:09pm

jaluco

Allen reports Comier, and not Tedenby or Palmieri.

02/04/2010 8:11pm

hockey30

Gets even better...Atlanta Thrashers receive Oduya, Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a 1st-round pick for Kovalchuk

02/04/2010 8:12pm

Jerkhart66

Can he play in the devils system?....How do you think that will work out?

02/04/2010 8:12pm

jaluco

Cormier is not better than Tedenby.

02/04/2010 8:14pm

Cory7321

Pretty awesome with Zach P.

02/04/2010 8:14pm

jaluco

They'll be on separate lines, but yeah, nice 1-2 punch.

02/04/2010 8:15pm

Jerkhart66

i dunno...hes not Mr. Defense......we'll see....

02/04/2010 8:21pm

Jerkhart66

I hope he fails miserably...

02/04/2010 8:21pm

jaluco

Not sure he has to be in that system.

02/04/2010 8:21pm

psupens

He doesnt play defense to begin with so him and the trap...HA!

02/04/2010 8:23pm

jaluco

Again, with him not playing defense, or whatever (as he's a point per game guy, so like it matters), you have 4 other guys on the ice playing defense - it might work more than you think. Did okay for Gaborik, who isn't exactly a defensive stalwart.

02/04/2010 8:26pm

hockey30

Here's a question for you... could the Pens have done a similar deal for Kovi??

02/04/2010 8:32pm

mwiles19

With the other guys playing D around him, he can still take the risks he would otherwise. If they didn't have a team of un-selfish players who have bought into the defensive system, then no, it wouldn't work, but the guys on that roster have bought into the system. I think it will surprise some people and get ticket sales to go up in NJ.

02/04/2010 8:33pm

Jerkhart66

Your right, it shouldnt matter too much, but I could see games where he gets frustrated with the system..not that, that matter either hes a point producing machine.....Still..I hope he fails..

02/04/2010 8:35pm

Coulson

I have to admit its a bit nerveracking. NYD is second in the conference, while theyre 26th overall for total goals for. and now they got kovy.....screw em, we still gotta cup to defend!!

02/04/2010 8:41pm

mwiles19

I hope he fails too, trust me

02/04/2010 8:44pm

↑ previous comments ↑

dirtmccurt

I don't think he really changed anything. Everytime we played them we got like 4-1, they fact that they added another scorer isn't as scary as the fact that we haven't added anyone to help solve Brodeur

02/04/2010 8:48pm

Coulson

**thats NJD not NYD. the edit button hasn't been working quite right.......oh wait.

02/04/2010 8:57pm

Coulson

true enough dirt. it will be interesting to see what Shero does. I wish they put Stall and Geno together earlier. If the third line doesn't suffer and Stall stays up in the top six, I think that changes the type of player we would want to acquire at the deadline.

02/04/2010 9:00pm

djmr66

so much for my bold prediction...lol...Devils...who knew

02/04/2010 10:28pm

Crosby8771

We all saw how Gaborik faired under Lemaire. Lemaire made him hate Minnesota and want out because of the system. I feel more worried about the team that gets Kovy next year after Lemaire teaches him how to play defense lol

02/05/2010 7:43am