Pittsburgh Penguins All-Decade Team

The Pittsburgh Penguins franchise had many ups and downs during the decade. The decade began with a bang as hall of famer/owner Mario Lemieux made a stunning comeback in December 2000 after being retired for 3.5 years. The team would earn its 12th straight playoff appearance in 2001 but financial reasons would lead to cost cutting moves such as trading star winger Jaromir Jagr and the cost cutting moves would continue years after. From 2002-2005, the franchise had no choice but to go into full throttle rebuilding mode and the Penguins endured four straight losing seasons that included rumors of relocation but the latter part of the decade would turn glorious (2009 Stanley Cup Champions, New Arena agreement) due to

PIT @ Atlanta; Fleury to start in net

Pittsburgh (14-8-0) @ Atlanta (10-6-2) Pittsburgh in the midst of a four game road losing streak will stick with starter Marc Andre Fleury tonight. After Friday’s practice in Atlanta, Dan Bylsma was unsure as to who would start in net against the Thrashers. Fleury is 3-7 in his last 10 games and will look to bounce back from a subpar game Thursday night when he gave up 5 goals on 24 shots. The Atlanta Thrashers have not been the same old Thrashers this season. They are off to a 10-6-2 start and have the NHL’s 3rd ranked power play along with the 5th ranked penalty kill. Sidney Crosby will be re-united with Bill Guerin as Malkin and Crosby will be

Kennedy skates for first time since November 5th; Letang to return against MTL?

Winger Tyler Kennedy skated on Thursday for the first time since Pittsburgh’s morning skate in Los Angeles on November 5th, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports. Kennedy has missed 10 of 11 games. Kennedy did not travel with the team on their three game road trip and skated at Mellon Arena for about 30 minutes. He is expected to skate again today. Kennedy has what is being described as a groin/hip related injury. He saw a specialist

Orpik injured in loss; will be re-evaluated Wednesday morning

The injuries keep piling on for the Pittsburgh Penguins. About seven minutes into the first period against the Boston Bruins Tuesday night, defenseman Brooks Orpik took a hard hit from Bruins defenseman Marc Stuart and did not return. The Penguins spent most of the game playing with 5 defenseman as the Penguins lost their third straight game, losing to the Bruins 3-0. Orpik is believed to have suffered a upper body injury and Orpik will be re-evaluated by team doctors Wednesday morning in Pittsburgh. Sources tell me, the team is expected to re-call defenseman Ben Lovejoy from Wilkes Barre/Scranton, if Orpik is ruled out for Thursday’s game.The Penguins host the New Jersey Devils at home Thursday night. The Penguins went

Wednesday’s Ice Report: Frolov linked to Hurricanes

Inside the NHL *Despite growing friction with management, the Los Angeles Kings won’t just give away Alexander Frolov but he’s a problem they would like to get rid of. If Frolov is going to be dealt in the next couple weeks, it’s going to be to the Carolina Hurricanes, sources tell me. Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Jim Rutherford are close friends and have dealt with each other on a number of occasions over the past couple seasons. Carolina has been very active in trade talks and have targeted Frolov. Rutherford has been given the “OK” to add more salary if needed and ownership is not ready to give up on the season. But, if this deal doesn’t go down

Orpik in position to earn a roster spot for Team USA

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik is among 12 defensemen participating in Team USA’s Orientation Camp and he has himself in position to earn a roster spot with Team USA for the 2010 Olympics. Orpik is a Brian Burke type of player and two attributes that enhance his chances of making the team; ability to play alongside skilled defensemen and his exceptional skating ability. For the majority of reps in practice Orpik has been paired with

Kings GM wanted to avoid a Brooks Orpik situation all over again

LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi spoke to the media today and indicated he wanted to avoid a Brooks Orpik situation from last off-season, where the Penguins were able to come close to the Kings offer. This time Lombardi claimed “we had to blow Pittsburgh out of the water.” Kings GM Dean Lombardi on avoiding a Brooks Orpik situation