columbus blue jackets - Inside Pittsburgh Sports

NHL RUMORS MONDAY: Latest Buzz around the league

With the Trade Deadline two weeks away, here’s the latest buzz around the league for Monday, February 14th– Forsberg calls it quits: Petr Forsberg’s comeback has lasted just two games. The Brett Favre of hockey will announce his retirement today. Bruins see opportunity in East: With the Pittsburgh Penguins depleted by injuries and likely to take a step back this season, even if Sidney Crosby returns, Contenders in the East are said to be seeing a prime opportunity in front of themselves. The Boston Bruins are believed to be one of those teams. The Bruins are actively seeking a puck moving defenseman with Tomas Kaberle at the top of their radar and they could also explore making a splash. The

Sponsor Post: Pittsburgh vs Columbus Pre & Post-Game party in Columbus at Moziak

Pre & Post-Game party at Moziak For Penguins fans making the trip down to Columbus for Saturday’s game, there is a Penguins pre and post-game party at Moziak lounge which is operated and owned by Pittsburgher’s. Moziak is located right by Nationwide arena and among the specials prior to the game include $2 Labatt Blue Bottles and $.25 cent wings Moziak is the sister company of Diesel Club Lounge in the South Side. Diesel is a sponsor of Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com.

2010 NHL Draft: Top 30 Prospects

The Latest NHL Free Agency Buzz

Free Agency Buzz *The Atlanta Thrashers will be shopping for wingers this off-season. Contract talks with winger Maxim Afinogenov have gone nowhere and Colby Armstrong has already made his intentions known that he intends to test free agency. Afinogenov, 30, is coming off a breakout season scoring 24 goals and 61 points. Afinogenov is looking for a significant raise over his $800,000 salary from 2009-2010 but a stumbling block in talks with the Thrashers has been the term of the contract. Afinogenov is seeking a mult-year deal and Thrashers management doesn’t appear ready to commit beyond two years. Look for Alexei Ponikarovsky to be a target of the Thrashers. *Hurricanes winger Ray Whitney and Sabres winger Raffi Torres will test

Sunday’s NHL Rumor Mill

Trade freeze ends at 11:59 p.m. *Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch reports, “Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and the agent for unrestricted free agent Raffi Torres spoke during the Olympic break and were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, the Dispatch has learned. Torres almost certainly will be dealt by Wednesday’s trade deadline.” League sources tell TIOPS, tha Torres is drawing significant interest from several teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, Reed also reports that “unrestricted free agent defenseman Milan Jurcina is attracting as much interest as Torres.” The Blue Jackets are believed to be seeking a 3rd round pick for Jurcina. *The Boston Globe reports, “the Bruins have

Latest Buzz: Selanne won’t be shopped at the trade deadline

Trade Deadline Buzz *Capitals GM George McPhee was criticized last year at the trade deadline for not doing enough. There is word that the Washington Capitals won’t stand pat this year and are looking to add some grit upfront along with a physical defenseman. The Capitals top targets up front include Raffi Torres of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Steve Ott of the Dallas Stars. The Capitals have also been involved in talks with the New York Islanders about Andy Sutton. *Sources tell me Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell is showing little interest in trading Colby Armstrong in division to the Tampa Bay Lightning who are actively trying to put together a deal that would net the Lightning Colby Armstrong

TIOPS Newswire: NHL, NFL & MLB news and notes

Daily installment on the latest buzz in the NHL, NFL, MLB and the college ranks National Football League ***The New York Jets magical run in the 2010 playoffs continued Sunday afternoon as the Jets stunned the 7 point favorite San Diego Chargers. The Jets knocked off the Chargers 17-14 to advance to the AFC title game for a rematch with the Indianapolis Colts who laid down in week 16, resting starters against the Jets. For the Chargers, it was an another disappointing playoff run. Among the most talented teams in the NFL, there has always been something missing. Despite Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez throwing for a measly 100 yards, the Jets played dominate defense and exposed the Chargers run defense.

Penguins improve to 6-0 on the road; beat Blue Jackets 4-3 in SO

Pittsburgh 4 – Columbus 3 Through 13 games, the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to find ways to win in any fashion. Tonight it was erasing a two-goal deficit with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Down 3-1 late in the third period, Ruslan Fedotenko and Alex Goligoski scored in a 39-second span to tie the game at 3-3 and force over-time. After a scoreless shootout, backup goaltender Brent Johnson went 3-for-3 in the shootout and Sidney Crosby scored the only goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 Friday night at the Nationwide Arena. Pittsburgh improved to 11-2 on the season and 6-0 on the road. Crosby led the way for the Penguins with two assists and

Penguins open up the pre-season tonight against Columbus

The Pittsburgh Penguins open up the pre-season tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tonight’s lineup will be a mix of regulars, prospects and veterans vying for roster spots. Preseason Game 1 Lineup Forwards Kunitz-Crosby-Tangradi Fedotenko-Staal-Dupuis Bayda-Jeffrey-Connor Sill-Vitale-Godard Defensemen Despres-Gonchar McKee-Bortuzzo Eaton-Engelland Goaltenders Starter: Fleury Thiessen * Key prospects to watch this evening will be forwards Eric Tangradi, Dustin Jeffrey, Joe Vitale and defensemen Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo. Tangradi who has gone through some learning curves thus far in camp, will play right wing on Sidney Crosby’s line to begin the game. Despres will be paired with Sergei Gonchar, working as the Penguins #1 pairing. Despres has performed very well in camp. Key veterans to watch will be Ryan Bayda

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Veterans preparing for training camp Many veterans on the team have arrived in Pittsburgh as the Stanley Cup Champions report to training camp on Sept. 12. Forwards Sidney Crosby, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin and defenseman Jay McKee have been skating for the past week at the Iceoplex complex in preparation for training camp. Goaltender Brent Johnson has also joined them after he drew some criticism for practicing with members of the Washington Capitals last month at the Capitals practice facility. Pittsburgh native Christian Hanson of the Toronto Maple Leafs also skated last week with Crosby and co. Hanson is currently participating in the 2009 rookie tournament. Reese accepts training camp invite to Columbus Defenseman Dylan Reese of Upper