Rumors: Thomas Vanek expected to be traded by the deadline
Thomas Vanek, as expected, will not resign with the New York Islanders prior to the March 5th trade deadline. Arthur Staple of Newsday reports Vanek has turned down a “substantial offer” from the Islanders and the Isles are now likely to move Vanek. The move to acquire Vanek has backfired on GM Garth Snow who took a gamble that the lure of playing with John Tavares would get Vanek to accept a big offer from the Islanders. However, it’s been no secret that Vanek has had his sights set on testing free agency from the get-go with many believing he will be willing to give the Minnesota Wild a hometown discount this summer. The Islanders have fallen 10 points out
Marc Andre Fleury garnering trade interest from two teams
Penguins getting calls on Fleury
Latest Scouting Buzz: Penguins continue to have a heavy presence at Wild games in last two weeks
LATEST PENGUINS SCOUTING BUZZ Consol Energy Center has been a popular scouting place for general managers this week during the Penguins three game homestand that wraps up tonight. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was in town Wednesday night for Flyers-Penguins and the Bruins are in the market for depth forwards, while Blues GM Doug Armstrong was in Pittsburgh Friday night taking in the Penguins – Panthers game. Meanwhile, Penguins top pro scout Don Waddell is wrapping up a long scouting trip this week that had him seeing a majority of Western Conference teams and the Penguins continue to have a heavy presence at Minnesota Wild games in the past two weeks. Waddell was in Edmonton Thursday night scouting the Oilers –
Penguins interested in Matt Cullen?
LATEST PENGUIN RUMORS When GM Ray Shero was scouting the Minnesota Wild last Thursday night, many point to potential interest in Pierre-Marc Bouchard or Devin Setoguchi, but does Shero also have his eye on third line help?
NHL: Penguins to buy-low on Bouchard?
LATEST PENGUINS RUMORS Ray Shero’s scouting trip to Minnesota wasn’t just centered around Devin Setoguchi.
NHL Notes: Kunitz named second star of the week; Rangers deal Rupp to Minnesota
NHL NEWS & NOTES Kunitz named NHL second star of the week: For the week ending February 3rd, Penguins left winger Chris Kunitz was named the NHL’s second star, the league announced today. Thomas Vanek took home the No. 1 star and Roberto Luongo was named No. 3 star of the week. Kunitz tallied eight points (five goals, three assists) in four games, including a pair of game-winning goals, as the Penguins (6-3-0) won three of four games to take the Atlantic Division lead. Kunitz recorded one assist in a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders Jan. 29, tallied one goal, two assists and a +4 rating in a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils Feb. 2 and
Setoguchi, Leopold on trade block
NHL RUMOR MONDAY Trade talks are starting to very slowly pick up among GM’s with around 20% of the season already gone and two established players Devin Setoguchi, Minnesota Wild, and Jordan Leopold, Buffalo Sabres, are among the notable players being shopped around the league for other needs, NHL sources say.
Wednesday’s Ice Report for Nov. 9th
 Wednesday’s Ice Report Red-hot Stars set for Showdown with Pens: The Dallas Stars (11-3-0, 24 pts) defeated the Washington Capitals (9-4-0, 18pts) 5-2 on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to four games and now boast the best record in the NHL. It was a matchup of the No. 2 and No. 3 goal scoring teams and the Stars pulled away in the third period, scoring three unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 win. Dealing with bankruptcy and losing star center Brad Richard to free agency this past off-season, the Stars have been the story of the NHL season. Dallas measured up quite well against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night and Friday night they get another matchup with
Minnesota Wild claim Pens forward Nick Johnson
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost forward Nick Johnson to waivers. To no surprise, it was Chuck Fletcher and Mike Yeo of the Minnesota Wild who claimed Johnson. The 26-year old resigned with the Penguins last June, despite having the opportunity to being an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Johnson had a strong camp in 2011 with Pittsburgh but there was never any feeling that the former 3rd round pick was going to be given an opportunity to win one of the final forward spots. He was among seven players the Penguins demoted on Wednesday. Johnson scored a career-high 20 goals in 2010-2011 with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, despite playing in just 48 games.
Mike Yeo to be named head coach of the Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild will introduce Mike Yeo as the team’s new head coach tomorrow afternoon. Yeo will be the 3rd head coach in franchise history and will replace the recently fired Todd Richards. It was first reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune. Yeo who was a former assistant with the Penguins under Michel Therrien and Dan Bylsma, guided the Houston Aero’s to the Calder Cup and is widely regarded as one of the top up and coming coaches in the game. Yeo beat out two prominent coaches in former Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish and his former mentor Michel Therrien who had strong interest in the job and is a scout for the Wild. Therrien interviewed for the job