Penguins sign defenseman Niclas Andersen

The Pittsburgh Penguins today signed defensive minded defenseman Niclas Andersen to a one-year entry-level contract worth $625,000 at the NHL level. The deal is a two-way deal. The 27 year old Andersen was the LA Kings 4th round pick in the 2006 draft but never signed with the Kings as he has spent his entire career in Europe. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound blueliner established offensive career highs this year with Brynas, scoring five goals and adding 17 assists for 22 points in 54 games. His previous career high in points was 8. Scouts Take on Andersen: “Limited NHL upside, struggles to read and react quick enough against higher end talent but should be able to handle himself [for a game or

Tom Kostopoulos signs AHL contract with Wilkes Barre

Veteran forward Tom Kostopoulos has resigned with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, the team announced this afternoon. Kostopoulos signed an AHL contract. Kostopoulos, 36, enters his 17th professional season, ninth year in the Penguins organization. In 72 games this season, Kostopoulos had 16 goals and 44 points. In 630 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Montreal, Carolina, Calgary and New Jersey, Kostopoulos has totaled 61 goals, 96 assists, 157 points and 723 penalty minutes. He has compiled 415 points (163G-252A) over 542 AHL contests between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Manchester.

Sidney Crosby to participate in World Championships

Team Canada got some good news this morning. Sidney Crosby Has accepted an invitation to play for Canada at the World Championships. Due to injuries Crosby has not participated in the World Championships in past seasons, despite constant early Penguin exits. Crosby last participated in World Championships in 2006 when he had 8 goals, 16 points in nine games at age 18. 2014-2015 Stats: 77 GP – 28 Goals – 56 Assists – 84 Points – +5

Kasperi Kapanen off to hot start in AHL playoffs

A big selling point for Penguins management when it comes to selling a narrative this summer will be Kasperi Kapanen being an impact top-6 player for the Penguins next season? Whether he’s ready remains to be seen but Kapanen is off to an excellent start in the AHL playoffs. After a two goal performance in WBS Game 1 one win, Kapanen scored again tonight, giving him three goals in two playoff games.. 2014-2015 Regular Stats (WBS Penguins) 4 GP – 1 Goal – 1 Assists – 2 Points – -1 – 9 SOG 2015 Playoff Stats (WBS Penguins) 2 GP – 3 Goal – 0 Assists – 3 Points – +2 – 7 SOG 2014-2015 Stats (KALPA) 41 GP –

Matthew Murray’s 27-save shutout gives WBS Penguins a 2-0 series lead

No situation has been too big for Matthew Murray and the rookie goaltender is off to a 2-0 start in the AHL playoffs. Murray posted a 27-save shutout tonight vs Syracuse in a 4-0 Baby Penguins win. Wilkes Barre takes a commanding 2-0 series lead with the series shifting to Syracuse Wednesday night. Murray has stopped 49 of 50 shots through two playoff games. Including the regular season, Murray has 13 shutouts in 42 games this season. 2014-2015 Regular Stats (WBS Penguins): 25-10-1, 1.58 GAA, .968 Save Percentage, 12 SO 2015 Playoff Stats (WBS Penguins): 2-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .980 SV%, 1 SO

Evgeni Malkin (5 SOG in series) has just 4 shot attempts over last two games

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin in the midst of a major slump with no goals in his last 14 games, has been completely neutralized in the Penguins first round series with the Rangers. Malkin is pointless through the first four games of the series and was held to 1 shot on goal (2 attempts) in the Penguins Game 4 loss. Malkin has just 4 shot attempts over his last two games. His shot attempts and shot totals in the series are staggering in a bad way. Malkin has been held to just 5 shots on goal and 13 shot attempts through four games.

Penguins not counting on Christian Ehrhoff this post-season

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff Is not progressing from his latest concussion and the team is reaching the point where they have no expectations he’ll be an option to play this post-season at any point. Ehrhoff has suffered concussion like symptoms on three occurrences since late January. He has been shelved from practicing with the team for now. 2014-2015 Stats: 49 GP – 3 Goals – 11 Assists – 14 Points – +8

Max Lapierre 16-26 (62%) on defensive zone draws through two playoff games

Max Lapierre has been one of the Penguins biggest surprises through two playoff games. He’s played with a pest demeanor, something that was missing from him during the regular season and he’s been relieved on heavily in the face-off circle in the defensive zone. In game 1, Lapierre was 8-11 on d-zone draws, in Game 2, he was still above 50% in going 8-15. Lapierre struggled head-to-head against Derrick Brassard winning just two of eight d-zone draws vs Brassard. Overall through two games, Lapierre is 16-26 (62%) on d-zone draws. One thing Lapierre is very good at is cheating on draws. It took until the third period for the refs to finally start kicking him out of the circle. As

Derrick Pouliot out vs Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back to playing with five defensemen for the their final two regular season games. Derrick Pouliot who is believed to be dealing with a shoulder strain, has been ruled out for tonight’s game. “Derrick won’t play tonight,” Mike Johnston said. “We’ll go with five defenseman tonight”. Pouliot has 2 assists and a minus-10 rating in his last nine games. 2014-2015 Stats: 34 GP – 2 Goals – 5 Assists – 7 Points – -11

Steve Downie expected back in lineup vs Islanders

Steve Downie who has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury, or that’s what the Penguins want you to think, is expected to be back in the lineup Friday night vs the New York Islanders. Downie is practicing on the third line today with Beau Bennett and Brandon Sutter. He is also working on the second power play unit. 2014-2015 Stats: 70 GP – 14 Goals – 14 Assists – 28 Points – +2