Penguins undisciplined, outworked in loss to Phoenix

Post-Phoenix Thoughts The Phoenix Coyotes played a 60 minute structured game and set the tone early. They frustrated the Penguins forwards and Pittsburgh had no answer to break the Coyotes trap in the neutral zone. *Pittsburgh was very undisciplined and finished the game with 10 penalties. Many of those penalties were hooking or interference calls due to players not moving their feet. A few others were slashing calls out of frustration. *Game puck goes to the Coyotes coaching staff. Dave Tippett has the Coyotes playing a type of system that gives the Coyotes their best chance to win. Their game tonight was to cause turnovers in the neutral zone and attack the Penguins offensively. Phoenix has good speed upfront. *Winger

The Ice Report

Weekly Installment on the latest buzz around the NHL Satan eyes a return Long Island *Miroslav Satan is pushing for a return to Long Island. He enjoys the area and his agent has approached the Islanders about a possible return. The Islanders have also held talks with Alex Tanguay and Petr Sykora but both players are out of their price range. *It has been reported that the Flyers are interested in Satan. Sources tell me they have no interest. NHL pushing for the Coyotes to make the playoffs *Despite the NHL still funding the Phoenix Coyotes, the Coyotes remain the active in free agent. It is believed the NHL is pushing for the Coyotes to make the playoffs which is

Sunday’s NHL roundup

Rangers a team to watch in the East? The Rangers got a big win Sunday afternoon, beating the Eastern Conferences top seed the Boston Bruins 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. While I’m still not sold on Nik Antropov, the Rangers are a much better team with the additions of Derek Morris, Sean Avery, Antropov then they were two weeks ago. Glen Sather hasn’t done many things right during his tenure as General Manager with the New York Rangers but bringing in John Tortorella as head coach was the right decision. Coaches like Tortorella do have an expiration date but the Rangers needed to move to an up-tempo style. Tortorella will get the most out of underachievers Scott Gomez and Chris

Trade Talks heating Up; New Info on Ryan Smyth

The Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks remain in discussions regarding defenseman Chris Pronger. Names being discussed right now are Mark Stuart, Patrice Bergeron, and top prospect Joe Colborne. A first round pick would also be involved. The Ducks are holding out for Phil Kessell but the Bruins are the favorites to land Pronger. Sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports the Sharks approached the Ducks about a package of Jonathan Cheechoo, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, prospect, 1st round pick for Pronger. Trading Pronger within the division is something Ducks GM Bob Murray likely has no interest in doing. Check out the NHL Rumor Chart for other suitors. Olli Jokinen will be moved at the trade deadline. The Canadiens, Devils, Blue Jackets, Wild, Flames

NHL: Jokinen being actively shopped

Darren Dreger of TSN.CA , reports Olli Jokinen and the Phoenix Coyotes have agreed that a trade is best for the Coyotes and Jokinen, but whether that trade happens on or before March 4, or at the Draft table in June has yet to be seen. Jokinen is a player the Penguins were

NHL Trade Deadline Chart

Photo courtesy of Kaatiya 1. C Vincent Lecavalier Suitors: MTL, ATL, LAK, CHI, EDM, OTT % of trade (5%) Reportedly 6 teams have inquired about Lecavalier 2. D Jay Bouwmeester Suitors: WAS, PHI, TOR, VAN, NJD, BOS, EDM, ANA,  OTT, CAL % of trade: (55%) Top D-Man on the market 3. D Chris Pronger, Suitors: FLA, VAN, TOR,  PHI, NJD, BOS, SJ, STL % of trade (70%) One year left on his contract. 4. Scott Niedermayer Suitors: PHI, NJD, VAN, BOS % of trade (45%) 5. D Tomas Kaberle Suitors: PHI, VAN, LAK, WAS, NJD, BOS, FLA % of trade (45%) 6. LW Martin St. Louis Suitors: PIT, MIN, NYR, VAN, EDM, SJ % of trade (10%): Asking price: Two top

Monday’s Rumor Mill; Tkachuk Bruins top target?

Boston media wants Tkachuk: The Boston Bruins have been linked to St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk for about a month now and Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe suggests the Bruins need a lefty to play the goal-line position on the power play. Of the players available at the March 4 trade deadline, St. Louis power forward Keith Tkachuk would be the most instant upgrade according to Shinzawa. It’s believed there has been a lot of pressure from the media to acquire Tkachuk. Tkachuk has submitted a list of 6 teams he would accept a trade too. Boston is on it. Pittsburgh I’m told is likely not on it because of where they are in the standings. According to

Around The NHL

Photo Courtesy of South Central The most glaring thing of the Penguins 3-2 shootout loss against the Islanders Monday afternoon is playing in front of their new coach for the first time they couldn’t come up with enough of a adrenaline rush to beat the worst team in the league. Personnel wise this team is flawed. There is no way around it. I am all about the Penguins moving to a more up-tempo system but all Dan Bylsma will be is a fresh face. Until the roster is upgraded where the Penguins can be effective playing a up-tempo system, were not going to see much improvement. Sidney Crosby is clearly frustrated and he is just doesn’t seem like himself lately.

Tuesday’s NHL Rumor Mill

It is being speculated that the Nashville Predators are among two teams that have talked to the Lightning about 2008 1st overall pick Steven Stamkos Blues forward Keith Tkachuk is the Bruins top target at the trade deadline. Expect to hear a lot of Brian Gionta rumors throughout the next month. The Devils are a dangerous team in the East and they remain in the market for a top four defenseman. Boston Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers and Washington are among five teams that are on Bill Guerin’s wish list. Guerin has a NTC and will take advantage of that. Flames not pursuing Gerber: The Calgary Flames are expected to pass on Ottawa Senators goaltender Martin Gerber who was placed