Fedotenko sidelined for another week; Jagr to the Oilers?
A few Practice notes from today — Ruslan Fedotenko has suffered a minor set back and will be sidelined for another 7-10 days. The initial diagnosis was 4-6 weeks but it was believed last week that he was going to return this week against the Sharks or against the Leafs on Saturday. Luca Caputi practiced today and will be in the lineup tomorrow. Will have more info on today’s practice in a bit. Earlier in the day it was Reported the Edmonton Oilers have made a strong push to lure Jaromir Jagr to Edmonton this season. There‚Äôs talk that the two sides were discussing a two year deal worth $14 million but David Staples of the Edmonton Journal now reports
NHL: Gonchar to see doctor on Wednesday
Sergei Gonchar who I reported two weeks ago was three weeks ahead of schedule from his early March target date, will see doctor Charles Burke on Wednesday and is expected to receive clearance to return to the lineup. Gonchar will not be in the lineup on Wednesday but is less than 10 days away from returning, sources have confirmed to Inside Pittsburgh Sports. I’m still sticking to my February 19th prediction from a few weeks ago but I would not be surprised if Gonchar returned before the 19th.
Inside the Numbers: Power Play
Since the Penguins 6 game winning streak in the month of November ended at the hands of the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 (2-1 SO loss), the Penguins are 15-20-3 after begining the season 11-4-2. It can be argued that inconsistent goaltending, lack of toughness, wrong personnel are all legitimate reasons for the Penguins struggles this season. One major area of concern has been the Penguins power play (16.7%) and the Penguins struggling power play comes in as one of the main reasons the Penguins are out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference right now In the Penguins 20 regulation losses since they began the season 11-4-2, the Penguins power play is a woeful 8-88. Inside
Who Wants Whitney? Exploring the market for Ryan Whitney
With a reluctance to actively listen to offers for Jordan Staal, Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney is believed to be the Penguins biggest asset in their attempt to acquire a top line winger. With Four years Р$16 million remaining on his contract, and only 1 goal in 22 games to go along with a -12 plus/minus rating, Whitney’s value has never been lower.
Sunday Morning Report
Hossa expects loud boos from Penguins fans: Red Wings forward Marian Hossa who turned down a 7 year – $52 million from the Penguins this past summer¬†expects fans at Mellon Arena to be very loud when he touches the puck Sunday afternoon. Hossa speaking to the Toronto Sun had this to say on Saturday; “It will be loud,” Hossa acknowledged yesterday. “And when I touch the puck, it will be louder. That’s what I’m expecting. I try not to think about it — just focus on my game and do my stuff. “I had a great time in Pittsburgh. There are great fans in Pittsburgh, a sellout every night.” Saturday Roundup: Wings defeat Oilers 8-3 Head to Head Comparison Detroit
Around the NHL
Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with (24 goals – 56 assists – 80 points) and is a +19. Despite leading the NHL in the points, Malkin is not even in the top 3 when it comes to the M.V.P. discussion. For him to get into the top three by the end of the season, he will have to get the Penguins into playoffs and there’s been talk he will have to get into the 40 goal plateau. A lot of experts who have votes look at goals, Ovechkin and Parise are going to easily top 40. Is it right to overlook the assists Malkin is putting up? No it’s not but he’s going to need at least 40-43 goals to
Penguins re-assign Alex Goligoski
In a move that has been expected to happen for the past couple weeks, today the Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Alex Goligoski to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League In 44 games this season, Goligoski leads all Penguins defensemen in points, registering 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) along with a plus-five rating. Goligoski, 23, has been a frequent scratch since Ryan Whitney returned to the lineup at the end of December.
Penguins/Blue Jackets Lineup News
The Penguins will go with basically the same lineup tonight that played against the Lightning on Wednesday. Chris Minard will be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. Alex Goligoski and Philippe Boucher will be the Penguins scratches on the blue line. Only way Goligoski gets in the lineup tonight is if Therrien decides to use him at wing on the fourth line and sit Eric Godard, which Therrien is believed to be considering. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be on seperate lines tonight. From what I’ve been told Luca Caputi will likely see his ice time increase tonight and will move around a bit from the third line to one of the top two lines in certain
Fedotenko inching closer to return; Dubielewicz to start against Penguins
Forward Ruslan Fedotenko skated on Thursday and is inching closer to a return. Fedotenko has been ruled out for Friday’s game but could return on Sunday at the earliest. At the latest, Fedotenko is expected back by February 11th when the Penguins face-off against the the Sharks. Luca Caputi practiced today and it appears he will be in the lineup tomorrow against the Blue Jackets. Caputi saw limited ice time yesterday because the Penguins were playing back to back games and they don’t want to wear him out. He should see increased ice time against Columbus Only about a dozen players skated today. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are expected to be separated for tomorrow’s game. Both players did not
Hossa Returns to Pittsburgh on Sunday
Star forward Marian Hossa who was a vital part of the Penguins Stanley Cup Finals run last season returns to Pittsburgh for the first time Sunday afternoon since turning down the Penguins 7 year – $52 million offer and signing with Detroit Red Wings on day 2 of NHL free agency. Things are working out quite nicely for Hossa who leads the Red Wings with 28 goals and is second on the team with 52 points. Penguins General Manager Ray Shero gets a lot of blame for putting all of his eggs in one basket and losing out on Marian Hossa. As I harped on it continuously leading up to free agency, Detroit and Boston were Hossa top two choices