Pens Notes: Shero on Vokoun, Fleury, Thiessen, Staal, & Crosby

Penguins GM Ray Shero hit the airwaves today and was on 937 the fan this afternoon in the 2:00 p.m. hour. Here are some comments from Shero on a number of subjects: Shero on Vokoun Shero indicated the team’s pursuit of Tomas Vokoun started when he was talking to agent Allan Walsh about how to “get Marc Andre Fleury better next season. The discussion then led to Vokoun who Walsh also represents. “{I asked Allan Walsh} “What’s Tomas going to do and any interest in Penguins and I talked to George McPhee and got permission to talk to Tomas and it came about pretty quickly, ” Shero said, who indicated there’s “not a lot of available goaltenders on July 1”

Pens will give Cooke an opportunity to change

Penguins winger Matt Cooke has not played his last game in a Penguin uniform. Cooke’s future with the Penguins has been a hot topic by fans and the media after Cooke was suspended for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. With the Penguins showing full support in the NHL’s decision and being strong supporters on a ban for headshots, speculation is rampant that the Penguins will decide to part ways with Cooke this summer. Cooke who received a three year – $5.4 million deal from the Penguins last summer, has two years remaining on his deal that includes a modified no trade clause.

Salary cap to increase by $2 million?; Penguins won’t negotiate with Gonchar after trade deadline

Latest Buzz from BOG Meetings Salary Cap could increase by $1.5-$2 million NHL commissioner Gary Bettman met with general managers and owners on Tuesday at the Board of Governors meetings and projections for next years salary cap has the cap in the $56.8 – $58.5 million range . The league does not expect a decrease and early projections show the possibility of even a $1.5-$2 million increase at the max. The projections now set the stage for general managers to begin preparations for next season. The Canadian franchises are the markets that carry the salary cap. They make up for teams like Phoenix, Florida and Atlanta which don’t bring in adequate revenues. It’s astounding that the league is against relocating

NHL: Phoenix – Pittsburgh Trade Winds

A league source tells me Phoenix Coyotes pro scout Peter MacKinnon is scheduled to scout the Penguins again this week, sparking speculation that the Coyotes are looking at a defenseman or two in the Penguins system. The Coyotes are believed to have inquired defenseman Ben Lovejoy. Pittsburgh in turn has asked about the availability of winger

Media buzz centers around Marian Hossa on eve of Cup Finals

Shero/Crosby: “We’ve Moved On” Detroit — Both teams met the media Friday afternoon on the eve of the Stanley Cup finals and the media buzz centered around Red Wings star forward Marian Hossa who will face his old team in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sidney Crosby on Marian Hossa signing with the Red Wings

Shero’s close working relationship with Allan Walsh could pay dividends in free agency

When Miroslav Satan was demoted to Wilkes Barre on March 4th, it was widely believed that Satan’s days with the Penguins were over. Just over two months later, Satan is playing a part in the Penguins success in the playoffs. Thanks to the work of his agent Allan Walsh who played an instrumental role in the whole situation, Satan accepted the Penguins demotion to Wilkes Barre. Walsh and Satan took Ray Shero’s “word” that Satan would be called up for playoffs and the Penguins indicated to Satan’s camp that Satan would be giving an opportunity to get back into the lineup during the playoffs. Walsh and Shero have a close working relationship as Walsh represents Marc Andre Fleury, Petr Sykora,

Shero looks for three values; work ethic, accountability & passion

Shero, Bylsma speak to the media Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero spoke to the media following the Penguins off-ice activities this morning. Shero talked about how following the coaching change, he wanted to bring in a coach that would grow with this team and believes Dan is a good fit for the team. Shero praised Bylsma calling him a “bright guy” and claiming he has great values. Shero discussed that he looks for his hockey team to have

Morning Practice Notes: Satan skating with second line

The Penguins just wrapped up their morning practice at Mellon Arena which began around 10:30 a.m. Very interesting line changes in today’s practice Miroslav Satan skated with Evgeni Malkin and Petr Sykora on the second line, alternating with Ruslan Fedotenko. Satan, Fedotenko and Sykora alternated on Malkin’s wing throughout the practice. Yesterday, Satan was on the annual 5th playoff line and even took a shift or two on D as a fill in. As I mentioned on Friday, Bylsma wants to give him a look in a top 6 role. Bylsma just experimenting? The rest of the lines were