Latest Penguins Rumors: On Cooke, Niskanen & Scuderi

LATEST PENGUINS RUMORS As Dave Molinari of the Post-Gazette points out, Matt Cooke’s return to Pittsburgh is looking less likely. The word I’ve gotten from the Cooke camp all week has been that talks are stagnant and there’s been no movement towards a new deal. Early last week sources said Pittsburgh offered Cooke a 2 year, $2.5 million deal with an AAV of $1.25 million. It was declined and Cooke countered with two proposals I’m told, a three year deal and a two year deal with an AAV of close to $2 million. If Cooke wants to return, it’s going to be on the Penguins terms at the salary he made last season which was $1.25 million, not what his

Pittsburgh Penguins All-Decade Team

The Pittsburgh Penguins franchise had many ups and downs during the decade. The decade began with a bang as hall of famer/owner Mario Lemieux made a stunning comeback in December 2000 after being retired for 3.5 years. The team would earn its 12th straight playoff appearance in 2001 but financial reasons would lead to cost cutting moves such as trading star winger Jaromir Jagr and the cost cutting moves would continue years after. From 2002-2005, the franchise had no choice but to go into full throttle rebuilding mode and the Penguins endured four straight losing seasons that included rumors of relocation but the latter part of the decade would turn glorious (2009 Stanley Cup Champions, New Arena agreement) due to

Penguins open the season tonight against the Rangers

Regular Season Game 1: New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins The celebration for the defending Stanley Cup Champions ends tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Rangers in what will be a special night. The Penguins will raise their Stanley Cup banner into the rafters during tonight’s pre-game ceremonies to celebrate their amazing 2008-2009 journey. Tonight will also mark the final regular season opener at Mellon Arena. The Penguins will move into the Consol Energy Center next season. Mellon Arena which opened in 1961 has been the home of the Penguins since the organization entered the NHL in 1967. For the players, the celebration has already ended and it’s back to business as soon as the puck drops.

Orpik in position to earn a roster spot for Team USA

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik is among 12 defensemen participating in Team USA’s Orientation Camp and he has himself in position to earn a roster spot with Team USA for the 2010 Olympics. Orpik is a Brian Burke type of player and two attributes that enhance his chances of making the team; ability to play alongside skilled defensemen and his exceptional skating ability. For the majority of reps in practice Orpik has been paired with

Kings GM wanted to avoid a Brooks Orpik situation all over again

LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi spoke to the media today and indicated he wanted to avoid a Brooks Orpik situation from last off-season, where the Penguins were able to come close to the Kings offer. This time Lombardi claimed “we had to blow Pittsburgh out of the water.” Kings GM Dean Lombardi on avoiding a Brooks Orpik situation

Scuderi to make decision on Thursday

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi will wait until Thursday to make a decision on where he will sign. Scuderi has received over 5 offers and his agent Stephen Barlett continues to keep in touch with the Penguins. He has narrowed his list down to three teams and we’re told his camp is waiting for Francois Beauchemen to sign. Scuderi has received offers from

Penguins Free Agency Frenzy *Live Updates*

July 1, 2009 11:31 p.m. Hurricanes linked to Fedotenko? The Carolina Hurricanes have closed the door on a return for Chad Larose as Larose turned down a three year offer and the money saved by Larose looking elsewhere, has led to the Hurricanes making Fedotenko a three year offer. 10:50 p.m. Calgary/PIT trade talks Update on the trade talks we mentioned around 12:30 p.m. — Penguins have tried to land winger David Moss. Calgary has been pushing Curtis Glencross. Nothing on that front right now but the Flames are interested in Godard and Dupuis. 10:35 p.m. Penguins make offer to Vet-netminder Penguins have made a 1 year contract offer to a veteran goaltender. It is 2-way deal worth $685k at

NHL Free Agency: Latest Rumblings

Follow TIOPS on Twitter *The New Jersey Devils have signed Johnny Oduya to a three year deal worth $3.5 million per season. *The Toronto Maple Leafs have heavy interest in Ian Laperrière, Travis Moen and Chris Neil. Leafs GM Brian Burke will look to sign two of the three. At the top of Burke’s wishlist is Travis Moen. It is going to be difficult to lure Moen from the West Coast as he likes living there. The Sharks, Kings, Ducks and Wild also have interest. Neil will draw strong interest from the Panthers, Red Wings who nearly acquired him at the deadline and the Canadiens have Laperriere on their radar. * The Hawks, Rangers, and Oilers are expressing the most