Potential Camp Invites: O’Sullivan’s drive to play in the NHL coming into question

When the calendar hits September and training camps inch closer to opening up, agents of players who are struggling to find work all of a sudden become open to accepting camp invites. The 2010 free agency period has been a unique year and plenty of established veterans are prime candidates for camp invites. Just to name a few, veteran forwards Brendan Morrison, Jeff Halpern and Mike Comrie are some of the top names who have no firm offers on the table and will begin considering camp invites if an opportunity doesn’t open up in the next 10-14 days. As one agent who represents a 10 year veteran told me last week; “League seems to be caught between capped out and

End of the Year Penguins/Olympics/NHL Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins end the year on the three game losing streak, coming off two tough loses to the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils. The Penguins were off today and will practice in Pittsburgh tomorrow morning before they depart for Florida. Sidney Crosby will end the decade as the highest scoring Penguin for this decade –330 GP – 155 goals – 290 assists – 445 pts – +42 *Team USA will name their 2010 Olympic roster tomorrow afternoon during the Winter Classic. Representatives began informing players who did not make the squad as early as Monday. Defenseman Brooks Orpik didn’t receive one of those calls. Orpik is a lock to make the team along with former teammate Ryan Malone.

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

Whitney faces former team for the first time since trade

Pittsburgh Penguins (11-3-0) @ Anaheim Ducks (4-6-2) When the Anaheim Ducks acquired Ryan Whitney (PIT 2002, 1st round pick) last February, the Ducks believed they got the best of the deal, because they were receving the best player. To this day, they feel the same way. The deal which sent forward Chris Kunitz and prospect Eric Tangradi to Pittsburgh in ex-change for Whitney, is regarded as a win-win for both teams in league circles but it’s still up for debate whether the Penguins got enough in return for Whitney. Whitney who has benefited from the coaching of Randy Carlye, a former Norris Trophy winner, has been paired with James Wisniewski (suspended 2 games) which has been the Ducks No. 1

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

Former Penguins defenseman flourishing under Randy Carlyle

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ryan Whitney played an instrumental role in the Ducks upsetting the San Jose Sharks 4 games to 2 in the first round of the playoffs After months of inconsistent play, Whitney had 4 assists in the series and was phenomenal on the breakout throughout the series. People I’ve talked to in Anaheim who cover the team on a regular basis tell me, Whitney is resembling the player he was in Pittsburgh during the 2006-2007 season when he recorded 59 points. He is flourishing under head coach Randy Carlye and appears to be in the right situation.

Ducks happy with Whitney/Kunitz Trade

Despite not putting up the offensive numbers that some would like, the Ducks organization believes they received the best player out of the Ryan Whitney/ Chris Kunitz trade. I recently spoke to

Analysis: Did the Penguins get enough in return?

On Monday at practice it became clear that something was up when Ryan Whitney wasn’t even working with the #2 power play in practice. On Tuesday, Whitney was the 7th defensemen in drills which based on performance might have made sense but because the Penguins were actively shopping Whitney, it didn’t make sense. On Wednesday, the team announced Whitney flew home to Boston to be with a sick family member and on Thursday he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks who are playing in Boston tonight. Analysis and Scouting Report on the Trade