The Latest Penguins Buzz
Center Mark Letestu is not a player whose regarded as being in the Penguins long-term plans or even considered one of the organizations top 10 prospects. Letestu though has the confidence of head coach Dan Bylsma which can go a long way. His ability on face-offs along with some offensive ability has caught the eye of Penguins mangement. He reminds one member of the Penguins organization of Mike Zigomanis but with higher upside. Letestu was 9-for-16 on draws against the Blackhawks and drew the assignment of going up against John Madden at 18:21 of the third period in what led to Jordan Staal’s game tying goal. Letestu’s stay in Pittsburgh will be short as Sidney Crosby expected to return to
NHL: Gonchar to command upwards of $6 million per season on open market?
No home-town discount on the table?
Senators rout Penguins 6-1
Ottawa 6 – Pittsburgh 2 Missing three regulars on defense caught up with the Penguins Thursday night as the Ottawa Senators scored 6 unanswered goals and Pascal Leclaire made 25 saves, leading the Senators to a 6-2 victory at Scotiabank Place. The Senators handed the Penguins their worst loss of the season and chased goaltender Marc Andre Fleury from the net in the third period. Fleury was not sharp and gave up 5 goals on 24 shots. Pittsburgh scored a 1:09 into the game, on a goal from Jordan Staal to take a 1-0 lead but the Senators began to take over the game mid-way through the second period and Pittsburgh didn’t have many answers. Ottawa went on to score
Penguins to be without Gonchar (broken wrist) for at least a month
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma confirmed today that defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a broken wrist. Gonchar was evaluated again this morning and surgery has been ruled out. Gonchar, 35, is second among defenseman in the NHL with 8 points. The Penguins did not practice today and veteran Martin Skoula will replace Gonchar in the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The Penguins are not expected to make any immediate call-ups with the Penguins on a home-stand. Nate Guenin was the front runner to be the Penguins #7 defenseman until the Penguins signed Martin Skoula. But, Guenin (-4) and Deryk Engelland (-5) are a combined -9 in five games this year. Both players
Penguins win 6th straight but lose Gonchar with a broken wrist
Gonchar injured in 5-1 win It was just another day of work for the defending Stanley Cup Champions Tuesday night. The St. Louis Blues didn’t come ready to play as Pittsburgh outshot the Blues 20-3 in the first period and jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Tyler Kennedy (5) and Evgeni Malkin (4). The game was over after the first period and Pittsburgh had another total team effort. Evgeni Malkin had a goal and Sidney Crosby added an assist while 13 of 18 skaters recorded points in a 5-1 victory over the St Louis Blues. Matt Cooke, the games number one star had a goal and an assist. Ruslan Fedotenko (3) and Alex Goligoski (2) also scored
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.
NHL: Contract talks with Gonchar on hold until mid-season?
Both sides will wait until mid-season to resume talks
Development of prospects the key to maintaining a Cup Contender in Pittsburgh
With just under $42 million committed to 15 players for next season and Pittsburgh talking extensions with defensemen Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh won’t be a major player in free agency anytime soon. The key to building around the Penguins core in the long run will be the development of their prospects. After giving up multiple draft picks to land Marian Hossa and Hal Gill in the winter of 2008, Pittsburgh is now focused on building through the draft. With concerns that the salary cap will drop $6-$7 million for the 2010-2011 season, management will have to get very creative next summer. What Pittsburgh has going for them is the fact that they have three to four prospects at
NHL: Letang’s camp using Brent Seabrook deal as a benchmark in negotiations
Letang’s camp seeking a Ryan Whitney type of deal?
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Veterans preparing for training camp Many veterans on the team have arrived in Pittsburgh as the Stanley Cup Champions report to training camp on Sept. 12. Forwards Sidney Crosby, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin and defenseman Jay McKee have been skating for the past week at the Iceoplex complex in preparation for training camp. Goaltender Brent Johnson has also joined them after he drew some criticism for practicing with members of the Washington Capitals last month at the Capitals practice facility. Pittsburgh native Christian Hanson of the Toronto Maple Leafs also skated last week with Crosby and co. Hanson is currently participating in the 2009 rookie tournament. Reese accepts training camp invite to Columbus Defenseman Dylan Reese of Upper