Pens Tidbits: Malkin named to All-Star game; Shero talks Crosby; McDonald, MacIntyre to WBS

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will be the Penguins lone representative in the 2012 NHL All-Star game. Malkin who has re-emerged himself as one of the premier players, is 8th in the league with 45 points. He is averaging 1.29 points per game, the second best mark in the league behind Claude Giroux who is averaging 1.30 points per game.

GM Ray Shero had some great remarks about Malkin today. “The best story of the year so far is Evgeni Malkin,” Shero told the Penguins official site. “He’s re-established himself, he’s a leader on the hockey team, playing fantastic hockey, a top player in the league, a go to guy on the ice. He really enjoys that. He puts pressure on himself and he cares, he wants to win. Him leading the way bodes well for our future.”

That’s a great quote from Shero as Malkin’s performance this season coming off knee surgery seems to be going under the radar from a media perspective.

James Neal and Marc Andre Fleury, the two other Penguins who were expected to get strong consideration, were not named to the team.

A good argument could have been made for Neal.  The 24-year right wingers ranks 6th in the NHL with 21 goals and 30th in points with 36. His 10 power play goals rank 1st in NHL.

Fleury is tied for 5th in wins with 19, 10th in the NHL in Goals against average (2.29) among goalies who have appeared in 15 games or more. Fleury though ranks 37th in the NHL with a .912 save percentage.

Jamie Benn LW – DALLAS

Logan Couture C – SAN JOSE

Pavel Datsyuk C – DETROIT

Marian Gaborik RW – NY RANGERS

Claude Giroux C – PHILADELPHIA

Marian Hossa – RW – CHICAGO

Jarome Iginla – RW – CALGARY

Patrick Kane RW – CHICAGO

Phil Kessel RW – TORONTO

Mikko Koivu C – MINNESOTA

Joffrey Lupul RW – TORONTO

Evgeni Malkin C – PITTSBURGH

Alex Ovechkin LW – WASHINGTON

Corey Perry RW – ANAHEIM

Jason Pominville RW – BUFFALO

Daniel Sedin – LW – VANCOUVER

Henrik Sedin – C – VANCOUVER

Tyler Seguin C – BOSTON

Steven Stamkos C – TAMPA BAY

John Tavares C – NY ISLANDERS

Jonathan Toews C – CHICAGO

Dustin Byfuglien D – WINNIPEG

Brian Campbell D – FLORIDA

Zdeno Chara D – BOSTON

Alexander Edler D – VANCOUVER

Dan Girardi D – NY RANGERS

Ryan Suter D – NASHVILLE

Kimmo Timonen D – PHILADELPHIA

Shea Weber D – NASHVILLE

Dennis Wideman D – WASHINGTON

Keith Yandle D – PHOENIX

Brian Elliott G – ST. LOUIS

Jimmy Howard G – DETROIT

Henrik Lundqvist G – NY RANGERS

Carey Price G – MONTREAL

Daniel Alfredsson RW – Ottawa

Jason Spezza C – Ottawa

Milan Michalek LW – Ottawa

Erik Karlsson D – Ottawa

Dion Phaneuf D – Toronto

Tim Thomas G – Boston

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will skate at the end of the Penguins morning skate tomorrow at the Bank Atlantic Center and speak afterwards, the team said today.

GM Ray Shero had a few comments on Crosby to the team’s official site today:

““Sidney Crosby is a hockey player, ” Shero said. “He wants to be on the ice,” Shero said. “He’s frustrated. As captain you want to help your team in best of times, let alone a tough streak. He feels that responsibility. When he’s cleared to play he’ll play. We can’t wait to have him back.”

Forward Colin McDonald who appeared in two games with the Penguins has been sent down to Wilkes Barre. Also joining McDonald in the coming days is enforcer Steve MacIntyre who cleared waivers today in a shocking move.

The moves will put the Penguins active roster at 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goaltenders. Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Simon Despres and Jordan Staal are all on injured reserve.