For the second straight week the Penguins focus remains on the 2010 NHL draft and all is quiet on the free agent front.
The Penguins hockey operations staff including GM Ray Shero had what is being described as a very productive scouting combine last week. The Penguins select 20th overall and are believed to have their eye on selecting a high scoring winger.
Two intriguing players the Penguins met with was Sudury’s John McFarland (No. 15 ranked player) and Moncton’s Kirill Kabanov (No. 31 ranked player). Both are high end skilled wingers that have seen their stock drop in the past 5-to-6 months.
Kabanov has a dynamic skill set but there has been plenty of off-ice concerns that has seen his stock plummet, including questions whether he is committed to playing in the NHL.
Kabanov though made it known to teams during interviews that playing in the NHL is his only desire. Kabanov is regarded as one of the best pure goal scorers in the draft.
More buzz
*The Penguins will no longer wear their blue jerseys as a third jersey and the new third jersey for the 2010-2011 season is expected to be the gold jerseys that the Penguins wore during Mario Lemieux’s rookie season. Still waiting for confirmation if its going to be the gold jersey with the black on the sleeves or white jersey with gold on the upper sleeves that the Penguins wore in the 80’s with the yellow helmets.