Hossa expects loud boos from Penguins fans: Red Wings forward Marian Hossa who turned down a 7 year – $52 million from the Penguins this past summer¬†expects fans at Mellon Arena to be very loud when he touches the puck Sunday afternoon. Hossa speaking to the Toronto Sun had this to say on Saturday; “It will be loud,” Hossa acknowledged yesterday. “And when I touch the puck, it will be louder. That’s what I’m expecting. I try not to think about it — just focus on my game and do my stuff. “I had a great time in Pittsburgh. There are great fans in Pittsburgh, a sellout every night.”
Saturday Roundup: Wings defeat Oilers 8-3
Head to Head Comparison
Detroit Red Wings marquee Free Agent Signing
1. RW Marian Hossa | 1 year Р$7.45 million |
| 29 goals – 25 assists – 54 points|
Pittsburgh Penguins marquee Free Agent Signing
1. RW Miroslav Satan | 1 year – $3.5 million |
| 14 goals – 17 assists – 31 points|
Crosby joined Little Penguins at Mellon Arena: Sidney Crosby joined 30 members of the new Little Penguins ‚ÄúLearn to Play Hockey‚Äù program for a special practice session at Mellon Arena Saturday afternoon following the Penguins practice which was held at 12:00 p.m. Crosby’s appearance was a surprise. The Little Penguins program is designed to introduce the game to children ages 4-8 in the Pittsburgh area. It is a unique program that provides free head-to-toe hockey equipment to children who have enrolled at participating rinks.
Prospect Watch: Improved work ethic has catapulted Casey Pierro-Zabotel as one of the Penguins top five prospects

Name: Casey Pierro-Zabotel | Pos.: LW | Shoots: L|
Height: 6’2, Weight: 210 | Birthdate: 1988-11-08 |Hometown: Kamloops, BC
08-09 stats: 53 GP | 27 g – 65 A – 92 PTS – +53
Positives
Hands | Uses size well | Offensively Gifted | Accurate Shot |
Negatives
Defensive Zone | First couple Steps |
Outlook: The Penguins have very few forwards in their farm system that have top 6 forward potential. Forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel is one of them along with Luca Caputi. Pierro-Zabotel, the Penguins’ 2007 third-rounder has the size, hands that has Penguins officials very intrigued about what the future might have in store for him. Pierro-Zabotel has been drawing rave reviews from Penguins scouts since September’s rookie camp. As one team official told me the other day, the talent has always been there from Pierro-Zabotel but it’s his improved work ethic ( on & off the ice) as to why he has developed as one of the top junior players in Canada. The next step for Zabotel will the American Hockey League in 2009.
Goligoski takes demotion hard: Indications are defensemen Alex Goligoski who leads all NHL rookie defensemen in scoring did not take the re-assignment to WBS easily. I’m told Goligoski knew it was a strong possibility that he could be re-assigned¬†but was upset by the lack of communication from the coaching staff¬†as to why he wasn’t playing much over the past month. Lack of communication has been an issue with Therrien & Co. ¬†