Penguins/NHL
The Penguins have recalled forward Chris Minard. Minard has appeared in five games this season and this will be his third call up of the season. Minard leads the AHL with 26 goals and is tied for second with 41 points Defenseman Kris Letang has been selected to play in the future stars game
As expected Ruslan Fedotenko has been placed on IR and will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand.
The Latest Penguins Buzz
The most disturbing thing during the Penguins last losing steak is the teams they are losing to. Just in the past week they lost to Florida who was on a four game losing streak, New York who came into Monday’s game with one win in their last five and Nashville who came into the game on a five game losing streak. The Penguins are 6-12-1 in their last 19 games.
While the pressure is mounting on Michel Therrien to turn this team around, sources tell me Ray Shero is not getting a free pass from ownership for the Penguins struggles. According to sources, ownership doesn’t see the coaching staff as the only problem.
There is just as much pressure on Ray Shero right now to upgrade this roster.
Ownership is spending up to the cap and expects a playoff run.
It’s amazing how leading Canada to the WJC Championship gets Pat Quinn all of a sudden linked to three or four teams for head coaching positions. Quinn is a good coach but what concerns some teams is how he struggled to adapt to the new NHL.
The player that continues to be discussed the most around the league
is defenseman Alex Goligoski. Just to name a few, I’ve heard TB, OTT, LA, Buf showing interest. Buffalo has also inquired about Hal Gill. Goligoski could land the Penguins a solid return but moving Goligoski and adding a $4 or $5 million doesn’t help the Penguins in regards to the salary cap.
Sources expect Shero to receive more calls about Hal Gill. Anaheim is a team I could see showing interest.
Gill will return to the lineup tomorrow.
Brendan Shanahan recently turned down a $4 million per season prorated offer from the Nashville Predators. The Predators made a play for Shanahan at the beginning of the year. Boston is flirting around idea of the bringing in Shanahan but that depends on the long-term health of Marc Sturm and Patrice Bergeron. Rich Curran claims four Eastern Conference teams remains are interested. I’m a bit leery of that.
The Penguins are expected to practice in Colorado later this afternoon. Pascal Dupuis is expected to skate and could return during the current road trip.
Jordan Staal will likely remain at wing again on Saturday.
To this point I haven’t heard many teams placing calls about Ryan Whitney.
Teams that inquired about Staal prior to his extension: OTT, COL, FLA.
The Toronto Maple Leafs who inquired about Paul Bissonnette last month halted their pursuit of Bissonnette and Burke brought in Brad May from Anaheim this week.
Florida, and Colorado had scouts in attendence last night
The Penguins shopping list is a top 6 forward and a veteran presence with playoff experience that could provide some leadership on and off the ice.
