Penguins/NHL
Updated: 12:00 p.m. – Miroslav Satan was not claimed on re-entry waivers and has joined the team. Satan is traveling with the team to Montreal.
Organization eyes Kennedy as a top 6 forward in 09?
The Penguins are encouraged by the how right winger Tyler Kennedy has progressed from year 1 to year 2.
Kennedy notched his 15th goal of the season Thursday night and has elevated his play over the past 5 weeks. Kennedy will be under consideration of making the jump as a top 6 forward prior to training camp.
There are mixed opinions in the organization about whether Kennedy can be a consistent top 6 forward in this league but he is only 22 years old and as a third option on a 2nd line, some see him flourishing. Kennedy has a cap hit under $850,000 for the next two seasons.
Future Plans for top prospect Eric Tangradi
Penguins top prospect Eric Tangradi has 20 points in 11 playoff games and Penguins scouts have scouted up to 6 of Belleville’s playoff games
The plan with Eric Tangradi is to start him in Wilkes Barre for the 2009-2010 season and there is less than a 0 percent chance that he will be on the Penguins roster for their 2009-2010 opener. He is dominating against younger players and the organization wants him
to begin the season in Wilkes Barre, playing against stronger, faster players, then evaluate the situation. Based on what I’ve been told from sources in the organization, the Penguins could have an Andrew McCutchen situation on their hands.
No matter how good Tangradi performs in training camp, he will start the season in Wilkes Barre. The Penguins do expect him to make the jump to the NHL quickly
6th seed best case scenario for the Penguins?
The Penguins primary goal going into Saturday’s game is to win home-ice for the first round. The players talked about it continuously after Thursday’s game but if the team had to pick who they wanted to play, it would be New Jersey over a potential matchup against Carolina or Philadelphia.
Playing in New Jersey will likely be a home-playoff game for the Penguins. There will be plenty of available seats and Penguins fans have traveled very well this season.
Boucher wishes he would have had foot surgery earlier
Philippe Boucher has talked about how he should have had foot surgery at the beginning of January and believes the decision has given him minimal chance to get into the lineup during the playoffs. The injury was first diagnosed in mid-December by team doctors but Boucher opted to play with the pain.
Appearing in his first game since January 30th, Boucher recorded a goal, assist against the Islanders
Quick Hits
There was not any consideration of sitting Kris Letang to get Philippe Boucher in the lineup against the Islanders. Letang has confidence issues for a young successful player and it would not have been a smart decision as he would have taken the night off as a benching for his play on the Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis 2-on-1 goal
Miroslav Satan will join the team on Friday and travel with the team to Montreal
Max Talbot was not injured and did skate during the Penguins morning skate. He was a bit surprised by being scratched. Talbot will return to the lineup on Saturday.
Boston University beat Vermont 5-4, advancing to the NCAA hockey championship game Thursday night. Penguins prospect Brian Strait (2006 3rd round pick) has had a strong NCAA tournament for BU and is the Penguins top defensive defenseman in their system.
The Penguins expect Strait to make a run at a roster spot by the 2010-2011 season. Strait will turn pro and sign a three year entry level contract with the Penguins after the Frozen four, according to team sources.
