Day 1 Training Camp: Lovejoy not a lock to win No. 7 defenseman spot

The Pittsburgh Penguins reported to training camp today as the players will conduct their first on ice session on Sunday. The players underwent physicals and fitness testing today at the UPMC facility on the South Side. Players reported at 8 a.m.. The Stanley Cup Champions have very few position battles. Replacing Max Talbot on Evgeni Malkin’s line will be the most intriguing battle to watch. The Penguins will give Pascal Dupuis every opportunity to win the job. Tyler Kennedy will also get a look. On defense one concern in the organization is the lack of depth behind their top 6. Penguins General Manager Ray Shero has always tried to bring in 8 to 9 NHL ready defensemen in camp. The

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Ben Lovejoy will make $500,000 this season on a two-way contract. Lovejoy will enter the season as the Penguins #7 defenseman, unless the team brings in another veteran defenseman. As we mentioned prior to free agency, Lovejoy’s camp was eyeing a one way contract but Pittsburgh never offered one. In the end, Lovejoy’s representatives felt this was the best option for landing a one-way contract next season. John Curry’s camp has been pushing for

Penguins sign Ben Lovejoy, Tim Wallace

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Ben Lovejoy to a one year deal. Lovejoy, 25, recorded seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 76 games for the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes Barre/Scranton in 2008-2009. The Penguins also signed Tim Wallace to a two year (2-way) contract.

The Latest Penguins Buzz

The Stanley Cup is back in Pittsburgh today as Eddie Johnston has his day with the Cup. Johnson has been a fixture in the front office since the 1980’s and will continue to have a role in the organization for atleast one more season or until he decides to retire. A number of players, team personnel have already had their day with the Cup. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby will have the Cup last. Malkin will have the Cup on August 17-18 and plans to throw a big party in his hometown. *** The Penguins are very pleased on how free agency has gone. With Jay McKee in the fold, the teams #1 priority is adding a veteran goaltender to battle

Afternoon Buzz: NHLPA holds annual meetings; Hossa to decide his fate with the Wings by draft day

The NHLPA held it’s annual meetings this morning in Las Vegas. It is being speculated that the NHLPA has decided to exercise their 5% inflator on the salary cap, which will keep the cap around the level it was this season. Another hot topic between the players association, are the Phoenix Coyotes. The growing concensus is that the players believe relocating to a market where the franchise won’t be in the red year after year is the best option. A few Friday afternoon rumors Marian Hossa is currently on vacation and will return sometime next week. Ritch Winter the agent for Hossa has been in talks with Wings GM Ken Holland and word is Hossa will make a decision on

Lovejoy emerging as one of the Penguins top 5 prospects

The Carolina Hurricanes believe Matt Cooke’s knee-to-knee hit on Eric Cole in the third period of Game 1 should be reviewed by the league. All indications are the the league has no interest in dishing out a fine or suspension to Cooke. If the NHL were to suspend or fine Matt Cooke, it would look like they were giving star treatment to Alexander Ovechkin for his knee-to-knee hit on Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Sergei Gonchar played just under 22 minutes in game 1 and his upper right leg contusion is improving everyday. Pittsburgh held an optional practice Tuesday morning and will go through a full squad practice Wednesday morning. There’s some speculation that a few teams could target defenseman Ben Lovejoy

Penguins re-assign Ben Lovejoy

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Ben Lovejoy to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Lovejoy, 24, played two games with Pittsburgh, including his NHL debut on Dec. 8 versus Buffalo. Sources tell me Phillipe Boucher has received clearance to play. Boucher has been suffering from concussion symptoms

Penguins suffer third straight loss

New Jersey 4 – Pittsburgh 1 New Jersey Devils backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen made 26 saves to improve to 7-1 in his last eight starts as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 Wednesday night. Pittsburgh who has lost three straight did not get a very good performance from Dany Sabourin who struggled for the second consecutive game. Travis Zajac, Zach Parise, Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias scored for the Devils, who won for the eighth time in nine games. The Devils (15-8-2) are within two points of the Penguins for second place in the Atlantic division. Pittsburgh failed to get on the scoreboard until Matt Cooke scored with 3:58 remaining in the third period. Evgeni Malkin the