Latest Pens Buzz: Would Cam Ward at a decreased cap hit be a step forward or backwards for Penguins?

HURRICANES WILLING TO PICK UP SOME OF WARD’S SALARY A top priority for Hurricanes GM Ron Francis is to get the salary of Cam Ward off the Hurricanes books. Ward who carries a $6.3 million cap hit, has $13.5 million left on his contract over the next two years. There is lots of talk in league circles that the Hurricanes are willing to take on around $4-$5 million of the remaining $13.5 million to facilitate a trade as the Hurricanes would still get a net savings of over $8 million. Ward is due $6.7 million in 2014-2015 and $6.8 million in 2015-2016. One NHL source says Flames President Brian Burke loves Ward and adding a veteran goaltender is still important

Fleury to begin full-training regiment next week

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc Andre Fleury has had a short off-season after winning his first Stanley Cup on June 12th, 2009. It has only been six weeks since the Penguins ended their season but it’s back to business for Fleury next week as he will begin his full training regiment in Montreal. Fleury will train in Montreal with a number of established NHL players including teammate Ruslan Fedotenko who resides in Montreal during the summer. Fleury will attend Team Canada’s 2009 orientation camp in Calgary from August 24-27. Goaltenders Martin Brodeur (Montreal, Que./New Jersey, NHL), Marc-AndrĂ© Fleury (Sorel, Que./Pittsburgh, NHL), Roberto Luongo (Montreal, Que./Vancouver, NHL), Steve Mason (Oakville, Ont./Columbus, NHL) and Cam Ward (Sherwood Park, Alta./Carolina, NHL) have all been

Hurricanes 3, Penguins 2 (OT); Canes clinch playoff spot

Hurricanes defenseman Anton Babchuk scored the winning goal at 1:11 into overtime, as the Hurricanes beat the Penguins 3-2 at the RBC center Saturday night. The win was the Hurricanes eighth straight and franchise record 11th straight home win. The win clinched the Hurricanes first playoff berth since the 2005-2006 season. The Penguins trailed 2-1 going into the third period, and at 3:34 in the third period, Jordan Staal tied the game from the left circle with a quick one timer on a Tyler Kennedy’s pass from the left corner. Tyler Kennedy had a goal an assist for the Penguins. Ruslan Fedotenko added two assists and Marc Andre made 27 saves in the loss.

Are the Hurricanes a Stanley Cup contender?

The Carolina Hurricanes (43-28-7, 93 pts) won a season-high seventh straight game in a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers at the RBC Center Thursday night to set up a showdown with the Pittsburgh Penguins (42-27-8, 92 pts) Saturday night. The Penguins and Hurricanes are separated by one point as the Hurricanes win pushed the Penguins back to the #6 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes and Penguins are currently viewed as two teams in the Eastern Conference that no one wants to play. The Hurricanes have depth upfront and a Stanley Cup goaltender but do they have enough depth on the blue line to be considered a true playoff threat that could make a deep run? The