No contract discussions yet between Pens, Max Talbot
Where Penguins forward Max Talbot fits into the Penguins plans is still undetermined following the Penguins pro scouting meetings. No contract discussions have taken place since the Penguins season ended in late April but representatives for Talbot are hopeful to engage in the 1st set of talks as early as next week. Talbot has fallen behind others such as Craig Adams (resigned), Mike Rupp and even Pascal Dupuis on the team’s priority list. However,
Source: Rupp, Pens have a “gap” to bridge on base salary
Apparently there’s been some rumors since Sunday that the Penguins have a deal in place with Mike Rupp on a 2 year deal worth $875,000. Those rumors are not accurate at all.
Malkin determined to bounce back to elite level
Unlike Sidney Crosby, there’s no uncertainty about Evgeni Malkin being fully healthy for the start of next season. Malkin returned back home to Russia in Mid-May and has already been undergoing extensive on-ice training for almost 3 weeks now and is said to be fully recovered. In fact, according to his dad, Malkin doesn’t intend to slow down on his training this summer.
Crosby to resume workouts back home in Nova Scotia
It appears Penguins center Sidney Crosby will go through a normal summer workout routine in the hopes of being healthy for the start of training camp. Crosby who is still recovering from two concussions he suffered in January, has received clearance from Dr. Michael Collins of UPMC to resume workouts. Crosby who was in town shortly this week to visit with his team of doctors after vacationing for several weeks, is back home in Nova Scotia where he will conduct most of his summer routine. Expectations are Crosby will not skate for at least another 4-6 weeks as he normally doesn’t begin on-ice workouts until early August. Following Crosby’s setback in April and the Penguins ouster in the first round,
Pens/NHL Tidbits: Increased cap won’t influence Pens to overpay free agents to be
DePaoli’s Thursday Morning Pens/NHL Notes *NHL executive Bill Daly told reporters in Vancouver that the NHL salary cap could be as high as $63.5 million for the 2011-2012 season. That is great news for teams like the Flyers, Penguins, Rangers but not good news for small market teams who are struggling to spend to the minimum cap floor. It’s amazing how much the cap has increased since the lockout when the league had a $39 million cap in 2005-2006. The transformation of the Penguins as a franchise has also been something to watch. They have evolved into one of the strongest financially and they are right up there with big market teams like the New York Rangers, when it comes
Kennedy talks still in preliminary stages
Latest on Tyler Kennedy talks Contract talks between Penguins GM Ray Shero and Steve Bartlett, the agent for Tyler Kennedy are underway but a deal between the two sides is not imminent.
Assistant GM Jason Botterill expressing interest in resigning Ryan Craig
Baby Pens Free Agency updates on Craig, Sterling, Potter & Wagner Veteran forward Ryan Craig is said to be one of Jason Botterill’s (Assistant GM) top priorities this off-season. As of today, no official talks are setup but Botterill has reached out to Craig’s camp, expressing an interest in resigning the 29 year old forward, sources say. Craig is scheduled to meet with agent….
Penguins expected to conclude “preliminary” organizational meetings on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero has held brief organization meetings with several members of his staff including coaches over the past couple of days. A contact with knowledge of the situation said that the Penguins brass is scheduled to conclude meetings on Wednesday of this week and break for scouting trips. The Penguins off-season plans are said to still be in the “preliminary stages” but some ground work has been laid on the Penguins plan of attack. However, it’s expected that it’s going to be a quiet next couple of weeks. Several agents told me they have yet to hear from the Penguins. Here is some chatter coming out of Penguin circles: — There continues to be strong indications that
Penguins implode at first sign of trouble in 8-2 loss
Post-Game Wrapup The Pittsburgh Penguins got off to the type of start they wanted, taking an early edge in zone play but at the first sign of trouble, the Penguins imploded on home ice for the second time in the series.
Tangradi talks about how studying the way Chris Kunitz plays has been a key to his development
With Chris Kunitz returning from a one game suspension and Matt Cooke scheduled to return in the second round (assuming Pens advance), there’s a good chance that Eric Tangradi might have played his last post-season game in 2011. However, Tangradi’s performance in Game 4 won’t go unnoticed and after a lost second half of the season due to injuries, Tangradi’s ability to step in and contribute is big for his development going into next season. This season has been a learning experience for Eric, but what has impressed me with him is how he’s understood the importance of trying to be a dominant front net presence player and how he’s become a student of the game. When Ryan Malone was