MORNING PENGUINS BUZZ The Penguins (8-3-0, 16 pts) and Devils (6-1-3, 15 pts) faceoff for the second time in seven days as the teams begin a home and home series this weekend. It’s a good bet the Penguins are going to see a better performance from New Jersey this afternoon than last weekend in Pittsburgh where the Devils were a mess defensively. Both teams come in on winning streaks, Pittsburgh riding a five game winning streak and the Devils on a three game winning streak. The Devils who have played in one less game than the Penguins, have points in nine of 10 games this season. Both teams sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with just one point separating the two. An encouraging sign for the Penguins through 11 games is their 2.36 goals against mark, which ranks 10th in the NHL. The Penguins have had eight defensemenRead More »
Dylan Reese
Morning Pens Buzz: Bortuzzo making his mark; Reese earns high praise from Bylsma
MORNING PENS BUZZ In five games, Robert Bortuzzo is showing why the organization opted to keep him over the likes of Brian Strait and Ben Lovejoy. He brings elements the Penguins have lacked on their blueline and he’s a unique defenseman at 6-foot-4 who plays physical and can skate well. Bortuzzo made his mark Thursday night vs the Capitals, seeing 16:59 of ice time, a season high, and had 3 hits and 1 blocked shot. The physical element of providing “grit” has been on display in all five games this season, but it stood out vs the Capitals as Bortuzzo was physical with Alexander Ovechkin in the third period. Bortuzzo looks to make it difficult on the opposition and he’s fit the scouting report on him to perfection. “That’s one of the things Robert brings to the table,” Bylsma said of the physical element. “He’s a bigger body guy, littleRead More »
WBS Farm Report: Reese making good impression; On Bennett’s potential as a power play points producer in NHL & more buzz
The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins (13-7-0, 26 pts) had a big weekend against division leading teams, defeating Syracuse 5-3 on Friday night and St. Johns 5-3 on Saturday night. Wilkes Barre has won five straight and are winners in 11 of 13 games. After struggles early in the year, the Baby Penguins are now tied for second in the conference with 26 points and right now are playing like one of the best teams in the AHL. Some Buzz I’m from Hearing from Down on the Farm REESE MAKING GOOD IMPRESSION ON STAFF — Dylan Reese had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 5-3 win and leads all WBS defenseman with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) and is second among defenseman with a +4 (Robert Bortuzzo 1st among D-men +6). Reese has been an ideal fit in John Hynes system and I’m hearing Reese is making a good impressionRead More »
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Veterans preparing for training camp Many veterans on the team have arrived in Pittsburgh as the Stanley Cup Champions report to training camp on Sept. 12. Forwards Sidney Crosby, Sergei Gonchar, Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin and defenseman Jay McKee have been skating for the past week at the Iceoplex complex in preparation for training camp. Goaltender Brent Johnson has also joined them after he drew some criticism for practicing with members of the Washington Capitals last month at the Capitals practice facility. Pittsburgh native Christian Hanson of the Toronto Maple Leafs also skated last week with Crosby and co. Hanson is currently participating in the 2009 rookie tournament. Reese accepts training camp invite to Columbus Defenseman Dylan Reese of Upper St. Clair, PA, has accepted a training camp invite with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reese final two choices were Columbus and Chicago. Contract talks with Sergei Gonchar still in theRead More »
The Ice Report
Weekly Installment on the latest buzz around the NHL Satan eyes a return Long Island *Miroslav Satan is pushing for a return to Long Island. He enjoys the area and his agent has approached the Islanders about a possible return. The Islanders have also held talks with Alex Tanguay and Petr Sykora but both players are out of their price range. *It has been reported that the Flyers are interested in Satan. Sources tell me they have no interest. NHL pushing for the Coyotes to make the playoffs *Despite the NHL still funding the Phoenix Coyotes, the Coyotes remain the active in free agent. It is believed the NHL is pushing for the Coyotes to make the playoffs which is why were seeing the Coyotes increase their payroll and make good personnel moves. The Coyotes are a finalist with the Tampa Bay Lightning for Alex Tanguay. Sykora in a holdingRead More »
Headlines
Fleury gets rocked in return to Pittsburgh
Marc Andre Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh didn’t just not go well, it was a downright disaster for the 2021 Vezina Trophy Winner. Pittsburgh scored 15 seconds into the game and the route was on as Fleury was pulled 11:25 into the first period after allowing 4 goals on 10 ...
Rumors: Juju Smith-Schuster likely out for the year
The Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster suffered a likely season ending shoulder injury in Sunday’s 27-19 win over the Denver Broncos. Returning to Pittsburgh on a one year contract, Smith-Schuster faces an uncertain futu...