On Dupuis Negotiations: 35 year old Danius Zubrus to reportedly sign 3 year extension with NJD for around $3 million per season

A week ago I ran these numbers by an individual close to Pascal Dupuis on whether a 3 year deal in the range of $9 million could get a deal done with the Penguins and the individual said “no way…..no chance”. We’re going to find out if that becomes true in the coming days as that’s a number the Penguins may top out at. As negotiations between the Penguins and Pascal Dupuis have turned “serious”, the Penguins expect to have a good idea by the end of the weekend whether Dupuis will be hitting the open market or not. As expected, it’s been a challenging negotiation for the team from the standpoint of Dupuis eyeing a four year deal and

With market value said to be in 4 year, $18-$22 million range, will Pascal Dupuis hold firm on demanding a four year deal in talks with Pens?

NHL teams are not scared off to offer “term” to players entering their mid to late 30’s. Last summer 40 year old Ray Whitney landed a 2 year, $9 million contract and free agency hasn’t even begun yet this off-season, but players on the downside of their careers are cashing in again. 39 year old Sergei Gonchar got a 2 year, $10 million contract from the Dallas Stars last week who traded for his rights and 35 year old Mark Streit has nabbed a 4 year, $21 million deal from the Philadelphia Flyers who acquired the rights to Streit from the New York Islanders. That brings us to Pascal Dupuis. Preliminary talks are underway between the Penguins and Pascal Dupuis

Penguins – Tuesday: Dupuis see’s a “special group” inside the room right now

SOME PRACTICE NOTES & LOCKER ROOM REACTIONS *The Penguins were pegged by many as the Cup favorites last post-season, but this is such a different team from last year to personnel wise to even inside the room. Suddenly what you hear from scouts when discussing the Penguins is that “they’re big, physical and can beat you any way they want.” That’s one major difference from last years group as the Penguins are now built to wear down teams, which is pivotal to winning playoff hockey. Another thing that stands out is that for the first time in a couple years, you sense a championship feel about this group. I’m sure others who cover this team will also admit that there

Latest Pens Rumblings: Can the Penguins really dupe Pascal Dupuis into another team friendly deal?

SUMMER SPECULATION The current roster the Penguins have won’t be anything close to the roster they have next season due to the salary cap going down. In fact, it won’t surprise some around the league if the Penguins have the type of turnover that the Chicago Blackhawks immediately had following their Stanley Cup title in 2010 where they were unable to keep that team in tact due to the salary cap. Early indications among team sources is that Pascal Dupuis and Jarome Iginla project as the Penguins top two priorities this summer and the team will go from there regarding the rest of their key UFA’s. Pascal Dupuis contract situation will be among the most fascinating to watch as the

Pittsburgh 3 – New York 0: Post-Game Thoughts (10) on the suddenly defensive sound Penguins

POST-GAME BUZZ Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves, breaking the franchise career shutout record with 23, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-8-0, 42 pts)  to a 3-0 shutout win over the New York Rangers (13-12-2, 28 pts) on Saturday afternoon for their eighth straight victory. Fleury who surpassed Tom Barrasso on the career shutout list, wasn’t tested early as the Rangers had just 4 shots on goal in the first period, but made the stops he needed to make as the Penguins once again played well in front of him. “I was looking forward to getting it finally,” Fleury said of the shutout. Fleury is 13-3-0 in his last 16 games. “Thought our guys did a great job {defensively},” Fleury said. “Everybody

Penguins Post-Game Chatter on Iginla, Dupuis, Need/or lack of need for scoring winger, Eaton/Letang pairing & more

ISLES-PENGUINS POST-GAME CHATTER The Penguins are the highest scoring team and have the best line in hockey in Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis have combined for 20 goals and 44 points when on the ice together at even strength, and are arguably the best puck possession line in the NHL. The big development, though, for the Penguins this month that might affect their trade deadline plans, has been the emergence of Beau Bennett who is becoming a fit as the second line left winger, possessing excellent vision, a high hockey IQ and a better overall game than expected. Bennett’s emergence is filling a major void and it’s leading some to wonder why GM Ray Shero

Dupuis does not have any structural damage

Penguins news and notes As noted earlier, Nick Johnson and Dustin Jeffrey were re-assigned this morning to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Although Max Talbot, Pascal Dupuis are progressing, the plan to re-assign Johnson or Jeffrey was due to management wanting both players to suit up for Wilkes Barre tonight. That was the plan regardless of Dupuis or Talbot’s status. *Forward Pascal Dupuis does not have any structural damage to his upper cheekbones or right eye after being hit from behind by Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton Tuesday night. Dupuis eye was swollen shut for over 48 hours and he would not be playing if the Penguins played tonight. The same for Max Talbot who skated today with strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar

12/28 – Monday Practice Report: Rupp skates with Crosby, Dupuis on top unit

Pittsburgh_ The Pittsburgh Penguins went through a 70 minute workout this morning before departing for Buffalo as the Penguins hit the road for a four game road trip that includes back-to-back games against the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils. Defenseman Alex Goligoski and forward Chris Kunitz did not practice today. Kunitz remains bothered by a nagging knee injury, while Goligoski has a bad back. Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma did indicate he expects both players to participate in Tuesday’s morning skate at Buffalo. Eaton to return to lineup Tuesday night *Defenseman Mark Eaton participated fully in practice today for the 3rd consecutive day. Eaton was paired with Kris Letang in practice and will return to the lineup against Buffalo

Role players fueling Penguins 22-10-1 start

There are many reasons the Penguins have jumped out to a 22-10-1 start through 33 games. Marc Andre Fleury, Sidney Crosby to name a few but what has really fueled the Penguins hot start is the play of their role players. A stunning stat is projected 3rd and 4th liners Michael Rupp and Pascal Dupuis are tied for second on the team with 9 goals each. In fact, Rupp and Dupuis have combined for more goals than top-6 forwards Ruslan Fedotenko (5), Bill Guerin (7) and Chris Kunitz (3) have combined for. In evaluating this team through 30+ games, Pittsburgh has a much stronger core of secondary wingers (Cooke, Dupuis, Kennedy, Rupp, Talbot) than actual top line wingers. Pittsburgh has