No sense of urgency or deadline in place between Pens, Tyler Kennedy
Tyler Kennedy’s situation will be among the intriguing situations to watch this weekend for the Penguins at the NHL Entry Draft. Sources indicate the team will not have a deal in place for Kennedy by the start of Friday’s draft, which will surely fuel trade speculation. As of today, the team is not shopping Kennedy’s rights. Despite the team not being close to a new deal and qualifying offers due on June 27, there isn’t a sense of urgency yet from the Penguins or Kennedy’s camp. “No deadline” {is in place}, Kennedy’s agent Steve Bartlett told Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com this morning.
Pens Notes: Malkin, Kennedy, Defensive Depth, Power Play & more
Friday Morning’s Pens Notes While driving into the office this morning, heard Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma on 93.7 The Fan. Here are some tidbits from Bylsma’s interview with the The Fan morning show… — On Evgeni Malkin: Bylsma said reports coming back to him is that Malkin continues to workout extremely hard and believes he will be in the best shape of his career for camp. Bylsma even mentioned he got a call from Sergei Gonchar recently who said he’s never seen Malkin in this type of shape and working out as hard. Bylsma also confirmed that Malkin could have returned in the playoffs. Bylsma said at the time of the injury, initial diagnosis from doctors is that Malkin’s
Since the 1995 Draft, Pens have only developed three 20 goal wingers through their system
Here’s one of several draft features I’ll be doing over the next handful of days. Today’s feature is a look at the Penguins struggles to develop scoring wingers among their draft picks over the past 15 years. ——————————————————— One reason Penguin fans shouldn’t want to see the team lose Tyler Kennedy via restricted free agency or a trade: The franchise struggles mightily at developing 20 goal wingers. Since the 1995 draft, the Penguins have developed just three 20 goal wingers through their system. The three are Alexei Morozov, Ryan Malone and Tyler Kennedy. Morozov, the team’s 1st round pick in 1995, hit the 20 goal plateau just once, netting 20 goals in the 2001-2002 season. In seven seasons with the
More leverage for Kennedy’s camp?
New changes to the NHL’s compensation system for restricted free agents could make RFA’ more attractive this summer, according to the SportingNews.
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Eric Godard was informed on Saturday that he would return to the lineup Sunday night against Toronto and the likely candidate to be scratched on Sunday appeared to be Max Talbot but Dan Bylsma opted to sit Tyler Kennedy who has 0 goals in 12 games. By making Kennedy a healthy scratch, Bylsma is sending a message in the hopes of jumpstarting Kennedy’s game. *Pittsburgh is 4-for-10 on the power play in their last two games. While three of the goals came in Wednesday’s 8-2 rout, the Penguins have shown more movement and creativity of late. However, for their power play to become consistent in the long run, they’re going to need some kind of production from Kris Letang (1
Saturday Practice Report: Eaton questionable for Sunday’s game
SouthPointe_ The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice tonight after a two day break. Unlike other professional sports, the NHL shuts down on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some players stayed in Pittsburgh while others went back home like Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh got back to work just after 6:00 p.m., going through a hard 65 minute skate. All players were accounted for, including defenseman Mark Eaton (right knee). Eaton participated fully after missing the past two games with a right knee injury. Eaton suffered a right knee injury against Buffalo (12/19/09) and the Penguins decided to shut him down until after Christmas. He will be evaluated by team doctors prior to Sunday’s morning skate. He is regarded as questionable for
Tuesday Practice Report: Kennedy moved up to Malkin’s line; Eaton (knee) misses practice
Pittsburgh _ Coming off a 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils, head coach Dan Bylsma is considering changes on his top four lines. Evgeni Malkin needs more production from his linemates and today in practice, Dan Bylsma made two changes as Tyler Kennedy skated on the second line with Malkin.
Friday Practice Report: Kunitz eyes return to lineup
The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a two game winless streak Thursday night, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 at the Bell Centre behind a game winning goal from Pascal Dupuis. Much of the talk today was about the blown call by referee Chris Lee in the third period. Lee lost sight of the puck in Fleury’s crease right before Scott Gomez put it past Fleury in what would have tied the game 3-3. Winning teams get bounces like that. This afternoon the Penguins got back to work as head coach Dan Bylsma put his team through a 60 minute up-tempo practice with a lot of emphasis on skilled drills. ***Prior to practice Michael Rupp was working out for the Pittsburgh Steelers on
Rupp’s first hat trick leads Penguins to 5-2 win
Michael Rupp scored three goals and Sidney Crosby added two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 Monday night at Madison Square Garden to sweep the home and home series with the Rangers. Rupp was a presence all game, scoring his first hat trick of his career and has a career best eight goals this season. “It feels good that it {hat trick} comes in a win,” Rupp said. Rupp’s play through the first 28 games has led to an increased role and Rupp took advantage of the opportunity to play with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy as Matt Cooke served the first game of his two game suspension. Rupp has also filled
McKee just days away from returning to the lineup
Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engellands’ time in the Penguins top 6 rotation will soon be coming to an end. Defenseman Kris Letang could return to the lineup as early as Saturday night against the New York Rangers and defenseman Jay McKee (finger infection) is just “days” away from returning to the lineup. McKee skated today for the second consecutive day. McKee is scheduled to return to the lineup Monday night against the Rangers. As expected Brent Johnson will start in goal for the Penguins this afternoon against the New York Islanders. Penguins @ Islanders Pre-game Notes