Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders 2012 Season Preview

September 24, 2012

The New York Islanders will open their regular season in Pittsburgh on October 12 at 7:00 p.m. The only difference is the game won’t be played at the Consol Energy Center.

The Penguins odds

August 12, 2012

James Steele

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PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: FAVORITES TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP

The Penguins traded Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for Brandon Sutter, a defensive prospect and a first round pick (with which they drafted another defensive prospect). Shortly after, they shipped defenseman Zbynek Michalek back to the Phoenix Coyotes for a couple of prospects and a third round pick.

Then, during the free agency frenzy, the struck out on their main target former New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise and their assumed secondary targets defenseman Ryan Suter and winger Alexander Semin (the verdict is still out on Shane Doan, though the rumored four year, $30 million asking price and ...

The possibility of Alex Semin

July 19, 2012

Chuck Gaston Jr

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Naturally gifted, fluid skater, exceptional puck handling, and devastatingly accurate shooting are some of the greatest aspects of top NHL players.

Conversely, lazy, unmotivated, self centered, and poor locker room presence are the worst possible aspects of an NHL player.

With a light load of free agent talent, it is no shock that a player who encompasses all of the descriptions above still remains unsigned. Alexander Semin is easily the most intriguing free agent of the entire 2012 free agent class. In 469 regular season games Semin has acquired 408 total points (197 goals and 211 assists). In comparison Zach Parise, now of the Minnesota Wild, has 410 points in 502 reg...

Penguins Make Offer to Shane Doan—Is There a Fit?

July 19, 2012

James Conley

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Monday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Shelly Anderson confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins had extended an official contract offer to free agent forward Shane Doan, though the terms of the proposed deal were not disclosed.

With almost $10 million in available cap space and a nicely-defined hole on their top-line wing, the Penguins have space both on the books and on the roster to acquire the 35-year-old winger's services.

A veteran of 1198 NHL games, Doan's 788 career points and 1071 PIM would be a welcome addition to the top line. Having lost Steve Sullivan to free agency and after the Jordan Staal trade, the Penguins' top-six forwards group becom...

No One Is Jordan Staal; Brandon Sutter Must Replace His Role For Pittsburgh

July 12, 2012

Chuck Gaston Jr

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It was a landmark trade that shipped one star center in Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a draft pick, prospect, and new third line center Brandon Sutter.

Sutter was the key piece to this deal as Pittsburgh needed another center to replace Staal’s role. Unfortunately, many fans are looking at this as if Sutter will be replacing Staal. But, that's just not possible.

Jordan Staal played 431 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins tallying a total of 120 goals (.28PPG) and 128 assists. His 13 shorthanded goals in his career make him one of the strongest and deadliest penalty killers in the game.

Brandon Sutter has 28...

Sidney Crosby's 12-year Extension Good News For Penguins

July 12, 2012

James Steele

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Sidney Crosby’s contract extension seems to have gotten lost in the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter free agency hoopla. Not to mention the loss of center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes overshadowing the gargantuan deal.

Twelve years. $104.4 million. $8.7 million per year.

The kid didn’t even get a raise. Oh, the superstitions of the magical number 87.

The contract’s cap hit, really, was the main reason the Pens could be all in on the Parise sweepstakes. It hurt missing out on him – almost as much as it hurt being spurned by Marian Hossa in 2008…almost – but there’s a bigger picture, here.

Crosby set the ba...

Exploring Eric Tangradi as Sidney Crosby's Winger

July 11, 2012

James Conley

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The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Sidney Crosby to a sweetheart extension this June, but after missing out on Zach Parise, it appears he'll begin the 2012-13 without the scoring winger Pittsburgh has long coveted.

Whether they get that player this summer or not, the franchise center will spend the next 12 years in Pittsburgh at just $8.7 million per season, shaving off roughly a third of what he could have earned in a spend-happy free agent market.

With the cap space he left on the table, the expectation has become that the Penguins will reward his loyalty with his own version of James Neal.

Given Crosby's (relative) sacrifice, they should. When the time is right, t...

Eric Tangradi To Host Elite Hockey Camp In August

July 10, 2012

Matthew Brigidi

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As a young hockey player, it' every kids dream to climb the ranks in the hopes of making it to the NHL.

For most, that idea forever stays a dream.

But for Philadelphia native Eric Tangradi, that dream became a reality when he made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.

Now, he wants to help some other kid’s dreams come true as well.

Starting in August, Tangradi will be returning home to Philadelphia to run the 2012 Eric Tangradi Elite Hockey Camp at the Ice Works Skating Arena in Aston, Pa.

His hope is that he can help other local players develop the skills they need to make it to the next level just like he did.

Via the camp&rsqu...

Prospect Week

July 8, 2012

Chuck Gaston Jr

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As free agency continues, it's becoming clear that the Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to be signing any big-name free agents.

The Penguins are going to be developing talent in their system. They're going to find opportunities and no longer search for answers. This is prospect week for the Penguins and 34 young guns are ready to showcase their skills in hopes of reaching the NHL.

This new set of prospects is once again something to behold. Pittsburgh heads into the prospect camp a little short this season as Eric Tangradi wasn't invited.

Tangradi's omission may show that Pittsburgh is ready for him as a full-time player and no lo...

Colin McDonald - Ready To Compete

July 4, 2012

Mike Flannery

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Another summer of uncertainty will end in one hundred days when the doors to the Webster Bank Arena open for the start of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2012-13 season. A new season, a new head coach (yet to be announced) and a roster of players that will not be known until after the Islanders training camp has concluded in late September.

The Islanders have roster spots open at every position on the team and this years camp promises heated competition for each. While many questions remain, it is clear that the last few years of development are coming to a close.