Next Up: We MISSED Danny Kroll with the Cup!!

Last Thursday, July 9th, was Danny Kroll's day with the Cup. Kroll is the assistant equipment manager for the Penguins.

According to WPXI.com's "See and Be Seen," Kroll brought the Cup with him to his friends, the Keyser family, home in Whitehall.

Hundreds of people lined up outside of the Keyser's home, hoping to get a glimpse of the trophy the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins won.

“More than 500 people showed up through word of mouth. It was crazy,” said Misti Keyser, daughter of Marty and Barb Keyser.

The Keysers and their friends and neighbors drank from the cup and posed for pictures.

SIDENOTE: so we can better keep track of where the Cup is and with who, I added a little widget to the right. For past dates, you can click on it and it will take you to that specific post here at TSCSF (for the future dates, it just takes you back to TSCSF, but will take you to the specific post once I've posted it -- SO KEEP CHECKING BACK for updates!)!!!

Another Case of Penguins Mistaken Identity!

I'm sure by now you're all aware of the news that someone was impersonating Sidney Crosby on MySpace trying to raise money for a park in Minnesota (and then it moving onto Malkin) -- if not, CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT IT.

Well, it seems that the photo that was posted here this past week of the Cup being carted around in a grocery store supposedly by Bill Guerin was not, in fact, Guerin (pictured to the left). According to another fan who wrote back in to WPXI.com, it was Penguins trainer Frank Buonomo.

I guess this means that Buonomo "oozes awesomeness" too!!!

Sorry about the misinformation - just going on various sources. I just wanted to pass that along and clear that up (I was honestly wondering why it was with Guerin when he didn't have his day with the Cup yet and I didn't think it was supposed to be this past weekend).

Bylsma's Turn with the Cup Approaching

The Grand Rapids Press reports that Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma was on "Sports Talk With Ryan Terpstra" on WGHN-AM (1370) yesterday afternoon and said that he would be bringing the Cup with him to New Haven on Tuesday, August 11th.

Prior to that, Bylsma will be a guest of honor at the Coast Guard Festival's Grand Parade on August 1st, but he will be appearing without the Stanley Cup.

HERE'S AN UPDATED LIST OF DATES & PLAYERS (more to come as I learn of them):

July 21st - Jordan Staal (Thunder Bay)
July 23rd - Mike Yeo (North Bay)
July 31st - Max Talbot

August 5th - Kris Letang

August 6th - Marc-Andre Fleury

August 11th - Dan Bylsma (Grand Haven)

August 17-18- Geno (Magnitogorsk, RUSSIA)

August 19 - Sidney (LAST player to have the Cup)

2009-2010 Penguins Schedule Highlights

As promised, the NHL released the 2009-2010 season schedules and here are just a few highlights from the Penguins schedule that we can look forward to this coming season (for the entire schedule, VISIT THE PENGUINS WEBPAGE)!!

• FIRST Game (which is actually the first HOME game @ the Mellon Arena): Friday, October 2, 2009 VS NY Rangers @ 7:30 PM
• NO HOMECOMING for Scuderi: @ LA Kings, Thursday, November 5, 2009 @ 10:30 PM
• Stanley Cup Rematch 2009 @ Mellon Arena: Sunday, January 31, 2010 @ 3:00 PM
• Penguins VS Red Wings @ Joe Louis Arena: Monday, March 22, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
• Last Game @ Mellon Arena for the season: Thursday, April 8, 2010 VS NY Islanders @ 7:30 PM
• Last Game of the season: Sunday April 11, 2010 VS NY Islanders @ 5:00 PM

Season Schedule Out? UPDATE: Later Today per NHL.com!!

[UPDATE]
AHA!!! They're on the way -- 2009-10 schedule to be released later today (from NHL.com)!!!

NHL fans should get their calendars ready, because they'll have some important dates to start marking down.
At approximately 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the League will unveil the entire 2009-10 regular-season schedule.
The announcement coincides with the major event planned for 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Boston's Fenway Park. That event can be watched live on the NHL Network, as well as NHL.com.

According to the "Ice Man" Atlanta Thrashers blog, the NHL schedules (the Thrasher's anyway) have been released and he posted some "highlights" of their schedule which includes 2 dates with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's reporting that the Penguins will be traveling to Atlanta on Saturday, November 21st as well as closing out the Thrasher's season at the Mellon Arena on Saturday, April 10th.

Saturday Novemeber 21: The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins bring their act to Thrasherville…we also close the season at home against the Penguins on April 10.

When does the 2009 - 2010 NHL schedules come out and am I making a big deal out of this for nothing??? I'm assuming it's soon or otherwise all these game dates wouldn't be floating around the internet.

Lovejoy and Wallace Sign with Pens

The Penguins announced today that they've signed both Ben Lovejoy (D) and Tim Wallace (F). Lovejoy signed a one-year contract while Wallace was given a two-year deal.

Lovejoy isn't really much of a surprise because the organization seems to love him although I'm surprised about it being only a one-year deal. And Wallace played well during his call-up during last season.

Guerin Grocery Shopping WITH THE Cup!!!

I don't think I'll get an argument from many Pens fans when I say that Bill Guerin is a pretty cool guy and fits in well with the team.

And this is one of the reasons WHY he's so loved among Penguins fans (as well as his team)!!! Someone spotted Guerin at the Market District Giant Eagle in the South Hills on Saturday and snapped this cell shot and sent it in to WPXI. It's not the fact that there's anything odd about catching him shopping at a grocery store, but what's unique is the fact that he took the Cup in with him and placed it in a shopping cart!! SEE FOR YOURSELF!!

This guy OOZES awesomeness!!!!!!

Prior to this picture making it rounds, a reader at LGP.com posted this picture of Guerin beside someone in his car holding the Cup in his lap and reaching out to give him a "fist bump."

Although, I guess I'd be pretty happy too if I was traded from a losing team to the Pittsburgh Penguins, played on a line with Sid, and won the Stanley Cup - what a "Cinderella story" and it's well-deserved!!

YOU'RE AWESOME, BILL GUERIN and I hope you retire as a Penguin!!!!!

Tenk's Championship Tattoos

I found this on Twitter. Tattoos appear to be popular with the Penguins players as this is the second one we've seen paying tribute to their recent Stanley Cup victory.

As you can see from the other tattoo, this is the art displayed on Ruslan Fedotenko's back - one for his championship with the TB Lightning in 2004 and another for his championship with the Penguins.

SWEET!!

Season Preview - Coming in September!

Pittsburgh magazine and FSN Pittsburgh have joined forces to bring you "Season Preview" magazine. The hockey edition will be out in September (Steelers in August).

In September's Season Preview Hockey Edition:
*Stanley Cup Runneth Over
*Supervillain Sid
*Faceoff with Bill Guerin

For more information, VISIT WQED.ORG

Next Up: Eddie Johnston's Day with Lord Stanley

There was really nothing elaborate or extravagant for Pens Senior Advisor and former head coach Eddie Johnston's day with the Cup. On Saturday, July 11, he brought it to his daughter's home in Upper St. Claire making good on a promise to her neighborhood that if the Pens won the Stanley Cup, "he would bring it to them."

"It's great for our neighborhood here," said Johnston. "I promised them if we won the Cup I would bring it to the cul-de-sac. And I did that."

And while celebrating the Stanley Cup, Johnston also raised money for the Mario Lemieux Foundation asking those who attended to make a donation.

UPCOMING DATES (more to come as I learn of them):

July 21st - Jordan Staal (Thunder Bay)
July 23rd - Mike Yeo (North Bay)
July 31st - Max Talbot

August 5th - Kris Letang

August 6th - Marc-Andre Fleury

August 11th - Dan Bylsma (Grand Haven)

August 17-18- Geno

August 19 - Sidney (LAST player to have the Cup)