Kennedy Re-Signed to Extension

Pittsburgh Penguins GM, Ray Shero, announced today that they have re-signed Tyler Kennedy to a two-year extension which will allow him to play in the new arena (2010-2011 season).

This is good news and a great move by the Penguins based on Kennedy's contribution to the team last season and his track record so far. Kennedy was called up from Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate WB/S Baby Pens on October 27, 2007 for the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and never looked back. He played a total of 55 games for the Penguins during the 2007-2008 season and scored his first goal on November 3, 2007 (a few games after his debut in the NHL).

Personally, I like Kennedy. He has the drive and hustle to make things happen and his stats prove it. He makes his home along the boards where he feels most comfortable and is most productive. And who knows how much more he could've accomplished if it wasn't for his bought with mono late last January which kept him out of the Penguins lineup (and the NHL Young Stars game during the 2007-2008 All-Stars weekend) through February which included a stint back in WB/S for a short time before he returned to the Penguins on the 14th of that month.

He's also a little scrapper which none of us were aware of until late in the season. Even though he was new to the NHL, he was not afraid to start a fight and drop the gloves nor did he shy away from trouble if he felt in the name of elevating the game to another level in order to rally the team.

I'm anxious to see what Kennedy brings to the table this season and if his training camp and pre-season gameplay are any indication, he will only be getting better. What was really impressive were the training camp reports saying that Kennedy was playing as though a spot on the NHL roster wasn't guaranteed - that's true Penguins mentality which is why Kennedy deserves the extension he was offered today!!