Penguins Make Second Cut of the Pre-Season

The Penguins announced earlier this afternoon that they reduced their camp roster by 11 additional players today - all of which will be reassigned to their affiliate in WB / S (and assuming a few clear waivers).

FORWARDS Chris Conner, Nick Johnson, Brett Sterling, Joe Vitale, Tim Wallace; DEFENSEMEN Robert Bortuzzo, Corey Potter, Brian Strait, Steve Wagner; and GOALTENDERS John Curry and Brad Thiessen.

The following must clear waivers by 12 noon tomorrow before joining the rest of them in WB / S:  Conner, Curry, Potter, Sterling, Wagner and Wallace.

I'm slightly surprised by Sterling being cut unless I sit and ponder all the talent the Pens have ... the depth is unbelievable quite honestly and even though we'd like to see a few players stay here instead of playing in the NHL ... the bottom line is that this is good for the Penguins in the whole scheme of things.

This latest cut gives the Pens a total of 30 players on their roster and will have at least one more cut prior to the pre-season (teams can have no more than 23 players on their roster by the start of the season).

A Sterling Debut for Pittsburgh at the CONSOL

CLICK HERE

to read my latest article at

The Hockey Writers (THW)!!

The FIRST EVER face-off at the CONSOL!!

Penguins Make First Pre-Season Playter Cuts

The Penguins recently announced that they've reduced their roster by 15 players.

Returning to Pittsburgh's Wlkies-Barre / Scranton AHL affiliate are:
FORWARDS - Jesse Boulerice, Chriss Collins, Joey Haddad, nick Petersen, Ryan Schnell, Zack Sill, Alex Smigelski, Keven Veilleux, Geoff Walker
DEFENSEMEN - Jason DeSantis, Derek Peltier, Carl Sneep
GOALTENDER - Patrick Killeen

The remaining two players will return to their respective junior teams:
Tyler Brown, F (Plymouth, OHL)
Alex Pechurskiy, G (Tri-City, WHL)

NHL Teaming Up with HBO for 2011 Winter Classic

This is quite interesting news! 

NHL and HBO Sports just announced today that they will be teaming up to create a four-episode series as part of their ever-popular "24/7" sports program.

HBO Sports' cameras will have unprecedented access to film "24/7 Penguins/Capitals Road to the Winter Classic." It's the first time HBO Sports will divide its cameras between two teams and also the first time the network will document teams in the middle of their regular seasons.

The first of four shows will air on December 15th at 10 PM (est) with an encore at 11.  The three additional showes will then air every Wednesday at 10 PM (est) beginning on December 22nd through and including January 5th.  The final episode will also include "exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage" from the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field.  And if you miss any episode when it originally airs, each episode will have an encore show at 11 PM as well as be available on HBO On Demand.

I think this is something that will become quite popular especially with the teams and NHL event they've chosen, so I'm thinking this could lead to more NHL on HBO - let's hope.

PRE-SEASON: Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Detroit) - Rosters

ROSTER - PITTSBURGH
(players dressing for tonight's game)
FORWARDS: Pascal Dupuis, Mark Letestu, Brett Sterling, Mike Comrie, Tim Wallace, Ryan Craig, Eric Tangradi, Joe Vitale, Tyler Kennedy, Jesse Boulerice, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby

DEFENSEMEN: Corey Potter, Zbynek Michalek, Andrew Hutchinson, Brian Strait, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang

GOALTENDERS: Marc-Andre Fleury, Brad Thiessen

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected from morning skate)
Sterling-Crosby-Dupuis
Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin
Wallace-Letestu-Kennedy
Craig-Vitale-Boulerice

Orpik-Michalek
Letang-Strait
Potter-Hutchinson

DETROIT ROSTER
(players dresing for tonight's game)

FORWARDS: Justin Abdelkader, Dan Cleary, Patrick Eaves, Kirk Maltby, Drew Miller, Jiri Hudler, Aaron Downey, Mattias Ritola, Darren Helm, Todd Bertuzzi, Valtteri Filppula, Mike Modano, Johan Franzen

DEFENSEMEN: Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl, Derek Meech, Brad Stuart, Ruslan Salei, Brian Lashoff, Doug Janik, Jonathan Ericsson

GOALTENDERS: Chris Osgood, Thomas McCollum

THIS is a Beautiful Sight!!!

Shero Long-Term

The Penguins webpage just announced today that they've signed GM Ray Shero to a five year contract extension.

“This was an easy decision,” said co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle in a joint statement. “Ray has done a tremendous job with our hockey operation – not only leading us to the Stanley Cup in 2009 but also building a team that can continue to compete for the Cup year after year.”

“In addition to his work with our on-ice product, Ray also has created a family atmosphere in our organization, where players know they will be treated very well,” said David Morehouse, the team’s CEO. “He is committed to having our players and coaches involved in the community and our charitable efforts, and helping to make the Penguins a positive asset to the Pittsburgh region.”

Training Camp - Hockey is BACK!!

The players return to Pittsburgh for the start of training camp (a total of 57 will be participating). Today kicks off with medical evaluations and fitness tests as well as some "fun stuff" for the jumbotron videos.

CLICK HERE for the official training camp roster

CLICK HERE to read more about today's start of training camp (including pics)

The Penguins also announced that all six pre-season games can be heard on the radio on either 105.9 the X or Penguins HD radio.  Also being broadcasting over radio airwaves will be daily shows live from training camp hosted by Steve Mears (Sat, Sun, Mon from 10 AM - 12 PM).

I'm getting excited ... hockey season is almost here!!!

Another Campaign Graphic Posted

They keep popping up every-so-often!!!  GREAT for suspense leading up to the home-opener on October 7th!!

Here's another one today:

PIC: Inaugural Season Patch

IT'S BEEN CONFIRMED ... CLICK HERE!!

I had mentioned this in my earlier post today.  Here's a picture of the patch my husband picked up at the CONSOL last month when we went to visit.

I had wondered if it was going to be on the players jerseys this season and although nothing has been confirmed, it looks like its a pretty likely possibility according to a picture of saw of Malkin today (below).  Since it's looking likely that this patch will be worn this season, I'm slightly disappointed that they didn't have one for the final season at the Igloo!

Although it's hard to make out, it appears to be the same patch (and why would they be selling them?).  Until something is announced or we can actually see it while they're on the ice, it's still unofficial.

New Season Campaign and Inaugural Season Patch

If you weren't paying attention, you may have missed the Pens webpage posting what I believe to be the new campaign for this season (incorporating the inaugural season at the CONSOL Energy Center). 

The tricky thing about it is that there's no explanation of it ... just the graphics and information about the schedule, tickets, and MAINLY the home opener on October 7th against the Philadelphia Flyers.  The only common theme are the graph-type pattern over the player pictures which resembles the outside [window-portion] of the CONSOL as well as the word "here" which, I'm assuming, ties this all to the CONSOL which would make sense since its the inaugural season and they'd probably want to focus on that.



Also, it hasn't been made official yet; however, I believe that the Penguins will be sporting a CONSOL Energy Center "Inaugural Season" patch on their jerseys.  My husband had purchased one of the patches at the Pens store and I've been wondering ever since if it would be something that would be worn on their jerseys.  Although very unofficial, a picture of Malkin floating around twitter today gives a glimpse of the likely possibility that they will wear the patches - notice it above his number on his right shoulder (OH ... and check out that slick racing stripe in the side of Malkin's hair - bringing the 1990's back!).

NOTE: because you can't make out the patch all that well, I will take a picture of the one we purchased a month ago so you can see what it looks like (so check back!)!!

Guerin Attending Flyers Training Camp

The Flyers announced yesterday that they have signed Billy Guerin to a "professional tryout" (PTO) which will allow him to attend Philadelphia's training camp which starts Saturday, September 18th.

“Bill has been a very good player for a long time in our league,” added Holmgren. “We are happy to have him in camp."

So it looks like this is more and more likely to become the "ugly truth!"

Penguins Prospect Defenseman Grant Released from Hospital

This past weekend the Penguins Prospect Camp got underway and included a tournament in London, Ontario against prospects from both the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

During the first game against the Senators prospects on Saturday afternoon, defenseman Alex Grant was hit from behind by David Dziurzynski in the second period. The Penguins training staff and medics tended to Grant on the ice prior to his being transported off the ice on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for observation. Dziurzynski received a five-minute major for the hit while Simon Despres stepped in to replace Grant.

An update on the Penguins webpage reports that Grant was released from the hospital in the early afternoon yesterday; he sustained a broken wrist and whiplash.  He will be re-evaluated by Penguins medical staff when the team returns later this week.

Talbot Supports Local Pittsburgh Artist

If you watched anything or browsed through some of the pics on the Pens delivering tickets to STH this past Friday then I'M PRETTY SURE you caught Max Talbot sporting those loud shoes (how could you miss them?!)!!  They were quite the talk of twitter!!

They're very "Max Talbot" (this is a guy who can pull off bright, large, checker-patterned shirts) and for as many negative responses there were for them there were just as many cool responses.  If you couldn't make out what they were (separately they did appear to be just brightly colored shoes; however) together they made the face of a tree frog and were created by a local Pittsburgh artist ... if you think about it, Talbot made a pretty good PR move for the artist!

If you guys are asking what are these shoes, they'll be available on Brush footwear in about 2 weeks. Local artist from Pitt. Keep u posted!

I did google "Brush footwear," but the site isn't up and running yet ("coming soon").  But I'll keep you posted!!! ; )

PRETTY COOL SHOES!!

Fedotenko to the Rangers?

TSN is reporting that Ruslan Fedotenko has confirmed that "he has accepted an offer from the New York Rangers to attend their training camp on a tryout basis."

UPDATE: Special Deliveries for Lucky Pens Fans TODAY

[UPDATE]
The Penguins webpage finally posted some information about today's deliveries!!  Players involved in the delivering tickets to over 30 houses were Sid, Fleury, Talbot, Letang, Kunitz, Dupuis, Rupp, Adams, Godard, and Johnson.

“It’s such a great way for our players to reach out to our season ticket holders, who are the backbone of this franchise,” said David Morehouse, CEO of the Penguins. “We’re fortunate to have so many guys who enjoy interacting with our fans in this unique way.”

This morning on KISS 96.1's "Freak Show," they mentioned that the Penguins would be involved in their annual task of delivering tickets to a few lucky season-ticket holders today (nothing official on either site, but wanted to mention what I heard).

Check back for more on this as I come across it!!

Stan and Guy Podcast: Shero and Bylsma

In case you missed them on the Stan and Guy radio show (ESPN 1250) this past Wednesday, here's a link to the podcast (if that doesn't work, CLICK HERE):

LISTEN TO SHERO AND BYLSMA

ON STAN & GUY

(Lunch with a Legend)

Two Pre-Season Games Being Broadcast

This is either a sign of just how big the Pens have become or it's a special treat to usher in the inaugural season at the CONSOL Energy Center and only time will tell what the reasoning is for the Penguins latest plans (or perhaps it's actually a mix of both).

The Penguins announced today that two of the three pre-season games will be televised which is not typical based on previous seasons (with both games being called by FSN's Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey):

• Saturday, September 25th VS Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7 PM (LIVE on WPCW / Pittsburgh's CW - due to a scheduling conflict on FSN)
• Tuesday, September 28th VS Chicago Blackhawks @ 7 PM (delay broadcase following Pirates post-game show)

Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Malkin Headline Charity Game in Moscow

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ARTICLE

at The Hockey Writers (THW)

Bylsma and Shero on ESPN 1250

Today from 12 noon to 1 PM, Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma will be on Stan and Guy's special "Lunch with a Legend" show.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE!!

The rest of the lineup for today:

1:30 - Patrick Kane

Lots of AWESOME Pens News Today - Pens Release Promotional Schedule!!

The Penguins released their promotional schedule today since the season is quickly approaching.  The big announcement today with the release of the promotional schedule was that they will be giving away a "commemorative first-game ticket" at the home-opener October 7th against the Philadelphia Flyers.

For the entire promotional schedule, VISIT THE PENGUINS WEBPAGE (CLICK HERE)!!

The Pens also announced today that Prospect Camp begins this coming Friday, September 10th (hockey is right around the corner, gang!)!!!  It runs from September 10th through Tuesday, September 14th and will be held in London, Ontario. 

The Penguins will arrive on September 17th to begin their training camp the following day.

#1 Cochran Labor Day Event: Fast and Fleuryous

I just saw #1 Cochran's new commercial for one of their Labor Day events:
Anyone who purchases a new or pre-owned Hyandai September 2nd - 6th at #1 Cochran will be invited to an EXCLUSIVE VIP "Meet 'N Greet" with Marc-Andre Fleury.

Pretty COOL but I'm not in the market for a new vehicle and if I was, it would never be a Hyandai.

Interview with Mike Comrie

Yesterday Mike Comrie was on 105.9 The X with Mark Madden.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

(NOTE: there's Steelers talk at the beginning and the interview doesn't actually start until about the 2-minute mark)

It's a pretty interesting interview.  I'm impressed with how Comrie diverts the attention back to hockey when Madden starts out by mentioning his recent marriage to Hilary Duff, "... it's back to business now and on to Pittsburgh ..."  There's no better way h

They talk about his role in Pittsburgh (filling a position based on chemistry) and that he's played center but most recently, wing.  Also touch on other things such as:

• Edmonton's losing season as well as his illness (mono) last year
• possibly playing wing alongside Crosby and what that would mean
• his excitement for being in Pittsburgh and the fans welcoming him

 To get a really great background story on Comrie, CLICK HERE to visit Globe and Mail and read "Beauty and the brick."

The Program: Question of the Day

Head over to The Program for THE QUESTION OF THE DAY courtesy of "yours truly" (after I proposed the question, "Shall the Hilary Duff drinking game commence?")!!!

What ideas would you give for a Hillary Duff Drinking Game?

Head over to The Program and SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS NOW!!!

Pens Sign Mike Comrie

The Penguins just announced that they've signed forward Matt Comrie to a one-year deal.  As a side-note, we may be catching glimpses of Hilary Duff at the new CONSOL this season as she and Mike were married last month!!

TALK ABOUT AN ARSENOL OF YOUNG GUNS ... WOW!!!  I can't wait for the season to start!!!

Staal Injury Update: Will Miss Start of Training Camp

It appears that the injury Jordan Staal suffered during Game 1 of last season's Eastern Conference semi-finals is still keeping him from a game-ready return for this season.  The Penguins announced today that Staal will miss the beginning of training camp set for September 18th. 

“Jordan’s setback with his foot held him back from a training standpoint and it prevented him from getting his foot into a skate and doing some of the activities in the summer time that you would like,” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “The good thing is that there is time to do the appropriate thing – which is to take time and get the foot healed up properly before we move towards getting him into a skate.”

Despite this minor setback, the Penguins remain optimistic that Staal will be ready for the regular season beginning October 7th at the new CONSOL Energy Center against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“The fact that Jordan came back and played with this injury during the playoffs is a testament to his toughness and competitiveness,” Shero said. “He has experienced some setbacks due to infection, but is now on the road to recovery. We believe he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season in October.”

One Good Turn Deserves Another ... Bill Guerin Skates with Philly

OK ... I'm getting a little paranoid.  It's seriously like a Penguins Armageddon around here lately.

First we sign Arron Asham and now THIS (for those Pens fans who have weak stomachs, you may want to avoid viewing the picture below altogether!)!!!

Photo courtesy of Flyer Files

WTF is going on??!!!!!

Granted, all the news articles are saying that Guerin is just SKATING with the Flyers and there's no real plans for anything more, but this ... THIS IS JUST - OMG, I just don't know how much more of this orange shit I can take!  Billy G has always been a funny guy, but wearing that shirt ... I don't see the humor there, man!

But the latest on this situation according to Flyer Files is that Guerin simply wants to keep himself in shape for any offers that may come his way.  He told Flyer Files:

“I was down in the area visiting my father-in-law who lives in Medford. I was going to be in the area anyway and I wanted to get on the ice. My agent talked to Paul (Holmgren) about possibly having me come here and skate around with the guys. It was nice. It was good to finally get back on the ice and skate.”

“Right now, honestly, it is just about getting back on the ice. I’m just getting myself in shape, skating shape, to be ready just in case anything happens somewhere. I am definitely looking to play this year.”

Paul Holmgren, the Flyers GM, also told Flyer Files:

“Bill’s wife is from around here (Medford) and his agent (Bob Murray) called to see if it was OK for him to skate here a few days and I told him he could. But don’t read anything into it. We’re happy with our team.”

Regardless, this is hockey and the bottom line is hockey is a BUSINESS and some of the time it's not pretty and these are just one of those times (fortunately, for now, it's an "ugly lie" and not the "ugly TRUTH!")!!

Link to Podcast: Rupp on 96.1 KISS FM

If you missed the earlier post, Mike Rupp was on 96.1 KISS FM this morning talking to the guys from the Morning Freak Show.  He talked about his trip to Haiti with Talbot, Guerin leaving AND Big Brother (the more I know about him, the MORE I like the guy!)!!!

CLICK HERE to listen!!!