Recent Posts

Penguins Wrap: Guentzel Moves On; Playoffs Grow More Distant

The Pittsburgh Penguins gave away copies of their 2023-24 yearbook as a promotion at their game against Philadelphia Feb. 25. Speculation in the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline suggested that they might want to consider offering an updated version of it because, in the wake of all their personnel moves they were […]

Karlsson’s OT Goal Gives Penguins 4-3 Win Over Canucks

The Pittsburgh Penguins did not play a perfect game in Vancouver Tuesday night. They made some mental mistakes. Some physical ones, too. Heck, they gave up a shorthanded goal for the third time in the past five games. But they also played with resolve and commitment and focus, and an obvious appreciation of what was […]

One Honor During Jaromir Jagr’s Visit Has a Nice Ring to it

Perhaps the afterglow of Jaromir Jagr’s visit to Pittsburgh and the related celebrations and activities has diminished a little, but there is something other than the No. 68 banner in the PPG Paints Arena rafters that remains as a reminder. And, while the timing certainly worked, truth be told there is reason to believe it […]

Penguins Six-Pack: Losing Mind Games; Cool Moment for Ludvig

There are times when the Pittsburgh Penguins seem fragile, like a team that fully expects something bad to happen. Perhaps because it so often does. Witness their 5-2 loss to Florida Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena, when the Penguins appeared to take a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Rickard Rakell at 2:32 […]

Dan’s Daily: Kessel Gets NHL Workout; Malkin Makes Big Admission

Evgeni Malkin admitted he’s not the player he once was for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a startling day at Penguins practice, and Pittsburgh Hockey Now has full coverage. Phil Kessel is getting an NHL workout with old friends. The NHL trade rumors surrounding Chris Tanev and Vladimir Tarasenko are going in different directions, and […]

Penguins Grades: Team Battles Heartbreak and Distraction

The Pittsburgh Penguins were energetic and aggressive in the first period. They were utterly terrible in the second period. They got by later in the third period when they finally buckled down for a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena. With the NHL trade rumors swirling around Penguins winger Guentzel […]

Dan’s Daily: Oilers Won’t Include Prospect; Penguins Get Big Surprise

Sometimes, this job is just the best. I have covered Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby and seen them make routine that which other humans just cannot do. Saturday was one of those crazy days everyone will remember as 52-year-old Jaromir Jagr suited up for Penguins practice, one day before his iconic No. 68 is retired. […]

Penguins Practice: Malkin, Letang Return

The Penguins had all expected players on the ice for practice Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, including two players who were absent or limited on Monday. Defenseman Kris Letang was back. He left Monday’s practice early and is “nicked up,” according to coach Mike Sullivan. Center Evgeni Malkin, who sat out Monday’s practice […]

Evgeni Malkin Has Heartfelt Message for Penguins Fans

With the losses piling up, the playoffs fading into obscurity, and the trade deadline leaving the Pittsburgh Penguins dragging emotionally, Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin had a message to the team’s fans Friday after practice. “(Thursday) night, it’s not a great night for us,” the future Hall of Famer said of 6-0 loss at […]

Penguins Six-Pack: Harkins Checks In; Rakell’s Touch Returns

This is not the first time Sidney Crosby has played in a game with violent momentum swings since he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005. But there have not, he acknowledged, been very many quite like the Penguins’ 7-6 victory against Philadelphia Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. “I remember one against Washington here years ago,” […]

Penguins Grades: Young Legs & Goaltending Shine, Pens Capable of ‘Better’

The Pittsburgh Penguins scored a power-play goal as the front end of two goals in 21 seconds. The outburst erased an otherwise ordinary, bordering on lackluster Penguins performance as they beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins also got some playoff help as the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey […]

Penguins Trade Analysis: Dubas Gambles; Bemstrom Scouting Report (+)

As the Pittsburgh Penguins eeked and creaked their way to a 1-1 first period against the Montreal Canadiens, president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas pulled a small Penguins trade that could be a steal, or it could be quite costly. Dubas rolled the dice on a conditional draft pick that might further deplete the draft […]

Penguins Game 58 vs. Flames: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Next up for the Pittsburgh Penguins is a meeting Saturday with the Calgary Flames as they continue a road trip out west that is just a little important. As in, what happens in these four games could help determine not only whether the Penguins make the playoffs, but also what could happen with the roster […]

Friedman Names Teams Interested in Jake Guentzel; Penguins Goalies, Too

It might be more of a confirmation of common sense. During the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet and HNIC reporter Elliotte Friedman rattled off a handful of teams interested in Penguins winger Jake Guentzel. He also confirmed that teams believe a Penguins’ goalie will be available on the NHL trade block, too. […]

Penguins Trade Grade: 2nd-Tier Hurricanes, Pens’ Loss Deeper than Guentzel

The Pittsburgh Penguins did not get the top prospects, nor a top-six NHL player from the Carolina Hurricanes as Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas zipped Sidney Crosby’s longtime sidecar Jake Guentzel to Carolina for three prospects, a conditional second-rounder that could become a first, and Dubas-acquainted winger Michael Bunting. Bunting will plug a […]

Penguins Thoughts: Prepare for Karlsson; Pens’ Trade Chips

ln an increasingly rare dateline, this comes from the home rink, and the Pittsburgh Penguins battle not only against the quality teams they are battling for a playoff spot but, like an old Polaroid of happier times, to finally recapture the best version of themselves. With each passing day and each gut-punch loss, the Penguins […]