Recent Posts
Penguins Pushing Erik Karlsson, Time for ‘Difference-Maker’ to Let Loose
CRANBERRY — Erik Karlsson was the prized get on the NHL trade market last summer. One by one, teams that had visions of adding the Norris Trophy winner who can skate with the elegance of the Russians and the speed of the wind dropped out until two remained. And then one, as the Pittsburgh Penguins […]
Penguins Room: Crosby Pushes Back, but the Coach at a Loss
The captain and the head coach spoke Wednesday after yet another soulless loss. The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost three in a row and have varied from dispirited to lethargic with periods of manic comeback attempts that were not enough. The Florida Panthers were the latest to turn the knife, handily beating the 5-2 at PPG […]
Penguins Trade Talk: Does Vegas Need Reilly Smith? Is a Goalie Available?
The NHL trade chatter has finally picked up after a couple of months of stagnation when the focus was solely on the Calgary Flames. We can finally move past Calgary and look to the deadline. Injuries and playoff contention are creating openings and opportunities, including for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle […]
Penguins Grades: Letang Meltdown, Late Collapse Rocks Team
CALGARY, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins got a pair of bottom-six goals. They scored a power-play goal in the second period and led 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining. Yet the Penguins remain the most self-destructive team in the NHL. Calgary scored two goals 32 seconds apart in the middle of the third period and another […]
LIVE NHL Trade Deadline Blog: Late VGK Blockbuster; Penguins Quiet
BOSTON — The Pittsburgh Penguins kicked over the first big domino of the NHL trade deadline when they traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes late Thursday night. Reliable sources tell Pittsburgh Hockey Now that the Penguins have received interest in more players, who could have new addresses by the deadline at 3 p.m. Lars […]
Penguins Hoping Phillips Comes Up Big for Their Offense
Shortly before 2 p.m. Friday, Matthew Phillips was a spare part with the Washington Capitals, with only the formality of clearing waivers appearing to separate him from a trip to the American Hockey League. Minutes later, his itinerary — and his life — changed. By 11 p.m., he was in a new town, working for […]
Predicting Penguins Trade Deadline; Devils Could Jump Pens
CALGARY, Alberta — The NHL trade deadline is just one week away, and perhaps it’s fitting the Pittsburgh Penguins are in Calgary because this is the city that could flip the balance of power in the Metro Division and the Eastern Conference wild-card race. The Flames traded sandpaper defenseman Chris Tanev to Dallas, keeping him […]
Penguins Report Card: Malkin Rises, but Pens’ Ship is Sinking Fast
A power play terrified to shoot and gives up a breakaway goal at its conclusion. A team that can’t muster the fear or urgency to win games on home ice with their season on the line. Last season, it took until Game 81 for the Pittsburgh Penguins to be eliminated from playoff contention. The impatient […]
Penguins: We’re Looking for Points, Not Scapegoats
CRANBERRY — There are numerous reasons the Pittsburgh Penguins are having such a disappointing season. Their power play has produced more punch lines than goals. Some key veterans — guys like Evgeni Malkin and Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and Ryan Graves — have not performed at the level the Penguins expected. And need. Most of their […]
Penguins Wrap: Jagr’s No. 68 Goes Up; Playoff Hopes Go Down
The Pittsburgh Penguins added a chapter to their history last Sunday by retiring Jaromir Jagr’s number, making him the third player in franchise history to be so honored. A few hours later, they put another hurdle in their path to a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs by failing to protect a lead late in […]
ESPN Reports Penguins ‘Sky High’ Asking Price on Guentzel
The Pittsburgh Penguins control their playoff fate with games in hand and being close enough to the teams they’re chasing that if those games in hand are converted to wins, the Penguins would be in a playoff spot. Yet the NHL trade rumors continue to swirl around injured left winger Jake Guentzel. Tuesday, ESPN’s Emily […]
Devils Fire Ruff; Travis Green Interim Coach
The New Jersey Devils made a major move as the NHL trade deadline approached, but the Devils didn’t add — or trade — a player. Instead, they have fired coach Lindy Ruff and replaced him, on an interim basis, with associate coach Green. The move was announced by New Jersey’s president/GM Tom Fitzgerald, who broke […]
Kingerski: Penguins’ Inaction Was the Problem; What Exactly Was the Plan?
The Pittsburgh Penguins this season have been a flawed team from the beginning. Since November, they’ve been figuratively crying out for help, but none was forthcoming. The team’s flaws have been exposed. They lack enough emotional leaders. The third pairing has been a problem child all season. With respect to Chad Ruhwedel, his place in […]
Do Lots of No-Trade Clauses = Few Trades Coming for Penguins?
CRANBERRY — Kyle Dubas remained noncommittal Wednesday about whether the Pittsburgh Penguins will be buyers or sellers — or neither — between now and the March 8 NHL trade deadline. That decision, he suggested, will be determined by how the Penguins perform — and where they stand in the Eastern Conference playoff race — as […]
UPDATED Penguins Practice: Bunting Arrives, Rust Full Go, Harkins Out
Injured Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rust joined his teammates for practice Friday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. So did newly acquired forward Bunting. Rust, who switched from a white jersey to a black one just as practice was starting, was full contact, according to Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. Rust is on IR because of an […]
WATCH: Guentzel, Penguins Trade Analysis
The Pittsburgh Penguins made their move. On the eve of the NHL trade deadline, Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes for five assets, including NHL winger Michael Bunting. However, the analysis gets rough. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski details the Penguins’ haul for Guentzel, including the three […]