Recent Posts
Penguins Wrap: Lose Key Game, Top Winger & Maybe Some Hope
The Pittsburgh Penguins were surging toward serious contention for a playoff berth as the final days of February ticked off. Things changed, at least temporarily, when the calendar did. Early in the morning of March 1 — in the East, anyway — their three-game winning streak was snapped by a 2-0 defeat in Seattle, as […]
Foreshadowing Trades? Penguins Move O’Connor to Center, Suffers Concussion
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan made several changes to his lines Tuesday, in what could have been foreshadowing the Penguins’ lineup following the NHL trade deadline on Friday. After three straight bruising losses on the recent four-game road trip and deflated spirits, Sullivan made a couple of surprising moves, including moving Drew O’Connor to third-line […]
Dan’s Daily: Guentzel Trade Watch Begins; Capitals Selling
Enjoy the excitement of the next few days because I suspect you may not like the hockey that follows. The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing to say goodbye to winger Jake Guentzel as the NHL trade rumors are buzzing that a deal could go down today. TSN has been updating the Guentzel trade watch every four […]
Penguins Trade: Get Bemstrom from Columbus, Nylander Goes to CBJ
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired winger Bemstrom from Columbus for forward Nylander and a conditional sixth-round draft choice in 2026. That draft choice will become a third-rounder if Bemstrom scores six goals for the Penguins during the balance of this season. Benstrom, 24, has five goals and six assists in 32 games with the Blue […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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’ Offensive Numbers Adding Up to Sour Season
When the Pittsburgh Penguins raised a banner emblazoned with Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68 Sunday, it joined a number of others already in the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. There were, for example, the ones commemorating the franchise’s five Stanley Cups, as well as those celebrating the other players who have had their numbers retired, Mario […]
Penguins Grades: Toxic Power Play, Inexplicable Mistakes Crushing Season
Like peanut butter and jelly, Sidney Crosby and backhand goals, and Jaromir Jagr and a mullet, the Pittsburgh Penguins and self-inflicted losses with a sabotaging power play have become synonymous. Unlike the former examples, the latter is suffocating what was supposed to be a promising season. Nevermore was a greater microcosm of the Penguins’ season […]
Penguins Grades: ‘Resilient’ Win, 3 Players Who Rose to Challenge
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The handmade cardboard sign was taped above the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room door. It said only two words, “All In.” The Penguins earned a hard-fought win and one that shines a bright, positive light on the team, who beat the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in overtime at Rogers Arena. If there’s […]
Penguins Practice: Sullivan Overhauls Lines, Defense Pairings
CRANBERRY — Mike Sullivan made some significant personnel changes during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Monday. The top line, with Sidney Crosby between Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, remained intact, but most of the other lines and defense pairings were scrambled. Here are the the lines and pairings from the workout: […]
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 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 […]
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’ Last Chance Saloon; 3 Quick Thoughts From Edmonton
EDMONTON, Alberta — This is it for the Pittsburgh Penguins. No matter how proclaimed the end, waving the white flag before the results were in, we’re just a few days ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline. There are no more lifelines, audience polls, or phone-a-friend. It’s time for president of hockey operations/GM Dubas’s final answer. […]