Recent Posts

Eastern Conference Power Rankings; Playoff Race & Penguins X-Factor

The top of the Eastern Conference is a battle in the Atlantic Divison. The bottom of the playoff race is a battle in the Metro Division. Both races are jumbled and could greatly affect the eventual Wales Trophy winner, and the X-factor in the conference is none other than the Pittsburgh Penguins. Are they a […]

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 […]

No Time to Wallow; Penguins Game 59 vs. Oilers: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins might have had to make a quick sweep Saturday night to collect all the pieces of their souls scattered around the visiting locker room in Calgary. There is little time to recover from an absolutely crushing loss, as the Penguins (27-23-8) had to travel to Edmonton to take on Connor McDavid and […]

Dan’s Daily: Vegas Goes for Big Trade; Guentzel Trade Waiting

The Vegas Golden Knights went for the big get on the NHL trade market and still have room to keep going. The Pittsburgh Penguins are waiting for their big shoe to drop. The reportedly hoped-for Wednesday night Jake Guentzel trade has now been pushed into Thursday. We rolled over the top three landing spots for […]

Dan’s Daily: Markstrom, Pettersson Bombshells; Penguins Get Calls

CALGARY — The phone is ringing for Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operation/GM Kyle Dubas. More reports are emerging that Reilly Smith is drawing broad interest on the NHL trade market ahead of the March 8 deadline. PHN talked to Smith about those rumors. Smith also had a definitive response to the pervasive talk that […]

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 Game 57 vs. Kraken: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

It’s Leap Day, and while the Pittsburgh Penguins will need more than one win to jump ahead of some of the teams ahead of them, they will get a chance Thursday to continue an important road trip on a positive note when they meet the Kraken in Seattle. The Penguins (27-21-8) play the second of […]

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 […]

Jake Guentzel Still Around, Participates in Penguins Skate

The NHL trade deadline hasn’t changed, and the reports about possible trades involving Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel haven’t died down, but that didn’t stop Guentzel from participating in the team’s  morning skate Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Guentzel, who is on LTIR because of an upper-body injury and not eligible to be activated until […]

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 […]

Pointless in Seattle: No Comeback for Penguins in 2-0 Loss

The Pittsburgh Penguins had been forced to play from behind in three consecutive games before they visited Seattle Thursday night. Each time, they’d found a way to rally and grab a victory. So when the Kraken got the first goal at Climate Pledge Arena, the Penguins probably weren’t overly concerned. Especially not when they had […]

Capitals Reclaim Matthew Phillips from Penguins

Forward Phillips, who was put on waivers Monday by the Pittsburgh Penguins, was claimed on Tuesday by the Washington Capitals. Or, he was reclaimed. The Penguins claimed Phillips, 25, on Feb. 16 after Washington put him on waivers. He had no real impact, however, getting no points in three games before he became a regular […]

Top 3 Trade Spots for Jake Guentzel; Potential Returns

We have reached that unfortunate hour in which Jake Guentzel is on the NHL trade block, and bidders are waving numbered placards in hopes of landing the scoring winger who has not only supported center Sidney Crosby better than any winger in Crosby’s career but also elevated Crosby’s game. It seems everyone is coming to […]

Guentzel Out 3-4 Weeks; Penguins Recall Three from Wilkes-Barre

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ longshot playoff prospects have taken a major hit, as left winger Jark Guentzel is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks because of an unspecified upper-body injury. He apparently was hurt during the third period of the Penguins’ 5-2 loss to Florida at PPG Paints Arena Wednesday night and has been placed […]

Penguins’ Malkin Gets Honest: I Know I’m Not Flying Like Before

Perhaps Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin isn’t as stubborn or as blind to his level of play as some critics believe. And there are many critics – just take a stroll through social media. Malkin, affectionately known as “Geno” throughout a stellar NHL career that is in its 18th season, is well aware that he […]

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 […]