Recent Posts

(UPDATED) Penguins, Hurricanes Close to Guentzel Trade; Bunting Scouting Report

Buckle up. The NHL trade rumors should get thick tonight. The Carolina Hurricanes, thought to be part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel trade sweepstakes, make a curious lineup choice Thursday night. The Hurricanes announced overachieving winger Michael Bunting was scratched for “trade releated” reasons. Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman went further on X, confirming that Bunting […]

Now or Never, Penguins Game 54 vs. Canadiens: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

It might be a contest of which team can muster more desperation Thursday when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens. If the Penguins (24-21-8) are in a bad way trying to climb into a playoff spot, then the Canadiens (22-25-8) are hanging on by a fingernail at best. The Penguins are coming off a […]

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 […]

PHN Postgame Q&A: So Many Mistakes; Move Malkin to Wing?

Try as they might Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins could not overcome themselves or the New York Islanders, losing in overtime 5-4 at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins’ second and third lines with Malkin and Lars Eller, respectively, were especially good. However, the mistakes on defense were too much. The power play was 0-for-3 and yielded […]

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 […]

Dan’s Daily: High Trade Cost for Chychrun; The Penguins Had Enough

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan had enough. Significant changes swept the Penguins lineup Monday at practice as the coach shuffled lines, dropping high-paid players either down in the lineup or out entirely. He didn’t mince words after practice, either. Elsewhere in the Daily, the Ottawa Senators are chumming the NHL trade waters but keeping a […]

Bunting Never Saw Trade to Penguins Coming, But Seems Glad it Did

CRANBERRY — No one, especially Jake Guentzel, should have been surprised when the Pittsburgh Penguins moved him as the NHL trade deadline approached. When Guentzel didn’t re-sign with the Penguins and seemed to be intent on testing the free-agent market this summer, they had little reason to keep him once their playoff hopes became a […]

Penguins Grades: Crosby Carries Team; Pens Have Rough 24 Hours

CHICAGO — There are low event games, and then there are D’oh event games. The Pittsburgh Penguins have endured a bruising 24 hours, from losing at home to the Florida Panthers in a game that felt like a curtain closer, and in the process, lost primary scoring winger Jake Guentzel for at least the next […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Molinari: Penguins’ Return for Guentzel is Awful … Unless it Isn’t (+)

The trade that sent Jake Guentzel to Carolina Thursday night just might be the worst in Pittsburgh Penguins history. OK, there’s actually no chance that it will outdo, say, sending Markus Naslund to Vancouver for Stojanov, but you get the idea. The Penguins parted with a proven 40-goal scorer in exchange for a package that […]

Guentzel Leaves Game With Upper-Body Injury

Jake Guentzel left the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-2 loss to Florida Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena during the third period with an unspecified upper-body injury. His last shift of the game ended at 8:02 of the third period. Coach Mike Sullivan said after the game that his injury was being evaluated, but offered no other […]

Penguins’ Guentzel Trade Chatter: What Hurricanes Can Offer

In the latest and perhaps last chapter of the Jake Guentzel trade saga, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ division rivals are now mentioned as potential suitors. Lost in the shuffle of NHL trade chatter focusing on Western Conference teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks, Metro Division foes New York Rangers, and the Carolina […]

Dan’s Daily: Trade Deadline Matches; Penguins Falling Fast

Freefall out into nothing. The Pittsburgh Penguins lost their third regulation game in a row with their third disappointing effort in a row and are poised to miss the playoffs for the second season in a row. Penguins love became a funeral pyre Wednesday. Sidney Crosby pushed back, but coach Mike Sullivan was admittedly at […]

Flames’ Late-Game Comeback Torches Penguins, 4-3

The Pittsburgh Penguins just might have made Kyle Dubas’ mind up for him Saturday night in Calgary. They had a 3-1 lead over the Flames midway through the third period, but gave up three unanswered goals to absorb a 4-3 defeat that might be their most devastating loss in a season that’s been full of […]