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	<title>Penguins Nation &#187; Fan News</title>
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	<description>All your Pittsburgh Pengiun News</description>
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		<title>Top 12 Power Play Performers of 2009-10</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/top-12-power-play-performers-of-2009-10/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/top-12-power-play-performers-of-2009-10/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:17:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Ritter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/452347-top-twelve-power-play-performers-of-2009-10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>With the 2010-11 season just a few weeks away, I thought it would be fun to look back on the top twelve power play performers of the 2009-10 season.<br /><br />Special teams are becoming more and more important to an NHL teams playoff chances, making players that can perform on the power play a very important part of a teams success.<br /><br />Here are the top twelve power play performers of 2009-10:<br /><br /></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/452347-top-twelve-power-play-performers-of-2009-10">Begin Slideshow</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the 2010-11 season just a few weeks away, I thought it would be fun to look back on the top twelve power play performers of the 2009-10 season.<br><br>Special teams are becoming more and more important to an NHL teams playoff chances, making players that can perform on the power play a very important part of a teams success.<br><br>Here are the top twelve power play performers of 2009-10:<br><br></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/452347-top-twelve-power-play-performers-of-2009-10">Begin Slideshow</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Baby Penguins Banter: September 4, 2010 Edition</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:14:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alison  Myers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/451015-baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><span style="font-size: small">Welcome to the first edition of Baby Penguins Banter for the month of September! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The American Hockey League rolled out their regular season schedule last week. This edition will be devoted to looking at some of the most notable games on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2010-2011 season schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Mark your calendar to follow the Baby Penguins on these dates:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>October 9, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Saturday, October 9 marks the Penguins home opener against the Hershey Bears. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and are the defending two-time Calder Cup champions. The Penguins have put up some remarkable efforts against Hershey in the regular season (they even won a game 5-0 this past February) but have struggled against them in the playoffs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Both teams already have a drastically different look from last season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Last year, the Penguins were mostly made up of players with limited professional experience. Now, those players&#160;are another year older and wiser and know a little more about what Hershey brings to the table. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Hershey, who has been dominant for the last two AHL seasons, was depleted over the summer. The Bears&#8217; most significant loss was offensive powerhouse Alexandre Giroux, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers organization. They also lost Kyle Wilson (to Columbus), Chris Bourque (to Europe), and Greg Amadio (to Detroit). </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will need to win this game to leave a good impression on their fanbase, who were largely dissatisfied with the 2009-2010 season. They will also have to show the Bears that they can compete with them during the 10-game season series. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>October 15 and 17, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Charlotte Checkers</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on one of the AHL&#8217;s newest teams, the Charlotte Checkers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Charlotte is the new affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who decided to relocate their AHL team to North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Checkers are in the East Division with the Penguins, and the two teams will square off eight times this season, starting with these two meetings. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">&#160;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>December 12, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Albany Devils</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Get out your poker chips and take a spin at the slot machine!&#160; On December 12, the Penguins will travel to Atlantic City to take on the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">AHL hockey is not new to the city of Albany. For several years, New York&#8217;s capital was home to the Albany River Rats. The River Rats were originally affiliated with the Devils but became the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2006-2007 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Last year, Carolina made the decision to move their AHL affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The new team will be the Charlotte Checkers, who spent several seasons in the ECHL but will switch leagues for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">This will not be the first time this season that the Penguins will square off against the Devils. However, what makes this game exciting is that it will be played in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Boardwalk Hall has not hosted a hockey game since the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL closed up shop in 2005. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>December 30, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">You may think this is just an ordinary home game for the Pennsylvania rivals, but it&#8217;s more than that. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will head to Pittsburgh to play a &#8220;home&#8221; game in the Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be held as part of a hockey doubleheader two days before the 2011 Winter Classic. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The game will also mark the first time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has played in Pittsburgh since the 2001-2002 season. That year, they took on the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Mellon Arena and wore Pittsburgh Hornets throw back jerseys. </span></p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>January 21, 2011: </strong>Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">On January 21, the Penguins will take on the Adirondack Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Flyers&#8217; AHL affiliate was formerly based in Philadelphia and known as the Philadelphia Phantoms. The team left for Glens Falls, New York for the 2009-2010 season due to the upcoming demolition of the Wachovia Spectrum. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins previously played at Wachovia Center during the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, and this game marks their first trip back since then. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>&#160;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small">Other News</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton recently signed Geoff Walker and Ben Street to AHL contracts. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Walker spent last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, and the Ontario Reign, the Kings&#8217; ECHL affiliate. He had 14 points in 37 games with the Monarchs and 23 points in 26 games with the Reign. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Street will be entering his first year of professional hockey after spending five years at the University of Wisconsin. He had 30 points in 43 games and tied his career high from the 2007-2008 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><strong>&#160;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small">Any Questions?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Are there any Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins topics you want to hear about in a future edition of Baby Penguins Banter?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Do you have any questions about the players who will be on the team this year?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Let me know in the comments or drop me a message.&#160; &#160;</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to the first edition of Baby Penguins Banter for the month of September! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The American Hockey League rolled out their regular season schedule last week. This edition will be devoted to looking at some of the most notable games on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2010-2011 season schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Mark your calendar to follow the Baby Penguins on these dates:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>October 9, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, October 9 marks the Penguins home opener against the Hershey Bears. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and are the defending two-time Calder Cup champions. The Penguins have put up some remarkable efforts against Hershey in the regular season (they even won a game 5-0 this past February) but have struggled against them in the playoffs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Both teams already have a drastically different look from last season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last year, the Penguins were mostly made up of players with limited professional experience. Now, those players&nbsp;are another year older and wiser and know a little more about what Hershey brings to the table. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Hershey, who has been dominant for the last two AHL seasons, was depleted over the summer. The Bears&rsquo; most significant loss was offensive powerhouse Alexandre Giroux, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers organization. They also lost Kyle Wilson (to Columbus), Chris Bourque (to Europe), and Greg Amadio (to Detroit). </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will need to win this game to leave a good impression on their fanbase, who were largely dissatisfied with the 2009-2010 season. They will also have to show the Bears that they can compete with them during the 10-game season series. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>October 15 and 17, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Charlotte Checkers</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on one of the AHL&rsquo;s newest teams, the Charlotte Checkers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Charlotte is the new affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who decided to relocate their AHL team to North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Checkers are in the East Division with the Penguins, and the two teams will square off eight times this season, starting with these two meetings. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>December 12, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Albany Devils</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Get out your poker chips and take a spin at the slot machine!&nbsp; On December 12, the Penguins will travel to Atlantic City to take on the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">AHL hockey is not new to the city of Albany. For several years, New York&rsquo;s capital was home to the Albany River Rats. The River Rats were originally affiliated with the Devils but became the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2006-2007 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last year, Carolina made the decision to move their AHL affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The new team will be the Charlotte Checkers, who spent several seasons in the ECHL but will switch leagues for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">This will not be the first time this season that the Penguins will square off against the Devils. However, what makes this game exciting is that it will be played in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Boardwalk Hall has not hosted a hockey game since the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL closed up shop in 2005. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>December 30, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">You may think this is just an ordinary home game for the Pennsylvania rivals, but it&rsquo;s more than that. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will head to Pittsburgh to play a &ldquo;home&rdquo; game in the Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be held as part of a hockey doubleheader two days before the 2011 Winter Classic. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The game will also mark the first time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has played in Pittsburgh since the 2001-2002 season. That year, they took on the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Mellon Arena and wore Pittsburgh Hornets throw back jerseys. </span></p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>January 21, 2011: </strong>Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">On January 21, the Penguins will take on the Adirondack Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Flyers&rsquo; AHL affiliate was formerly based in Philadelphia and known as the Philadelphia Phantoms. The team left for Glens Falls, New York for the 2009-2010 season due to the upcoming demolition of the Wachovia Spectrum. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins previously played at Wachovia Center during the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, and this game marks their first trip back since then. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Other News</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton recently signed Geoff Walker and Ben Street to AHL contracts. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Walker spent last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, and the Ontario Reign, the Kings&rsquo; ECHL affiliate. He had 14 points in 37 games with the Monarchs and 23 points in 26 games with the Reign. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Street will be entering his first year of professional hockey after spending five years at the University of Wisconsin. He had 30 points in 43 games and tied his career high from the 2007-2008 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Any Questions?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Are there any Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins topics you want to hear about in a future edition of Baby Penguins Banter?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you have any questions about the players who will be on the team this year?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Let me know in the comments or drop me a message.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Baby Penguins Banter: September 4, 2010 Edition</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:14:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alison  Myers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/451015-baby-penguins-banter-september-4-2010-edition</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><span style="font-size: small">Welcome to the first edition of Baby Penguins Banter for the month of September! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The American Hockey League rolled out their regular season schedule last week. This edition will be devoted to looking at some of the most notable games on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2010-2011 season schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Mark your calendar to follow the Baby Penguins on these dates:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>October 9, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Saturday, October 9 marks the Penguins home opener against the Hershey Bears. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and are the defending two-time Calder Cup champions. The Penguins have put up some remarkable efforts against Hershey in the regular season (they even won a game 5-0 this past February) but have struggled against them in the playoffs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Both teams already have a drastically different look from last season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Last year, the Penguins were mostly made up of players with limited professional experience. Now, those players&#160;are another year older and wiser and know a little more about what Hershey brings to the table. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Hershey, who has been dominant for the last two AHL seasons, was depleted over the summer. The Bears&#8217; most significant loss was offensive powerhouse Alexandre Giroux, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers organization. They also lost Kyle Wilson (to Columbus), Chris Bourque (to Europe), and Greg Amadio (to Detroit). </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will need to win this game to leave a good impression on their fanbase, who were largely dissatisfied with the 2009-2010 season. They will also have to show the Bears that they can compete with them during the 10-game season series. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>October 15 and 17, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Charlotte Checkers</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on one of the AHL&#8217;s newest teams, the Charlotte Checkers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Charlotte is the new affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who decided to relocate their AHL team to North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Checkers are in the East Division with the Penguins, and the two teams will square off eight times this season, starting with these two meetings. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">&#160;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>December 12, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Albany Devils</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Get out your poker chips and take a spin at the slot machine!&#160; On December 12, the Penguins will travel to Atlantic City to take on the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">AHL hockey is not new to the city of Albany. For several years, New York&#8217;s capital was home to the Albany River Rats. The River Rats were originally affiliated with the Devils but became the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2006-2007 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Last year, Carolina made the decision to move their AHL affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The new team will be the Charlotte Checkers, who spent several seasons in the ECHL but will switch leagues for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">This will not be the first time this season that the Penguins will square off against the Devils. However, what makes this game exciting is that it will be played in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Boardwalk Hall has not hosted a hockey game since the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL closed up shop in 2005. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>December 30, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">You may think this is just an ordinary home game for the Pennsylvania rivals, but it&#8217;s more than that. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins will head to Pittsburgh to play a &#8220;home&#8221; game in the Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be held as part of a hockey doubleheader two days before the 2011 Winter Classic. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The game will also mark the first time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has played in Pittsburgh since the 2001-2002 season. That year, they took on the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Mellon Arena and wore Pittsburgh Hornets throw back jerseys. </span></p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>&#160;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small"><strong>January 21, 2011: </strong>Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">On January 21, the Penguins will take on the Adirondack Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Flyers&#8217; AHL affiliate was formerly based in Philadelphia and known as the Philadelphia Phantoms. The team left for Glens Falls, New York for the 2009-2010 season due to the upcoming demolition of the Wachovia Spectrum. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">The Penguins previously played at Wachovia Center during the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, and this game marks their first trip back since then. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>&#160;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small">Other News</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton recently signed Geoff Walker and Ben Street to AHL contracts. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Walker spent last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, and the Ontario Reign, the Kings&#8217; ECHL affiliate. He had 14 points in 37 games with the Monarchs and 23 points in 26 games with the Reign. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Street will be entering his first year of professional hockey after spending five years at the University of Wisconsin. He had 30 points in 43 games and tied his career high from the 2007-2008 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><strong>&#160;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small">Any Questions?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Are there any Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins topics you want to hear about in a future edition of Baby Penguins Banter?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Do you have any questions about the players who will be on the team this year?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small">Let me know in the comments or drop me a message.&#160; &#160;</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to the first edition of Baby Penguins Banter for the month of September! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The American Hockey League rolled out their regular season schedule last week. This edition will be devoted to looking at some of the most notable games on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2010-2011 season schedule. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Mark your calendar to follow the Baby Penguins on these dates:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>October 9, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday, October 9 marks the Penguins home opener against the Hershey Bears. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Bears are the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals and are the defending two-time Calder Cup champions. The Penguins have put up some remarkable efforts against Hershey in the regular season (they even won a game 5-0 this past February) but have struggled against them in the playoffs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Both teams already have a drastically different look from last season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last year, the Penguins were mostly made up of players with limited professional experience. Now, those players&nbsp;are another year older and wiser and know a little more about what Hershey brings to the table. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Hershey, who has been dominant for the last two AHL seasons, was depleted over the summer. The Bears&rsquo; most significant loss was offensive powerhouse Alexandre Giroux, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers organization. They also lost Kyle Wilson (to Columbus), Chris Bourque (to Europe), and Greg Amadio (to Detroit). </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will need to win this game to leave a good impression on their fanbase, who were largely dissatisfied with the 2009-2010 season. They will also have to show the Bears that they can compete with them during the 10-game season series. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>October 15 and 17, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Charlotte Checkers</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on one of the AHL&rsquo;s newest teams, the Charlotte Checkers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Charlotte is the new affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who decided to relocate their AHL team to North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Checkers are in the East Division with the Penguins, and the two teams will square off eight times this season, starting with these two meetings. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>December 12, 2010: </strong>Penguins at Albany Devils</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Get out your poker chips and take a spin at the slot machine!&nbsp; On December 12, the Penguins will travel to Atlantic City to take on the Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">AHL hockey is not new to the city of Albany. For several years, New York&rsquo;s capital was home to the Albany River Rats. The River Rats were originally affiliated with the Devils but became the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the 2006-2007 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last year, Carolina made the decision to move their AHL affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The new team will be the Charlotte Checkers, who spent several seasons in the ECHL but will switch leagues for the 2010-2011 season. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">This will not be the first time this season that the Penguins will square off against the Devils. However, what makes this game exciting is that it will be played in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Boardwalk Hall has not hosted a hockey game since the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL closed up shop in 2005. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>December 30, 2010: </strong>Penguins vs. Hershey Bears</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">You may think this is just an ordinary home game for the Pennsylvania rivals, but it&rsquo;s more than that. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins will head to Pittsburgh to play a &ldquo;home&rdquo; game in the Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be held as part of a hockey doubleheader two days before the 2011 Winter Classic. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The game will also mark the first time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has played in Pittsburgh since the 2001-2002 season. That year, they took on the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at Mellon Arena and wore Pittsburgh Hornets throw back jerseys. </span></p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>January 21, 2011: </strong>Penguins at Adirondack Phantoms</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">On January 21, the Penguins will take on the Adirondack Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Flyers&rsquo; AHL affiliate was formerly based in Philadelphia and known as the Philadelphia Phantoms. The team left for Glens Falls, New York for the 2009-2010 season due to the upcoming demolition of the Wachovia Spectrum. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Penguins previously played at Wachovia Center during the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, and this game marks their first trip back since then. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Other News</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Wilkes-Barre/Scranton recently signed Geoff Walker and Ben Street to AHL contracts. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Walker spent last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, and the Ontario Reign, the Kings&rsquo; ECHL affiliate. He had 14 points in 37 games with the Monarchs and 23 points in 26 games with the Reign. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Street will be entering his first year of professional hockey after spending five years at the University of Wisconsin. He had 30 points in 43 games and tied his career high from the 2007-2008 season. </span><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span></p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Any Questions?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Are there any Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins topics you want to hear about in a future edition of Baby Penguins Banter?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you have any questions about the players who will be on the team this year?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Let me know in the comments or drop me a message.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Not Done Yet: Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Mike Comrie</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/not-done-yet-pittsburgh-penguins-sign-mike-comrie/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/not-done-yet-pittsburgh-penguins-sign-mike-comrie/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:53:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Laura Falcon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/449977-not-done-yet-pittsburgh-penguins-sign-mike-comrie</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span>For the second time this offseason, the <a href="/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a signing when signings seemed no longer imminent.</p> <p>The first signing was former Philadelphia Flyer and Atlantic Division junkie Arron Asham who signed for one year and $700,000. The second signing that occurred late this morning was former Edmonton Oiler Mike Comrie.</p> <p>That's right, Pens fans, Lizzie McGuire is coming to the city of <a href="/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=332520">Comrie signed a one-year deal with the Pens worth $500,000</a> .</p> <p>This is a massive pay cut from his most recent contract with Edmonton, a one-year contract worth $1.125 million.</p> <p>Was Comrie desperate to get a team when he realized a signing might not happen? Or maybe does he have a feeling the Pens could have a good season?</p> <p>Who knows, maybe both.</p> <p>Anyone who is scratching their head about the signing, take a look at  the price tag and length of the contact that should silence any concerns...for the moment, that is.</p> <p>The Pens have been looking for some cheap depth to their wings, a position that many analysts accused the Pens of being far too weak. Despite Comrie being a center, his position there may not be guaranteed.</p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>The signing does bring up the idea of whether GM Ray Shero and the Pens coaching staff want to promote players from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The way the team was hyping players like Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson, and Mark Letestu seemed as if a permanent call-up was in order.</p> <p>On top of that, the Pens were feeling the pressure from the cap so why not bring up someone who has been playing the system?</p> <p>Rumors have been floating around about where Comrie will fit in the line up. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Hilary-Duff-to-attend-Pittsburgh-games-also-Co?urn=nhl-267267">So far, Puck Daddy has noted that <span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s agent Ritch Winters will be playing on Sidney Crosby's line</a>. There's a good chance he will play on the left side, possibly moving Chris Kunitz to the right side which would bump Pascal Dupuis to another line.</p> <p>Here's where I have a problem.</p> <p><span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s numbers aren't anything special. After about a 10-year career, Comrie has played only one full 82-game season and one season of 80 games. Both seasons included career high numbers of 60 points.</p> <p>The last time he hit that number was Crosby's rookie year in 2005-2006.</p> <p>I won't knock on <span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s game. He may be on the small side, 5'10" and 185 lbs, but the guy is as tough as nails.</p> <span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>With that said, is he first line material?</p><p></p><p>I don't think so.</p> <p>I really liked what I saw when Crosby was flanked by Dupuis and Kunitz and I don't see why either would get the boot, especially Dupuis who blossomed at the tail end of the season.</p> <p>So while the signing itself can only benefit the Pens because Comrie is receiving <a href="/nhl">NHL</a> minimum and a one-shot trial, you have to wonder about the fate of other players on the team.</p> <p><a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_696725.html">On August 27, Shero was quoted in the <em>Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</em> talking about wanting a more competitive atmosphere on the ice</a>.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px">"Is Tyler Kennedy good enough to play higher in the lineup? Tyler has  to prove it to us in camp. Same with Max (Talbot). His game last year -  is that it? Where are we with Max? I like competition with the role guys we have. I'm looking at a number of players to get off to good starts."</p> <p>Perhaps this signing is more to light a fire under some players who have been struggling, like Talbot and Kennedy? Talbot more than Kennedy should be concerned about this signing as he and Comrie play similar styles.</p> <p>The fact that Talbot scored the Cup clinching game-winner in 2009 is only going to carry him so far at this point. Other than Malkin, he's the one who needs to come out fighting the most this season.</p> <p>Training camp just got even more interesting.</p> <p>May the best hockey player win a spot on opening night.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span>For the second time this offseason, the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> made a signing when signings seemed no longer imminent.</p> <p>The first signing was former Philadelphia Flyer and Atlantic Division junkie Arron Asham who signed for one year and $700,000. The second signing that occurred late this morning was former Edmonton Oiler Mike Comrie.</p> <p>That's right, Pens fans, Lizzie McGuire is coming to the city of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=332520">Comrie signed a one-year deal with the Pens worth $500,000</a> .</p> <p>This is a massive pay cut from his most recent contract with Edmonton, a one-year contract worth $1.125 million.</p> <p>Was Comrie desperate to get a team when he realized a signing might not happen? Or maybe does he have a feeling the Pens could have a good season?</p> <p>Who knows, maybe both.</p> <p>Anyone who is scratching their head about the signing, take a look at  the price tag and length of the contact that should silence any concerns...for the moment, that is.</p> <p>The Pens have been looking for some cheap depth to their wings, a position that many analysts accused the Pens of being far too weak. Despite Comrie being a center, his position there may not be guaranteed.</p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>The signing does bring up the idea of whether GM Ray Shero and the Pens coaching staff want to promote players from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The way the team was hyping players like Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson, and Mark Letestu seemed as if a permanent call-up was in order.</p> <p>On top of that, the Pens were feeling the pressure from the cap so why not bring up someone who has been playing the system?</p> <p>Rumors have been floating around about where Comrie will fit in the line up. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Hilary-Duff-to-attend-Pittsburgh-games-also-Co?urn=nhl-267267">So far, Puck Daddy has noted that <span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s agent Ritch Winters will be playing on Sidney Crosby's line</a>. There's a good chance he will play on the left side, possibly moving Chris Kunitz to the right side which would bump Pascal Dupuis to another line.</p> <p>Here's where I have a problem.</p> <p><span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s numbers aren't anything special. After about a 10-year career, Comrie has played only one full 82-game season and one season of 80 games. Both seasons included career high numbers of 60 points.</p> <p>The last time he hit that number was Crosby's rookie year in 2005-2006.</p> <p>I won't knock on <span class="spellcheck">Comrie</span>'s game. He may be on the small side, 5'10" and 185 lbs, but the guy is as tough as nails.</p> <span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>With that said, is he first line material?</p><p></p><p>I don't think so.</p> <p>I really liked what I saw when Crosby was flanked by Dupuis and Kunitz and I don't see why either would get the boot, especially Dupuis who blossomed at the tail end of the season.</p> <p>So while the signing itself can only benefit the Pens because Comrie is receiving <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nhl">NHL</a> minimum and a one-shot trial, you have to wonder about the fate of other players on the team.</p> <p><a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_696725.html">On August 27, Shero was quoted in the <em>Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</em> talking about wanting a more competitive atmosphere on the ice</a>.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Is Tyler Kennedy good enough to play higher in the lineup? Tyler has  to prove it to us in camp. Same with Max (Talbot). His game last year -  is that it? Where are we with Max? I like competition with the role guys we have. I'm looking at a number of players to get off to good starts."</p> <p>Perhaps this signing is more to light a fire under some players who have been struggling, like Talbot and Kennedy? Talbot more than Kennedy should be concerned about this signing as he and Comrie play similar styles.</p> <p>The fact that Talbot scored the Cup clinching game-winner in 2009 is only going to carry him so far at this point. Other than Malkin, he's the one who needs to come out fighting the most this season.</p> <p>Training camp just got even more interesting.</p> <p>May the best hockey player win a spot on opening night.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>NHL Buzz: Ilya Kovalchuk Decision Day 2.0</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-buzz-ilya-kovalchuk-decision-day-2-0/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-buzz-ilya-kovalchuk-decision-day-2-0/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:16:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Todd Cordell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/449730-nhl-buzz-ilya-kovalchuk-decision-day-20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span>Today the <a href="/nhl">NHL</a> will likely make a decision on the Ilya Kovalchuk  contract. If the NHL extends the contract review once again, Kovalchuk  will likely bolt to the KHL, as the season starts in less than a week.</p> <p><strong><em>My  take: I think the NHL will make the decision today regardless of what it  is. If the NHL does not act fast, they could lose him to the KHL. No  matter what way you look at it, Kovalchuk doesn't have a job right now.</em></strong></p> <p>Bill Guerin is in talks with several teams. It is believed the LA <a href="/los-angeles-kings">Kings</a> are among them.</p> <p><em><strong>My  take: Bill Guerin would be a great fit in LA, as he would provide grit  and offense as well as a ton of leadership and experience. </strong></em></p> <p>Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that <a href="/slava-kozlov">Slava Kozlov</a> is expected to sign in the KHL.</p> <p><em><strong>My take: I have always liked Kozlov, but everyone knew he wanted a good chunk of money and would not get that in the NHL.</strong></em></p> <p>Jack Edwards of NESN.com is reporting the <a href="/boston-bruins">Bruins</a> are not shopping Marc Savard.<em><strong></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>My ta</strong><strong>ke: In my honest opinion, I don't think there would really be any  interest in Savard if he were available, as his age, salary, and history  of injuries would scare teams</strong><strong> off.</strong></em></p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Former  Oiler Patrick O'Sullivan is generating some interest, but he would  likely have to take $750,000 or less to fetch himself a contract. Various  media outlets are reporting that the <a href="/pittsburgh-penguins">Penguins</a> could be a fit.</p> <p><em><strong>My  take: I think the Penguins would be a good fit as long as he signs at a  low price. He has all the talent in the world but can never seem to get  it together. Playing with Malkin or Crosby would definitely help.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>If   you have any questions or comments about anything (news,   rumors,   etc...), feel free to email me at NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com   anytime,   thanks.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>This article can also be found at <a href="http://www.mtrmedia.com/devils/" target="_blank">MTRMedia.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sportshaze.com/nhl-buzz-kovalchuk-decision-day-2-0/" target="_blank">Sportshaze.com</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>Follow me on twitter for the latest news and rumors <a href="http://twitter.com/toddnhl" target="_blank">@ToddNHL</a></em></strong></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span>Today the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nhl">NHL</a> will likely make a decision on the Ilya Kovalchuk  contract. If the NHL extends the contract review once again, Kovalchuk  will likely bolt to the KHL, as the season starts in less than a week.</p> <p><strong><em>My  take: I think the NHL will make the decision today regardless of what it  is. If the NHL does not act fast, they could lose him to the KHL. No  matter what way you look at it, Kovalchuk doesn't have a job right now.</em></strong></p> <p>Bill Guerin is in talks with several teams. It is believed the LA <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/los-angeles-kings">Kings</a> are among them.</p> <p><em><strong>My  take: Bill Guerin would be a great fit in LA, as he would provide grit  and offense as well as a ton of leadership and experience. </strong></em></p> <p>Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/slava-kozlov">Slava Kozlov</a> is expected to sign in the KHL.</p> <p><em><strong>My take: I have always liked Kozlov, but everyone knew he wanted a good chunk of money and would not get that in the NHL.</strong></em></p> <p>Jack Edwards of NESN.com is reporting the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/boston-bruins">Bruins</a> are not shopping Marc Savard.<em><strong></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>My ta</strong><strong>ke: In my honest opinion, I don't think there would really be any  interest in Savard if he were available, as his age, salary, and history  of injuries would scare teams</strong><strong> off.</strong></em></p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Former  Oiler Patrick O'Sullivan is generating some interest, but he would  likely have to take $750,000 or less to fetch himself a contract. Various  media outlets are reporting that the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins">Penguins</a> could be a fit.</p> <p><em><strong>My  take: I think the Penguins would be a good fit as long as he signs at a  low price. He has all the talent in the world but can never seem to get  it together. Playing with Malkin or Crosby would definitely help.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>If   you have any questions or comments about anything (news,   rumors,   etc...), feel free to email me at NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com   anytime,   thanks.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>This article can also be found at <a href="http://www.mtrmedia.com/devils/" >MTRMedia.com</a> and <a href="http://www.sportshaze.com/nhl-buzz-kovalchuk-decision-day-2-0/" >Sportshaze.com</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong><em>Follow me on twitter for the latest news and rumors <a href="http://twitter.com/toddnhl" >@ToddNHL</a></em></strong></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Pittsburgh Penguins&#8217; Season Opener Important for Rest of the Season</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/pittsburgh-penguins-season-opener-important-for-rest-of-the-season/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/pittsburgh-penguins-season-opener-important-for-rest-of-the-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:06:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Melissa Bauer-Herzog</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/447277-season-opener-for-penguins-important-for-rest-of-the-season</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span>The NHL is starting the Penguins&#8217; season off with a bang by pairing the team with their cross-state rival for the season opener.&#160; If you are a Pens fan like me, you are trying to forget that the Flyers made it to the finals while we were eliminated by the &#8220;fairy tale&#8221; Canadiens during the second round.&#160; <br /><br />The final Pens game of the 2009-2010 postseason was overly disappointing to watch.&#160; From the beginning seconds after the puck dropped, the team failed to set a winning mood for the game and it was almost over before it even began.&#160; It was a case of trying too hard and losing their Cup winning flow from the year before.&#160; <br /><br />Working on getting a new flow running with the new Pens players will be a major focus in training camp for the coaches but forgetting about last season will be the biggest challenge last year&#8217;s players will have to worry about.&#160;</p>
<p>There is no doubt that the big players such as Crosby, Staal, and Malkin were beating themselves up for the team&#8217;s mistakes in the weeks after the elimination but by dwelling on it at the start of this season, they are destined to repeat the same mistakes again.<br /><br />The Pens have six preseason games including two against last year&#8217;s Stanley Cup Champions but there is no doubt the Flyers will be their main target during the next few months.&#160; Not only will a win build the team confidence back up but it will also set the tone for the season.&#160; <br /><br />There&#8217;s only 37 days until the Penguins hit the ice and try to make it back to the Cup finals.&#160; That&#8217;s only 37 more days for Penguins fans and players to cringe at the thought of last year&#8217;s playoffs.&#160; The question now becomes: can we survive the wait?</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span>The NHL is starting the Penguins&rsquo; season off with a bang by pairing the team with their cross-state rival for the season opener.&nbsp; If you are a Pens fan like me, you are trying to forget that the Flyers made it to the finals while we were eliminated by the &ldquo;fairy tale&rdquo; Canadiens during the second round.&nbsp; <br><br>The final Pens game of the 2009-2010 postseason was overly disappointing to watch.&nbsp; From the beginning seconds after the puck dropped, the team failed to set a winning mood for the game and it was almost over before it even began.&nbsp; It was a case of trying too hard and losing their Cup winning flow from the year before.&nbsp; <br><br>Working on getting a new flow running with the new Pens players will be a major focus in training camp for the coaches but forgetting about last season will be the biggest challenge last year&rsquo;s players will have to worry about.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There is no doubt that the big players such as Crosby, Staal, and Malkin were beating themselves up for the team&rsquo;s mistakes in the weeks after the elimination but by dwelling on it at the start of this season, they are destined to repeat the same mistakes again.<br><br>The Pens have six preseason games including two against last year&rsquo;s Stanley Cup Champions but there is no doubt the Flyers will be their main target during the next few months.&nbsp; Not only will a win build the team confidence back up but it will also set the tone for the season.&nbsp; <br><br>There&rsquo;s only 37 days until the Penguins hit the ice and try to make it back to the Cup finals.&nbsp; That&rsquo;s only 37 more days for Penguins fans and players to cringe at the thought of last year&rsquo;s playoffs.&nbsp; The question now becomes: can we survive the wait?</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>NHL 2010-11: Ranking the Top 100 Players in the Game Today</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-2010-11-ranking-the-top-100-players-in-the-game-today/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-2010-11-ranking-the-top-100-players-in-the-game-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:12:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TAB BAMFORD</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/442603-nhl-2010-11-ranking-the-top-100-players-in-the-game-today</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>As we get closer to the beginning of the 2010-11 NHL season, the barstool discussions over who is the best player in the game will begin again.</p>
<p>Is it Crosby? Ovechkin? Someone else???</p>
<p>And which team has more talent? Do the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks have the most elite talent? What about the Capitals? Red Wings? Penguins? Devils?</p>
<p>With all of these fun questions in mind, I embarked on the daunting task of ranking the top 100 (one <strong><em>hundred</em></strong>) players in the NHL heading into the coming season.</p>
<p>There were a number of factors that played into how I ranked players for the list. Obviously, points scored (and in how many games) is a factor, as is a player's plus-minus. From there, I looked at the larger impact on the game that a player had: performance on special teams, game-winning goals, and whether or not the player's a winner.</p>
<p>I also used a unique statistic developed by Tom Awad at <em><a href="http://www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=233" target="_blank">Puck Prospectus</a></em> known as the &#8220;<strong>Goals Versus Threshold</strong>&#8221; (GVT) stat. Awad&#160;developed a formula to factor every aspect of on-ice performance into one stat including offense, defense, goaltending and shootout performance.</p>
<p>For these rankings I only evaluated skaters. To me (and, hopefully, all rational hockey fans), comparing the relative value of a goalie to skaters is nearly impossible to do. Awad's GVT does this, but for the purposes of this slideshow I only considered forwards and defensemen.</p>
<p>I have no doubt that there will be fans angered that I left someone off the list, or that someone is ranked lower than they should be. But that's the point of this slideshow: let's talk about these players and argue about who's better. This list is simply my Top 100, and I have no doubt that there will be disagreements with how I value players.</p>
<p>I look forward to the discussion generated from this piece.</p>
<p>With that as a brief introduction, I give you T<strong>he Top 100 Players in the NHL Today!</strong></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/442603-nhl-2010-11-ranking-the-top-100-players-in-the-game-today">Begin Slideshow</a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As we get closer to the beginning of the 2010-11 NHL season, the barstool discussions over who is the best player in the game will begin again.</p>
<p>Is it Crosby? Ovechkin? Someone else???</p>
<p>And which team has more talent? Do the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks have the most elite talent? What about the Capitals? Red Wings? Penguins? Devils?</p>
<p>With all of these fun questions in mind, I embarked on the daunting task of ranking the top 100 (one <strong><em>hundred</em></strong>) players in the NHL heading into the coming season.</p>
<p>There were a number of factors that played into how I ranked players for the list. Obviously, points scored (and in how many games) is a factor, as is a player's plus-minus. From there, I looked at the larger impact on the game that a player had: performance on special teams, game-winning goals, and whether or not the player's a winner.</p>
<p>I also used a unique statistic developed by Tom Awad at <em><a href="http://www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=233" >Puck Prospectus</a></em> known as the &ldquo;<strong>Goals Versus Threshold</strong>&rdquo; (GVT) stat. Awad&nbsp;developed a formula to factor every aspect of on-ice performance into one stat including offense, defense, goaltending and shootout performance.</p>
<p>For these rankings I only evaluated skaters. To me (and, hopefully, all rational hockey fans), comparing the relative value of a goalie to skaters is nearly impossible to do. Awad's GVT does this, but for the purposes of this slideshow I only considered forwards and defensemen.</p>
<p>I have no doubt that there will be fans angered that I left someone off the list, or that someone is ranked lower than they should be. But that's the point of this slideshow: let's talk about these players and argue about who's better. This list is simply my Top 100, and I have no doubt that there will be disagreements with how I value players.</p>
<p>I look forward to the discussion generated from this piece.</p>
<p>With that as a brief introduction, I give you T<strong>he Top 100 Players in the NHL Today!</strong></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/442603-nhl-2010-11-ranking-the-top-100-players-in-the-game-today">Begin Slideshow</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Bill Guerin&#8217;s Goodbye and the Pittsburgh Penguins Youth Movement</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/bill-guerins-goodbye-and-the-pittsburgh-penguins-youth-movement/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/bill-guerins-goodbye-and-the-pittsburgh-penguins-youth-movement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:47:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alison  Myers</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/445574-bill-guerins-goodbye-and-the-pittsburgh-penguins-youth-movement</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span>On Thursday morning, the news broke that the Pittsburgh Penguins would not be bringing <a href="/bill-guerin">Bill Guerin</a> back to their lineup for the 2010-2011 season.</p>
<p>I read this news on Twitter and watched my feed explode with disappointment from the other Penguins fans that I follow.&#160;Most people wondered why he couldn&#8217;t be brought back for one more year, expressing their dismay at Ray Shero. And trust me, if you&#8217;re a Penguins fan, you hardly ever disagree with Shero.</p>
<p>But I rest my case.</p>
<p>I read everyone&#8217;s reactions to the news, and I did understand where they were coming from, but I just could not feel all that disappointed about this.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not that I think Guerin is a bad guy or a poor player. It&#8217;s just that, as I tried to sleep at 1:30 a.m. on Friday night, I formed an opinion about why Shero did this (yes, I dream up article topics when I&#8217;m trying to sleep).</p>
<p>It wasn&#8217;t because he thinks Guerin is a bad guy or a terrible player. After all, he did help the team to a Stanley Cup in 2009, and without him, the trophy win may have been impossible. I&#8217;m sure Shero thinks highly of Billy G and everything he brought to the team.</p>
<p>Rather, I think that Shero&#8217;s choice to not bring Guerin back signals that this is the start of a youth movement for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It is time for the younger guys to really show us what they have.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>A quick look at the current roster tells us that the oldest players who will return for 2010-2011 are Brent Johnson and Craig Adams, both of whom are aged 33.</p>
<p>Guerin, who will turn 40 in November, is officially an unrestricted free agent who is looking for a new home before training camps open in a few weeks. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who turned 36 in April, will be spending the next three years (and maybe the last three years) of his career with the Ottawa Senators.</p>
<p>One of the reasons that Pens fans felt Guerin should have been brought back to Pittsburgh was for his leadership experience and veteran tenure in the NHL. His career has spanned 18 years, and he won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 long before he came to the Penguins.</p>
<p>However, I think that argument is officially null and void.</p>
<p>Sidney Crosby was appointed the captain of the Penguins at age 19, still holds the position at age 23, and will probably be the captain until he retires or leaves Pittsburgh via free agency. He has done a great job at becoming the new face of the Penguins after Mario Lemeiux&#8217;s retirement.&#160; He is as composed and patient as can be, yet he has a burning desire to lead the Penguins to victory in each and every game.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s look at some of the players who were alternate captains at some point or another this year. Evgeni Malkin is 24 years old and has a Stanley Cup in addition to a Conn Smythe, a Calder Memorial Trophy, and a Hart Memorial Trophy. His three individual awards show how important he is to the Penguins.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Brooks Orpik is 29 years old. He has an Olympic silver medal and is not afraid to speak his mind to the media when the team is struggling. He may not be as decorated as Crosby or Malkin, but he also brings it every game with his physical play.</p>
<p>Jordan Staal is 21 years old and will turn 22 just before training camp opens. He has already served two stints as an alternate captain and has played in every regular season game for the last three years. He even came back into the playoffs against Montreal this year after he was cut in the foot by P.K. Subban&#8217;s skate. That just shows how dedicated he is to the hockey player&#8217;s mentality of playing through the pain.</p>
<p>As you can see, the Penguins have several younger players stepping up as team leaders. I am not trying to argue that Guerin was a good or a bad leader. It just shows that these players are now experienced enough as professionals to be good examples for their teammates and guide the team through adversity.</p>
<p>There is also the issue of younger players in the minors who may be ready to contribute to the Penguins this season.</p>
<p>Chris Conner is 26 years old and has previously played with the Dallas Stars. However, he shined brightly in a call-up to Pittsburgh this year and scored two goals to help the Penguins to a victory over the New York Rangers. He also had 56 points in 59 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Mark Letestu is 25 years old and made his NHL debut this past season. He has been improving his AHL point totals every year, going from 18 points in 2007-2008 to 65 points in 2009-2010. He scored his first NHL goal this year, and although that was his only point in 10 games with Pittsburgh, he is one of the most underrated prospects in the system and deserves another look.</p>
<p>Eric Tangradi is the Penguins&#8217; top prospect headed in to the new season. He is 21 years old and had 39 points in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre last year. He did not have any points in a one-game call-up to Pittsburgh, but many talk about his size and speedy skating to point out why he needed to be in the NHL yesterday.</p>
<p>Many Pens fans want to give the younger guys a chance rather than see Guerin return, and I couldn't agree more. I watch the Baby Penguins every year and many of these guys have earned a chance to crack the Pittsburgh lineup permanently. Why would you keep them languishing when they&#160;should be in the NHL? It's not worth it to let Guerin take a roster spot from one of those guys.</p>
<p>Shero brought in seven new free agents this offseason. Their average age is 28 years old, with Arron Asham being the oldest at 32 years old and Brett Sterling and Corey Potter being the youngest at 26. To me, this says Shero is going in the direction of experienced, but not almost over the hill.</p>
<p>Shero is one of the best general managers in the league when it comes to working with the salary cap. He does not want to overpay for a player who is already starting to slow down. While no one knows what kind of salary demands Guerin had, it is probably a safer bet to lock up Zbynek Michalek (27 years old) for five years at $4 million rather than sign Guerin for another $2 million and see his production decline.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>To close out, I know some of you will comment and say that Guerin still puts up points and that he will always be remembered as a valuable member of the Penguins. And if you want to say that, I am fine with it.</p>
<p>However, when it comes to hockey, age is more than just a number. It affects a player&#8217;s production level, can make them more injury prone, and can be a detriment to the salary cap. That is likely what led Shero to telling Guerin it was time for him and the Penguins to go their separate ways.</p>
<p>It is time for the youth to take over in Pittsburgh.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span>On Thursday morning, the news broke that the Pittsburgh Penguins would not be bringing <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/bill-guerin">Bill Guerin</a> back to their lineup for the 2010-2011 season.</p>
<p>I read this news on Twitter and watched my feed explode with disappointment from the other Penguins fans that I follow.&nbsp;Most people wondered why he couldn&rsquo;t be brought back for one more year, expressing their dismay at Ray Shero. And trust me, if you&rsquo;re a Penguins fan, you hardly ever disagree with Shero.</p>
<p>But I rest my case.</p>
<p>I read everyone&rsquo;s reactions to the news, and I did understand where they were coming from, but I just could not feel all that disappointed about this.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s not that I think Guerin is a bad guy or a poor player. It&rsquo;s just that, as I tried to sleep at 1:30 a.m. on Friday night, I formed an opinion about why Shero did this (yes, I dream up article topics when I&rsquo;m trying to sleep).</p>
<p>It wasn&rsquo;t because he thinks Guerin is a bad guy or a terrible player. After all, he did help the team to a Stanley Cup in 2009, and without him, the trophy win may have been impossible. I&rsquo;m sure Shero thinks highly of Billy G and everything he brought to the team.</p>
<p>Rather, I think that Shero&rsquo;s choice to not bring Guerin back signals that this is the start of a youth movement for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It is time for the younger guys to really show us what they have.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>A quick look at the current roster tells us that the oldest players who will return for 2010-2011 are Brent Johnson and Craig Adams, both of whom are aged 33.</p>
<p>Guerin, who will turn 40 in November, is officially an unrestricted free agent who is looking for a new home before training camps open in a few weeks. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who turned 36 in April, will be spending the next three years (and maybe the last three years) of his career with the Ottawa Senators.</p>
<p>One of the reasons that Pens fans felt Guerin should have been brought back to Pittsburgh was for his leadership experience and veteran tenure in the NHL. His career has spanned 18 years, and he won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 long before he came to the Penguins.</p>
<p>However, I think that argument is officially null and void.</p>
<p>Sidney Crosby was appointed the captain of the Penguins at age 19, still holds the position at age 23, and will probably be the captain until he retires or leaves Pittsburgh via free agency. He has done a great job at becoming the new face of the Penguins after Mario Lemeiux&rsquo;s retirement.&nbsp; He is as composed and patient as can be, yet he has a burning desire to lead the Penguins to victory in each and every game.</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s look at some of the players who were alternate captains at some point or another this year. Evgeni Malkin is 24 years old and has a Stanley Cup in addition to a Conn Smythe, a Calder Memorial Trophy, and a Hart Memorial Trophy. His three individual awards show how important he is to the Penguins.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Brooks Orpik is 29 years old. He has an Olympic silver medal and is not afraid to speak his mind to the media when the team is struggling. He may not be as decorated as Crosby or Malkin, but he also brings it every game with his physical play.</p>
<p>Jordan Staal is 21 years old and will turn 22 just before training camp opens. He has already served two stints as an alternate captain and has played in every regular season game for the last three years. He even came back into the playoffs against Montreal this year after he was cut in the foot by P.K. Subban&rsquo;s skate. That just shows how dedicated he is to the hockey player&rsquo;s mentality of playing through the pain.</p>
<p>As you can see, the Penguins have several younger players stepping up as team leaders. I am not trying to argue that Guerin was a good or a bad leader. It just shows that these players are now experienced enough as professionals to be good examples for their teammates and guide the team through adversity.</p>
<p>There is also the issue of younger players in the minors who may be ready to contribute to the Penguins this season.</p>
<p>Chris Conner is 26 years old and has previously played with the Dallas Stars. However, he shined brightly in a call-up to Pittsburgh this year and scored two goals to help the Penguins to a victory over the New York Rangers. He also had 56 points in 59 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Mark Letestu is 25 years old and made his NHL debut this past season. He has been improving his AHL point totals every year, going from 18 points in 2007-2008 to 65 points in 2009-2010. He scored his first NHL goal this year, and although that was his only point in 10 games with Pittsburgh, he is one of the most underrated prospects in the system and deserves another look.</p>
<p>Eric Tangradi is the Penguins&rsquo; top prospect headed in to the new season. He is 21 years old and had 39 points in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre last year. He did not have any points in a one-game call-up to Pittsburgh, but many talk about his size and speedy skating to point out why he needed to be in the NHL yesterday.</p>
<p>Many Pens fans want to give the younger guys a chance rather than see Guerin return, and I couldn't agree more. I watch the Baby Penguins every year and many of these guys have earned a chance to crack the Pittsburgh lineup permanently. Why would you keep them languishing when they&nbsp;should be in the NHL? It's not worth it to let Guerin take a roster spot from one of those guys.</p>
<p>Shero brought in seven new free agents this offseason. Their average age is 28 years old, with Arron Asham being the oldest at 32 years old and Brett Sterling and Corey Potter being the youngest at 26. To me, this says Shero is going in the direction of experienced, but not almost over the hill.</p>
<p>Shero is one of the best general managers in the league when it comes to working with the salary cap. He does not want to overpay for a player who is already starting to slow down. While no one knows what kind of salary demands Guerin had, it is probably a safer bet to lock up Zbynek Michalek (27 years old) for five years at $4 million rather than sign Guerin for another $2 million and see his production decline.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>To close out, I know some of you will comment and say that Guerin still puts up points and that he will always be remembered as a valuable member of the Penguins. And if you want to say that, I am fine with it.</p>
<p>However, when it comes to hockey, age is more than just a number. It affects a player&rsquo;s production level, can make them more injury prone, and can be a detriment to the salary cap. That is likely what led Shero to telling Guerin it was time for him and the Penguins to go their separate ways.</p>
<p>It is time for the youth to take over in Pittsburgh.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>NHL Today (8/27): Kovalchuk, Kariya, Ryan, Staal, and More</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-today-827-kovalchuk-kariya-ryan-staal-and-more/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/nhl-today-827-kovalchuk-kariya-ryan-staal-and-more/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:23:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Tabone</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/444421-nhl-today-827-kovalchuk-bergfors-weight-and-more-coming-soon</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><strong><em>Update:</em></strong></p>
<p>Is Paul Kariya a Duck again? Well Ryan has to re-sign first...</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><strong>Ilya Kovalchuk</strong></p>
<p>Various sources are reporting that <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/report_kovalchuk_sets_deadline_for_league_to_approve_devils_contract_propos/" target="_blank">Ilya Kovalchuk has given the NHL a deadline of 24-48 hours to approve the Devils' current offer that he's agreed to.</a> If they do not approve of the contract, Kovalchuk might just head to the KHL. That's no bluff either. His agent has already contacted SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px"><strong>Paul Kariya</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">He could be a Duck (again) soon.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;padding-left: 30px"><span><span class="status-content" style="padding: 0px;margin: 0px"><span class="entry-content" style="padding: 0px;margin: 0px">Anaheim equipment people have contacted Blues regarding Kariya. Appears he's headed there but he still won't even admit he's going to play!</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;padding-left: 30px">via&#160;<a href="http://twitter.com/andystrickland" target="_blank">@AndyStrickland</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">However, Andy Strickland is reporting that&#160;<a href="http://twitter.com/andystrickland" target="_blank">the Ducks would like to sign Bobby Ryan first before getting involved with Kariya.</a>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><strong>Bobby Ryan</strong></p>
<div>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">Eric Stephens of the&#160;<em>Orange County Register&#160;</em>reports that&#160;<a href="http://ducks.ocregister.com/2010/08/26/ryan-not-the-only-one-playing-hardball/42909/" target="_blank">no news on Bobby Ryan re-signing has come out.</a>&#160;However, Stephens notes that a few notable RFAs around the league haven't re-signed with their respective teame either. (Staal, Bergfors, Neal, Price, Gagner, Cogliano, Stewart, and Mueller)</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px"><strong>Marc Staal</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px"><a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/08/25/10/Rangers-Staal-Wants-Offer-Sheet/landing_word_hockey.html?blockID=297858&#38;feedID=4682" target="_blank">Staal is still looking for that offer sheet.</a>&#160;However, Rangers' GM Glen Sather said he will match any offer made for the stud defenseman.&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px"><strong>Niclas Bergfors</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">Reports are coming out that RFA winger Niclas Bergfors is not even close to re-signing with the Atlanta Thrashers. Bergfors was the key of the Kovalchuk trade and he is definitely part of Atlanta's core of young players.&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">Other news coming out of Atlanta:</p>
<ul style="margin: 0px 45px 20px">
<li>According to the&#160;<em>Atlanta Journal Constiution</em>,&#160;<a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-thrashers-blog/2010/08/26/will-bfyuglien-switch-to-defense/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_thrashers_blog" target="_blank">Dustin Byfuglien may go back to playing D.</a><br /> </li>
<li>Thrashers' GM Dudley is still highly interested in UFA winger Lee Stempniak. Look for him to sign soon.</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px">&#160;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px"><strong>Doug Weight</strong></p>
</div>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Sportsnet.ca reports that veteran forward, Doug Weight, has <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/08/26/weight_islanders/?utm_source=Hockey%20lineup%20RSS-Images&#38;utm_medium=feed&#38;utm_content=Weight%2C%20Islanders%20finalizing%20one-year%20deal" target="_blank">signed a one year contract worth $850K with the New York Islanders.</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p><strong>Marek Svatos</strong></p>
<p>Sources are saying that winger Marek Svatos might sign in Pittsburgh. Svatos' agent has come out saying that he wants to play in  Pittsburgh. He has the will to play there, but will Shero sign him?&#160;</p>
<p>In my opinion, he would be an upgrade for the Pens' wingers. I'd rather have him play on Crosby or Malkin's wing than Dupuis or Talbot. Yes he has declined over the past few years, but he still has that scoring touch.</p>
<p><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><span>Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!</span></p>
<ul>
<li>News on Svatos</li>
<li>Some RFA news (Ryan, Staal, etc.)</li>
<li>Update on Stempniak</li>
<li>Kariya a Duck?</li>
</ul>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><strong><em>Update:</em></strong></p>
<p>Is Paul Kariya a Duck again? Well Ryan has to re-sign first...</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Ilya Kovalchuk</strong></p>
<p>Various sources are reporting that <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/report_kovalchuk_sets_deadline_for_league_to_approve_devils_contract_propos/" >Ilya Kovalchuk has given the NHL a deadline of 24-48 hours to approve the Devils' current offer that he's agreed to.</a> If they do not approve of the contract, Kovalchuk might just head to the KHL. That's no bluff either. His agent has already contacted SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong>Paul Kariya</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">He could be a Duck (again) soon.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande',sans-serif; color: rgb(240, 31, 24);"><span class="status-content" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span class="entry-content" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Anaheim equipment people have contacted Blues regarding Kariya. Appears he's headed there but he still won't even admit he's going to play!</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding-left: 30px;">via&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/andystrickland" >@AndyStrickland</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">However, Andy Strickland is reporting that&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/andystrickland" >the Ducks would like to sign Bobby Ryan first before getting involved with Kariya.</a>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Bobby Ryan</strong></p>
<div>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Eric Stephens of the&nbsp;<em>Orange County Register&nbsp;</em>reports that&nbsp;<a href="http://ducks.ocregister.com/2010/08/26/ryan-not-the-only-one-playing-hardball/42909/" >no news on Bobby Ryan re-signing has come out.</a>&nbsp;However, Stephens notes that a few notable RFAs around the league haven't re-signed with their respective teame either. (Staal, Bergfors, Neal, Price, Gagner, Cogliano, Stewart, and Mueller)</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong>Marc Staal</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/08/25/10/Rangers-Staal-Wants-Offer-Sheet/landing_word_hockey.html?blockID=297858&amp;feedID=4682" >Staal is still looking for that offer sheet.</a>&nbsp;However, Rangers' GM Glen Sather said he will match any offer made for the stud defenseman.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong>Niclas Bergfors</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Reports are coming out that RFA winger Niclas Bergfors is not even close to re-signing with the Atlanta Thrashers. Bergfors was the key of the Kovalchuk trade and he is definitely part of Atlanta's core of young players.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">Other news coming out of Atlanta:</p>
<ul style="margin: 0px 45px 20px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 7px;">According to the&nbsp;<em>Atlanta Journal Constiution</em>,&nbsp;<a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-thrashers-blog/2010/08/26/will-bfyuglien-switch-to-defense/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_thrashers_blog" >Dustin Byfuglien may go back to playing D.</a><br> </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 7px;">Thrashers' GM Dudley is still highly interested in UFA winger Lee Stempniak. Look for him to sign soon.</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong>Doug Weight</strong></p>
</div>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Sportsnet.ca reports that veteran forward, Doug Weight, has <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/08/26/weight_islanders/?utm_source=Hockey%20lineup%20RSS-Images&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_content=Weight%2C%20Islanders%20finalizing%20one-year%20deal" >signed a one year contract worth $850K with the New York Islanders.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Marek Svatos</strong></p>
<p>Sources are saying that winger Marek Svatos might sign in Pittsburgh. Svatos' agent has come out saying that he wants to play in  Pittsburgh. He has the will to play there, but will Shero sign him?&nbsp;</p>
<p>In my opinion, he would be an upgrade for the Pens' wingers. I'd rather have him play on Crosby or Malkin's wing than Dupuis or Talbot. Yes he has declined over the past few years, but he still has that scoring touch.</p>
<p><strong><br></strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 22px; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(55, 55, 55);">Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!</span></p>
<ul>
<li>News on Svatos</li>
<li>Some RFA news (Ryan, Staal, etc.)</li>
<li>Update on Stempniak</li>
<li>Kariya a Duck?</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(55, 55, 55); padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/BR_JohnTabone" >Follow me on Twitter (@BR_JohnTabone)!</a></strong></span></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>What Jordan Staal&#8217;s Setbacks Mean for the Pittsburgh Penguins</title>
		<link>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/what-jordan-staals-setbacks-mean-for-the-pittsburgh-penguins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.penguinsnation.com/fan-news/what-jordan-staals-setbacks-mean-for-the-pittsburgh-penguins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:09:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Laura Falcon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fan News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/443974-what-jordan-staals-setbacks-mean-for-the-pittsburgh-penguins</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10238/1082922-100.stm"><em>The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</em> is reporting that Penguins center Jordan Staal is experiencing setbacks with his foot</a>, injured in game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the <a href="/montreal-canadiens">Montreal Canadiens</a>.</p>
<p>Staal was diagnosed with a lacerated tendon after Montreal Canadiens call-up P.K. Subban landed the blade of his skate into Staal's foot.</p>
<p>Staal did not return for the rest of the game after registering eight minutes of ice time, but returned to action in Game Five and for the remainder of the series.</p>
<p>Staal's heroic return, as it was considered at the time, drew concern that playing on such a distressed foot would not do him any good in the long run.</p>
<p>As always, the good of the team came first and Staal, the ironman of the Pens, seemed more than happy to put up with the pain in order to help carry the Pens into the Eastern Conference Finals.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the glorious comeback was all for naught, especially now that Staal is experiencing setbacks that may push his return until later in the season.</p>
<p>So what does this mean for the Pens?</p>
<p>It goes without saying that losing Staal will hurt the team, but fortunately for all, no Staal for the first half of the season will not hurt the team in the long run.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>A hasty return from Staal sure would, however.</p>
<p>It's no secret that Staal was rumored to&#160;have been&#160;upgraded from third line center to second line center; an attempt to reward Staal for his spectacular recent play, help <a href="/evgeni-malkin">Evgeni Malkin</a> return to his MVP stride, and fill in the holes that remained in the wing position.</p>
<p>With Staal out of the lineup, things are obviously going to change.</p>
<p>For one, Malkin will most likely start the season at second line center where he ended the season.</p>
<p>I now see Max Talbot taking the spot of the third line center. Not only does he have a good defensive side to his game, but he is also seeking redemption after a poor season&#160;plagued by&#160;injury.</p>
<p>With the recent acquisition of ex-Philadelphia Flyer Arron Asham and the loss of Bill Guerin, the remaining line arrangements outside of the first line become a little tricky.</p>
<p>Asham is typically a third or fourth line winger.</p>
<p>Does he get placed in the third line sending either Matt Cooke or Tyler Kennedy to the second line? Or does he get placed on the fourth line, which would probably send enforcer Eric Godard to the press box until he is needed?</p>
<p></p>
<p>With Staal most likely not starting the season and Guerin gone, this is a good opportunity for a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin to impress the fans and the coaches.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Without a doubt someone from the AHL affiliate will make the roster on opening night. Top choices will include Chris Conner, Eric Tangradi, and Mark Letestu, Tangradi with the obvious edge over the rest.</p>
<p>With my current knowledge of the team, here's my best guess of the offensive starting lineup against the Flyers:</p>
<p>Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis</p>
<p>Tangradi-Malkin-Kennedy</p>
<p>Cooke-Talbot-Asham</p>
<p>Rupp-Adams-Godard</p>
<p>Looking at these names, this is easily one of the grittiest teams in the <a href="/nhl">NHL</a>. Seven of the 12 players are tough hitters.</p>
<p>It's even questionable if Godard will be needed because of the amount of fist power that is already on the lineup. A skill player may be of better use.</p>
<p>So even without Staal in the lineup for the beginning of the season, it seems that the Pens will be in pretty decent shape. This means it would be in Staal's best interest to take his time rehabbing his foot.</p>
<p>We can only imagine what will happen when he is healthy and returns.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10238/1082922-100.stm"><em>The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</em> is reporting that Penguins center Jordan Staal is experiencing setbacks with his foot</a>, injured in game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/montreal-canadiens">Montreal Canadiens</a>.</p>
<p>Staal was diagnosed with a lacerated tendon after Montreal Canadiens call-up P.K. Subban landed the blade of his skate into Staal's foot.</p>
<p>Staal did not return for the rest of the game after registering eight minutes of ice time, but returned to action in Game Five and for the remainder of the series.</p>
<p>Staal's heroic return, as it was considered at the time, drew concern that playing on such a distressed foot would not do him any good in the long run.</p>
<p>As always, the good of the team came first and Staal, the ironman of the Pens, seemed more than happy to put up with the pain in order to help carry the Pens into the Eastern Conference Finals.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the glorious comeback was all for naught, especially now that Staal is experiencing setbacks that may push his return until later in the season.</p>
<p>So what does this mean for the Pens?</p>
<p>It goes without saying that losing Staal will hurt the team, but fortunately for all, no Staal for the first half of the season will not hurt the team in the long run.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>A hasty return from Staal sure would, however.</p>
<p>It's no secret that Staal was rumored to&nbsp;have been&nbsp;upgraded from third line center to second line center; an attempt to reward Staal for his spectacular recent play, help <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/evgeni-malkin">Evgeni Malkin</a> return to his MVP stride, and fill in the holes that remained in the wing position.</p>
<p>With Staal out of the lineup, things are obviously going to change.</p>
<p>For one, Malkin will most likely start the season at second line center where he ended the season.</p>
<p>I now see Max Talbot taking the spot of the third line center. Not only does he have a good defensive side to his game, but he is also seeking redemption after a poor season&nbsp;plagued by&nbsp;injury.</p>
<p>With the recent acquisition of ex-Philadelphia Flyer Arron Asham and the loss of Bill Guerin, the remaining line arrangements outside of the first line become a little tricky.</p>
<p>Asham is typically a third or fourth line winger.</p>
<p>Does he get placed in the third line sending either Matt Cooke or Tyler Kennedy to the second line? Or does he get placed on the fourth line, which would probably send enforcer Eric Godard to the press box until he is needed?</p>
<p></p>
<p>With Staal most likely not starting the season and Guerin gone, this is a good opportunity for a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin to impress the fans and the coaches.</p>
<span class="slot"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/pixel.gif"></span><p>Without a doubt someone from the AHL affiliate will make the roster on opening night. Top choices will include Chris Conner, Eric Tangradi, and Mark Letestu, Tangradi with the obvious edge over the rest.</p>
<p>With my current knowledge of the team, here's my best guess of the offensive starting lineup against the Flyers:</p>
<p>Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis</p>
<p>Tangradi-Malkin-Kennedy</p>
<p>Cooke-Talbot-Asham</p>
<p>Rupp-Adams-Godard</p>
<p>Looking at these names, this is easily one of the grittiest teams in the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/nhl">NHL</a>. Seven of the 12 players are tough hitters.</p>
<p>It's even questionable if Godard will be needed because of the amount of fist power that is already on the lineup. A skill player may be of better use.</p>
<p>So even without Staal in the lineup for the beginning of the season, it seems that the Pens will be in pretty decent shape. This means it would be in Staal's best interest to take his time rehabbing his foot.</p>
<p>We can only imagine what will happen when he is healthy and returns.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-penguins" title="Pittsburgh Penguins analysis, news and photos">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>]]></content:encoded>
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