Penguins Nation

In the 2014-15 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are seeing key players like Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury play some of the best hockey of their careers. But it won't mean much at playoff time if Sidney Crosby can't rediscover his scoring touch. After four goals in Pittsburgh's first three games and seven in the first eight, last season's Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner has scored just four more times in his subsequent 29 games. That's troubling. Time and time again over the years, the Penguins have seen their fortunes fade when Sid's not successfully pulling the trigger. Last season was a clear ...

As 2014 gives way to 2015, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the rest of the NHL have reached the halfway point of the season and begin the stretch run toward the postseason. While seemingly almost everything surrounding this organization has changed since it was ousted from the playoffs by the New York Rangers on home ice last summer, its position atop the Metropolitan Division has not. However, as in any season, warning signs have appeared, and the Pens must address these issues if they are to avoid yet another early postseason exit. As they continue to fight for the division title and the top seed in the Eastern Conference, let's take ...

It's been an eventful start to the 2014-15 season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As if introducing a new general manager and coach and turning over a good portion of the lineup didn't create enough intrigue, a steady parade of injuries and illnesses have created a revolving-door effect, with ever-changing rosters and line combinations from one game to the next. Thankfully, it looks like the worst is over. The walking wounded are returning to action, and all the while the Penguins have clung to the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Here's the outlook from Steeltown for 2015.Begin Slideshow

You finally have one, Pittsburgh fans. A top-six winger. David Perron. Feels good, eh? Absolutely nothing can ruin this moment for you, right? Unfortunately, there are always those who find reasons to gripe. In this case, it's a small minority, but the issue still needs to be addressed. Some Penguins fans are distraught about the team giving away a 2015 first-round pick to acquire Perron from the Edmonton Oilers, a trade first reported by TSN's Darren Dreger. Sure, former Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero unloaded picks as if he were allergic to them on a yearly basis. While his replacement, Jim Rutherford, seems to be continuing the tradition ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins took a big step toward solidifying their Stanley Cup contendership Friday as they acquired winger David Perron from the Edmonton Oilers. According to the Oilers' official Twitter account, they will receive Pittsburgh's 2015 first-round draft pick and forward Rob Klinkhammer from the Pens: Perron will be in the lineup on Saturday, according to the Penguins' official Twitter feed: The 26-year-old Perron has dealt with injuries for much of his career, but he came into his own last season with his most productive campaign to date. He set new personal bests with 28 goals and 57 points despite playing for a ...

Looking back on 2014, it was a year that went beyond just wins and losses for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The year included plenty of dark days, like the playoff collapse against the New York Rangers and the firings of general manager Ray Shero and head coach Dan Bylsma. Additionally, on the health front, we had Olli Maatta's cancer scare, Kris Letang's stroke, Pascal Dupuis' knee surgery and blood clots, then those darn mumps cropping up everywhere. There were good times, too—and there could be more on the horizon in the new year. Here are five of the best Penguins moments from the last ...

Pittsburgh Penguins fans: It's time to panic. Over the past month, the Penguins have returned to their usual position as one of the most injury-ridden teams in the NHL. With five players now diagnosed with mumps (per Jimmy Hascup of USA Today) and a long list of other ailments from blood clots to wrist and foot problems, the Pens are on a season-worst four-game winless streak and, once again, could be setting themselves up for trouble in the playoffs. With 10 regular skaters out of the lineup as they dropped a 3-1 decision to the New Jersey Devils on Monday night (per ...

So far in 2014-15, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been winning despite ever-increasing odds. As has often happened in the past, injuries and illnesses have become a central part of the Penguins story this season. Also rather typically, the team continues to call up players from the minors—then use them to win games. It's pretty tough to muse on Pittsburgh's ideal line combinations when coach Mike Johnston has often had no idea which players will be skating for his team on any given night. He can be thankful that Evgeni Malkin has anchored the team up front, and Marc-Andre Fleury is having a career-best ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins are no strangers to dramatic injury situations, but the 2014-15 season is looking like it could be their craziest year yet. Just 34 games into the schedule, 31 skaters and three goaltenders have appeared in Penguins uniforms in game situations. Last week, I graded the pro acquisitions brought in by general manager Jim Rutherford to shore up the lineup. Today, I'll look at the long list of new faces that have been called up from the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to help fill the holes left by Pittsburgh's many injuries and illnesses. Defenseman Simon Despres was on track to get his NHL ...

After a disappointing second-round playoff collapse against the New York Rangers last spring, the Pittsburgh Penguins fired general manager Ray Shero and prepared to make big changes. New GM Jim Rutherford has been true to his task, making a couple of savvy trades and some budget-conscious free-agent acquisitions. Pittsburgh's improved depth has helped the team immeasurably as it deals with a never-ending series of injuries and other health issues throughout the roster. Here's how well each new face has contributed since joining the Penguins organization.   All stats courtesy of NHL.com. Salary information from CapGeek.com.Begin Slideshow