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| 2008-2009 Atlantic division | Team | GP | W | L | OT | PTS | Home | Away | Div |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PITTSBURGH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| New Jersey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| NY Rangers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| Philadelphia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
| NY Islanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 |
Saturday, August 16, 2008 -- Early Evening
News from the Pens. It seems that Ryan Whitney has had a chronic problem with his left foot. The thing that I think is interesting about this is that we haven't heard about this chronic condition before. The even more surprising bit of the news is that instead of having surgery right after the Stanley Cup finals, Whitney chose to wait now to have surgery to correct the problem. He is expected to miss the beginning of the season and to be out for three to five months. As I said, this is an interesting turn of events considering we haven't heard of this chronic problem in the past. I wonder if it's bunions.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 -- Evening
The groundbreaking for the Pens' new arena should happen next week. The event will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 14.
Friday, July 18, 2008 -- Afternoon
Ray Shero obviously appreciates Michel Therrien more than some of the fans do. Therrien signed a three year deal to continue as the coach for the Pens for the next three years. Shero said that the team could have just offered an extension to Therrien, but they decided to reward him for his hard work with a new contract. I've been a fan of Therrien's since he started coaching the Pens. Sure he is opinionated and a whip cracker. Who says that the players have to love the coach? (Rumor has it that some aren't fans of Therrien.) What the coach has to do is get the best out of the team, and Therrien has done that.
Thursday, July 17, 2008 -- Afternoon
The Pens announced their schedule for the upcoming season. It starts off against the Ottawa Senators in Stockholm, Sweden on October 4 and 5. The games can be seen here in PIttsburgh at 2:30 p.m. The home opener will be a week later on October 11 when the Pens play the New Jersey Devils. Here's the complete schedule.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 -- Evening
The Pens' front office announced the first home game of the coming season. It will be on Saturday, October 11 against the New Jersey Devils. The complete regular season schedule will be released tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 -- Afternoon
The Pens sent out a text alert this afternoon to say that they resigned Kris Beech to a one year contract. Beech has been a real disappointment, who hasn't lived up to expectations. I guess that they need someone in case of injuries, but Beech is just a loser in my opinion.
Thursday, July 3, 2008 -- Evening
Finally, Marc-Andre Fleury signed a deal with the Pens. It's a $35 million deal for seven years. That comes out to $5 million a year which is not a bad price. It's nice to know that the core guys are going to be staying here, like Fleury, Malkin, and Crosby. Fleury said after the signing, "That's where I want to be. I love this city, the organization, the guys on the team." The Pens also signed two other free agents, Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko, both former New York Islanders. Both have one year deals: Satan for $3.5 million and Fedotenko for $2.5 million. As for Jaromir Jagr, his agent said that he is taking his time to consider his options. Georges Laraque said that he could understand that the Pens couldn't keep him, and he actually went home to the Montreal Canadiens. His deal is for 3 years and worth $4.5 million. Laraque also got a partial no-trade clause. Since Laraque was born and raised in Montreal, this must be a dream come true.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 -- Evening
Shocker for the Pens today. Marian Hossa signed a one year deal with the Detroit Red Wings for $7.4 million. That's not anywhere near as good a deal as the Pens offered. Ray Shero, Pens' general manager, seemed abit shocked that Hossa took a deal that was only for one year. The Pens were offering him a multi-year deal for the same amount. However, a comment was made that Hossa wanted to be on a team with "better players." Hmm, interesting comment! So there was some good news. Evgeni Malkin officially signed an extension with the Pens. He signed a Sidney Crosby like deal. It's a five year extension for $43.5 million. Malkin did indeed give the Pens a hometown deal, because he could have made alot more elsewhere. Brooks Orpik also signed with a six year deal with the Pens. He's only going to get $3.75 million a year, which was less than he was being offered by others. I think that the Pens were waiting for the Hossa decision because as soon as they came out, they announced the Malkin and Orpik deal. Another player who will be missed is Jarkko Ruutu who signed with the Ottawa Senators. Still no word on Jaromir Jagr and Marcus Nasland. Nasland, who used to be with the Pens, is supposedly being serious courted.
Tueday, July 1, 2008 -- Late Evening
One of the local sports announcers just said that he had a report that the Pens had offered Jaromir Jagr a two year, $10 million deal. Obviously more news tomorrow. It's 11 p.m. now so i don't think there will be anything else this evening. I am really getting excited because I do like Jagr. I know, I know! So many fans are cringing. The sports guys have been saying all afternoon that Jagr is awful in the locker room and will bring down morale. Fooey on that! Let's see what happens!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 -- Late Afternoon
Today was the first day of NHL free agency, and there was alot of movement. The Pens resigned Mark Eaton for two years for $2 million. I suppose that Eaton is a good player, but I have to admit that I feel ambivalent about this one. After all, for the past two years, Eaton has spent most of his time on the injury list. Pascal Dupuis also resigned for three years. Ty Conklin was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings, and Tampa Bay has been busily signing a slew of free agents including Adam Hall. There are still reports that Evgeni Malkin has a deal, but nothing official yet. At least, there hasn't been anything that has resulted in an official report from the Pens. The biggest story though, in my opinion, are the rumors surrounding Jaromir Jagr. Jagr is a free agent, and supposedly, he would like to stay with the New York Rangers. However, rumors are swirling that the Pens may have approached Jagr to find out how interested he might be in coming back to Pittsburgh. Personally, I would love it. I have always been a huge fan of Jagr's, and I really don't care if he has the pouty, whiny baby image. He's a good player who loves to have the puck fed to him, and loves to score. What more could one ask for? The story is that since Marian Hossa is probably going to leave, the Pens would need someone of Jagr's abilities. Also, Jagr has made it clear that he doesn't want a deal longer than two years. It would really be interesting if Jagr came back.
Monday, June 30, 2008 -- Evening
Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts have both signed contracts with the Tampa Bay LIghtning. Ryan Malone's deal is for seven years and will net Malone $31.5 million. That's alot for someone of Malone's caliber who only had one good season out of the four he's been in the NHL. Meanwhile, Gary Roberts signed a one year deal for $1.25 million. At his age and production, he really couldn't expect more. The local sports guys are saying that Evgeni Malkin is close to signing a deal with the Pens.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 -- Early Evening
I was napping this afternoon when I got a Pens text alert. The Pens traded the negotiating rights for Ryna Malone and Gary Roberts to the Tampa Bay LIghtning for a fourth round draft pick. If Malone signs with Tampa Bay, the draft pick will become a third round pick. I can understand why the Pens did it. Malone wasn't going to sign with the Pens and at least now they get a draft round pick out of it. Also Roberts made it very clear that he wasn't going to stay here either. Also, yesterday Brooks Orpik turned down a contract offer from the Pens. If the Pens don't sweeten the deal with Orpik by Tuesday, he also could be leaving the team. The Pens have $56.7 million to spend on players this coming season.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 -- Evening
Gary Roberts has said that he will not be returning to the Pens next season. Roberts' agent said that Roberts understands that the Pens have other priorities and that he undstands that. Roberts isn't leaving with bad feelings though, and he will see where free agency takes him.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 -- Morning
The Pens are having an equipment sale this Friday from 4 p.m. till 8 p.m at the Marriot City Center. They will be selling both new and game used equipment. This will be your chance to get something used by a player during a game.
The Wall Street Journal has come up with a list of the top 10 athletes. They based their analysis on six criteria: speed; vision and reflex; stamina and recovery; coordination and flexibility; power, strength and size; and success and competitiveness. I mention this because Sidney Crosby showed up as number six on the list. Crosby spends a good deal of time getting into shape and deserves the designation. Here's the complete list.
Sunday, June 22, 2008 -- Evening
Marian Hossa has told the Pens that he would like to try his hand at free agency come July 1. This does not mean that he won't sign with the Pens. The story is that the Pens made him an offer, and he wants to see how it compares to other offers that he might receive. At this point, it sounds me as if Hossa will not be a Pen after all.
Friday, June 20, 2008 -- Evening
More rumors today. This time, Evgeni Malkin was supposedly considering a deal to go to Russia and be one of the higest pay hockey players in the world. The offer was coming from a new hockey league in Russia. The problem is that Malkin has a deal with the NHL, and there were going to be repercussions if the Russian league tried to lure Malkin back to Russia. Well, Malkin's agent finally spoke out this evening, and said that Malkin is interested in staying in Pittsburgh and playing for the Pens.
The NHL draft is going on right now. Unfortunately, the Pens have given up all their earlier picks to get players though the year, like Marian Hossa so it will be a long while before we know who the Pens pick.
Thursday, June 19, 2008 -- Evening
Rumors have been flying around town that the Pens want to trade Evgeni Malkin so they can keep Marian Hossa a little bit longer. Sometimes I wonder where these stories come from. I would think that the Pens would be rather foolish to trade Malkin, especially for one of the supposed offers of the second pick in this year's draft and some third rate player from the LA Kings. So the LA Kings said that they have had offers for their second pick in the draft (picking second) but decided to stay with their committment to youth. Well, that would seem to eliminate Malkin as an offer since 21 is definitely youth, and that's how old Malkin is. I place little credence in hockey rumors because I have been burned too many times in the past. After the hockey lockout where there were rumors the entire year that "next week" hockey would be back, I know that the rumors are just that: rumors. Tomorrow is the first day of the draft, so if any trades are going to be done, they will have to be completed by tomorrow. Meanwhile Ryan Malone has negated any trade rumors about himself by announcing that he is waiting for free agency to start on July 1. The Pens would have preferred to trade Malone, but since he isn't willing to talk to other teams, they are stymied.
Sunday, June 15, 2008 -- Late Morning
There is some news on the Pens front. The big question on everyone's mind is which players will the Pens be able to sign up to contracts over the summer. After the NHL awards show on Thursday, Evgeni Malkin quoted as saying that he would love to stay in Pittsburgh, and that he wants to extend his contract for a few years. Malkin said, "I'm thinking maybe five or six years. I'm an easy guy to deal with. I'd love to stay in Pittsburgh." Meanwhile, yesterday, the Pens filed for arbitration with Marc-Andre Fleury. This gives the team until the end of July to come up with a deal with Fleury. If they hadn't filed for arbitration, Fleury would have become a restricted free agent on July 1. As a restricted free agent, other teams could have made an offer to Fleury which the Pens would have to match. The big news is that the Pens are supposedly seeking to make a deal with Marian Hossa. Supposedly, the offer doesn't give Hossa a yearly increase, and he would probably remain around $7 million. However, it would be a long term deal that would keep Hossa in Pittsburgh for seven years. Do the math. It would be a $50 million contract over that span of time. Again, the Pens are supposedly hoping to announce the deal this weekend. Note all the supposedlys. When and if the deal is made, I'll post it.
Eastern Conf.
2008/2009
1. Montreal - 0
2. Pens - 0
3. Wash. - 0
4. NJ Devils - 0
5. Rangers - 0
6. Philly - 0
7. Ottawa - 94
8. Boston - 94
9. Carolina - 0
10. Buffalo - 0
11. Florida - 0
12. Toronto - 0
13. Islanders - 0
14. Atlanta - 0
15. Tampa Bay - 0