Penguins/NHL category, Page 218

If Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is really trying to keep his core players together, let’s look at what that means. Sidney Crosby is signed through 2025. Jake Guentzel is locked up until the end of the 2024 playoffs. But Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin both only have two years...

It’s not imminent. There are lots of moving parts. Chances seem less than 50-50. But goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury could return to the Penguins. It’s possible. You may recall Allan Walsh, Fleury’s agent, recently tweeting an altered photo that showed Fleury stabbed in the back by a sword stamped “DeBoer.” As...

Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. We spin the hits here at “U mad, bro?” No one is spared in this edition. This week people spout off about Steelers personnel, Penguins trade rumors and Bucco ineptitude. We begin with William. He checks in on the woeful Pirates. “I have followed this team...

Todd Reirden interviewed for a job with Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford before. Back in spring 2014, after Dan Bylsma was fired as head coach, the Penguins were ready to name Willie Desjardins as his successor with Reirden retaining his position as an assistant coach. Things fell through with Desjardins...

There’s a lot to like about the New York Islanders. The Islanders have Philadelphia on the brink of elimination, leading the Flyers three games to two in their second-round series. Both Flyers victories came in overtime, and after the Islanders had rallied from deficits of three and two goals, respectively....

It’s only taken nine months. But we are finally in a position where we are on the verge of something good happening in 2020. The Philadelphia Flyers are on the cusp of being eliminated in the 2020 playoffs. It didn’t happen on the first try, though. They stayed alive with...

The trade action could be swift on Penguins goalie Matt Murray, and general manager Jim Rutherford is letting speculation linger about Evgeni Malkin. That’s how we start Wednesday’s “First Call.” Meanwhile, former Pirates outfielder Starling Marte has started his new chapter in Miami with a bang. Someone is thinking JuJu...

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery on Monday. The procedure was described as arthroscopic wrist debridement surgery according to a release the team issued on Tuesday. Recovery time will be three to four weeks. NHL training camps for the 2020-21 season are aiming to open in mid-November. Which...

Tuesday’s “First Call” examines some potential Penguins roster movement. An ex-Steeler has a new home. Leonard Fournette gets a swift kick on the way out of Jacksonville. And we look at how Glasnow vs. Cole Round 3 turned out. Bjugstad or Bonino Buffalo-bound? Looking for a team that might absorb...

Former Penguins assistant coach Jacques Martin did not take long to find a new job. Less than three weeks after the Penguins opted not to renew his contract, Martin was hired by the New York Rangers on Monday in the same capacity. Martin, 67, spent the previous seven seasons with...

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I talk about the Steelers outlook in 2020, the Penguins looming offseason, and the Pirates at the Major League trade deadline. Mark isn’t lacking for opinions on any front. “I see the Steelers as a 9-7 team. 10-6 at best,” Madden...

The Penguins named forward Evgeni Malkin their MVP for the 2019-20 season. In 55 games during the regular season, Malkin led the team with with 74 points (25 points, 49 assists). Although he missed 14 games because of various ailments, Malkin finished 14th in the NHL in scoring. Some of...

Youth in Pittsburgh’s Hill District use the Ammon Community Recreation Center as a place to play flag football, basketball, lift weights and play video games. They’ll soon be able to use a computer lab and maker space that are planned to be added to the center. The Ammon Rec2Tech Education...

When it comes to forecasting the Penguins’ goaltending situation for the 2020-21 season, one thing is certain. Casey DeSmith will probably be the backup. As to who he’ll be a reinforcement to, that’s still being sorted out. The Penguins have already had trade discussions with other teams with regards to...

Thursday marks the debut post at TribLive for “TV Talk” columnist Rob Owen. During his 22 years covering the television and media scene in Pittsburgh, Owen was a frequent guest of mine on radio. And he makes our “Breakfast With Benz” podcast debut here today to talk about his new...

A Steelers assistant coach is on the ascent. Le’Veon Bell’s practice time in New York was on the decline Wednesday. JuJu Smith-Schuster wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Hockey and politics don’t mix. And Plaxico Burress has us all very confused. All that is in “First Call” Thursday. All ‘A’s’ for...

Why should everybody be mad about the same thing all at once? Let’s spread around the agitation for this edition of “U mad, bro?” This week, Pittsburgh sports fans are frustrated about Penguins trades, Minkah Fitzpatrick and my dismissal of Ben Roethlisberger’s skills. Except I didn’t dismiss Roethlisberger’s skills. I...

Jim Rutherford filled one hole in his lineup Tuesday when he reacquired forward Kasperi Kapanen from the Maple Leafs. If things go as planned — a dicey idiom in 2020 — Kapanen will line up next to either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in a top-six role whenever the 2020-21...

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to reacquire Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The cost was this year’s first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall). Also included in the deal were forward Evan Rodrigues, prospect Filip Hallander and emergency defenseman David Warsofsky. Coming to Pittsburgh along with Kapanen are...

The Penguins’ reacquisition of winger Kasperi Kapanen is easy to evaluate. Just not right now. If GM Jim Rutherford is correct about the Penguins’ window to win still being open, and the Penguins make next season’s playoffs and win a round or two, it’s a good trade. Even if Kapanen...

The Pittsburgh Penguins are barely two weeks into an offseason that began way too early for their liking. They have plenty of issues to sort out with their roster and relatively little salary cap space with which to work. Yet, general manager Jim Rutherford didn’t waste much time in taking...