Penguins/NHL category, Page 255
NHL is considering a September Stanley Cup. How will 2021 be impacted?
Picture it. The Stanley Cup. Awarded… …in September??? Yes. That could happen based on a conference call among NHL owners Tuesday. In our weekly hockey podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I talk about the logistics of that attempt. And whether or not that is even worthwhile to...
NHL: Length of 2020-21 season won’t be impacted regardless of how late this season goes
The 2020-21 NHL season will not be shortened, even in the event the currently paused season extends deep into the summer, the league said Monday. During an update posted in Q&A format on its official website, the NHL answered a hypothetical question about the effects on next season that a...
Classic Penguins games, content to air on AT&T SportsNet, NHL NetworkVideo
Broadcasters continue to churn out reruns of memorable games and other content as a way of keeping jilted sports fans engaged. AT&T SportsNet is making sure there’s plenty for Pittsburgh Penguins to view. Starting Monday and over the next two weeks, the Penguins rightsholders will broadcast documentaries and other Penguins...
Tim Benz: Importance of sports is being downplayed, but their absence has never been more painful
Here’s a message for the “sports don’t matter at a time like this” crowd. After this weekend, don’t ever say such a thing again. During NCAA basketball conference championship week, at the dawn of the coronavirus epidemic, The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach tried to sing that song as the ensuing wave...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers free agent signings, state of sports amid coronavirus pandemic
Just about everything else is shutdown these days. But “Madden Monday” is not. Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and I are here to talk about what sports do exist. That includes the Steelers and NFL free agency. We examine the good things and bad things the Steelers did this...
Penguins had a common appeal to Drew O’Connor, Cam LeeVideo
Drew O’Connor was a long shot to get here. Even he thought so. At a modest 5-foot-9 — by his estimates — after graduation from high school, O’Connor’s prospects for playing Division I hockey were, like him, small. He thought he might have to settle for playing for a Division...
Mark Madden: Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was snubbed 31 years ago, and it’s still hard to believe
Thirty-one years later, it still stings. The man himself might not feel it. His fans do. I do. Accolades came thick and fast during Mario Lemieux’s storied career. But to this day, the one that got away still angers. In 1988-89, Lemieux had 85 goals and 199 points. He won...
Penguins partner with Giant Eagle, Primanti Bros. to aid arena, restaurant staffers
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a partnership with Giant Eagle and Primanti Bros. to offer temporary employment opportunities to staffers at PPG Paints Arena and area restaurants impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This partnership will allow those individuals to pursue employment with area Giant Eagle locations. “Supermarkets, pharmacies and fuel...
Tim Benz: What’s the Pittsburgh equivalent of Tom Brady leaving New England?
Pittsburgh Steelers fans — much like 30 other NFL fan bases — are enjoying a heaping teaspoon of schadenfreude at the expense of the New England Patriots right now. After 19 years of dominance, the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era is over. Brady is going to play his remaining few years...
First Call: Antonio Brown works out with Steelers WR; Jameis Winston to Pittsburgh?; Sidney Crosby’s future as a coach
In Friday’s “First Call,” we look at which Steelers player is a workout pal with Antonio Brown. Mike Sullivan adresses the the idea of Sidney Crosby eventually coaching. Should Jameis Winston go to the Steelers? Also, more bad news in Boston. And “March Madness” replacement brackets. A.B.’s buddy If anyone...
Ex-Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff returns home after coronavirus ends season in Germany
Mr. Game 1 didn’t get to live up to his nickname this season. He didn’t get to the first game of the playoffs or a second, third or beyond. Jeff Zatkoff was home by the time his playoffs were supposed to begin. The former Penguins’ backup goaltender has been a...
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan offers slight update on team
Mike Sullivan is fond of telling his players to control what they can control. At the moment, the Penguins coach, like so many of us, isn’t in control of much, at least it pertains to work. The Penguins have shut down most of their operations ever since the NHL postponed...
Youngstown Phantoms, USHL cancel season
The United States Hockey League (USHL) has canceled the remainder of its season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Youngstown Phantoms are members of the league, which is the premier junior league in the country. Though 50 games, they were in fifth place with a 20-22-6-2 record. Their roster...
Sidney Crosby’s hockey school canceled
Penguins forward Sidney Crosby has canceled his hockey school this upcoming summer as a result of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. The school was scheduled to be held July 6-10 in Crosby’s hometown of Cole Harbour, N.S. His foundation issued a statement on his behalf: “As we have continued to monitor...
Penguins to auction unused St. Patrick’s Day jerseys
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ foundations will auction unused St. Patrick’s Days jerseys for the benefit of various charities including those geared towards aiding individuals impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Per a release issued by the team: “The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation today announced it will auction special green St. Patrick’s Day jerseys,...
Penguins sign undrafted college free agent Cam Lee
Even as hockey has come to a halt due to the coronavirus, the business of hockey continues. The Penguins have signed undrafted free agent defensman Cam Lee to a two-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin during the 2020-21 season. Lee, 23, just completed his NCAA career at Western Michigan....
NHL is no stranger to canceling or delaying games
This isn’t the first time the NHL has delayed or canceled a season. The league has done it on five occasions, with most of them being man-made issues. What makes this stoppage unique is it’s the first time in more than a century the league has halted games because of...
Relative of Sabres employee who was at game vs. Penguins in Buffalo tests positive for coronavirus
A family member of a Buffalo Sabres employee who attended a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. on March 5 has tested positive for coronavirus. The Sabres issued a statement on Thursday announcing the testing result. During the 4-2 victory by the Penguins, the individual,...
Can this NHL season survive a 45 day pause? If so, how can the playoffs work?
No hockey. No problem for Brian Metzer and me during our weekly hockey podcast! Eh, who am I kidding? It’s a problem. But Metzer — the Penguins Radio Network host on 105.9 the X — and I make the most of it. We pontificate over how the NHL could survive...
Penguins, Aramark donate to 412 Food Rescue
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Aramark, the management service which operates PPG Paints Arena, have donated 2,000 pounds of perishable food items from the building over the past few days to 412 Food Rescue for distribution to local organizations and neighbors in need. A release from the Penguins claims the food...
Players allowed to head home as NHL issues updated guidelines for potential return
The NHL offered further guidelines on Monday for a potential return to play as the world at large deals with the coronavirus that has brought countless walks of life to a halt. If the league returns this season, it won’t be until late April at the earliest. The NHL issued...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss the new NFL CBA, sports alternatives for coronavirus shutdown
The coronavirus has stopped sports. But it hasn’t stopped us from talking about them on “Madden Monday.” In this week’s podcast, Mark Madden and I discuss what you can do to occupy your time without sports on television. I suggest “Brockmire.” Listen for Mark’s recommendations. There are also good ESPN...
Tim Benz: Players, teams that could suffer most under coronavirus sports shutdown
The coronavirus sports shutdown may be worse than originally thought. On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control recommended “that for the next 8 weeks, organizers … cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.” That means sports. All of ‘em. The NCAA...
When can the Penguins and NHL get back to hockey?
Sidney Crosby learned a valuable lesson when he contracted the mumps in December of 2014. “Don’t get them,” the Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain said with a chuckle Tuesday. When mumps struck the NHL throughout the course of the 2014-15 season, the Penguins were hit particularly hard as Crosby and former teammates...
Remainder of Wheeling Nailers’ season canceled
The remainder of the Wheeling Nailers’ 2019-20 season has been canceled as a result of the coronavirus that has impacted seemingly every walk of life around the globe. The ECHL announced it would be canceling the season Saturday night. Wheeling, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, was 24-30-5-0 and in last...
