Penguins/NHL category, Page 293
Tom Brady lends voice to Zdeno Chara’s Bruins’ pump-up video
One of Boston’s favorite sons is offering his support for another team on a championship run. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, six-time Super Bowl champion, lent his voice to a clip posted to Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara’s Instagram account. The clip was posted before the start of Game...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden debate Kessel trade idea, Pirates, Porter ripping Roethlisberger
Mark Madden joins me for “Madden Madden” a day late after the Memorial Day holiday. We debate that failed trade of Phil Kessel to the Wild. Mark and I have differing views on that front. I’m not opposed to a deal involving Kessel. But I’m down on the structure of...
Tim Benz: Phil Kessel to Wild would’ve been wrong move for Penguins
If there was a trade in place between the Penguins and Wild involving Phil Kessel, it appears to be off now. And it appears it’s off because Kessel doesn’t want to go to Minnesota. The Wild aren’t on his eight-team approved list for trades. And, according to Sportsnet, Kessel doesn’t...
Mark Madden: Phil Kessel trade would help needed Penguins shakeup
Trade speculation regarding Phil Kessel once again runs rampant. Never mind that the Penguins have been willing to trade him for the best part of a couple years now. The latest talk has Kessel going to Minnesota along with defenseman Jack Johnson for forwards Jason Zucker and Victor Rask. Kessel...
New research shows Pittsburgh to be birthplace of pro hockey
A historical marker on Pittsburgh’s North Side denotes the spot of the first professional football game played, coming in 1892. If Perrysville native John Schalcosky has his way, a similar marker soon will be erected in Oakland, noting the city as the birthplace of professional hockey, as well. Schalcosky is...
2 former Penguins set for induction into IIHF Hall of Fame
Former Pittsburgh Penguins wingers Miroslav Satan and Ziggy Palffy will be among the players inducted into the IIHL Hall of Fame on Sunday in Slovakia. Mike Modano, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jorgen Jonsson will round out the class of players. Satan played for the Penguins in 2008-09, recording six points in...
Jacques Martin expected to stay with Penguins after bid for head-coaching gig fails
Having struck out in his bid to win the head coaching job in Ottawa and Buffalo, assistant coach Jacques Martin is expected to remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season. Martin, who has one year left on his contract, will return for his fifth straight season behind the Penguins bench,...
First Call: Possible Phil Kessel landing spot; Pirates scout outfielder; loving Le’Veon Bell
It’s a trade-heavy “First Call” for Friday. The Penguins may be engaged in a potential trade for Phil Kessel. Jets coach Adam Gase is denying ideas he wants to trade Le’Veon Bell. And the Pirates may be interested in acquiring a New York Yankee. Pharewell Phil? Tribune-Review Penguins writer Jonathan...
Penguins actively shopping popular winger Phil Kessel
After the Pittsburgh Penguins bowed out of the playoffs in a first-round sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders last month, it quickly became clear changes to the team’s roster were afoot. That wave of change appears likely to sweep up winger Phil Kessel. The Penguins actively are...
Penguins re-sign defenseman Chad Ruhwedel for 2 years
Which defensemen will fill the top six spots on the blue line next season remains an open question for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The picture at the bottom end of the depth chart, however, cleared up significantly on Thursday. Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel agreed to a new two-year deal with an average...
Canada scores buzzer-beating goal to advance to World Championship semifinals
Canada advanced to the semifinals of the IIHF World Championships on Thursday on a buzzer-beating goal by New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson. Trailing 2-1 to Switzerland with Penguins goalie Matt Murray pulled, Severson scored on a deflected point shot that slid over the goal line with 0.4 seconds left...
Accelerated development from Teddy Blueger could be good news for Penguins
Before he made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the end of January, the story of Teddy Blueger’s career was slow and steady improvement. His two-way game was always a point of strength, but his offensive game took some time to come around. As a freshman at Minnesota-Mankato,...
Former NHL heavyweight John Scott holds no grudge against Phil Kessel
The only suspension of Phil Kessel’s 13-year NHL career came when he delivered a series of two-handed chops to former Buffalo Sabres heavyweight John Scott in a 2013 preseason game. In an appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast this week, Scott said he has no hard feelings. Thinking one of...
Penguins’ Matt Murray saves his best for rivalry matchup with U.S. at World Championships
Matt Murray had his finest showing of the IIHF World Championships in a game against his home country’s biggest rival. Murray recorded a 28-save shutout to lead Canada to a 3-0 victory over the United States on Tuesday in Slovakia. Penguins forward Jared McCann scored a goal. That's a 28-save...
First Call: New pressure for Le’Veon Bell; Penguins scoring in bunches at Worlds
In “First Call” Tuesday, something to watch for Le’Veon Bell in New York. Penguins players keep pumping in goals at the World Championships. The Warriors make history. And the next opponent for the Pirates just can’t buy good luck. Something to watch Many people are wondering how Le’Veon Bell will...
At World Championships, Penguins’ Dominik Simon giving teasing glimpse of talent
The Pittsburgh Penguins should be pleased with what winger Dominik Simon is accomplishing this month at the World Championships in Slovakia. Simon has recorded three goals and five assists in his first six games with the Czech Republic, ranking on the fringes of the top 10 among the tournament’s leading...
Marcus Pettersson, Zach Aston-Reese among Penguins due pay raises
The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t have much work to do this summer when it comes to re-signing their own restricted free agents. When they do get around to the task, defenseman Marcus Pettersson and winger Zach Aston-Reese will be due the biggest raises, according to hockey-graphs.com’s annual free-agent contract projections. Among...
Quietly subpar season from Justin Schultz didn’t help Penguins’ cause
Most of the players who had a bad year for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season did so at a high volume. The struggles of Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Patric Hornqvist, for instance, were loud. Justin Schultz, on the other hand, had a bad year quietly. Perhaps it’s because he...
First Call: Dominik Simon finally scores; Bruins keep Eastern sweeps alive
In Friday’s “First Call,” we finally see Dominik Simon score a goal. Not for the Penguins, of course. John Daly’s pants are better than his game. And the Bruins keep the sweep trend rolling in the Eastern Conference. Deadly Dominik So when is Dominik Simon going to score? Oh. Now?...
Recommendation from Penguins GM Jim Rutherford helped Sabres choose new coach
A referral from Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford helped the Buffalo Sabres choose their new coach. According to a story in the Buffalo News, Rutherford has held new Sabres coach Ralph Krueger in high esteem since hiring him as a European scout for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005. Rutherford...
Penguins need less boom-or-bust from Bryan Rust
It’s not hard to figure out why Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan thinks his team made a hasty, inglorious exit from the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. “To win in the playoffs, you can’t be a high-risk team,” Sullivan said at his season-ending press conference. “You’ve got to have a certain...
First call: Big Ben’s big bash, NHL officials under fire again, Shaq’s awful attire
In “First Call” Thursday, Ben Roethlisberger does some image repair. Kasper Björkqvist already has PPG Paints Arena experience. Shaq’s wardrobe needs help. So do NHL officials. Bad leader Ben? Remember when Antonio Brown trashed Ben Roethlisberger as a leader, in part, because “he has an owner’s mentality” and never invited...
Top prospect Kasper Bjorkqvist leaves Providence, signs with Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed their top prospect Wednesday, agreeing with winger Kasper Bjorkqvist on a two-year, entry-level contract. Bjorkqvist, a second-round pick in the 2016 draft, had 17 goals and 30 points in 42 games as a junior this season for Providence, helping the team advance to the NCAA Frozen...
Sidney Crosby’s OT winner in Edmonton up for NHL goal of the year
A stunning individual effort by Sidney Crosby that gave the Pittsburgh Penguins an overtime victory in Edmonton in October is a nominee for NHL goal of the year. Goal of the Year is one of 20 categories on the ballot in the NHL’s Fan Choice Awards, which hand out offbeat...
First call: Terry Bradshaw’s apology; ex-Penguins shine for Blues
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a Terry Bradshaw apology, a potential tight end for the Steelers and some former Penguins stand out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bradshaw apologizes Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is backtracking on some comments he made during Fox’s “upfront” presentation Monday. The network NFL host was...
