NHL in a Nutshell- Waiver Your Health Goodbye

Greetings Pens Nation! I hope the weather has been by everyone else; it rained NON-STOP yesterday. But hail the size of bowling balls could've been falling from the sky for all I care, because it's now October and hockey season is DAYS away!!!!

This week there was the usual slew of preseason injuries and teams waiving players right and left to trim their rosters down to size and/or clear cap space. There isn't much off-ice activity to report since it's so close to the start of the season, but there are a few entertaining tidbits. Without any further ado, here is your NHL news of the week:

On-Ice-

-It's been officially decided that this season Brooks Orpik will be wearing the 'A' Gonchar left behind. I'm sure this doesn't come as much of a surprise and I know a lot of Pens fans felt Orpik was the best choice for the job. Congrats Free Candy!

-Jordan Staal update: Staal spoke to the media yesterday concerning his infected foot. I know there's been a lot of rumors going around about him being out longer than anticipated, but ignore anything you've heard. As of right now, there is NO TIMETABLE for Staal's return. He is hoping to restart his workouts by next week, but is still some time away from skating. Obviously, we will keep you updated on his condition as it improves or (God forbid) worsens.

-All the players the Penguins waived on Wednesday have cleared waivers and will be reporting to Wilkes-Barre.

-Time for a round of You know it's time to join a European hockey team when... This week's contestant is Jonathan Cheechoo. You know it's time to join a European hockey team when the Dallas Stars think you can't help their roster and release you from your camp tryout.

All kidding aside, I was rooting for Cheechoo to make the team and make a comeback. Hopefully he'll be picked up by an AHL team, or actually does go overseas to play with all the other people with cool last names. Good luck Cheechoo.

-One veteran that was able to find work was Donald Brashear. Just this morning, it was announced that Brashear has signed with the Sorel-Tracy GCI of the LNAH in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec (the terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet). Please tell me I'm not the only one who giggled at the thought of hearing Brashear speak French.

-So many players that no one has heard of have been waived this past week but here are three I felt were worth noting; Wade Redden, Cristobal Huet, and Sheldon Souray. Redden and Huet were obviously both waived to clear up cap space for the Rangers and Blackhawks, and because they weren't really contributing to their respective teams (and that's putting it mildly). Redden will be reporting to the Hartford Wolf Pack and Huet is now playing in Switzerland for Fribourg-Gotteron. I only felt Souray was worth mentioning because of his very public fallout with the Oilers. He cleared waivers this morning.

-The Flyers had some bad luck with injuries this week. Goalie Michael Leighton has a bulging disc in his lower back (ouch) and will be out for about a month. GM Paul Holmgren says there will be no outside move on goaltending in spite of Leighton's condition. Who needs a number one goaltender anyway? Forward Ian Laperriere is also out indefinitely with post-concussion symptoms. (GASP! Laperriere has a concussion? No one could've saw that coming!) Laperriere suffered from a concussion/brain contusion from last year's Stanley Cup playoffs, when a shot from Paul Martin hit him in the right eye in the opening round and required 70 stitches. He returned to play in the Eastern Conference Finals and then the Stanley Cup Finals. Laperriere played in the preseason opener against the Devils but admitted this week that he was still having issues over the summer and had been lying about his health so he could play for the Stanley Cup back in June. I suppose you can't blame a 36-year-old guy for wanting to play in his first-ever Stanley Cup Finals, but will it be worth it in the long-run if he suffers permanent brain damage?

-Even more unlucky than the Flyers are the Islanders. First they lost defenseman Michael Streit for the next six months to a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, after colliding with his teammate Matt Moulson. The injury is said to require surgery, although Streit is looking into other options. Then less than two days after Streit went down, it was reported that Kyle Okposo is going to need shoulder surgery too. He also has a torn labrum, but in his right shoulder, and is out indefinitely. I'm also ruling the playoffs out indefinitely for the Isles, as if they had a shot anyway.

-Wild backup goalie Josh Harding is likely done for the season. Harding tore his ACL and his MCL when Blues forward Bray Boyes was checked into him in a preseason game, and he'll need surgery. Yikes. It hasn't been reported whether the tears are complete or partial, but a partial tear of just an ACL or MCL is bad enough, much less both at the same time. I'm not even going to try and say anything funny or clever about that. Get well soon, Harding.

Off-Ice:

-Facepalm moment of the week; it came to light that Kris Versteeg's name was spelled wrong on the Stanley Cup. The mistake has been corrected, but the damage was already done:

How could the engraver spell "Hjalmarsson" correctly but mess up "Versteeg"?

Whoops. I enjoyed Kris Versteeg's take on the matter. He said that since he won't ever be on of the biggest names in the game, he'll take going down in history as one of the misspells on the Stanley Cup.

-There is a rumor going around that there are negotiations for Ovechkin recording a duet with Eminem. Yes, a rap song. Ovechkin. Rapping. With Eminem. After triple-checking to make sure I hadn't read the headline wrong, I started cracking up. How hilarious would that be to hear Ovechkin rapping in broken English with Eminem??? (I guess he already recorded a song with a Russian rap artist this past summer, for his girlfriend or something. You learn these things when you're friends with a diehard Caps fan.) I hope this is more than a rumor because I want to hear that song for comic relief. Whether this is true or not, it seems like Ovechkin is really focused on the upcoming hockey season and guiding his team to Lord Stanley's Cup huh?

Penguins Make Latest Round of Cuts

The Pittsburgh Penguins made their training camp roster smaller earlier today by sending 11 players to AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Forwards included in the cuts are Chris Conner, Nick Johnson, Brett Sterling, Joe Vitale, and Tim Wallace. The defensemen that were sent down include Robert Bortuzzo, Corey Potter, Brian Strait and Steve Wagner. Goaltenders John Curry and Brad Thiessen were  also assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Out of the 11 cuts six of the players will have to clear waivers by Thursday at noon before they can join the Baby Pens… Those players who need to clear are Conner, Curry, Potter, Sterling, Wagner, and Wallace.

The Penguins have 30 players remaining on their roster after the cuts.   18 forwards; 10 defensemen; and two goaltenders.

I fully expect a team like Philly or Minnesota take a chance on John Curry as both teams have keepers who are hurt and Curry is coming off of a decent training camp.  Also, the New York Islanders could potentially be a candidate for a player like Brent Sterling after losing Kyle Okposo until December. 

Notes and Observations from...Section 210

Hey all you dedicated Pens Nation readers. My name is Robbie Naugle and I am the new Team Features writer for the site. After all the games I will be posting a piece called "Notes and Observations from..." I will also have other posts throughout the season regarding the team or events surrounding the team that are of importance. I hope you enjoy my work. Let's Go Pens!!!!

When deciding on what to do for my first post I thought what better way to start then telling everyone about my first experience at the brand new Consol Energy Center. So here we go. These are my notes and observations from the Pens pre-season game against Columbus.

Let's start with the arena itself...

• The place is more than fantastic. The place is immaculate.
• There is so much more space to walk and the bathrooms are massive.
• Definitely doesn't feel as big as the Mellon.
• There is not one bad seat in the place.
• Getting around can be troublesome since there aren't many maps to help.
• Noise is a huge issue here...for the opposing team.
• The new scoreboard is so big it almost distracts you from the game.
• So nice that the teams no longer have to cross to reach the locker rooms.
• The food vendors are still working out the kinks. Long, slow lines. Should improve with time.
• The nachos are still amazing and RC Cola could really catch on.
• Yes, the prices are still very high but the food is very good.
• This building is the premier arena in the NHL and no one comes close.
• One negative: After the game I felt rushed out of the building. I wanted to look around but the ushers kept directing us out. Hopefully they loosen up.

Now let's take a look at the game...

• The Pens hit a homerun with the "Ultimate Home Game."
• The Pens were definitely still working off some rust. They seemed to get their groove in the second period.
• Columbus could be a surprise team out West.
• This make shift Pens team could win 40 games.
• Fleury was the biggest bright spot for the team. He played out of his mind. If he plays like that consistently, watch out.
•  Brett Sterling and Eric Tangradi both played solid games. 
• Tyler Kennedy had a great game.
• Steve Mason looks to be returning to rookie year form.
• Arron Asham can shoot the puck and isn't afraid to get dirty.
• Crosby showed no signs of pain or problems with that hip flexor.
• Brooks Orpik looked like he was playing against a bunch of kids. 
• Malkin looks like the Malkin we know and love.
• Don't know if it was the refs or lack of discipline, but the Pens couldn't stay out of the box.
• On that note, the penalty kill was solid all night.
• Good to see the Pens driving the net and getting dirty goals.
• After showing rust in the first period the Pens turned it on. This team can hang with anyone.
• It's great to have hockey back.

Miscellaneous notes and observations...

• Pascal Dupuis is the most under-rated pick up by Ray Shero in his time as GM.
• Michalek will be worth every dollar they pay him.
• Rick Nash is still an elite player. He deserves a better team.
• Nash may be elite but that didn't stop him from being beat down by Malkin.
• Kris Letang can fight too.
• He may not have the most talent but no one will ever give more than Tyler Kennedy.
• Brett Sterling deserves a chance. 
• Godard should be the most feared enforcer in the league.
• Watch out for Marc-Andre Fleury.
• I believe Tangradi will be on the opening day roster.

Fantasy Tip of the Week...

• If you're looking for a solid reserve goalie for your team consider Steve Mason. Kid could have a solid year.

That's all I got for now folks. Hope you enjoyed my first article. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity. I look forward to reading your comments. Thank you all for reading and as always, Go Pens!!!!

Join The Fight

Feel inclined to post these, as everyone knows October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the support of this disease is evident around the world of sports. In the NFL players are permitted to wear pink armbands, shoes and gloves. Closer to our hearts here at Pens Nation, in the NHL, players warm-up with pink sticks and auction them off and wear stickers on their helments, as well as all broadcasters and front office staff wearing pink ties. So I'm posting iPhone wallpapers that I made for this occasion. Only my sports teams are included so if you would like one made for you just tweet me @PensNation_Dan.

NHL in a Nutshell- It's a Hard Knock Life

"Have some Free Candy!"

Sorry this post is late. In the future I'll have these up in the afternoon but this week has been a homework week from hell and this is the first chance I've had today to sit down and write. As a result, my brain is as soft as Chris Osgood's stomach.

The Penguins won their first game in Consol Energy Center! Woohoo! So what if it doesn't count for anything besides giving Red Wings fans an excuse to whine about Brooks Orpik? It's better than the alternative. The other NHL news this week features a few contract extensions and two very exciting pieces of off-ice news:

On-Ice:

-I haven't/won't be able to attend any Pens training camps or preseason games, but from what I've been hearing from my fellow Pens Nation writers and other Pens sources, it sounds like Brett Sterling has been having a unexpectedly impressive camp/preseason and may have a legitimate shot at making the Pens final roster. It's always nice to see a guy earn a roster slot with hard work and dedication so I've been rooting for him for that, and because he and I are the same height (5'7"). I still can't get over that. I probably should have by now.

Mark Letestu has also been having a noteworthy camp/preseason, and of course we can't count out Big Dog Eric Tangradi. I can't wait to see who makes the final cut. In my opinion, roster battles are the best and most exciting part about preseason, especially when you have the depth the Penguins have. It's another example of how well Shero has done with free agent acquisitions and draft picks.

-For those of you stressing over Crosby leaving the game early on Wednesday because of his hip flexor, take a chill pill. He practiced yesterday and is fine. He's not playing against Columbus right now, but few starters are, so relax. There's nothing wrong with Sid.

-Chris Drury, on the other hand (pun NOT intended, I swear!), was not so lucky. The Rangers captain broke his left index finger Monday during a training-camp scrimmage and will miss all of preseason and the first four regular season games. I don't know which is more painful (sorry)- missing time because I've such a small injury or the fact that in happened in a training camp scrimmage.

-It was a good week for goalies. The Capitals signed goalie Michal Neuvirth signed an extension that will go into effect in 2011-12 and pay his $1.15. million annually. Neuvirth is supposedly giving Varlamov a run for his money (I don't know what is up with me and all these unintentional bad puns today!) for the starting job. Also, the Columbus Blue Jackets gave goalie Chris Mason a two-year contract extension, worth $2.6 million in 2011-12 and $3.2 million in 2012-13. I'm not NHL GM material, but wouldn't it make more sense to make the goalie prove he can bounce back from his sophomore slump and earn the Jackets a playoff spot, then extend his contract?

-An even bigger huh? signing took place in Washington. Caps GM George McPhee signed on Tom Poti for another two years and $5.75 million ($3.5 million this year, $3 million next year, a cap hit of $2.87 million). I have a friend here at school who is a diehard, non-bandwagon Caps fan and whenever we watch Pens-Caps games together, it seems like every other swear word out of her mouth is directed at Poti. Her initial take on the extension: "I have to put up with him turning the puck over for two more freaking years? Really?"

-The Wild's sellout streak came to an end on Wednesday night. Before that preseason game against the Blues, the Wild had had a 409 game home sellout streak. There were still more more people at the preseason game than at the average Thrashers regular season game (16,219), so the Wild still have something to be grateful for, in the same way all of you should be grateful that I resisted posting a terrible Wild pun in this paragraph.

Off-Ice:

-Very exciting news came from the Blues today. Mandi Schwartz, the sister of St. Louis's 2010 draft pick Jarden Schwartz, has received the stem cell transplant she needed. Since December 2008, Mandi Schwartz has been battling acute myeloid leukemia (cancer located in her bone marrow that affects her ability to produce healthy blood cells). The hope is that the transplant will establish a new immune system within a month. We at Pens Nation all wish Mandi Schwartz a speedy and full recovery, and I'll continue to have updates on her condition when I hear them. Everybody keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

-The other very exciting, if much more shallow, news is this week's title story; HBO is finally doing a hockey version of "Hard Knocks", featuring the Penguins and Capitals! HBO is will be filming four episodes of a mini-series called "24/7 PENGUINS/CAPITALS: ROAD TO THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC" starting December 22, leading up to the 2011 Winter Classic, giving us an uncensored look at the two teams on and off the ice. Ovechkin has hinted that there will be Russian profanity so I'm hoping he and Geno start cussing each other out in Russian, and more than one Bruce Boudreau/Rex Ryan comparison has been made. Guys like Max Talbot, Matt Cooke and Arron Asham will be highly entertaining to listen to uncensored. All the players, on both sides, are pumped from what I've heard. I can't wait to watch this show. Not to mention, the exposure is good for the NHL and given the possibility of upcoming NFL and/or NBA lockouts, the timing could be perfect too.

Official "24/7" logo

-Last but certainly not least, Stars forward Brad Richards visited the pediatric unit in Queen Elizabeth's Hospital on Prince Edward Island, and donated $500,000 to the unit. Richards made the donation in honor of his best friend and cousin Jamie Reynolds, who died of a brain tumor in 1989 at age seven (Richards was nine). Not only did Richards spend time with the kids and give them photo/autograph opportunities, but he also bought Dallas Stars intrasquad game tickets for the kids and their families so they could attend the game. Kudos to Brad Richards for this wonderful act of charity. The more examples we see of professional athletes giving back to the community, the better.

Only 13 more days until games start to count! Hockey season is almost here! (Even if it was 90+ degrees F outside today... *gag*). Let's Go Pens!

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Training Camp Roster

A couple of familiar names appear on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's first announced training camp roster, Drew Fata and Pascal Morency. 

Fata, brother of former Pittsburgh Penguin, Rico Fata, played with the WBS Penguins and Wheeling Nailers between 2003-2006 and Morency played with WBS and Wheeling from 2004-2006.  Both players will bring an edge with them to training camp for sure as they are both known to mix it up a little.  

One one player that will be hard to miss on the ice will be Taylor Vichorek being 6'8" 245 pounds. It'll be interesting to see if he has the wheels to keep up with the play. That is a huge size for anybody, let alone a forward. 

Training Camp Roster (As of September 23, 2010)

FORWARDS (17)  

  Mikael Bedard 

  Jesse Boulerice

  Chris Collins  

  Joey Haddad  

  Andrew Lord  

  David Marshall 

  Pascal Morency

  Andrew Orpik  

  Nick Petersen 

  Marc Rechlicz

  Ryan Schnell  

  Zach Sill  

  Alex Smigelski 

  Ben Street

  Keven Veilleux 

  Taylor Vichorek 

  Geoff Walker  

DEFENSEMEN (9)  

  Kyle Bushee

  Jason DeSantis

  Drew Dobson  

  Drew Fata  

  Peter Merth 

  Derek Peltier 

  Carl Sneep 

  Eric Tallent 

  Nick Tuzzolino 

GOALTENDERS (2)  

  Nevin Hamilton 

  Patrick Killeen 

Wheeling Nailers Try Outs

Played with WBS or Wheeling Last Season

This Week In Pens Nation - Home Is Where Letang Is

I'm sorry if this post is late, but I'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the concourse!

Tuesday, September 22, 2010 I had the honor of attending the first game ever at Consol Energy Center. It was one of if not the most amazing experience of my life. Not only did I get to wait in the Student Rush line for 5 hours for $25 tickets into the game, but I hung out with someone amazing people from different colleges around Western PA. I now know that the Student Rush line is more then a bunch of college kids waiting to watch a hockey game, it is a great way to meet new friends. From 1:30 in the afternoon until the gates opened at 5:30 (and the thunderstorm at 4), I sat in sheer(good eye Meg) bliss at what was happening, waiting in line to help the Penguins turn the page from Mellon Arena to Consol Energy Center. My cousin and I recieved tickets to section 115 (had to be 185 dollar seats), we looked around at the sight in front of us, got together with other rushers in our section, and even got on the jumbotron!

This game didn't mean anything in the standings for the Penguins, but it meant something to us. It was a game that almost never came, and as I wound down to a 5-1 win for the Guins, it felt like home, and in reality is home, home of our Penguins, for good. It is hard to put the Consol experience into words but hopefully this will do some justice.



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