Nasreddine Returns To Wilkes Barre/Scranton

-Does anyone remember Alain Nasreddine? The defenseman played with the Penguins organization from 2003-04 until 2007-08. He only played 56 games with the Penguins, recording five points. Nasreddine, 35, was named the new assistant coach of the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL team in which he played 249 games for. He helped the team to two Calder Cup appearances by recording 55 points total in those 249 contests. Nasreddine was the captain of the team for a period of time, but now will be behind the bench along with new head coach John Hynes.

NHL 11 Demo Now Available

-For all of you hockey gamers out there, EA Sports has released the NHL 11 demo for PlayStation3 and Xbox 360. The demo features the third period of a Battle for the Cup game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks. The demo also includes a starter pack of the Hockey Ultimate Team, a new mode in the game where you collect hockey cards as you try to build the ultimate team by increasing team chemistry and other elements. The full game will be released on September 7th.

Kaberle Stays in Toronto

-After months of speculation and rumors of Tomas Kaberle being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs, GM Brian Burke decided to hold on to the defenseman. A Ryan Malone deal from Tampa Bay was discussed and kept many fans on their heals before midnight last night, which is when Kaberle's no trade clause kicked in. While many members of the media stayed up until midnight, Ryan Malone was informed he would not be traded at 6 PM Sunday.
-Paul Martin, Zbynek Michalek, Alex Goligoski, and Marc-Andre Fleury participated in today's first skate at the Octagon Sports Agency training camp.
-There is chatter that Lee Stempniak is headed back to the Phoenix Coyotes.

NHL Quick Hits

-Many people along with Tomas Kaberle's agent believe Kaberle will be traded very soon. The trade would likely be before Sunday night as he will have a no trade clause after Sunday. There are over ten teams interested in the defenseman and the offers are expected to grow around Friday.
-The Ilya Kovalchuk talk will not stop. It has been somewhat quiet with him lately, but everyone is wondering what is going on. The New Jersey Devils still appear to be the favorite, but the Los Angeles Kings are back in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. An agent of a player said today that Los Angeles will not make any more moves until Kovalchuk has signed.

-Marek Svatos' agent said today that Pittsburgh would be a great fit for his client. However, he is not close to signing with any team.
-Some AHL news: The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins have a deal in place that would let them play a game in the Consol Energy Center on New Years Day, while the Pittsburgh Penguins play at Heinz Field.

NHL Defeats Kovalchuk

-The drama continues. Arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled in favor of the NHL to reject the 17 year, $102 million contract Ilya Kovalchuk signed with the New Jersey Devils. Kovalchuk is now a UFA once again. However, there is chatter that the Devils are talking a new deal with Kovalchuk already. The NHL looks like they are starting to wake up by looking at the long term deals that were signed, especially ones over ten years. The league may go after other long term contracts as well, such as Marian Hossa's.

Afinogenov Signs 5 Year Deal With KHL Team

-Another former NHL player is headed to the KHL. Maxim Afinogenov has signed a five year contract with the SKA St. Petersburg. Terms were not disclosed, but he decided on the KHL because of the length of the contract. NHL deals were two years at the most.
-A lot of sources are saying that Marek Svatos is still a player on the Penguins radar. It would be a good fit for both sides, as long as he is on a two-way contract.
-John Madden has signed with the Minnesota Wild.

Afinogenov Likely To Make Decision By Saturday

-Maxim Afinogenov is one of the best free agents left and he will likely be off the market by Saturday. He has received multiple offers from NHL and KHL teams. He could join the KHL if he feels that there is no good situation for him in the NHL for the right amount of money. He will likely not sign with Pittsburgh. They have not made an effort to stay in the mix.
-Another rumor should be put to rest. Eklund's rumor of Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne joining the Penguins is highly unlikely. It is realistic in Anaheim, however.
-According to Joe Depto, the Penguins season ticket holder waiting list is around 10,000. One of his sources told him about that. That is truly amazing.