PenguinPoop - Pittsburgh Penguins Blog

Penguins Sign Center Mike Comrie to 1 year .5 Million Dollar Contract

Phil Krundle — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:31:06 PDT

A little over a week until training camp starts and Penguin GM Ray Shero is still fine tuning the Penguins roster. Today he signed center journeyman Mike Comrie to a one year deal. While PenguinPoop writer Reg Dunlop and I tried all day to post this from our none functioning phones we had plenty of time to debate the why this signing took place.

The Penguins are the deepest team in the NHL down the middle so signing another center is a very odd thing to do. Is it possible that Jordan Staal’s foot is worse off than they have been saying? There has also been talk of putting Malkin and Crosby on the same line or Malkin and Staal on the same line, this all could be stemming from the fact that Malkin is horrible at faceoffs to the tune of about a 39% win percentage. (check out FrankD at Pensburgh: Evgeni Malkin: Not So Good on the Draw)

Malkin and Crosby on the same line has worked in the past for about a game then goes sour fast when the other teams start putting all there best defensive players against them. Staal already has a great third line. What if Comrie could center a Malkin line? This would give the Penguins possible three great scoring lines and possibly the best checking line in the NHL between Talbot, Asham, Goddard and Rupp.

Comrie turns 30 next Saturday and already has five seasons of 20 or more goals under his belt. Bringing both Comrie and Arron Asham in inexpensively really adds a lot of depth to the Penguin roster. This means players like Eric Tangradi and other WBS Penguins who were looking at a few easy open roster spots on the big team are going to have to earn it. Competition is a good thing – right?

On a side note: The Penguins have been in dire need of a scoring winger, I should say a Right handed scoring winger for about 2 seasons now. The one sided powerplay will be one sided once again this season unless Shero makes a trade which is very possible with the depth the Penguins now have.

Another side note: Mike Comrie married Hilary Duff this summer.

Penguins Sign Winger Arron Asham to 1 year .7 Million Dollar Contract

Phil Krundle — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:07:15 PDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed Winger tough guy Arron Asham to a one year contract for 700 thousand. 5′ 11″ 205pd Asham played the last two seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers. Asham is more known for his physical style play than his scoring, but can still put the puck in the net, he netted 10 goals last season.

This changes the landscape of the Penguins lineup and could mean the end for team favorite like Eric Goddard who once again this year was benched for the duration of the playoffs. Asham played 23 games for Philly in the playoffs last year and had 4 goals and 3 assists.

With this signing the Penguins are left with a little under $2 million in salary cap, look for them to possibly make a trade and/or acquire a much needed right handed goal scorer for the power play before the season starts.

The Good and the Bad of the Penguins New Consol Energy Center

Reg Dunlop — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:09:55 PDT

I got my opportunity to go down and see the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have to say, it was, in fact, very impressive.

This is the view from lower Center Avenue. The is the view from upper Center Avenue.

Once I got past the interactive Penguins “hall of fame”, I headed up to the main concourse.

Here the fans can relive some of the great history of the Penguins using touchscreen monitors.

Here, I was amazed by the overall appearance of, well, everything. There is certainly the overwhelming sense of “new arena” smell and appearance. After standing there for a couple of minutes taking it all in, I decided to go into the Men’s room. (...)
Read the rest of The Good and the Bad of the Penguins New Consol Energy Center

PenguinPoop in new 93.7 the Fan Commercial

Phil Krundle — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:51:04 PDT

As if TV wasn’t bad enough already! When we were asked if we wanted to be in a bunch of the new commercials for “93.7 the Fan” sports talk radio, we had no idea they meant putting our ugly mugs on TV. Four PenguinPoop writers can be seen in the below commercial, as usual we are not going to tell you which ones we are in the video as to keep our identities secret, but you can see Reg Dunlop, Champ Kind, STH35 and yours truly. From what we have heard, they’ll be many more of these type commercials with us in them airing on KDKA TV through the fall.

The Pittsburgh Penguins New 3rd Jersey:

Phil Krundle — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:08:01 PDT

NHL Snipers posts pictures of what most likely will be the Pittsburgh Penguins & Washington Capitals 3rd jerseys used in the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field:

http://www.nhlsnipers.com/winter-classic-jerseys-pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals/

Alex Ovechkin, Douche or Hockey Legend? You Decide:

Art Vandelay — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:29:22 PDT

I want to give big props to Max Talbot for last week on 105.9 The X, for addressing the white elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about. When “Mad Max” was asked about Ovechkin, he did not hold back calling him “Douche”, which is what every “PenguinPoop” reader already knew.

Let’s face it, Max is right. Alex Ovechkin is one of a kind hockey god, but his personality alone makes him a douche! Two quick examples come to mind. For one, the unnecessary knocking Daniel Briere into next week. Then a few weeks later he turned around and played in the All-Star game with Danny. I wonder if Ovie-douche apologized or played the my English is not very good card? Who could forget the little kid in Montreal that he snowed before the game. Ovie, I have your back if it was one of those ridiculous grown up clowns. I actually mean a Montreal Canadians fan.

If players were rated on talent alone, Ovechkin obviously rates with some of the greats of the game. Thank you hockey gods for not giving the Pittsburgh Penguins the mental anguish over drafting a douche like Ovechkin.

Ovie-douche or not, the Washington Capitals invade Heinz Field on New Year’s Day and I have a feeling people will be talking about this game for years to come.

Penguins Sign Chris Conner to 1 year .55 Million Dollar 2 Way Contract

Phil Krundle — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:23:35 PDT

WBS Penguins winger Chris Conner re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 1 year at .55 million. The deal is a 2 way contract that will pay him less if he plays in the minors. Chris Conner was first signed by the Penguins a little over a year ago on July 7th from the Dallas Stars, the speedy 5ft 8in Conner played 8 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last year and had 2 goals and 1 assist. This is a good signing by Pens GM Shero as Conner is a great fill in player for injuries, and who knows, might even see more time if the Shero doesn’t start signing some wingers.

Mark Eaton Signs 2 year $5 Million Dollar Deal with Islanders

Phil Krundle — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:24:57 PDT

Pittsburgh Penguins who right now have 5 defensemen lined up for next year (Orpik, Martin, Goligoski, Letang and Michalek) most likely just ensured WBS Penguins Ben Lovejoy’s place on the roster when they lost any chance of re-signing defenseman Mark Eaton who signed a two year $5 Million dollar deal with the NY Islanders.

It is estimated that the Penguins have just under 3 Million in cap space left and have yet to sign a quality winger. I personally like to see the Penguins take a shot at Lee Stempniak from Phoenix.

Buffalo Signs Jordan Leopold to 3 year $9 Million Dollar Deal

Phil Krundle — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:19:22 PDT

Penguins loaner defenseman Jordan Leopold signed a 3 year, 3 million dollar a year deal will Buffalo after the Penguins most likely didn’t offer him a contract or enough money.

List of Pittsburgh Penguins free agents: 2010 Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agents

Dan Hamhuis to the Canucks, 6 Year 27 Million Dollar Contract

Phil Krundle — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:05:38 PDT

Ray Shero lost the Hamhuis sweepstakes or did he? Shero traded a draft pick for the right to try to sign Hamhuis and failed. Then today Shero ended up with two better defensemen, Zbynek Michalek from Phoenix and Paul Martin from the New Jersey, both are now signed to long term contracts. Michalek a 5 year deal worth $20 million and Paul Martin 5 years $25 Milion. The Pens defense is now secure!

Martin Signs with the Penguins

Reg Dunlop — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:50:21 PDT

It’s official. The Pens have signed Paul Martin to a 5 year 25 million dollar contract.

TSN reporting

Jean Pronovost — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:49:37 PDT

Pens are negotiating with John Madden

Are the Penguins Getting Paul Martin

Reg Dunlop — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:40:47 PDT

Pierre Mcguire is reporting that the Pens are very close to signing Paul Martin.

Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Defensive Help

Reg Dunlop — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:34:44 PDT

It would appear that maybe Ray Shero had a back-up plan in the likely event that Gonchar or Hamhuis would not sign. The Pens have pried Zbynek Michalek from the Phoenix Coyotes. Michalek fills the need for a defensive defensemen. The Pens signed Michalek to a 5 year deal totaling 20 million.

2010 Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agents

Sergei Gonchar to Ottawa for $5.5M a year for 3 Years

Phil Krundle — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:38:17 PDT

TSN has reported that Sergei Gonchar has signed a three year deal with the Ottawa Senators for $5.5 Million a year including a no-trade clause. This clears a big chunk of money for Ray Shero to start signing away this afternoon, possibly defenseman Anton Volchenkov from Ottawa in what would be a huge win for the Penguins.

We will keep updating this all day: 2010 Pittsburgh Penguins Free Agents

Penguins GM Ray Shero looks to fill specific needs with draft & free agency

Phil Krundle — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:01:41 PDT

About a week ago when Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero was interviewed about the impending draft he said “In terms of needs, I think in the first round you are going for the best upside that fits your criteria as an organization. When you get into the later rounds you might look for a specific need or to fill some of the depth you might have lost.” Then he continued on about how it was never good in the first few rounds to be drafting for a specific need.

In the first three rounds Shero was drafting for a specific need. He drafted all right wingers. When you look at the depth at right wing on the Penguins, as far as natural right wingers go, it is probably the worst in the league. Last year they had 39 year old Billy Guerin, Eric Godard, waiver pickup Craig Adams, WBS Penguins Chris Connor & Nick Johnson.

Penguins draft picks

1st Round (20th)   RW Beau Bennett – 6ft 1in, 176lbs – Gardena, CA
3rd Round (80th)   RW Bryan Rust – 6ft, 191lbs – Pontiac, MI
4th Round (110th) RW Tom Kuehnhackl 6ft 2in, 172lbs – Landshut, Germany
5th Round (140th) LW Keneth Agostino 5ft 11in, 190lbs – Morristown, NJ
6th Round (152nd)   D Joe Rogalski 6ft 1in, 195lbs – Buffalo, NY
6th Round (170th)   D Reid McNeill 6ft 3in, 191lbs – London, Ontario

*Brian Rust’s brother Matt Rust, was drafted 101st overall by Florida in 2007.

Ray Shero also traded next years third round draft pick to Philadelphia for the right to try and sign Nashville’s defenseman Dan Hamhuis before the July 1st trading deadline. Philadelphia acquired the right to try to sign him from Nashville and were unsuccessful. Shero most likely will be using his Nashville connection to Hamuis to try to convince him.

Today and tomorrow should be big days on the defensive front for the Penguins. They have four defensemen, Sergei Gonchar, Jordan Leopold, Mark Eaton and Dan Hamhuis, that they have the rights to try to sign before all of the teams get shots at them when free agency starts on Thursday. The Penguins have stated that Jay Mckee will not be part of their mix next year. If they are going to be signed, today or tomorrow will most likely be the days.

Report: Penguins trade Sergei Gonchar’s negotiating rights to Sharks

Phil Krundle — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:05:20 PDT

There are reports all over the internet and radio this morning that the Penguins have traded Sergei Gonchar’s negotiating rights to the San Jose Sharks. This would give the Sharks exclusive rights to negotiate with Gonchar up until July 1st. This would also mean that Ray Shero and Gonchar’s negotiations have hit an impass.

Gonchar had a no-trade contract with the Penguins and this would have had to have been agreed upon by Gonchar for the trade. We will post here what the Penguins have received in return as soon as it is made available.

This move would also release Shero and the Penguins from the bind of trying to sign Gonchar who could be asking for between $5 to $7 million a year at this point in his career. Contract negotiations with Marian Hossa two years ago that never came to fruition binded Shero’s hands and made him miss signing players like Ryan Malone, and I’m sure he learned his lesson.

What this means for the Penguins is that they would have more money to spend on wingers or a bigger grittier defenseman. This is going to make for a very interesting free agency period after July 1st.

UPDATE: Rob Rossi of the Trib says this is not true as of Wednesday morning, insidepittsburghsports.com is saying this is not true, but the Pens are meeting with Gonchar’s people in LA on Thursday (not to far from San Jose).

nhlsourcessay says it’s true, Tim Benz on WXDX also reported it this morning.

PuckDaddy says Gonchar to Sharks most likely false: The last days of Sergei Gonchar in Pittsburgh?

Matt Cooke and Ben Lovejoy agree to 3 year deals with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Phil Krundle — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:29:23 PDT

In the last 24 hours Penguin GM Ray Shero has came to 3 year terms with winger Matt Cooke and Penguins up and coming defenseman Ben Lovejoy. Lovejoy was signed yesterday to a 3 year deal paying him .525 Million the first year in a two way contract where he will get paid less if he plays for the WBS Penguins and then .525 million each year for two years after that with a standard NHL contract.

Matt Cooke has agreed to a three year contract at an average of $1.8 million a year.

This is great news, these were the two most important signings. Gonchar would would be a great asset, but the amount of money he could demand on the open market is not worth it for the Penguins who need to add a defenseman with a mean streak and a right handed winger that can put the puck in the net.

The NHL entry draft is on Saturday and there should be a few interesting prospects out there by the time the Penguins pick at #20.