Posts Tagged Pittsburgh Penguins

Morning Hits: Canucks playing catch-up, Devils want Zidlicky back, Avs wait on coach’s and Pens lines

  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Player size is gaining more importance to teams, and some teams have to catch-up with the trend.

    “When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. Clearly the landscape has changed, and we have to address those changes moving forward,” said Canucks GM Mike Gillis during his season-ending press conference. “It’s quite clear the league is going in a direction that we have to recognize and adapt to. It doesn’t just happen in one playoff series.”

    “You can’t have all big guys; you can’t win with all small guys,” he said. “Character comes into play. I don’t care how big you are, if you have no character you’re not going to succeed.”

  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is still completing his interviews and evaluatation process.

    Lamoriello said “everything is open” as far as bringing back unsigned players “no decisions have been made on anything.”

    Defenseman Marek Zidlicky will be a UFA and the Devils would like to have him back.

    “We’d certainly like to have him back,” Lamoriello said.

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: It’s not looking like the Avalanche will have a new head coach any time soon. The Avs may wait and see what happens with Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, whose contract expires June 30th. Lindy Ruff could also be an option. Sakic may not want to hire someone straight from Junior, so Patrick Roy could be out.
  • Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines at practice yesterday: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, Neal-Malkin-Iginla, Morrow-Sutter-Cooke, Adams-Vitale-Kennedy, Bennett-Jokinen-Glass (Jeffrey)

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Playoff hits: Game 1′s, Spezza, Bozak, Holzer, Gunnarson, Blackhawk lines and Vokoun

  • Senators and Penguins – Tuesday May 14th 7:30 pm ET.

    Sharks and Kings – Tuesday May 14th 10:00 pm ET.

    Blackhawks and Red Wings – Wednesday May 15th 8:00 pm ET.

  • Bruce Garrioch: Senators GM Bryan Murray said that they will talk to Jason Spezza after a couple practices. Ian Mendes: Spezza skated with the extras today. Bruce Garrioch: Spezza didn’t make the trip to Pittsburgh, but hasn’t been ruled out for Game 2.
  • Jonas Siegel: Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle wouldn’t update Tyler Bozak’s status. Darren Dreger: Bozak didn’t make the trip with the Leafs to Boston.
  • David Alter: Leafs call up Korbinian Holzer. Could be for precautionary reasons as Carl Gunnarson has been battling hip issues.
  • Scott Powers: Blackhawks lines: Saad-Toews-Hossa, Kane-Bolland-Sharp, Bickell-Shaw-Smith, Frolik-Kruger-Carcillo.
  • Dejan Kovacevic: Penguins Tomas Vokoun hasn’t been told if he’ll be starting or not.

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Playoff hits: Sens-Pens series, Bruins flight canceled, Bolland, Ference and Spezza

  • Bruce Garrioch: The league should decide soon when the Senators-Penguins series starts, lots of logistics for both teams.
  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: The Bruins flight was canceled last night due to mechanical issues with their charter. The Bruins will leave this morning. The Maple Leafs flew out last night. GM Peter Chiarelli released a statement last night:

    “Late during tonight’s game we were made aware that there was a malfunction with our airplane. As a result we are staying in Toronto on Sunday night and the team will travel to Boston on Monday morning.”

  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Dave Bolland was back practicing in his center spot on the third line over the weekend, and coach Joel Quenneville confirmed that Bolland will be returning to the lineup to start round two.
  • TSN: Senators Jason Spezza practiced with teammates yesterday for the first time since having back surgery on February 1st.

    “It’s been a long process and a long season for me,” Spezza said. “It felt good to join the team again and get some reps in. It may not seem like it and I may not play this year, but for me it’s a small victory.”

    It’s not known if Spezza will travel with the team to Pittsburgh. Coach Paul MacLean doesn’t think he’s ready.

    “He’s a long ways away,” said MacLean after practice.

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Morning Hits: Sunday’s schedule, West scenarios, Hart nominees, Neilsen, Spezza, Avalanche and Canadiens

  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: Sunday’s schedule:

    4:30 p.m.: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers Game 6
    7 p.m.: New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins, Game 7-x
    7:30 p.m.: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 6
    10 p.m.: Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks, Game 7-x

  • Eric Stephens: “If Ducks win Sunday, it’s ANA-LA and SJ-CHI. If DET wins, it plays CHI and SJ faces LA.”
  • John Shannon: Sounding like there is progress being made between the IIHF, NHL, NHLPA regarding the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The major issues remaining appear to be “logistics in Sochi and cost of travel and insurance and who pays.” If/when an agreement is reached, the NHL will be shut down from February 8th to February 25th, 2014.
  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders Frans Neilsen left Game 5 against the Penguins in the 3rd period and his status for Game 6 is unknown.
  • Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: Sounds like there is a chance that Jason Spezzawill get back into the Senators lineup for round two. He’s been skating with the black aces/reserves.

    “I think that over the weekend, probably, he’ll continue to work hard and we’ll see then.

    “It’ll then be up to Jason and (coach) Paul (MacLean) to decide if he’s going to practise with the team or take a little longer.

    “But there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

  • Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche did some management restructuring. Josh Kroenke will be the teams president, replacing Pierre Lacroix, who will stay on as an advisor. Joe Sakic will be their Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and Greg Shermanwill remain as the general manager.

    “Greg Sherman will work with Joe in managing the day-to-day business operations of the team as General Manager,” added Kroenke. “I know he is just as optimistic as Joe and I are about the future of our team.”

  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Coyotes coach Dave Tippett’s contract expires on June 30th and would be a home run hire by the Avalanche if they get the opportunity to talk to him. The uncertainty of the ownership situation has left the Coyotes coaching staff and general manager in limbo as they would all like to know where the team may be located before signing deals.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Michael Ryder will be one of the Canadiens top free agents heading into the offseason, but they may not be willing to match the money or term that others may offer. Colby Armstrong and Jeff Halpren will be UFAs. Halpren may be worth bringing back. RFAs include: Michael Blunden, Ryan White, Petteri Nokelainen and Gabriel Dumont.

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Morning Hits: Vokoun, Fraser, Gionta, Canadiens injuries, Canucks offseason questions and Blue Jackets free agents

  • Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Dan Bylsma on starting Tomas Vokoun: “We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us…He’s done that for us & he’s been very good vs. the #Isles.”
  • James Mirtle: Maple Leafs Mark Fraser was taken to the hospital to check for any broken bones after taking a shot off his face.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Canadiens Brian Gionta will have surgery on Friday for a torn left bicep. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Brandon Prust and Ryan White are out tonight. Carey Price is day-to-day.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Ziemer’s thoughts on the Canucks coaching staff.

    The jobs of head coach Alain Vigneault and his staff are most certainly on the line and general manager Mike Gillis is going to face some uncomfortable questions from ownership over the team’s second straight playoff collapse.

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canucks have the highest payroll going into next season, but trading Roberto Luongo or an amnesty buyout of Keith Ballard($4.2 million for two years) will help them get down below the new cap of $64.3 million. Five questions for the Canucks this offseason are:

    • Do the Canucks have a bona fide No. 1 goalie in Schneider moving forward?
    • Should this team still be built around the Sedins?
    • Will Ryan Kesler ever be injury-free?
    • Does this team have the right supporting cast to still contend?
    • Is it time to retool, rebuild or be patient for one more run with this core?

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on contract talks with their free agents, including goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

    “We’re working on them. It’s a work in progress on all fronts. Everything has been started, everything is in progress. We’re waiting to hear back from a few agents. Obviously, Bobrovsky is a high priority for us. I told him in the (exit) meetings that everybody talks about his great play, and sure it was remarkable. But I’m even more impressed with his work ethic, how he prepares for the game and every practice, how he takes care of recovery after every game, the routine he goes through every day. That’s what I’m most impressed about Bobrovsky. He sets the bar high for the rest of the guys. I don’t think anybody’s going to argue with me if we says he’s the MVP of our team this year. If he sets the bar that high with the way he works everyday, it’s going to be hard for anybody else in that room to say, well, I’m not going to do this or that today. That’s what I think it’s all about, your best players being your hardest working players. And that’s what we have in Bob.”

    On Bobrovsky’s contract talks …

    “It’s going to take its course, and it’s going to take its time. Some (deals) are quicker than others. We’ll have to stay more patient with some than others. I don’t anticipate any problems. It’s going to be a negotiation. His agent, his representatives are professionals. They have their thought process and we have ours. I’m sure we’re going to reach a result here in the near future.”

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Morning Hits: MacDonald, Price, Vokoun, Predators and Canucks

  • Arthur Staple: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald suffered a broken hand and is likely done for the playoffs.
  • Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Carey Price suffered a lower-body injury, possibly a hamstring or groin at the end of regulation and was replaced by Peter Budajfor overtime.

    “When your starting goalie goes down … it’s tough to lose him and it’s tough on the guy who has to come in,” Gorges said. “He’s been sitting there for two-and-a-half hours and we expect him to go in there and be stellar. It’s a tough position to be in, and it’s unfortunate it unfolded that way.

    “Plays get thrown to the front of the net,” he added of the scramble that produced the winning goal, “and a lot of times it’s a 50-50 puck. We have to be stronger.”

  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Kovacevic is one of many who is calling for Tomas Vokoun to be the Penguins starter for Game 5. Marc-Andre Fleuryhas allowed 14 goals on 102 shots, and 40 goals in his last 10 playoff games. Coach Dan Bylsma:

    “Certainly, Tomas Vokoun is a guy that can step in and play and has had success and won hockey games against this team, was successful this year. We’re going to come out for Game 5 with a refocus.”

    “One of the reasons we wanted Tomas Vokoun was to play hockey games and win hockey games for us. Marc-Andre Fleury is our starting goaltender and started this series and won us some hockey games, made a lot of saves for us … but we’re not going to talk about our starting goaltender for Game 5.”

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Predators are currently $18 million under next year’s salary cap. Cooper lists four players who could be good options for the Predators: Stephen Weiss,  Nathan Horton, Sergei Gonchar and Derek Roy.
  • Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: Gallagher mentions some possible moves that the Canucks could look at, with some being a little radical. Trade Alex Edler to a team like the Flyers. The Flyers have some young forwards that they might consider moving for someone like Edler. Could they look at moving Ryan Kesler or Dan Hamhuis? Though both have a no-trade clause. Alex Burrows’ no-trade clause doesn’t kick in until July 1st. They could trade Roberto Luongo for whatever you can get for him, which may not be a lot. Cory Schneider would bring more return. The Sedin’s are heading into the last year of their deals.

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Morning Hits: Hawks-Pens at Soldier Field, Ribeiro not thinking contract, Jets, Avalanche and Bergeron talks

  • Hockey Central: The Blackhawks will host the Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1st.
  • Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times: Capitals UFA Mike Ribeiro said he’s not worried about his next contract. He could earn his next contact with a good playoffs. He’s looking for a long-term deal and has already rejected a Capitals offer of three-years, $14 million.

    “I think playoff or not playoff, I’m probably going to have a good deal so I’m really worried about my deal right now,” Ribeiro said. “It’s going to signed at some point. So the focus since the beginning was to get to the playoffs and now that we’re here it’s about how far can we go as a team. But I’m not worried; I’m going to sign and it’s just going to happen when the time is right.”

  • Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets coach Claude Noel has one year left on his contract and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff had this to say:

    “Claude Noel is the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He’s under contract. I know you’re going to ask me about an extension. There’s processes that have to go through, there’s different things you discuss, you talk about, you meet as a group, as a staff.”

    The Jets have nine RFAs who are  “very much priorities” according to Cheveldayoff. No formal contract discussions have taken place with RFAs: Zach Bogosian, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler, Alex Burmistrov, Eric Tangradi, Anthony Peluso, Zach Redmond, Paul Postma and Arturs Kulda.

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: If the Avalanche didn’t win the lottery and get the first overall pick, there were rumors that they would look to trade up. Avs GM Greg Sherman is still with the team, but it may come down to what role Joe Sakic wants to take. If Sakic decides to take over, VP of Player Development Craig Billington could have a bigger role. If Sakic declines for family or other reasons, does Sherman remain? The Avalanche asked for Derek Stepan when they were in talks with the Rangers about Ryan O’Reilly. Sounding like the Bruins and Patrice Bergeron have already talked contract extension. He has one year left on his deal and can’t sign a deal until after July 5th.

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Injury Notes: Neal, Staal, Pominville, Backstrom, Emery, Bolland, Gaborik, Kane and Stuart

  • Katie Strang: Rangers defenseman Marc Staal didn’t rule himself out for Game 1, but it’s unlikely that he plays.
  • Mark Lazerus: Niklas Backstrom is day-to-day. Blackhawks Ray Emery and Dave Bolland are unlikely for Game 2.
  •  Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets Marian Gaborik will be recovering for three to four weeks after he has abdominal surgery, forcing him to miss the World Championships. Gaborik’s agent said it’s too repair an area where he had hernia surgery in 2001.
  • Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets forward Evander Kane had been bothered by a sore wrist and foot. He’ll see a specialist for his wrist, then determine if surgery is required. Defenseman Mark Stuart had an abdominal injury for most of the season.

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Roster Notes and Lines: Crosby, Luongo, Horton, Penguins, Canadiens and Senators

  • Josh Yohe: Sidney Crosby is officially out for tonight.  Bob McKenzie: Crosby is close to returning. He’ll be a “game-time decision” until he returns.
  • Randy Sportak: Roberto Luongo will start in net for the Canucks.
  • James Mirtle: Bruins Nathan Horton is a game-time decision.
  • Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Malkin-Neal Iginla-Jussi-Dupuis Morrow-Sutter-Cooke Glass-Adams-Bennett Jeffrey/Vitale-Crosby-Kennedy.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Canadiens lines: Ryder-Plekanec-Gionta; Pacioretty-Desharnais-Bourque; Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher and Moen-White-Prust and Weber-Halpern-Armstrong. John Lu: Defensive pairings: Markov – Subban Gorges – Diaz Bouillon – Tinordi Kaberle – Drewiske
  • Don Brennan: Senators lines: Michalek-Turris-Alfredsson, Latendresse-Michalek-Silfverberg, Conacher-Pageau-Condra, Greening-Smith-Neil. Defensive pairings: Methot-Karlsson, Cowen-Gonchar, Phillips-Gryba

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Injury Notes: Crosby, Orpik, Backstrom, Regehr, Horton and Gaborik

  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins will start their series without Sidney Crosby and Brooks Orpik. Crosby still has not been cleared for contract.

    “As soon as he says the word,” Crosby said. “As long as he feels confident I can take a hit, I’ll be confident as well. I’m not going to take any more time. If he says I can play, I will play.”

  • Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune: Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was injured during their pre-game warm up last, forcing Josh Harding to make his first NHL start in three months. While Backstrom was reaching for a puck, he rolled over in pain. The injury could be a groin or knee, coach Yeo is calling it a lower-body injury.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: From Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr after last night’s game: ”It’s just a broken nose. I got lucky.”
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Bruins Nathan Horton had missed the last five games with an upper-body injury, was back practicing on a line with Milan Lucic and David Krejci. If Horton is in, Carl Soderberg would be a likely scratch, along with Jay Pandolfo and Rich Peverley.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets Marian Gaborik is heading to Philadlephia to see an abdominal specialist. If he’s cleared by doctors, he’ll play for Slovakia in the World Championship.

    “If it goes well, that (he) will not need surgery, Marian has the consent of (the Blue Jackets’) owner to launch at the World Cup,” Team Slovakia general manager Otta Sykora told the website. “It would, in the case of a positive report, mean that maybe on Thursday or by Friday morning, Marian could be in Helsinki.”

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Roster Notes: Blues, Wild, Leafs, Canucks, Rangers, Penguins, Bruins, Capitals, Canadiens, and Ducks

  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues T.J. Oshie was skating with Patrik Berglund and David Perron this morning.
  • Michael Russo: Wild’s Jason Pominville has been ruled out of Game 1.
  • Chris Johnston: Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak said he’ll play in Game 1 against the Bruins. Mark Masters: Bozak isn’t sure if he’ll be able to take face-offs.
  • Farhan Lalji: Canucks Cory Schneider said he’s ready to go and will let the coaches know when they have their meeting today.
  • Dan Rosen: Rangers Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) and Brian Boyle (knee) didn’t practice today. Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle) is still wearing a non-contact jersey. Defenseman Marc Staal practiced again, but there is no timetable.
  • Mark Masters: Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak skated between James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel today. Other lines: Komarov-McClement-Orr … McLaren now skating with extras Hamilton & Colborne, Lupul with Grabovski-Kulemin for the 1st time … Frattin reunited with good buddy Kadri & MacArthur
  • Dan Rosen: Rangers lines: Nash-Richards-Zuccarello; Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan; Kreider-Brassard-Pyatt; Powe-Newbury-Asham.
  • Will DePaoli: Penguins lines: Kunitz – Malkin – Neal, Dupuis – Jokinen – Iginla, Morrow – Sutter – Cooke, Glass – Adams – Kennedy/Bennett.
  • Boston Bruins:  Bruins lines:  Lucic-Krejci-Horton/gold: Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin/grey: Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr/merlot: Paille-Campbell-Thornton.
  • Ken Wiebe: Capitals lines: Ovechkin, Backstrom+Johansson, Brouwer, Ribeiro+Erat, Fehr, Perreault+Chimera and Volpatti, Hendricks, Beagle. Defensive pairings: Green and Alzner, Carlson and Erskine and Oleksy and Hillen. Ward and Wolski the extra F’s, Poti and Schultz the extra D.
  • John Lu: Canadiens lines: Ryder – Plekanec – Gionta Pacioretty – Desharnais – Bourque Galchenyuk/Eller/Gallagher Moen/White/Prust Armstrong/Halpern/Weber.
  • Jim Jamieson: Canucks lines: Sedins-Burrows; Higgins-Kesler-Kassian; Raymond-Roy-Hansen; Ebbett-Lapierre-Weise. Defensive pairings: Hamhuis-Garrison; Edler-Bieksa; Alberts-Corrado; Ballard-Barker.
  • Craig Custance: Jonas Hiller will start Game 1 for the Ducks against the Red Wings.

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Injury notes and lines: Crosby, Staal, Clowe, Bozak, Pominville, Demers, Ward, Phillips, Rangers and Leafs

  • Bob McKenzie: The Penguins likely won’t know until tomorrow afternoon if Sidney Crosby will be medically cleared to play on Wednesday.
  • Steve Zipay: Rangers Marc Staal practiced today in a regular jersey. Derek Dorsett was in a non-contract jersey.
  • Andrew Gross: Rangers Ryane Clowe and Brian Boyle did not practice today.
  • Terry Koshan: Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak was on the ice before practice with their strength coach. He was testing the shoulder and he doesn’t appear to be full strength. Maple Leafs: Coach Randy Carlyle said that Bozak remains day-to-day with an upper body injury.
  • Kevin Kurz: Sharks defenseman Jason Demers didn’t skate today and he won’t be in the lineup on Wednesday.
  • Stephen Whyno: Capitals Joel Ward is improving. It’s still not known when Brooks Laich will resume skating.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Thinks there should be no reason  that Chris Phillips won’t be ready for Game 1.
  • Andrew Gross: Rangers lines: Nash-Richards-Zuccarello Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan Kreider-Brassard-Pyatt Asham-Newbury-Powe.
  • David Alter: Maple Leafs lines: JVR-Kadri-Kessel, Lupul-Grabovski-Kulemin, MacArthur-Komarov-Frattin, McLaren-McClement-Orr.. Extra: Bozak, Colborne, Hamilton. Defensive pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf, Fraser-Franson, Liles-Kostka, Gardiner-O’Byrne.

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