One thing we have noticed about Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford during his short stint on the job is the fact that he is really high on first-round pick Kaspari Kapanen. Rutherford inked the 17-year old forward to a three-year entry-level contract on Friday. There has been some speculation that Kapanen could make the Penguins team out of camp as Rutherford is in love with the speed that he brings. Kapanen is the son for former NHL star Sami Kapanen, who Rutherford ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Crosby/Malkin or Toews/Kane
Jon Pennline — If we're comparing teams, I'll take the Chicago Blackhawks over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven-game series. But we're not. We're talking about comparing two dynamic duos and, in that sense, I'll take Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin every time and twice on Sunday. With Crosby and Malkin, you're getting two players that have won two Art Ross Trophies each; the award for highest scoring player in the league. While Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane haven't been too far behind ... Read More
Should Pittsburgh Pirates ‘go for it’ in injury riddled NL Central?
After a torrid home stand that saw the Pittsburgh Pirates win eight of 10 games, the Bucs found themselves 27 outs away from being swept in a four-game series Thursday night. Thanks to a complete game effort from Edinson Volquez that didn't happen, but despite losing three of four games to the Red Birds, the Pirates have to be feeling pretty good about themselves as they head into Cincinnati for their final three-game series before the All-Star break. Make that they have to be feeling ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins ink Megna, Samuelsson to one-year deals
With their shopping apparently done when it comes to unrestricted free agents, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford took care of a couple of the teams restricted free agents on Thursday, inking both forward Jayson Megna and defenseman Philip Samuelsson to one-year deals. Megna’s deal is a two-way contract and has an average annual value of $874,125 at the NHL level. The 24-year old saw action at the NHL level for the first time in 2013-14 where he scored five goals, had four ... Read More
Can Pittsburgh Penguins power play be better in 2015?
Now that the dust has settled and the Pittsburgh Penguins are pretty much done free agent shopping, it is a good time to look at the roles of some of the new additions, especially in terms of newly signed defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. More specifically I wonder if the Penguins’ power play will be even better with the addition of the 32-year old veteran. There’s a good chance that it will. Those are lofty expectations considering that the Pens led the NHL in power play percentage last ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins hire Gary Agnew as assistant coach
New Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston has been looking to round out his coaching staff and it appears he finally has found his guy. The Penguins announced that they have agreed to terms with Gary Agnew to join the coaching staff as an assistant coach. Agnew joins former Penguins player Rick Tocchet as an assistant under Johnston, to go along with goaltender coach Mike Bales, who was kept from Dan Bylsma’s staff. The 54-year old Agnew was an assistant coach for the St. Louis ... Read More
Wheeling Nailers re-sign D Jake Areshanko
The Wheeling Nailers, the Pittsburgh Penguins ECHL affiliate have had a busy week as they inked their fourth player for a contract for the upcoming season. This time it was defenseman Jake Areshenko who re-signed with the club. The 25-year old is coming off a pretty solid rookie campaign, where he had 10 assists and a plus-eight rating in 56 regular season games. Wheeling acquired Areshenko prior to the beginning of last season and he provided some defensive stability as a guy who is ... Read More
Cumpton’s struggles lead to third straight loss for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates' hot streak has been doused in the Midwest at the hand of a division rival. For the third straight night, the Pirates have fallen victim to the St. Louis Cardinals, this time to the tune of 5-2. The Cards (50-42) struck early, plating two runs in the first inning after the Pirates were sat down in order in the opening frame. With two on and one out, Matt Adams drove in two runs despite being thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple. The play, made by ... Read More
U.S. Senate declares September 7 “Chuck Noll Day”
When the Pittsburgh Steelers open up the 2014 regular season on September 7 at Heinz Field against the Cleveland Browns, they will have a little something extra to play for. Former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll will be honored as the U.S. Senate has passed a resolution making September 7 “Chuck Noll Day.” “Chuck Noll was one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and played a huge part in turning the once downtrodden Steelers franchise into the powerhouse it has been for the last 40-plus ... Read More
Steelers’ Brian Arnfelt worth watching in camp
Every year in training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers find a surprise or two that not only make the roster, but end up offering a big impact. One can look no further than Antonio Brown a few years ago, who not only came out of nowhere to earn a major role on the team, but in a short time in the NFL became the Steelers top pass catching option and one of the more dangerous players in the entire league. Who could that guy be this year as the Steelers prepare to begin training camp in a couple ... Read More