This morning, general manager Jim Rutherford announced that defenseman Justin Schultz would remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins for one more year after signing a one-year, $1.4 million contract. In total, Schultz finished playing in 33 games - both regular and post-season - with Pittsburgh, contributed a total of 12 points (1 G, 11 A) and was a major part of the team's championship run. This signing adds some much needed depth at the blue line and brings back an elusive and fast-paced player ... Read More
Rutherford extension promotes stability within Penguins’ leadership
What a difference two years can make. After being hired on June 6, 2014, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford had some big shoes to fill. Former GM Ray Shero was a Pittsburgh favorite, but the lack of production and some questionable trades eventually led to his departure. In came Rutherford, the former Carolina Hurricanes GM. And his arrival was met by both cheers and jeers. But the former NHL goaltender — who played for the Penguins for three seasons early in his career — ... Read More
Between Rutherford and Sullivan, more Cups to come
Let's continue to get wrapped up in the moment, even if it's been a few weeks since the Pittsburgh Penguins brought Lord Stanley back to the City of Champions. It's time to get excited for the future, because, with both general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh has the perfect balance of leadership to continue to propel Pittsburgh deep in the playoffs. At the conclusion of Saturday's 2016 NHL Draft, one thing was clear: Rutherford wants to build more than just a ... Read More
Penguins add goalie, toughness in 2016 NHL Draft
The NHL draft signals the birth of a new season. It's a chance for teams to evaluate their roster and find players who will, one day, become major contributors to the team. On Saturday, the champion Pittsburgh Penguins finally had a shot at finding some of those contributors. Despite not having a first-round pick Friday, the Penguins had five picks entering the draft, but they ended Saturday having drafted six players. They got that extra pick through a trade; Winger Beau Bennett was sent ... Read More
Who should the Penguins draft in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft?
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins will take their first major step to repeat as Stanley Cup champions when the 2016 NHL Draft gets underway. And if there is any team that knows what young players can do, it's the Penguins. But, this youth comes with some big consequences. Not only does Pittsburgh lack depth in its minor league system, but, for the fourth-straight season, the Penguins are without a first round pick. Fortunately, the lack of first-round draft picks hasn't hurt them — ... Read More
Stanley Cup win solidifies places of Crosby, Malkin among hockey elite
Ever since the 2008-09 season that resulted in a Stanley Cup, the Pittsburgh Penguins struggled to piece together a season that encompassed all the necessary qualities of a championship team. And captain Sidney Crosby felt the heat more than anyone else. A head injury forced him to be more cautious on the ice. And, at the start of the 2015-16 season, the captain hit rock bottom after being passed over for the All-Star Game. After that, Crosby looked like a completely different player — ... Read More
Daniel Sprong, other Penguins dealing with offseason injuries
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that talented young forward Daniel Sprong, 19, is expected to miss up to eight months after having shoulder surgery. This comes after a rush of news that maintenance days for Penguins such as Nick Bonino and Evgeni Malkin were indeed just maintenance days. Sprong's return to the NHL will more than likely be delayed. While he will likely be back in time to play later in the season, general manager Jim Rutherford had this to say about Sprong's injury ... Read More
Penguins, Sharks set for crucial Stanley Cup Final Game 6 at SAP Center
Pittsburgh Penguins After a tough loss on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins have another chance to put themselves on top of the NHL with a Game 6 win over the San Jose Sharks. And while they've played well in the series, there are a couple of areas where the team needs to tighten up. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray needs to play better in net and prevent soft goals from getting past him (he gave up a couple in that crucial Game 5 in Pittsburgh.) Pittsburgh also needs to do a ... Read More
Penguins can’t get past Sharks’ Martin Jones in Game 5 loss
Thursday night, the Penguins had the chance to clinch a major sport trophy at home for the first time since 1960. But, the San Jose Sharks scored three goals in the first period and escaped Game 5 with a 4-2 win to take the series back to San Jose for Game 6. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray and the defense surrounding him struggled quite a bit in the beginning of the game — the Sharks got on the board with two redirected shots and a goal squeezed in by defenseman Brent Burns. Martin Jones, ... Read More
Pens preview: The Stanley Cup will be won in Pittsburgh tonight
Pittsburgh Penguins The time has finally come. With only hours until the puck drops, Consol Energy gets the chance to see its first ever Stanley Cup being raised. In their last game, the Penguins controlled the pace of play and did not hesitate in shooting the puck. In tonight's game, coach Mike Sullivan has the chance to put his stamp on the franchise and prove that he is the man for the job, if he hasn't done that already. "I've told these guys from day one that we believe in this ... Read More