We know about what the Penguins are doing, but what about the prospects? We take a look at three up and three down. Three Up Dominik Simon The Pittsburgh Penguins saw a potential late bloomer in Dominik Simon, drafting the Czech forward in June at 20 years old. Simon seems to be quickly adjusting to the North American style of play, ranking second on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in both goals and points with four and six, respectively, in 10 games. Anthony ... Read More
Kennedy deserves a spot on second line
The long awaited arrival of NHL hockey has been torturous for Pittsburgh Penguins fans. Luckily, the wait is over and our ailing hockey hearts are quickly being healed by seeing our beloved Pittsburgh Penguins take CONSOL Energy Center ice, once again. Informal practices have been held at Southpointe and continue at CONSOL Energy. On January 8th, the first time back to CONSOL since April, the Pens skated on their home ice. Players who were eager to gear up were: Kennedy, Jeffrey, Vitale, ... Read More
Optimism Part Two?
In case you may have forgotten, hockey is that sport in which players don heavy sweaters and bladed skates, all while pushing a hard rubber disc along the ice and into a net. It’s understandable to not remember what it looks like. After all, it’s been five months since the sport has graced our television sets. The news wire has been slow over the past couple weeks. Since the NHL owners spurned the rebuttal offers of the NHLPA, both sides have hunkered down for a deeply bitter battle. However, ... Read More
NHL lockout update
Well, this is depressing. The NHL has cancelled all games through the end of November (though they’ve avoided canceling the Winter Classic and the All-Star Game), and on top of that, have pulled their previous offer off the table, leaving the negotiations in a very tenuous spot. The NHLPA tried earlier this week to continue working on a new agreement, but were spurned by the NHL by saying “not sure what we would be meeting about.” While I’ve always maintained (and will continue to do so) that ... Read More
NHL coach takes on new job
When most people think of the lockout, they’re thinking mostly about the owners and the players. The players spend their time honing their skills overseas, while the owners bathe in money, or whatever it is they do. But seldom do people consider the coaches. Honestly, what is a coach supposed to do during a lockout? Go to an arcade to critique someone’s bubble hockey skills? Maybe develop new air hockey techniques? Boston Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien decided to take a slightly different ... Read More
Lockout Hinders Best NHL Season in Years
The 2012-2013 season was supposed to start tonight. Instead, the league is in a labor dispute with the Player's Association which has led to a lockout, and subsequent work stoppage. As a result, the first two weeks of the season, totaling 82 games, has been cancelled. What a shame. After rebuilding a league that was pushed to the brink of extinction in 2006, the owners and players simply cannot find a common ground to get a deal in place and start the season on time. The fans will always come ... Read More
Bikini Hockey League: Puck Bunnies Unite
Look out, Lingerie Football League. If you’re a red meat eating, testosterone-filled dude, or just a Canadian, then this is probably the greatest idea you’ve ever heard of (at least until someone invents the beer sandwich). Bikini-clad women trying to pull off a back heel toe-drag? Sign me up. The format of the league is actually quite different. Rather than just being a sporting event, it’s attempting to pattern itself after a reality show. There will be two teams of 10 players each, and ... Read More
Will the NHL use replacement players?
25 years ago today, the National Football League used replacement players in regular season games for the first time in its history. It was a groundbreaking move, one that the league had often threatened, but never reverted to until then. The strike lasted for three total weeks before finally coming to an end. So that begs the question, the NHL has canceled the first two weeks of the season, but could they possibly retain the rest of the schedule and bring in replacement players until the ... Read More
KHL on ESPN
When I first heard about the (possibly short-term) marriage between the Kontinental Hockey League and ESPN, I immediately poured hot coffee on my hand just to make sure that I was awake and alive. First off, the thought of watching hockey in any capacity is akin to winning free Taco Bell for life. I barely even remember what ice skates look like. As was stated by Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption, “I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head.” ESPN’s ... Read More
Summit Series 40th Anniversary: Canada vs. USSR
Before there was the 1980 Olympic “Miracle on Ice”, there was the 1972 Summit Series that pitted Canada vs. the Soviet Union. It was truly one of hockey’s biggest moments. Canada was a dominant force, with players like Bobby Clarke, Stan Mikita and Phil Esposito, among many others. Not to be outdone, the Soviet Machine was humming by ’72, lead by all-time great goaltender Vladislav Tretiak and long-time star Boris Mikhailov. It was an eight game series, set to take place in both Canada (first ... Read More