The Wheeling Nailers and Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have continued their partnership for another season. The Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Penguins, will begin its 16th season affiliated with the NHL’s Penguins. During that span, 13 former Nailers have gone on to play with the Pens, including most recently forwards Adam Payerl and Zach Sill, and defensemen Philip Samuelsson, who all made the leap to the NHL last season. "We are thrilled to extend our relationship with ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Regime Change Will Give New Meaning To ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’
(Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins) As the #IceBucketChallenge summer rolls along, it reminds us that the Pittsburgh Penguins are about to experience a splash of frigid water to the face. Even though general manager Jim Rutherford and head coach Mike Johnston have been in place since June, the realities of the new regime probably haven't taken hold for most of the Penguins yet. That will change in a few weeks when training camp begins. For five years, the Penguins had the luxury of a consistent ... Read More
Penguins’ Brandon Sutter Should Look At New Contract As Challenge
The Pittsburgh Penguins essentially wrapped up their offseason Tuesday afternoon when they announced the signing of restricted free agent Brandon Sutter to a two-year, $6.6 million contract. Factoring in probable healthy scratches during the upcoming season, the Penguins have less than $500,000 left to spend under the salary cap, so this is the roster they will likely take into opening night against Anaheim on Oct. 9. General manager Jim Rutherford has said he'll reassess the team around ... Read More
Penguins re-sign Brandon Sutter
The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed center Brandon Sutter. The 25-year-old from Red Deer, Alberta agreed to a two-year, $6.6 million contract. Sutter had an up-and-down 2013-14 season. He had a mediocre regular season, posting only 13 goals and 13 assists in 81 games. His .32 points per game was his lowest since his rookie season with Carolina in 2008-09. He rebounded to score 5 goals and 2 assists in the Penguins’ 13 playoff games. He is projected to again center the Penguins’ third ... Read More
Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Nick Spaling To Two-Year Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
Two down, one to go. The Pittsburgh Penguins entered this month with three restricted free agents to deal with: Simon Despres, Nick Spaling and Brandon Sutter. General manager Jim Rutherford agreed to contract terms with Despres two weeks ago, paying the defenseman $1.8 million over two years. That left Spaling and Sutter, with the former choosing to file for salary arbitration while the latter declined. Perhaps the threat of the arbitration process pushed things along regarding Spaling, ... Read More
Former Penguins Defenseman Jim Paek Takes Over South Korean Hockey Program
The first South Korean to get his name on the Stanley Cup will now seek a different kind of history, as former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jim Paek will be taking over his home country's national hockey program. As first reported by Pete Wallner of the Grand Rapids Press, Paek will not only be the new director of the Korea Ice Hockey Association, he will also coach the men's national team as it attempts to qualify for the 2018 Olympics, which will be held in Pyeongchang, South ... Read More
Pirates second half, Penguins developmental camp podcast
And the gang is back! Join our live broadcast, as we discuss the Pirates in the second half, the Penguins developmental camp and who to keep an eye on as Steelers training camp nears. ... Read More
Penguins Prospects Compete In Spirited Scrimmage To Close Development Camp
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced an interesting paradox this week, as they welcomed their top prospects to Consol Energy Center for their annual development camp. On one hand, they are in the midst of a transition of power in hockey operations, with the Jim Rutherford/Mike Johnston axis looking to put its own stamp on the organization. On the other hand, assistant general managers Tom Fitzgerald and Bill Guerin sought to maintain some continuity for the youngsters they've been working with ... Read More
Hildebrand could be next Pa. goalie to take league by storm
Whitehall, Pa. native goaltender John Gibson took the NHL by storm last season. His pro debut was sensational and was capped off with an incredible .955 save percentage and 1.45 goals-against average in six playoff games with the Anaheim Ducks. Jake Hildebrand is looking to be the next Western Pa. goaltender to take that step. Hildebrand, a Butler native, played for the Pittsburgh Hornets midget team and now minds the net for Michigan State. He was the Team MVP for the Spartans in both his ... Read More
Coming back home: Pittsburgh players prove grass isn’t always greener
With the recent news of LeBron James returning to Cleveland, it proves that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Just as James found his way back home, many one-time Pittsburgh sports figures who have wandered away from the Steel City have found themselves returning to the place they once called home. In terms of Pittsburgh sports teams which have seen many of its members step away only to return, the Steelers rank at the top with players like Plaxico Burress, ... Read More