This is what it’s all about now, this is what you play 82 games for, this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For the fifth straight season the Pittsburgh Penguins have qualified for the NHL’s “second season.” For the third straight year they qualified as the fourth overall seed in the Eastern Conference and will have home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. For the first time in their history, the Penguins will meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Lightning will be making their first playoff appearance since 2007. The teams met four times during the regular season and split the season series. Each team won both games on their home ice. However, the Pens did outscore the Lightning 17-9 in those four meetings. None of the matters anymore now, this is a battle to four wins. The first there moves on and the other heads home. This is the beginning to the run to the Stanley Cup.

There is no doubt that this series, like all the others, is loaded with star talent. Unfortunately, this series could be even more loaded if the Pens two biggest stars were playing. The Pens lost Evgeni Malkin for the season when he blew out his knee in early February and will miss the playoffs. They are also without their biggest name in Sidney Crosby, who is working his way back after suffering a concussion in early 2011. The good news is that there is a possibility that Crosby could return to the Penguins’ lineup sometime during this series. Even without those two names this series is still littered with stars such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal and Kris Letang for the Penguins. Tampa Bay also has stars of it’s own with the likes of Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Loius and Vinny Lecavalier. With or without Crosby, this is sure to be an exciting series. Let’s break it down.

Offense: Like I mentioned above, the Penguins will be without their two main offensive playmakers, while the Lightning will have all of their big guns at their disposal. The combination of Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavalier makes a potent scoring threat and gives the Lightning the clear advantage in scoring department heading into the series. It will be up to guys like Tyler Kennedy, Jordan Staal and James Neal to put the puck in the net and help the Pens keep up with the firepower that the Lightning will put on the ice. Secondary scoring is a place where to Pens have a slight advantage in this series.  After you get past the big 3 of Tampa Bay you will find secondary scorers like Simon Gagne and Ryan Malone. This is where the Penguins can counter the Lightning with players like Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, and Max Talbot. If these guys can all provide scoring and answer the bell then they can control the game and avoid Tampa Bay’s trap defense.

Defense: While the Lightning have the scoring advantage over the Pens, the Pens have an even bigger advantage over the Lightning in the defense department. The Pens could get help on the scoring side if Crosby returns, this isn’t the case for the Lightning defense. They have no big name that could return to help them, they have to work with what they got. Second year defensemen Victor Hedman will lead the way and will have his hands full. The Pens’ off-season acquisitions of Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin have helped bolster a defense that let them down in last season’s playoffs. With the Kris Letang, Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, and Deryk Engelland/BenLovejoy joining them, this could be the defining factor in the series. One that could tip the scales in favor of Pittsburgh. If the Pens’ back 6 can shutdown the Lightning offense, then the Pens can attack and put the pressure on Tampa to answer.

Goaltending: The tale of two goalies in this series. Both Fleury and Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson have appeared in a Stanley Cup Final and Fleury has won a Cup. Roloson is nearly ancient and Fleury is just blossoming into the goalie we all expected him to be. Before the arrival of Roloson the Lightning were in desperate need to stability in goal and that is exactly what he gave them. As for Fleury, he began the year slow but after a dominating game against the Lightning in November everything turned around and he is now a leading candidate for both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. He will be another key to helping shut down the Lightning offense. Since the loss of Crosby and Malkin, he has nearly carried the team on his back to where they are now. He may need to help steal a few games if the Pens want to advance.

Prediction : When all said and done, if the Pens defense can continue its ways and Fleury can keep up his MVP season then the Pens should pull through. If they need to rely on offense to win, then things could get troubling. The way I see it, Fleury can carry this team and maybe Sid will come back. Pens in 6.

After two bitter defeats against rivals to open the season, the Penguins notched their first win of the new season against a team that they were swept by last season. Led by goalie Brent Johnson, the Pens defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1. It was the team’s first win against New Jersey since April of 2009. The Devils swept the Penguins last season by winning all six games between the two teams.

The following is my list of game grades for certain players on areas of play from the 3-1 win over New Jersey.

Sidney Crosby: B

Still only one assist on the year but caused the Devils defense numerous problems. Almost scored on the opening draw and almost picked off a pass for a breakaway late in the game. Forced another penalty against the opposition. His shots will eventually start finding the back of the net.

Evgeni Malkin: B+

Looks like he could explode at anytime. Forcing turnovers. Amazing dekes around defenders. Causing havoc in the offensive zone. Really frustrated the New Jersey defense. Another all around solid game from Geno.

Mark Letestu: A

Two goals in three games. What more could you ask? Proved good things happen when you stand in front of the net. Letang’s point blast bounced off Letestu, off the New Jersey defenseman and past Brodeur.

Eric Tangradi: B

Another solid game out of the Big Dog. Forced Kovalchuck into a neutral zone turnover that led to the first goal. Starting to find his rhythm in the NHL. That first goal is coming.

Mike Comrie: C

Played another solid first period but disappeared in the  second and third. Looks like he is still building some chemistry. I still like this move to pay off as the season roles on.

Paul Martin: A+

What a game from the former Devil. Crisp passing. Fast skating. Played an all around great game again. The pass he made to Letang that set up the second goal was what great point men do. Never caught out of place or flat footed. Capped off his homecoming by sealing the game with an empty netter.

Zbynek Michalek: N/A

Left with an apparent shoulder injury but was having another great game up to that point. Can’t give a full grade though. Just hope his injury isn’t too serious.

Alex Goligoski: A-

Scored a huge goal to close out the first. Played with a lot of confidence once again. Looks like an improved GoGo this season. Ready to prove he belongs. Just needs to get comfortable running the top power play unit.

Ben Lovejoy/Deryk Engelland: A

Both made big plays against Kovalchuck and Parise. Both used their bodies well and didn’t take bad penalties. Like Goligoski both are trying to prove they belong. So far, so good for the young guys.

Brent Johnson: A+++

Can’t say enough about how well he played. Kept the lead safe in the third with some huge saves. Had no chance on the Devils’ goal, just a wicked shot. Held Parise and Kovalchuck scoreless. Proves his services are invaluable to this team. Always nice to have him as the back-up.

Powerplay: F

Another bad day. It’s still a work in progress. Controlling the puck well just not generating scoring chances. Gologoski needs to get settled in on the point. Martin needs to be on the top unit and Tangradi needs to be cemented in front of the goalie. They will find their groove. Too much talent to be this bad all season.

Penalty Kill: A+

Only had to kill two penalties but never gave the Devils a chance. Shut down all the lanes and cleared the puck effectively. All this being done without the services of Jordan Staal. Scary how good they could be when he returns.

Devils Salary Cap Management: F-

15 skaters? Seriously? This Kovalchuck move will cost them in the long run. Parise is due for a new deal after this season. Some team is going to reap the benefits of this gaffe al la the Pens with the Martin signing. Just mind boggling how bad this has gotten.

Marty: A

Another great game against the Pens. Unfortunately for him Brent Johnson was just a little better. A couple huge saves on Sid at different points. Also a couple huge saves just to keep the Devils in it. Can’t pin the loss on him.

Overall: A-

A huge win for this team. After two tough losses on home it felt really good to get one against a team they couldn’t beat last year. Hopefully, this will get the ball rolling for this team. Wednesday is a big test against an improved Toronto team.

Robbie Naugle

NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent

rnaugle@nhlhotstove.com

Twitter: @PENSonNHLHS

It should be noted that Arron Asham has been placed on IR with an upper body injury, Kris Letang will be a game time decision and will be replaced with Ben Lovejoy if he cannot play. Eric Tangradi has been recalled from Wheeling of the ECHL and will be in the starting lineup tonight. The Pens will also begin the season without forward Jordan Staal who is set to miss the start of the regular season recovering from a foot injury suffered in the playoffs.

Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby (C)-Pascal Dupuis

Eric Tangradi-Mike Comrie-Evgeni Malkin (A)

Matt Cooke-Mark Letestu-Tyler Kennedy

Mike Rupp-Craig Adams-Max Talbot/Eric Godard

Brooks Orpik (A)-Zbynek Michalek

Kris Letang/Ben Lovejoy-Paul Martin

Alex Goligoski-Deryk Engelland

Marc-Andre Fleury

Tonight’s game will being at 7:00 and will be the first official game at the brand new Consol Energy Center.

Robbie Naugle
NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent
rnaugle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PENSonNHLHS

After an early exit from last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their fans were left with a bad taste in their mouth. Following the bitter second round exit against the Montreal Canadiens many questions were left to be answered. What happened to the defense? Where did Malkin go? How badly does Crosby need a top-tier winger? Now, after a longer than normal offseason many of those questions are set to be answered.

Gone are the likes of Sergei Gonchar, Bill Guerin, and Ruslan Fedotenko. All key parts of their Stanley Cup run. Here to replace them now are Zbynek Michalek, Paul Martin, and Mike Comrie. They will look to fill in the holes that were left by departing free agents. Ray Shero made the moves and now it is up to the team to prove him right. Those questions will become answers over the next 82 games. Let’s take a look at the 2010-2011 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Forwards

This Pens team will once again be led by superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Crosby is coming off his first career 50 goal season while Malkin will be looking to rebound from a year that saw his goal total and points total drop from the previous year. It is also expected that Malkin will be moved from center to winger to help better utilize his ability as a goal scorer rather than a passer.

Jordan Staal will also be counted on to contribute to this Pens offense by being the center to Malkin. That is once he returns from injury. Staal has been ruled out for at least the first month of the season as he recovers from a foot injury which forced him to miss all of training camp.

Below the big three lies key role players like Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Mike Comrie, and Eric Tangrai. Kunitz and Dupuis will look to shine as wingers on the top line with Crosby, while Comrie and Tangradi will be placed with Malkin until Staal returns.

Just as they have for the past few years now, the Pens will once again rely on the services of several lower line grinders and enforcers. They include, Matt Cooke, Mark Letestu, Craig Adams, Mike Rupp, Eric Godard, Arron Asham, and Max Talbot. Newly resigned Matt Cooke will be the foundation of the feared third line for Pittsburgh with the likes of Asham and Talbot joining him. Rounding out the lineup on the fourth line will most likely be Letestu and Rupp while Adams and Godard rotate the final roster spot.

The Penguins are the type of team that relies on all four of their lines to contribute to win games. This is a somewhat different look than we have seen in recent years. They will feature more speed but still pack a mighty hard punch when it comes to getting the job done.

Defense

Maybe the biggest factor that led to the Pens disappointing playoff exit last year was their weakness on defense. Well, Ray Shero effectively addressed that glaring issue this offseason with two big free agent signings. In coming defensemen Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin are expected to help fill the holes on the blue line that cost the Penguins last season.

They will be joined on defense by Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang, Alex Goligoski, Deryk Engelland, and Ben Lovejoy. Lovejoy and Engelland will be spiltting time to start the season.

Another big question will be which guy will replace Gonchar on the point during the powerplay? Both Letang and Goligoski look to be ready for a break out season and now with Gonchar gone it could be the perfect chance or those two. Martin was also mentioned as potential point man on the top unit.

If the moves Shero made in the offseason with the signings of Martin and Michalek end up paying off, it could yet another summer with Stanley for the Pens.

Goaltending

Maybe the most clear cut portion of the Pittsburgh roster. Just like last year the primary starter will be Marc-Andre Fleury with Brent Johnson filling in as the back-up.

The main question here is whether Fleury can rebound from what many people considered only a mediocre year last season. His numbers did drop slightly, but he was let down at times but his defense and with the offense that he has in front of him he doesn’t have to be the best player every night, he just has to get away from letting in those soft goals that can be momentum killers. If he can settle in early you could see career high numbers for Fleury this season as well as a surge to the top of the division for the Pens.

Notes

The Penguins announced their captains and alternate captains on Wednesday. Sidney Crosby will once gain serve as the team’s captain with Evgeni Malkin serving as the first alternate. Brooks Orpik and Jordan Staal will rotate the third “A” throughout the season.

Prediction

With a revamped defense, a speedy offense, and a determined netminder the Penguins could very easily find themselves sitting atop the Atlantic once again. However, there will be tough competition from Philadelphia and New Jersey. If the Pens can get everything clicking and stay healthy, they should be the class of the division.

As for the playoffs…well we all saw last year how unpredictable that can be so for I’ll wait for this prediction.

Starting Thursday a new chapter will be written in Penguins’ history. A chapter that will include new faces and a new home, but the goal will remain the same. To lift the Stanley Cup when it’s all said and done. The journey beings now. Let’s Go Pens!!!!

Robbie Naugle
NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent
rnaugle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PENSonNHLHS

The season is finally upon us. After three and a half of waiting the 2010-2011 season is now here. On Friday September 17 the Pittsburgh Penguins will officially open the new campaign when players report to training camp. The first official practice will be held on Saturday September 18 at the brand new Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Practice on both Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th will both open to the public free of charge. A full training camp schedule can be found at pittsburghpenguins.com.

Going into camp this season there are a lot of intriguing headlines and position battles. News broke today that Jordan Staal will likely miss the beginning of the season do to an infection in his foot. The loss of Staal opens up a roster spot for the time being. There are many players who could step up and fill that void. Eric Tangradi, Mark Letestu, Nick Johnson, and many other will be looking for the opportunity to crack the starting in the opening line up.

A few off-season signings also added some spice to the mixture heading into camp. Arron Asham and Mike Comrie were both added in the off-season and are expected to make an instant impact in Pittsburgh. Rumors went around that Asham signed with the Pens with the guarantee that he would be placed on the third line. Comrie’s position could be decided in camp. It was expected that he would play as a winger on the top line with Sidney Crosby, however, now with the Staal injury Comrie could be used as the second line center for the time being.

Things on defense seem to be a little more settled. Five of the six spots are all but guaranteed. With the signings of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek along with having three other defensemen under long term contracts, barring any injury it seems there will only be one open spot. Ben Lovejoy looks to be the front runner for that spot heading into camp. I look for him to be playing along side Alex Goligoski come opening night.

With interesting position battles and a Stanley Cup caliber team there should be a lot to look forward to for Pens fans this season. One minor injury could open the door for some of the young players to make their mark. No matter what though, the goal for each player at camp is to be lacing up the skates and throwing on that jersey on October 7 and stepping onto the ice at the brand new Consol Energy Center for the opening night game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Robbie Naugle
NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent
rnaugle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PENSonNHLHS

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had one of the more active and productive off-seasons of the Eastern Conference contenders. Still, with a few holes in the roster and two million dollars in cap space remaining, it’s hard to believe the Penguins are done. While many have suggested that the Penguins could round out their roster via trade, this is the latest from the free agency side of things :

- Defensemen Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin were both added from the Phoenix Coyotes and New Jersey Devils, respectively, to add punch to the Pens blueline right away; blueliners Ben Lovejoy, Deryk Engelland and Andrew Hutchinson were all penned to two-way contract to add defensive depth throughout the organization as well. Still, if Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero believes none of the two-way contractual additions are ready for full time gigs with the big squad, yet another d-man could be added to the black and gold.

- The Pens lack of a winger to date seems to be a glaring omission in an otherwise cup-contending lineup, but the impact of such a line configuration is lessened with the movement of either center Jordan Staal or Evgeni Malkin to wing in 2010. Ray Shero recently alluded on Pittsburgh’s ESPN Radio affiliate that such a move is only a matter of when, not if. While adding a wing remains on the Penguins radar, moving Staal from the third line into the top six brings the discussion of who should center the third line as a result. Both Max Talbot and Mark Letestu saw time at this roster spot from time to time last season with positive results. Various Pittsburgh media have also reported the team is strongly considering rolling with speedy forward Tyler Kennedy as well. Nontheless, with Talbot’s injury history, Letestu’s lack of NHL experience, and Kennedy’s solid play at wing, The team bringing in a third center isn’t out of the question.

- After putting together mediocre play on the ice and being a polarizing figure in the Pens locker room last season, it’s hard to imagine Alexei Ponikarovsky returning to Pittsburgh once again. Still, the two teams have had contact with one another about a one year deal with the Penguins for a drastically reduced price. Likely due to his lack of production playing with Evgeni Malkin last season, Ponikarovsky hasn’t been contacted by any other teams outside of the Penguins for a substantial contract. It stands to reason that this could be a win-win for both parties. Ponikarovsky could return to Pittsburgh’s top six and cash in next year’s free agency market with a solid season, giving him increase financial potential. He’s also a perfect fit for Pittsburgh’s system – he’s a big body that can skate, can be effective in front of the crease, and has excellent finishing skills. The caveat to this, as Pens fans found out quickly last season, is that “Poni” rarely uses his full skill set to it’s full potential – He only scored twice in sixteen games with Pittsburgh last year. This hypothetical, “win-win” scenario is unlikely, due to Ponikarovsky’s unsatisfactory status from both parties currently, but the two sides have been in contact throughout the last week. The latest is that #23 is refusing to accept less than two million per year – a price that he will likely receive elsewhere in a stale winger open market.

- As it’s been discussed here before, Bill Guerin was a crucial part of the Penguins 2008-2009 cup run and was one of the better barters made at the 2009 NHL trade deadline. He provided a solid veteran leadership role both on and off the ice and quickly became very iconic amongst Penguins fans. In the ensuing season, however, Guerin showed his age in a more negative light. He showed an inability to play a full season in head coach Dan Bylsma’s uptempo system, and an unwillingness to crash the net on the powerplay. He was also very mediocre in his own zone, finishing with a minus-nine rating on an otherwise very potent offensive team. Ray Shero has stated he would like to bring Guerin back for one more season; at a reduced role and price. Guerin’s camp expressed an interest to have #13 play out one more season in the ‘burgh, but balked at Shero’s refusal to match his salary (approximately two million) from the 2009-10 season. Guerin has been contacted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadians, and New York Rangers about his services for a one year deal. Unless he experiences a drastic change of heart in the coming days, it’s highly unlikely that Guerin will remain in Pittsburgh any longer.

- Before being dealt from Columbus to Buffalo at the trade deadline last season, winger Raffi Torres flew high on Pittsburgh radar throughout January and February. Blue Jackets’ GM Scott Howson set the price for Torres at a second round pick – a pick that Ray Shero used on defenseman Jordan Leopold (who recently signed with the Sabres, ironically enough); the rest is history. Despite Shero’s inability to land Torres then, he could very well land Torres now. Torres’s time in western New York was a dismal one (no goals and a minus-five rating), but many teams around the league, Pittsburgh included, feel that he could benefit from playing a crash-bang style in an uptempo system such as the one the Penguins play. Shero has recently contacted Torres’s agent, Steve Reich, about acquiring his client on the cheap. If he’s willing to take a drastic salary cut – he made nearly three million last season, then Torres could be a solid budget option for the Pens.

- It’s not often a player and his agent go drastically out of their way to contact a GM directly about wanting to be with a certain team, but that’s what the case is with former Los Angeles King Jeff Halpern. Halpern played on checking lines with both the Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning last season and has proven himself to suffice in said role – with expectations held in check. Halpern has played for four teams since the lockout, hasn’t stayed consistently healthy since the 2007 season, and hasn’t scored more than twenty goals since the year 2000. Still, he remains an above-average skater, a responsible player in the defensive zone, and one of the better face-off men in the league. If the Pens decide that they want to upgrade their face-off percentage (which was quietly the bane of Pittsburgh’s existence in the defensive zone last season at times) and add a solid forechecker to their bottom six at a budget price, Halpern could be just what the doctor ordered.

- Many have passed around the rumor that UFA and former Montreal center Dominic Moore could end up in black and gold this season. Moore, who is coming off of a fantastic postseason with the Habs, would be a solid fit in Pittsburgh’s bottom six due to his “take-no-prisoners” style of forechecking and superb penalty killing skills, but this, so far, is just that – a rumor – neither Moore’s agent, Larry Kelly, or Moore himself have had any contact with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization so far.

- The Pittsburgh Penguins lost their assistant coach, Mike Yeo, to the Houston Aeros of the AHL offseason. Yeo’s replacement will be a major priority for Shero in the coming weeks – Pittsburgh’s powerplay was a major albatross of the team last season (finishing the season with a 17.2% success rate – 19th in the league) at times, so expect a coach with a decorated history of special teams success to be a big factor in the hiring process.

- Ray Shero, whose contract expires after the ensuing season, is likely to be extended by team ownership soon. Expect Shero to be paid amongst the highest in the league – various Pittsburgh media have reported that he could receive well over two million per year.

- If the Penguins decide to stand pat with their current roster – young players such as Chris Connor, Eric Tangradi, and Dustin Jeffrey could be counted on to make the NHL squad in 2010. Connor is a fantastic skater with 30/30 potential who had a strong showing skating with Sidney Crosby last season; Tangradi is one of the finest power forward prospects in the NHL, and Jeffrey showed solid play in his brief stint in Pittsburgh last season. These are players with extreme upside but only Pittsburgh’s coaching staff in August and September will be able to decide if these players are truly NHL-ready or need more seasoning in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Pens. If a lack of trades are made between now and the end of July, one can deduct that the former is more likely than the latter.

Joe Depto
NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent
jdepto@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PensHotStove

Lovejoy, who is 26 years old, was signed to a three year, two-way contract extension today, valued at $525,000 per year. Although the majority of his career to date has been in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins, Lovejoy played a dozen games with the Penguins in the 2009-10 season, and two games with Pittsburgh in 2008-09′. In those three games, he cumulatively had 3 points with a plus-8 rating.

He is expected by many to be part of the Pittsburgh Penguins defensive corp for a full season in the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Joe Depto
NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent
jdepto@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PensHotStove