Hello Again, Old Friend

We’ll always have the good memories (source: flickr/wstera2)

The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in a very special game for a couple of players on both teams.

Tonight’s game is the first time the Penguins face former Penguin Jordan Staal since his trade to the Hurricanes back in June. Not surprising, a lot has been written by the Pittsburgh media about this game, and if they were looking for some dirt from Staal, they didn’t get it. All Jordan has been saying is that despite what people said, he never held any negative feelings towards Crosby and Malkin (who even said that?), and that he’s happy in Carolina playing alongside older brother Eric.

It’s also the first time Brandon Sutter, who the Pens received in exchange for Staal, plays in his old arena against his former team. No doubt it will be an emotional one. While Brandon didn’t go into a lot of detail about his feelings, he did say that he was looking forward to this game.

Both teams played on Tuesday (the Pens against the Florida Panthers, the Canes against the Washington Capitals) and lost, so it will definitely be an intense game played tonight. No matter the result, I will cry.

Puck drops at 7:00PM. Let’s Go Pens!

Top 5 Jordan Staal Moments

Still. Hurts.

Now that the initial shock of the trade has worn off, it’s easy to see that the Jordan Staal trade is best for both sides. The Pens clear up cap space that is needed, and Jordan can finally become the star he deserves to be.

However, it will be hard to forget Jordan Staal. Ever since he was drafted 2nd overall in 2006, he’s done a lot for the Pens, and will always be remembered as one of the guys who helped the Pens become the successful team that they are today. So, to remember him, I present 5 of his best moments in a Penguins sweater.

Staal’s Gone To Carolina

Never forget ❤

Excuse me if this makes no sense. I’m typing this through my tears.

After 6 years and a Stanley Cup, Jordan Staal has been traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Brandon Sutter, the Hurricane’s number 8 pick this year, and defenceman Brian Dumoulin. The 8th pick was used to draft defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

Thank you for everything, Jordan. I hope that you become the star you deserve to be in Carolina. And have fun playing with your brother!

Jordan Staal Rejects 10 Year Contract; My Heart Breaks

Oh.

Well, this is a new development.

After Ray Shero told everyone that he fully intends on re-signing Jordan Staal, news has broke on Twitter that Staalsy has rejected a 10 year, $60 million contract.

Bob McKenzie of TSN first broke the news, which was quickly confirmed by numerous writers.

Staal’s agent, Paul Krepelka, said “My only comment will be that Jordan is not prepared to enter into a contract extension at this time.”

Given that Staalsy is getting married tomorrow, maybe he just wants to enter into one long term contract at a time. Or maybe he remembers what happened to another blond player in Pennsylvania who signed a  year extension.

Whatever this means, I just hope Staal does end up re-signing with the Pens. He’s a major part of our team and no matter what anyone says, we need him. However, it would also be understandable if he decided he wanted to be a first line center elsewhere.

No matter what happens, I’ll end up a bawling mess.

Listen To Uncle Ray, Children

Don't worry, Staalsy.

In just one interview, Ray Shero has told the media to sit down and shut up when it comes to Jordan Staal. Well, not in those exact words, but you know what I mean.

On Twitter this morning, Dave Molinari, Penguins beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, posted bits of an interview with the Penguins GM. Shero says that while teams have called and asked about Staal, he tells them all the same thing: that he wants, and hopes, to re-sign the forward. He also says that the Penguins have not put him on the trading block, and that Staal has not expressed interest in playing anywhere else.

Shero also said there is no rush to re-sign both Staal and Sidney Crosby. Both have one more year left on their contracts and can sign an extension after July 1st.

In other interesting news, Shero said that he is expecting to trade a defenseman “or two” before the start of the new season, but refused to say if he was asked to waive no-trade contracts.

Shero expects to talk to Arron Asham and Steve Sullivan’s agents to see what kind of contracts they are looking for. Asham has expressed interest in staying a Penguin, and Sullivan’s agent has said that he absolutely wants to continue playing in the NHL next year. Shero has said they both have been good players for the Penguins.

When it comes to restricted free agents, the Penguins are expected to give qualifying offers to Matt Niskanen, Eric Tangradi, Robert Bortuzzo, Brian Strait, Keven Veilleux, Alex Grant, and Carl Sneep. Should they choose not to accept, they will become restricted free agents on July 1st.  Alex Picard, Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Mattias Modig or Boris Valabik are not expected to get offers and will become restricted free agents on July 1st.

Thank God for this news, especially on Staal, because it was getting quite annoying hearing everyone and their mothers give their worthless $0.02 on what they believe was going to happen. I have no doubt in my mind that Shero knows what he is doing, and that he will do what he believes is the best thing for our team.

Pittsburgh Penguins Superlatives!

Nice hair, Sid

The season has ended, so it’s time to pick the Penguins superlatives!

Note: These don’t necessarily reflect the season. I was just bored and picked ones I thought suited certain Penguins.

Without further ado, here are you 2011/2012 Pittsburgh Penguins Most Likely To’s!

Everything’s Coming Up Fleury

He finally got his groove back.

After a horrible start the first 3 games, Marc Andre Fleury has finally found some steady ground. After helping the team win a pivotal game 4, he was the standout player in game 5, which the Pens won 3-2.

After letting in two goals in the first two periods, Fleury made a huge save on Jaromir Jagr and was a pivotal part of the penalty kill, making two massive saves against Danny Briere, which helped the Pens win it.

Steve Sullivan scored the first goal for the Penguins. Jordan Staal scored the second, and Tyler Kennedy scored the third, which ended up being the game winner.

The real star of this series has turned out to be Jordan Staal. He currently leads the series in goals, and has been, for lack of a better word, beasting so far.

Again, this is only one win. The Penguins need to win two more to advance. If they play like this in the next game, then we’re one step closer.

Puck drop is at 12:00PM on Sunday. Let’s go Pens!

Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah, Stayin’ Alive! Stayin’ Alive!

Staal So Hard

The Pens aren’t going down without a fight.

With the Flyers leading the series 3-0, this game was do or die for the Penguins. And they did. Oh Lord, did they did.

The Flyers opened up the scoring, but the Pens quickly answered back with a goal by Evgeni Malkin. Many were questioning when Malkin, who had yet to score a goal this series, was going to start. He chose tonight. It was his first of two.

With a final score of 10-3 for the Penguins, there were a lot of goal scorers. But Jordan Staal stole the show with his first play off hat trick.

Crosby, who made headlines for his on ice antics during game 3, scored a goal in a 3 point night for him.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who had been absolutely abysmal the past three games, saved 22 of the 25 shots he faced. It looked like his old self was back.

While it finally feels amazing to talk about a Penguins win, this isn’t the last one. We need to win 3 more to make it to the next round. If the Penguins continue playing like this, then there’s a chance we can do it.

Remember, nothing worth winning ever came easy.

More Milestones Set At The Pens/Flyers Game!

Needs no caption

The Penguins made sure the last game of the season was a memorable one!

Evgeni Malkin, the presumed Art Ross winner, recorded his 50th goal in the win against the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the first time Malkin has reached this milestone in his career. He becomes just the 9th player in Penguins history to do so, as well as only the 6th Russian born player in NHL history to do so. He’s only played 75 out of a possible 82 games this season. Remarkable, considering his injuries and rehab last year.

Jordan Staal, who himself played only 61 games this season, hit 50 points with two assists in today’s game. It beats Staal’s previous best of 48 points.

Believe it or not, this is the first time the Penguins have beat the Flyers in the Consol Energy Center since it opened in 2010. Good omen for the playoffs?

Congratulations on an incredible season, Penguins! And good luck in the playoffs. LET’S GO PENS!

Jordan Staal Is Back! And Other Updates

Jordan Staal at practice this morning with his brand new lip stitches!

Dan Bylsma confirmed today that Jordan Staal, who’s been out with a knee injury, will be back in the line up for tomorrow’s game against Winnipeg.

“Jordan Staal will be playing in the game (Saturday),” Bylsma said. “As long as he had, as we expected him to (have), a good day on the ice, he’ll be in the lineup (Saturday).”

According to Dan, Jordan will be playing on a line winged by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke.

Jordan was accidentally highsticked by a teammate’s stick yesterday at practice. He just needed some stitches and is fine.

That’s a step in the right direction!

Now, the fun part! Let’s see how our injured players are doing!

• Sidney Crosby skated today and yesterday. He’s been skating for the past few practices. There is still no timeline for him to return from the soft tissue injury in his neck.
• Arron Asham skated together yesterday and today before the rest of the team. While Sid has been skating for a while now, this is the first time Asham has skated since being diagnosed with a concussion. Awesome, no?
• Simon Despres skated yesterday, but tweaked his knee injury again and didn’t skate today. Shoot. Get better soon, buddy!