Forward Ned Havern, a 9th round (273rd overall) draft pick by the Dallas Stars in 2002, has agreed to an AHL two-way contract with the Penguins.
Havern, a 6 foot-1 inch 200 pound left winger and Boston College graduate, spent last season with the Wheeling Nailers where he recorded 40 points (19 goals; 21 assists) and 16 PIM. Even though he only played in 37 games with the Nailers, his goal total was good for 4th on the team and his points ranked him 5th.
NOTE: He also appeared in 7 games with the Providence Bruins of the AHL going scoreless.
Labels: AHL, Offseason, Signings
The offseason is the offseason and nothing much is happening.
But some good news out of the broadcasting section today: It was announced that Mike Lange will be returning to do the play-by-play announcing of the Pittsburgh Penguins' radio broadcast after signing a one-year contract. The radio flagship for the Penguins is 105.9 FM (WXDX).
Now if only something can be done to get him back on TV...
Lange, a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2001, will be doing the radio broadcast for the second season in row after being replaced by Paul Steigerwald on FSN Pittsburgh.
Once again Phil Bourque will sit alongside Lange as his color commentator.
Labels: Team News
Alain Nasreddine has signed a one year two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although financial terms are unknown at this time, because it is a two-way deal, the team will pay him less if he spends time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. Nasreddine played in 44 games with Pittsburgh in 2006-07.
This signing allows for the Penguins to add depth to the defensive position this upcoming season.
Labels: AHL, Offseason, Signings
A busy day for the Penguins today. After announcing the signing of three players, the 2006-07 promotional schedule was released.
Even though ticket sales continue to skyrocket, Dave Soltesz, the vice president of sales and marketing said that doesn't affect promotions anymore as the Penguins will have 17 promtional days:
“Often the goal of promotional items is to drive ticket sales. But even with fewer tickets to sell this year, we wanted to reward our fans, and especially our season ticket holders, with an attractive schedule of promotional items. It’s another way to say ‘thank you’ for all the support we’ve received.”
The Penguins will open the season giving all fans a Crosby "C" gift; the commemerative "C" comes in a display case with Crosby's picture and a list of his accomplishments.
As has now become a tradition, the Penguins will end the season with "Fan Appreciation Night" and "Shirts Off Our Backs."
Labels: Team News
Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced the Penguins have signed center Tim Brent and defenseman Ryan Lannon today.
Brent was a 2nd round draft pick (37th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks and was acquired by the Penguins in an offseason trade for Stephen Dixon. He is a physical player that played in 15 games with the Ducks last season recording 1 goal and 6 PIM.
Lannon, a Harvad graduate and an 8th round draft pick in 2002 by the Penguins, has played in two seasons with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Last season he played in 68 games putting up 19 assists and 71 PIM.
Labels: AHL, Contract Extensions, Offseason
The Pittsburgh Penguins have
signed goaltender Ty Conklin.
Conklin played in 16 games last year with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres posting a 3-5-2 record with a 3.34 GAA and .879 SV%.
His NHL experience - primarily with the 2003-04 Edmonton Oilers - is a plus, but look for him start the season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and be a possible callup in the event that current backup goaltender Dany Sabourin cannot do his job successfully.
Labels: AHL, Offseason, Signings
By a vote of 102-100, the Pennsylvania House passed Tuesday the same bill that the PA Senate
passed Monday.
All that is needed now is a signature by Governor Ed Rendell for Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh Penguins to receive the $300 million in state funding to help build the new multipurpose arena.
Labels: Arena Talk
Earlier today the Pittsburgh Penguins announced the addition of two former NHL players to fill vacancies left in the front office.
Tom Fitzgerald was named the Director of Player Development. He spent 17 years (1,097 games) in the NHL and retired in 2006. As Director he will oversee and evaluate Penguins draft picks, who are playing in college, junior hockey and in Europe. He will also work with closely with prospects at the Penguins minor league team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Jason Botterill, the new Director of Hockey Administration, will be at the foundation of the Penguins future. His key roles will include salary monitoring, cap forecasting, contract negotiations and play a part in salary arbitration and preparation; he will also help with scouting. Botterill played for the
University of Michigan and was part of the Wolverines win the 1996 NCAA championship; his NHL career was scattered spending 6 of 8 years of professional hockey in the NHL. He spent this past season as a scout for the Dallas Stars and hopes to bring his experience to Pittsburgh.
Labels: Offseason, Team News
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have re-signed right wing Dennis Bonvie; asst. General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced that it is a one-year contract.
Bonvie, the AHL's all-time penalty minutes leader with 4,290, has played in 821 AHL games (25th on the all-time list) and is second among active players in the AHL behind Terry Virtue of the Binghamton Senators (888 AHL games).
An all-time fan favorite of the Baby Penguins, Bonvie has played in 235 games with them over four seasons recording 78 points (14 goals; 64 assists) and 1,081 PIM. His PIM are a team record for one's career; he also holds the team's single season PIM record (431 in 2005-06).
Labels: AHL, Offseason, Signings
The Penguins are scheduled to go back to US Military Academy West point this September 23-26. This will be there second trip back back there after spending the 2006-07 training camp there. As General Manager Ray Shero put it, it's "back by popular demand. The players really enjoyed it."
Along with the West Point experience, Coach Michel Therrien has received a lot of credit for bringing the team together as a hole and focus on team goals rather than individual goals.
Although an exact schedule of events is not known, Therrien has said that the itinerary will be different than last season.
Labels: Offseason, Team News
Asst. General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced that the Pittsburgh Penguins have added more minor league depth today.
Mark Ardelan (defenseman), formerly of the Iowa Stars (AHL) played 79 games in 2006-07 and ranked fourth on the team with 38 points (8 goals, 30 assists); his 30 assists were good for number one on his team.
Fletcher also announced the signing of defenseman Deryk Engelland, which had been
reported here last Wednesday.
Labels: AHL, Offseason, Signings
The trophy case is going to need more space because the awards keep piling up for Sidney Crosby.
Last night Crosby was awarded the ESPY for Best NHL Player and joins Mario Lemieux as the only Penguins to have won this award.
Labels: Team News
The Pennsylvania Senate approved the bill, by a vote of 31-17, today that will make a $225 million commitment over 30 years towards a new Uptown arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The bill now goes to the House and is expected to be debated and voted on today or tomorrow.
Majestic Star Casino, which beat out the Isle of Capri and plans a North Shore arena, has agreed to pay $7.5 million a year over the next 30 years as well; the Penguins will pay $3.8 million a year for 30 years.
Labels: Arena Talk, Offseason
General Manager Ray Shero has
announced that coach Michel Therrien has signed a one year contract extension that will keep in Pittsburgh through the 2008-09 season.
Shero acknowledge Therriens work by calling the extension "well deserved" and that the Penguins are "looking forward to having him back for at least two more years and hopefully more."
- Therrien is 61-53-19 in 133 games as the Penguins coach
- He helped the team change direction with a 47 point improvement from 2005-06 to 2006-07
- He was also one of three finalists for the Jack Adams award (Coach of the Year)
Labels: Contract Extensions, Offseason
Today it was
announced that the Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender John Curry; the Pens also officially announced the
signing of Jeff Taffe.
Curry play with Boston University last year where he recorded a .928 save percentage (6th in the nation). His seven shutouts were good for number one in the nation and his 2.01 GAA placed him 4th).
Labels: AHL, Signings
The proposed 'Ice Bowl' between the Sabres and Penguins may now take place February 17.
The Sabres and Penguins play on both January 1, the original planning date for an outdoor game, but February 17th is a Sunday game at 1:00 PM - an ideal time slot for NBC to promote an outdoor NHL game.
All of this is speculation, however, as nothing has been finalized.
Labels: NHL, Rumors
The Pittsburgh Penguins have
announced the signing of two centers, Chris Minard and Nathan Smith; the contracts are are two year deals.
Chris Minard, former Lowell Devil, has 39 goals and 68 points in 103 AHL games.
Nathan Smith, former Manitoba Moose, has 113 points (47 goals) in 327 AHL games; he's appeared in 1 NHL game for the Vancouver Canucks and was their first round pick (23rd overall) pick in 2000.
Labels: AHL, Signings
Colby Armstrong has
re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal that will pay him $1.2 million/season for the next two seasons.
Labels: Contract Extensions, Offseason
With
rumors circulating Tuesday and Wednesday about a possible outdoor game in Buffalo on January 1, 2008, the NHL has made the possibility more of a reality. The game has been thought to be played at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
When the NHL
released the 2007-08 schedule yesterday, they fueled the rumor fire with a scheduled matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres at 1:00 on January 1, 2008. The game, which will be televised by NBC, was pushed back to an afternoon game at the request of NBC.
ESPN reports that although the deal with Ralph Wilson Stadium hasn't been finalized yet, sources believe that an agreement will be made.
The last outdoor NHL game played took place in Edmonton against the Canadiens before a crowd of 57,000 in November 2003.
Labels: NHL, Rumors
Sidney Crosby (#7) faces off against Derek Jeter (#2) in ESPN's Who's Now competition to determine who the ultimate sports athlete is.
Up against one of the most recognizable names in sports, Crosby needs every bit of help if he wants to upset Jeter in the first round.
It's a shame for Crosby, the face of the NHL, to get seeded so poorly and face Jeter in the first round, but then again...it's ESPN.
Vote Now! Vote Often (delete cookies)!
Labels: Team News
