Penguins/NHL category, Page 253
Jim Rutherford thinks long layoff would help Penguins. Would it?
When Sidney Crosby was asked during an NHL-run video call which teammate he would want to be stuck in quarantine with, he was quick with an answer. “Kris Letang,” Crosby said during the Zoom call open to media. “He’s in the know. He’d get all the info. I’d have a...
Penguins green jersey auction nets $20,000 for coronavirus aid charities
The Penguins were scheduled to wear green St. Patrick’s Day jerseys in warmups before a March 15 home game against the New York Islanders. While the game wasn’t played due to the coronavirus pandemic, some good came out of it anyway. The Pittsburgh Penguins foundation raised $20,000 from the auction...
How Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is passing the timeVideo
At a time of year when he typically would be laser-focused on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ push to the playoffs and quest to win the Stanley Cup for a fourth time with him as captain, the hockey-obsessed Sidney Crosby instead has found himself immersed in … Formula 1 racing? To pass...
Penguins’ Sidney Crosby would be OK with NHL jumping right into playoffsVideo
Easy for him to say, with his team holding a coveted Eastern Conference playoff spot. But Sidney Crosby would be OK if, when the NHL season resumes, the league goes directly into the postseason. “You try to get in as many games you can,” the Pittsburgh Penguins captain said during...
Tim Benz: NHL ‘consolation bracket’ for No. 1 pick? That’s just trying way too hard
Whenever — if ever — the NHL reboots its 2019-20 season out of the coronavirus shutdown, it appears league owners have three targets. 1. Award a Stanley Cup after a representative version of a playoff 2. Play as many remaining scheduled home dates as possible 3. Don’t truncate the 82-game...
NHL postpones its draft and related events
The NHL announced Wednesday the postponement of its upcoming draft and related events, adding another sports event casualty to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 draft was scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal. But with league play suspended indefinitely, at this point it is near-certain the playoffs still will be...
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford sets priorities while running team in age of coronavirus
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has some of the same thoughts many Western Pennsylvanians do as the coronavirus pandemic has kept people holed up in their homes for extended periods of time. Not macaroni and cheese again. Rutherford spoke with reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon shortly after...
Penguins’ Jake Guentzel’s ‘rehab going well’; could return after play resumes
When the time frame associated with Jake Guentzel’s recovery first was announced after he underwent shoulder surgery Dec. 31, it didn’t leave much margin for him to return this season. With the season pushed back indefinitely, Guentzel’s potential for an impact on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ chase of the 2020 Stanley...
First Call: A forgotten great game from Penguins covid-19 replay series
The NHL Network and AT&T SportsNet are replaying a slew of old Pittsburgh Penguins games to occupy the hearts and minds of idle Penguins fans frustrated by a lack of hockey due to the coronavirus shutdown. On Wednesday, the NHL Network will air the Penguins’ Stanley Cup clinching games from...
NHL extending isolation period for players and staffVideo
The NHL is extending its recommendation for players and staff to self-isolate and stay away from team facilities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Tuesday confirmed the NHL asked players and staff extend their self-quarantine 10 days beyond the original March 27 timeline to April 6...
Beaver County Ice Arena wins $100,000 in renovations in Penguins contestVideo
After more than 400 entries from nine counties were narrowed down to three finalists, Beaver County Ice Arena was named the winner of the “Renovate the Rink” by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. The Beaver Falls-based facility beat out fellow finalists Belmont Complex in Armstrong and S&T Arena in Indiana...
First Call: ‘Pittsburgh icon quarantine matchmaker’ is greatest coronavirus time-waster ever
It takes a lot to make people smile these days, given the covid-19 shutdown. So credit TribLive’s Chris Benson for coming up with a way to make that happen. He developed this fantastic coronavirus shut-in timewaster. Hit play. Then, whenever you hit pause, that is the one Pittsburgh icon you...
NHL is considering a September Stanley Cup. How will 2021 be impacted?
Picture it. The Stanley Cup. Awarded… …in September??? Yes. That could happen based on a conference call among NHL owners Tuesday. In our weekly hockey podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I talk about the logistics of that attempt. And whether or not that is even worthwhile to...
NHL: Length of 2020-21 season won’t be impacted regardless of how late this season goes
The 2020-21 NHL season will not be shortened, even in the event the currently paused season extends deep into the summer, the league said Monday. During an update posted in Q&A format on its official website, the NHL answered a hypothetical question about the effects on next season that a...
Classic Penguins games, content to air on AT&T SportsNet, NHL NetworkVideo
Broadcasters continue to churn out reruns of memorable games and other content as a way of keeping jilted sports fans engaged. AT&T SportsNet is making sure there’s plenty for Pittsburgh Penguins to view. Starting Monday and over the next two weeks, the Penguins rightsholders will broadcast documentaries and other Penguins...
Tim Benz: Importance of sports is being downplayed, but their absence has never been more painful
Here’s a message for the “sports don’t matter at a time like this” crowd. After this weekend, don’t ever say such a thing again. During NCAA basketball conference championship week, at the dawn of the coronavirus epidemic, The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach tried to sing that song as the ensuing wave...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden discuss Steelers free agent signings, state of sports amid coronavirus pandemic
Just about everything else is shutdown these days. But “Madden Monday” is not. Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and I are here to talk about what sports do exist. That includes the Steelers and NFL free agency. We examine the good things and bad things the Steelers did this...
Penguins had a common appeal to Drew O’Connor, Cam LeeVideo
Drew O’Connor was a long shot to get here. Even he thought so. At a modest 5-foot-9 — by his estimates — after graduation from high school, O’Connor’s prospects for playing Division I hockey were, like him, small. He thought he might have to settle for playing for a Division...
Mark Madden: Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was snubbed 31 years ago, and it’s still hard to believe
Thirty-one years later, it still stings. The man himself might not feel it. His fans do. I do. Accolades came thick and fast during Mario Lemieux’s storied career. But to this day, the one that got away still angers. In 1988-89, Lemieux had 85 goals and 199 points. He won...
Penguins partner with Giant Eagle, Primanti Bros. to aid arena, restaurant staffers
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a partnership with Giant Eagle and Primanti Bros. to offer temporary employment opportunities to staffers at PPG Paints Arena and area restaurants impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This partnership will allow those individuals to pursue employment with area Giant Eagle locations. “Supermarkets, pharmacies and fuel...
Tim Benz: What’s the Pittsburgh equivalent of Tom Brady leaving New England?
Pittsburgh Steelers fans — much like 30 other NFL fan bases — are enjoying a heaping teaspoon of schadenfreude at the expense of the New England Patriots right now. After 19 years of dominance, the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era is over. Brady is going to play his remaining few years...
First Call: Antonio Brown works out with Steelers WR; Jameis Winston to Pittsburgh?; Sidney Crosby’s future as a coach
In Friday’s “First Call,” we look at which Steelers player is a workout pal with Antonio Brown. Mike Sullivan adresses the the idea of Sidney Crosby eventually coaching. Should Jameis Winston go to the Steelers? Also, more bad news in Boston. And “March Madness” replacement brackets. A.B.’s buddy If anyone...
Ex-Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff returns home after coronavirus ends season in Germany
Mr. Game 1 didn’t get to live up to his nickname this season. He didn’t get to the first game of the playoffs or a second, third or beyond. Jeff Zatkoff was home by the time his playoffs were supposed to begin. The former Penguins’ backup goaltender has been a...
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan offers slight update on team
Mike Sullivan is fond of telling his players to control what they can control. At the moment, the Penguins coach, like so many of us, isn’t in control of much, at least it pertains to work. The Penguins have shut down most of their operations ever since the NHL postponed...
Youngstown Phantoms, USHL cancel season
The United States Hockey League (USHL) has canceled the remainder of its season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Youngstown Phantoms are members of the league, which is the premier junior league in the country. Though 50 games, they were in fifth place with a 20-22-6-2 record. Their roster...
