Pens fall to Canes in season opener

Eric Staal scored two first period goals in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4 - 1 decision over then Pens. Mark Recchi scored the only goal for the Pens on a power play late in the third.

The Pens didn't look great out there last night, but that's not to take away from Carolina's defense and Cam Ward's unbelievable play. They were all over the loose pucks the Pens were leaving all over the ice, creating turnovers on our multitude of bad passes, blocking shots and smothering Crosby and Malkin every time they went over the boards.

The Ducks fell to 1 - 3 last night with a 4 - 0 shellacking by the Columbus Blue Jackets (you know, the "We're the only team in the NHL to never make the playoffs" Columbus Blue Jackets). Something tells me they won't be happy when they roll in to the Igloo tonight. Let's hope for a better showing from the Pens for the home opener.

Rumored VS tv schedule, Pens sign blueliner

Battle of New York has posted what they believe is the schedule for the 2007-08 season on Versus. The Pens will be on Vs 8 times in the coming season. Here are the details (thanks to Japers' Rink for the link)

Oct. 23 – 7:00 NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh
Oct. 30 – 7:00 Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota
Dec. 11 – 7:00 Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia
Jan. 14 – 7:00 NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh
Jan. 21 – 7:00 Washington vs. Pittsburgh
Jan. 26 – 7:00 All-Star Skills Competition/Young-Stars
Jan. 27 - ??? All-Star Game
Feb. 4 – 7:00 Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey
Mar. 24 – 7:00 Pittsburgh vs. NY Islanders
Mar. 31 – 7:00 Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers

In other Pens' news, they've signed defenseman Mike Weaver to a 1 year, 2 way deal. He looks to be another depth defenseman that will likely spend a considerable amount of time in Wilkes-Barre this year.

Update! The news keeps coming in: The Post Gazette has reported the Staals and their guests at Eric's bachelor party may be getting a plea deal. Right now their lawyers are looking into the immigration and visa ramifications of the final decision.

Staals arrested, Flyers name Wheeling Nailers ECHL affialiate

Yeah, everybody's been talking about this since the story broke yesterday. It seems Jordan and Eric had a little too much fun at the elder Staal's bachelor party. Isn't the point of bachelor parties to get into trouble?

The Wheeling Nailers have announced they have reached an affiliation deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. They will still be serving as the ECHL affiliate to the Penguins.

For a sport that runs from October to June, this offseason is getting brutally long. We're counting down the days to training camp.