Weaver snatched off the waiver wire

The Canucks have acquired another Pens player right before the start of the season. Mike Weaver will be heading to Vancouver.

Downie gets 20 games for hit on McAmmond

Ok, I didn't report on this initially, so if anyone has been hiding under a rock this last week of the preseason, here's some back story:

In an exhibition game between the Flyers and the Senators, Flyers prospect Steve Downie took a run at the Sens' Dean McAmmond, caught him with his head down behind the net, and left his feet to deliver a blow to McAmmond's head.



Well the NHL has decided that's worth a 20 game suspension to Downie. It's good to see the NHL get this one right and hand out an appropriate suspension. That hit was not only potentially career ending, but McAmmond could have been killed. Hopefully this clown learns his lesson. Provided he ever makes it to the NHL to serve those 20 games.

Pens sloppy in preseason loss to Detroit

I had a chance to attend the preseason game against Detroit on Saturday and made a few observations.

Mark Eaton got the game's first goal with a wrister from the point. But the Pens couldn't hold on to the lead. A lot of the Pens forwards seemed to be chasing the play, taking stupid penalties, not being in position to get anything going, and when they were they were stifled by Detroit's D.

One bright spot from this weekend's game was the penalty kill. With Talbot not dressed for Saturday's game, Erik Christensen ate up his minutes on a PK unit with Colby Armstrong. For being a more offensive minded player, Christensen played very well in shorthanded situations. He made some nice plays to break up Detroit's attack and clear the puck, and was able to hold on to the puck well in the neutral zone as well as in the Wings' zone. It looks like he is taking his new role seriously and could be on his way to being a more complete, 2 way forward.

Fleury played well and kept the Pens in it for a while, but in the end it was a 5 - 2 Detroit victory. Malkin had the other Pittsburgh goal on the power play with 2 minutes left in the game.

Let's hope they can get something going next week when the games matter.

More tickets to the Winter Classic?

Tonight at the Pens' Season Ticket Holder Town Hall Meeting, David Morehouse told us they are still in talks with the NHL about securing more tickets to the Winter Classic for Pittsburgh season ticket holders. Expect some kind of announcement from the team sometime after September 28th.

And if anyone out there is wondering why Fleury decided to become a goaltender, here's your answer:

"Because I suck to score goals."

There you have it.

Pens sign lease for new Arena

The Penguins have signed a lease agreement for the new arena that will keep them in town until 2040.

Sykora to miss 2 games, Curry sent to AHL

In what is becoming a disturbing preseason trend, a new Penguin player has been hurt by a teammate in an exhibition game. This time Brooks Orpik's elbow will cost Petr Sykora at least 2 games with a broken nose.

From the same TSN article, goaltender John Curry was sent to the Pens' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Pens even preseason series, NHL finally admits their schedule sucks

As I failed to point out yesterday, the Pens dropped their first preseason game to the Habs, but came back to win the second game 5 - 2. Lighting the lamp for Pittsburgh were: Ryan Stone and Jeff Taffe, who scored on the first two shots of the game, Petr Sykora, Evgeni Malkin and Tyler Kennedy.

Word on the street is we will no longer have to suffer through the current NHL scheduling mess after this season. The NHL's Board of Governors is set to vote on a change in the schedule that will see each team face all 29 other teams in a year. As much fun as it is to see the Islanders 8 times a year, I'd really like a chance to see the rest of the league more often.