Pittsburgh Penguins

[One87]

For those who missed it, here's a quick Pens/Jets Recap:

http://penslabyrinth.com/2011/12/24/...fly-past-jets/

[One87]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11359...d=penguins.xml

[One87]

Forgive me for all of the links, but 99% of the time, i'm using the smart phone, so i can't simply copy the article and post it. When not in a pinch for time, i will make an effort to frame matters in my own words.

http://m.post-gazette.com/sports/pen...ls-1199349?p=0

[One87]

Former Pens coach Johnny Wilson passes:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11361...d=penguins.xml

[One87]

is skating.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11361...d=penguins.xml

It looks like the Pens' defense is starting to heal. Granted, Martin has been shaky, but his addition will be welcomed. Because of the organization's great wealth of defensemen and their solid play, one almost forgets that this team has suffered key losses to their defense by losing 3 (Letang, Martin and Michalek) of their top 4 defensemen in a short period of time. All this team needs now are the healthy and sustained returns of Crosby and Letang to strike fear into the league by ripping through the rest of the season and into the playoffs!

[One87]

http://mobile.pensburgh.com/2011/12/...beat-canes-4-2

[wendelclark17]

via twitter:

pgshelly Shelly Anderson
#Penguins Bylsma: Sidney Crosby doing light workouts, still has some concussion symptoms; Kris Letang feeling better...

[mounD]

Hey guys,

I've recently been on Dobber hiatus due to a tremendously tremendous vacation to New York City. I was unable to offer Penguins coverage for about the past week or so; however, at this point I'm back and ready to give everyone here at Dobber some quality Pittsburgh Penguins news coverage.

Without further ado:

- NO NEW UPDATES ON CROSBY; Letang is allegedly "feeling better" recently.

- Evgeni Malkin was named the NHL's First Star for the month of December.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=609292




- James Neal certainly deserves an All-Star bid this season; however, with fan voting swaying support towards Ottawa forwards, this outcome is perhaps unlikely.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=609425

- Simon Despres has added another accolade to his already promising resume with the Penguins' organization; he was recently named to the AHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team with Wilkes-Barre.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=609869


Pens Report 1/3/12: Highlights

- No Craig Adams and Dupuis at practice...

Head coach Dan Bylsma with his daily injury updates...

"Pascal Dupuis, Dustin Jeffrey and Robert Bortuzzo skated before practice. Arron Asham did not skate and is still day-to-day from the injury sustained against New Jersey. No other updates.

"(Dupuis) is day-to-day. I’m hoping he continues to progress. I would put Asham in (that category) as well."

*** And now, everyone's favorite.... Coachspeak with Dan Bylsma:

Coachspeak with Dan Bylsma…

On Michalek and Martin:
I think at one point in the season we talked about having three guys out there being a shutdown group and I kinda thought we had to do it with three. Now we are getting to three to be able to have good matchups, penalty killing tandem with Brooks (Orpik) and Michalek to start. We’ve had that for a couple games. But to get Paul back in there is big, especially to get Paul and ‘Z’ back together again as a shutdown pair in conjunction with 'Brooksy' to be in those matchup situations, giving our D a different look and feel for games, especially when you are going against the Rangers. There are teams with bigger lineups, better teams in the league. That matchup is something we’ll look forward to on Friday.

On Mike Rupp's performance in the Winter Classic:
Last year he tried to do it in a different manner. This year he took a different route to be a star or a factor in the game. Two goals form him. (Whether he wears) 17 or 71, it's the same thing.

On the rest of the defensemen:
I think you saw Deryk Engelland and Matt Niskanen step into those roles and play against other teams’ top guys. I think that only builds to the confidence for those guys and playing in those situations and when you play the Rangers with three strong lines. Those players have to be counted on to play in those situations against a better team. So to be able to add that to the resume, to get that work in the past 20 games from different guys gives them the confidence to be able to do that going against teams like Chicago or other good team. You may see in the third line, a player like (Marian) Hossa or other good players. That’s going to be the responsibility of the players for that third pairing. And if it happens to be Niskanen and Lovejoy they have that confidence from having gained that the last 20 games or so.

On the children's practice and luncheon:
It’s a big day for them. To see their faces and smiles, knowing that they’re having a dream day for them to come see us practice and have lunch and meet them, it’s great. It's great to see their families. It’s rewarding for us and knowing the effect we have in spending some time with them.

On Pens being role models:
Part of being a Penguin is being involved in the community, being an example when we can. Mario (Lemieux) and dealing with cancer when he was a player, and now carrying that over as an owner. Sometimes it’s a family member or individuals. There are guys that have dealt with it in their family or at least out in the community as a role model. That’s a big part of being a Penguin.

I'm very glad to be back and covering the Penguins for everyone in the Dobber community.

[blayze]

WTF mounD... didn't anyone around here tell you the coverage guys aren't allowed vacations?

[mounD]

WTF mounD... didn't anyone around here tell you the coverage guys aren't allowed vacations?

Phish @ MSG > Hockey

Sorry guys...

[mounD]

https://twitter.com/#!/PensInsideSco...33130468786177

#Pens activate F Richard Park & D Paul Martin from IR. Both eligible to play Friday vs. NYR -Sam

- Evgeni Malkin will interview tonight on Cisco NHL Live... details in link.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=610128

[One87]

Still no Crosby or Letang, folks:

http://penslabyrinth.com/2012/01/06/...-is-it-enough/

[Carcillo]

Dustin Jeffrey update:

JEFFREY PRACTICES WITH TEAM
Today’s optional morning skate was the perfect opportunity for Dustin Jeffrey to rejoin his teammates for the first time since starting his current rehab stint for an injured knee.

“It’s going well. I think practice today went really well,” Jeffrey said of how he’s feeling. “It’s just a matter of managing my injury and making sure we don’t have any other setbacks.”

After making his season debut Oct. 20 and playing the next six games (plus a short conditioning stint in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), Jeffrey, 23, was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 11 to continue to rehab his knee injury, originally suffered March 24 vs. Philadelphia.

While there was always the possibility of needing another surgery for the knee, Jeffrey explained he didn’t need it because his injury was handled the proper way.

“We’ve taken the time and we’ve managed it right,” he said. “Now it’s under control and I can get back to start pushing it more and hopefully return to games soon.”

Jeffrey had recently been skating before practice with strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar, and they decided he was ready to make the next step. And although today’s skate was optional, Jeffrey will be participating in full practices with the team from here on out.

“We have a lot of games coming up, so we’re not sure when we’re going to have full practices,” he said. “So it was an opportunity today to just jump in. whatever the schedule brings in the next week or so, we’re going to get into as many practices as we can.”

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...id=DL|PIT|home

[baxpens]

Well there goes another LOSS after we come out of the gates looking amazing. Controversial first goal for Henrique, but in my opinion deserved to get it after we go and give up another Shorty. Not that I am worried, but I guess I am a little worried. We cannot hold a lead lately which I do not understand. Now that Z and Martin are back, they need some time (Z should have plenty) to get back on the same page. In my mind that is the key to our success - YES - Paul Martin and Zybnek Michalek. Our best two Defending Defensemen. They shut down the opponents studs and now that they are both back healthy let's get back to giving up 1 goal a game. Cannot even get a Win for Fleury in his 400th start. UGHHHH! Other than than that not much to say, another first goal scored another loss. Another terrible second period - if you get a chance look at our second periods this year (and heck the last few years). It is our worst period by far. No excuse for it, but we start well and finish well, just cannot figure out what to do in the middle. Well that's all from me.

Malkin's 16th was the lone goal.

Rookie of December Adam Henrique with 1G, 1A. Deep Fantasy Leagues >> PICK EM UP!

[Carcillo]

Staal out 4-6 weeks with knee injury, Neal out weeks with broken foot.