Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 3

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Right winger Tyler Kennedy, who has missed the Penguins' past three games with an undisclosed injury, took part in his first full practice with the team yesterday at Anaheim Ice and could return to the lineup as soon as tonight against the Ducks at Honda Center. "We still have to see how he reacts" to a full practice, coach Dan Bylsma said, "but he looks pretty good for [tonight]. Pretty good chances." Kennedy reacted with a smile when Bylsma's words were relayed to him. "I felt all right in practice," Kennedy said. "I feel pretty good. Time will tell, I guess." Kennedy had five goals and an assist in 11 games before getting hurt. He is usually part of a successful third line with center ..."

Penguins bench Malkin due to shoulder strain

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October 30

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Coach Dan Bylsma, general manager Ray Shero and All-Star center Evgeni Malkin emerged from a closed-door meeting after practice yesterday at Mellon Arena with news of the latest injury problem for a Penguins team that so far hasn't been slowed because of missing players. Malkin, it turns out, played the past several games -- including a 6-1 win Wednesday against Montreal in which he took six shots and registered an assist -- despite a strained right shoulder. Team officials persuaded him to shut down for what Bylsma called "a couple weeks." "We're worried about the safety in the shoulder," Bylsma said. "A couple weeks, some rehab, some rest, we'll get that thing ready so we can get him ..."

Gonchar gets OK, but only for skating, practice

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October 25

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Sergei Gonchar's broken left wrist will not keep him off the ice. With a hockey glove over his cast, wearing a red non-contact jersey and using only his right (non-shooting) hand on his stick, the Penguins' top defenseman took part in the team's optional morning skate yesterday. Gonchar, of course, did not play last night against New Jersey at Mellon Arena and will not play again for something near a month, but said he plans on continuing to practice. "The doctor told me that's what I can do," he said. It's a good thing Gonchar isn't overly superstitious, as many of his teammates are. Otherwise, he might wonder if he helped bring the injury on himself. After the morning skate Tuesday, he ..."

Gonchar out four to six weeks

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October 22

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be out for four to six weeks because of a broken bone in his left wrist, coach Dan Bylsma announced this afternoon. Gonchar apparently was injured when he was checked during the Penguins' 5-1 victory against St. Louis at Mellon Arena Tuesday night. Kris Letang is expected to replace Gonchar on the No. 1 power-play unit. It was not immediately known whether Bylsma will reconfigure his defense pairings because of Gonchar's absence. Gonchar has been playing with Brooks Orpik. Gonchar has two goals and six assists in nine games to tie Sidney Crosby for second place in the team scoring race, although he owns the only negative plus-minus rating (minus-2) ..."

Pens defenseman kicks cold, talks contract

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October 15

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said Wednesday he is finally over a nasty cold that afflicted him from the final week of training camp through the opening weeks of the regular season. "Mostly it just kept me tired all the time," he said. Gonchar added "it only makes sense" that his agent, JP Barry, and the Penguins have agreed to put off negotiations on a contract extension until after Jan. 1, when GM Ray Shero will have a better grasp on the 2010-11 salary cap. Gonchar, 35, is in the final season of a five-year deal at a $5 million annual cap hit. He reiterated his desire to finish his NHL career with the Penguins • Hurricanes goaltending coach Tom Barrasso is slated to become the ..."

Contracts for Gonchar, Letang on hold

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October 9

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Penguins have not engaged in recent negotiations with defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang regarding contract extensions. Gonchar can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Letang can become a restricted free agent on the same date; the Penguins will own matching rights for any offer he receives."

Wild expected to sign 'pure goal scorer' Petr Sykora after tryout

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September 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Adding Petr Sykora is not "a big piece of the puzzle" for the Wild, coach Todd Richards said Monday. Not yet. But Richards, unable to suppress a smile, said it could turn out that way. A veteran forward who scored the 300th goal of his NHL career on April 7 for the Pittsburgh Penguins against Tampa Bay, Sykora accepted an invitation Monday from Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher to come to camp and try out. Say what? Turns out, a tryout simply means the player is unsigned and must travel to the prospective team on his own dime. The likelihood of Sykora not making the Wild is about that of Derek Boogaard scoring 20 goals this season. Coupled with free-agent signee Martin Havlat, ..."

Re-signing Gonchar and Letang priorities for Shero

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September 9

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins general manager Ray Shero said yesterday that re-signing Sergei Gonchar is a priority and working out a new deal with Kris Letang is important, too. That doesn't necessarily mean either defenseman will have a new contract anytime in the near future. "I sat down with [Gonchar] last week for a little bit, just to kind of get things started," Shero said. "Those [talks] will continue a little bit, to a certain extent, and we'll see what happens. "He certainly is a guy we'd like to extend, to have him around Pittsburgh. He's done a fantastic job for us. Hopefully, at the end, it will work out." Gonchar is entering the final season of a five-year contract worth $25 million and, if not ..."

Offer to Sykora could be in wings

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September 5

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"With Wild players set to report for training camp in one week, General Manager Chuck Fletcher is contemplating offering a contract to free-agent winger Petr Sykora. According to multiple sources, Fletcher has talked on and off with agent Allan Walsh about Sykora all summer. While Fletcher has not made an offer, he's weighing the pros and cons of making one next week. Sykora, 32, is one of three active NHLers to have scored 20-plus goals for the past 10 seasons. He's coming off a 25-goal season with the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins and is close with newly signed Wild player and Czech countryman Martin Havlat. Fletcher has a long history with Sykora, both in Anaheim and ..."

Sykora on Senators' radar

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August 31

Toronto Sun

"The Senators are keeping their options open up front. While the club still is holding talks with unrestricted free-agent centre Mike Comrie, league sources say GM Bryan Murray has also held serious discussions with winger Petr Sykora and he's at the top of the Senators' radar screen if they can trade disgruntled winger Dany Heatley before training camp. So, he's held talks with the 34-year-old Sykora, who had 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points in 76 games last season while making $2.5 million US."

Rift between Sykora and Bylsma refuted

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July 21

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Veteran forward Petr Sykora will not return for a third season with the Penguins, but his departure has nothing to do with a supposed rift between he and coach Dan Bylsma, according to Bylsma and Sykora's agent, Allan Walsh. A recent report in the Czech newspaper "Aha!" quoted Sykora as saying he did not like Bylsma when the two were teammates with the Anaheim Ducks from 2002-04. The quotes implied that Sykora believed Bylsma had it out for him when they were reunited in February, when Bylsma was hired as Penguins coach. Walsh said the interview never happened. He said "Aha!" is a sister publication of "Blesk," a periodical Walsh compared to the National Enquirer, and often publishes its ..."

Penguins coming to terms with defenseman McKee

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July 10

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins and free-agent defenseman Jay McKee are finalizing details on a one-year contract. Financial terms are not yet known. McKee, 31, spent the past three years with St. Louis, but the Blues bought out the final year of his contract this summer. The 6-foot-4, 203-pound defensive defenseman had a series of injuries while with St. Louis, many of them related to blocking shots. The Blues are obligated to pay two-thirds of the $4 million salary he would have been due in 2009-10 under his contract with them, or about $2.67 million, which will be split over two years for salary cap purposes. The Penguins expect Alex Goligoski to become a regular on defense this season after splitting ..."

Penguins: McKee could fill hole on defense

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July 10

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins might be close to signing a defenseman, one of the final missing pieces for their roster. Jay McKee, an unrestricted free agent who spent the past three seasons with St. Louis, is likely to decide in the next few days where he will spend the 2009-10 season, and that could be with the Penguins, his agent, Pat Morris, said yesterday. "When the Penguins come calling, it catches your attention," Morris said of the recently crowned Stanley Cup champions. "I think there are things he does well that the Penguins like. He can be a shutdown guy." McKee, who turns 32 before the season starts, is considered a skilled shot-blocker. At 6 feet 4, 203 pounds, he adds a physical presence. The ..."

Talbot faces surgery

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July 7

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins forward Max Talbot, the goal-scoring hero of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, is expected to have surgery this week to correct a dislocated shoulder and could miss the start of next season as the team begins defense of its championship. "He played hurt this year, even though it didn't look like it in Game 7," Talbot's agent, Pat Brisson, said yesterday. "It shows how much character he has. That shoulder was popping in and out." The Penguins confirmed Talbot needs the surgery, but team officials declined to offer further details. Brisson said the recovery time will be determined after the surgery but "it looks like he's going to have to miss part of [training] camp." It's not known ..."

Pens sign Guerin, Pogge gets offer

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June 30

Toronto Star

"The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed Bill Guerin yesterday, opting to keep an important part of their championship team ahead of free agency. The veteran forward signed a $2-million (U.S.), one-year deal with the Stanley Cup champions. Guerin, 38, was set to become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. "We are excited to agree to terms with Billy on this one-year deal," said Penguins general manager Ray Shero. "He made a tremendous impact on this team with his scoring ability, physical play and outstanding leadership and was a key factor in our drive to the Cup. "I know our players, coaches and fans will be happy to have him back in Pittsburgh." A 17-year veteran, Guerin had seven goals and ..."

Penguins come to terms with Guerin, Adams

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June 30

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"By keeping a couple of wingers Monday, the Penguins left themselves not much of a prayer to retain a trio of key contributors to their Stanley Cup championship squad. After re-signing veteran wingers Bill Guerin and Craig Adams, Penguins general manager Ray Shero has today to secure the services of other notable players eligible to become unrestricted free agents Wednesday - specifically winger Ruslan Fedotenko and shutdown defense paring Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill. That won't be easy and might prove impossible. With Guerin, who signed for one year at $2 million, and Adams, at $1.10 million total over the next two seasons, the Penguins are committed to $51,218,000 for 17 players next season. ..."

Penguins re-sign forward Adams to two-year contract

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June 30

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Penguins today re-signed forward Craig Adams to a two-year contract. Adams, 32, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Adams, acquired off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks in February, became a capable role player for the Penguins in their run to the Stanley Cup championship. In 24 playoff games, he contributed three goals and two assists. In the regular-season, he had one point in nine games with the Penguins. Adams has accumulated 37 goals and 53 assists in 507 career NHL games. "Craig is a steady, reliable, physical player who was an important part of our mix this season," general manager Ray Shero said. "He plays with a lot of grit, but he also contributed ..."

Interest in Fedotenko returning looks mutual

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June 27

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins would like to re-sign Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko seems interested in returning. That's a good start on negotiations but does not guarantee they will be able to settle on a contract. Asked last evening if there is reason for optimism that he can re-sign Fedotenko, general manager Ray Shero responded, "It's hard to say." Shero met with Fedotenko's agent, Allan Walsh, here yesterday. "We made it clear we'd like to have him back," Shero said. "We had a good discussion," Walsh said, but he did not elaborate. Fedotenko, signed as a free agent from the New York Islanders last July, made $2,250,000 on a one-year deal. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency again if not ..."

NHL Draft: Penguins ones to envy with 30th pick

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June 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins are prepared to wait awhile before making their first choice in the NHL entry draft tonight at the Bell Centre. Quite awhile, actually. Longer than any of the other 29 teams, in fact. At least the ones who haven't traded away their opening-round choice. The Penguins don't mind, though. On a couple of counts. The most important, of course, is that they own the 30th choice because they won the Stanley Cup. Every other club will be clearing off its draft table and packing up its scouting reports and prospect lists tonight when Penguins general manager Ray Shero makes his way to the stage on the arena floor to make his team's choice public and to greet the prospect it selects. And ..."

Penguins: Interest in Fedotenko returning looks mutual

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June 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Penguins would like to re-sign Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko seems interested in returning. That's a good start on negotiations but does not guarantee they will be able to settle on a contract. Asked last evening if there is reason for optimism that he can re-sign Fedotenko, general manager Ray Shero responded, "It's hard to say." Shero met with Fedotenko's agent, Allan Walsh, here yesterday. "We made it clear we'd like to have him back," Shero said. "We had a good discussion," Walsh said, but he did not elaborate. Fedotenko, signed as a free agent from the New York Islanders last July, made $2,250,000 on a one-year deal. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency again if not ..."

Penguins: Scuderi likely offseason target

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June 23

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"It's no secret the Penguins won't be able to re-sign all of their free agents. General manager Ray Shero said last evening that he won't even try. "There are a few guys [who won't be offered contracts]," he said, "but I haven't spoken to them yet." The Penguins have exclusive negotiating rights to their unrestricted free agents until July 1, and Shero said "there's nothing imminent" in terms of finalizing an agreement with any of them. "I'm just in the process of talking to some agents," he said. "It's pretty premature at this point. I'm just touching base with some agents and going from there." The Penguins' most prominent unrestricted free agents are forwards Bill Guerin, Ruslan ..."

Retirement isn't in plans for Pens' Guerin

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June 15

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Looking years younger after shaving off his salt-and-pepper playoff beard, Penguins right wing Bill Guerin bristled at suggestions that winning the Stanley Cup might be the perfect way to retire. "Yeah, I'm going to keep playing," Guerin, 38, said Sunday. "It'd be a great way to go out, but maybe I can do it in a couple years. I feel like I've got a lot of gas left in the tank. I feel I performed well. It doesn't matter what my age is. I feel good physically and mentally and I still love to play, so I'm going to keep playing." Guerin was acquired from the N.Y. Islanders in March for a 2009 conditional draft choice, which was upgraded from fifth round to third round by the Penguins' playoff ..."

Pens' Sykora out for Game 7, Satan likely to return

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June 11

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"A broken right foot will prevent Penguins winger Petr Sykora from playing Friday in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Detroit. Sykora was injured Tuesday in Game 6, his first playoff contest after missing 14 in a row. He blocked a shot in the second period of the Penguins' 2-1 victory and played sparingly after the incident. X-rays have identified a broken bone in his right foot. Sykora received treatment from team doctors today, but has been instructed to use crutches. The Penguins had no comment on Sykora's status."

Pens will be in market for blueliner

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June 10

Toronto Sun

"The Penguins could be players on the NHL's free-agent market this summer. While they'd like to keep blueliner Rob Scuderi, 29, who made $725,000 (all terms US) this season, he'll likely be off for greener pastures on July 1. Sources say Penguins GM Ray Shero will try to sign another blueliner who can move the puck to take some of the pressure off Sergei Gonchar. The best blueliner available will be Florida's Jay Bouwmeester, but he's expected to sign in Western Canada. Anaheim defenceman Francois Beachemin is a possibility. The Ducks would like to keep him, but the Penguins can sell free agents on the fact they've been to the final last two years and there's a strong chance to win in ..."

Bylsma still mulling Sykora's return to lineup

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June 9

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"It is, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said, a move that he has discussed with his staff regularly for more than a month. Never once has he seen fit to make it. But whether he will get right winger Petr Sykora back into the lineup when the Detroit Red Wings visit Mellon Arena tonight for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final -- with the Penguins down, 3-2, in the series and just one defeat removed from the offseason -- apparently has yet to be decided. "I've considered it every game from the time he hasn't played until now," Bylsma said yesterday. "We've certainly talked about different scenarios in the coaches' room and talked about what our team needs and what would help us win this game, and we're ..."

Wings' Cleary missing from Monday's practice

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June 8

Detroit Free Press

"Update from Joe Louis Arena today: Dan Cleary isn't part of practice, as he's recovering from an injury. Cleary didn't skate Saturday morning, either, and told me it was because of an injury suffered last Thursday in Game 4. Cleary still played that night though (and scored the game-winning goal) and I'm betting nothing short of having a foot cut off will keep Cleary out of tomorrow's Game 6. The Wings lead 3-2 against Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup finals."

Penguins want to resign Fedotenko in the off-season

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June 7

Detroit Free Press

"Penguins winger Ruslan Fedotenko has had a pretty good playoff run, and management figures to make a serious effort to re-sign him this summer. Not only because he has a history of playing well in high-stakes games, but because he can be used in a variety of roles and positions. He's draewn's draewn has drawn top-six duty lately, working on Evgeni Malkin's left side, but has filled in on the fourth line at times this season, too. And during the game-day skate at Joe Louis Arena yesterday, just hours before the Penguins met Detroit in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final, Fedotenko showed that he's's is even even more versatile than most people had realized, as he played , as he played by ..."

Zigomanis is cleared to play, return unlikely

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June 3

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"There likely was a time in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, while he was watching his team lose 39 of 55 faceoffs, that Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wished he had Mike Zigomanis to handle some of those draws. Turns out, he could have. Zigomanis, who injured his right shoulder in early December and underwent surgery in mid-January to repair damage to his rotator cuff, was given medical clearance to resume playing Thursday. Bylsma and his staff are believed to have at least considered the possibility of getting him back in uniform, although that seems like a long shot. After all, asking a guy to step into a Cup final and contribute after not playing for six months is likely a bit much. Not that ..."

Mikael Samuelsson might not play for Red Wings tonight

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June 2

Detroit News

"Red Wings forward Mikael Samuelsson missed the morning skate for an undisclosed reason and is questionable for Tuesday night's Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals. "We'll see what happens," coach Mike Babcock said."

Shero says Pesonen still part of future despite no recall

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May 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"When the Penguins signed Finnish winger Janne Pesonen as a free agent in July, they spoke of the possibility of him becoming a top-six forward in the NHL as early as this season. But, when the Penguins summoned five players from their minor league team in Wilkes-Barre a few days ago to serve as a playoff taxi squad, Pesonen didn't make the list. It included forwards Chris Minard, Jeff Taffe and Dustin Jeffrey, defenseman Ben Lovejoy and goalie John Curry. Pesonen appeared in seven NHL games in 2008-09 and failed to record a point while receiving limited ice time. He was highly productive in the American Hockey League, however, putting up 32 goals and 50 assists in 70 games. Pesonen will be ..."

Pens' Dupuis a question mark for Game 1

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May 18

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The status of left wing Pascal Dupuis for tonight's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final at Mellon Arena remains a "game-time decision," according to Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. Dupuis did not play the final three games of the second-round series against Washington, though the Penguins dressed seven defensemen in those contests because of Sergei Gonchar's right-knee injury. "We'll probably be dressing 12 forwards and seven defensemen in warm-ups," Bylsma said Sunday, adding that the Penguins "miss (Dupuis)" on their penalty-kill units. "He adds in the speed department, and he's one guy you can plug in on different lines." Dupuis (without a point and a minus-3 in 10 playoff games) ..."

Gonchar expects to play in Game 1

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May 18

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Sergei Gonchar isn't ready to guarantee that he will be able to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final tonight against Carolina at Mellon Arena. He's just awfully optimistic about it. Gonchar, who stayed off skates the previous three days, participated in an hour-long practice at Southpointe yesterday, and was upbeat about being in uniform for the opener. "It looks promising," he said. "I don't want to say anything [conclusive] right now, but there's a good chance." Gonchar missed Games 5 and 6 of the Penguins' second-round series against Washington after a knee-on-knee hit by Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkinin Game 4, but returned for Game 7 and assisted on the Penguins' first ..."

Pens' Gonchar a 'game-time decision' for Game 7

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May 13

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar practiced this morning and worked on the first-unit power play, but his status for a deciding Game 7 tonight in a second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Washington Capitals has not been determined. Gonchar did not speak to reporters this morning, and coach Dan Bylsma confirmed that a decision will be made prior to the game, which starts at 7 p.m. at Verizon Center. "He's been steadily improving," Bylsma said today. "He'll go out for warm-ups and it will be a game-time decision." Gonchar has not played since last Friday in Game 4, when he was injured early by a knee-on-knee hit with Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin. Gonchar returned to ..."

Pens' Gonchar could play in Game 7

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May 13

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Seemingly all an epic second-round Stanley Cup playoff series between the Penguins and Washington Capitals is missing is a gutsy comeback by a player from injury. Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar may provide that story line tonight by playing in a deciding Game 7 at Verizon Center. He practiced Tuesday at Southpointe for the first time since his right knee was injured Friday early in the first period of Game 4 at Mellon Arena during a knee-on-knee collision with Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin. "It's a game-time decision; I don't want to say anything too early," Gonchar said yesterday, speaking in an agitated tone and with short, to-the-point sentences. The controversial hit by ..."

Gonchar may be Superman again

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May 13

Beaver County Times

"It likely won't be known until sometime around 6:55 p.m. tonight whether Sergei Gonchar can play, or how much, in tonight's Game 7 at Washington. If the Penguins' defenseman can do a Clyde Frazier or Kirk Gibson, it won't be the first time Gonchar has donned his Superman cape with Pittsburgh facing playoff elimination. Last spring, in the Penguins' epic 4-3 triple-overtime win in Game 5 at Detroit in the Stanley Cup Final, Gonchar assisted on Petr Sykora's game-winning power play goal. Gonchar missed the first two overtime periods with an upper-body injury after crashing headfirst into the end boards while furiously back-checking. If Gonchar can once again just quarterback the Penguins' ..."

Injured Gonchar practices with Penguins

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May 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar joined his teammates for an optional practice at Southpointe this morning. Gonchar, who injured his right knee in a collision with Washington left winger Alex Ovechkin, has not played since he was hurt. It was not immediately known if he will dress for Game 7 of the Penguins-Capitals series tomorrow night at the Verizon Center."

Penguins may re-unite top scorers

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May 6

Sportsnet.ca

"The Pittsburgh Penguins might try to get slumping forward Evgeni Malkin back on track by putting him on a line with Sidney Crosby for Wednesday's Game 3 against the Washington Capitals. "It makes us realize that we've got to make things happen out there," said Crosby, when asked about potentially playing with Malkin. "Hopefully it's a boost. That's why we're put together usually - to create things and get momentum." Crosby has been electrifying in this series, scoring four of the Penguins five goals. Malkin, who led the league in scoring during the regular season and is a Hart Trophy candidate, has been nearly invisible in two games against the Capitals. The Russian forward has now gone ..."

Penguins' Chuck Fletcher likely Minnesota Wild GM front-runner

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May 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Word is Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is the strong front-runner for the Minnesota Wild general manager job. Fletcher, 41, is a Harvard graduate and son of much-traveled NHL executive Cliff Fletcher, who currently is a consultant for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Peers consider Chuck Fletcher an exceptional judge of talent. For instance, when he was with Anaheim, Chuck Fletcher insisted on drafting Bobby Ryan for the Ducks with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft when many other talent evaluators had Ryan rated lower. The Ducks chose Ryan behind the No. 1 overall pick, Sidney Crosby, by Pittsburgh. Fletcher is an incessant worker who has worked for three ..."

Penguins assistant GM Fletcher expected to interview with Minnesota Wild

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May 3

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is expected to interview soon for the vacant Minnesota Wild GM job. Fletcher is a leading candidate, though the Wild are thought to have comprised a long list of potential replacements for former GM Doug Risebrough. The Penguins' official stance isn't to comment during the playoffs on potential player or personnel movement, but they are believed to have granted the Wild permission to speak with Fletcher about the position."

Sykora, Pens both mum about playing time

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April 28

Beaver County Times

"Petr Sykora, banished to the press box in Games 5 and 6 against Philadelphia, stated after Monday's practice that he won't be talking to the media until after the playoffs. Sykora has been a healthy scratch after scoring just two goals in his last 21 games and none in the playoffs. "He's a proud player," said Penguins interim coach Dan Bylsma, who stated he's not yet made any roster decisions for round two. "He's done a lot of good things, a playoff performer. He wants to be out there performing. "The way Petr has practiced … he's out there making sure he's sharp, doing extra and on his own. That shows you what kind of professional he is. He's getting ready to play his next game. And I ..."

Bylsma mum on lineup changes

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April 25

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wouldn't divulge any prospective lineup changes for today, but here were his line combinations at the beginning of practice Friday: Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Bill Guerin; Max Talbot-Evgeni Malkin-Ruslan Fedotenko; Tyler Kennedy-Jordan Staal-Matt Cooke; Pascal Dupuis-Craig Adams-Eric Godard. If those combinations hold, wingers Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora -- who combined for 42 regular-season goals -- will be out of the lineup, and Godard (two goals in 71 regular-season games) would make his first appearance of the series. On defense, Kris Letang seems like a good bet to return to the lineup, after Philippe Boucher replaced him in Game 4 and recorded a minus-2 ..."

Practice combos suggest Penguins might do some lineup tinkering

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April 25

Philadelphia Daily News

"Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wouldn't divulge any prospective lineup changes for today, but here were his line combinations at the beginning of practice yesterday: Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Bill Guerin; Max Talbot-Evgeni Malkin-Ruslan Fedotenko; Tyler Kennedy-Jordan Staal-Matt Cooke; Pascal Dupuis-Craig Adams-Eric Godard.If those combinations hold, wingers Miroslav Satan and Petr Sykora - who combined for 42 regular-season goals - would be out of the lineup, and Godard (two goals in 71 regular-season games) would make his first appearance of the series. On defense, Kris Letang seems like a good bet to return, after Philippe Boucher replaced him in Game 4 and recorded a minus-2 rating. Letang ..."

Satan to replace Sykora for Penguins tonight

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April 23

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Petr Sykora seemed stunned to learn that Miroslav Satan will replace him in the Penguins' lineup for Game 5 of their opening-round playoff series against Philadelphia 7:08 tonight at Mellon Arena. "I'm surprised," he said after the game-day skate. "Yes." The Flyers, conversely, didn't seem to care much about the switch. "I feel like (Satan) is the exact same player as Sykora," said forward Arron Asham, Satan's former teammate with the New York Islanders. "He's a dangerous sniper-type, but a guy who doesn't like the rough stuff. So if we take a body to him and be physical with him, I don't think he'll be too much of a factor." That's a fair description of Sykora's work through the first ..."

Benchmark decision, Sykora replaced with Satan?

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April 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"In the frantic, final 8 minutes and 16 seconds of Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers it was all hands on deck, with one notable exception. Pascal Dupuis played with Evgeni Malkin and Ruslan Fedotenko. Max Talbot played with Malkin and Fedotenko. Craig Adams played with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Adams played with Crosby and Talbot, and with Jordan Staal and Talbot. "We had the blender going," Penguins assistant coach Tom Fitzgerald said Wednesday. The only constant was that Petr Sykora never left the bench. He was on the ice when Daniel Carcillo sliced the Flyers' deficit to 2-1 at 11:44 of the third period, but not thereafter. Sykora emerged from the Penguins' 3-1 victory having ..."

Energy, confidence go long way for Flyers

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April 20

Philadelphia Daily News

"IT WOULD have made perfect sense if the Flyers had walked into the Wachovia Center feeling as if their season was collapsing.Certainly that has been the feeling from outside the team.Down two games-to-none after blowing a lead in regulation and losing on penalties in overtime in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoff series with Pittsburgh, the Flyers were not in any position to feel confident.But Mike Richards didn't see it that way."Right when I got here, I was just kind of talking around and you could just feel the energy and the confidence," the Flayers captain said. "Confidence is such a big part of the game in playoffs. I kind of just sensed we had it and had energy and that we were going ..."

Fletcher likely GM candidate

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April 18

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"At least two NHL clubs, Colorado and Minnesota, are shopping for a general manager, and a few others might be in coming weeks. But, for the moment, no team has asked Penguins general manager Ray Shero for permission to discuss a job with his assistant, Chuck Fletcher. Shero won't be shocked, though, if he does receive such a request. "I think Chuck definitely is ready to be a general manager," Shero said. "I would expect him to be a candidate for several of these jobs, so we'll see what happens." Shero brought in Fletcher, 41, during the summer of 2006, a few months after Shero was hired to succeed Craig Patrick. Fletcher came from Anaheim, where he had spent four seasons in the front ..."

Satan put on re-entry waivers; deadline noon

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April 10

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Veteran winger Miroslav Satan was put on re-entry waivers by the Penguins yesterday and will rejoin the team if he clears by noon today. Satan was assigned to Wilkes-Barre of the American Hockey League at the March 4 trade deadline for salary-cap purposes, but because of technical issues, there now is room for him under the team's cap for the weekend. The cap is not in play during the playoffs. He can't appear this season, including the playoffs, for any NHL team that might claim him and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, but someone could claim him to block the Penguins from having him for the postseason. The Penguins signed the former New York Islander last summer ..."

Malkin has disciplinary hearing with the NHL

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March 21

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins center and NHL leading scorer Evgeni Malkin had a disciplinary hearing with the NHL by phone after the team's practice today at Southpointe. The league is investigating Malkin's hit on Los Angeles winger Wayne Simmonds in the final minute of the Penguins' 4-1 win last night at Mellon Arena. Any suspension handed down to Malkin would be expected before the Penguins' important Eastern Conference showdown with Philadelphia at home tomorrow afternoon. Malkin has not missed a game this season and tops the NHL with 104 points."

Malkin expected to play tonight

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March 17

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Penguins center Evgeni Malkin participated in the team's morning skate today at Mellon Arena and is expected to play tonight against Atlanta. Malkin, who leads the NHL with 97 points, sat out Monday's practice because of an unspecified illness. He was on the ice 15 minutes early for the morning skate and indicated briefly afterward that he is good to go. "He came in with a smile on his face, and I think that means he's feeling better," Penguins interim coach Dan Bylsma said."

Satan added to Baby Penguins' playoff roster

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March 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Winger Miroslav Satan almost certainly will participate in the playoffs this spring. The question is, in which league? Satan, who was assigned to the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre last week, is scheduled to participate in a practice with the Baby Penguins for the first time today. Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said this morning that Satan will be placed on Wilkes-Barre's 22-man Clear Day playoff roster, but he also could rejoin the Penguins for the NHL playoffs if they qualify. Shero said he has given Satan no guarantees that he will be brought back, however."

Penguins Trade Rumors