Nail Yakupov Gets A Less-Than-Iron Ringing Endorsement Wednesday In UFA
Interestingly, in seasons where Crosby and/or Malkin have played at least 70 games, the two nearly have an identical historical scoring range. Crosby has netted between 33 and 51 goals while Malkin has totaled between 33 and 50.
Neal really hasn’t gotten a chance to play in many games with a healthy Crosby and Malkin but he’s scored between 27 and 40 goals when suiting up for at least 70 contests.
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From the Beau Bennett poll, the voters have spoken. The response rate with the most backing (32 percent) is in favor of giving Bennett a chance with the Penguins in 2012-13. He’s reportedly been the best player on the Baby Pens’ power play with his soft hands and playmaking ability. Only 19 percent believe he’d be best served by spending a season or two with Wilkes-Barre before making his NHL debut. For full disclosure purposes – because the poll is so critical that Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma spend hours pouring over our conclusions – I will say that I voted for Bennett to stick in the minors.
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Rob Rossi @RobRossi_Trib
Malkin, Gonchar will wait until camp date is announced by #nhl to return from Russia.
I Almost forgot for a minute Malkin and Gonchar aren’t on the same team in the NHL. Yet.
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Never mess with the Red Cross, code for the Swiss hockey team. Certainly, goalie Melvin Nyffeler was a
”Plus” for the Swiss against Russia on Wednesday. I wonder which team Canada, the United States and Sweden was rooting for, Russia or Switzerland, hmmm?
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NHL Network announcer on Russian Nail Yakupov: “So he goes back to his own zone. Guess what? The pucks on the other side of center ice. No wonder he’s not a factor in the game. Go where the puck is … It’s really hard to believe what you’re watching from Yakupov. It’s like he’s mentally screwed himself into the ground. He’s trying so hard to be THE guy instead of one of the guys. As a result, that line has been ineffective.”
If nothing else, Yakupov’s world junior performance plants a seed of doubt as to how effective he’ll be in Edmonton. I still think the pressure of representing his country is getting to him and he should be fine in the NHL, but you never know until you know.
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I’ve done a 360 on the shootout and now hate it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad Marc-Andre Fleury is one of the best shootout goalies in the NHL but it just doesn’t seem like the right way to end a hard-fought game. Maybe if the shooter had a defenseman draped on him or each team got 2-on-1 breaks, I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem fair to see Disney-On-Ice skills dictate which team gets the “W.” That’s what the All-Star skills competition is for and we know how popular that’s become (sic).
If two teams are tied after five minutes of overtime then give them one point apiece. If anything, make OT 3-on-3 instead of 4-on-4, just don’t end it with Mickey and Minnie.
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I’m becoming more and more fond of Olli Maatta’s NHL future each time I read anything about him.
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“Anton Zlobin Named Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 'First Star' of the Week,” the
Penguins’ Web site reports.
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Anton Zlobin of the Val-d’ Or Foreurs was named Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) ‘First Star’ for the week ending Dec. 31 after tallying four goals and nine total points in a pair of games against Rouyn-Noranda over the weekend.
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Treasure Life!
JT
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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