We are four days away from the NHL Entry Draft and it should make the rest of this week pretty exciting. The days leading up to the draft are full of speculation, rumors, player movement and it all culminates with the selection of the stars of tomorrow.

I will be away for a few days on a much needed camping trip, but I wanted to leave you guys with some news and notes. Though I will be roughing it, I will have access to my netbook if anything Penguins related were to break while I am gone...so look for updates from the lake!

On to tonight’s update...

First of all, the Penguins free agency picture is coming into focus. Here is an update on a handful of the biggest names on the Penguins UFA list...

First of all, Rob Scuderi...from what I understand, he hasn’t been approached with an offer as of yet. I am surprised by that, as I would have expected the team to feel him out prior to the draft. I am sure there could be some communication between the two sides in Montreal, as the GMs and agents are all in one place, but it would be helpful to know if the sides are even in the same ball park. Might they consider moving his rights, as they did with Ryan Malone’s last year? I guess we will find out...I still feel like he might be willing to take a discount to remain part of a team that will give him a great shot at winning each season.

Bill Guerin has apparently been told exactly what the Penguins are willing to pay him and as the Tribune Review’s Rob Rossi put it today, “the puck is on his stick.” I really expect a deal to be finalized with him over the next week. I cannot say that I have seen a trade deadline acquisition get so emotionally invested in a team as did Guerin. He has made no effort to hide his enthusiasm for the Penguins and he has credited the team for making the game fun again.

Almost everyone involved has denied that Ruslan Fedotenko has received a multi year offer from the Penguins. Dan Bylsma is a big fan of his and the team would love to have him back in the fold. He really seemed to capture some chemistry with Evgeni Malkin and Max Talbot. Look for the two sides to get talking soon...

Petr Sykora is probably going to be gone. It seems that he feels a change could be good for both sides... here is the report that originally came to light on Thursday over at KuklasKorner.com...

Roman Jedlička and Dusan Volejníka at Nova Sport (not translated) report Petr Sykora feels it is in the best interest of both the Penguins and himself that they part ways. Sykora still wants to play in the NHL for 2-3 years but since Bylsma took over the team, he has witnessed his ice time diminish drastically.

He is still recovering from a broken right foot and won’t be 100% until mid-July.

Direct quote from Sykora (translated)- “It is possible I could stay in Pittsburgh, but I feel it is better for both the Penguins and me that I go to another NHL team.”

Max Talbot has told the hockey world via his RDS blog that he needed to get some minor surgery on his shoulder. It mustn’t be serious, as he is expected to participate in a golf tournament on July 3. Here is the link to the blog... it also provides a great look into Talbot’s mindset as he scored the only two Penguin goals in securing the team’s first Stanley Cup in 17 years.

Thanks to RJ over at the Lets Go Pens message board for finding the link...

Max Talbot's RDS Blog


If you didn’t get to tune in live tonight, please download the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast. We had a great conversation with Angela Carducci of Inside Hockey, who was live in Detroit covering game seven of the Stanley Cup Final. She shared her feelings on watching the Pens lift the Cup and shared the vibe that was going on in the Joe. Then we had a great chat with Jesse Marshall of Faceoff-Factor.com, who gave us 3 names to keep an eye on come draft day when the Penguins hit the podium for their first round pick. Sam Woo popped in and we even got a call from a Conn Smythe winner... har har...



Lastly, congratulations to the Penguins for being the top earner during the league-wide Beard-a-thon. The team raised $113,000 dollars, once again showing how amazing the fan base is here in Pittsburgh when it comes to supporting anything Penguins.

Here is the release...

The 2009 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins led all teams in the first annual playoff “Beard-a-thon”. Over 1,700 Penguins’ fans grew playoff beards and raised $113,541 for the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

“Once again our fans have shown that they are the best fans in the NHL,” said Penguins president David Morehouse. “Their generosity, passion and commitment are inspiring to all of us.” Tom Grealish, President of the Mario Lemieux Foundation added, “Proceeds from the Beard-a-thon will allow the Lemieux Foundation to continue our important cancer and neonatal projects.”

Across the nation, nearly 7,000 hockey fan participated in the Beard-a-thon and, combined raised nearly $400,000 for local charities. Among the nine participating teams, the Boston Bruins were second raising $93,659 and the Carolina Hurricanes third, raising $55.071. The top fundraiser nationwide was former NHL player and current Director of Development for the Boston Bruins Foundation, Bob Sweeney. Bob raised $21,563 for his playoff beard. The Penguins’ top fundraiser was Robbie Hofmann who generated $9,039 for the cause.

The Beard-a-thon encouraged fans to “grow one for the team” for the duration of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and have their friends, family, and business associates pledge them. Fans who were unable, or unwilling to grow a playoff beard, could also pledge their favorite NHL player or build a virtual playoff beard on the website. Proceeds from the Beard-a-thon benefited local team charities.

As I said above, I will be checking in periodically from my much needed vacation... have a great week everyone...

One last thing...this is pure MAGIC...



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