Season Preview: Evgeni Malkin

″I hope people understand this is (a) new me,″ Malkin said. ″I've changed my workouts because maybe I was lazy before. Maybe I just played hockey, and that (was) good enough, but (there) is more for me to do."
″My motivation now is very good.″ Additionally Malkin stated that he was, "coming for foreskins," and that, "he forgot his sense of mercy back in Chernobyl."

The other 29 teams better keep their heads up, because it looks like this season Evgeni Malkin is taking over.  From watching him play and reading his interviews, it looks like Malkin is taking his game to a whole new level, and taking no prisoners.

This article by Pittsburgh Trib writer Rob Rossi, confirms what Pens fans have been waiting all off-season to hear. Malkin is coming back from injury with a vengeance. In that article you can find Malkin's daily schedule, which is notably missing his half hour "Mock Gretzky" sessions, and his favorite two exercises ("Team Lifting: Literally Putting the Team on His Back" and "Kicking Down Doors Into Business Meetings").

Believe me, I hate to come off as a homer by writing Malkin's praises before the season starts, but he just looks so solid that it's hard for any analyst to not take notice. 

Jake's Take: NHL Playoffs and Predictions

Well folks it’s that time of year. Time for beards to be growing and blood to start flowing. (yes I know it rhymed and I’m damn proud of it.)

Now I know this post is coming a tad bit late, but I plan on giving my insight into the future of the 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL Playoffs Day 3: Defensive Collapse

Four games were played last night, all of them being game 2's of the series. Last nights games featured much more scoring than seen in the previous nights.

Tampa Bay 5 vs. Pittsburgh 1 (Game 2)

-Tampa came out firing and never looked back.  They scored on their first two shots of the game which proved to be enough.  This was an ugly game for Pittsburgh and Marc-Andre Fleury.  It will be interesting to see how they respond at the St. Pete Times Forum.

NHL Playoffs Day 2: A Reoccurring Trend

Last nights games concluded all of the game ones in the series.  The games featured two shutouts and a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory. Credit goalies Carey Price and Ryan Miller with the shutouts.  Joe Pavelski scored in overtime for the Sharks.

Montreal 2 vs. Boston 0 (Game 1)

-Montreal was simply too much for Boston to handle as they go on to win 2-0.  Habs captain Brian Gionta netted both goals for Montreal and Carey Price was solid in net as he stopped all 31 shots he faced.  The win snaps Price's 8 game playoff losing streak.

Opening Night of the NHL Playoffs: Goalies Stand Tall

Day one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in the books.  5 of the 8 series have begun and things are already shaping up to be interesting.  Two goalies, Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury and Vancouver's Roberto Luongo, recorded shutouts for their teams. One game ended in with a thrilling overtime finish, and one lower seed defeated the higher seed.

NHL Playoff Predictions

With the NHL playoffs upon us, Adam and I would like to take a look at each individual matchup and our predictions. We will start with the West.


THE WEST:

               (#1 Seed Canucks)                         (#8 Seed Blackhawks)


Evan's Prediction: Canucks win in 7.
Adam's Prediction: Canucks win in 6.
Our take on the series: Chicago is a huge threat, especially as the #8 seed.  Expect them to give the Canucks a run for their money or even pull out a series win.  Statistically though, Vancouver is just too good. They have to President's trophy, the Sedin twins, and Luongo.

Brooks Bratten on the Upcoming Islanders/Pens Rematch

Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins remember what occurred on February 11^th of this year. They remember Matt Martin applying a sucker punch that barely missed the skull of Max Talbot. They remember Trevor Gillies throwing a flying elbow into the face of Eric Tangradi, and then continuing to throw punches on the defenseless winger as he lay on the ice. They remember Michael Haley goading Brent Johnson into his second brawl in nine days, and Eric Godard coming off of the bench to protect his goaltender.

The massacre on Long Island is still fresh in my mind, and I imagine I am not the only fan of the flightless fowl that shares these vivid images. That game was scary to watch. It was frightening to come to the realization that what I was witnessing was not hockey; not the game I love, but a gongshow that has no place in professional sports.

The thing that scares me now is that there is still one more visit to Long Island looming on the calendar. Friday night, the Penguins will faceoff at the Nassau Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, against the Islanders.

Crosby Cleared To Practice; Return Is Imminent

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has been cleared to return to the teams morning skates today by team doctors.

What does this mean for the Penguins? Well, this is just one more very important step that Crosby is taking to eventually return from his concussion.  Unfortunately, he is just returning to the teams morning skates, and not their full practices but this is still great news for the Penguins and their fans.  

When GM Ray Shero made the announcement, he also mentioned that the team does not expect Crosby to return during the regular season which would mean he will most likely make his return in the playoffs.  If that was not the case, there would be no reason for him to even practice at all.  

Before Crosby was injured January 5th against the Lightning, he was leading the league in scoring with 32 goals and 34 assists in just 41 games.  

Matt Cooke Recieves Big Suspension for Brutal Elbow

Today Penguins enforcer, and noted NHL villain, Matt Cooke received a suspension that will cover the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. A suspension of such length covers at least 14 games and at most 17.


Last Sunday Cooke delivered an unnecessary elbow to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh. It has been implied that the NHL is using this hit as an example as Cooke is a repeat offender and the hit showed intent to injure. Cooke will forfeit over $200,000 in salary

The Penguins general manager Ray Shero offered this statement:
“The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind of hit we’re trying to get out of the game. Head shots have no place in hockey. We’ve told Matt in no uncertain terms that this kind of action on the ice is unacceptable and cannot happen. Head shots must be dealt with severely, and the Pittsburgh Penguins support the NHL in sending this very strong message.”

As a Pens fan, I am disgusted and disappointed with Cooke. He deserves every punishment the NHL offers him.

The Beauty of Twitter in the NHL, Pt.3

Tonight's literary gem comes to us from Penguins power forward Eric Tangradi, who is dealing with some tough decisions apparently...

Is there any greater sign that times are changing?

Jake's Take: Violence in the NHL

If you've been paying attention to the hockey world (I would assume you have considering the site) than you know of the unfortunate accident between Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty. As an objective fan of hockey and as someone who has played the sport for most of his life, I can tell you one thing I have learned throughout all of my experiences.

Shit happens.

It is a terribly unfortunate accident that Max Pacioretty broke a vertebra and may be out for the rest of the season, let alone his career, however, after watching the video countless times, Chara showed no intention of hitting Pacioretty into the meridian. It was an unfortunate circumstance that is all too familiar in hockey.


Which brings me to my next point.

Violence in the NHL sure has seemed to be getting a lot of attention in the NHL ever since the season hit midway through this year. Now, as some of you know, I am a die-hard Penguins fan. I love the team, the organization and just about everything about them. I’ve grown up with them; my father has grown up with them and as most of you know my brother has grown up with them. So, while I may have a few certain biases to the Penguins, I leave them at the door when I am either on Ice Talk or on this site. I tell you this because of the subject we’re on.

Make the jump for more of my take

Penguins Bylsma Receives Extension

Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins and head coach Dan Bylsma have agreed to a 3 year contract extension.  This deal will keep Bylsma with the Penguins until the 2013-14 season.

Pens Add Scoring Depth Among Other Trades Today

Just after recently acquiring James Neal and Matt Niskanen, Penguins GM Ray Shero made another move today trading for former Penguin All-Star Alex Kovalev.

Pittsburgh will trade a conditional 7th round pick in exchange for the talented winger.  Kovalev, who is celebrating his 38th birthday today, also had to waive his no-trade clause to re-join the injury ridden Pens.

Pens Trade Goligoski; Recieve Neal and Niskanen

Just minutes ago, Penguins GM Ray Shero pulled the trigger to acquire forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski. This move helps out Pittsburgh who is in desperate need of help after losing roughly 10 players due to injury within the past month or so. "O" face.

The biggest player in the deal for the Penguins is left winger James Neal who has 21 goals and 18 assists in 59 games. Neal will provide a scoring punch to a team who hasn't been completely healthy in a long time.

In addition to Neal, the Penguins receive Matt Niskanen, who in my opinion is more solid defensively than Goligoski, but lacks the point production that Goligoski brings to the team.

Touch the stars kid.

As for Dallas, Goligoski is a solid puck moving defenseman with a bright future ahead of him, but I really feel like they overpaid on this one. He's having a career season for sure, and he has a good amount of skill, but I just have a bad feeling about the way this trade will pan out for Dallas.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting trade, and it'll be fun to see if the Pens or Stars are looking to make any more moves in the near future.

My instincts say they are.

NHL Dishes Out Suspensions

The NHL has chosen to suspend 3 players and fine the New York Islanders organization $100,000 following Friday's brawl between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders.

INCIDENT: Islanders forward Matt Martin sucker punches Penguins forward Max Talbot at center ice.

Poor quality, but you get the picture.  Martin suspended 4 game.

Predators Acquire Fisher

Today, the Nashville Predators traded a 1st round pick and a conditional 2nd/3rd round pick in exchange for Ottawa forward Mike Fisher.  

Fisher, more prominently noted for being Carrie Underwood's husband, is set to make 4.2 million until the 2013 season.  What a trade for Ottawa. They dump salary, and get a first round with the potential to get a second round pick as well. This is the beginning of the Senators massive "1 year rebuild" plan.  

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: The NHL Trade Deadline.

February. Possibly the most important month of the year in reference to the future of a hockey club. Teams fight to get themselves in the playoff picture before the final stretch into the playoffs, or they struggle to retain their dignity while letting the rest of the lost season play out... not pointing fingers but....

It's been a long year, better luck next 100 million dollar contracted superstar.

Regardless of standings, one of the highlights of the season is about to occur.

February 28th at 3 p.m. is the scheduled trade deadline for the NHL. Teams without hope will look forward to the draft, and teams on the edge of the playoffs will look into risky deals to give themselves a better shot at the cup, presenting interesting trade scenarios.

Make the jump..