Orpik and Scuderi invited to USA Hockey Olympic Camp.

Two Pittsburgh Penguins, and some former members of the Pens as well, were invited to the USA Hockey Olympic Camp.
Both Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi have been invited to participate in the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Orientation Camp next month. USA Hockey will hold the orientation camp from Aug. 17-19 at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodbridge, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. The Olympic tournament runs from Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver.

Players invited:
Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas

Defensemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney

Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byflugien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny


-pittsburghpenguins.com
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432251

Stanley Cup win had help from people no longer a part of the Pens.

A great article by Joe Starkey of the Tribune Review reminds us that it is not only the current members of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and team that we should give credit to when winning this year's Stanley Cup. Starkey mentions Ryan and Greg Malone, Gary Roberts, Craig Patrick, Michel Therrien, among others. All the members that had a part in rebuilding the Pens and building through the draft deserve a great deal of credit for the product on the ice that won the Stanley Cup on June 12th. It took many years to get to where we are today as a team. Anyone who has had any effect on this team deserves some credit for this year's spectacular win.

Also, how great is it that Malone was contacting Starkey on his way to Colby Armstrong's wedding in Atlanta this past weekend. Malone said that the Penguins feel like a kind of family to him and though he may not get to be a part of this Stanley Cup win, he had an effect on the team and he was rooting for the Pens, like he has all his life. I am sure the former and current members of the Pens that were together at Colby's wedding celebrated the championship.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_630435.html?source=rss&feed=8

Ryan Malone rooting for the Pens.

I don't find it a surprise that Ryan Malone is rooting for the Pens in the post season. He began his career here and grew up here rooting for the Pens. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that he is rooting for the Pens, even if he did sign the large deal with Tampa Bay. His rights were traded to the Lightning though. While he acknowledges that maybe now he would have waited to see if Hossa signed with the Pens before he did anything, he says he does not regret anything. I shouldn't assume, but I am sure there is a part of Ryan Malone that wishes he were still a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had great friends here and he had to live through a tough year with the Lightning struggling and now the Pens are in the Eastern Conference Final. I am sure he would still love to be playing for a chance to win the Cup, who wouldn't?
There have even been rumors that Malone has asked to come back to Pittsburgh. I don't know if these rumors are true at all, but who knows?

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=423238

2nd pre-season game tonight against Tampa Bay. Malone in line-up.

It is well known that a handful of former Penguins now play for the Tampa Bay Lightning. One of the most popular being Ryan Malone. A player born and raised in Pittsburgh and who came to be a fan favorite. I knew Malone would be leaving once I heard that he was the last one in his stall with his uniform still on and crying after the loss in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. He knew his time in Pittsburgh was over and therefore, so did I. Now, he says that he would have taken less money to stay here and that he was sure a deal could have been done a long time ago. Yes, Shero was holding out on a few players to see what would be best for the team and Malone may have been brushed to the side a little bit. However, I do not blame either side for the split. Malone apparently had offers he could have accepted, whatever the reason behind it, he did not. Shero was holding out hope for Marian Hossa to sign here and was wondering how much money it would take to do so. Then, the business side of hockey came in, a deal could not be reached between Malone and the Pens and Malone's rights were traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with Gary Robert's, another fan favorite. It would be easy to pin the blame on Shero or Malone for this matter, but there is no point in doing so. These things happen and I wish Malone the best of luck with his career and I will always be a fan of his. He had his best season last season on a line with Evgeni Malkin, and I am sure he is gracious for that opportunity and his time here in Pittsburgh.


However, I do hope that the Pens have an exciting pre-season game tonight and I hope the outcome goes in our favor. Tonight's game will not be filled with the Pens best players, that is to be expected in pre-season games though. This is a game where many players looking to make the final roster will have to give their best skill to make the decision hard. Whoever does not make the team, it is their own fault.