On to the Blue Jackets.

Yesterday's game taught opposing teams, once again, why it is never good to make Evgeni Malkin angry. Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson threw a punch at Malkin while he was down and I am sure Roloson will think twice before doing that again. Malkin went on to score some amazing goals. After an exciting game against the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday with an 8-1 win featuiring a hat trick from Evgeni Malkin though, the Pens will need to focus on this afternoon's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Consol Energy Center. Hopefully, the Pens still have some goals left to score today.

The Blue Jackets have no chance of making the playoffs this spring and are making quite the run at finishing dead last in the NHL. They are well on their way to accomplishing that feat. With a dismal season, that started out with 8 winless games, they have been active lately in the trade market making some trades and their best player this season, who is having one of his worst seasons, Rick Nash, has been a trade deadline storyline for a good bit of time lately.
With an 18-36-7 record and no chance at making the playoffs, that makes the Blue Jackets a desperate team. After playing yesterday, the Pens are going to need to be focused and prepared to play an exciting game like they accomplished yesterday. They need to take the Blue Jackets seriously and complete another win today.
Goalie Brad Thiessen is starting in his first NHL game this afternoon as it has been reported that back-up Brent Johnson "tweaked" something in practice on Thursday. Thiessen, 25, has been a reliable goalie this season in the AHL for the Baby Pens, posting a 20-14-2 record and 2.88 goals-against average in 37 games. Just alst season the goalie had a career year for the Baby Pens, winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goaltender and teaming with partner John Curry to capture the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award as the goaltending duo to allow the fewest goals in the AHL. We will see how he handles his first NHL game this afternoon. The Pens need to be sure to play a tight game in front of him and be a tough team to play against like they have been doing as of late.

With the trouble Brent Johnson has had this season, some are saying this could be the end for him with the Pens. Jack Johnson will make his Blue Jackets debut today against the Pens. Also, if the rumors and anticipation of Rick Nash are true, this could be his last game with the Blue Jackets this season.
This trade deadline has featured resignings of some players that were expected to be traded, with players like Ales Hemsky and Tuomo Ruutu, which shows that the market just is not that great and prices are high for others. Still, we have a little over 24 hours to see what happens in this year's trade deadline.

Pens recall Thiessen.

It was announced this morning that goaltender Brad Thiessen was called up from the Baby Pens.
Talks have been going on recently about the back-up goalie situation for the Pens as Brent Johnson has not had the best season as back-up and has been pulled in 3 of his last 5 starts.
Brent Johnson is not on the ice for practice this morning. Thiessen has not arrived yet and is not at practice either.

Thiessen may be getting a look at the NHL level with this call-up.
Thiessen has posted a 20-14-2 record with a 2.88 goals-against average. He is tied for 4th in the AHL with 20 wins.

Tangradi called up.

It was announced this evening that Eric Tangradi has been called up from the Wilkes Barre Scranton Baby Pens. Tangradi currently leads the Baby Pens in goals with 7 and that is good to have him ranked 10th in the AHL for goals. He is second on the team in points with 12 points in 12 games.
Tangradi just had a 2-goal game in a 4-2 win against Norfolk.

Pens trade Letestu.

Yesterday it was announced that the Penguins traded Mark Letestu to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exhange for a 4th round draft pick at the 2012 draft.
We knew it was coming. Letestu was struggling early in this season and with some players starting to get healthy, he became the odd man out. If we would have sent him down to the Baby Pens, he probably would not clear waivers, get picked up by another team and the Pens would get nothing in return. By trading him, the Pens got something out of the transaction.
Best wishes and good luck in your career, Mark!

Pens face Sharks tonight.

The Pens are in San Jose to take on the Sharks tonight, which means a late start, 10:30 p.m.
Jordan Staal and Kris Letang are game-time decisions to play tonight and Alex Picard was called up from the Wilkes-Barre Sranton Baby Pens as a precaution. We'll have to wait and see who plays tonight.

Zbynek Michalek, who broke his finger a week and a half ago in a game against the Devils, skated today after the morning skate. His revovery was timed at 4-6 weeks.

The Pens haven't had much luck when playing in San Jose against the Sharks, so the Pens will be looking for a win tonight and also look to get back on track for their stellar penalty-killing, as it did not fare so well against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

I am sure, like me, all of you are anxious to see the Pens play again. It was the longest break of the season so far for the Pens and I know some of you were uneasy waiting so long, but the Pens are finally back tonight. Don't fall asleep between periods though, or if you do, make sure you have someone or something waking you up, don't want to miss a second of any game action tonight!

John Hynes named Assistant Coach of Baby Pens.

This past weekend, John Hynes was named the Assistant Coach of the Baby Penguins. He will be working with head coach Todd Reirden this upcoming season.

"Hynes, 34, has spent the past six seasons as a head coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, posting an overall record of 216-113-19-9. In 2008-09 he was head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Development Team, going 42-17-6."

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=463412

Pens sign goaltender John Curry.

John Curry was expected to re-sign with the Pens and he did so a few days ago. Curry signed a 2-way contract.
"Curry registered a 33-15-1 record in 50 games last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), earning a .916 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average. He made seven post-season appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting a 4-3 record, a .885 save percentage and a 3.36 goals-against average."
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=458027


The Penguins also signed 2 forwards that look to be fixtures with the AHL Baby Pens. The Pens signed Wade Brookbank and Wyatt Smith to one-year contracts.

For stats and more info on these players:
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=457958

Pens sign Lovejoy and Wallace.

The Penguins have signed Defenseman Ben Lovejoy to a one year contract and forward Tim Wallace to a two year contract it was announced today. It is believed that Wallace's contract is a 2-way deal.
With the loss of some defensemen from our roster and limited cap space, members who played most of last season with the Baby Pens are going to be battling for spots in the upcoming training camp.


http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=442676

Reirden named head coach of Baby Pens.

Todd Reirden has agreed to a multi year contract to be head coach of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. He was serving as interim head coach ever since Bylsma was called up to be coach of the Pens on February 18th.


http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=423313

Pens recall players from WBS.

This past weekend the Pens called up 5 Baby Pens players: forwards Dustin Jeffrey, Christopher Minard and Jeff Taffe; defenseman Ben Lovejoy; and goaltender John Curry. The Baby Pens were recently eliminated from the playoffs.

Pens re-sign Mark Letestu.

The Pens have re-signed Forward Mark Letestu to a two year contract. Letestu has achieved career highs this season while playing for the Baby Pens and currently sits in third place in scoring on the team.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=415683

Sykora out for tonight's game.

The Pens will face the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7:00 p.m. and they will do so without Sykora. He will miss his third straight game tonight.
The Pens will need to make sure they continue their recent habit of making a high number of shots. The Pens will need to capitalize on their chances because Columbus has a shut-down style of play.

Also, Satan will be reporting to the Baby Pens.

Satan and Thomas clear waivers.

Forgot to mention that Miroslav Satan and Bill Thomas cleared waivers and were sent down to the Baby Pens as well today. Also, Tim Wallace has been re-assigned to the Baby Pens.
I thought some team may try to grab Satan off waivers, but was not all that surprised that he cleared either. He just did not fill the role that he was brought here to fill. Though he seemed to be playing a little better lately, he still lacks some physical play and grit.

Reirden taking over as interim coach of Baby Pens.

Todd Reirden has been named interim head coach of the Baby Penguins. He has been an assistant coach since August. No decision has been made about who the assistant coach will be.
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=409863

Therrien fired, Bylsma replaces him as interim coach.

It was announced Sunday that Michel Therrien was fired as head coach of the Pens and will be replaced by Baby Pens head coach Dan Bylsma as interim coach. Some speculation of this possibility had been floating around since the Pens have fallen in the standings and had lost consistency, but it was still a surprise to most. Therrien said he was "shocked" when it took place and that he "did not see it coming."
I myself thought this was a possibility because of our bad play this season, but since we seemed to be turning it around (until the disgusting 6-2 loss to Toronto on Saturday) it did come as a bit of a surprise to me. I am not sure a coaching change will turn this season around. A coach is not responsible for the way the players go out and play. He can do anything he can to motivate them and help them, but the players have to act themselves. Hopefully, the act of firing the coach will be enough of a message to get this season back on track and keep it there. Therrien believes this team can make it to the playoffs, but I'll believe it when I see the Pens playing like they want to get there and desperate to get there.

Fedotenko could play Saturday.

Fedotenko alternated with Caputi today in practice, maybe being a sign that Fedotenko could return Saturday. If he does, Caputi would most likely be sent down to the Baby Pens.
Crosby did not practice today, still feeling effects of illness, but expects to be in the lineup Saturday.

Apparently, Boucher has asked for a trade. He is obviously not happy that he has not been playing. Right now he has a groin injury.
A lot of calls are coming in for Talbot.
Another rumor is that the Pens are in talks with the Lightning for Marty St. Louis. The Lightning are interested in Talbot, Whitney and Alex Goligoski and Dustin Jeffrey, currently in the AHL. These are just the 4 players that the Lightning are looking at.

Curry named Reebok/AHL player of the week.

Wilkes Barre Scranton Baby Pens goaltender, John Curry was named the player of the week for last week as he had a perfect record going 3-0-0 in his appearances. He stopped 80 of 84 shots and continued his personal win streak to 8 games.
Congrats to Curry and the Baby Pens!

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=408526

Kennedy suspended for 1 game.

Tyler Kennedy got a one game suspension for his fight against Luke Schenn in Saturday's game. Kennedy was suspended per Rule 70.2 which states: “A player who has entered the game on a legal line change... who starts an altercation may be subject to discipline ...”.

As a result of Kennedy's suspension, Luca Caputi was called up from the Baby Pens to participate in tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Minard called up.

Chris Minard was called up from the Baby Pens for tonight's game against the Rangers.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=406623

Jeffrey added to list of players being sent down.

Today, the Pens sent Dustin Jeffrey down to the Baby Pens to add to the three players they have sent down already this week. In 14 games with the Pens this season, Jeffrey had 3 points.(1G and 2A)
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=405771