Zigomanis not likely to return.

Many were hoping that Zigomanis could have been resigned and with news coming of the Craig Adams deal yesterday, many people's hopes were dashed. Though, still as of yesterday, there were some encouraging rumors still coming out about the possibility of signing Zigomanis. Now though, it appears by resigning Craig Adams, the Pens have made their choice and have gone with the cheaper option. Therefore, Zigomanis will not be returning to the Pens. The Pens would have liked to sign Zigomanis, but the cap-space is limited for the Pens and that leaves them in tough situations. I understand the money issue, but I would rather have Zigomanis than Adams. Zigomanis was a face-off specialist and when he was injured this past season, that is when the Pens woes began. This will be a loss for the Pens as they still do not have a player that is solid and consistent on fave-offs, but it is a loss we had to overcome this season and did so.

Also, yesterday the Pens made qualifying offers to 3 players: defenseman Ben Lovejoy, forward Tim Wallace and goaltender John Curry.

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

Pens sign Guerin to 1-year deal.

The Penguins and Bill Guerin agreed to a one year deal yesterday worth $2 million. It is great to see Bill Guerin come back to the Pens. He added some valued veteran presence in the locker room down the stretch and was a great fit on the Pens team. He was a fan favorite as well and they have to like the pay cut he made to stay with the Pens. Billy Guerin said that once he came to Pittsburgh, he felt right here. Now his family will make the move and Guerin will remain a Penguin. It was clear to everyone how much everyone on the team got along with Guerin and the fans picked up on it as well. It seems everyone is happy to welcome back Bill Guerin!

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432180

Pens sign Adams to deal.

The Penguins have signed forward Craig Adams to a 2 year contract worth $1.1 million.

While some worry what this contract means for Mike Zigomanis, it is believed that talks continued for both players this week and that Zigmonanis returning is still a possibility.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432148

2009 Draft.

Since I was not present at the Draft, and I know the bare facts about the players selected, I will post the links to the Pens blog updates from the draft by Sam Kasan.

Draft day 1:
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=431808



Draft day 2:
http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=431943

To vote for the Pens for the ESPYs.

Go to the link below to vote for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dan Bylsma, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin! Lets help represent the NHL and the Pens in an award show that lacks recognition for hockey!

http://www.espys.tv/

Penguins up for several ESPYs.

Well, if any hockey fans actually watch the ESPYs, then they should be happy to hear some nominations, well if you're a Pens fan that is. The Pens team and several members of the team are up for nominations in this year's awards.


"The Pittsburgh Penguins magical 2009 Stanley Cup championship season has earned the club and some individuals on the team nominations for ESPN’s 17th annual award show, The ESPYs.

The Penguins as a team, head coach Dan Bylsma and centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are up for awards.

The Penguins entire team has been nominated for the Best Team Award after winning the franchise’s third Stanley Cup title. If the Penguins win, they would be only the second NHL team to win the award and the first since the New York Rangers took home the honors in 1995. Adding a little hometown intrigue, the Penguins are competing with, among other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers – whom won Super Bowl XLIII in February.

Bylsma is nominated for the Best Coach Award and could become the first NHL head coach to win the honor.
Crosby and Malkin are both up for the Best NHL Player Award. Crosby has taken that title home the past two years and could make it three in a row if he wins. It would be his third ESPY, making the first hockey player to receive three. A win for Malkin would be his first career ESPY.

The Penguins organization has claimed the most ESPYs in the Best NHL Player category by winning five. Along with Crosby’s two trophies, co-owner and Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux has taken the honor on three occasions. "

- pittsburghpenguins.com By Sam Kasan.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=431696