I'm sure you've heard the news by now that the Penguins have a deal in place to stay in Pittsburgh. Here's a link to the Post-Gazette article.
It's essentially the same as Plan B. Given that is the case, why did it take so long? That's a question that, while no longer terribly important, will be answered once the details of the plan are laid out for the public to see. Something tells me it has to do with a certain table-thumping government official.
This is terrific news for the region. The new building will open in time for the 2009-10 season, though the city is already a few months behind schedule with building demolitions.
Showing posts with label 06-07 News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 06-07 News. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Penguins new arena update
Negotiations have broken off tonight, according to John Fedko of WPXI Television here in Pittsburgh. However, progress has been made, and negotiations will resume on Wednesday.
They're certainly taking their time in getting back together, aren't they?
This is good news, though.
They're certainly taking their time in getting back together, aren't they?
This is good news, though.
Still no word...
It's currently about 11:30 pm (EST), and the Pens are still meeting with government officials in Philly. They've been talking since about 7:00.
This means that no one is pissed enough to walk away just yet. That's a good sign, I guess. I wish I could be more optimistic, but after the slots license debacle... I wouldn't put anything past the state.
I'm going to go watch Pitt try to beat Marquette in the Big East Tournament. Hopefully one local team will win tonight!
This means that no one is pissed enough to walk away just yet. That's a good sign, I guess. I wish I could be more optimistic, but after the slots license debacle... I wouldn't put anything past the state.
I'm going to go watch Pitt try to beat Marquette in the Big East Tournament. Hopefully one local team will win tonight!
No news yet on Philly meeting
In case you hadn't heard, the Pens are meeting with Governor Rendell today in Philadelphia. Commissioner Gary Bettman is also present.
Supposedly, the meetings today will lend a sense of closure to the process, and that a decision will be made one way or another. I'm not sure I buy into the "it's the end" spin, but it wouldn't be a surprise if an agreement was reached today, so long as wonderful Governor Rendell can keep from acting like a spoiled baby, slamming the table with his fists and pointing fingers in people's faces.
Let's hope it gets done.
Supposedly, the meetings today will lend a sense of closure to the process, and that a decision will be made one way or another. I'm not sure I buy into the "it's the end" spin, but it wouldn't be a surprise if an agreement was reached today, so long as wonderful Governor Rendell can keep from acting like a spoiled baby, slamming the table with his fists and pointing fingers in people's faces.
Let's hope it gets done.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Pens acquire Nolan Schaefer
The Pens acquired goaltender Nolan Schaefer from San Jose for a 7th round draft choice. Nolan was assigned to Wilkes Barre.
Minor league goalie. 27 years old. Nothing more to see here. Move along.
Minor league goalie. 27 years old. Nothing more to see here. Move along.
Pens acquire Joel Kwiatkowski
The Pens acquired Joel Kwiatkowski from the Florida Panthers for a fourth round draft pick in 2007.
Kwiatkowski is, according to TSN, a big mobile guy that moves the puck well. Sounds like a Ray Shero kind of fellow. The knocks against him include a lack of willingness to use his size (he's 6'2") and a tendency to make "critical errors".
Not a bad addition. Good size and speed. Maybe a less talented, older version of Ryan Whitney? I'll take it for a 5th or 6th D-man. He hasn't played that much this year, averaging less than 10:00 per game. It will be interesting to see how Therrien uses him.
Kwiatkowski is, according to TSN, a big mobile guy that moves the puck well. Sounds like a Ray Shero kind of fellow. The knocks against him include a lack of willingness to use his size (he's 6'2") and a tendency to make "critical errors".
Not a bad addition. Good size and speed. Maybe a less talented, older version of Ryan Whitney? I'll take it for a 5th or 6th D-man. He hasn't played that much this year, averaging less than 10:00 per game. It will be interesting to see how Therrien uses him.
Pens send Dominic Moore to Minnesota
The Penguins have sent Dominic Moore to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a third round draft pick.
This essentially means that the Pens got Georges Laraque in exchange for Moore and Carcillo.
I liked Dominic Moore, but something had to give with the Pens acquiring two forwards (Roberts and Laraque) while not moving anybody out. I think the writing was on the wall for Dominic. He was a PK specialist, but with the emergence of Max Talbot, he was largely made redundant. The Pens are in good shape on the PK with the play of Army, Staal, Talbot and Malone.
Good luck to Dominic in Minnesota. I think he'll fit in quite well there.
This essentially means that the Pens got Georges Laraque in exchange for Moore and Carcillo.
I liked Dominic Moore, but something had to give with the Pens acquiring two forwards (Roberts and Laraque) while not moving anybody out. I think the writing was on the wall for Dominic. He was a PK specialist, but with the emergence of Max Talbot, he was largely made redundant. The Pens are in good shape on the PK with the play of Army, Staal, Talbot and Malone.
Good luck to Dominic in Minnesota. I think he'll fit in quite well there.
Pens acquire Georges Laraque
The Pens acquired Georges Laraque from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Daniel Carcillo and a third round draft pick.
Laraque is signed through next season. He has a $1.1 million salary this year and $1.3 next. He will essentially make a guy like Ronald Petrovicky unnecessary.
I like the addition of Laraque. He's big (6'3", 240 lbs) and is arguably the best fighter in the NHL. He has decent hands and can contribute offensively. The only thing I don't like is that his skating is sub par.
Giving up Carcillo isn't easy, but considering his possible upside, along with the people already in Pittsburgh, there wasn't much room for him to play.
Hat tip to Will for pointing this one out to me.
Laraque is signed through next season. He has a $1.1 million salary this year and $1.3 next. He will essentially make a guy like Ronald Petrovicky unnecessary.
I like the addition of Laraque. He's big (6'3", 240 lbs) and is arguably the best fighter in the NHL. He has decent hands and can contribute offensively. The only thing I don't like is that his skating is sub par.
Giving up Carcillo isn't easy, but considering his possible upside, along with the people already in Pittsburgh, there wasn't much room for him to play.
Hat tip to Will for pointing this one out to me.
Pens acquire Gary Roberts
The Pens acquired Gary Roberts from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Noah Welch.
I don't like this one. I don't like giving up a guy like Welch, who has a potentially big upside for a guy like Roberts who will improve the team for about two months.
Having said that, I do like the addition of Roberts. He is a tough winger who can score. He also has tons of experience. He should be able to help smooth out the valleys so that they don't hurt the team as much.
I don't like this one. I don't like giving up a guy like Welch, who has a potentially big upside for a guy like Roberts who will improve the team for about two months.
Having said that, I do like the addition of Roberts. He is a tough winger who can score. He also has tons of experience. He should be able to help smooth out the valleys so that they don't hurt the team as much.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Pens close to acquiring Gary Roberts
According to this article in the Post-Gazette, the Penguins are on the verge of acquiring Gary Roberts from the Florida Panthers. Roberts has only waived his no-trade clause for Toronto and Ottawa, so it would seem the team is waiting to see if he'll waive the no-trade clause for them too.
ESPN has an article as well, citing that the Pens would send a player from their roster to the Panthers.
Roberts is 40, but he still averages about 17 minutes per game this season. He can score and also has that gritty quality that Ray Shero seems to like. Roberts will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
TSN has an article about John Muckler, the head honcho in Ottawa. He says that the asking price for guys is too high right now. The name Gary Roberts is specifically mentioned (along with Bill Guerin) as being too expensive. That's not good for the Pens.
I'm not sure who you give up to get Roberts. I don't like that it's a player on the Pens current roster, because I can't imagine giving up someone like Petro, Thorburn or Melichar to get a guy that will play two months for you.
ESPN has an article as well, citing that the Pens would send a player from their roster to the Panthers.
Roberts is 40, but he still averages about 17 minutes per game this season. He can score and also has that gritty quality that Ray Shero seems to like. Roberts will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
TSN has an article about John Muckler, the head honcho in Ottawa. He says that the asking price for guys is too high right now. The name Gary Roberts is specifically mentioned (along with Bill Guerin) as being too expensive. That's not good for the Pens.
I'm not sure who you give up to get Roberts. I don't like that it's a player on the Pens current roster, because I can't imagine giving up someone like Petro, Thorburn or Melichar to get a guy that will play two months for you.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Lemieux to meet with Kansas City today
According to numerous sources, Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle are in Kansas City today meeting with officials about possibly moving the team to that city in time for the beginning of the 2007-2008 season.
I'm hoping this is a move aimed more at due diligence and making sure the local politicos understand the seriousness of the situation. My personal feeling is that Pittsburgh won't be able to match an offer made by another city like Kansas City, Las Vegas or Houston, largely because those places would be willing to overpay for a franchise.
I'm hoping this is a move aimed more at due diligence and making sure the local politicos understand the seriousness of the situation. My personal feeling is that Pittsburgh won't be able to match an offer made by another city like Kansas City, Las Vegas or Houston, largely because those places would be willing to overpay for a franchise.
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