Crosby cleared for the runway, but not for takeoff (yet)

Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact.  He'll be practicing with the team this week and will not return any earlier than Sunday against Boston.

There were a few pieces of information that I thought were interesting buried in the article:

• Sid took a shot in the neck to reduce the inflammation in his C1 and C2 joints in the neck.  It seems to have produced some results.
• He has been symptom-free for "a few days".
• Last time he was cleared, it took six weeks before he came and played in a game.  Hopefully this time won't be as long.

Merry Christmas, Deryk Engelland!

Engelland was suspended for three games by the NHL for his hit on Marcus Kruger on Tuesday night.

I think that might be a bit too steep, but let's face it - he absolutely went high on a hit, and unnecessarily so.  He also made direct contact with the head as a result of going high on the hit.  I'm not sure if he was trying to pull up and that's why he went high, but it doesn't really matter - you can't do that in the NHL today.

I have no problem with the message that is being sent.

Engelland is eligible to return for the Pens game on New Year's Eve in New Jersey.

Now, can we talk about a suspension for Niklas Kronwall, who seems to launch himself on EVERY hit?

Crosby, Park Injury Updates

Sid is out indefinitely (again) with some concussion-like symptoms, though he has checked out okay on his tests.

Richard Park has a fractured foot and is out for 4-6 weeks.

Aside from obviously missing Sid tremendously, the team will miss Park's veteran presence.

This does, however, secure Joe Vitale's spot in the lineup for at least 4-6 weeks, however.

Kinda makes you wish the Pens hadn't traded Marc Letestu as well.  There isn't much help at center in Wilkes-Barre.  Ben Street is playing well, but he's not currently property of the NHL Penguins, so there must not be much thought of playing him in the NHL.

Sidney Crosby - Cleared for Contact

Everyone on the planet will soon know... Sid has been cleared for contact in practice.

He'll stay this was in practice and see how it goes.  The Pens don't have too many practices with contact because of their schedule, but this could be a blessing in disguise, as it will allow Sid to ease into things.

It will be great to see him back on the ice in game action, and this is a big step in getting him here.

Chris Kunitz signs two year extension

The Pens signed Chris Kunitz to a two year contract extension today with a cap hit of $3.725 M over the next two seasons.  It will keep his cap number exactly the same as it is currently.

The two main knocks on Kunitz are

• Lack of size
• Becoming injury-prone (he missed 32 games in 09-10 and 16 games in 10-11)

Having said that, getting a top 6 forward with speed, who isn't afraid to be physical (despite his slight frame) is a big plus.

This move ensures that the Pens will have a solid top 6 locked in up front for next season.  Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Kennedy and now Kunitz are under contract.  James Neal is a restricted free agent, which means the Pens can retain him should they choose to.  Dupuis and Letestu are also in that conversation (and under contract for next year).

Great move by Ray Shero.

Meet your 2011-12 Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins made their final roster moves today.  To summarize, they:

• Sent Joe Morrow back to his junior team
• Sent Alexandre Picard, Jason Williams and Brian Strait to Wilkes-Barre (Williams and Picard have to clear waivers)
• Placed Sidney Crosby, Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Petersen, Robert Bortuzzo and Boris Valabik on IR

The Pens are carrying 14 forwards, 7 defensemen and two goalies.

The surprise at forward has to be Joe Vitale, who made the team through hard work and determination.  Congratulations to him - I think he would make a great third or fourth line center.

Your regular scratch candidates (once the health of Orpik is proven) would be Lovejoy / Engelland / Niskanen on defense (whoever is struggling gets to sit).  At forward, where they'll need to sit two, it will depend on the opponent.  Most nights, you sit MacIntyre along with one of Asham / Park (or Sullivan, if he needs a rest).  If it's a physical game, you probably sit Vitale and maybe Sullivan?

I'm glad I don't have to make the picks on who is scratched.

Things will become very interesting when Crosby and, to a lesser extent, Jeffrey return.  Depending on how Sullivan and Park are working out, that could certainly force Vitale back to the minors and maybe boot Letestu (but I sure hope not).

Here are the opening night forwards, in no particular order:
Malkin, Neal, Sullivan, Kunitz, Staal, Dupuis, Cooke, Kennedy, Letestu, Asham, Adams, Park, Vitale and MacIntyre

The defense:
Letang, Orpik, Martin, Michalek, Lovejoy, Engelland, Niskanen

The goalies:
Fleury, Johnson

The season opens Thursday night in Vancouver!  Can you believe it's here already?