2012-13 Schedule Matrix - Still Waiting

Thursday, July 26, 2012
The schedule matrix for the Penguins should be coming soon! Photo from theahl.com.
We're already two weeks past last year's announcement of the schedule matrix so I figured I'd bring up the topic before it's too late.  The full schedule on who plays who on which dates won't be released until mid-August.  But the matrix of how many times you play each team should be coming soon, especially since the NBA's schedule is supposedly being released today.

Here's a look at the Penguins matrix from last season (2011-12):

EAST DIVISION
Hershey Bears (Washington) (12 games - 6H/6A)
Binghamton Senators (Ottawa) (10 games - 5H/5A)
Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay) (10 games - 5H/5A)
Syracuse Crunch (Anaheim) (8 games - 4H/4A)
TOTAL (40 games - 20H/20A)

NORTHEAST DIVISION
Albany Devils (New Jersey) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia) (2 games - 1H/1A)
TOTAL (18 games - 9H/9A)

ATLANTIC DIVISION
Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Portland Pirates (Phoenix Coyotes) (4 games - 2H/2A)
St. John’s (Winnipeg Jets) (4 games - 2H/2A)
Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins) (2 games - 1H/1A)
Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks) (2 games - 1H/1A)
TOTAL (16 games - 8H/8A)

NORTH DIVISION
Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) (2 games - 1H/1A)
TOTAL (2 games - 1H/1A)

Insights on what fans should expect the 2012-13 matrix to look like after the jump.

Penguins Development Camp Scrimmage Recap Part 2: The Forwards

Monday, July 23, 2012
Top forward prospect Beau Bennett needs a season at the AHL level.

As Penguins beat writer Jonathan Bombulie put it yesterday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward core is going through a complete overhaul. In years past, the Penguins relied on guys like the Bryan Lerg's, Ben Street's and Geoff Walker's of the world to play a vital role while being on AHL-only deals.

This season, young prospects on NHL contracts will be teamed up with some proven, elite AHL talent in the Penguins top minor league affiliate. With the top five scorers from last season moving out or moving up (in Eric Tangradi's case), this is certainly a new era in AHL Penguins hockey.

A look at the forwards in the organization that participated in last weekend's Developmental Camp Scrimmage after the jump.

Former Penguins Moving On

Thursday, July 19, 2012
The WBS Penguins will have a new captain in 2012-13.
Besides the ridiculous offer sheet the Flyers have signed Shea Weber to, 14 years and $100 million, not much going on in the hockey world today.

With that let's take a look at some former WBS Penguins players who have recently signed contracts to play elsewhere:
  • The latest is last year's team captain Ryan Craig, who today signed an AHL-deal to play for the Springfield Falcons (AHL). It's a one year deal.
  • On the Twitter side, we helped break the news of Cal O'Reilly signing overseas to a two-year deal to play for the KHL's Mettalurg Magnitogorsk.
  • Ex-Penguin Chris Minard is also heading overseas as he signed a one-year deal with Cologne of the German league (DEL)
As for the Penguins restricted free agents yet to announce if they've re-signed, that being defensemen Robert Bortuzzo and Alex Grant and forward Eric Tangradi, look for the official word to come out soon as the deadline for them to sign was actually on Monday, July 15th.

Seems like a formality, but we at Highland Park Hockey are doing some investigative reporting and hope to be able to break the news ourselves later today. Stay tuned on our Twitter feed for the latest!

Pens Development Camp Scrimmage Recap Part 1: Goalies and Defesnsemen

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Editor's note: This would have been posted sooner if it wasn't for a late night trip to the ER.

On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins held their annual scrimmage to mark the end of the Development Camp. I decided to make the 565 mile round trip out to the Consol Energy Center, my first visit, to watch the event. I left Pittsburgh very optimistic about the future of the organization heading into the 2012-13 season and beyond.

The event featured the Penguins recent draft choices from the 2012 NHL Draft as well as former 1st round guys including Joe Morrow (2011), Beau Bennett (2010) and Simon Despres (2009).

The scrimmage included a 25 minute 5-on-5 session with an NHL style shootout (3 shooters per team), a quick intermission to clean the ice followed by a second 25 minute 5-on-5 session and an AHL style shootout (5 shooters per team). Since the game was tied after the second session, they decided to add a 3-on-3 sudden death overtime before concluding with the AHL shootout.

All in all, a lot of the guys stood out to me in various ways. After the jump, my insights on the goalies and defensemen from the Development Camp. The forwards will post tomorrow.

AHL Penguins Loading Up for 2012-13

Friday, July 13, 2012
Benn Ferriero is the top six winger WBS needed! Photo from theahl.com
On paper, this looks to be a very talented and deep AHL roster with the addition of forward Benn Ferriero, who signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. The Penguins announced it this morning.

Ferriero, 25, split last season between the Worcester Sharks (AHL) and San Jose Sharks (NHL). In the AHL, he was a point per game player tallying 20 points (9G-11A) in 20 games. At the NHL level, Ferriero continued to score goals with eight points (7G-1A) in 35 NHL games this past season.

He's your classic "tweener" player who has played split time between the NHL and AHL the last three seasons.  He could make a run at a spot in the NHL, but if he doesn't stick with Pittsburgh he will be a go-to scorer in Wilkes-Barre.

Add Ferriero to the long list of newly signed free agents that appear to be slated for AHL duty and the AHL Penguins have to be considered a top-tier AHL club entering the 2012-13 season: goalie Jeff Zatkoff, defenseman Dylan Reese and forwards Riley Holzapfel, Warren Peters, Trevor Smith and Phillipe Dupuis.

In other news, Highland Park Hockey will be in Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon at the Consol Energy Center for the Development Camp Scrimmage. Live tweets of the event with pictures, insights and much more coming soon! Be sure to follow along on Twitter @H_P_Hockey for all the latest.

Penguins Continue to Bolster Blueline

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Mormina adds a veteran presence to a young WBS blue line.

The Penguins announced earlier this morning the re-signing of Joey Mormina to a one-year AHL contract. A good depth move on defense as well as a good veteran presence on what appears to be a very young defensive core in Wilkes-Barre next season.

Big First Day For AHL Penguins

Monday, July 2, 2012
If the Pens don't add any more AHL forwards, Thompson will need to be one of the team's go to scorers on the wing.
Ray Shero didn't land the big name NHL stars like Zach Parise or Ryan Suter on day one, but he did help the AHL club across the board.

He signed an AHL All Star goalie in Jeff Zatkoff , an elite AHL scorer in Trevor Smith, a veteran AHL forward with Calder Cup Finals experience in Warren Peters, a Pittsburgh native on the blue line in Dylan Reese and a former 2nd round pick who was averaging near point per game totals after last season's trade deadline, Riley Holzapfel.

With new arrivals also comes some goodbyes to players who are moving on in their careers.  Ben Street has signed with the Calgary Flames. Bryan Lerg and Geoff Walker have signed with the Colorado Avalanche. Colin McDonald and Brandon DeFazio are headed to the New York Islanders.

Of those leaving, we could see McDonald and DeFazio next season on the opposing side when the Penguins play the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

There will still be some signings to go in the organization, but from an AHL perspective a great first day of free agency for the Penguins. More on each of the new guys after the jump.  


Preparing for Free Agency 7/1

Sunday, July 1, 2012
Will any of the other Penguins players from last years team re-sign like Thiessen?
UPDATE:

Penguins sign forward Riley Holzapfel to a one-year, two-way deal. The former 2nd round pick in 2006 split last season between the St. John's IceCaps and Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, posting a total of 16 goals and 21 assists in 57 games. That is a good depth signing down the middle for the AHL Penguins, especially with the news that Ben Street just signed with the Calgary Flames.
 
 MAC IS BACK!


The Penguins announced that they have re-signed enforcer Steve MacIntyre to a two-year, two-way deal worth $625,000 at the NHL level. And with that, I give you what most people remember MacIntyre for last season.




Penguins sign goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to a two-year, two-way deal that pays him $525,000 at the NHL level. His AHL salary is $105,000. Great addition for the WBS Penguins as he is coming off an AHL all-star year where he won 21 games with the Manchester Monarchs. With Thiessen and Zatkoff signed, the AHL Penguins have two solid goaltenders for 2012-13.

Stay right here for all the latest on what the Penguins and relevant teams do today in Day One of the Free Agent Frenzy. I'll be live blogging this afternoon and into the evening! First reactions on the Twitter side. Follow us @H_P_Hockey if you aren't already!

It's almost that time of the year where hockey fans approach the day with some sense of anticipation. The calendar turns to July which means that the free agent frenzy begins. For the diehards, the 2012-13 season started last weekend in Pittsburgh at the NHL Draft. A quick recap with the help of some knowledgable writers with regards to prospects after the jump.