Yardbarker: Evgeni Malkin

NEWS AND NOTES

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:36 -0500

--That John Van Benschoten-Runelvys Hernandez pitching matchup wasn't quite as bad as advertised, at least by their standards. Both pitchers allowed 10 baserunners out of the 25 batters they faced, but allowed just three and two runs, respectively, in a 9-3 Pirates win over the Houston Astros.

Down 3-2 entering the 9th, the Buccos exploded for seven runs and three home runs, including an inside-the-park variety from Freddy Sanchez, giving a one-night hiatus to the "blow up the Pirates" theories that have surfaced the past week.

Tonight's matchup: LHP Paul Maholm (6-6, 4.10) vs. RHP Jack Cassel (1-0, 6.28), 8:05 p.m., Minute Maid Park. I'm sure you'll be watching.

--USA Today ranked the NFL's best quarterbacks, and Big Ben came in at #8, behind Manning/Brady, McNabb, Hasselbeck, Brees, Palmer, and Romo. And when I thought we were making progress in this department last year.

--The Steelers Super Bowl rings sold for $66,000 on eBay, but an uncorrected error was discovered....30+ years after they were produced.

--Check out this charity raffle and try to win a signed Geno Malkin hockey stick. Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

--I somehow missed this on Sunday, but Bob Smizik said that Penguin fans who boo Marian Hossa are "knuckleheads".

--Here's some great moments in demolition derby history.

--Stealing an idea from Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno posed as a reporter at his NBC exit press conference.

Send your interesting links to mondesishouse@gmail.com for these fun little buffers between "real" posts.

NHL Futures, HNIC Song and Wild 3-Way\

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:59:18 -0500

As good as hockey talk gets in the middle of July. Cup Final prediction, Trade rumors and silly theme songs.

Breaking Down The 08-09 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:54:14 -0500

The NHL schedule is out! What do the defending Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have facing them on their road back to the FInals? And when will Penguins fans get their opportunity to "welcome" Marian Hossa back to Pittsburgh?

MAF IS COMING BACK

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:46:28 -0500

No, he can't play wing, but at least the Penguins can cross goaltender off of their list of concerns for the next seven seasons. The man known as "MAF", Marc-Andre Fleury, is back in the fold with a seven-year deal worth $35 million.

This comes on the heels of yesterday's signings of Brooks Orpik, whose beefs with Michel Therrien seem greatly exaggerated, and Evgeni Malkin, who looks like he's not going to Russia (or the Kings) after all.

Now back to your regularly scheduled Hossa-bashing and Jagr-pining.

PENGUINS LOCK UP FLEURY WITH SEVEN-YEAR, $35 MILLION DEAL [TSN]

JIM COLONY'S EXTRA POINT ON MARIAN HOSSA

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:46:28 -0500

Jim Colony is a jack-of-all trades at ESPN Radio 1250 in Pittsburgh. He hosts, he does the news, he's on the scene...and he's such a nice guy that he's agreed to share the transcripts of his Extra Point segments, which you can hear regularly on 1250. So whenever possible (or whenever Jim feels like sending them), we'll be able to share in the wisdom of a man that sparred with Mark Madden on a daily basis. Enjoy!

JIM COLONY'S EXTRA POINT

I was standing in front of Marian Hossa when, two mornings after losing Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals, Hossa declared that he'd take less money to play for a good team...and did he ever. Of course, we thought he meant the Penguins. Silly us.

Instead, after finally getting the Pens to extend their $7 million-plus offer for up to seven years - and also enticing others to offer multi-year deals (a reported $9 million per from Edmonton) - Hossa signed with a good team, alright...Detroit. For $7.4 million. For one season. One season!

Hossa tried his best to not disrespect Pittsburgh in a conference call yesterday, saying all the right things...but, in fact, Hossa did exactly that. He said the reason he chose Detroit for one season is that it gives him the best chance to win a Stanley Cup. Like playing alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin for seven seasons wouldn't?

Don't think Sid and Geno didn't take note. Now, let's hope for the rematch next spring.

I'M JIM COLONY … ON 1250 ESPN.

Good Riddance (time of your life)

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:14:33 -0500

finally, a guy from the nhl who i hated for a while is gone...good, i always hated that pretty boy jagr girlying up the nhl, hes gone, just one more pu**y to go, lets ship cindy to russia as well

Penguins Free Agency Update

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:57:18 -0500

It has been a week of good news and bad news for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they have seen several roster gains, losses and signings as the free agency market swings into full motion. Ray Shero is quick to emphasize that he managed to keep the core in place, yet he lost his #1 post-season priority as Marian Hossa opted to take a 1-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. While managing to keep their defensive core, centers, and starting goaltender in place, the Penguins have lost the majority of their active wingers to the free agent market.

HOSSA A RED WING - UPDATED

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:43:18 -0500

TSN and the PG are both reporting that Marian Hossa has signed a one-year, $7.4 million deal with the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

Considering the wild contracts allegedly tossed around the past few days, this deal is somewhat surprising, especially considering it's relatively close to the annual numbers the Penguins offered. So much for that "hometown discount".

As expected, Penguin fans are now mostly turning their attention to Jaromir Jagr and Markus Naslund, as well as re-signing some of their own players such as Brooks Orpik.

The long-term ramifications of this signing? I'm going to say this won't sit well with Penguin fans. At all.

RED WINGS SIGN HOSSA TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT [TSN]

Hossa to DET [Letsgopens.com]

UPDATE:

Some good news for a change...

Evgeni Malkin signs an extension: 5 years, $43.5 million

UPDATE 2:

Back to the bad news side...at this point I think we're down to about five or six guys left on the team...

SENATORS, RUUTU AGREE TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

Penguins extend Malkin, lose Ruutu

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:38:59 -0500

The Penguins have signed superstar Evgeni Malkin to a five year extension.

Marian Hossa Stuns The World

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:27:01 -0500

Marian Hossa has signed a mind-boggling deal with the Detroit Red Wings. What could his decision making process have been, and where do the Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins go from here?

WELCOME BACK JAROMIR?

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:15:06 -0500

It's not the plot for a sitcom, it's a genuine possiblity...at least according to sportsnet.ca, the site that's reporting the Penguins have offered a contract to Jaromir Jagr. Let me now pick myself off of the floor, sniff some smelling salts and try to finish this post.

It's been a busy start to free agency today for the Penguins, who've already re-upped Mark Eaton for two years at and Pascal Dupuis for three. They're also reportedly close to an extension for Evgeni Malkin in the $8.5 million/year ballpark, which is looking more and more like a bargain given the early events of this year's UFA market (like 2 years, $20 million for 37-year-old Mats Sundin).

The Pens have also lost their third and fourth free agents of the offseason, watching Ty Conklin go to, of all teams, the Detroit Red Wings and Adam Hall join Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone in Pittsburgh South, Tampa Bay. And Marian Hossa looks like he's ultimately a goner as well, as Edmonton looks to be among the current front-runners for his services.

So yeah, next year's team...probably going to look a little different. On the bright side, you may be able to wear your old Jagr jersey again.

Penguins among teams courting Jagr [Sportsnet.ca]

MALKIN EXTENSION NEAR; PENS RE-SIGN DUPUIS, EATON [TSN]

2008 Free Agent Signings [TSN]

Oilers will throw rich offer Hossa's way [Edmonton Journal via LGP]

Penguins Limp Towards Free Agency

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:55:28 -0500

With just a few days to go before the July 1st opening of the free agency market, the Penguins have so far failed to complete any of their post-season priorities. It was no secret that the Penguins wanted to lock up a long-term deal with Marian Hossa, re-sign Brooks Orpik, and tender a trade prior to the draft to acquire a first round pick. To help with the challenges, the Penguins filed for salary arbitration with Marc-Andre Fleury to buy some time on his contract talks to focus on getting the other deals done. So far, the Penguins have nothing to show for their efforts aside from some public rejections from the players involved.

Malkin staying in America

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:45:46 -0500

It looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins won't have to worry about losing star center Evgeni Malkin to the newly formed Continental Hockey League in Russia. Rumors had been swirling that Malkin had received a very lucrative offer from a team in that league, almost an offer he couldn't refuse. Key word there almost, Malkin's agent J.P. Barry has downplayed all rumors and assured he'd be staying in Pittsburgh.

Atlantic Division 2008 Free Agency Preview

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:20:39 -0500

What will the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins be up to come July 1st? Will the Flyers be able to keep their young talent? How many players will the Penguins manage to keep in tow? Who will the Rangers overpay this year? Will the Devils finally find some offense?

Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Outlook

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:51:15 -0500

A look at contract talk, rumors, who signs and who leaves.....