Latest news with #PittsburghPenguins
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Pittsburgh Penguins eye roster refresh: Young stars like Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen lead NHL action
Pittsburgh Penguins (via Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing for a pivotal 2025–26 NHL season, one that could take them in a fresh era led by rising stars like Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen. With a handful of veteran contracts locked in and several pending free agents uncertain to return, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas appears ready to open the door for youth. Top candidates for Pittsburgh Penguins At the front of the pack is top prospect Rutger McGroarty, who made an impressive contribution last season with three points in five NHL games before a foot injury ended his progression. Having played on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, his combination of pace and pugnacity makes him a good bet to make the roster out of camp. Ville Koivunen, who collected seven helpers in eight games of NHL action in the 2024–25 season, is versatile and cool, playing with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, and this gives him a good shot at cementing a full-time spot. On the blue side, Owen Pickering and Jack St. Ivany are serious challengers. St. Ivany recovered from slow starts and injuries early in the season to stay strong in the AHL late, while Pickering played top-four minutes in the NHL last season alongside Kris Letang. Forward Avery Hayes is making waves following an impressive 60-point AHL season. Recently signed to an entry-level deal, he's recognized for his tireless pace and scoring potential. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software Esseps Learn More Undo Filip Hallander, who won Swedish Hockey League Forward of the Year, might finally bring his European success over to the NHL if he impresses in camp. And as for the longer shots, Sam Poulin, Mikhail Ilyin, and Atley Calvert are still worth mentioning. Though they might not make the opening night roster, their excellent play in the AHL or overseas could bring mid-season call-ups. And let us not forget goaltender Joel Blomqvist, whose NHL readiness would be thwarted only by the presence of Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic. Also read: 'Thank you, Pittsburgh': Mike Sullivan leaves Pittsburgh Penguins with emotional billboard message With the Pittsburgh Penguins seeking to close the gap between a veteran-rich core and the future stars, training camp looms as pivotal. With roster room and a clear desire for new energy, the likes of Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen are presented with the golden chance to take the franchise in a certain direction right away. What is certain is that the Penguins are set to provide youth with an opportunity—now it is a matter of waiting for the prospects to seize it.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward prospect Mikhail Ilyin to 3-year, entry-level contract
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward prospect Mikhail Ilyin to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin in the 2025-26 season and will run through 2027-28. Ilyin, 20, spent the majority of the 2024-25 season with the Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL, Russia's top professional league. Billed as a 6-foot-3, 191-pound forward, this past season, he appeared in 64 regular-season games, where he recorded seven goals, 23 assists, and 30 points. Ilyin's assist and point totals were new single-season career highs and ranked third overall on Severstal, per a news release from the Penguins. His 30 points during his 19-year-old season (turned 20 in February 2025) make him one of just eight players in KHL history to accumulate 30-plus points in a single campaign as a teenager, and ties the Cherepovets team record set by 19-year-old Pavel Buchnevich in 2014-15, the news release added. Ilyin made his professional debut in the KHL as a 17-year-old. In 150 career regular-season games, Ilyin has tallied 19 goals, 42 assists, 61 points, and is plus-22. He's also played in 10 career KHL playoff games, recording five assists. Ilyin has also spent parts of the last four seasons with Almaz Cherepovets of the MHL, Russia's top junior league, where he accrued 40 points (eight goals, 32 assists) in 55 regular-season games. Ilyin was drafted by the Penguins in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sidney Crosby, Tkachuk Brothers, Marc-André Fleury Star in Amazon Prime's ‘Faceoff' Season 2 NHL docuseries
Sidney Crosby, known for his private nature and leadership with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is stepping off the ice and into the spotlight. He'll star in Amazon Prime's Faceoff: Inside the NHL Season 2, offering fans unprecedented behind-the-scenes access. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Joining Crosby are NHL stars Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen, and former Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury during his final NHL season, making this docuseries a must-watch for hockey fans. 'Faceoff' Season 2 reveals unseen sides of Sidney Crosby, Fleury , and top NHL players Unlike traditional sports coverage, Faceoff strips away the polished post-game quotes and offers something real. Viewers will see these NHL stars in their most human moments—training, reflecting, interacting with family, and coping with the demands of elite competition. For someone as famously private as Crosby, that's a huge shift. The cameras followed Crosby throughout the 2024–25 NHL season and into the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, capturing his daily routine, quiet leadership, and what drives him after nearly two decades in the league. Fans will finally see the man behind the legend on his own terms, but still far more candid than ever before. This exclusive behind-the-scenes access offers a rare look into the life of one of the NHL's greatest players. Marc-André Fleury's journey is especially emotional, as the series documents his final year in the NHL. A former No. 1 overall pick and Stanley Cup champion, Fleury opens up about life, legacy, and walking away from the game he loves. While fans are excited, not everyone's sold on this level of access. Some critics wonder if revealing too much will chip away at what makes these players so respected, their focus, mystique, and professionalism. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But for many, it's a chance to see that even legends are human. Also Read: With Faceoff Season 2 dropping soon, expect a deeper connection between fans and their favorite NHL stars and maybe a new appreciation for what goes on when the cameras usually aren't rolling. The series captures exclusive behind-the-scenes moments with legends like Sidney Crosby and Marc-André Fleury, revealing the personal side of hockey.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about Penguins coaching search's final stages
PITTSBURGH — We are nearing the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins' search for their next head coach. Kyle Dubas is conducting in-person interviews with candidates this week in Pittsburgh. There is a chance a new coach will be named by the end of this week. Dubas told The Athletic earlier this month that he would like to have his new coach in place by June 1, which is Sunday. Advertisement So, who will it be? Only Dubas knows. He is largely conducting this search on his own. He has his advisers, of course, but ownership has very little say in any of this. This is Dubas' show. Here's what I can tell you: • Mitch Love is on the short list of contenders. He is also a contender for the Boston Bruins job. The Penguins are very impressed with everything Love had to say while interviewing. Dubas and the Penguins are impressed with his involvement in the Washington Capitals' success. The Penguins, in many ways, would like to be the Capitals. They're good defensively. They're tough. They've got a boatload of young players helping their cause. They've rebounded from what looked like a long rebuild and are suddenly contenders again. That's what the Penguins are looking for, and Love knows how to make it happen. He's also familiar with a team featuring young players bundled with an aging superstar in Alex Ovechkin. He checks plenty of boxes. • D.J. Smith, a Los Angeles Kings assistant coach who previously coached the Ottawa Senators, is another candidate who impresses the Penguins. In some ways, the Kings mirror the Capitals. They're tough. They're good defensively. They have a lot of good, young players. They've bounced back quickly after falling from their championship days to become contenders again. You see the theme emerging here. • Jay Woodcroft is another name to keep in mind. He had some success as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers before being dismissed in 2023. He's also been a part of two successful organizations, previously working for the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. The Penguins like him, too. • David Quinn has acquitted himself nicely in his first season with the Penguins. As an assistant on Mike Sullivan's staff, he fixed the power play, which earned him the respect of Pittsburgh's star players. Advertisement Quinn also has plenty of coaching experience, previously guiding the New York Rangers and the Sharks. I wouldn't totally discount his candidacy, but I still think it's a bit of a long shot for Quinn to get this job. I sense that Dubas and the Penguins want to bring fresh blood into the organization. • Sometimes, logistics are a problem. The Penguins like Dallas Stars assistant Alain Nasreddine, who played in the Penguins organization and whose only NHL goal came off a Sidney Crosby assist. It's tough to interview and hire a coach whose team is still playing in the postseason. The Stars' run could end as early as Thursday night. • Another name could emerge, but Dubas is keeping very quiet about his candidates. Regardless, it won't be long now. • While the coaching search is at the forefront of Penguins fans' minds, don't forget that free agency opens in a mere 32 days. What should we expect from the Penguins when July 1 arrives? The Penguins will, no doubt, make some signings, but I wouldn't expect any massive moves. Mitch Marner? Nah, I don't think so. 'I don't know how good we're going to be, but we're going to be as good as the young guys make us,' a Penguins team source said earlier this week. 'We're going young next season.' The Penguins have some money to spend in free agency, and like last summer, they'll make some moves. I wouldn't expect any lengthy or lucrative deals, though. I sense that Dubas doesn't think one or two huge additions are enough to put this team in the championship discussion. Could a couple of huge additions make the Penguins a playoff team? Sure. But remember, Dubas isn't worried about just making the postseason. He wants something much bigger. The plan is to let the Penguins' youth develop and, when it begins to suggest winning is on the horizon, to spend aggressively in free agency. You'll most likely see Dubas and the Penguins turn hyper-aggressive in free agency in the summer of 2026. The Penguins will likely still aggressively pursue players on the trade market or via other avenues this summer. But their expectations are realistic, so I don't see Dubas spending wildly. Advertisement I would expect the blue line to be addressed in free agency. The Penguins love some of their up-and-coming defensemen, but they're not quite ready to make a dent at the NHL level next season. • Marco Rossi's name has been floating around in trade rumors, and the Penguins are a potential suitor. The Penguins like him. He fits the profile they want. It's not often that young, talented players such as Rossi are available on the trade market. He's No. 2 on Chris Johnston's offseason trade board for a reason. By accumulating so many draft picks, the Penguins have the ammunition to go after players like Rossi. Dubas doesn't seem all that interested in bringing in players in their 30s. He's trying to build for the long haul. Rossi doesn't turn 24 until September. He's a name to keep in mind. • Teams continue to call the Penguins about a potential trade for Bryan Rust. Rust's no-trade clause expires on July 1, after which the Penguins won't need to ask his permission to trade him. Now, I'd be surprised if they do trade him. He should be wearing an 'A' on his sweater. He's Crosby's favorite winger and a terrific player on a very good contract. His reputation for being wonderful with young players fits the long-term plan. In other words, he's the kind of guy you want to keep around. I think the Penguins will do just that — unless, of course, a team makes Dubas an outrageous offer. My gut says Rust will stay this season, and it wouldn't shock me if he sticks through the final three seasons on his contract. He's beloved in the organization. You have to imagine, though, how tempting it will be to entertain significant offers for him. It will be something interesting to monitor all season. (Photo of Mitch Love: Jess Rapfogel / NHLI via Getty Images)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Thank you, Pittsburgh": Mike Sullivan leaves Pittsburgh Penguins with emotional billboard message
Mike Sullivan (via Getty Images) Mike Sullivan has left the Pittsburgh Penguins as the head coach after leading the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. But his departure was not without a touching farewell to the city, as this week saw billboards across Pittsburgh with a special message. The heart-touching message celebrates his decade-long tenure with the Penguins fanbase, even as he takes on a new challenge with the New York Rangers. Mike Sullivan's emotional farewell captures his bond with Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh woke up this week to a touching farewell by Mike Sullivan, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Several billboards were seen around town featuring a strong picture of Sullivan cradling the Stanley Cup with a simple yet emotional statement: 'Thank you, Pittsburgh. Cup family is forever.' Mike Sullivan takes out billboards to thank Pittsburgh for his time with the Penguins Mike Sullivan's hold on the Pittsburgh Penguins cannot be questioned. In a stretch of over a decade, he broke down as the team's all-time leader in wins, 409 of 753 games. His record is one of leading the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017—a stretch that established the team's new-generation identity. Mike Sullivan leaves for New York Rangers as Pittsburgh Penguins begin new chapter Though Sullivan's tenure ended following a rough three-year stretch, including a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that saw the team register its fewest wins in nearly two decades, his legacy remains intact. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo He took the team to the playoffs in his first seven seasons and helped shape a generation of Penguins hockey. The Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to announce a successor, and the fans and analysts are left to question what the team will do next as it struggles to rebuild and return to playoff relevance. Also read: Mike Sullivan's final message says everything about his bond with Pittsburgh Mike Sullivan may be behind the bench coaching the New York Rangers now, but his heartfelt billboard farewell to the city of Pittsburgh serves as a reminder that there are some things that run much deeper than the ice. His on-ice success with the Pittsburgh Penguins is seared into the city's sports history, and his farewell message—"Cup family is forever"—rings out as both gratitude and a lasting vow of respect and bonding. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
