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Pittsburgh Penguins News

Kris Letang(D)|PIT
Line Change
Line Change
"Obviously, I want to take more [of a role] in the room, be a bigger leader. But people don't really know me as a guy who talks a lot. I'm a guy who's going to go on the ice and be an example. But that's something I've tried to do a little more, talk to the young guys and try to maybe lead the way."

In his fifth full season, Letang will be relied upon to lead the Pens blue line. Last season he scored eight goals and 50 points through 82 games but his play drastically fell off when Sidney Crosby got hurt. Look for Letang to improve his consistency this season as he ascends to the elite level.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011-10-03T11:23:17.000Z
Kris Letang
Evgeni Malkin(C)|PIT
Line Change
Line Change
The Russian center's confidence and comfort level have skyrocketed going into the 2011-12 season. He's healthy after February surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate knee ligament. He's strong after offseason workouts that exceeded what he had done before. He's happy after what seems to be a breakthrough in his communication skills.

Malkin should center the top line as the team awaits Crosby's recovery. Last season the Russian expatriate scored 15 goals and 37 points through 43 games before finishing the season on IR. Expect a return to his prime form, where 100 points are certainly not out of the question.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011-10-02T13:27:36.000Z
Evgeni Malkin
Sidney Crosby(C)|PIT
Injury
Injury
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has yet to be cleared for contact, but he has been elevated in his line duty. With the Penguins going through their first full team practice with the reduction of players in camp, Crosby centered the third line in today’s skate, with Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke on his wings.

Evgeni Malkin tweeted today that Crosby skated for the first time with contact. While we await reports confirming the tweet, it seems like the team's captain will return to the lineup shortly. Feel free to draft accordingly.

Source:
Inside Pittsburgh Sports 2011-09-29T15:53:23.000Z
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby(C)|PIT
Injury
Injury
Sidney Crosby is still wearing a white hat in Penguins practice -- not because he's ready to ride in as the team's hero, but because his helmet needs to contrast with his teammates' black ones to signify that he's not allowed to have contact.

If you were planning on taking Crosby at a discount, or already own The Kid, then this news comes as good news. Although he has yet to take a hit, the captain continues to take positive steps in his road to recovery.

Source:
Post-Gazette.com 2011-09-26T16:02:00.000Z
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby(C)|PIT
Injury
Injury
"Everything's been really good," he said. "I haven't run into any issues so far. It's been pretty smooth. A day at a time, but it's been a lot of fun being out there and getting back to doing the things you're used to doing every day as a hockey player.

Crosby continues to make strides and might be ready for opening night at this pace. The phenom scored 31 goals and 66 points in his first 41 games of the year. Expect at least 80 points from the elite center.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gaze 2011-09-25T18:24:35.000Z
Sidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin(C)|PIT
None
If Malkin -- who has done some of his finest work when Crosby has been out of the lineup -- is completely healed and can elevate his game to the level he has reached at times in recent years, he will pick up much of the slack caused by Crosby's absence, however long it lasts.

Malkin claimed he was at 90 percent today despite training at an elevated level all summer. The talented Russian has too much talent not to step up with added ice time. As long as Crosby remains out you can expect Malkin to hold even more value.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gaze 2011-09-16T10:34:15.000Z
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin(C)|PIT
None
Malkin spent the offseason recovering from a February surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. After a summer of skating and working out in the gym, Malkin said his knee felt "pretty good."

Reports out of Pittsburgh yesterday showed the team lineup with Sidney Crosby. Without the talented captain, most offensive pressure will fall on Malkin. Stay tuned for further updates from the team as camp breaks.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gaze 2011-09-13T08:47:30.000Z
Evgeni Malkin