Penguins News Break: Crosby MVP, Bemstrom Waived

The Pittsburgh Penguins named their team MVP, and it wouldn’t take a TV detective with superhuman powers of observation to figure out that Sidney Crosby was the team’s choice as most valuable.

Crosby has remained dominant this season, posting 27 goals and 81 points in 73 games. In the process, Crosby broke Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 19 seasons with at least a point per game average.

As an added little note, it was Crosby’s 13th team MVP award, which surpassed Mario Lemieux, who had 12.

The numbers surrounding Crosby are staggering. He will lead the team in scoring for the 15th time. He leads the NHL in 5v5 assists (39) and is third in 5v5 scoring with 53 points. Earlier this season, he also notched his 600th career goal.

Crosby was also named the recipient of the Players’ Player Award for the seventh time. The players vote for the teammate they feel best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice.

Also, forward Noel Acciari was given the team’s Unsung Hero Award. The award recognizes a player who constantly gives 150% effort but receives little recognition. Acciari certainly qualifies. This season, he has 168 hits and 98 blocked shots. He also leads the Penguins in shorthanded ice time, playing 54.1% of all of the Penguins’ shorthanded time.

Emil Bemstrom

The Penguins placed Emil Bemstrom on waivers Monday at 2 p.m. The forward had a strong start to his most recent NHL chance but quickly tapered following the Four Nations Face-Off break.

Bemstrom, 25, had not registered a shot in his last two games and has just one assist in his 13 NHL games this season. After he clears waivers on Tuesday, the team can re-assign him to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he has averaged more than a point per game this season.

Bemstrom has 21 goals and 46 points in 43 AHL games. The WBS Penguins are somewhat depleted following the recalls of top line wingers Rutger McGroarty and Villie Koivunen. WBS is fighting for a playoff seed that would give them a first-round bye in the Atlantic Division playoffs.