Penguins Wrap: Bold Opinion; Couple Trades; Ned Checks in

Another week, another folder full of Pittsburgh Penguins news and analysis, and even a funny moment. Also another week without a new contract for team captain and future Hall of Fame center Sidney Crosby, but who’s counting at this point?

The Penguins made a couple trades, neither of them a blockbuster but both addressing the desire to build up a cache of draft picks. Also, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic provided some insight and a little entertainment.

And if you missed it, you have to go back and read a sharp piece on a suggested course of action for the Penguins.

Here is your chance to catch up on the past week. Click on the links.

Saturday: The league has delved into providing some statistics and analytics for the public with NHL Edge. There’s a lot that can be unpacked. PHN continued its look at the Penguins through the Edge and found some interesting stats pertaining to how the Penguins stack up in speed.

Sunday: There was a wide range of opinions when the Penguins re-signed core players Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Now, with the advantage of hindsight. a PHN blog looks at one aspect of the signings that made them a mistake.

Monday: How good are you at Penguins history? How about Penguins all-time player rankings? PHN looked at the franchise’s centers over the years. It’s sort of a trick topic. Everyone can agree that Mario Lemieux and Crosby have been the top two centers. But who ranks behind them among franchise centers?

Tuesday: The first of two trades made by the Penguins during the week seemed relatively simple at first glance. The full scope takes a little more explanation. We had the details and the back story as the Penguins and St. Louis Blues exchanged draft picks.

The Nashville Predators needed salary cap relief. The Penguins obliged while continuing to stockpile draft picks. Cody Glass becomes the, uh, well, we lost count but one of a stable of bottom-six forwards when he came over with a couple draft picks in a trade.

It’s a couple months before the NHL season gets going. Thinking about traveling to a game or two on the road? Dan Kingerski offers his insight and recommendations on surprisingly good and cheap road trips.

Wednesday: This is as open and blunt as Kingerski gets. He took a good, long look at the Penguins and drew upon his knowledge from chronicling the club. He came up with a strong opinion: The team should stop trying to have it both ways and tear it down.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic met with local reporters virtually. He not only discussed his decision to re-sign with the Penguins, but he also expressed a lot of optimism for the upcoming season.

Thursday: Given the news and moves of this week and, well, all summer, the Penguins would seem to have two paths this season. PHN breaks down the possibilities on what comes next.

Friday: The Crosby situation remains under a cone of silence. Nedeljkovic stars in a funny Olympics-related video. That and more in a PHN notebook.