Pens Points: Briefly Back Home

Back from their long road trip to Western Canada the Penguins return to home ice for one night before heading back out on the road for a weekend double header. In town are the struggling Arizona Coyotes, winners of just two of their first 15 games this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on AT&T Sports Network.

Now, here are your daily dose on Pens Points for this Tuesday...

Their first time back on the ice since returning from their road trip, the Pens were greeted with a few familiar faces. Both injured defenseman Matt Hunwick and Justin Schultz were back at practice on Monday with their teammates after suffering concussion in October. [Trib Live]

One key contributor to the Penguins’ success on the ice the last two seasons could be playing his final year in Pittsburgh. At the end of this season, Patric Hornqvist will become an unrestricted free agent and there has been no sign whether or not the franchise plans to Hornqvist him around going forward. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Years of negotiations may finally be coming to end between the Penguins and the City of Pittsburgh on development plans for the old Civic Arena site across the street from PPG Paints Arena. [WTAE]

Months of rumors surrounding the potential trade of former Colorado Avalanche star Matt Duchene ended over the weekend when Duchene was dealt to the Senators in a three team trade. Long linked with the Penguins, when the dust settled it was clear the Pens were not in a position to make a deal work. [Pensburgh]

Over the summer, former Pens players and assistant coach Rick Tocchet was hired as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes. The start of the season could not have gone worse for the desert dogs who had playoff expectations. Luckily for Tocchet, he has the support of the Arizona franchise along with some friends back in Pittsburgh cheering him on. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

When the Penguins began tinkering with their roster over the summer and even into the new season, general manager had one thing in mind when choosing which players to bring in, size. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Over 15 year passed before the NHL expanded to 31 teams this season with the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights. Don’t expect another decade plus wait for the NHL to reach 32 teams as Seattle looks to have a team in place by 2020. [KING5]

There is no doubt the Ottawa Senators and the Nashville Predators will feel an immediate (positive) impact from the Matt Duchene trade. In the long run, it may be the Colorado Avalanche who come out the real winners with the return they received in the form of future assets. [ESPN]