Pens Points: The Return of the Schultz

Game two of this long road trip takes place tonight in Edmonton with the Penguins facing off against the Oilers. Hopefully you got plenty of sleep last night because puck drop is set for 9 PM and will be broadcast on ROOT Sports. This will also mark the second meeting between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

Besides the obvious Crosby/McDavid storyline one other to keep an eye on is the return of Justin Schultz to Edmonton for the first time since being traded to Pittsburgh. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

When Schultz signed with the Oilers as a college free agent expectations were set high. After failing to live up to them he was sent to the Penguins where he discovered the talent that could not be summoned in Edmonton. [Penguins]

Since returning from offseason shoulder surgery, Pens’ top prospect Daniel Sprong is lighting up the QMJHL and looks ready to make the next step. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Under general manager Jim Rutherford the Pens have restocked their farm system with talent at all positions. Safe to say Rutherford is very happy with the prospect pool he has created. [Trib Live]

A cloud of mystery currently surrounds Kris Letang and what injury is ailing him at the moment. After Wednesday’s game head coach Mike Sullivan made it clear that the injury was not related to a concussion or Letang’s previous stroke issues. [Pensburgh]

News and notes from around the NHL...

It looks like the NHL will give the scheduled bye weeks another shot next season but with a few tweaks. [USA Today]

An Irish athlete took part in a reality show recently and switched roles from an NHL player for a month. He quickly discovered that hockey players really, really enjoy drinking. [Puck Daddy]