Pens Points: Holding Pattern

This space should have been used to highlight our game recap from the Pittsburgh Penguins originally scheduled game against the New Jersey Devils, but those plans were pushed aside when this week’s series between the two sides was postponed due to COVID issues with New Jersey. While it will be a quiet week without any hockey, it should be some much needed rest for a banged up Penguins team.

Welcome in your Wednesday with a new Pens Points...

It was only a matter of time until the Penguins season was dealt a setback due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and that time has now arrived with games postponed this week. While the break has benefits, this remains a delicate time for the NHL season. [Pensburgh]

As the injuries continue to stack up for the Penguins, roster moves will be need to be made to account for the lost bodies. Due to the length of these injuries, the Penguins has resorted to placing players on LTIR which creates another issue for the organization. [Pensburgh]

Speaking of roster moves, the Penguins made a few on Tuesday, all involving defensemen. William Reilly has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL while Drew O’Connor and Kevin Czuczman are back on the taxi squad. [Penguins]

Several different names have been linked to the Penguins open general manager position, including one who already has a Stanley Cup ring with the organization. Current Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald could be a leading candidate in the search. [NJ.com]

Aside from Fitzgerald, there are a few other intriguing options out there for the Penguins at the moment. From long time rival Ron Hextall to current interim general manager Patrik Allvin, all the candidates have positives and possible negatives. [The Athletic $]

It does appear the Penguins general manager search has begun in earnest with more potential names being added to the mix. Chris Drury and John Ferguson Jr. have both been granted permission to be interviewed by the Penguins. [Pensburgh]

Monday was perhaps one of the Penguins best performances on the season, expect in one glaring area. Now scoreless on their last 19 attempts, the team’s power play remains in a bad way early in the season with no obvious fix apparent. [Trib Live]

It’s been a decade, so now seems like a good time to look back and remember one of the best fights in Penguins history. Late in a 3-0 blowout of the New York Islanders, goaltender Brent Johnson landed a one-punch KO on Rick DiPietro. [Pensburgh]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Add the Buffalo Sabres to the growing list of teams hit by COVID issues. The NHL announced all Sabres games will be postponed through February 8th after two players, including Taylor Hall, were placed on the COVID-19 list. [Sportsnet]

Connor McDavid put on a show in the month of January and was rewarded with top star honors for the NHL North division. He was joined by Joe Pavelski, Anze Kopitar, and James van Riemsdyk in being honored in their respective divisions. [NHL]