Pens Points: Ruhwedel On The Right?

Here are your Pens Points for this Thursday morning...

Chad Ruhwedel has been a bit player during his time with the Penguins. But can the right-handed veteran capture the open spot on the blue line that was vacated by Cody Ceci? [Post-Gazette]

Forward Drew O’Connor had a less-than-memorable rookie debut last year when he got the call to join Pittsburgh’s squad. Now heading into his second season, O’Connor is better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. [Trib Live]

The PensTV crew recently won four Emmy Awards at the 2021 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy Awards ceremony. [Penguins]

There really isn’t a lot of time left for the Penguins to iron out their kinks before the puck drops in Tampa Bay on the evening of October 12, but that doesn’t mean head coach Mike Sullivan isn’t trying to maximize the opportunity to see what his players have to offer. [Penguins]

Take a look at this cool innovation that’s impacting local hockey rinks here in southwestern Pennsylvania. [Penguins]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Johnny Gaudreau has been a centerpiece for the Calgary Flames for many years now. The 28-year-old, however, has never really gotten his squad anywhere near the promised land, be that his fault or several other factors at play. In a “what have you done for me lately?” business like pro sports, one has to wonder what the future has in store for the one they call “Johnny Hockey.” [NBC Sports via MSN]

Have you purchased a Seattle Kraken jersey? Updated your wardrobe with a brand new Penguins sweater? If so, you may have noticed a new look about NHL jerseys. For the first time beginning with this season, jerseys will be made out of recycled materials. [CBS Sports]

Vladimir Tarasenko was pretty vocal about wanting a trade out of St. Louis throughout the off-season. Well, said off-season came and went and the Russian sniper is still wearing a blue music note on his chest. For now at least, the Blues are keeping the winger, and they’ll need him to produce like he has in years past. [AP News]

The Washington Capitals have shared many similarities with the Penguins throughout the last 15 years. The two franchises were gifted immediate impact players, future Hockey Hall of Famers, and an intense rivalry was born out of the Sidney Crosby - Alexander Ovechkin debate. Now, much like the Penguins, with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin inching towards the end of the road, the Capitals’ “old guard” still wants to compete for another championship. [The Hockey News/SI/AP]

It’s hard to believe since they came into the league just four years ago, but the Vegas Golden Knights are prepared to enter a “new era” with the same sky-high expectation of winning Lord Stanley’s chalice. [San Diego Union-Tribune]