The waiting is the hardest part...

Like their Steeler's brethern the Penguins now have a season ticket waiting list.



From the Official SIte:

"Fans are now able to reserve a spot on the waiting list with a $200 deposit per seat, which can be applied to the purchase price whenever season tickets become available.Fans on the waiting list will also receive the following membership benefits:

Complimentary 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide
Complimentary 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins Yearbook
Opportunity to Purchase Pittsburgh Penguins 6-Packs and 12-Packs Before the Public On-Sale Date
Opportunity to Purchase Single Game Tickets to Select Penguins Home Games Before the Public On-Sale Date
Opportunity to Purchase Select Non-Hockey Events Before the Public On-Sale Date Via E-Mail Notifications"

Is ESPN Killing the NHL in the US

Great article over at the Situationist postulating that ESPN's coverage or lack thereof and constant snarkyness toward the league are killing the NHL among casual sport fans in the US.

It really shows why Betteman's arrogance in not doing a deal with ESPN post lockout is really dragging down hockey.

Other than the obvious number of viewers that don't have Versus, the loss of the carry over exposure that the NHL doesn't get from the ESPN's other products and the negative coverage that they get when they are mentioned on their TV and radio shows have a cumulative effect on the casual hockey fan.

The die hards will always be there but if the casual fan thinks its uncool to watch hockey they are less likely to check out a game, follow the players or just care about the league in general.

Talbot and Christensen get 2 year deals...Thibault to Buffalo

TSN.ca has the details of the new contract for the penalty kill expert and the shoot out specialist respectively.

Penguins preparing to back up the truck for Croz

TSN.ca reports the Pens are in talks to extend Crosby's contract. Probably looking at a 4 to 5 year extension and from $7.5M to $10M a year.

It's good that they are getting this out of the way.

Pens sign FA Sydor and Sykora

Trib has details

Whitney gets 6 year deal, Sabo returns Thibault likely gone

Some big things happening on the Pens front today. Post Gazette has the report.

First Ryan Whitney signed a 6 year $24 million which is said to be backloaded. Dany Sabourin is back after spending the year in Vancouver after the Pens lost him on waivers last season. He got a two year deal worth $1.025M. His signing means that Thibault has likely given up his last soft goal as a Pen.

Sticking around

Ray Shero announced today the resigning of Gary Roberts and to the chagrine of many an internet forum whiner Mark Recchi.

Roberts was a pretty coveted free agent so keeping him on board is a bit of a coup, especially since it means he won't be taking his physicality to Ottawa.

MVP and ROTY to the PENS

Crosby brings home the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B Pearson as MVP voted by the players and Geno Malkin wins the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year (making it worth his while to sneak out of Russia last year). The details are Here .

In addition, it is being reported (or should I say rumored) that the Pens have fully sold out their full season tickets for the upcoming season. So things continue to look rosey.

Looking forward to '07-'08.