The Great [Ponikarovsky] Debate

With 9 points (2G, 7 A) in 16 regular season games with the Penguins, many feel that a guy of his caliber should be more productive for this team. But are they taking the wrong look at Poni? A player with an average of 20 goals a season over his NHL career shows that he is more of a set up man rather than a shooter. He played on a team drenched in talent with guys like Malkin and Crosby, and as we saw with Satan, the more stars on a team the fewer to points each will produce, especially wingers. Another question was about how he was used. He was used as a shooter on the Penguins PP, but with a body that big, why not use him to screen? I understand with his salary he may not be the best long term investment, but i really don't believe you can assess a guy based on 16 games. I hope to see Poni for one more year to see just exactly what talent he has.

Penguins to Host Capitals at Heinz Field on New Years Day

Announced by CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV out of Altoona, Pennsylvania that the official announcement will be made sometime tomorrow afternoon. This will be the Penguins second Winter Classic appearence after a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 Winter Classic.

Pens Ink Nick Petersen to 3 Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed right wing Nick Petersen to a three-year entry level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Petersen, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, completed his first season with Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Petersen posted 39 goals, 40 assists, 79 points, 12 power-play goals and a plus-46 rating in 59 games with the Sea Dogs. His 79 points ranked third on the team, while his plus-46 rating paced the club.

The 6-foot-3, 188-pound winger added 28 points (7G-21A) in 21 postseason games.

Petersen, 20, played the previous two years with Shawinigan of the QMJHL, compiling 119 points (48G-71A). He finished sixth in the league in scoring in 2008-09 after posting 90 points on 37 goals and 53 assists in 68 contests. He also notched a plus-57 rating. The Wakefield, Quebec native followed that campaign with a strong showing in the playoffs after recording 22 points (10G-12A) in 21 games.

**Via Pittsburgh Penguins Website**