Morozov to sign deal with Ak Bars Kazan (29-Jul-2004)
According to www.gazeta.ru, Aleksey Morozov has committed to sign with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Hockey League. Ak Bars Kazan is coached by Vladimir Vujtek Sr., the father of ex-Pen Vladimir Vujtek. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the deal is for one year with a player option for a second year. Morozov does not have an escape clause in his contract so he will spend the entire year in Russia. However, the contract doesn't go in effect until early next week so the Pens do have time to sign him.
Q&A with Tyler Kennedy by Eric Bowser (20-Jul-2004)
Eric Bowser has interviewed the Pens' 2004 fourth round pick Tyler Kennedy. The full interview can be found at pens_prospects.php?id=11.
Morozov doesn't file for salary arbitration (16-Jul-2004)
The NHLPA has released a list of the players who have opted for salary arbitration at http://www.nhlpa.com/Content/PRESS/nhlpa_press_release.asp?ID=454. Aleksey Morozov, the lone Pittsburgh arbitration-eligible player is not listed.
Pens re-sign Fata to two year deal; Abid expected to accept contract (16-Jul-2004)
The Penguins have resigned F Rico Fata to a 2 year, $1.45M one-way deal. The Tribune-Review is reporting that F Ramzi Abid will accept his $495K two-way qualifying offer. Aleksey Morozov is the lone arbitration-eligible player unsigned.
2004-05 Schedule Released (15-Jul-2004)
The Pens' tentative 2004-05 pre-season schedule and complete regular season schedule has been released and is available at schedule.php.
Penguins re-sign Jackman, Bradley and Pirjeta; Meloche signs with Flyers (15-Jul-2004)
The Penguins have signed D Ric Jackman to a 2 year, $1.9M deal. RW Matt Bradley accepted the team's 1 year, $743,725 qualifying offer. C Lasse Pirjeta signed a 2 year, $1.2M deal.
RW Eric Meloche has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.
2004 Draft Review by Eric Bowser (12-Jul-2004)
The Pittsburgh Penguins arrived in Raleigh for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft knowing they would be selecting a franchise forward from Russia to join the strong draft classes over the last five years and then play a game of who-likes-who-the-best with the rest of the NHL's scouting community.
Washington's selection of Alexander Ovechkin left no suspense for the second overall pick as General Manager Craig Patrick, Head Scout Greg Malone, European scout Mark Kelley, Assistant GM Ed Johnston and Head Coach Ed Olczyk strode up to the podium to announce in honor of the late Herb Brooks, they had selected Russian center Evgeni Malkin from Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League. Malkin was a no-brainer as the Penguins love the 17-year old's projection to be a dominating two-way center comparable to the likes of Joe Thornton and Vincent LeCavalier. ... Read more
Pens sign Recchi and VandenBussche (9-Jul-2004)
The Pens have signed RW Mark Recchi to a multi-year deal. According to sportsnet.ca, the deal is worth $9 million over three years with the final year of the contract being a player option.
The Pens have signed RW Ryan VandenBussche to a 2 year, $1.1M deal.
Pens make qualifying offers to 18 of 25 restricted free agents (1-Jul-2004)
The Penguins made 10% raise qualifying offers to 18 of their 25 restricted free agents. Players receiving offers were Ramzi Abid, Kris Beech, Matt Bradley, Shane Endicott, Rico Fata, Matt Hussey, Ric Jackman, David Koci, Milan Kraft, Guillaume Lefebvre, Ross Lupaschuk, Aleksey Morozov, Matt Murley, Brooks Orpik, Lasse Pirjeta, Darcy Robinson, Michal Sivek and Tomas Surovy. The seven not receiving qualifying offers and who are now unrestricted free agents were Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Dan Focht, Pauli Levokari, Steve McKenna, Toby Petersen, Jon Sim and Landon Wilson.
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