Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning…
Penguins forward Hendrix Lapierre is making the most of his opportunity on a line with Ville Koivunen and Evgeni Malkin after spending a recent stretch of games as a healthy scratch. [Trib Live]
Forward Rickard Rakell knows he needs to produce more offensively after a slow start to the season. The veteran winger said he has been generating scoring chances but struggling to finish, while general manager Kyle Dubas expressed confidence that Rakell will break through as he continues to play alongside
Sidney Crosby and on the top power-play unit. [Trib Live]
Forward Justin Brazeau is getting closer to returning from a lower-body injury that has kept him out since the preseason. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL…
The New York Rangers signed veteran goaltender James Reimer to a one-year contract Sunday, adding depth after starter Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the season with a lower-body injury. [NHL]
The Carolina Hurricanes made an aggressive push to acquire then-Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, even exploring trades for forwards on other teams that they could then flip to Winnipeg, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. [Sportsnet]
Speaking of the Hurricanes, the team announced the signing of defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million contract, ending a contract impasse between the player and team. [TSN]
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes hinted that a decision about his long-term future with the team could be coming soon, saying he is enjoying his time in Minnesota and believes the team has the potential to contend for a Stanley Cup. [TSN]
