Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…
Editor’s note: With the Penguins playing on the West Coast for the next few games, the standard game recap that is usually the first Pens Point the morning after will be inserted at some point on Wednesday morning, likely after this post goes live.
Veteran forward Rickard Rakell has become the subject of intense trade speculation dating back to last season’s trade deadline. Being a capable 30-goal scorer with attractive contract as the salary cap continues to skyrocket makes Rakell an interesting
trade chip if the Penguins once again fall out of playoff contention. However, with a growing family and renewed sense of optimism, Rakell would like to stay put. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL…
The Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to late franchise icon, Ken Dryden, on Tuesday night during the team’s home opener. Dryden died last month following a battle with cancer. Several of Dryden’s former teammates made an appearance to honor their former netminder, while an emotional video package aired for everyone in attendance. [NHL]
Speaking of the Canadiens, the team announced Tuesday that they have agreed to multi-year contract extensions with general manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton. [TSN]
After suffering a hand injury in the team’s 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Monday night, Ottawa Senators star Brady Tkachuk is set to miss at least four weeks, head coach Travis Green told reporters on Tuesday. Additionally, surgery has not been ruled out for the 26-year-old forward. [Sportsnet]
Much of the media attention surrounding the Washington Capitals this season will, undoubtedly, come from the possibility of this being Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL season. But another longtime franchise player who has played in Ovechkin’s shadow, defenseman John Carlson, could also be playing in his final season for the team that drafted him in 2008. [NHL]