Mike Colligan

Pittsburgh-Tampa Preview: Penguins have utilized rule tweak to terrorize Lightning defense

Mike Colligan | April 13, 2011

The first round playoff matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning kicks off tonight at 7pm and is set to be an intriguing one.

Penguins Blueprint: Stocking the Shelves for Free

Mike Colligan | March 25, 2011

Stephane Da Costa is the latest potential diamond in the NCAA rough – a late-blooming talent who is a free agent because he was never drafted by an NHL team. The native of Paris, France received a few NHL offers following his freshman season but chose to return to school to work on his game. It seems to have paid off.

Matt Cooke Suspended 14-17 Games; the End of the ‘NHL Pest’?

Mike Colligan | March 21, 2011

Senior Executive VP Colin Campbell and the NHL wanted to send a message. “Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in…

Video: Matt Cooke Elbows Ryan McDonagh; Penguins lose to Rangers in wild third period

Mike Colligan | March 20, 2011

The NBC Game of the Week matched the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers in an Atlantic Division battle, but over the next 24 hours the spotlight will shine brightest on Penguins winger Matt Cooke after his elbow to the head of Ryan McDonagh in the third period of a 1-1 game.

Penguins Blueprint: Hossa to Hamhuis – The Evolution of Ray Shero

Mike Colligan | March 18, 2011

Ask anyone what trade was instrumental in the Penguins 2007-08 Stanley Cup Finals appearance and they’ll immediately point to Hossa. If Ray Shero’s team returns to the Finals over the next few seasons, the key trade might be one involving a player who never appeared in a Penguins jersey: Dan Hamhuis.

Penguins Blueprint: Commitment to the Core

Mike Colligan | March 15, 2011

If the Penguins continue to have success in coming seasons GM Ray Shero will be forced to get creative and find ways to keep his talented group of stars together. However, the idea of signing Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin for the rest of their careers isn’t an option he’s considering right now.

Penguins ownership group shows commitment to Stanley Cup vision

Mike Colligan | February 25, 2011

If there was ever a year for Lemieux and Burkle to put up the white flag and live to see another day, it would be this year. No one would blame them. Fans surely wouldn’t revolt. But that’s not what they did, and yesterday Shero seemed energized by the commitment from ownership that allowed him to take a risk on Kovalev.

Penguins trade Goligoski to Dallas for James Neal

Mike Colligan | February 21, 2011

The long-awaited trade deadline move by Penguins GM Ray Shero finally happened Monday afternoon as the team sent defenseman Alex Goligoski to Dallas for James Neal and Matt Niskanen.

There’s More to Mario Lemieux’s Statement Than You Think

Mike Colligan | February 15, 2011

Ask anyone who remembers Mario Lemieux’s playing career and they’ll tell you he was a player who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. They’ll even point to a number of…

Jordan Staal’s Time Has Come (Tangradi Recalled, Notes on Prospects)

Mike Colligan | February 11, 2011

The 2007-08 season will go down as the ‘year of the high-ankle sprain’ in Pittsburgh Penguins history. Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Talbot missed long stretches of time with the injury,…

Penguins Update: Thoughts on Cooke Suspension, Four Callups, Crosby Talks, Kunitz to IR

Mike Colligan | February 10, 2011

PITTSBURGH – For the second time this week Matt Cooke finds himself at the center of attention for a questionable hit on an opponent. After Cooke clipped the leg of…

Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Deadline Gameplan: Part 1 of 2

Mike Colligan | February 9, 2011

Weekend news of Evgeni Malkin’s knee injury sent shockwaves through a fanbase already struggling to cope without Sidney Crosby. In Part I of our Penguins trade deadline preview, let’s focus on the market that Shero will be looking to navigate leading up to February 28.