Letters and More

Well, it's official. Brooks Orpik and Evgeni Malkin will start the season as alternate captains for the Penguins, coach Michel Therrein announed today. I believe Malkin will be a part of the rotating assistant captaincy in Sergei Gonchar's absence. Therrein plans to rotate the "A" around every month until Sarge returns. I believe Orpik will wear the other "A" all season.

I like both choices. Malkin has shown he has increased his ability to speak English, and that he is ready for a greater leadership role. Orpik would be a good captain, let alone an assistant captain. He's not a *rah-rah* guy, but then again, neither is Sid. Orpik let's his play do the talking on the ice and his locker-room respect do the talking off it. He reminds me a little of Jason Smith when he was in his prime for the Oilers. Now, Smith is a bit-player for the Ottawa Senators we'll probably abuse beginning this weekend, just like we did in the playoffs last year when he patrolled the blueline for the Flyers.

In other news, the Penguins beat Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League today in their final exhibition game, 4-1. Malkin, Fedotenko, Kennedy and Dupuis (empty net) got the Penguins goals, while only Dany Sabourin allowed a goal to the Fins, and that on a penalty shot in the 3rd period. Otherwise, he and Fleury slammed the door.

Max Talbot (leg) and Petr Sykora (groin) missed the game, although both are expected to be ready to go on Saturday.

The Penguins finished the preseason 4-0-1, which isn't bad considering they haven't had a lot of time to work on things. We'll see if they can continue that trend going into the regular season.

In other news, Center Kris Beech has apparently refused to report to the Baby Penguins. I'm not sure what the Penguins are going to do with him, but he's obviously unhappy with not making the big club. Personally, I think Beech shoudl be hard pressed to gripe. By all accounts, he didn't stand out in training camp and besides, we all know he's really nothing more than a fringe NHL player anyway. He's never shown himself to be any better than that.

I'd actually like to keep Beech in the organization because he provides us some depth, but if we move him, I can't say I'm going to lose sleep over it.

Ryan Stone also wants to be moved, apparently. The PG's Seth Rorabaugh reports in his Empty Netters blog that Stone didn't clear waivers, or was waived again, or that the team is trying to trade him. Maybe it's a combination of all 3. Regardless, Stone's time with the organization has probably run its course. Like Beech, he's a depth player, so although it would be nice to keep him, it won't slow the organization down much if he's not around.

Until Saturday, when I'll try to preview the Penguins upcoming season .....