WOW!! Penguins Sign Fleury to a PTO!

I was in the midst of getting a haircut this morning and semi-out-of-pocket when Other Rick texted me with the shocking (and exhilarating) news that the Penguins have invited Marc-André Fleury to training camp on a PTO!

Immediately, a torrent of thoughts began coursing through my fevered brain…

Is Tristan Jarry on the trading block? Was Flower brought back to serve as our backup and/or to mentor our stable of young goalies? How will this affect our already crowded depth chart in goal?

Upon returning home, I finally had a chance to dig a little deeper. I confess to being deflated, and not just a little.

The three-time Cup winner and sure-fire Hall-of-Famer is being brought back exclusively so he can retire as a Penguin. He’s scheduled to participate in a team practice on September 26. The following day he’ll slip between the pipes one last time before the home folks at PPG Paints Arena in a preseason match with the Blue Jackets for what’s sure to be an emotional and tear-jerking farewell.

Then he’ll hang up his pads for good, if not his affinity for good-natured practical jokes.

At least that’s the plan. I can’t help but wonder what might happen if Flower stands on his head and stops all the shots he faces…

However it works out, a class move by FSG and Kyle Dubas to bring the 40-year-old legend back to the place it all began way (way) back in 2003.

Let the Games Begin

The Penguins (actually their kids) officially kick off the season this afternoon when they take on the Bruins at 3:30 as part of the 2025 Prospects Challenge tournament in Buffalo.

Prospects from the Blue Jackets, Devils and Sabres will also participate.

The schedule calls for the Pens’ hopefuls to take on the Blue Jackets at 3:30 pm on Sunday, before closing out the tournament against the Sabres at noon on Monday.

Click here to view the Pens’ roster.