Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Letang Scores Two Goals in All-Star Game Debut
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551082&navid=DL|PIT|home
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was voted to his first-ever All-Star Game as a write-in candidate. Letang, who finished second in overall voting and first among blueliners and write-ins, showed why he is worthy of such support Sunday in Raleigh.
Letang scored two goals for Team Staal, while logging 18:19 minutes playing alongside Marc Staal.
“It’s a game where you want to be spectacular, you want to give a good show for the fans,” said Letang, who played for two YoungStars teams in his career. “It was fun and a great experience for me.
“Everything was (great). It’s a really good environment. I enjoyed the whole weekend. It was great. The city treated us well. I had a lot of fun.”
Letang recorded his first-career All-Star goal (and point) six minutes into the second period. Alex Ovechkin and Daniel Sedin were playing give-and-go in the offensive zone. Sedin found Letang, who was trailing (sneaking in) on the play, in the high slot. Letang’s shot went high over the shoulder of goalie Jonas Hiller for the tally.
Letang gave Team Staal an 8-7 lead halfway through the third period when he tallied his second of the game. Letang was atop the crease. Patrik Elias was below the goal line, but got the puck to Letang, who snapped it through the body of Tim Thomas for the score.
“It was a great pass by Daniel,” Letang said. “I was right down the slot and had a feeling to shoot. (The second goal) was a five-hole shot. It was a nice pass by Patrik.”
Marc-Andre Fleury was under fire early in his first-ever All-Star Game. Fleury, who finished the game with 10 shots, faced Team Staal captain Eric Staal on a breakaway 30 seconds after the opening puck drop. Staal tried to go backhand, but Fleury got his pad low to stop the shot.
“I thought that was a good start, making a save right off the start,” Fleury said. “But then they scored right after that. Things went down a little bit (from there).”
It was a tough start for sure. Just 5:41 minutes into the game, Fleury surrendered four goals and Team Staal held a 4-0 lead.
“I was a little bit nervous, but not too much,” Fleury said. “They came out pretty hard. There were some backdoor passes. It’s not easy I guess.”
The fast and furious pace (and lack of defense) of the All-Star Game took Fleury by surprise. He made some quick adjustments. Fleury was perfect over the last 14:19 of the period, stopping every shot against, as Team Lidstrom scored four goals to mount a comeback. The game was tied, 4-4, at the end of the opening frame.
“We finished the period even,” Fleury said. “That felt a little better. It was not too bad. If you look at the whole period, it was OK.”
After the first period, Fleury got to sit back and enjoy the rest of the game from the bench.
“I was on the bench cheering for the team,” he said. “I ate some gum, too.”
As the game concluded, Fleury looked back on the entire All-Star experience.
“I wish that many (goals) didn’t go in, but I had a good time,” Fleury said. “I enjoyed playing the game, the skills too. It was a fun weekend.
“It was a great time. It’s nice to meet some of the guys we usually play against. Everyone treated us well. It was fun.”
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551082&navid=DL|PIT|home
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was voted to his first-ever All-Star Game as a write-in candidate. Letang, who finished second in overall voting and first among blueliners and write-ins, showed why he is worthy of such support Sunday in Raleigh.
Letang scored two goals for Team Staal, while logging 18:19 minutes playing alongside Marc Staal.
“It’s a game where you want to be spectacular, you want to give a good show for the fans,” said Letang, who played for two YoungStars teams in his career. “It was fun and a great experience for me.
“Everything was (great). It’s a really good environment. I enjoyed the whole weekend. It was great. The city treated us well. I had a lot of fun.”
Letang recorded his first-career All-Star goal (and point) six minutes into the second period. Alex Ovechkin and Daniel Sedin were playing give-and-go in the offensive zone. Sedin found Letang, who was trailing (sneaking in) on the play, in the high slot. Letang’s shot went high over the shoulder of goalie Jonas Hiller for the tally.
Letang gave Team Staal an 8-7 lead halfway through the third period when he tallied his second of the game. Letang was atop the crease. Patrik Elias was below the goal line, but got the puck to Letang, who snapped it through the body of Tim Thomas for the score.
“It was a great pass by Daniel,” Letang said. “I was right down the slot and had a feeling to shoot. (The second goal) was a five-hole shot. It was a nice pass by Patrik.”
Marc-Andre Fleury was under fire early in his first-ever All-Star Game. Fleury, who finished the game with 10 shots, faced Team Staal captain Eric Staal on a breakaway 30 seconds after the opening puck drop. Staal tried to go backhand, but Fleury got his pad low to stop the shot.
“I thought that was a good start, making a save right off the start,” Fleury said. “But then they scored right after that. Things went down a little bit (from there).”
It was a tough start for sure. Just 5:41 minutes into the game, Fleury surrendered four goals and Team Staal held a 4-0 lead.
“I was a little bit nervous, but not too much,” Fleury said. “They came out pretty hard. There were some backdoor passes. It’s not easy I guess.”
The fast and furious pace (and lack of defense) of the All-Star Game took Fleury by surprise. He made some quick adjustments. Fleury was perfect over the last 14:19 of the period, stopping every shot against, as Team Lidstrom scored four goals to mount a comeback. The game was tied, 4-4, at the end of the opening frame.
“We finished the period even,” Fleury said. “That felt a little better. It was not too bad. If you look at the whole period, it was OK.”
After the first period, Fleury got to sit back and enjoy the rest of the game from the bench.
“I was on the bench cheering for the team,” he said. “I ate some gum, too.”
As the game concluded, Fleury looked back on the entire All-Star experience.
“I wish that many (goals) didn’t go in, but I had a good time,” Fleury said. “I enjoyed playing the game, the skills too. It was a fun weekend.
“It was a great time. It’s nice to meet some of the guys we usually play against. Everyone treated us well. It was fun.”
Penguins' Letang scores twice in NHL All-Star debut
Thanks "58 Reasons" for sharing this link.
Source
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11030/1121801-100.stm
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang scored two goals in his first NHL All-Star Game, while Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had a rough time -- which is normal in these exhibitions, thanks to little defense or hitting.
Letang, playing for Team (Eric) Staal, scored in the second and third periods of an 11-10 Team (Nicklas) Lidstrom win today at RBC Center.
His first goal, on a rising shot past Team Lidstrom goaltender Jonas Hiller of Anaheim, gave Team Staal a 6-4 lead at 6:10 of the second period. At 8:46 of the third period, Letang was right in front of the net when he took a feed from Patrik Elias of New Jersey and beat goaltender Tim Thomas of Boston for an 8-7 Team Staal lead.
Fleury, like Letang playing in his first All-Star Game, started for Team Lidstrom. He gave up four goals in the first 5:41 of regulation before Team Lidstrom came back with four unanswered goals of its own for a 4-4 tie at the first intermission.
With three goalies a side, they play one period each. Fleury's game was done after the first period. He gave up four goals on 14 shots.
The Penguins had four of the six All-Stars voted in by fans, but forwards Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (sinus/knee) withdrew.
The Penguins resume the regular season Tuesday against the Rangers in New York.
Source
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11030/1121801-100.stm
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang scored two goals in his first NHL All-Star Game, while Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had a rough time -- which is normal in these exhibitions, thanks to little defense or hitting.
Letang, playing for Team (Eric) Staal, scored in the second and third periods of an 11-10 Team (Nicklas) Lidstrom win today at RBC Center.
His first goal, on a rising shot past Team Lidstrom goaltender Jonas Hiller of Anaheim, gave Team Staal a 6-4 lead at 6:10 of the second period. At 8:46 of the third period, Letang was right in front of the net when he took a feed from Patrik Elias of New Jersey and beat goaltender Tim Thomas of Boston for an 8-7 Team Staal lead.
Fleury, like Letang playing in his first All-Star Game, started for Team Lidstrom. He gave up four goals in the first 5:41 of regulation before Team Lidstrom came back with four unanswered goals of its own for a 4-4 tie at the first intermission.
With three goalies a side, they play one period each. Fleury's game was done after the first period. He gave up four goals on 14 shots.
The Penguins had four of the six All-Stars voted in by fans, but forwards Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (sinus/knee) withdrew.
The Penguins resume the regular season Tuesday against the Rangers in New York.
Oh My God
I have to thank "58 Reasons" for finding this picture and letting me post it. You guys rock!!!!!!!!!!!!
Penguins Notebook: Skills competition fun for Fleury, Letang
Source
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11030/1121728-61.stm#ixzz1CXEKsMro
Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Kris Letang warm up prior to last night's skills competition part at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang already was a little anxious about the spotlight of the NHL All-Star weekend. So what happened at the SuperSkills competition Saturday night at RBC Center?
Letang was picked to be Team Staal's participant in the first leg of the first event. He and Team Lidstrom's Duncan Keith had to skate a lap -- backward -- as part of the fastest-skater competition, and he barely edged Keith, 16.132 seconds to 16.157 seconds.
"It was kind of scary," Letang said. "I didn't know what to expect, the speed I was going to have in the curves. It was fun, but it was a little nerve-racking when you're in the first skill."
In the second event, the breakaway challenge that encourages creativity -- even hot-dogging -- on a series of penalty shots, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury flashed some personality.
He stopped Montreal's P.K. Subban after doing a 360-degree spin, stacked the pads to stop Anaheim's Corey Perry and did a couple of jumping jacks before making a save on Washington's Alex Ovechkin, the winner of the event.
That's exactly the kind of taunting fun Fleury likes to have in the Penguins' team shootout contests.
"I get to practice it pretty often since we have so many shootouts with the Penguins," Fleury said.
"I just thought I'd throw a couple [moves] out there, try and get in their heads."
Letang struggled during the skills challenge relay, taking too many one-time shots to count from the left point before he got the required four goals. But he was not solely to blame for Team Staal losing the event to Team Lidstrom.
In the hardest-shot contest, Ovechkin broke his stick, so he borrowed Letang's, who is a right-handed shot with a blade curve somewhat like Ovechkin's.
Ovechkin's first two attempts with that stick did not register on the radar for some reason -- "That's because the shot was coming too hard from the stick," Letang cracked -- and his final one was 97.2 mph, not nearly enough to match the record of 105.9 that Boston's Zdeno Chara shot to win.
For the final event, a team-wide conventional shootout contest, Fleury stopped six of seven shots he faced in the first round, with only Subban scoring. Letang shot once against Fleury, who made a pad save after Letang delayed getting off a backhand shot.
"I think I can go back to Pittsburgh with my head up and give [some grief] to him a little bit," Fleury said of stopping Letang, who had a different take.
"I was already laughing," Letang said. "I couldn't focus on it. We were both looking at each other. We were smiling. And he knew my move, so there was no way I was going to score."
In the second round, Fleury stopped two of three shots, with Perry scoring.
Team Staal won the SuperSkills, 33 points to Team Lidstrom's 22.
World juniors bid update
Penguins CEO and president David Morehouse said the Penguins are moving forward with a bid to bring an IIHF under-20 championship, also called the world junior championship, to Consol Energy Center.
"They're taken up for next five or six years," Morehouse said. "Were interested in hosting it. We're capable of holding it."
The team's efforts picked up some following the end of the most recent tournament earlier this month in Buffalo, but it is a long process to put in a bid.
He pointed out that there is some precedent for sites falling through at relatively the last minute, meaning the tournament had to be moved. The Penguins want the IIHF to be comfortable with Pittsburgh as a fallback city should that happen before a world junior tournament becomes available through normal channels.
Morning skate helps Fleury
Fleury was one of seven All-Stars -- four goaltenders and three defensemen -- who took advantage of an optional morning skate, saying he wanted to skate and stretch out a little after being off the ice since Tuesday night.
Fleury was happy to hear that teammate Sidney Crosby has been cleared to begin working out. Crosby was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game but is recovering from a concussion.
"I started to worry about him -- he must be getting bored," Fleury said. "I'm happy for him that he can start moving and doing stuff.
"He's always been in good shape, and he's a guy who works really hard. If he stays healthy through it, I'm sure we'll see him [back] quickly."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11030/1121728-61.stm#ixzz1CXEKsMro
Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Kris Letang warm up prior to last night's skills competition part at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang already was a little anxious about the spotlight of the NHL All-Star weekend. So what happened at the SuperSkills competition Saturday night at RBC Center?
Letang was picked to be Team Staal's participant in the first leg of the first event. He and Team Lidstrom's Duncan Keith had to skate a lap -- backward -- as part of the fastest-skater competition, and he barely edged Keith, 16.132 seconds to 16.157 seconds.
"It was kind of scary," Letang said. "I didn't know what to expect, the speed I was going to have in the curves. It was fun, but it was a little nerve-racking when you're in the first skill."
In the second event, the breakaway challenge that encourages creativity -- even hot-dogging -- on a series of penalty shots, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury flashed some personality.
He stopped Montreal's P.K. Subban after doing a 360-degree spin, stacked the pads to stop Anaheim's Corey Perry and did a couple of jumping jacks before making a save on Washington's Alex Ovechkin, the winner of the event.
That's exactly the kind of taunting fun Fleury likes to have in the Penguins' team shootout contests.
"I get to practice it pretty often since we have so many shootouts with the Penguins," Fleury said.
"I just thought I'd throw a couple [moves] out there, try and get in their heads."
Letang struggled during the skills challenge relay, taking too many one-time shots to count from the left point before he got the required four goals. But he was not solely to blame for Team Staal losing the event to Team Lidstrom.
In the hardest-shot contest, Ovechkin broke his stick, so he borrowed Letang's, who is a right-handed shot with a blade curve somewhat like Ovechkin's.
Ovechkin's first two attempts with that stick did not register on the radar for some reason -- "That's because the shot was coming too hard from the stick," Letang cracked -- and his final one was 97.2 mph, not nearly enough to match the record of 105.9 that Boston's Zdeno Chara shot to win.
For the final event, a team-wide conventional shootout contest, Fleury stopped six of seven shots he faced in the first round, with only Subban scoring. Letang shot once against Fleury, who made a pad save after Letang delayed getting off a backhand shot.
"I think I can go back to Pittsburgh with my head up and give [some grief] to him a little bit," Fleury said of stopping Letang, who had a different take.
"I was already laughing," Letang said. "I couldn't focus on it. We were both looking at each other. We were smiling. And he knew my move, so there was no way I was going to score."
In the second round, Fleury stopped two of three shots, with Perry scoring.
Team Staal won the SuperSkills, 33 points to Team Lidstrom's 22.
World juniors bid update
Penguins CEO and president David Morehouse said the Penguins are moving forward with a bid to bring an IIHF under-20 championship, also called the world junior championship, to Consol Energy Center.
"They're taken up for next five or six years," Morehouse said. "Were interested in hosting it. We're capable of holding it."
The team's efforts picked up some following the end of the most recent tournament earlier this month in Buffalo, but it is a long process to put in a bid.
He pointed out that there is some precedent for sites falling through at relatively the last minute, meaning the tournament had to be moved. The Penguins want the IIHF to be comfortable with Pittsburgh as a fallback city should that happen before a world junior tournament becomes available through normal channels.
Morning skate helps Fleury
Fleury was one of seven All-Stars -- four goaltenders and three defensemen -- who took advantage of an optional morning skate, saying he wanted to skate and stretch out a little after being off the ice since Tuesday night.
Fleury was happy to hear that teammate Sidney Crosby has been cleared to begin working out. Crosby was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game but is recovering from a concussion.
"I started to worry about him -- he must be getting bored," Fleury said. "I'm happy for him that he can start moving and doing stuff.
"He's always been in good shape, and he's a guy who works really hard. If he stays healthy through it, I'm sure we'll see him [back] quickly."
ASG; Post-Skills: Kris Letang
RALEIGH, N.C. -- When Penguin teammates Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang were drafted by opposing All-Star teams, they were destined to meet head-to-head in the SuperSkills shootout with bragging rights on the line.
That event came to a head Saturday night at RBC Center. With a lot of pressure on both players, Letang carried the puck in on Fleury.
Letang tried to pull the puck to his backhand, got wound up with his back slightly turned to the goal and finally sent a desperation shot on net that Fleury knocked away.
“I can go back home with my head up and give it to him, make fun of him,” Fleury said. “He said he tried to flip it over me. I think he was just making excuses.”
“I was a little nervous,” Letang admitted. “We were both laughing at each other. When I went up there, I froze. He knows all my moves so I was like, ‘Uh, OK whatever.’
“We talked about it and I said I wanted at least one goal, but I ended up freezing myself.”
Overall, both players participated in several events and had a good time in their first-ever SuperSkills challenge.
“To be with those guys on the ice and see them show their skill, it’s a fun game,” Letang said. “I’m glad I was a part of it.”
“It was fun,” Fleury said. “To be out there on the ice with all these players, the skill players you usually face, it was fun to see them do their thing.”
Letang opened the challenge in the Fastest Skater contest. He beat out Chicago’s Duncan Keith with a 14.132-second score, and had to do the race by skating backwards.
“The thing is I’ve never done that,” Letang said of speed skating backwards. “So you try to skate as hard as you can, but when you get to the curve you don’t know how much speed you need to get out close to the wall. It was tough, but at the end of the day it turned out pretty good.”
Fleury was particularly impressive in the shootout and breakaway challenge. During the breakaway challenge he gave up only one goal (to Alex Ovechkin) all the while he was doing his normal antics – jumping jacks, push-ups, spin-o-rama, laying down, etc.
“I’ve been working on it in Pittsburgh. I thought I’d throw a couple out there,” Fleury said.
One thing he didn’t throw into the mix was his usual trash talking during shootouts in Pittsburgh. Although he was upset by a goal he allowed in the elimination shootout.
“I’m not as comfortable with the guys here than I am back home in Pittsburgh,” Fleury said. “I gave it a little bit to ‘Tanger’ when I stopped him. I was mad at myself against (Corey) Perry. The last goal he scored I moved way too fast. I said bad words.”
And now the only event that remains is the 2011 All-Star Game, being played Sunday at 4 p.m.
“I’m excited. I think it’s going to be fun,” Letang said. “Everyone will show their real skill.”
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551032&navid=DL|PIT|home
That event came to a head Saturday night at RBC Center. With a lot of pressure on both players, Letang carried the puck in on Fleury.
Letang tried to pull the puck to his backhand, got wound up with his back slightly turned to the goal and finally sent a desperation shot on net that Fleury knocked away.
“I can go back home with my head up and give it to him, make fun of him,” Fleury said. “He said he tried to flip it over me. I think he was just making excuses.”
“I was a little nervous,” Letang admitted. “We were both laughing at each other. When I went up there, I froze. He knows all my moves so I was like, ‘Uh, OK whatever.’
“We talked about it and I said I wanted at least one goal, but I ended up freezing myself.”
Overall, both players participated in several events and had a good time in their first-ever SuperSkills challenge.
“To be with those guys on the ice and see them show their skill, it’s a fun game,” Letang said. “I’m glad I was a part of it.”
“It was fun,” Fleury said. “To be out there on the ice with all these players, the skill players you usually face, it was fun to see them do their thing.”
Letang opened the challenge in the Fastest Skater contest. He beat out Chicago’s Duncan Keith with a 14.132-second score, and had to do the race by skating backwards.
“The thing is I’ve never done that,” Letang said of speed skating backwards. “So you try to skate as hard as you can, but when you get to the curve you don’t know how much speed you need to get out close to the wall. It was tough, but at the end of the day it turned out pretty good.”
Fleury was particularly impressive in the shootout and breakaway challenge. During the breakaway challenge he gave up only one goal (to Alex Ovechkin) all the while he was doing his normal antics – jumping jacks, push-ups, spin-o-rama, laying down, etc.
“I’ve been working on it in Pittsburgh. I thought I’d throw a couple out there,” Fleury said.
One thing he didn’t throw into the mix was his usual trash talking during shootouts in Pittsburgh. Although he was upset by a goal he allowed in the elimination shootout.
“I’m not as comfortable with the guys here than I am back home in Pittsburgh,” Fleury said. “I gave it a little bit to ‘Tanger’ when I stopped him. I was mad at myself against (Corey) Perry. The last goal he scored I moved way too fast. I said bad words.”
And now the only event that remains is the 2011 All-Star Game, being played Sunday at 4 p.m.
“I’m excited. I think it’s going to be fun,” Letang said. “Everyone will show their real skill.”
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551032&navid=DL|PIT|home
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Kris on the Super Skills Competition
Kris Letang
On the SuperSkills experience:
To be with those guys on the ice and see them show their skill, it’s a fun game. I’m glad I was a part of it.
On the backwards skating:
The thing is I’ve never done that. So you try to skate as hard as you can, but when you get to the curve you don’t know how much speed you need to get out close to the wall. It was tough, but at the end of the day it turned out pretty good.
On his one-timers:
I was trying to take some off my shot a little bit, but it didn’t get up. I had like 14 shots.
On the breakaway vs. Fleury:
I was a little nervous. We were both laughing at each other. When I went up there, I froze. He knows all my moves so I was like, “Uh, OK whatever.”
On what Fleury said after the shot:
He said, “I was expecting a backhand.” We talked about it and I said I wanted at least one goal, but I ended up freezing myself. He didn’t say anything.
On the All-Star Game:
I’m excited. I think it’s going to be fun. When you do those competitions you sit on the side for a long time and get cold. You do your thing, but you aren’t as fresh. Tomorrow will be better. Everyone will show their real skill.
Extra tidbits:
Marc-Andre Fleury
On stopping Letang:
I can go back home with my head up and give it to him, make fun of him.
Ovechkin broke his stick on his second Hardest Shot attempt. He then borrowed Kris Letang's wood. Unfortunately his first two shots with Letang's stick didn't register, but he topped 97 MPH on his third re-try. Last All-Star Game in Montreal, Ovechkin used Malkin's stick on his breakaway stunt.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550984&navid=DL|PIT|home
On the SuperSkills experience:
To be with those guys on the ice and see them show their skill, it’s a fun game. I’m glad I was a part of it.
On the backwards skating:
The thing is I’ve never done that. So you try to skate as hard as you can, but when you get to the curve you don’t know how much speed you need to get out close to the wall. It was tough, but at the end of the day it turned out pretty good.
On his one-timers:
I was trying to take some off my shot a little bit, but it didn’t get up. I had like 14 shots.
On the breakaway vs. Fleury:
I was a little nervous. We were both laughing at each other. When I went up there, I froze. He knows all my moves so I was like, “Uh, OK whatever.”
On what Fleury said after the shot:
He said, “I was expecting a backhand.” We talked about it and I said I wanted at least one goal, but I ended up freezing myself. He didn’t say anything.
On the All-Star Game:
I’m excited. I think it’s going to be fun. When you do those competitions you sit on the side for a long time and get cold. You do your thing, but you aren’t as fresh. Tomorrow will be better. Everyone will show their real skill.
Extra tidbits:
Marc-Andre Fleury
On stopping Letang:
I can go back home with my head up and give it to him, make fun of him.
Ovechkin broke his stick on his second Hardest Shot attempt. He then borrowed Kris Letang's wood. Unfortunately his first two shots with Letang's stick didn't register, but he topped 97 MPH on his third re-try. Last All-Star Game in Montreal, Ovechkin used Malkin's stick on his breakaway stunt.
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550984&navid=DL|PIT|home
Letang signing autographs on the red carpet before the Super Skills Competition
Source
The Penguins website
Super Skills Letang Events
Kris is participating on these Super Skills competition tonight.
Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™
G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay™
Discover NHL Elimination Shootout™
Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™
G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay™
Discover NHL Elimination Shootout™
All Star Interviews Red Carpet in French
Source
http://www.rds.ca/zv2/index.html?video=49923
Plus I found the link on "58 Reasons" on facebook. Thanks guys!!! :)
http://www.rds.ca/zv2/index.html?video=49923
Plus I found the link on "58 Reasons" on facebook. Thanks guys!!! :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Poor Guy
Letang also addressed his near fall after being picked in the draft: "I was a little nervous. I didn't want to do anything stupid. I ended up slipping and almost went down. I stayed on my feet, kept my ground. I was good."
Kris Letang at the All Star game in Raleigh, NC
On having a preference on which Team he’ll play for:
Not really, I’m just here to have fun and have a chance to play with these guys. I’m leaning towards Lidstrom’s side. He’s always been a role model for me. To play with him would be fun.
On playing against Fleury, or with him:
I wish I could play with him. He’s a great goaltender and will give a good showing, so I want him on my side.
On any defenseman he’d like to be paired with:
Lidstrom would be great, getting a chance to play, talk and learn from him.
On the skills competition:
They didn’t tell us because the teams are not picked yet.
On a preference skill competition:
I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy it.
On where he got his tan:
Miami beach.
Source and some pics
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550824
On having a preference on which Team he’ll play for:
Not really, I’m just here to have fun and have a chance to play with these guys. I’m leaning towards Lidstrom’s side. He’s always been a role model for me. To play with him would be fun.
On playing against Fleury, or with him:
I wish I could play with him. He’s a great goaltender and will give a good showing, so I want him on my side.
On any defenseman he’d like to be paired with:
Lidstrom would be great, getting a chance to play, talk and learn from him.
On the skills competition:
They didn’t tell us because the teams are not picked yet.
On a preference skill competition:
I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy it.
On where he got his tan:
Miami beach.
Source and some pics
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550824
Penguins' Fleury, Letang chosen for different All-Star teams
Source
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11028/1121452-100.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Kris Letang, the team's only two healthy All-Star representatives, tonight were picked for opposite sides and will oppose each other in Sunday's game.
Fleury was the fourth of the six goaltenders chosen and was selected 18th overeall by Team Lidstrom, headed by Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. Letang was picked 23rd overall by Team Staal, headed by Carolina center Eric Staal.
The NHL All-Star Game is using a fantasy league style draft to choose sides for the first time.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11028/1121452-100.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml#ixzz1CO8faKzZ
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11028/1121452-100.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Kris Letang, the team's only two healthy All-Star representatives, tonight were picked for opposite sides and will oppose each other in Sunday's game.
Fleury was the fourth of the six goaltenders chosen and was selected 18th overeall by Team Lidstrom, headed by Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. Letang was picked 23rd overall by Team Staal, headed by Carolina center Eric Staal.
The NHL All-Star Game is using a fantasy league style draft to choose sides for the first time.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11028/1121452-100.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml#ixzz1CO8faKzZ
2011 All Star Letang
Letang is going to be on Team Staal for the 2011 ALL STAR GAME!!!
GO TEAM STAAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO TEAM STAAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mock Draft Picks for the 2011 NHL All Star game
Spoiler: NHL.com has Fleury going to Team Staal in the 7th Round (13th overall), and Letang going to Team Lidstrom in the 8th Round (16th overall).
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550824&navid=DL|PIT|home
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550824&navid=DL|PIT|home
Another link about the Mock Draft picks for 2011 All Star game
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=550796
All Star Mock Draft 2011
This is where they think Kris will get drafted for the 2011 All Star Draft. We shall see what happens tonight!!!!!!!! Congrats to Kris for making the 2011 All Star Team!!!!!!!!
Round 8
Lidstrom -- Kris Letang (D)
Just trying to stockpile defensemen now so I don't have to force them into the lineup later. That's smarts. I've got it all, really.
Source
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550857&navid=DL|CAR|home
Round 8
Lidstrom -- Kris Letang (D)
Just trying to stockpile defensemen now so I don't have to force them into the lineup later. That's smarts. I've got it all, really.
Source
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550857&navid=DL|CAR|home
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Fleury and Letang Eager for All-Star Game
Source
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550825&navid=DL|PIT|home
Although Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can’t attend the NHL All-Star Game festivities in Raleigh this weekend, the Penguins still have two worthy representatives in Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang.
And while they’ll miss their teammates, the first-time All-Stars couldn’t be more excited.
“I’m really excited about it,” Fleury said. “I’ve never been (to the All-Star Game), never seen it. So I’m just looking forward to being there and seeing what it’s like and having some fun.”
Letang participated in two NHL YoungStars games both years he was eligible, as a rookie in 2008 and a sophomore in 2009 (in his hometown of Montreal).
He admitted he’s excited to partake in the big event.
“The main game is a little more interesting I think, to play with all those guys,” he said. “It’s going to be a great experience.”
The NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft begins Friday at 8 p.m. The Honda NHL SuperSkills Competition commences Saturday at 7 p.m. before the game itself is played Sunday at 4 p.m.
While Fleury just hopes he isn’t the last one picked, Letang wants to play with fellow defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom of Detroit.
“That would be cool to play with Lidstrom,” Letang said. “I think that’s really the first one who comes to mind.”
The All-Stars voted Lidstrom as one of the two team captains, along with Carolina’s Eric Staal.
Lidstrom, who hasn’t revealed any of his draft strategies, is currently flanked by Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis – serving as alternate captains. Staal is joined by Washington’s Mike Green and Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler.
Fleury has been playing a fantastic stretch of hockey heading into the All-Star break. He’s started 29 of the Penguins’ last 33 games, posting a 22-5-2 record in those contests and allowing two-or-fewer goals in 21 of those games.
In fact, he’s been playing so well that head coach Dan Bylsma joked that he didn’t want Fleury to even take a break at all.
“I almost don’t want him to take any time off, he can keep playing just the way he is,” Bylsma said.
But Fleury assured reporters that he’d be getting plenty of work between the pipes this weekend facing the NHL’s elite players.
“There’s so much talent and skill around the league that I don’t think I’m going to keep my save percentage up during the game,” Fleury joked.
All jokes aside, Letang and Fleury are proud to be representing their team and honored that the fans voted them in, particularly Letang – who was a write-in candidate.
“It means a lot to me that the fans took the time to vote for me, especially because I was not on the ballot,” Letang said. “We had guys who were supposed to come and they had to take care of some other stuff, so I’m going to try and represent my team the best I can.”
Fleury agreed.
“I want to say thank you to all the fans that voted for us,” he said. “It’s pretty cool that we get to go there together and enjoy our time.”
2011 NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 28: NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco, 8 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the Raleigh Convention Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.
Saturday, Jan. 29: Honda NHL SuperSkills® competition, 7 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the RBC Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada.
Sunday, Jan. 30: NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover, 4 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the RBC Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550825&navid=DL|PIT|home
Although Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can’t attend the NHL All-Star Game festivities in Raleigh this weekend, the Penguins still have two worthy representatives in Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang.
And while they’ll miss their teammates, the first-time All-Stars couldn’t be more excited.
“I’m really excited about it,” Fleury said. “I’ve never been (to the All-Star Game), never seen it. So I’m just looking forward to being there and seeing what it’s like and having some fun.”
Letang participated in two NHL YoungStars games both years he was eligible, as a rookie in 2008 and a sophomore in 2009 (in his hometown of Montreal).
He admitted he’s excited to partake in the big event.
“The main game is a little more interesting I think, to play with all those guys,” he said. “It’s going to be a great experience.”
The NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft begins Friday at 8 p.m. The Honda NHL SuperSkills Competition commences Saturday at 7 p.m. before the game itself is played Sunday at 4 p.m.
While Fleury just hopes he isn’t the last one picked, Letang wants to play with fellow defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom of Detroit.
“That would be cool to play with Lidstrom,” Letang said. “I think that’s really the first one who comes to mind.”
The All-Stars voted Lidstrom as one of the two team captains, along with Carolina’s Eric Staal.
Lidstrom, who hasn’t revealed any of his draft strategies, is currently flanked by Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis – serving as alternate captains. Staal is joined by Washington’s Mike Green and Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler.
Fleury has been playing a fantastic stretch of hockey heading into the All-Star break. He’s started 29 of the Penguins’ last 33 games, posting a 22-5-2 record in those contests and allowing two-or-fewer goals in 21 of those games.
In fact, he’s been playing so well that head coach Dan Bylsma joked that he didn’t want Fleury to even take a break at all.
“I almost don’t want him to take any time off, he can keep playing just the way he is,” Bylsma said.
But Fleury assured reporters that he’d be getting plenty of work between the pipes this weekend facing the NHL’s elite players.
“There’s so much talent and skill around the league that I don’t think I’m going to keep my save percentage up during the game,” Fleury joked.
All jokes aside, Letang and Fleury are proud to be representing their team and honored that the fans voted them in, particularly Letang – who was a write-in candidate.
“It means a lot to me that the fans took the time to vote for me, especially because I was not on the ballot,” Letang said. “We had guys who were supposed to come and they had to take care of some other stuff, so I’m going to try and represent my team the best I can.”
Fleury agreed.
“I want to say thank you to all the fans that voted for us,” he said. “It’s pretty cool that we get to go there together and enjoy our time.”
2011 NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 28: NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco, 8 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the Raleigh Convention Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.
Saturday, Jan. 29: Honda NHL SuperSkills® competition, 7 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the RBC Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada.
Sunday, Jan. 30: NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover, 4 p.m. EST
Live television coverage from the RBC Center provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kris Letang quote about 2011 All Star Captains
I wish I could play with [Lidstrom] ... He's a role model for me, I watched him a lot, and he's a great example for every defenseman in this League.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Sport Illustrated Article about Letang (January 24, 2011 issue)
****Just a note I scanned my own copy of the magazine so not one can say I stole it from them!**** Enjoy some Tanger
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thumbs Up for Letang
Source
http://www.pensuniverse.com/2011/01/21/over-the-boards-mid-season-cheers-jeers/
Cheers – Kris Letang
His nickname should be “phoenix” because he rose up out of nowhere to become one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Letang is currently second on the team with 40 points and first in plus/minus with a +22. He has dominated both ends of the ice getting back in front of Fleury and blocking shots, and then jumping into the counter attack and making plays that lead to goals. Pens fans made him the highest vote getter among d-men for the all star game as a write-in and he deserved it. And the best part of it is I don’t think he is playing his best hockey. I think he can still do better.
http://www.pensuniverse.com/2011/01/21/over-the-boards-mid-season-cheers-jeers/
Cheers – Kris Letang
His nickname should be “phoenix” because he rose up out of nowhere to become one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Letang is currently second on the team with 40 points and first in plus/minus with a +22. He has dominated both ends of the ice getting back in front of Fleury and blocking shots, and then jumping into the counter attack and making plays that lead to goals. Pens fans made him the highest vote getter among d-men for the all star game as a write-in and he deserved it. And the best part of it is I don’t think he is playing his best hockey. I think he can still do better.
Kris Letang radio interview FM 105.9 Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.1059thex.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=MarkMadden.xml
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/PITTSBURGH-PA/WXDX-FM/20110121170109.mp3
**** I found this link on facebook from the "58 Reasons" blog. ****
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/PITTSBURGH-PA/WXDX-FM/20110121170109.mp3
**** I found this link on facebook from the "58 Reasons" blog. ****
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
58,000 Views!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy Cow is all I can say!!!!!!!!!! This little blog here has been viewed a little over 58,000 times since I put it up.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never knew it would be semi popular at all. I love you guys for checking it out.
Kris Letang really is one awesome hockey player!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never knew it would be semi popular at all. I love you guys for checking it out.
Kris Letang really is one awesome hockey player!!!!!!!!!!!
New Article about Letang
Source
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180919/index.htm
Blue Line Special
The most improved player in the league is Kris Letang, who has filled two big voids for the Penguins
After his Penguins teammates cleared the ice following last Friday's practice, the NHL's most improved player remained, rejecting a pass he received on the tape of his stick. "No good," Kris Letang told Todd Reirden, the assistant coach who oversees Pittsburgh's defense. "Too perfect." Reirden made sure the next hundred or so passes were bouncing, rolling, at Letang's skates or too far behind him. "Kris never stops working or learning," Reirden says. An hour later Letang, 23, gazed at a video screen, watching each of his shifts from the previous game and also separate clips of Nicklas Lidstrom to see how the Red Wings' star backliner handled an oncoming forecheck. "He's a great example," Letang says. "Eyes everywhere."
For the Penguins, Letang's ascent has been perfectly timed. Since Pittsburgh let four-time All-Star Sergei Gonchar escape via free agency last summer, Letang has thrived as the anchor of the club's top defensive pair (along with Brooks Orpik) and the quarterback of the power play. His stepped-up performance has been crucial in the absence of Sidney Crosby, who has been out since Jan. 5 with a concussion. The Pens lost their first three games without their captain but won their next two, in which Letang had three points. The league's fans have rewarded him by giving him the most All-Star votes of any NHL defenseman.
"He's a guy I tell my kid to watch all the time," says Hall of Fame blueliner Paul Coffey. "He's strong, smart, tough. He can shoot the puck. He doesn't look big, but he's strong on his feet and he's very heads-up." Through Saturday, Letang led all NHL defensemen with 33 assists, his +21 rating is third best in the league and he is, along with Orpik, one of the reasons the Penguins lead the NHL in penalty killing, at 87.6%.
Says Reirden, "Last year, he'd settle the puck, blast away, miss the net, get shots blocked. Now he moves his feet to find a lane before the puck arrives and one-times it more accurately."
Another reason for Letang's improved play is that the congenital migraines he suffered as a teen have subsided. "When I had them," he recalls, "I couldn't see the puck or guys coming to hit me." He experienced only mild discomfort during the off-season, but a throbbing pain often flared up throughout the winter. Letang would take injections that made him nauseated. If he threw up, he had to scramble to try to rehydrate before skating. Amazingly, he's never missed an NHL game with a migraine. "I was dying to play, so I didn't complain about headaches," he says.
Letang began taking a new medication last year but still had one bad episode before opening night when he ran out of pills. Afraid to drive home, he slept at the rink after the morning skate. "I need the room completely dark," he says. "Otherwise when I wake up, it's like someone is pressing on my eyeball and I see blurry colors that move around." He still undergoes brain scans twice a year.
These days, with his condition controlled and his game on the rise, Letang is the one giving headaches to the rest of the league.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180919/index.htm
Blue Line Special
The most improved player in the league is Kris Letang, who has filled two big voids for the Penguins
After his Penguins teammates cleared the ice following last Friday's practice, the NHL's most improved player remained, rejecting a pass he received on the tape of his stick. "No good," Kris Letang told Todd Reirden, the assistant coach who oversees Pittsburgh's defense. "Too perfect." Reirden made sure the next hundred or so passes were bouncing, rolling, at Letang's skates or too far behind him. "Kris never stops working or learning," Reirden says. An hour later Letang, 23, gazed at a video screen, watching each of his shifts from the previous game and also separate clips of Nicklas Lidstrom to see how the Red Wings' star backliner handled an oncoming forecheck. "He's a great example," Letang says. "Eyes everywhere."
For the Penguins, Letang's ascent has been perfectly timed. Since Pittsburgh let four-time All-Star Sergei Gonchar escape via free agency last summer, Letang has thrived as the anchor of the club's top defensive pair (along with Brooks Orpik) and the quarterback of the power play. His stepped-up performance has been crucial in the absence of Sidney Crosby, who has been out since Jan. 5 with a concussion. The Pens lost their first three games without their captain but won their next two, in which Letang had three points. The league's fans have rewarded him by giving him the most All-Star votes of any NHL defenseman.
"He's a guy I tell my kid to watch all the time," says Hall of Fame blueliner Paul Coffey. "He's strong, smart, tough. He can shoot the puck. He doesn't look big, but he's strong on his feet and he's very heads-up." Through Saturday, Letang led all NHL defensemen with 33 assists, his +21 rating is third best in the league and he is, along with Orpik, one of the reasons the Penguins lead the NHL in penalty killing, at 87.6%.
Says Reirden, "Last year, he'd settle the puck, blast away, miss the net, get shots blocked. Now he moves his feet to find a lane before the puck arrives and one-times it more accurately."
Another reason for Letang's improved play is that the congenital migraines he suffered as a teen have subsided. "When I had them," he recalls, "I couldn't see the puck or guys coming to hit me." He experienced only mild discomfort during the off-season, but a throbbing pain often flared up throughout the winter. Letang would take injections that made him nauseated. If he threw up, he had to scramble to try to rehydrate before skating. Amazingly, he's never missed an NHL game with a migraine. "I was dying to play, so I didn't complain about headaches," he says.
Letang began taking a new medication last year but still had one bad episode before opening night when he ran out of pills. Afraid to drive home, he slept at the rink after the morning skate. "I need the room completely dark," he says. "Otherwise when I wake up, it's like someone is pressing on my eyeball and I see blurry colors that move around." He still undergoes brain scans twice a year.
These days, with his condition controlled and his game on the rise, Letang is the one giving headaches to the rest of the league.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Article about Letang
Source
http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/penguins-plus/107526-the-gold-standard
The Gold Standard
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is having a sensational season, and he's gaining recognition around North America as a serious contender for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the league's top player at his position.
So is Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom who, at age 40, already has six of those trophies on his mantle, and looks like the early favorite to earn No. 7.
Letang certainly wouldn't disagree, saying today that Lidstrom is in "totally another class," compared to the rest of the league's defensemen.
“He’s smart, he supports the puck, he reads the play really well,” Letang said. “Let’s say he’s getting forechecked. He’s not going to read only the first guy coming at him; he’s going to read the three guys coming at him.
“He’s always going to play the puck in a good position, and he never gets beaten. He’s so tough to play against.
“As a complete defenseman, he’s the role model for everybody.”
http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/penguins-plus/107526-the-gold-standard
The Gold Standard
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is having a sensational season, and he's gaining recognition around North America as a serious contender for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the league's top player at his position.
So is Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom who, at age 40, already has six of those trophies on his mantle, and looks like the early favorite to earn No. 7.
Letang certainly wouldn't disagree, saying today that Lidstrom is in "totally another class," compared to the rest of the league's defensemen.
“He’s smart, he supports the puck, he reads the play really well,” Letang said. “Let’s say he’s getting forechecked. He’s not going to read only the first guy coming at him; he’s going to read the three guys coming at him.
“He’s always going to play the puck in a good position, and he never gets beaten. He’s so tough to play against.
“As a complete defenseman, he’s the role model for everybody.”
Letang interview pics on the Pens site
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=549665&navid=DL|PIT|home
When the video comes out I will post it obviously but for now enjoy the pics.
When the video comes out I will post it obviously but for now enjoy the pics.
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