SabreSpace

'Fans and media alike have criticized Jagr for his prolonged absence, demanding he play through the pain. But Jagr, who finally was able to swing a stick Tuesday for the first time since the injury, offered several pleas for compassion, saying he's "not a superman" and he wants to do what's best for the team.' … [Read more...] about Jagr finally comes clean; expects to play

'It's time to cut Jaromir Jagr some slack. No sports figure in recent memory has been criticized as much as Jagr has the past week. And for what? Hurting his shoulder, and trying to cover it up so the Buffalo Sabres wouldn't send out Rob Ray to perform an on-ice amputation when he finally returned?' … [Read more...] about Trading Jagr could be a big mistake

'Yeah, the bum shoulder that forced Jaromir Jagr to sit out the Penguins' past two games still hurts. Those stern words Mario Lemieux sent his way a week ago still seem to sting a bit, too.' … [Read more...] about Jagr expects to play, but says Lemieux's criticisms hurt, too

'Heinze didn't exact any revenge on Kasparaitis Monday and said he isn't planning on taking a foolish penalty to do so tonight. But he did take pleasure in watching Kasparaitis spill awkwardly to the ice because of a slick move by Buffalo right winger Maxim Afinogenov late in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Heinze relishes shot at Kasparaitis

'Dominik Hasek has been there. He knows what it's like to read the papers, click on the television or check out the talk shows and find out no one believes his injury is real.' … [Read more...] about Hasek sympathizes with Jagr

'Some eerie similarities to the Penguins' second-round series last spring -- when they seized early control by winning Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia, then lost Game 3 with a dull effort at home -- have emerged the past few days, but D Bob Boughner insisted yesterday that "last year is last year, and we're really not thinking about that. We still have a lot … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr expects to play against the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Game 4. He'll probably need an injection and some pills to block out the pain in his right shoulder. If only he could find a way to block out the past six days.' … [Read more...] about Jagr battles distractions, pain

'"He really is a gamer," said Sabres defenseman Jason Woolley, a former Penguins player and, like Hasek, an unabashed Jagr fan. "He's very competitive, and he's the best in the world. There was no question he was coming back; it was just a matter of when he was healthy enough. "Obviously, Mario (Lemieux) works a lot better off him. It's … [Read more...] about Hasek: Jagr's return changes plans

'NHL teams are more dependent on ticket sales than any of the other three major professional sports - football, basketball and baseball - because they do not generate the same television revenue. "Our revenues are largely ticket-driven," McMillan said.' … [Read more...] about Penguins raise prices

'Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek hasn't drawn rave reviews for his performance in the playoffs, but the fact remains that he is stopping about 92 percent of the shots that come his way.' … [Read more...] about Hasek back in regular form

'After nearly a week of attempting to hide various injuries suffered in Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres while dealing with public fallout from that as well as Mario Lemieux's comments to the national media, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Jagr finally spoke out Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about 'Even if I'm traded, I want to leave a champion'

'He's been accused of quitting on his team, he's been called a coach killer and he's been accused of faking injuries in the playoffs. Sound familiar? Perhaps only Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek can possibly relate to what Jaromir Jagr has endured from fans and media in the past few days.' … [Read more...] about Jagr's plight sounds familiar to Hasek

'"One day at a time," said Stevens, the tone of his voice underscoring both the truth and the sadness of that cliche. "I think how that sounds and, you know, I laugh a little bit. But that's where it is for me right now. I'm sober, and I know I'll do my best today, and I'll do my best tomorrow." … [Read more...] about Stevens: Clean checks

'The same might be said about Andrew Ference himself, the wiry little defenceman from Sherwood Park, Alta., who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins so low...in the 1997 entry draft that no one, least of all him, ever expected that he would one day be his lifelong hero Mario Lemieux's teammate...'. … [Read more...] about Little Penguin who could

'That charley horse was in Jaromir Jagr's shoulder all along, and the speculation surrounding it is causing the Pittsburgh Penguins winger some pain below the belt.' … [Read more...] about Jagr, nursing shoulder injury, may play tonight