Friday, 04 January 2013 09:11

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

-Former Penguins owner/president/genergal manager Wren Blair has passed away. He was 87.

-Negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA are moving along... but very slowly.

-Kris Letang (above) is expected to sign with SKA St. Petersburg of Russia's KHL. (PG+)

-“I think you have to be ready to find a way as best you can. Every team is kind of in the same situation trying to get ready quick but you really have to be as close to your best right away. Usually you have a whole season to find your identity. I think you have to find it a little bit quicker in a shorter season.” - Sidney Crosby on the prospect of a short season.

-Marc-Andre Fleury, Brooks Orpik (right), Matt Cooke, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, Joe Vitale, Derek Engelland, Ben Lovejoy and former Penguins forward Jordan Staal are scheduled to participate in a charity game next Wednesday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown. (PG+)

-"He’s a real selfless person. He loves giving back rather than taking." -  Orpik on his college coach, Boston College's Jerry York.

-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are trying to piece together an alumni roster for the AHL Outdoor Classic later this month.

-Sabres owner and Penn State alumni Terry Pegula donated $1.3 million to the school in order to increase the salary of head coach Bill O'Brien. O'Brien was the targed of several NFL teams seeking a new head coach.

-"I don’t dislike anybody, but I don’t trust Gary Bettman right now and what his motive is. He’s a nice man, I’ve met him numerous times, but I don’t trust what’s happened so far." - Capitals forward Jason Chimera (right) on the lockout.

-Ducks goaltending prospect John Gibson, a native of Whitehall, made 33 saves and led the United States to a 5-1 upset of Canada in a semifinal round game at the World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. Rangers forward prospect J.T. Miller, of East Palestine, Ohio, recorded two assists for the United States while Capitals forward prospect Riley Barber, a native of Washington, Pa., netted an assist. Panthers forward prospect Vince Trocheck, of Upper St. Clair, also recorded an assist. Penguins defenssive prospect Scott Harrington had one shot and was named the player of the game for Canada.

-Highlights:

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-Canada defenseman Griffin Reinhart, an Islanders prospect, was suspended four games for slashing Trocheck.

-In the other semifinal round game, a shootout goal by Canadiens forward prospect Sebastian Collberg gave Sweden a 3-2 win against Russia.

-In a relegation round contest, Penguins forward prospect Teddy Bueger recorded an assist for Latvia in a 5-3 loss to Slovakia.

(Photo: Letang-Harry How/Getty Images)