Penguins

-How can the Penguins sign Kris Letang (above) to a contract extension?

-Former Penguins forward Rico Fata and ex-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Jason DeSantis have joined HIFK of Finland's SM-liiga.

-Happy 61st birthday to former Penguins goaltender Denis Herron. A third-round pick in the 1972 draft, Herron spent parts of 10 seasons with the Penguins over three different stints. His rookie season of 1972-73 saw him appear in 18 games and put up a 6-7-2 record with two shutouts and a 3.41 goals against average. The 1973-74 campaign was decidedly less successful as he compiled a meager 1-3-0 record and a 4.15 goals against average in only five games. After three games, a 1-1-0 record and 6.11 goals against average in 1973-75, Herron was traded to the Kansas City Scouts along with Jean-Guy Lagace in exchange for Michel Plasse. Following two seasons in Kansas City, Herron returned to Pittsburgh as a free agent in the 1976 offseason. The 1976-77 season saw him go 15-11-5 with a 2.94 goals against average, one shutout and lead the Penguins to a playoff berth. During that spring's postseason, Herron (right) had a 1-2 record with a 3.67 goals against average. In 1977-78, he has had a losing record of 20-25-15 with a 3.57 goals against average and made 1,920 saves, a mark which remains a franchise record. He rebounded in 1978-79 by going 22-19-12 with a 3.37 record and once again led the team to the playoffs where he went 2-5 with a 3.42 goals against average. In the 1979 offseason, he was traded the Canadiens along with a draft pick for Pat Hughes and Rob Holland. After spending three seasons in Montreal and earning a Stanley Cup ring, the Vezina and Jennings Trophies, Herron once again returned to the Penguins in the 1982 offseason when the Canadiens traded him back to Pittsburgh for a draft pick. In 1982-83, Herron saw action in 31 games, went 5-18-5 with a 5.31 goals against average with one shutout. During 1983-84, Herron appeared in 38 games, had an 8-24-2 record with a 4.08 goals against average and one shutout. His final full NHl season was 1984-85. He played in 42 games, went 10-22-3 with a 4.65 goals against average and one shutout. He was limited to three games in 1985-86 and went 0-3-0 with a 4.67 goals against average. Herron was released in the 1986 offseason. Considered one of the more underrated players in franchise history, Herron appeared in 290 regular games with the Penguins, third-most in franchise history among goaltenders, and compiled a record of 88-133-44 with a 3.88 goals against average and six shutouts. In 10 postseason games, he was 3-7 with a 3.49 goals against average.

-Happy 47th birthday to former Penguins defenseman Doug Bodger (right). Along with Roger Belanger and some other guy, Bodger was one of three first-round picks for the Penguins in the 1984 draft. Bodger would spend parts of five seasons with the franchise. His rookie season in 1984-85 saw Bodger appear in 65 games and record 31 points. In 1985-86, Bodger played in 79 games and increased his points to 37. Bodger's progression continued in the 1986-87 campaign as he saw action in 76 games and led all Penguins defensemen with 49 points. He recorded a career high in goals (14) while scoring 45 points and playing in 69 games in 1987-88. He also scored 13 power-play goals, a mark which remains a franchise record for defensemen. After scoring five points in 10 games in 1988-89, Bodger was dealt to the Sabres along with Darrin Shannon in exchange for Tom Barrasso and a draft pick. In 299 games with the Penguins, Bodger recorded 167 points, 50th-most in franchise history and eighth-most among defensemen.

Playoff Stuff
Blackhawks - Bruins

-Tuukka Rask made 28 saves for the Bruins in a 2-0 shutout of the Blackhawks in Game 3. Boston has a 2-1 series lead.

-Defensive Play of the Night: Check out this strip by Boston's Daniel Paille against Chicago's Dave Bolland which led to the eventual game-winning goal:

-Pass of the Night: Check out this dish on a five-on-three power play by Bruins forward and former Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr to set up Patrice Bergeron for a goal:

-Boston's Brad Marchand and Chicago's Andrew Shaw had issues:

-Jagr decided to make this face:

-Kicking times for Bergeron:

-Bright times for Rask:

-There was a yard sale in front of Rask:

-Bruins center Patrice Bergeron went 24 for 28 in faceoffs during Game 3.

-After going 0-for-5 in Game 3, the Blackhawks' power play has been blanked in its past 20 chances.

-With former Penguins forward Marian Hossa dealing with an "upper-body" injury, the Blackhawks inserted forward Ben Smith into the lineup.

-Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg replaced forward Brandon Bollig in the lineup.

-During a pay-per-view event Sunday, WWE Superstar C.M. Punk, a native of Chicago, wore Blackhawks-themed attire.

-Hockey Night in Canada's pregame montage:

Non-Playoff Stuff
Atlantic Division

-According to TSN, the Flyers have agreeded to a four-year contract with unrestricted free agent defenseman Mark Streit worth a total of $21 million. Coming off a contract with a salary cap hit of $4.1 million, Streit's new deal with have a salary cap hit of $5.2 million. Streit, 35, appeared in 48 games with the Islanders last season and scored 27 points (six goals, 21 assists).

-EN Says: What a gross overpayment. Streit is a fine player who is durable as well as a consistent point producer but giving out a long deal like this at $5.2 million per season is overboard, especially considering the Flyers still have to find a way to get under the salary cap for next season.

There are ramifications a deal like this and the one the Stars gave defenseman Sergei Gonchar ($5 million per season) last week have around the rest of the league as well. If an above average defenseman like Streit (right) is worth $5.2 million, what does an all-star like Kris Letang command when he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason? How are small market teams expected to compete, even with a reduced salary cap, with a salary like this?

The Flyers have every right to build their team as they see fit provided its within the rules but that doesn't mean a decision like this isn't reckless to the rest of the league.

Central Division

-The Predators signed defenseman Joe Piskula to a one-year contract to a one-year two-way contract.

Northwest Division

-The Wild signed restricted free agent defenseman Marco Scandella to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.05 million. Coming off an entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $$845,833 at the NHL level, Scandella's new contract will have a cap hit of $1.025 million. Scandella, 23, appeared in six NHL games last season and scored one goal.

-EN Says: For a No. 5 of 6 defenseman who is fluent in the system of head coach Mike Yeo, this is a fair contract.

Pacific Division

-According to CSN Bay Area, the Sharks have agreed to a contract extension with forward Logan Couture. Terms of the deal have not been reporter. Couture will be entering the final year of a contract with a salary cap hit of $2.875 million in 2013-14. In 48 games last season, Couture, 24, scored 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists).

-"As a player, this is a place that is certainly a desirable location. It’s got everything you need, for myself and more importantly for my family. The team’s good. I’m comfortable here. It’ll take me a little more time to gain perspective and just relax right now.” - Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (right) on his future as a pending unrestricted free agent.

-The Stars re-signed goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp to a one-year two-way contract.

(Photo: Letang-Justin K. Aller/Getty Images; Herron and Bodger-Penguins Hockey Cards; Blackhawks/Bruins-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, Harry How/Getty Images and Jim Rogash/Getty Images; Streit-Al Bello/Getty Images; Scuderi-Harry How/Getty Images)

We will be hosting a chat for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Bruins and Blackhawks.

The game and the chat are scheduled to start at approximately 8 p.m. Click here to join the fun or use the chat box down below:

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Penguins

-Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Scott Munroe has joined the Växjö Lakers of Sweden's Elitserien.

Playoff Stuff
Blackhawks - Bruins

-"That’s why I’m skating extra at night: There’s no goalie, so I know I can put some pucks in the net. That’s all the reason; I know what I’m doing.” - Bruins forward and former Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr (right) on being held without a goal thus far this postseason. 

-The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this postseason.

-Maybe it wasn't just the Penguins. The Blackhawks are 0 for 6 on the power play this series.

-The Bruins and Blackhawks have done their "hockey cards" segment for Hockey Night in Canada. The Bruins (wait for Jaromir Jagr at the 2:43 mark):

-The Blackhawks:

(Photo: Post-Gazette archives)

Some items that fell off my laptop

Pitt plays Florida State in the football season opener Labor Day. It looks like Pitt also might have to battle Florida State to land a top recruit from Western Pennsylvania.

Washington running back Shai McKenzie (pictured) had scholarship offers from colleges across the country. He has narrowed his list of favorites to five and they are - Pitt, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Arkansas. However, McKenzie and both Washington coach Mike Bosnic said Florida State is the top choice - right now. Pitt is next in line.

McKenzie has visted Florida State. It's not often that Florida State is heavily involved with WPIAL players. In fact, I'm having trouble thinking of the last WPIAL player to sign with Florida State. But the Seminoles already have one recruit from the WPIAL class of 2014 - quarterback J.J. Cosentino of Central Catholic.

Kincade to Akron

Blackhawk quarterback Chandler Kincade has decided to attend Akron.

"I'll be playing for a great staff who is putting the program in the right drection," Kincade said in a text message.

Kincade (pictured) originally made a verbal commitment to Pitt during his sophomore year when Todd Graham was coach. After Graham left and Paul Chryst became coach, Kincade stayed committed to Pitt until the two parties mutually parted ways this spring.

Kincade had scholarship offers from Rutgers, Temple and a few Mid-American Conference schools. Other Division I colleges were showing interest. I think the MAC is a good fit for him. Remember, the MAC has produced some NFL quarterbacks (Big Ben).

Where does Pitt's recruiting stand now with quarterbacks? Well, the No. 1 target is undoubtedly Keller Chryst of Palo Alto, Calif. Chryst, a highly-touted pro-style quarterback, is ranked the No. 31 player in the country by Rivals.com. He also is the nephew of Paul Chryst.

Keller Chryst has said his top four choices are Pitt, Alabama, Stanford and USC. It would be gigantic if Pitt were able to land Keller Chryst, but beating out the like of Alabama and West Coast schools for Chryst will be tough.

Cedar Cliff (Pa.) QB Andrew Ford also was considering Pitt but he recently committed to Virginia Tech.

Other notes and thoughts

***** The Post-Gazette will publish its male and female high school athletes of the year in a few weeks. I won't reveal them, but it seems like easy choices this year. Care to take any guesses?

***** After seeing New Castle's Malik Hooker play basketball again yesterday, seeing his body and athletic ability, I say he could be one terrific college player. With those wide shoulders and skinny legs below the knees, and with excellent football-basketball ability, he reminds me so much of Darrelle Revis in high school. Don't get me wrong. I'm not predicting NFL stardom for Hooker. I'm just saying he looks like Revis in high school. And honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Hooker goes awfully far in football. His athletic ability is that good. I think he might make for an excellent defensive back, although he also plays receiver.

Hooker just doesn't have a lot of experience in football. He didn't play high school football until last year, his junior year. But with his athletic ability, that doesn't matter.

You want to see what I mean of Hooker's athletic ability? Check out this dunk he had this season. It made ESPN's top plays that day.

***** North Allegheny standout receiver-defensive back Elijah Zeise might be ready to make his college decision next month. He is at Duke's camp this weekend. Pitt, West Virginia and Arizona have offered. No word yet if Duke offered. Zeise might also look at a few Ivy League schools that are recruiting him.

***** This was no surprise but not one player at a WPIAL school was taken in this year's Major League Baseball draft.