Hockey News and Product Review

The Pittsburgh Penguins were back together Tuesday, even though it seemed as if they left town only a few weeks ago.

That's because they did.

"It was a short summer," captain Sidney Crosby said.

The shortest offseason in Penguins history - it was little more than three months ago they lost Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals at home to Detroit - will be followed by their shortest training camp. They begin practicing Wednesday, will play their first exhibition game on Saturday and, in 10 days, will leave for Europe and their final preseason game and two games in Stockholm to open the season.

Many players began offseason workouts a few weeks after that loss to Detroit, so it almost feels as if one continuous season to them. The Penguins now will test the theory that reaching the Stanley Cup finals one season makes it even more difficult to get back because of the wear and tear endured during a six-month season and two months of playoffs, especially when other NHL players are resting once the season ends in April.

The son of Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy pleaded not guilty to assault Tuesday for his attack on a player last March during a game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Jonathan Roy's lawyer entered the plea and asked to get more evidence in a case that has been put off until Nov. 10. Roy, who was not in court, faces a maximum fine of $2,000 or up to six months in prison.

Roy, a goalie with the Quebec Remparts, skated the length of the ice and attacked goalie Bobby Nadeau in a playoff game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on March 22. Nadeau says he didn't retaliate because his coach told him never to fight.

The case prompted some Quebec politicians to call for a fighting ban. The league has not gone that far but has introduced stiffer penalties.

Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour underwent surgery to remove torn cartilage from his left knee Tuesday.

It is the same knee that required reconstructive surgery in February after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. However, Brind'Amour is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Brind'Amour led the Hurricanes to the 2006 Stanley Cup, and had 51 points while contributing on the power play and penalty kill last season.